Chapter 4
The arrow whizzed past Thayet, cutting her ivory cheek. She held her hand over her mouth to keep herself from screaming. She felt the rest of herself to make sure everything was in place, and to her dismay the arrow had caught on her shirt and pinned her down. She heard the man ready another arrow. Dawn Goddess, help me! She pleaded silently.
"You stupid idiot, what do you think you are doin?" The bear like voice questioned the archer. "Captain, there is something down there…I heard it move," she archer replied, somewhat nervously.
'There aint nothing down there but little bunny rabbits and such, so stop wastin precious arrows!!!" the Captain commanded angrily.
Thayet and Buri heard the shooter sigh and stomp off. "My shirt sleeve is caught, Buri.' Thayet whispered to her companion. Buri felt around for the arrow, and with one, forceful yank pulled it out, freeing her princess.
"Let's go, Thayet. Daylight shall be coming soon; we don't want to get caught!"
They darted out from under the citadels shadow and ran, praying to the gods that they would not be seen.
------MORNING------
Two girls wandered aimlessly through the streets. What and odd couple, the onlookers thought as they watched them with interest. On woman was tall and shapely with ebony hair, large, hazel eyes, and a strong nose. She was lovely; all accept the scratch on her cheek, which looked like it happened quite recently.
The other girl was short and dark, with determined brown eyes and clenched jaw. The looked worn to the bone, hungry, and thirsty. They finally collapsed on the side of a building.
The villagers took pity on them; they had obviously been through a horrible ordeal. Finally, one man walked forward and offered them a cool drink and a nights rest.
The beautiful one smiled, but the short one eyed the man suspiciously. They got up and followed the man into an adobe house.
Once inside they collapsed on the cushions. The man put his hand on his chest, "I am Jafias, I do not have much to offer, but what I have is yours," He bowed politely and looked up, waiting for them to introduce themselves.
The stunning one got up and bowed, "I am Thayet, and this is my friend and protector, Buri."
The man dropped on his knees and bowed, his hands extended in front of him, "Your majesty, I am honored to be in your presence. Anything you ask it shall be yours."
"Rise, Jafias, I am no longer in my fathers house, so I am no longer royalty. I thank you so much for your help. I wonder though, do you have a heeler?" Thayet pointed to her wounded cheek.
He gently touched her cheek and mud brown power flowed into her, healing her check and filling her with energy. The feeling vanished as instantly as it came. She touched her cheek, it was mended.
-----Next morning-----
The villagers waved good bye to Thayet and Buri, shouting farewells and other such things. "I wished we could have stayed longer," Thayet sighed as she turned around and faced the rode ahead. Buri looked at her mistress, "We need to get as far away from your Father as we can. In two days time he will come looking for us and he won't stop until he has found you," she said willfully.
"Yes, I know. Come on, I want to get to the next village before sundown, I need another soft bed to rest in," Thayet said, smiling playfully.
Buri laughed, "You spoiled little princess, you need to rough it up a bit like us commoners. Your mother didn't sleep in a bed until she came to live with the jin Wilma."
Thayet looked up, a wistful expression in here radiant, hazel eyes, "I miss her. I think she is looking and me now, from the black realms and smiling."
Buri nodded in agreement and they walked in silence, honoring Kalasin's memory.
-----2 days later----
"Thayet! Thayet!" Buri burst into the princess's room. Thayet looked up tiredly, "What is it, I am trying to get some sleep," she moaned.
Thayet looked closely at Buri, her eyes were bright with unshed tears. When was the last time I saw her cry? Thayet thought anxiously. When my mother died.
"What is it Buri?" Buri, breathless from the run, continued on, "Do you remember the village we first went to?" Thayet nodded.
"Your father found out they kept you there, and had everyone killed! Jafias, the one that healed your cheek, was beheaded and placed on a spike outside the city as a warning!" Thayet sat there motionless, unable to move, as if she had been struck by paralysis.
But, Buri shook her head, "There is more. This all happened a day ago. Brace yourself for the worst news."
She told Thayet. Thayet's eyes opened wide, she went pale under her smooth, ivory skin, and then all went black.