We walked back through the forest, both alert and watchful. He kept a close grip on my arm as we continued in pressured silence. My body was beginning to wind down from his invasive touches, and I could feel the affects of the fall. My back ached while I knew I was going to form some gnarly bruises on my legs. Physically I was okay, but my thoughts were wrapping tight around my mind.
The forest was still very much alive, like a pulsing organism, full of energy and life. The rain had stopped, and the animals came alive once more. I could feel the energy coursing through my body, knowing this land will always be my home. In our beliefs, the power of the sun would feed our internal soul, connecting us with the sand and soil. This would give us understanding how we were all apart of the circle of life. From the water that flowed carving rock and soil, to the plants and trees giving us shade and tools to all live in unison, together. This is our interaction between Achad, her divine spirit, that we are commanded to love, be kind, and care for all life on Earth.
My feet were mindlessly being pushed along as the Commander guided my body back toward the main road coming into view of his men. The fallen tree was moved off the main road hanging off the shoulder clearing the path. His soldiers were waiting, casually chatting with each other as they secured the surrounding carriages to make sure there weren't any other unexpected escapes. I could feel his soldiers eyes on me, but I didn't let it faze me. I had a purpose, and I was going to see through it to the end. As I expected, they captured Gilda and Niko, but I didn't see the family. Maybe they made it! I lightly smiled at the thought hoping they could live a better life.
"Well, well, well. Little miss wants to escape." Folie walked toward eyeing me leaning forward. "You can't escape us you ignorant-."
" You don't frighten me." I spat.
"You little bitch-" Folie stated stepping forward.
"Folie, she has been recaptured and will be punished accordingly. Now get back to your position, we will be moving out soon." The commander stated, squeezing my arm, pushing me past Folie's menacingly gaze.
"Oh she will be..." Folie whispered to himself before walking back to the front mumbling to himself.
The commander took out a small cuff key from his front pocket removing the handcuffs from my wrists shoving me into a different carriage where I was the sole occupant. Figures. I moved toward the back of the carriage wanting to be as far as possible from him, rubbing my aching wrists. He leaned against the bars, "You better listen very carefully. If you TRY anything, you won't be punished, but your friends will and I know, that you wouldn't want that to happen. Right?" He looked over at the carriage that held Niko and Gilda "I hope we understand each other." He smiled, but his eyes didn't move. The smile was forced, but his eyes proved he wasn't lying.
It was a long five days. The nights were even longer. I would lay alone in my carriage occasionally thinking of my family, Gilda, Niko, and even commander Zir. Other nights, I didn't think of anything at all. The commander would throw me dried meats and a small roll catching a quick glimpse, but not uttering a word to me. I honestly preferred it that way because I didn't know if I would be able to respond to him.
The sun rays illuminated by Achads touch were giving brilliant color to the passing leaves and rocks showing their every detail promising a new day. I lay down feeling the bumps along the misshapen roads when a small bird rich in earthy browns hops inside, over the wood grain. My eyes follow the little creature hopping on those delicate feet moving to her own sweet birdsong. The song was capturing my mind in a soothing way, reminding me of my love for nature, and life itself. There was so much to be thankful for, especially during times like these. I guess that's why people always turn towards the mysterious powers that shape our world, us, searching for an answer. In a way, this bird was an answer to my-
"Halt!" Yelled commander Zir.
"Praise Zalul! We have arrived!" yelled a soldier.
"Finally." Another said. "My feet were about to fall out of these boots I tell ya."
I turn my head back and the bird was gone. I hoped that wherever the bird decided to fly, she would be free.
I looked through the bars "Oh my god." Their community was completely surrounded by tall cement borders stopping at the base of the mountain with soldiers guarding the various outposts. It was sprawling across the entire landscape like a behemoth. In the center was a large iron gate that was slowly opening to welcome us inside. You could tell they were deeply rooted in their ancient traditions. Their eagle insignia lining their walls wearing their history like a proud badge, their culture speaking volumes of their past and their present. Inside was seriously another world. Traditional cottages adorned the city, lining the paved roads with bustling shops, and busy food vendors selling their best merchandise. The city was a labyrinth of narrow alleys winding their way up and down the city's terrain. There was a lot more life here then I initially thought. Small children were running while their mothers were trying to buy their daily goods, yelling at them to behave.
