There was something about the way the river flowed that caught her attention. It was quiet as usual, a blissful peace that carried on into the far distance and the unseen but there was something else. Dear Netrid stretched up to catch whatever it was lurking, her pot of water spilling a little as she did.
It was hard to fathom at first, dark silhouettes, one, two, five and then more than she could accurately count. The Dear froze, her intuitions never failed her so she didn't understand why she hoped for anything different than what she thought.
The noblemen were easy to identify; their armour and materials uncommon among villagers and their blades glistening from the waters reflection. Their boats arrived in full force with men marching straight out and past her, shoving the old woman aside as if she were cattle.
Dear Netrid demanded to know there reasoning for such an intrusion. "By order of the Emperor himself", said an armed server as he shimmied his sagging pants above his ale-filled belly.
The Dear stared him down in disbelief "And what orders are they may I ask?", she feared but braved the question. He snorted before moving off. She followed suit, begging for an answer but the man ignored her, instead barged into lit and unlit huts with his men, frightening families from their supper tables or kip.
Dear Netrid ran to the home she knew they were in search of. The old man still lay in his sunken bed, staring up at the ceiling like he did many nights. The Dear slowly sat close by and clutched onto his tender hands, his skin cold under her touch. He need not look at her to know she had come bearing bad news.
The sound of chatter and screams took over the tranquil land. Women and children could be heard more than others, their confusion and fear startling the animals in neighbouring barns. Unfamiliar dialects ordered this and that and when the sound of rummaging could be heard outside the hut, the two elderly friends prepared for what was now their turn.
The same guard from the river bank entered Nukula's home. He smiled when he met the Dear's eyes and looked round obediently, taking care not to trample on anything. "Nice place you got here", he said turning to face them, sarcasm plastered across his thin face. "I see your sweethearts having a hard time over there ain't he?", he gestured to Talabashi fidgeting beneath her grip.
Dear Netrid tapped his hands gently to calm him. He may have been a hindrance to some but the Dear failed to see how the crippled man was any different to any farmer or marketeer. He was a father first, and no matter how easy it was to dispose of his presence, she had never seen any man fight for his child as hard as he. She could sense these things, even those that were invisible to the naked eye.
"He is not my husband. I'm a Dear and he is my very good friend".
The guards stood over them and chuckled. "That's lovely, really it is but I'm not here to listen to your love affairs. I want that girl and you're going to bring her to me now!".
"Girl?", Dear Netrid asked for verification. A silly question but she needed to hear it.
"Nukula Zicoto. An enemy of the Emperor is an enemy of the land". He leaned close "So tell me where she is and I'll spare you".
The Dear and Talabashi shook in rhythm, though undetected by the guards, they couldn't fathom the reasoning for such chaos. Mayhap the request to see her dead mother had become a far worse offence than they originally thought. Had Nukula not addressed the Emperor rightly or swore when rejected? She wasn't stupid, thought the Dear. She knew her place but disagreed with the rules, it was a fierce match and she was a fierce girl.
Dear Netrid moved in close to the man, "Nukula would not do anything to offend the high's but if she was rejected a right, then she may have spoken and I ask you to pardon her". The Guard laughed hysterically at her request before ordering her to collect Nukula. When no one moved, the guard reached for his blade and held it against the Dear's neck.
She neither flinched nor cared. He would not harm her, she was a Dear after all and he needn't want to be cursed after her death. "This is how my fellow brother was cut, right through here", he trailed the steel across her layered skin. "He died in a pool of his own blood because some bitch thought she had the right to change his fate!".
Dear Netrid looked to Talabashi in disbelief and at once understood her friend's thoughts.
"We do not know where she be, but we sure hope she is far from here, ". The guard grunted in frustration before pulling out a seat and slumping into it.
"Look here, an order be an order so have her stand before us or we'll have to reek havoc, and it'll be far worse than what he's going through already", he gestured to Talabashi.
Dear Netrid laughed quietly, "Look around Noblemen, there's not many shadows in this small hut. You'd have to be a fool to think I'd hide our beloved girl here", she sighed. "For the last time she is not here", she stood to her feet and gestured to the door.
The guard smirked though it failed to reach his eyes. "We'll be back...with her head", he said as he started for the exit.
Talabashi as frail as ever tossed and turned in his bed as if he were capable of running. "I bid you good day! and may the Almighty guide us all", said the Dear in retaliation.
The guard halted, "Nay Dear, may the Almighty Emperor guide us all", he left smiling.
******
YOU ARE READING
Daughters of the Land
Fantasy"Your name is irrelevant, you are purely the daughter of a Zicoto...". In a world torn by sorcery and myths, four kingdoms sit with a deep hatred for the other. Male dominance and pride rules most lands and although women- like the men, serve their...
