13. OTHER VILLAGE

Violet had come up with a risky escape plan. Probably too risky to attempt.

With her new freedom she began exploring the caves more. Some of the channels just ended, the main one did not. As the torches became sparse Violet knew she was far from the camp, she'd already been walking for a while. She'd not come across an illager, and then she suddenly halted when she saw ahead. The wide tunnel wasn't narrowing, but a stack of boulders had blocked it off completely.

Violet continued again until she touched the first rock. It all seemed stable. She climbed up and rested her face against the next one, listening….

Clink.

The rattle of a skeleton. She listened more and heard the clicking of a spider, and various other monster sounds. Violet leaned back and combed her hair behind her ears. She'd been wearing her hair out lately. It was messier, but not as wild in the cool of the caves. She looked up and considered how much TNT might be needed to blow through. If she could lead a swarm of monsters to camp it might distract everyone long enough for her to get to Zann's office and her crystal ball.

It was a chaotic madness, and the first half-decent plan at escape she'd come up with.

Knowing where the crystal ball was she could've dug a manhole, concealed the entry and tunnelled her way there - after counting the distance in steps the next time she walked to meet Zann. That had been her last idea, but no. Not only would it take too long but her iron pickaxe would likely break before accomplishing even half of the required digging.

So… could this plan work? Violet would need gunpowder to craft TNT, which could be sourced from the bodies of creepers. There was an organ, a sack of some kind like a spleen that carried it. And then Violet would need to lure all the monsters all the way to the camp. And there was the fact that monsters didn't attack illagers. They'd make a somnolent parade - perhaps there'd be confusion, but not panic.

Violet wasn't sure any of that would work. She slid off the rock, rattling loose stones in the dark. They bounced off her feet and skipped away, clacking. She had her hand on the rock as she stepped away, then her fingers parted with it as she turned to go back.

Several minutes later the more closely placed torches made everything brighter and she saw illagers about. There was still some hours until lunch and she was stiff from her morning sword practice. Perhaps she should help the women with their straw weaving. As Violet went to do that, Jarmila slid out from a boulder to her side, startling her.

"Zann requests to see thee in his quarters," she smiled at Violet's fright.

When Jarmila didn't immediately lead the way Violet stared, "...You're not going with me?"

"He trusts thou knows the way by now. Unless thou would like to be shown again?"

"No, no. That's fine." Violet studied her uncertainly, "Thank you…"

She turned and walked away.

Violet wasn't exactly nervous, but apprehensive to be called on by the captain right after plotting a potential escape attempt. A part of her was eager to be around him, and she tried blocking that out. Since she'd been allowed to go by herself she took quick but measured steps and counted in her mind anyway. Forty-three between the tunnel's start and she was before the red door.

She knocked twice like Bronis had done, then hesitated before letting herself in….

Zann was standing with his back to her, looking over papers on his desk. She shot a glance at her crystal ball, still there, then she closed the door softly. She took a few steps over and knitting her hands together, rested them over her lap.

After a moment Zann turned, "Ahh, Violet. Tis soon, but I may already require trialling thee with added trust."

Being around him was worse than she thought. It was electrically thrilling to be in his orbit. She supposed being the leader of savages would require a strength to one's character, a presence, a charisma. This feeling was only growing stronger. How could she plot her escape while also not wanting to let him down?

"What do you need?"

He was barely looking at her, "A few days north is a village that hast refused to surrender any more wares. I am sending thee there. Thou hast three days to convince 'em."

"A week," Violet countered. "Please."

He faced her then, head tilting.

Her words rushed, "I could help them expand their farms, and find ways to increase their total productivity. But I'd need the time, in my educated opinion."

"Fine," he turned away again, gathering papers from the surrounding mess.

Violet felt warmth as she understood that he was trusting her abilities.

Zann continued, "I and others will be at an outpost nearby, so are leaving with thee." Violet inclined her head as he continued, "I plan to discuss with the western tribe whomst territory will be closeby."

Negotiations. Violet thought about that, "Will that lead to a fight?"

"Most likely not."

"But just in case…" Violet could tell what he was thinking. He gave her a look and she read that too. Just in case he'd have his best, most trusted fighters with him.

"Be ready to leave some time in the e'en. Thou are dismissed."

Violet turned away, went out the door and walked with her thoughts clouding her. A small part of her was thinking of the village they were sending her too. She'd try her best to help them and not let a repeat of what she saw ever happen again. Mostly her mind was on the other illager tribe. That was the truly tense matter, and she was hoping it wouldn't result in another violent skirmish.

