THE LAST LIGHT

CH III: Village of Honsule

CHAPTER 3

VILLAGE OF HONSULE

The first part of their journey was insignificant and they hardly remembered it till the end. It was almost two and a half day of their journey and the sun was setting. They decided to take rest in the nearby forest.

They had been sleeping in trees for the past couple of days. The siblings having lived in a forest all their lives felt safe in their branches but for Aerien who was born near the sea, the thick trees were queer and evil looking. She was used to the comfortable plains. Nevertheless, she did not complain. The horses were bound to a nearby tree on the ground.

"I will collect the firewood tonight" Idril volunteered. Aerien stood erect and strained her ears like listening to something. Ever since it has been discovered that she was the bearer of The Sword, the people regarded her as an idol. Even Idril who had thought of her as an enemy now had developed some deep respect for her. But for Ithil, Aerien was still a threat. The fact that she was she was related to the prophecy, made her less trustworthy. There was no way her brother was leaving her alone with this freak.

"No, let me go." Ithil said.

"But you went last time too."Ithil complained.

"But...”

"Quite both of you." Aerien said."Someone is coming"

"Why should we be afraid of this 'someone'?"Ithil asked crossly.

"Could you ever do something without arguing?”Aerien asked irritated. 

"The last thing I want now is being ordered around by a little girl."

"A little girl? Did you just call me a little girl? By rights I should even not be here. And you..."

It was not the first time that an argument had started. Idril rolled his eyes. But before he could interrupt, something hard hit his head. He swirled and turned around  to confront the intruder when a dozen more appeared, two upon one, taking them by surprise. In no time they were surrounded and bound by the group of guards. They all were armed and wore red.

"Do not move or struggle or you will be killed" said the leader of the tribe. She was a tall lady with her hair tied in a pony tail. Her amber eyes flashed dangerously as she inspected the capatives. Her bronze skin was in contrast with her red and black dress which was similar to what all others were wearing. It was clearly their uniform.

"We will take you to our king who will decide what to do with you.“ She continued.

"But what have we done?" Idril asked struggling in the arms of the guard who held him.

"No questions and don't act as if you are not aware."She snapped.

The guards led Idril in the front followed by Ithil and Aerien at the end .The guards probably thought her to be the least threat. And that was certainly a mistake on their part.

"My wrists hurt. Could you please loosen the bonds?”Aerien told her guard in a timid voice. Her voice dripping with innocence.

"I don't think that my lady will approve of it… “He began.

"Oh come on!  Are you afraid that a small girl will attack you?" She asked sweetly.

The guard seemed to consider that. Aerien did look harmless and small. He started to untie the bonds. But that was another mistake. As soon as her bonds were loosened, she knocked down the guard. Idril and Ithil took the lead and knocked down the guards who were trying to register what had just happed. She revived her bow that was taken by her guard and cut down their bonds. A fight broke out between the two parties. Idril and Ithil used their swords which they had brought with them to defend themselves. But Aerien used her bow and arrow which were dipped in sleeping draught. Very skillfully she aimed and released the arrows so that the arrows just grazed the skin of her victims leaving a slight cut, who were not hurt but fell into a deep sleep.