Chapter Four

I was expecting to wake up as a newborn again. Instead I was pleasantly surprised to find that I was instead in some sort of large tent, constructed of red linen and still alive as Victoria. Light within the tent was dim, but bright enough to see. I stayed as still as possible as I took in whatever details my eyes could see, without moving my body. I could hear voices beyond the tent walls but I couldn't make out what they were saying. It seemed plausible that they were speaking a different language than the one I had picked up so far, that one being the generically named Human Language. My clothes felt different, apparently I had been changed into something baggy, which I assumed to be robes of some kind. Sweat was still beaded on my forehead, likely for the combination of fever and humid heat that I was feeling. My joints were sore but the painful headache I had before passing out was now gone. I couldn't help but wonder how long I was actually out. My belly was empty enough to hurt and my throat was very dry.

Cautiously I lifted my head up to look around the room. The door to the tent was of lighter fabric and shifted in the breeze. There were four bedrolls within the tent. I could see Timothy was occupying one and seemed sound asleep, while I lay on another. Around the room were a couple of packs, and several jugs. Curious, I silently slipped out from under the covers and creeped over to the jugs. I found what I was hoping for, water. I sniffed it to make sure it was safe to drink before cupping my hands and drinking a good amount. I stopped myself before I was satisfied, not wanting to hurt myself from over consumption. Even something as essential to life as water could kill you if you drank too quickly. After drinking I used a little bit of the water to clean my face then headed over to the packs. I looked around inside them for a knife, or something I could use as a weapon but sadly it seemed only basic supplies were inside. There was a tinderbox but I didn't need that to start a fire given I had magic.

After I had rummaged through everything in the tent I started to hear the crunch of footsteps approaching from outside. I began to weigh my options on how to react. I could slip back inside the bedroll and feign sleeping. But they would probably be able to tell I was up and moving around. I could hide beside the door to the tent and prepare an ambush. But these people might have saved us. "Hmmm" I postured. In the end I decided to take up a respectful posture on my bedroll, sitting on my legs.

Finally the tent flap was flung open and two men entered the tent along with Almari. "Victoria! You're awake!" cried Almari as she leapt forward to embrace me. I did not return the gesture. Instead I kept my eyes on the two men who had entered. Both wore robes and were armed with sabre-like weapons, similar to simitars. Their skin was of a darker shade and the one on the left was younger and had sun bleached hair. The man on the right was older and had grey starting to colour his beard. I suspected his head was shaved as he wore a turban. He had a friendly enough smile though. Struggling against my sister I bowed, "Thank you for saving us." I said in a respectful tone.

The older gentleman seemed surprised at my etiquette. He put a hand to chest and did a slight bow of his head before replying. "I am glad to see that you are awake child. I was beginning to wonder if you ever would." He spoke with accented Human language. The young man beside him made no reaction. "Thank you for your concern. I'm sorry to have inconvenienced you." I said, before turning to Almari. "Can you please explain what happened?"

Almari explained that I had fallen unconscious and she had dragged me into the shade of another Mesa. Timothy wasn't in the best shape and they were both starved. Almari decided to go see if anything of the armadillo-like monsters was edible and when she went back she encountered Mister Yusri and his fellow mercenaries. They are apparently guards for hire traveling to a nearby settlement to pick up a new employer. Mister Yusri happened to understand the Human language and seeing children in need offered to help. We were now in Claytown, an oasis. They had protected us across the desert and even helped nurse me to health.

At the end of Almari's explanation I turned to Mister Yusri and again bowed my head. "Again, thank you for helping us." "Such a polite girl" He jeered. "But lift your head up girl and tell me your name properly. I am Yusri Swift-Kill" Looking up and giving him my most adorable smile I did as he asked. "My name is Victoria Redwolf." "Well little miss Victoria. Come with us, you must be famished." He said, beckoning towards the tent doorway.

After Almari woke Timothy up the three of us followed the men out of the tent and towards some dugout buildings. I was indeed starving and the delicious smell of cooking meat reminded me of my protesting stomach. As we walked I moved close to Almari, who was holding Timothy's hand. "Do you trust these people?" I whispered to her. "Of course! They saved us Victoria." I was sure they heard her over exuberant reply.

Claytown wasn't that large of a settlement. At its center was an oasis where people collected water for their animals and theirselves. The static builds were all made of compressed clay or brick. All around were tents, camels and travelers. Many of the sort were rough and didn't seem to be the friendliest sort.

Mister Yusri brought us to a vendor with tables under a tent. He had us sit with the younger man as he went to get us some food. The younger man stared at me with a frown on his face. "Hello, what's your name?" I asked him, trying to break the ice. Almari replied for him. "This is Mister Azmi. He's Mister Yusri's son-in-law." I just assumed he didn't speak the language. Well as long as he couldn't understand us I thought I might as well gather some information from Almari. "How long was I unconscious?" I turned and asked Almari. She thought about it for a moment. "I think four days. We traveled for two and ended up here just yesterday." So we had spent five days so far away from home. "Where are we?" I asked, lowering my voice slightly as the younger man stared at us. "Uhh mmm they said the Bergaritt Continent." "WHAT?" I explained. If Almari was right we were well over a thousand miles away from home. Maybe nearing two thousand miles. "Victoria!" Whispered Almari, pulling my attention to reality. "Shhh, you're drawing attention." Looking around I saw Almari's point. Still though, that was a long distance, it could take two years to get back home if we left now and we were in no condition as children to be trekking that far. Especially with my fragile body and Timothy being only six. Perhaps my measurements were off though. I had only ever seen one world map which was in Rona's Adventurer's Guild and on that occasion we stayed only long enough for father to post a material collection job.