After assisting Tiril with her cooking once more, testing it for poison and then eating her lunch, all those going on the expedition were called to gather. It was a bit like their triumphant returns - young illagers and others not fit for the mission gathered around on the rocks, just to see those who'd leave strapping on their leathers and weapons. Violet hung around a rock nearby. Nedi was going, his size worked well for intimidation. Jarmila was going, and Violet had the feeling she'd refuse to let Zann go into any potential battle without being by his side. The brothers were uncharacteristically staying behind, Sagan would lead in Zann's stead - he was the eldest. Him and Bronis stood close and watched from among the crowd. There were only three others going with Zann, so it was a small squad mission.

Inger was going. He looked at Violet and his lip curled back, she could see his missing tooth. She looked away.

Zann climbed a rock to address everyone, "Our warrior ancestors permitting, we should return in a fortnight! With the newcomer Violet's supply of healing potions, it should make for a safe journey!"

There were cheers and some eyes regarded her shiftily, still unsure if she could be counted on.

Zann raised his fist with them, "Let us go forth!"

Their party trudged out and Violet pushed off the rock to follow from a few paces behind.

They climbed onto ready camels and exited out into the sun, a plodding line of creams and browns. Violet gasped when the light passed over her. The bright hurt her eyes, she could feel it turning the warm browns into amber. Familiar heat touched her once more, soaked through her skin and into her blood. She was topside, back to the land of the living. Catching her breath challenged her for a moment, but she got it under control. Her brown cloak was still in her inventory, so she summoned it and wrapped herself to keep the sun off her head. She pulled the lead, hugging close to the animal's neck. Her hair was braided again, her skin was moistening already.

She clenched up but the inner tension passed, to her relief. It was just a mild shock to her system.

Lately Violet had been getting good at ducking out of sight quick. Or, she was in the caves and nobody noticed when she moved to sit away and fold in on herself, hiding her face against her knees. It hadn't happened during combat training, so these attacks or whatever they were must happen when she's idle, undistracted. She knew what caused them: memories of those most vulnerable whom she'd failed to protect.

Thrice a day, give or take, her insides would ache like they did on that first night in the pit's near-total darkness. When it struck, winding her with the most supreme agony, she could only move out of the way and hold herself, try to keep her chest from physically ripping itself apart. That's how it felt, anyway.

She didn't have a hope of getting out of sight during the travel, and that worried her. Also, with so much uninterrupted walking it was likely to happen more. There was nothing she could do about it….

She lasted an hour before the onset of glass shards sliced through her torso in various places. They were unfurling in preparation. Violet smiled, chagrinned. She'd kept her thoughts busy with sword fighting and with strategies for handling the other villagers. She was lucky and grateful to have held it off for as long as she had. The attack was coming on properly now, and with the last of her able movements she wound the camel's lead around both hands several times, locked her legs in tightly and leaned against its honey-furred neck. She'd do her best to hold still so she wouldn't fall.

The glass shards, flexing indulgently, suddenly whirled, greedy now like a chainsaw. Painful enough to make the regular pace of her breathing shredded, her posture went rigid as if from an electric shock. If someone tried speaking to her she wouldn't be able to reply. What had ravaged her temporary respite this time was a memory of Meliora dying, handing over her precious baby Allium in the hopes she'd be protected...

Twenty minutes later the frozen spikes began receding from her mind. They'd had their allocated time of torture, and now retreated amicably enough until next time. In the span of ten seconds Violet was soon breathing normally again, her muscles unlocking, her brain scrubbed blank - the restarting of a familiar cycle. She'd not fallen off and nobody had said anything, oblivious to her silent torture. Feeling bad for putting added strain on her camel she patted its neck, and felt hopeful that she might get through this journey without the others noticing after all.

In the coming hours Violet felt a burst of confidence, using the lead to direct her camel beside the group, though she kept her distance from Inger. Nedi's camel was the largest, strong muscles under chestnut fur, but the poor thing wheezed under his weight. When the sun blazed along the horizon beside them they stopped and prepared to sleep. The camels were fed, and stroked all over in appreciation for their work. A wind was blowing, it'd likely be a cold night.

Violet sat by a cactus and someone passed her a lavender potion.

She popped the cork but it paused on the way to her mouth, "You guys don't make these?"

"Naye, we get this brew from wandering traders," the illager who gave it to her said before sitting beside Zann.

Violet was thoughtful. How exactly did they do that? Were they capturing the occasional wanderer and stealing his wares, then killing him? Or were the traders also working for this mysterious ally, his ubiquitous influence present all across Enim as he profited from multifarious schemes?

"Zann, I want to know more about the strange ally helping you," Violet just came out and said it.

