War Maids - Book One

Chapter One - The Search

The cliffs that overlooked the small village were rocky and steep. Many who tried to cross through the path were killed by falling, the weather, or even a wild animal. I stood on one of the peaks, my old village was far away, yet this one look so much like it. I couldn't believe that it was just a few months ago that I was just a plain old maid working for the rich. And now I had a new duty that I would happily carry out to the best of my abilities.

"Hey, Sayomi!" The voice of the other girl I was traveling with called out to me as she climbed up to where I was standing. Her name was Miku and she was very energetic and outgoing. Oh yeah and loud. Very loud. I turned around to face her and at that moment the cool evening wind blew my blonde hair in front of my face. I was missing my family, but I knew that this was a better deal then being beaten and raped for being late making dinner or breakfast. I hated being the Mikazuki's maid, it was torturous. But now I was free from that and I was happy to be.

"What is it Miku?" I asked her as I brushed my hair out of my face. I watched her with my icy blue eyes as she finished climbing up the mountain peak and now stood before me. She was bent over and out of breath from the exhausting climb. I cracked a slight smile at her as she painted and bent over to try to catch her breath.

"The General wants us to move into the city tomorrow at dawn!" She cried out. I could hear the fear in her voice as she quivered - not just in the cold, but also because of her fear. I knew she was from this village. And it was here where she worked for the Alpha's family and he had raped her and killed her boyfriend. It really traumatized her and now she never wants to have a boyfriend again.

"Alright," I said in a whisper. Then I noticed Moly's emotions as she stood there with her eyes downcast and her lips quivering in fear as she probably was trying not to burst into tears and sobs. I then walked over to her and placed my hand on her shoulder before adding to her in a whisper "and we'll go down there together." That seemed to make her feel at least a little bit better as she lifted her head up and then crashed into me. She wrapped her arms around my body and began to sob into my chest.

"It was horrible there Sayomi! Just horrible!" Miku cried out to me as she let out all of her pent-up emotions. I just stood their nodding and giving her a hug as she cried. I hushed her and waited for her to be ready to leave. Finally, she stopped her racking sobs and her tears had stopped as well. She slowly pulled away and wiped the remaining water from her eyes as she sniffled. She then turned back around and offered me a small, but still saddened smile. After that, Miku said to me as I just offered her a slight smile back

"Sorry about that, Sayomi. I just get so upset when I think of ... well him." I could tell Miku was still stressed about going to the village. I could see it in her eyes as she turned around and began to walk back to camp. I took one last glance at the village below us and then followed Miku off of the cliff peak.
•••
Dawn was fast approaching as I laid in my sleeping bag - I had been startled awake by a nightmare and couldn't fall back asleep. Knowing that soon we will move into the village in search of the Celestial Princess and her Crown Of The Heavens. This was vital for us to win the war and keep the all of the lands safe from the demons. And so as we would have to enter the village and hope that the Princess we are looking for is there - and her magical crown.