Chapter 7

Nadia

I was shaken awake by Anya. I blinked twice and then looked at her, finding it hard to believe I had just fallen asleep on her. I let out a small yawn and she tugged me to my feet.

In a few swift moments she had my wrists tied much tighter than they were before. I tugged at them experimentally and received a raised eyebrow in return. I looked away, sheepish.

"You will behave," She said giving me a stern look.

"Yes," I huffed out.

She just gave me a warning look and dragged me over to her horse. She mounted and gave me just enough length of the rope so that I could walk beside her without being trod on by the horse. We started off on at a fast walk and I had to move my legs quite quickly to keep up.

As the wounds all over my body began to ache, the cut on my calf itching and the burn on my back burning in intense agony I felt a new appreciation for the horse.

At least I only have to walk for half a day.

Sweat beaded on my forehead and I gritted my teeth at the pain. I had suffered much worse before, and as much as it still hurt I was willing to ignore the pain. I would not look weak, especially not in front of the strange 'Skaikru' or Lexa's strong people, the Trikru.

The march continued on and gratefully the doctor stayed far from me. My wounds were truly hurting now and it took everything in me to walk without limping. The bruises on my face ached and the burn on my back was an absolute mess of pain. My calf itched and the cut Lexa had given me on my shoulder stung as well.

When my shirt brushed against my burn the wrong way, despite the bandages it sent a jolt of pain through me. I clamped my teeth down on my lower lip to stop from making any noise and subtly adjusted myself so the shirt sat differently. I didn't see the look Anya shot me.

I could just see the man, Kane, riding on the far right side of the group. I shot his back a venomous look, blaming him for my suffering.

I received a yank on my binds and Anya gave me a look that said best behaviour brat. Don't get any ideas.

I glowered at her in return and she merely raised an eyebrow.

I huffed slightly and turned facing the front of the progression, immediately hunching back over when it pained my back to much. I sighed and continued walking.

It was about three hours later that we finally made our way into a clearing to set up camp for the night. Anya dismounted and handed her horse off to one of the younger warriors after giving it a pat on the nose. She turned to me and I gave her a slightly proud look. After all, I didn't make a noise that entire trip.

She just stared back at me impassively but I had the feeling I had amused her. This speculation proved to be true when she ruffled my hair as she walked past, tugging on the bindings to get me to follow and aggravating the wounds on my wrists at the same time.

I poked my tongue out at her back as we walked but instantly regretted it when I noticed not only Lexa but also Indra watching us. I scowled at them and received a blank stare from Indra and a slightly raised eyebrow from Lexa.

What is with these people and raising their eyebrows?

I looked away from them when I realized I was once again acting childish. Damn. I had been doing pretty well today. Well, I guess I had actually been doing pretty well this afternoon, considering the morning incident. I still felt slightly remorseful I hadn't taken off that doctor's fingers.

I knew that deep down she may actually resemble a human being. I knew that, yet I also knew that like all doctors she would put her love of science first and foremost and thus she would not stop trying to harm me or any others like me in her pursuit of knowledge. And that made her into the ultimate enemy.

Speaking of Abby the Doctor, we passed her just as we were about to leave the clearing. She gave me a particularly harsh look and I considered lunging at her but at that very moment Anya gave a very powerful tug on the rope connecting me to her and I stumbled, almost falling into her back. This time I couldn't control the small gasp that left my lips as my back rippled in pain. I immediately felt ashamed I had let such weakness show.

However, Anya merely turned and looked at me. She then looked at Abby and said, "No."

I considered her stern tone and just nodded, perhaps a bit sullenly. I was surprised when she just led me into the woods and didn't comment on me not using my voice. Maybe she was taking pity on me because of my wounds.

A part of me softened a bit at that, enjoying the nice treatment... But the rest of me bristled with resentment at the thought that I might be perceived as a weakling in need of pity.

If Anya noticed any of these mood changes in me she hid it well as she indicated for me to sit down on a rock. She removed my wrist bindings first and reapplied the salve and put on fresh bandages. There was that stinging sensation, not as bad as the day before and then there was the relief that the salve brought.

She checked the cuts delivered by Lexa and seemed pleased by how they were healing. They wound on my leg was scabbed over and the one on my shoulder was on its way there. Lexa was indeed a skilled warrior if she had managed to deliberately make the cuts shallow. There was also a multitude of scrapes and bruises on my body that she just left alone.

Then we got to the part that I was dreading. I turned around and pulled my shirt off, exposing the bandaged burn. I clutched the shirt to my chest as Anya pulled off the bandages, covering myself.

I hissed as she began to lift the bandage, and couldn't help but cry out a bit as some of the salve stuck.

"Easy, this will make it better," Anya murmured.

I did not reply. The next bit was the worst, as she cleaned the wound with a wet cloth, pulling all the old salve off and hydrating the skin, especially at the corners of the wound. It provided a little relief, but the sting came back ten times worse as soon as the coolness was gone. And no matter how gentle Anya was the cloth moving against the burn was still agonizing enough that it made me choke out a few quiet sobs and forced tears to my eyes.

It was not only horribly painful, but also awfully embarrassing. A warrior as such as me cried in front of no one.

When Anya bandaged it again I put on my shirt and turned to her. I expected her to rebind my wrists and silently take me back to camp, but instead she reached out and wiped away the tears. When I went to hide my face she caught my chin and forced me to look at her.

"I'm not weak," I defended angrily, trying and failing to get away from her grip and intense eyes.

"I know that," She replied, and I imagined the look in her eyes might be how an older sibling gazed upon a younger sibling.

It made my head spin a bit.

"When we get to my village, Lexa is supplying a new healer as our last one perished a while ago. They will know how to make a much better salve for your back."

I looked at her with big eyes before mumbling an 'okay' and leaning into her hand a bit.

"What's really going to happen at your village?" I so wanted to be able to trust her.

"We're going to teach you, train you and take care of you. We take care of all our children, and you will become a part of the village children soon." Her reply was simply.

"Really?" I asked softly.

"Yes." And I believed her.

I don't know why, I just did.

And it kind of felt strange, yet at the same time good. For the first time I actually, truly thought about the future and what going to Anya's village might be like. And I liked the idea. I liked it quite a bit. It made me slightly wary because it almost sounded like a dream, yet at the same time I so desperately wanted it to be true I was willing to give it a try.

I looked at Anya and gave her a weak smile.

She gave me a soft one back.

Sorry it's so short! It's also a bit of a filler. Will do a time jump to the village arrival or close to the village arrival next chapter.

Please read, review fan and follow!

And over 3000 views! Already, I mean WOW guys thanks heaps!

By the way to the person who mentioned the spelling of Kane's name, I have not had time to edit the other chapters yet but I will make sure it's right for the rest of the fic :)

P.S. reviews make me write more (and thank you for all the kind reviews I have already received). Also not currently looking at any romance for Nadia, she is still a kid after all. Maybe if I write a second book where she is a bit older after this one (but no promises, might not even be a second book yet lol)

Thanks heaps!

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