Blindness
by Deunan and Hawkings.
Routine
~~~*~~~
The very same white skinned girl woke up a grown woman at twenty two years old.
She was sweating, she felt exhausted and put her hand on her forehead.
For a moment she felt like she wasn't where she belonged.
So she quickly looked around, the same dark room that she was told to sleep in, to dress in and to stay alone.
Her entire body including her hair were completely white without a mark, which was a relief to the people who took her away all those years ago.
"Hey Xochi." A man said, middle aged, it was the same man that carried her to the horse and took her away.
"Good morning Aidan." Her voice practically sang to him.
"Good morning Xochi." He almost forgot how they raised her, highest of the high, proper and emotionless.
He looked in her closet and picked out her attire for the day.
"Wear this." He gave it too her and she dressed as he turned his back.
"Aidan, what are we doing today?" She asked as he turned around.
"Ah, you look gorgeous Xochi." He smiled slightly.
"You're still on sale Xochi, you know what we're doing today." He sighed sadly.
"I was hoping in a change of routine." She said and put her arms out behind her as Aidan put her cloak on, he put her hood up and fastened the cloak which was black with white and silver lining.
"You'll walk with me, we think we may have a buyer today Xochi." He said as he walked her out of her bedroom, which actually was quite massive.
"A buyer? A new family? Could it be true?" She asked shyly, he always knew when it came to family she was nervous, tense and from the past, traumatized.
"We think." He rephrased.
She was taken outside and into a building behind her home.
"So, you see she exists." The man who currently owned Xochi said.
"Take the robes off." The other man demanded so the owner of Xochi gave the signal to Aidan.
Soon the cloak was removed and her skin was shinning to the man who intended on buying her.
"How much?" He asked right then.
"Let's talk about it." He grinned and Xochi left with Aidan.
"Xochi, you know what to do right?" Aidan asked and she nodded in return.
"I remember, go with the man in the morning on the wagon, wait until we reach a city, at which point all will return to normal inside the home." She repeated.
"Good girl." He said, he made an effort to not say anything about what she would do there which would remain a mystery for some time after she arrived if the Highest of the races did not intend to give the ransom.
"Xochi, we need to talk." He said, carefully thinking it through as they walked to the gardens.
He though deep about his compassion towards the little girl he raised to be a beautiful young adult.
The love he put into teaching her how to talk properly and to ignore the bosses words, how to read and write, along with other talents suc as art and dance, singing and obedience.
He remembered how playful she was once she arrived to her new home, but how shy she became after reaching age nine when the singing lessons began. She was so shy it was almost like making the pale skinned even paler when she sung out of tune, he laughed and asked her to try again, always giving her hope.
After she grew into an adult, he was so proud it's almost like he couldn't take it anymore.
Aidan knew what the others were intending for her after she grew up and if the most High didn't pay the ransom to get her back, a life of slavery and torture was never meant for any race, especially one of her stature.
Her skin was brimming in the sunlight, it was almost like looking at the sun itself and going blind from staring at it.
"What did you want to talk about, Aidan?" She asked as they sat on a garden bench.
"You know what you'll be there to do, right Xochi?" He asked, looking away in shame that it was his fault she was in this position.
"Serve my owner of course." She didn't fully understand. "Is something bothering you Aidan?" She touched his shoulder.
"You know why your race was so valuble to others Xochi?" Ignoring the question, he asked another.
"I know my race has physical qualities unlike any other race. Is that why?"
"That too, but your form, your physical body is too... how do you say this?... Irresistible to typical men that you become more then just a valuable race, you become something of a trophy. A gold statue if you will. Do you understand?" Trying his best without scaring her, he explained.
"You mean to say I am more of a trophy to outsiders then an actual person?" She tried to understand.
"Yes, but in a bad way. The ignore your feelings and maybe even your condition, they may do bad things to you in order to look better to their friends. Does that make any sense?" At times he stumbled and tried to regain ground.
"Why would someone hurt another just to appear good? Would that not make them appear bad?" She asked in return.
