Black Roses

Chapter 3

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Zaria woke with a jolt. What was that? Today was not the day to be thinking about her past. While consuming breakfast, she insisted that she would try to break her reputation in the village and try politely speaking to someone. The idea made her uneasy, she hadn't needed anyone in her life up til now, but if she wanted others to be nice to her, she would have to make the first move.

"Shade, you ready boy?" she saddled on the young stallion. "Come on, if we go now, we could be there by lunch."

Zaria sighed, she would miss her garden, at least she had her daggers and of course, Shade. She counted again, six on her and one in her bag. Surviving on your own meant she was always prepared and organised.

She listened to the chirping birds, the rustling leaves from bushes and trees meant there was a slight warm breeze. Zaria was humming once again and quietly singing to herself. Whenever she did this, she was always cheered by Shade, with a supportive neigh or stomping hooves to sing louder. But she only sang loud enough for Shade to hear. She took pride seriously; too much was considered selfish, not enough was shy. Zaria had just the right amount, but she knew well enough that even though she might have a lovely voice, she would be a laughingstock if she told anyone a horse had encouraged her. The village knew she was mad already, she wasn't going there to add to her reputation. She hoped that hiding her face before would give her some leverage when she revealed herself today.

To her delight, Zaria finally heard the river. The gushing sound if the clear blue water in the flowing stream calmed her nerves. The submerged rocks gleamed magically in the sun. She was close, only another hour or so, then she would face the villagers. Her face read of relief as she sat down and leaned against a tree. She rolled Shade another apple and let him stroll to the river for a long deserved drink. Searching her satchel again for the blueberries she packed, she accepted the answer of being followed. Not by a person though, a bird, a crow. Yes, her name was Zaria Crow, but she didn't get it by the birds following her.

On her first night, Zaria was weak. Being a young girl, no one had taught her even the basic rules of surviving. But that night a crow had come to her, it had been watching her for a while, but she never paid it any attention. Afraid and cold, she laid down on the wet grass, about to give up on life. Then suddenly a small black bird landed in front of her with a leaf in its mouth. A leaf filled with blueberries. That day that bird saved her life.

Ever since then, those black birds watched her. They hung around the roof of her cottage, in the trees of her garden, always just watching. Zaria Crow, she came up with the name because she was accepted by them, she belonged with them. They didn't fly away like the villagers did when they saw a glimpse of her flowing hair, the glint of her daggers or when they heard that so-called haunting tune she frequently hummed. She would show the village she was just like them.

"Let's get moving buddy, not long now." Zaria packed up her belonging. Again she counted six, and, of course, one in her satchel. She took another deep breath as she tucked the rose pendant back under her shirt. She brushed off the dirt on her knees and then filled her canteen of water from the river. Once ready, she got back on Shade and urged him forward with the reins. They would soon be at the town, and Zaria was slowly, slowly preparing herself.

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