Shackled

Word is Bond

Tikal approaches the cage. The girl inside is still staring at her, giving the young leader her full attention. Tikal kneels at the door and grabs a bar to keep her balance.

"If you think you can change my mind, you're as big of a fool as Gabriel," the prisoner says.

Tikal tilts her head, squints, and says, "I only said that to get him to leave us alone. My intent is to find out why you are so willing to die."

"I'm not so willing to die... I just really don't want to be that hog's sex toy. Death is a better option for me."

"No," Tikal shakes her head. "Death is never an option. We will figure this out right now."

"Look, stranger," the girl rocks herself to her feet. "I don't know your fascination with me but it's a lost cause. I have no family in this settlement. No one has any pity for me. I would only be a tool for his pleasure and I'm not into bestiality." She walks up to the door and Tikal stands to meet her at eye level. "What's your story? He said you were a leader of a tribe."

"I am the vessel of Bazra. Chosen of the owl deity herself."

"The elder tribe of Bazra... Wow... You have a name 'Vessel of Bazra?'" the girl asks with a smirk.

"Tikal Sabali."

"Well, Tikal. It was a pleasure to have met a true leader before passing. Maybe in another lifetime, we will cross paths again." She turns around to walk back to her corner.

"I don't think you heard me the first time but you're not dying here..." The girl pauses. Tikal's bold words rock her. "You didn't give me your name."

"Anaris Nazari..." she says with her back still turned.

"My word is my bond. You will be free and without a hog to lay next to." Tikal taps on the cage a few times before leaving Anaris to ponder what the young leader may have up her sleeve. The caged girl looks back just in time to see Tikal running off back to the center of town.

The tribe has begun settling in. She passes her own people as they find huts and partially built houses to rest in. Gabriel stands with Akef and Lao, one of the council members. Tikal approaches them slowly.

"There's the munchkin!" Lao shouts. The stout man points her out and smiles. "Many of us had our doubts 'bout her but she ain't half bad to be completely honest."

"Glad to hear I am of such importance that you feel the need to discuss my struggles with our host," Tikal says.

"Lao is just running his mouth as always, Tikal," Akef says. "How was your meeting with the prisoner? Were you able to convert her?"

Tikal's eyes snap to Gabriel. "I would like to offer a trade for the girl's life."

"What? No!" Gabriel answers. "Her death is symbolism like I told you earlier. Anyone that defies me shall be treated just as harshly."

Lao looks at Tikal and shrugs. "We can't argue his methods, Chieftess. This is his land and his people."

"I can argue what I want! You can find another way to scare your people into submission. I want the girl."

Gabriel scoffs at Tikal. "There's nothing you can offer that is worth her life. You're already trading me what I need for the shelter you are receiving."

"What is this girl to you?" Lao asks Tikal. "Are you tryin' to play hero because someone fucked up?"

"She shouldn't be put to death for refusing to lay with you. Only a man with no backbone would bend that low."

Embarrassment flushes over Gabriel's face. "How dare you claim that?" he shouts. "That's a witch you are referring to. She lied to you!"

"Then tell me, what is it that she's guilty of."

"Choose your words wisely, friend," Akef says to Gabriel. Tikal wipes her hand over her left eye and reveals the Eye of Bazra. Her eye resembles that of an owl. A golden cornea with a pitch-black pupil. It peers deeply into Gabriel's eyes as she awaits his response.

"She murdered one of my guards," he says. "Drained the life from him with her touch. After subduing her, I gave her an ultimatum. Become my plaything or die."

"Were you there?" she asks.

"What?"

"When she allegedly killed this guard. Were you there?" she yells.

"N-No!"

"Liar... You and your men attempted to assault her but she defended herself. Then you tried to make her seem like the villain." The golden eye gives her a brief insight on what Gabriel experienced that night with Anaris.

Gabriel becomes irate. "So what if that's true! It doesn't change the fact that she belongs to me and I make the rules here! Your little power doesn't mean shit!"

"I'm going to ask you once to calm down, buddy..." Lao says, gritting his teeth. "I don't completely agree with what's goin' on here but you WILL respect my leader!"

"We all need to settle down. We are building an audience," Akef says. People nearby poke their heads out of doors, windows, and around corners.

"All I want is the girl," Tikal continues to pressure as her eye reverts to normal. "We can conduct everything else as if nothing has transpired. I'm offering you a fair trade. If you refuse, I will have an issue with you and there's no telling how I will respond."

"Your men will work to help build while you are here! I don't want any excuses about the hours or the load. I will put your people's faith in you to the test! That sound fair to you?" Gabriel offers with an attitude.

"Fine... Give me the key to her cell and we'll consider this deal done."

"Chieftess! We have not discussed this with the council," Lao intervenes.

"Her life is non-negotiable, Lao," Tikal says. "If I need to do some heavy lifting myself, I will." Gabriel beckons the guard with the key over to him. He points him over to Tikal and the guard delivers her the key. Akef curiously watches her as she runs back to the cage.

Tikal's run slows to a jog as she reaches the cage. "Let's go..." she says while plugging the key into the door. Anaris sits in disbelief but eventually stands up in her corner. The door swings open. "You're going to stay in my carriage until we leave here." She throws the keys over her shoulder and waits at the door. Anaris doesn't budge until Tikal impatiently gestures for her to get out of the cage.

"What did you do?"

"I kept my word..."