"Yes, but to people like them it makes them look even better, but to people like you and me it makes them look sick." His face changed at the end to a disgusted and revolted expression.
"Aidan? Will this man do these bad things to me? Is that what you worry so much about?" She moved her arm over his shoulders and put her other hand on his hand.
"Yes. Exactly, but I'm more worried that there's only one way to fix it all." He replied in a painful manner.
"What way Aidan?" She bended down to look him in the face.
"Tonight, before they take you in the morning, I'll come for you. You will do exactly what I say and how I say it. No questions, no stopping. Wear the clothing that you ride in and I'll bring your horse. After which you'll ride through the woods until your horse tires, no stopping. Got it?" He said quickly and quietly.
"Yes, I see, but... What is this for?" She backed away this time and he turned and put his hands on hers.
"To correct the mistake I made so long ago. I'm turning you free, your race are born to be in wealth, to be free and to prosper. Your race is very delicate compared to the other races that can train their bodies to be strong and healthy..." He paused as a guard went by.
"Understand this, when your gone, I cannot come with you. You probably will never see me again so don't come back, just go in a direction and keep going. You know the cities around here, ride until you reach a forigne land and find shelter, I'll give you all I have tonight, but for now, relax, be calm. React differently to nothing and tell no one of what we discussed, if they ask tell them I was giving you a long goodbye for tonight." He hugged her.
"Be ready by midnight." After that kissed her forehead and walked away.
Xochi was left with her thoughts, none of them to her were special or important except what was Aidan planning on doing?
She's known Aidan to be a quiet, easy faring man, why was he acting to sad and worried?
With a sigh Xochi stood and two guards came from the end of the paths and walked to her sides, behind her back.
Then, others came from the doors, dressed in casual garbs, were her care givers who followed closely behind her and since Xochi's steps were long even if seemingly slow, were fast and frequent when walking next to her, so the caregivers had to walk very fast and in an odd fashion just to keep up.
"Good morning ma'am, is there anything you need this fine morning?" A man asked, his race was a darker skinned, he was gray with tinted blue that made his messy white hair stand out even more.
"No Daibon, I'm fine. Thank you though." Xochi replied with a smile. "Very good ma'am." He said and backed behind her and her guards.
"Do we want anything done with our hair today ma'am?" A woman, tan skinned asked.
"Yes, I want my favorite style done if you please." Xochi grinned and the woman took her aside into her room and put her hair in the way she would normally wear it, after finishing she emerged and the servants began again.
"Xochi, would you like some wine? We have a 65 and a very nice 42 Merlot if you would fancy it." He offered.
"No thank you Oseka." Xochi continued down the hall until reaching the breakfast table where many, many men sat at and once Xochi entered they all shut up and stood up in order.
"Xochiquetzal!" The owner man said from across the table.
"How pleasing this truly is!" He grinned like a horse. "You have officially been bought as of this morning." He clapped and all the others applauded with him.
"Your travel arrangements are to be given before you leave, but I'm afraid it'll be earlier then expected." He said and walked to her and took the chair next to her.
"You'll be leaving in four hours." He said touching her hand.
"Their packing for you right now." Xochi gasped.
"Sir, I need time to say goodbye! All these people here have cared for me for years, I need to thank them all for sacrificing so much for me." Xochi looked and mentioned to everyone, and more outside, at the table, all of them grinned and laughed, they wanted to be thanked.
"Four hours is plenty." He insisted. "No, T'uika won't be back until tonight, Golarr Ma'kad won't arrive until this afternoon, I cannot leave without thanking them and their friends." She replied steadily.
"I refuse to leave without saying goodbye." She lifted her head high and smiled, thinking he had no other choice.
"We'll send letters." He glared. "No. Face to face, I want to see them one more time." She stood fast on her choice until this man decided he had enough.
He jumped forward and grabbed her jaw in his grip over her mouth and stood up dragging her out of her seat she was hunched over trying to get balance.
"You will leave today and you will leave as soon as Sir Raitava says her wants to leave, with or without your belongings." He growled and shoved her back.
