733. Freezing hearts, 1
(Temee)
When dawn is finally up, we were just leaving the territory of Kyameli.
My birth land.
And those who were guarding this frontier, I’ve...
The mountain pass is scattering into the woods. There is no clear line, but I refer to my maps.
A few more tears fall there against my will.
I didn’t want to kill them. I hate myself. The sorrow fades with difficulties, it’s hard.
I climb down a little further the slope toward the next valley, further down.
There are only a few kilometres between the city of Kyameli and the one of Anglit I’m approaching. But there are not even birds left to close that distance in less than an hour. By foot or carriage, it’s a little less than a day following the roads.
On foot through the mountain, a little under a day as well.
In the past, we didn’t cross a country by foot. Or not that fast.
Today, I’m already on the land of another authority. Anglit.
My father, like the others, was communicating often with our closest neighbours. It’s only another civilised city, not an enemy nation with whom we would have had a long history of warfare.
I should quickly encounter someone who’s watching over this side of the border and their domain. I hope they will help me. I’m still sore from the hits I took yesterday, and the nausea from what I’ve done.
Ukhtukht wiggles slightly. She’s hungry. She is tired as well, since I’m carrying her on my back all this time.
Me too I’m exhausted. And the night, so terrifying and dangerous, I walked through it without stopping.
I decide to have rest for a while this morning, before heading to look for help toward the city.
At least in my pain, I have the solace to be certain no one is pursuing us now.
I dare dreaming the worst is behind us, and it gives me back some hope and cheer.
I find a hollow between rocks and uprooted trees in their falls. I settle ourselves there. I undress a little Ukhtukht who had troubles breathing. I give her the first sips of water. She sighs next. She was thirsty.
T - There is really only you and I left...
My sister sighs, eyes closed. I lift her eyelid and check her pupil’s reaction to sunlight. She’s rather well today! It gives me back a smile really. She is excited by this adventure truly.
T - You’re brave you know.
In her own way, Glasgow is a real fighter. She gives me back courage to endure, since forever and again today.
The road will be long. But together, we can make it.
For now, reassured by her reaction and exhausted by the night walk, I lie down and fall asleep.
~
I have a bad dream and wake up startled, under the first droplets of rain.
A little like night awakens the fear of savage monsters, the rain awakens the one of poisons. Even if most of the time there is nothing, the bad luck can cost your life.
I rushed to cover my sister and myself from the budding rain. My heart beats fast. I recover my senses next to her, under the curtain stretched hastily.
Fear makes me lose my composure and thoughts by moments like that. I just rush blind. NowI breath and find my senses back after.
I cover her, pack our luggage, dress myself for the rain, and return to the road more calmly.
~
The rain was benign. The sun rose for a beautiful day. I walk through the light drizzle the slope that heads down toward the valley before us toward the city.
I haven’t seen any hunters yet, but it is likely the rain keeps them cautiously in their homes.
We don’t have a choice. I progress and my steps mark the earth becoming muddy.
The city reveals itself in the distance. There are buildings. I can guess some people and animals at times around the wide openings.
The streets are deserted and the buildings outside probably abandoned. There are many ruins along the sides of the cleared road. I head toward the centre, to find the market.
There must be a wide covered market where I could find to eat and to heal us a little.
Ukhtukht is well hidden, but I repeat her to stay still and quiet. I myself hide the top of my face to avoid scaring others.
I hear voices and that it’s lively around. I have found the right place I think and I get closer.
I enter great halls covered from the rain, through the doors left open to the street and rain.
People are laughing I hear. It warms my heart.
But then I hear a worrying calm settling.
Everyone is looking at me.
I’m not a traveller they recognise. And I’m not daring revealing my face... But in the surprised silence that settles, I realise I can’t do any other way. If I want to trade, or even chat, break the ice!
I have to reveal myself.
My age is borderline to normal. It’s already dangerous in itself.
But the abnormal manner my eyes are set on my skull, my father made sure I understood it would scare others.
I had barely begun to reveal my cyclopean face, when I heard someone speak.
- It’s her...
I felt as if the air had suddenly turned very cold. The surprise to them all spread through. I felt animosity rising as I was already backing down.
I had feared it... Lord Daren, before joining my pursuers, spoke about me to the neighbour countries and their leaders.
I was hopping so much this wouldn’t be the case...
- It’s her!
I tripped and fell in the street. I resumed running, even if I had to let the rain touch me.
The animosity behind me had completely changed, from cheerful and lively, to violent enmity. The time it takes them to get dressed and call for help, and they will be tracking me...
~
I ran to an abandoned bloc of the city, thankful to the rain from all my heart for slowing them down.
It was the worst... They know. Maybe not for all the truth, but enough to have something against me. Already too much for our safety...
As I breathe a little in some ruins, I think again. Night is still too distant. If I hide, I have little chance escaping them in this city they know well, and not I.
If I escape on foot, it’s very likely the fastest people among them will catch back...
I got trapped so stupidly! I’m blaming myself, feeling really bad. But that anger making me grit my teeth isn’t going to save me...
What to do? Darn! I’m pinching myself, angry against myself. In the air, I notice the sky is going to become clear soon. The drizzle will soon be over.
Should I go away, or hide?
I play a terrifying hide and seek with my pursuers through the abandoned blocs of the city. Thankfully, they aren’t too numerous after me.
The river gives me an idea. I will take real risks for the future, but I don’t see any better choice for now.
I undress. I attach my mantle to a broken log there and push it into the river.
The noise is loud enough and attracts people’s attention. Some people yell and attract others.
Arms naked under the rain, I left running the other way around. I hope this diversion will hold them long enough...
I run outside the city. I think no one is following me...
The rain and wind cease progressively, but I’m already feeling very cold.
~
