Ok so another chapter is completed

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Chapter 5

"Thayet! Thayet! We have to leave now! Thayet!" Thayet's beautiful hazel eyes fluttered open. She felt like someone had hit her in the head with a hammer, it hurt that bad. She shook her head, to clear the grogginess she felt.

"Buri, what happened?" Buri eyed her, "You don't remember?" Thayet shook her head; her eyes were fixed on Buri waiting for an explanation. Her friend sighed, "I guess I must deliver the bad news twice. Your father, the jin Wilma, is dead. That is why you fainted."

Thayet held her chest and gasped for air, she had never fancied herself as a fainter or a weak hearted woman, but the realization of what was happening shook her. "That means that I am the ruler," Thayet said in a breathless voice, "The jin Shama will be looking for me so he can marry me and claim the rightful spot next to me as the ruler. And the other chieftains will be looking to destroy him and kill me, so they may try to claim the throne of my father. I am the target, and so is everyone I have associated with. Buri, pack our things, we must leave now."

Her companion bustled about the small room, throwing clothes and food into there traveling sacks. Thayet rubbed her eyes and slowly got up, feeling like a heavy sack of potatoes. She changed into a white, cotton shirt, a wool skirt, long, brown leggings, and riding boots that were quite worn from the travel.

Her face was creased with worry as she thought about the events that were occurring. The land will split into a civil war. I will have a price on my head; everyone will be looking for me. We must get to the border. They left the house, leaving a note or the kind woman that had let them stay, but they knew she probably couldn't read anyway.

They set a good pace, not to quick that they would get tired before noon, but one fast enough to get them far away from the city. They walked in complete silence, both thinking of their lives and the lives of their people that were soon to be in the middle of a war. Thayet thought of all the motherless children, their mouths open in hunger in thirst. Buri thought of her countrymen: their corpses strewn out along the side of every road. They sighed heavily, they both knew it would have happened sooner or later, but they wished it had been later, much later.

-------1 week later-----

The rations were low and their water was almost out. "So much for avoiding Sarain's cities," Buri commented sarcastically as she fixed what was left of the grits and small, honey cakes. Thayet got up from her pallet and stirred their breakfast. Secretly, she was thrilled to be going back to the city. Out in the wilderness she and Buri lived in complete ignorance of what was happening in their country, Sarain. They needed information on the progress of the people and what was happening between he warlords.

They ate quietly, enjoying the sounds of the morning birds and the whispering trees. They packed up there camp and headed toward the nearest town. They talked gaily of past childhood follies and funny jokes they shared through the years, but their smiles faded as they reached the main road. Thayet gasped has she saw the burned village and the dead bodies of both men and woman. Buri muttered a prayer to the Black God and knelt down to check for pulses, she never found one.

Thayet cried silently while she and Buri dug a large hole for the bodies. 'I feel like it is all my fault. I could end this by marrying the jin Shama." Buri winced, "That man would give you 3 children in two years and many sleepless and painful nights, your majesty. It is best this way."

Thayet nodded, knowing her comrade was right, and packed the last piece of dirt over the large grave.

"Come, let us check and see if the raiders left any supplies behind," Buri said, walking toward the village. The marauders had done a good job of taking the valuables. There was hardly anything left. They did find dried fruit, meat, and some grains and bread.

Buri smiled sadly, "It is enough to get us to the next community. We even have some money now," she said has she held out her hand to show Thayet 5 gold coins.

"When is mama coming back?" a small, mousy voice asked. Thayet turned around to see 12 children standing in a little, burnt house. They looked to be about 6 or 7 with the exception of an older girl carrying a baby in her hands.

"When is mama coming back?" the voice repeated. Thayet smiled kindly at the dirty little girl, "I am afraid she is not coming back. She sent us to take care of you, so get your belongings and follow us." The little ones rushed to there homes, if that is what you could call them, and got blankets and toys.

The older girl came back first, a puzzled look in her eye. Thayet, noting the look, questioned the girl, "What is wrong? Are you not feeling well?"

The girl looked up, her honey brown eyes filling with tears, "I am a healer, lovely woman. When the invaders came through, they killed nearly everyone and took all the young women, obviously for a night's pleasure. I took the baby, Teagan, and I hid in the cellar of the wine maker. We lived. But, I cannot help but feel guilty; I should have been out there helping them fight of the attackers, not hiding." Tears slid down her tanned check; she held the babe closer.

The ex-princess brushed the girl's cheek, "Never feel guilty about living. Who would have saved little Teagan if it had not been for you? Then raiders would have taken you as well, that is no fate for a pretty young woman. Now come, you can be of great assistance to me and the surviving children." Thayet took the Teagan, to ease the burden of… "What is your name?" Thayet wondered.

The girl looked down modestly, "I am Kanya, daughter of Cleopus and Abigail." Thayet hugged her, "Well, Kanya, lets us leave this place, it holds nothing but terrible memories."

Hand in hand, Thayet and Kanya walked down the road, a trail of children following their princess, their savior, Thayet of Sarain.

Ok all you faithful readers, I can continue on with the story and extend it into the meeting with her and Alanna and Jon and so forth or I could end it here.

Review and tell me what ya think