She watched him storm out of the room as she rubbed her jaw.
The others looked down at her then most of them turned away and left.
Xochi was confused, why would that man do that? Hurt her for his own benefit? For greed and wealth?
She watched the others leave her sitting on the ground, none offering to help her up, but all look sad and without spirit.
"Here Xochi." Two men came and lifted her up.
"You alright?" One asked, much younger then the others but old enough to work at this farm.
"No, my jaw hurts. It feels tight yet moves with ease." She said and he felt around her jaw for a moment.
"Nothing permanent, it's just a new sensation and you're not used to it." He explained.
"Yeah, I'm still not used to it." Daggid said from next to her.
"Who becomes used to a pain?" She asked.
"Xochi, there's a lot you don't know and for now we're keeping it that way. Aidan says one hour, we're behind you all the way." They both nodded.
"We'll take you to your new clothes for the day, but until we say you'll have to wear what you have on now over it." Daggid explained with his rough deep accent.
"Come on follow us."
Daggid and the young man took her to Aidan's room where they opened a secret closet and pulled out a large white suit, specifically fit for Xochi.
"Put this on under your dress." Daggid and before they knew it she was off with her dress and they turned on a dime.
"By the way, I'm Raijin." The younger man said as Xochi get dressed.
"A pleasure to meet you Raijin, I am Xochiquetzal." She replied pleased.
"I know you, everyone within, like fourty miles knows you!" He laughed.
"I think I need help." She asked, buckles were something she wasn't accustomed too.
"Oh dear, here." Daggid and Raijin buckled her tightly and every no and then yanked her back and forth.
"This suit it so tight..." She said, she wasn't very used to tight things.
"Yeah, we know. It has to be." He looked at her.
"It compliments you great, now on with your dress." Daggid laughed.
"I can't move in this..." Xochi bended around in it, although it allow different freedoms then a dress it felt like she was naked and putted belts on herself in attempt to cover her nakedness.
Daggid and Raijin helped her with her dress and redressed her hair and they left the room.
The two guards had left her since they no longer needed to protect their investment.
"Come child, it's now or never." Aidan appeared and they walked steadily to the stables.
"Aidan! Oh- Ma'am! What are you doing here? Riding isn't until five today." The man was shocked to see her here so early.
"Oh Marcus, I love my horse dearly but I am leaving soon and I want to ride her with my friends one last time." She smiled and the man who was born warm-hearted let them ride.
"Aidan, Daggid, Raijin, you watch her closely, you know what'll happen to us if she's even touched." He said and Aidan answered with a laugh and a pat on his shoulder.
Xochi galloped out of the stables with the three men close behind.
"Wait up! Your horse is our stables finest! We can't keep up!" Aidan cried and Xochi slowed down.
"Very well Aidan." She did a high trot next to the men.
"We'll head down the roads, Raijin you'll travel to the west, Daggid to the east, I'll travel with Xochi until I can't anymore."
They agreed then split.
"Aidan, where will I go?" She asked. "Anywhere but here, with any luck though back home, but if that's not possible, to a new home." He said, without turning around.
She stayed silent until she wanted more answers.
"Where will you go?" She asked, "I don't know really." He asnwered quickly.
"Come with me." She said, but he shook his head. "I can't do that, it'll only endanger you." He replied with a sigh.
"I seem to be endanger already."
He refused to answer.
"What will you do then?"
"I'll keep them away from you, send them to other cities, you'll be fine." He explained again.
"Take this, this is where I can't continue." He stopped next to her and gave her a money bag.
"Go and don't stop, if you can avoid the woods, do, but if you can't try not to stay long. If you're followed run as fast as your horse will go, you know your horse is our best performing horse, time for him to prove his the best in general." He said and turned around.
"Aidan, can you not come?" She tried again.
"No, I can't. Now go!" He slapped her horses hind and he galloped off.
"Daggid, Raijin, go back. You don't need to be caught too." He said and they both left.
"Good luck Xochi."