The mist rolled in heavily over the sodden fields, clinging menacingly to the mossy cairns that were the boundary to the farmstead. Arin shivered as she huddled in the doorway of the low built, stone cottage. Mosthe would be home soon. And no matter how she fought, he would take his right to her tonight, as he did whenever he chose. He was a vile beast of a man, short and fat, with grey skin and unkempt stubble on his chin and cheeks. He hobbled when he walked due to an old back injury that gave him constant pain. But he was strong despite it. Perhaps the pain was why he was perpetually bad tempered. It didn't seem to affect his urges but made him more violent and demanding.
Arin wondered at how she had got to this point. She could never have predicted this would be her lot, even five years ago. If only she had made different decisions. Not many choices had been open to her in the end but surely there might have been a luckier outcome than this.
She had excelled at the Academy in her hometown of Weicz, a straight A student. She was accomplished in book learning, in music, in advocacy. But she had had a wanderlust and had felt smothered in the structured environment of academia. As soon as she received her colours she fled, searching for adventure, for meaning. The experiences of that time sustained her still, 20 years later. The memories and the hope that one day things would change sustained her now. No, too passive. The hope that one day she would change things kept her alive.
The slow clop of hooves on the cobblestones of the stable yard snapped Arin out of her reverie. He was home.
She didn't wait for Mosthe to shout for her. It wasn't worth the repercussions if he had to. Within seconds she was out and holding the bridle for him so he could dismount. He scowled at her but said nothing. A bad mood then. She bowed her head and turned the horse toward the stable. The poor thing was steaming as though it had been ridden hard. It needed a rub down and some nourishing oats and she welcomed the hiatus this would bring before she had to face Mosthe. He stomped off toward the house in his muddy clothes. She had learned to be prepared and a steaming pot of stew was warm on the stove. He wouldn't bother to change or wash. He rarely did.
She was meeting Poleh and the other Women later, while Mosthe slept. This was an important meeting and she had to make sure she would not miss it. She had to keep Mosthe happy this night.