The Chronicles of the Tower -1-

Chapter 3 -The Tower- (pt.1)

The rain improved the situation a little, but the damage caused by drought was irreparable. 

The crops had burned, the fires had reduced the forests and many farm animals had died from the heat or had to be sacrificed for families to survive.

The times of need passed, and Dana despite the friendship with Kai and his unconditional help through the hardships, kept wondering when things would change.

Unaware that her life was soon to be radically transformed.

One afternoon when she returned from the field, she noticed something unusual in the farm. Her little siblings were playing in the backyard, but there weren't adults nearby.

In addition, the rate door was closed which was strange because due to the heat they left it open.

Dana shrugged, but Kai looked uneasy. Both went to the stable in search of some shade, and once there they found another clue as to ​​what was going on.

The drought had only left them two cows and a horse, but that afternoon there were two more tenants in the shed, a white horse and a young berry mare.

What about that? Dana muttered very surprised while Kai admired with an expressive whistle the animals They can't be ours! We don't have money.

An idea came to her and she locked eyes with Kai.

We have a visitor, muttered the latter, who shared the same thought as her.

Dana glanced at the white horse, wondering why it was so familiar. Then she left the stable and went to the backyard to question her siblings about the events, but they told her no new information.

Dana was not giving up. It was clear that the adults were in a meeting with the visitors, a meeting to which she had not been invited.

But she had a feeling. She went all around the house to the side window overlooking the main dining room. Luckily it was open, and she snuggled underneath so she could listen without being seen.

The voices of her parents were heard clearly, occasionally one of his older siblings would also make an appearance. And a stranger's who was undoubtedly the owner of the horses.

I can assure you I'll take good care of her, the man was saying. I will provide her food, clothing, the security of a home ... and an education she would never get if she were to stay here.

Dana frowned. She was sure she had heard that voice before. Calm, low and well modulated. But she couldn't put a face to it yet.

We understand that it is a great opportunity for her answered her father, cautiously. But these are times of need, and a peasant family cannot get rid of two arms that work well.

It would be one less mouth to feed, the man replied. I will gladly pay what it takes.

Money cannot replace the loss of a daughter, objected the mother roughly.

Dana guessed then that they were negotiating the marriage of one of her older sisters. "So that was it", she told himself.

She turned to Kai to tell him that it was nothing serious, but she became silent when she saw the worried expression on her friend's face.

Her suspicions were becoming stronger, and she continued to listen.

I know I would take her far away, said the stranger, but I offer her something that is not within everyone's reach.

There was a tense silence. Then the stranger added

Offers like this should not be wasted in times of need.

And then Dana found herself stuck in that place, because she remembered with complete clarity where she had heard a similar phrase spoken by that same voice

By the well, some weeks ago when an old man in a gray cloak, riding a white had stopped to ask her where the town was.

She looked at Kai, but he seemed absent.

If she comes with me, Dana will never be hungry again, concluded the visitor.

They were talking about her! Dana felt faint and fell against the wall. Her parents were talking about marrying her to the man in the gray cloak!

Distraught, she sought Kai's gaze, and her blue eyes met his.

It will be alright, the boy murmured, but his voice shaked. Dana took a deep breath. It was common for parents to negotiate with the suitors of their kids about their wedding.

But it used to be boys they had previously chosen. Although sometimes it was true that they were forced to get married, for economic reasons.

But Dana was ten years old, and she had never imagined that it could happen to her, and at such a young age. And with an older man whom she hardly knew.

She wanted the earth to swallow whole her when she heard the voice of her father saying:

Okay, you can take her. Would you leave tonight?

No! Dana exclaimed, and turned away from the window, shaking her head. Those in the dining room then noticed her presence, but the girl did not want to face them.

So she ran towards the barn, and shortly thereafter she was trembling under her blanket, well aware that soon they would go looking for her.

She felt Kai's presence at beside her, and that comforted her. And she thought that nothing could be so bad if he accompanied her.

Then he remembered that Kai was no secret to her future husband, and she felt really scared.

Run away, said the boy.

Dana was about to reply that that was her plan, when she realized that Kai had not said

Let's run away, but had spoken in singular.

Wouldn't you come with me? she asked feeling more stressed.

Away from the farm? Kai shook his head. I can't.

Dana looked at him, intrigued by the refusal that he gave her. New questions about the identity of her friend arised.

But then the barn door opened.

Too late, Kai muttered.