Inger looked like he dearly wanted to tell her to shut it, but he was holding back his snapping tongue with a strong degree of willpower. The others all looked to Zann.

"I wish not to tell thee… yet," Zann grumbled.

Violet faced away and bit her lip, knowing she'd have to accept that for now.

The other guy was throwing out a blanket. Zann lay back in the cool sand and put his hands behind his head, "Nedi, take first watch."

"Aye, Sir."

It was getting darker, the monsters would soon be spawning. Violet drank the potion then and felt herself vanishing. She stared up at the celestial hemisphere, at the twinkling points of light. If only she had her compass she could've taken it out and gone back to the tribe on foot, then snuck into Zann's quarters while invisible. They'd gone some acute north-west way and may have slightly veered at one point. Too risky. She told herself it didn't feel right to go yet.

As opposed to: it didn't feel right to go, period.

Being around monsters didn't daunt her like it used to. She was able to sleep quite easily. She was stronger now.

Her last train of thought was wondering if she could ask the others tomorrow night to let her fight some monsters before sleeping. Get some more combat practice in. Only there were too many mobs in the open expanse, she'd be swarmed by springing spiders and exploding creepers. But maybe, afterwards she could gather needed gunpowder from the slain green creatures, for her escape plan. Nah, too risky….

Violet awoke at dawn. The stars were vanishing and her braid was an uncomfortable lump at the back of her skull. She lifted her chin and saw Zann sitting several feet away. He was staring at her, arms around his bent legs.

Violet's heart thumped and she stared back. He wasn't looking away. His thoughtful gaze sent a rush of chemicals through her system. …Did he care about her? She might have saved his life, and he did say he was sorry for how she was treated. Sorry for what happened, and what their killer instincts urged them to do to her villagers….

Then Violet realised she was still invisible. He was just staring at her imprint in the sand.

She sat up and he turned his head. Nedi and Inger were asleep, Jarmila was facing the sunrise while turning and stretching. Another man was walking around, packing their things while the other was absently turning his wrist, slicing a scimitar through empty air.

A minute later Zann stood. The sword-swinging illager cut diagonally through a cactus and its falling thud woke those sleeping later due to taking turns with the watches. Violet noticed herself slowly hazing into view as the sun got brighter. Warmth was chasing away the cool, and it was too warm for this early hour. Uncomfortable. Violet tried to stand and stumbled back. Not being able to see her body made it as disorienting as getting up with your eyes closed. It made for a challenge first thing in the morning. Violet turned over her hands and soon she was visible again. She stood.

Zann walked ahead then turned back as they all got to their feet, "Ready? Let's move out."

Violet heard the illagers grunt morning greetings to each other. Not wanting to be left out, as she went to saddle her camel beside Nedi she did the same, and he reciprocated her greeting.

They took breaks to rest the animals and during them Violet trained with wooden swords against Nedi, Jarmila, and the other two illagers. But not Inger, and not Zann. The slap of wood rang in her ears, and she turned, always facing her opponent. She was guarding and swinging, faster and more confident. A few times her training partners had to step hastily away from her weapon.

"Thou hast made much progress," Zann commented, standing with his arms crossed.

"Could she be a natural talent?" Nedi wondered in his gargle.

"No," Violet corrected them, catching her breath. They were getting ready to continue onward, so she stood out of the ready position. "Just determined."

"And unafraid," Zann added then turned to mount his beast, but not before she saw a gleam of approval.

Jarmila noticed too and her eyes darkened. That was worrisome.

Violet had asked and Zann didn't want her fighting the monsters. The illagers were all carrying one healing potion each and they weren't to be wasted. Also, Violet might just die.

So that day ended like the last. As predicted she had an egregious amount of her 'attacks', she counted seven. They never occurred in the interims, only while they were on the move. Each time she was able to lock herself into place and her trusty steed never showed annoyance at the extra burden, never seemed ready to throw her off. However, on the day after Violet was unlucky. It was a particularly bad one. She had no strength, no ability to move. She could see Allium underwater, so utterly abandoned and unloved, and it was like getting strangled from head to toe by living razor wire. She slipped sideways off her camel and into the sand. She didn't feel the impact, but part of her could hear the illager who'd been travelling behind her call to Zann and soon they were all crouching around her.

"What's going on?"

"She's struggling to breathe."

"Violet! Open thine eyes!"

"Should we move her?"

"Naye, leave her be…"

Violet pulled her knees to her chest. Someone tried to give one, but Violet wouldn't open her mouth for a healing potion. So the voices stopped, maybe they were giving her space. Her eyes were clenched tight from the pain. It was good that no one tried moving her, she would've shattered into a thousand pieces like glass. Maybe ten minutes later, the pain started its gradual fade….

