Chaart Acrat 1 - The Flying Bride

Chapter 3

They didn't talk about the appointment afterwards. As soon as they had returned home and changed clothes, they started doing their daily tasks as if nothing had happened. The next day Owata's mother responded the neighbors' curious questions by smiling secretively, telling them that the things were still in progress but everything was going fine.

Owata couldn't focus on her work. She tried to avoid meeting her friends, for she didn't want to answer their questions about her marriage. She didn't even tell her siblings what had happened - they seemed to realize that something was wrong and didn't ask.

After three days of waiting there was still no sign of a new soothsayer or marriage. Raakshe's tent was standing on the edge of the market square, and everyday in the village kept going like it always had. Owata had been commanded to go and get a fish from the market. She halted in front of the soothsayer's tent, pondered for a moment but couldn't resist the urge to ring the bell hanging at the doorway and step inside.

Raakshe looked several years older and more emaciated than the last time Owata had met her. She had settled herself on the corner of the tent to study her papers, and she didn't raise her head even when Owata coughed.

"Leoncegs, none of them, none of them..." Raakshe mumbled.

"Excuse me," Owata said. "Would you have a moment?"

The soothsayer seemed to awake. "Of course, my child! How long have you been standing there? I didn't notice you at all, not at all..."

Owata sat down at the small table and Raakshe moved painfully to the other side. Her limping was more distinctive than usually.

"Yes, my child, what's wrong? Have any problems occurred with the fiance?"

"I guess one could say so," Owata snorted. "But I think I should have seen it coming."

Raakshe widened her eyes. "Oh my, now that I remember! You are Owata Gyolam? The bride of the upcoming chief!" She smiled joyfully and her eyes were shining. Owata bit her lip. The soothsayer really seemed to be senile.

All of a sudden the soothsayer went serious. "The chief didn't like the idea. Those arrogants. I am merely trying to do a favor for the village, and who is thanking me? They try to make me step aside, they're looking for someone to take my job, those intriguers..." The old woman's gaze was wandering. She clutched Owata's hands.

"But you could still cancel this marriage. It hasn't been announced yet, you can still take it back and find us new partners. I don't want to marry Siarme. I'm nothing but trash for him."

Raakshe focused her eyes slowly on Owata's face. "No, my child." She stood up and pulled Owata with her. "We have lived under control of the selfish Tshers for too long. We have done nothing but watched as they've trampled on our rights. It has got to end. I have decided to bring the dynasty closer to ordinary people. And you, my child, are a perfect spouse to Siarme. You can fill him with common sense!"

"But I can't! I can't do it, he doesn't consider me to be a human, I'm just a - "

"No one will cancel this marriage! We shall announce it now!" Raakshe walked Owata out of the tent, her eyes glowing madness. They walked to the stage in the middle of the market square. It was built for the chief's briefings and other important assemblies. Raakshe took Owata behind the stage and pushed her up the stairs, climbing after her and huffing determinedly.

The people walking in the market slowed down and started pointing towards the stage. Owata's legs were trembling.

Raakshe blew the horn that was left on the edge of the stage and it made a few poor noises. The market went silent. People were staring.

"Villagers!" Raakshe croaked. "We are going to recall this day as a day of elation! It's my great pleasure to declare that I have found a bride to our honorable chief's son, Siarme Aca!"

People were giving glances at each other, doubtfully. Owata felt dizzy and she was afraid she would fall off the stage if she'd have to walk a single step.

"I will now introduce you Miss Owata Gyolam, who has promised to devote herself to the demanding work as the upcoming chief's spouse, to live beside him and support him in every important decision considering the village!"

Owata felt like fleeing.

"A Fiaan!," people all around were whispering.

"Soothsayer Raakshe has spoken," said Raakshe and her posture collapsed a little. Owata took the horn from her hand and put it back on its place. She tried to get the old woman down from the stage, but Raakshe was standing still, hovering and smiling insanely.

"Please come," Owata whispered. The crowd had started making noises.

Raakshe looked through Owata with her blue-and-gray eyes and emitted a croaking laugh. Then she fell towards Owata.