My thoughts were interrupted as Mister Yusri made it back to the table, carrying skewers of meat. Hunger again drawn to my attention I couldn't help myself from salivating. As he passed them out I was quick to dig in, pulling the meat from the skewer and chewing the rather large bite vigorously. It was tough, but the sweet and salty mix of the flavors were worth a little extra effort. Mister Yusri began laughing as he watched me devour the meat in a very unladylike fashion. I ignored his stare as I continued to devour the skewer.

After dinner Mister Yusri escorted us back to where his men had made camp, on the outskirts of the small town. Apart from Mister Yusri and Azmi there are six others, all of the same ethnicity. Though among them I was surprised to see a woman. They were all sitting around a campfire as the sun slowly dropped on the horizon. They were drinking something that I suspect wasn't water based on the laughter coming from them. As we neared our tent Mister Yusri stopped and bent down to Almari's level. "Dear child, please take your brother into the tent and prepare for bed. I have something I wish to discuss with your sister, but she'll be along shortly." Almari looked back at me hesitantly, but ultimately gave an "Okay" and took Timothy into the tent. Yusri motioned for me to follow him. "Amri my son, you may go ahead and join the others, I willn't be long," Apparently Yusri wanted me alone. I braced for the worst.

Yusri brought me into his tent, one of the same size as the one I had woken up in but only bearing a single bedroll. As we walked inside he motioned for me to take a seat in front of an adorned trunk, while he retrieved a pitcher and poured a glass of something for himself. I sat down near the trunk and watched him as he took a sip of his drink, then sat down opposite me. We sat regarding each other, he with a smile on his face and me with as blank an expression as I could muster.

"You are a strange little girl." he started "You seem to be reacting well to your current circumstances. Your big sister was downcast for days after we found her, and even now I believe she harbors much fear." He looked me directly in the eye. "I do not feel that from you." I wasn't really sure what he wanted to say so I continued to remain quiet. He took several more sips from his cup before continuing "When we found your sister she said you killed several Plate Rats with magic. Is this true?" "Yes" I replied in earnest. I was sure he would confirm anything I said with my sister after all. "Plate Rats are a hard foe to fight with sword, or magic. Their shells are tough and can deflect a lesser man's sword with ease. Yet we found three with pierced armor and one that had been partly crushed." He bent down uncomfortably close. "You expect me to believe a little eight year old girl did this?" I nodded and he started laughing. "You must be truly blessed child."

His interrogation continued, asking where we were from. How old we were and various details of our lives. He even asked if I was one of the demon races. I answered everything truthfully until he asked how one so little as I could perform such feats of magic. "Our mother taught us very young. I guess when it comes down to life or death anyone can do it." I could tell he wasn't really buying it but he didn't have any other possibilities. It was time I countered with my own question. "What do you plan on doing with us?" "We plan on taking you to our village. It lies two days from here. There the village matron shall decide what becomes of you." His reply made it sound like he was pawning us off. "Is your village going to take us in?" I asked, Mister Yusri raised an eyebrow "I said the village matron would decide." He adamantly reiterated. I decided to pry a bit more "What other option is there?" He took a moment to respond and I could tell he was trying to find the best way to explain this to an eight year old. "Either she will take you in as one of the children, or we will sell you as a slave." He finally said, confirming my suspicions. "What if we don't want to be slaves?" I asked, knowing full well we would not have a choice in the matter. "Then let us pray the matron takes you in." as he said that he even bowed his head as if in prayer.

After my conversation with Mister Yusri I returned to our tent. Inside Timothy was already asleep. Almari on the other hand threw her arms around me in an embrace. I returned the gesture if atleast to comfort her. She then pulled away to look at me, "What did you talk to Mister Yusri about?" she asked. Great, how was I supposed to explain this to Almari? Breaking contact with her I went over to drink from our water jug and then sat down on the bedroll I had awakened in. Patting beside me I beckoned her to sit down. "Mister Yusri told me that he is going to take us to his village. It's a two day's journey from here. When we get there the village matron will decide whether to raise us as children of the village or sell us into slavery." I explained. "What… no!" gasped Almari. "We… we… we need to go home." It seemed, what I had said broke the last of her resolve. "Maybe… maybe you heard wrong! Mister Yusri has been so nice! There's no way he'd sell us as slaves!" Almari's denial was enough to awaken Timothy. "What are you talking about Almari?" his voice was heavy with sleep. To Almari's credit she calmed herself enough to go tuck him back in and kiss his forehead. Then returned to my side. "There… there is just a chance they'll sell us as slaves. Maybe this matron will help us?" Almari whispered, almost as if pleading with me. I could see all the stress was finally catching up to her. All the effort she'd taken to try and keep Timothy and I safe was falling apart. Even though I killed those monsters she must have felt everything still relied on her as the 'big sister'. I hugged her tight, and as I did so she began to sob.

We had laid down still embracing and Almari had fallen asleep. I was petting her gently, as if trying to sooth her soul with my touch. As I did so I heard the curtain to the tent open and the sound of someone entering. Carefully, not wanting to wake Almari I turned to see who it was. It was the women who I had seen amongst the men. She wore a sword at her belt just like any of the men and was in her middle ages. A scar lay on her forehead and her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, with the sides shaved off. She smiled at me as our eyes met and gave a little wave. Then she moved towards the forth bedroll and began stripping her equipment and robes off. She stripped down to a simple cloth underwear and folded her clothes into a neat pile. As she did so I observed several more scars across her well defined body. I contemplated saying something to her but instead I buried my head in Almari's warmth, and soon passed into sleep.