I let go of the curtain, I had seen enough. All of the residents just had to do their business right as my carriage was passing them by. I sighed. It was still early in the afternoon and I didn't wish to waste my time like this. I was sweating too, in one of my favorite dresses to go out but today was a very hot day and all these layers proved to be very uncomfortable after a while. Besides that, instead of wearing my normal shoes, I had my boots on - I was told to appear at the riverside in those. The river was really a beautiful sight and the absolutely boiling weather did not really bother me - my servants helped me stay cool, however, the town was much hotter and maybe even their work would not have helped me. I was not worried about the dress though as I'm sure repairing was not a hard task but my own uncomfortableness.
The only way the residents can fight against a weather like this is to dress lightly or - partially - not dress at all! When I looked out of the carriage I had seen many half-naked men - a sight which was not ethical to be seen with my eyes.
We started moving again only to be stopped a few seconds later - someone outside was shouting with someone else which is a very usual business as I understood.
Especially my feet was sweating in those thick, leather boots, so I spent a minute trying to decide if I should take them off - after those sixty seconds have passed, I did. I was very relieved to see that I was able to move my toes, so they did not drown in the ocean of sweat my feet has created in my sock.
While I was busy trying to comfort myself we had moved forward quite a bit but were stopped again - I have heard the irritated voice of my body-guard telling someone to go away.
My state of infinite boredom had suddenly changed to being terrified - I heard the sound of iron on iron, swords were drawn!
I did not want to look out, I could not stand the sight of blood and wounds so I had no idea what position we were in.
How could this even happen? We passed by this neighborhood at least once every week but we were never attacked before!
I panicked, but remembered one great advice from my father - whatever happens, do not start screaming as it will probably draw more of them around. I sat there quietly while listening to shouting and swords clashing but I could not decide who was winning.
Then, out of nowhere, the carriage fell with me on its side and I hit my head so hard I passed out.
I woke up and my senses came back to me one by one. I smelt the dust and the dirtiness of the place; it probably was one of the narrow alleys of the town. I wanted to open my eyes but it was so dark I did not see anything. It was just then when I started to feel with my body. First I felt the rough material of the blindfold and my body pushed against the ground. Secondly, I felt the tight ropes on my wrists and ankles. Thirdly, I felt the pain.
I would have thought that my whole body would hurt but it didn't, I just felt my back hurting. My lower back. Very low back, now that I think of it.