The Grounders were strange people.
Anya was, anyway. She was always on the lookout, all her senses sharpened. Not a second went by without her being aware of everything going on around her, nothing escaped her.
Most importantly, Cassie couldn't understand her. One second she hated her for some reason she couldn't understand, the next she kissed her. It was a behavior Cassie couldn't read. Maybe it was a Grounder technic to silence theirs. Maybe it was just a joke. Still, Cassie didn't understand.
And since she couldn't pronounce a word anymore, she had had time to think.
After a while, her legs finally gave way under her and she fell to the ground. Anya didn't even turn around, continuing on her way. Cassie, her hands tied to the rope, let herself be dragged across the floor, turning to slide on her butt.
The horse slowed down for a few seconds under the extra weight but recovered quickly, continuing peacefully on its way. Anya, on the other hand, turned to see what was going on.
"What are you doing?"
"I can't walk anymore. I'm too tired," Cassie replied calmly, unbothered.
"You weakling. Walk, Skaigada."
"I can't."
"Walk."
"I can't!"
"Fine then! Let yourself be dragged if you want to, I won't stop you."
"Fine!"
"Fine!"
Cassie let herself be dragged across the dirt floor, silent. Her wrists hurt, but her legs were even worse. She didn't want to walk anymore.
"Nomonjoka!" Anya exclaimed, exasperated, stopping her horse.
She got out, walked around her horse and towards the young woman. Cassie watched her do it without a word, motionless, stomach to the ground. Anya untied the rope that tied the tie around her wrists to her horse's saddle under Cassie's puzzled gaze.
"You don't want to walk? Fine! But I won't put you on my horse."
She grabbed the young woman's ankle, tied the rope there. Cassie allowed herself to be battered, exhausted.
Anya finished tying her ankle, climbed back into the saddle and started off again. Cassie dragged happily across the floor, her wrists knotted but a smile on her face. It was already more relaxing than walking, and the ground was covered with fresh, soft grass.
Delighted, she began to speak again.
"So, you know, they taught us lessons about Earth and how to survive on the Ground but I've been here for some time now and I still haven't used any of the lessons. So I'm starting to wonder if they really knew anything about the Ground, or if they just read the– "
"Shut up."
"You already said that. So anyway, they taught us about berries and nuts but–"
"No, seriously, shut up. There's something."
Anya stopped her horse and Cassie raised her head, looking around uncomprehendingly. They were crossing a thicket of trees and nothing seemed to disturb the tranquility of the place.
Finally, in the distance, Cassie heard rustling leaves and branches.
"Someone is coming," Anya announced.
She dismounted, drew her sword.
"Get up," she ordered. "Get up and stay alert."
"What's going on?" Cassie asked, pulling herself up painfully.
"Shut up, don't say anything. Whatever happens, don't speak."
Cassie pursed her lips in distress. The rustling of branches and leaves got closer and closer, she got closer to the horse which, as a monster, would certainly have made a good bulwark against their attackers.
Suddenly, two figures emerged from among the trees and walked towards them. Anya remained on her guard, in a fighting stance.
Both people were tall, covered in funny ragged clothes, with many weapons strapped to their coats. Their faces were hidden by monstrous masks.
"Chon yo laik?" Growled Anya.
"Trikru," one of the men guessed, watching the Grounder.
"Chit dola yo up hir?" Asked the second.
Anya glanced in Cassie's direction who gave her a confused glance.
"Ai teik ste disha honon kom Heda," Anya replied.
One of the two men turned to Cassie, who curled up against the horse's neck.
"Chit laik em?" He asked, indicating the young woman with a nod.
"Em don laik gyon bilaik disha," Anya replied, a growl in her voice.
"Em nou dola ai op bilaik oso," the man replied, clutching his weapon in his hand.
"Frag em op," the second man suddenly intervened.
Anya tightened her grip on her daggers, still in position, ready to fight.
"Bak of," she growled.
The two men also placed themselves in fighting position, the horse's ears flattening back. Cassie wanted to reassure it, but she remembered Anya's orders and decided not to disobey her.
One of the two men rushed forward, brandishing his sword. Anya dodged it nimbly, then hit him in the back, knocking him to the ground. The second uttered a war cry and threw himself at her, sword raised. Anya dodged a blow, a second, hit his leg, causing him to lose his balance.
Cassie, petrified, saw the second Grounder stand up, charging at Anya. She wanted to scream to warn her, but Anya had already seen him, dodging her sword blow by bending down. She thrust her dagger into his stomach, the man froze in place, uttering a hoarse groan. Anya twisted the blade in the wound, her jaw clenched, then pulled it back, letting a stream of blood flow out. The man fell back and remained motionless on the ground.
His companion let out a howl of rage as he stood up, rushing towards Anya. He only took a few steps. With a smooth movement of her arm, Anya slit his throat. A gurgling sound escaped the Grounder's mouth, blood dripping from his lips. He fell to his knees, dropping his sword, then collapsed face down on the ground.
Anya caught her breath, putting her dagger back in the scabbard.
Cassie had remained motionless next to the horse, silent. She watched Anya wordlessly, shivering in the cold of the falling night.
Considering her ease in combat, Anya must have really needed her so as not to have killed her. And if she was the Commander's mentor, Cassie wondered what this Heda was capable of.
Anya pulled away from the bodies, heading for her horse. Without a single glance for Cassie, she climbed back into the saddle, gripping the leather reins.
"Get on the horse," she ordered.
"What? I thought you said you would never get me on your horse. What, you kill a Grounder or two and now you have a conscience–"
Anya grabbed her by the belt and hoisted her upward, throwing her across her horse's rump, behind the saddle. Cassie immediately protested.
"Hey! Not cool! A warning would be nice, next time!"
Ignoring her, Anya put her horse to a gallop and walked away from the grove, Cassie tossed behind her.
At least she didn't have to walk anymore.
Nomonjoka: Motherfucker
Chon yo laik ?: Who are you?
Chit dola yo up hir ?: What are you doing here?
Ai teik disha honon kom Heda: I am taking this prisoner to the Commander.
Chit laik em: what is she?
Em don laik gyon bilaik disha: She was born like this.
Em nou dola ai op bilaik oso: She doesn't look like us.
Frag em op: Kill her.
Bak of: back off.