7. D'Hara
Up ahead in the grey, bleak distance, there arose before me what I knew to be D'Hara. My stomach clenched in tighter knots as we came closer. Still at a far distance, I thought it was surprisingly beautiful but I knew that evil and darkness lurked behind the walls of its city.
Alone in a vast emptiness, a giant looming shadow, I thought. It was every bit as deceiving as its ruler Darken Raul. I shivered, thinking that I would be facing him very soon.
I had followed the D'Haran army for another day and a half without rest and very little food. My back ached and I could barely feel my thighs and rear because I had been trapped to the saddle for so long now. I was confused as to why they had left me alone after that night, but I wasn't about to question anyone. They would only glance at me with menacing glares and throw lude comments once in a while, but besides that no one had bothered me. I thanked the spirits again and again for my safety. At least for now, I thought.
"Another hour! Let's pick it up" said General Tranzin.
"Thank the spirits" I whispered to myself "now I can get off this horse." As I kicked my heels to quicken the pace I groaned at the pain in my back. Richard and I had always traveled at a fast pace but never like this. He was always so concerned with my comfort, I smiled to myself. Thinking of Richard sent a pang of guilt through my chest and then fear slammed into me as I tried to grapple with the reality of where I was going. There was no turning back now.
The hour passed too soon and we were entering the massive stone arches of D'Hara. As we rode through the main street of the city, I felt a pang of emptiness for the Midlands. The people of D'Hara did not bow to me and smile but watched without interest as we rode unceremoniously by.
We rode our horses up through the courts and around stone pillars and fountains. I noted beautiful carvings of nature and could smell the many flowers that hung twisted around columns. It was more beautiful than I could have imagined and a dull throb of anger ran through my blood, pumping the wrath of the confessor in me. How could such an evil tyrant live here?
I remembered Zedd speaking to us at length about D'Hara and its history, but everything he mentioned never included what I now beheld before my eyes.
My horse suddenly halted and I leaned back, losing my balance for a moment. I heard a few muffled chuckles from the guards behind me as they ordered us to dismount. I did that with even less grace, fumbling over my skirts and having to grab hold of a D'Haran for balance. Thankfully, he didn't seem to notice.
I looked to my right and noticed two women in plain white gowns approaching me. They each grabbed an arm and escorted me away. They did not say a word to me, and the D'Haran's seemed to be happy to be rid of me. I asked them their names but they both silenced me rudely.
After several twists and turns and climbs up various stairways, we stopped at a large ornate red wooden door, much like the other ones on the same hallway. They pushed me through and ordered me to a large tub and began peeling me out of my clothing. A bath was such an inviting idea that I forgot to remember that I was a "guest" of Darken Raul.
The women spoke to each other as if I did not exist as they vigorously scrubbed me. I was pushed under the water more than once because my hair was so thick that the soap was hard to rinse off all the way. Marged and Gilla, they called each other. They were both older than me but beautiful with blonde hair and blue eyes.
When they were finished washing me, Gilla ordered me out of the tub and Marged wrapped me in towels while she led me to another chamber. There were three other women waiting for us. In Aydindril, I had become used to being dressed and washed but these women were very rough with me. They kept admonishing each other to make "her", meaning me, perfect for Raul. I shuddered at the thought.
When one of the other women shoved me down on the bed and spread my legs I screamed. Gilla grabbed my chin and forced me to look at her "Silence Confessor!" My eyes began to water as hot wax was spread on my nether hairs and I bit my lip to keep from crying out as she removed them all in one painful stroke.
Tears were leaking from the corners of my eyes but no one took notice of me and began to dress me as though I was nothing but a manakin. I stared at my reflection as they pinned my hair up off my neck and placed a red ruby necklace around my throat. Gilla, who was helping me into my corset, tightened the stays so that my breasts seemed to fall out of the top. She grinned and told the other women that Raul would enjoy the view. Just the thought of him looking at me made me want to vomit.
When they were finished I was staring at a stranger in the mirror. I was in a red dress that hugged my curves and flowed to the floor hiding my feet. Even though I was dressed, I felt naked. I tried to pull the front of my dress up but to no avail.
"Come, he'll be waiting for her." Marged said to the others.
As they led me down the long hallways, I felt as though I was marching to my own beheading and I ached for Richard as tears began to stream down my face.