-Soi, you are asked for.
A series of knocks on his door woke Soi up from his slumber. Lately, always being in Ana’s presence made him tired beyond thought and each time he could escape her influence he went back to his house to sleep. At first he had found his tiredness strange but had put it off as Ana’s strong character being too overwhelming.
Soi yawned and got up, rubbing his eyes clear from sleep. The sun was just glimmering on the horizon and the sky was dark and partly filled with stars. It was early in the morning.
-Yes, he responded and opened the door.
-The mayor asks for your presence immediately, he said it was about Ana.
-I’ll be there, he snorted.
Some minutes later Soi installed himself at the mayor’s office at the Fair Lady.
-Soi.
The mayor stood facing the window with his hands on his back.
-Yes, sir.
-Ana’s leaving. Are you ready to depart?
-Sir, I will be, as soon as I have collected some of my things and saddled my horse. This could be done in a few minutes.
-I will send someone to saddle your horse for you, it will save us some time.
-Sir, why the hurry?
-Ana is leaving now. At the moment we are resisting her effort to make to make it out of town as we, no, I need you to go with her.
-She is fighting your men? He looked at the mayor in surprise.
-Yes, and we are losing, so I would appreciate if you would go and pack your items instantly.
The mayor turned around to face Soi, his face serious.
-Of course, sir.
Soi left directly and soon, from the back of his mare, he approached the scene where Ana fought the mayor’s men. She was leaving a trace behind her as she progressed through the town. No one was badly hurt, they were only left with sore bodies, scratches and an injured pride after being beaten by the young girl. Those foolish enough to attack again from behind got a broken leg or two as punishment. Shortly there would be no men left to fight her.
The mayor stood by the street, watching grimly Ana as she single handedly smashed up his entire staff of guards. When he saw Soi he gave the order for the guards to retreat. Ana flashed the mayor a suspicious glance and then discovered Soi on his horse in the corner of her eye. And she sighed deeply.
-Well come on then. Haven’t got all day.
She continued her walk, slightly dragging her injured leg in the mud. She was tired, though she breathed effortlessly. Soi easily caught up with her and pulled her up on the horse. They made it out of the town though Ana kept sliding off at one or the other side of the horse.
-Have you ever been on a horse before?
-Yes, but I kept falling off so I have given up the whole riding business.
-Well if you put your arms around me you won’t fall off. At least not without taking me with you. Soi smiled back at her. –I can teach you how to ride, if you want to.
-Oh, I’ve already been taught, I’m simply not good at it. Sam kept pestering me about how I would move more quickly with a horse.
-He’s right. Sam, isn’t that the one you were waiting for? What happened, why did you leave?
-He’s dead. I have already dragged on the departure a week, but he didn’t come. Ana lowered her voice as if speaking to herself. –He should have known better.
Soi didn’t know what to say, if he should comfort her in any way?
-I’m sorry for your loss, he said.
-It’s his loss, not mine.
Her voice was indifferent.
-But weren’t you friends? Soi asked confused.
-Friends? Ana repeated and seemed lost by the word.
Soi didn’t try to explain and focused on the path in front of them.
In silence they travelled for hours up streams with spectacular mountains ahead of them. At midday they paused to eat and rest. There was little movement in the forest, no birds were singing though the sun was high in the sky. There was only the sound of the water that moved down the river that they were following. Even though the strangeness of the forest made Soi suspicious he was too tired to care. He had already lost hours of sleep because of the early start the same morning and his usual siesta after lunch was making itself known. As he mounted his mare and extended his hand down to Ana he gave a big yawn. Ana cocked her eyebrow as she let him pull her up again.
-Already tired? She asked.
-I’ve some hours of sleep, so yes, and don’t take this personally, but being around you is tiresome from some reason.
He yawned again. To his surprise Ana didn’t yell at him.
-Oh, right, that’s my fault actually, she said in a light tone. –I put a spell on you.
-A what? No, wait, you did what?! Magic?
-Well, I reckoned that if you were tired you wouldn’t ask so many questions and let me be. It would also make it a lot easier to leave the town in secrecy, and without you. It was only a small spell.
-You put a spell on me? Soi asked incredulously.
-Yes.
Silence. He yawned again.
-So revoke it before I fall off my horse!
Ana didn’t respond for awhile and then;
-Will you promise not to ask questions?
-Ana!
She sighed deeply.
-Well? Are you going to upheave it or whatever it is you do? He tried to look back at her over his shoulder. She had a deep frown on her forehead. –So?
-Yes, yes. Keep quiet, you’re breaking my concentration.
She shook her head while mumbling something that sounded similar to “so young”. Soi thought he must have misheard her. He felt another yawn coming up and his head felt heavy, He opened his mouth and… nothing. He blinked his eyes and his energy was restored. He didn’t feel a bit tired, but rather refreshed and full of energy. He turned his head to look at Ana who had closed her eyes.
-Are you done?
-Bloody questions Yes! I’m done! Now can you shut up and concentrate on getting us somewhere, possibly forward?
He did as he was told. For about half an hour.
-Ehm…, he begun.
-Yes, Ana answered grumpily.
-Did he really die, your last guard, I mean?
-Yes, they all have, she said indifferent. –Most of the time they just weren’t good of watching out for themselves, getting killed by the monsters. I might have killed one or two myself, I think.
-You killed them? Soi turned his head sharply to look her straight in the eyes.
-Yes well, they surprised me in the middle of the night, when I am on my toes of being attacked by monsters, so you could say it was out of survival instinct. If they’re going to put themselves on top of me and push me down to the ground they have to suit themselves if I react violently.
Soi’s face paled quickly and pulled his horse to a stop. Ana watched him, annoyed.
-What? It just happened. What’s done is done. It’s not like I enjoyed killing them.
-They… they were trying to rape you.
-Rape me? Rape, what is that?
How was he to explain that to her when he was looking into the eyes of a young girl.
-To put it simply, they were trying to do something to you against your will. They deserve to die. You’re just a little girl, what were they thinking?
The last thing he said to himself.
-Ah, I think I’ve heard of this rape thing before. There is a rumour that if you “rape”, strange word anyway, does it have anything to do with ropes… Anyway if you “rape” a broken you can possess their powers. Which is so not true- that’s not how it works at all.
There it was again, broken, but Soi didn’t care to ask.
-But it would explain their attack on you.
-Was it an attack? Well then, I’ll call it fair kill. Can we get moving now?
Her light tone was in contrast to Soi’s thoughts and it felt completely off but it did light up his sudden depressed mode. He urged his mare forward once again. Ana leaned forward.
-Oh, and you are not allowed to ask any questions until we set camp by dusk. Otherwise, I’ll put another spell on, agreed?
Soi thought it best to nod in response.
Ana was the first one to break the silence.
-Have you stayed long in Sofara?
-About two years.
Ana nodded to herself.
-That explains why he sent you with me. Last in, first to go. Though I admit you are quite skilled and you haven’t jumped me yet so I can’t hold that against you either. We’ll see if you last the night.
She sounded almost perky and Soi smiled a little in return.
-Either the monsters get you or I will kill you myself if you keep asking questions.
His smile faded and he pursed his lips and brows.
-You look suspiciously offended, have I said something to upset you? Ana watched him with indifference.
-Is that a question, he retorted.
She blinked at him in surprise.
-You are sparring with me, she raised one eyebrow. –Don’t answer that, it wasn’t a question!
By J.L.Frick
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