The Betrayed

Chapter 2: An Unknowable Fate

When we arrived at the house where I was to spend the rest of my life, or so I thought at the time, my uncles were ushered in like important men. They were seated in plush chairs and offered carafes of wine and plates of cheeses.

I was left to stand to the side, unattended and unnoticed.

After a few minutes, a man appeared and bowed to my uncles, then motioned them to follow. I fell in line behind them, and kept my gaze down. I studied the beautiful black and white tiles underfoot as we walked, admiring the designs that had been created. They swirled around my feet every time I took a step.

We were led through the house and out into a large garden, where my future husband was seated underneath a bower of beautiful flowers I had never known existed. He nodded at my uncles and then turned his gaze to me. I dared not meet his eyes, but I could feel him looking me up and down. He was not ugly, but he was far too old, and did not seem kind.

He spoke a few words to my uncles and then motioned me forward.

"Remove your veil."

I looked to my uncles, who nodded, and then did as I was asked. My husband-to-be nodded approvingly, and then clapped his hands, suddenly and loudly. I jumped back as the man who had brought us out returned to the garden, bearing a large bag of coins.

"For your services, gentlemen. I thank you."

My uncles fled the garden with the payment, and I was left to my fate. I stood quietly until a group of handmaidens came to prepare me for the wedding ceremony that would take place that night. The women chattered excitedly as they pulled me into a room to have the dirt from the road scrubbed off of me. I did not understand their language and tried to follow their conversation by watching their faces and hand gestures, to no avail. I did not know what tribe these women were from, but it was not one I had ever come across before.

One appeared to be the leader, taller than even I, with jet black hair that she kept knotted on top of her head. She directed the women around me and then left the room, returning minutes later with a blue and red robe. I was pulled out of my bath, dried, and dressed, then set upon with face powders and kohl for my eyes.

Hoping that one would know my language, I asked why the wedding was so soon. The women paused and looked at each other, but ignored me and kept chattering to each other. I knew they had understood me.

Finally, they were done fussing over me and left the room, save for their leader, who stood in the doorway. I thought maybe she had been left to guard me, but then she came closer and put a hand on my shoulder.

"Do not be afraid, you are not alone."

She smiled, then turned and walked out before I could respond.