The Thief

A Day Alone in the Woods

Birds were chirping insistently when I woke. My horse was still sleeping and I got up head throbbing. Zeus alerted of my activity, stood up and nudged my shoulder. “Good Morning Zeus. Well, let’s get going. I have to get some help and I have to get to the base.” Zeus knelt obediently and I mounted my faithful steed once again. Atop Zeus I led on and began my long day alone in the woods. I thought back to the execution.

I hadn’t cried at the execution, I only had felt sick. Now, the reality of it all set in upon my head. The tears came then. I hadn’t really been allowed to cry throughout my life, and now my father was dead. Sure, he beat me often, but my father was training a future Rebellion leader. I led Zeus on at running speed with my hair flying in the wind. All too soon, Zeus was tired. I dismounted and found an apple tree to get him some food. I shot the apples down with arrows and quickly collected them. I couldn’t let my skills be wasted while I was fleeing the Guard. Surely there had to be someone who recognized me. I just prayed that I did a good enough job of blending in. I knew that I hadn’t, because I had looked away. I was sick, villagers don’t get sick watching an execution. I also thought I had seen a spark of recognition blaze in the soldier’s eye when he shoved me down. I chewed slowly on an apple and walked besides Zeus. At this rate we’d make it to the rebel base in 3 days time. I knew that my sister nor the Guard’s army would be able to find the base this time.It was hidden deep in Esterwolf. I thought of General Conon of Esterwolf. I knew that I was selected to serve as leader of the Rebellion, but why me of all people? You know the answer to that. The little voice in my head chirped. Yeah, I did know. I was the best archer in all of Allara. At a mere 17 years old I could shoot better than most men who has been archers 30+ years of their lives. I knew that destiny called to me to be the Rebellion leader and I wouldn’t disobey my father’s orders I would lead the Rebellion to victory.

The days pushed on and I soon left the woods of Fallgold and into the deserts of Opral. Sand storms came every  few hours and I was pelted with dust. My long brown hair now a sooty sand colored. My eyes burned from the constant squinting into the storm. I thought more and more about my father’s death and the secrets of the Rebellion. I pondered where my step-sister was. I knew I should have killed her when I had the chance. I thought back to when we were 5 and she was 4. She had broken my new bow that my father had given me. I got angry and almost strangled her. My father caught us and I was severely beaten while my sister grinned wickedly knowing that she wouldn’t get in trouble. Father was always nicer on her because of my stepmother. She grew up to be a traitor to the Rebellion, what father had fought so hard to build up was crumbled down again by his own daughter.

Soon I passed from Opral into Clearriver. I took a deep breathe of the clear air. I was surrounded by rolling meadows and flowers. Butterflies danced lazily in the air. The wind caressed my hair gently. I urged Zeus ahead at full speed. I looked ahead to see the wonderful city of Clitana towering over me. In little time I was entering an inn. I scanned the in for the innkeeper, I knew she would help me get to Esterwolf. The woman I was looking for was named Trill. I had met her when I was young but she was part of the Rebellion and promised to help me if I ever got myself into trouble. I finally spotted her behind the bar. I made my way over. “Are you Trill?” The woman didn’t look up. “Depends on what you want, dear.”

I thought back to what I had read in my letter... You will find the base where the birds and bees dance, and 3 fingers touch the sky. Past the winding dream, in the trees of fantasy. Under the haze of dawn, in the hills of despair and loss. Over the pass, under a bridge. “I seek the Bird Whisperer.” I smirked at the code word and waited. “Nala?” Trill looked up. “The day has finally come. We cannot talk here.” She lowered her voice… “Too many ears. Follow.” I trailed behind Trill into a private room behind the bar. At last when we were alone. “Look how you’ve grown!!!” Trill pulled me into a hug. “You look just like your mother did. You’ll make a wonderful leader of the Rebellion. Now to business. You seek Katon, do you not?” Nod. “Good. You’ll find him Hartila. The way is not easy. I have been instructed to have you stay a day here. And then one  in Hartila. I’ll send a letter ahead of you to alert the Base of your coming so that you can travel with stops. You’ve become such a beautiful strong woman. Your father would be proud. Now come. I have new clothing, gear, and maps for you. Let’s go to your room.” I followed Trill once again. We went up many stairs until we reached the top floor with one room.

I took in the details of the room. A simple bed took up most of the space. A desk stood in one corner a pack sat on top. “Trill…” My voice trailed off. “No need to thank me. This is your father’s doing.” My father? Of course. My father, though vague, was always prepared. I rifled through the bag, I saw some durable and less suspicious dresses. They were mostly browns and green, to easily blend into the forests.  There was also food and a very nice hunting knife. I pulled it out of the  pack and attached the holster around my thigh. “Trill, do you have anything shorter?” “Shorter?” I turned to face her “Yeah, these seem a little heavy. I’m gonna need something shorter while I’m traveling to the base.” A stern look crossed her face. “It’s almost winter. You need clothing to keep you warm. Those stay. Here is a shorter dress. Now get dressed. We aren’t negotiating this. Find me when you are done.” She pulled out a dark blue dress and shoved it into my hands. With that Trill left me alone. “I’ll come down when I’m done.” I changed into the dark blue dress, it was short as I had asked. It fanned out at the waist and had many layers. It reminded me of the night sky without stars. Every layer moved silently against the other. The bodice was tight-fitting but still allowed for movement. I marveled at the beautiful  dress. After that I donned the brown cloak. I looked at my appearance in the mirror. I looked fierce. Like a warrior. The knife on my thigh felt weird. It wasn’t the one I was used to. Angrily I ripped it out of the sheath and replaced it with my other knife. As soon as I was ready I placed my other items from my own pack into the new one. I donned my bow and quiver again. I felt ready to head to the base. I made my way downstairs and found Trill again. “I am ready.” Trill led me into the back room once again. She handed me another pack filled with maps and books. “These maps will lead you to the base. You only have part of them, Katon has the other half. Put them together and it will get you to where you need to go. You’re father would be proud Nala. You’re stubborn as they were. With you taking the lead, I have faith in the Rebellion again. You’re ready.” She leaned close to my ear and whispered one more piece of information into my ear. I smiled and straightened up. I nodded and turned to head outside to do some practicing. I wasn’t planning on staying as long as Trill had said. Suddenly there were loud footsteps outside the inn. Trill tensed. “Soldiers! Nala run!!! Get out of here, get to Hartila and find Katon! I’ll keep them here as long as I can! Go!” I hugged Trill one last time and made a hasty thank you. I turned and darted out the back door. I leaped onto my house and urged him toward Hartila. I heard many screams behind me. “No!!! Please!!! Don’t hurt us!!! We don’t know where she is!!! I heard a bird call and looked back to see a sword pierce Trill’s stomach. She didn’t scream as her eyes met mine. Tears welled in my eyes. I told Zeus to run faster, and we escaped into the night, leaving the screams behind us. toward Hartila. I heard many screams behind me. “No!!! Please!!! Don’t hurt us!!! We don’t know where she is!!! I heard a bird call and looked back to see a sword pierce Trill’s stomach. She didn’t scream as her eyes met mine. Tears welled in my eyes. I told Zeus to run faster, and we escaped into the night, leaving the screams behind us.