Tales of Aridia

Hostage

The morning came swift, followed by a sudden start. Groups of children were already awake, playing outside, I looked about for Elliana but she lay asleep, her head resting on a piece of rolled up cloth. I looked down onto the floor, Jayden's place was empty and so were his things.  My jacket had been drying on the window and so I grabbed it and put it on, letting the warmth sink into my skin. Carefully prodding around Max's head I slipped through the door and stepped outside. My cold feet settled on the stone flooring and I emerged into sunlight.  I walked to the edge of the village and walked to the gates. The two men from the previous day were stood there, holding the same torch but blown out from the night breeze. Their faces drooped and were cast over with a pale white. "You may not leave," One said, while the other tilted to the right, his legs weak and his knees shaking. "Is he okay?" I asked, pointing to the man. "He's fine." The man said shortly. I nodded awkwardly, afraid to question. 

I backed away awkwardly, distancing myself from the men. I looked back with caution to see them still stood the way they were. I made my way around the wall, hoisting myself up with my feet and clambering down on the other side. I walked out onto an open field, guided by a small rocky path battered by children who played on it. A single tree towered ahead, and sat at the stump was a boy.

I walked over, my feet deepening into the muddy grass. Jayden sat there, his back resting on the bark of the tree. He fiddled with something in his hand, twisting it in his fingers. 'what's that?' I asked, making Jayden squeal in fright. He looked up at me, squinting in the sunlight. A gold chain fell through the gaps of his fingers and swayed there for a moment. 'well?' I asked. Jayden unclasped his hand, presenting a gold pocket watch. 'i've seen that before...' I muttered, trying to recall. Jayden bowed his head, 'it was your brother's, I wanted you to have it.' he said. I reached into his palm and picked up the watch, revealing the small picture kept hidden inside. 'thank you,' I said, tracing my fingers over it. My brother's name was engraved on the back, with a birth date.

I dropped my head in confusion, 'if my brother is older than me why was he not heir?' I asked. Jayden smiled, pulling my arm down so i slumped myself next to him. 'In Aridia it is always the woman who is first in line.' he explained.  

Not too far ahead the ground disappeared, descending into a small cliff. Near it was a small staircase, made with rocks and stones winding down to the bottom. Beneath the cliff the land ended and the sea stretched out as far as the eyes could see.  Jayden lifted up my sleeve, he stared at it, tracing the rings with his finger. His eyes fell upon mine but then they dropped, falling onto the ground.

His hand clasped into mine, rubbing my hand with the tip of his thumb. 'you'll be fine,' he said unconvincingly.  Behind us a pair of footsteps bounded along the rocky path. The old man who we had met before greeted us unexpectedly. 'breakfast!' he exclaimed, waving his hands in the air. Me and Jayden stood up flustered, our hands parting from each other. The mans eye was black, and the veins in his eyes pulsed a bright red.  His voice croaked, cracking with every word. 'this way,' he gestured.

I stepped forward to follow but Jayden shook his head disapprovingly. I carried on, Jayden following unwillingly behind. We passed through the gates and meandered through the huts. The villagers were gone, their doors left open and their things left awry. The man directed us to the centre of the village, towards a large hut with big brass doors. Two men either side opened them for us and we stepped up onto a purple carpet laid across a hall. The brass doors slammed behind us, cutting off the light. Everything was masked in shadow except for a table pushed up against the wall, where the light from a window was cast on it. 

Max and Elliana were there too, except... they had been restrained and tied by their hands. Their mouths were sealed shut with tape and their feet woven together with rope. I looked at the man in horror, as he gestured us to the table. "What have you d-" I stuttered, cut off by the elder. "Breakfast!" He shouted. The rest of the men in the room repeated his words cheerfully, "Breakfast!" They yelled. on the table was a silk cloth, covering something underneath. My hand grasped the corner as I threw away the cloth. 

I jumped back in horror, backing away from the cast of the light. On the table, surrounded by fruits and food was a body. It's hand dangled limply off the table while it's legs lay stiff as a board. The long glossy hair was familiar, I took a closer look. It was Jessica, the girl in my class from so long ago, or so it felt. Despite her cruelty to see her dead body sent an icy shiver up my spine. Elliana squealed underneath the tape, rocking back and fourth on her knees. "Max, do you know who that is?" I asked. Max nodded, his eyes lit with terror.