Some men were wearing long black silken robes with their wives adorned in beautiful rich red dresses. Absolutely breathtaking really. A small blonde woman was following them closely. She was maybe no older then 20, dressed in a simple white dress that flowed freely from her body giving her a simple shape. You could tell she was their slave. Their features gave them away as Zuir but who were they compared to the rest of the people surrounding them? The majority were wearing simple everyday clothing but I could tell some of them weren't Zuir. I could recognize a Druid anywhere. Their fiery red hair and pale skin could be seen across a mountain. So, this is what they meant by a free convert. Traitors to their own people. We were all in cages, mine was just smaller.
People were temporarily pausing their busy agendas to stop and stare at the new captives coming through. Whispering among themselves while others just looked on in silence. Some were cheering at the soldiers, welcoming them, showering them with deep red roses. The regal looking Zuir glanced at each other, pushing along the small blonde girl who refused to look in our direction. Her deep somber eyes telling me everything that I needed to know. I had to hold my hands together to stop from shaking.
We kept moving past the community where the movement of life was diminishing, and a different view came into focus. There was a different air of life over here, somber and quiet. Barren earth where trees and shrubs used to lay, different from the shades of green that lined the community when you first entered. An outline of men could be seen standing in front of our path, in front of these severely reduced quality houses that were going into the mountain.
I could see five men waiting for us. A military man was standing confidently in the middle while the others were wearing those similar black robes standing by his side, silent and unwavering. Uniforms are produced at a mass scale, but you could just tell his uniform was made specifically for him. His black beret tilted to the side while his spotless black uniform was adorned with various medals on both sides of his chest. His left arm held the Zuir eagle insignia while his right shoulder carried various military patches showcasing his victories. I recognized that alkaline nose, and those sharp features from before. That was General Moh, the man who invaded my community.
He steps forward, arms outreached, "son." Commander Zir jumped off his horse, hugging his father. "Let's look at the spoils shall we. We have much that needs to be done here." General Moh smiled at his son before making their way together to the carriages. An elderly man standing to the general's left followed him closely with a writing pad, his black robes trailing behind him.
This was it. Slavery could cage my body, but they could not touch my spirit. My eyes would not be dimmed. There could have been a reality where we lived side by side, worked with each other to benefit the other. There could have been a way to exchange our ways and learn from the errors of others. Instead, the Zuir, this man, paved the way to own our bodies and rate our efforts. They have, and continue to destroy what is around them. Praying to Achad will not be enough, and there will not be a place they could run.
Commander Zir and his father walk to the carriages, inspecting the people inside like we were nothing but farm animals at an auction. I remember when General Moh came to our community. We welcomed him, allowed him our grace, but instead he brought the onslaught of war, killing our fathers and sons, imprisoning those who tried to escape. My gut clenched in hatred, thinking of all the ways I wanted to kill this man.
"Hmmm, you have done well son." General Moh was scanning each carriage looking at every person carefully, pausing his gaze. "These slaves look strong, and will do great work for us."
"Thank you father."
I was attempting to hide as much of myself as possible as they walked toward my carriage moving toward the back away from the bars. "Ah she's pretty. No family? Other sisters maybe?" The general asked looking at his son. "Where is she from?"
"She is Achad. I found the community she was hiding in by the West Mountain Springs." Stated commander Zir, keeping his gaze toward his father.
I couldn't hold it in any longer. "You bastard! You ruined my life! My family might be dead because of you!" I couldn't help it. We were human beings, and he was acting as if we weren't even there. Gilda yells from across. "Shh Ahava. You need to calm
yourself and regain your temper."
"And who are you to think you can talk to the general that way?" The hunched elderly man who had remained behind the general writing his notes decided to be noble, and looked up at the general for affirmation.
The corner of his lips moved up a bit, forming a smile, but his eyes remained cold. " Zir, who is she?" The general had the same commanding eyes as his son, reaching through my gaze.
"We aren't sure, but she definitely holds some kind of authority. All we know is that she is Achad."
