Zayne

1|1: MYSTERY KNOX HULLE

The evening was cool and calm just like the small village had been for the past six months. The cool breeze transported dry leaves to every vicinity. Old women were knitting, young maidens were gossiping about the newest fine soldier they sighted, small children were playing with the grasses and the soldiers were sparing in the fields.

Zayne sat on the only bench in the fields that was already cramped with soldiers who didn't want to soil their trousers with the mushy floor. Sweat was dripping down her body like she just ran a marathon and she shoved her sword to the ground quickly gurgling down a full basin of water.

The water soaked her shirt in the process but she continued drinking even when she started choking on it. Once the basin was empty, she threw it to one of the soldiers who went to fetch water for himself. Zayne adjusted on the bench groaning in frustration as her corset didn't allow free movement. She had to hide the fact that she was a girl or else she wouldn't be among the soldiers which means she wouldn't be able to take out her revenge.

The sounds of clashing swords, Zayne watched with eagerness. Although she preferred using her bow and arrow, she found it essential to know how to handle all weapons. She wanted to lead, and to lead she must be very versatile in all areas a soldier needed to be.

"My Lords, dinner is almost served and the maidens requests your attention" A frail old woman with black long hair tangled in different forms informed the soldiers and just like that all the clashing swords had stopped moving and were shoved into their belt pouches.

Zayne was delighted that she was finally going to eat but the rest of the soldiers all had different motives as they rushed to the shower tent to take a shower before approaching the maidens.

Crazy men and mentally deranged women.

That was all Zayne saw in the young men and women in the village. She wanted to hide in a sack for the rest of her life as she looked at how the women dressed just to eat dinner or should we make it clearer and say the men.

Silk or linen flowing gowns, headdresses shaped like hearts or butterflies. Their dresses were designed with jewelry like diamonds and even the well-off ones wore dresses garnished with silver and not to forget the devious looking fan that all the women seem to have in their hands.

Zayne walked over the large dining hall and sat on one of the stools watching the older ladies dish out food and she gulped at the sight on the not-so-watery meal.

The foods dished did not contain expensive dishes but it was simply bread and gruel, beans and then milk which they reserved for the children. Zayne waited in the hall for the women who were gossiping outside and for the men wasting precious time to bath.

Apart from the children, she was the only one in the dining hall. Once the old ladies were out of sight, Zayne shoved a morsel into her pocket then another, then another...

Until her pocket was bulging and she had to eat some at the spot. She shoveled a whole loaf in her mouth with just five bites and then she did the same for the other three loafs wiping her mouth clean from any crumbs so it wouldn't give her away.

Apart from being able to participate in the oncoming war, another benefit that Zayne had as disguising as a boy was that she could eat till her hearts content. She didn't need to eat like a lady since she wasn't from her appearance.

Thankfully, the girls had gathered on the table still gossiping among themselves and even the adults were already seated. Zayne removed her feet from the stool beside her and planted it on the ground.

Her stomach was grumbling and Zayne was mumbling. Finally! The soldiers found it the right time to stroll inside and of course they had to come in with their sword, spear, shield and helmet.