WIDA

Chapter 2: Through Hostile Lands

Wida woke to the sounds of the forest coming to life. Birds chirped in the trees, and the rustling of leaves whispered in the cool morning breeze and for a moment, she forgot where she was—forgot that she was no longer in the safety of her palace chambers. But as the memories of the previous night rushed back, reality settled in. She was no longer a princess in the Yisharan Empire, they were fugitives.

Her brothers were already awake, packing up their meager camp. Obis, ever the disciplined leader, was tying up their supplies while Imbo studied the map, his brow furrowed in concentration.

"We need to move quickly," Imbo said without looking up. "The empire's soldiers will realize we're gone soon, and they'll send scouts to track us. We have to stay ahead of them."

"How far until we're out of the empire's borders?" Wida asked, trying to shake off the lingering grogginess.

"Another day's ride, maybe less if we push hard," Obis replied. "But even then, we're not safe. The tribes beyond the empire's borders aren't exactly welcoming to strangers."

Wida nodded, feeling the weight of their situation settle over her. They were leaving behind everything they had ever known—power, wealth, safety—for a life of uncertainty. But she had no regrets. The thought of marrying Osomo and being forced into a life of servitude, was far worse than anything they might face out here.

They mounted their horses and rode deeper into the forest, following the winding trails that Imbo had marked on the map. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and pine, and the canopy of trees above them provided some cover from the sun's harsh rays. But the forest also held dangers—wild animals, bandits, and the possibility of running into hostile tribes.

As they rode, Wida's thoughts drifted to her father. The Emperor had always been a distant figure in her life, more concerned with his empire's politics and conquests than with his children. She wondered if he had noticed her absence yet, if he had even cared when her brothers had left with her. Would he send his armies after his heirs? Or would he let them go, dismissing them as rebellious offsprings not worth the effort? He had children with his second wife, knowing his way of balancing power, he might just choose to go with them.

The sound of snapping branches brought her back to the present. Obis raised his hand, signaling for them to stop. The forest around them had grown eerily quiet, the chirping of birds replaced by an unsettling stillness.

"What is it?" Wida whispered.

"Something's not right," Obis muttered, scanning the trees with a wary gaze.

Before they could react, figures emerged from the shadows of the forest—armed men with painted faces and fierce expressions. There were at least a dozen of them, surrounding the group in a loose circle.

"Put your hands up," one of the men snarled, stepping forward. He was tall and broad, his chest bare except for a necklace of animal bones. His eyes locked onto Wida, narrowing as he took in her regal bearing. "You don't belong here, outsider."

Obis tensed, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "We don't want trouble. We're just passing through."

The man sneered. "This is our land. No one passes through without paying a toll."

"We have nothing to give," Obis said firmly.

"Then you'll pay with your lives."

Before the man could draw his weapon, Abudem stepped forward, his hands raised in a gesture of peace, a surprise that even they did not expect. "Wait," he said calmly. "We may have something of value to offer."

The leader of the bandits raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "And what might that be?"

Abudem glanced at Wida, his eyes flickering with silent communication and as usual, she understood immediately. She was their bargaining chip.

"We're not just passing through," Imbo took over the conversation knowing Abudem quarter was already spent, he said carefully. "We're fleeing the Yisharan Empire. My sister here... is a princess."

The bandits exchanged glances, murmuring amongst themselves. The leader's expression shifted from aggression to curiosity.

"A princess, you say?" He took a step closer, his gaze sweeping over Wida with interest. "And why would a princess be running from her own kingdom?"

Wida met his gaze, her chin held high. "Because my father, the Emperor, would see me married off to a tyrant. I refused to be used as a pawn in his political games."

The leader studied her for a moment, then let out a low chuckle. "A princess on the run from her own empire. Now that's something you don't see every day."

Imbo seized the moment. "If you let us pass, we'll be in your debt. And once we're free of the empire, we can offer you something much more valuable than gold."

"And what might that be?" the leader asked, folding his arms.

Imbo smiled. "An alliance."

The bandit leader seemed to consider this for a long moment before finally nodding. "Very well. You may pass. But remember, princess—debts must be repaid."

Wida nodded, her heart pounding as the bandits melted back into the forest. They had avoided a fight this time, but she knew their journey was far from over. The path ahead was uncertain, filled with dangers she could not yet see. But one thing was clear: she was no longer the sheltered princess she had once been.

She was a fugitive, yes—but she was also free. And with her brothers by her side, she would fight for the life she wanted, no matter what it took.

Thank you for reading this draft

Updates every Friday and Monday