When she could Violet sat herself up, dusted the sand from her shoulders and hair. The illagers were standing around at a distance, some drinking from their tankards while watching her. Maybe they'd understood what was happening.

"I'm sorry…" she began, "I'm okay now. I don't know what that was…" her hollow voice made it the least convincing lie ever told. "We can keep going now…"

Zann frowned, he was agitated by what they'd seen, "Can thee stand?"

Violet nodded and did so. It was like a spell had been broken, she hadn't been able to uncurl herself but now she could cartwheel if she wanted to. Zann nodded then, turning and waving his hand forward. They all got back on their camels and resumed the trip.

It had been three days of plodding and then Violet could see the village they'd travelled directly to. Her anguishing journey was at an end, her next order of business: canvassing, basically. Her stomach sank but she tried to be hopeful. Someone was visible, tending to the farms.

"The chief's name is Eustace," Zann started as they stopped in a line atop a frozen wave of sand. "Thee has a week to convince 'em. In that time, thou mustn't leave the village. We will go on ahead for our business, then check on another nearby village and then come back to get thee."

Violet's gaze was ahead like theirs, "Okay. Thank you."

Zann nodded.

"I hope thou fails," Jarmila grinned as she hopped off her sadle. She fiddled with ropes, tying Violet's camel to hers. "I'm craving the kill."

"I won't," Violet responded curtly. She slid off unsteadily on numb legs, then she descended toward the village. "See you all in one week," Violet called.

She heard their animals turn and wander off.

When Violet closed half the distance the farmer saw her and hurried out of sight to tell somebody. She internally sighed.

When she was close enough to touch a building, a young woman villager rounded the corner.

"Visitor, please state thy business."

Violet felt herself switching back into expatriation mode, just a bit: "Hello. My name's Violet and I'm a researcher from another world."

"Another world?" She was in part wonderstruck, the rest of her distrusting.

"I know you're suspicious of me because of the illagers. But I'm just like you. I'm also their prisoner," she tried to smile, and the act of twisting her mouth probably looked strange and frightening from an outside perspective.

The woman stared for a while and then she was convinced, "Thou wish to speak with mine father. Come hither then."

She walked off and Violet followed a few steps behind. Instead of being cooped up the chickens were free, she had to watch her steps while a few were around pecking at seeds. She saw the typical tokens of a desert village: haystacks and barrels lined against walls, a sea pickle placed by an open window, some lime carpet and bedding. Another young woman joined the one leading Violet and they whispered amongst each other while casting looks back to her. Other, older villagers were nearby and busy with their jobs. They passed farming rectangles arranged in the typical way, a row of blue water between twice as much dirt. They stopped at a building and one of the women knocked, then both went through.

Violet paused and could hear them talking inside. She waited to be called in before opening the ajar door and closing it behind her.

The village chief was older than Herkel had been, with more lines on his stern face. He was sitting at a familiar jungle-wood table and Violet took a breath before pulling out a chair, preparing to negotiate.

"Thee were sent here by the illagers whomst threatened us?"

Violet nodded and he asked, "Why?"

"Because Eustace- I'm Violet, pleasure meeting you. Sorry to have to…" she was blanking on words, as expected. The exact things she was going to say, that she came up with during the three day walk, gone like snow. Then Violet gave up on her professional, or academic spiel. Her posture relaxed, she no longer cared about being convincing. She just let her emotions show plainly, "I came so they wouldn't pillage you."

Eustace loosed a quiet hiss and grit his teeth. He took a moment, "They are threatening as much, are they?"

"They don't threaten, I don't think. They won't just kill one or two of you to make a point. Don't you see? They're natural killers who massacre villages on instinct, but they're extorting them instead because some ally helping them convinced them to."

"The demands they hast made are too high! We cannot feed ourselves and give what they ask!"

Violet frowned, "All I want is for you and your people to survive. Listen, the last village I was with-" the ghost of her latest torment pulsed in the acid-worn passages that spread from her middle, "they managed to escape for a year by tearing down their houses, travelling across the desert and rebuilding." Eustace's brow wrinkled over his eyes as he listened. Violet pressed, "But it's still a huge risk. I can help you expand your farms and teach your people more effective farming practices. They've given me a week."

"Escape and rebuild…?" Eustace mused.

Violet didn't care if the illagers would be angry with her. Sitting across from Eustace now, her concern was keeping them alive not being some auxiliary conquering envoy.

"You could try. But like I said, unless you go far, and I mean far away into another biome, they'll probably find you again. And believe me, they won't be asking you all a second time."

She watched him rub his chin, "That would be much too far. We hast elders and children to consider."

"Then please, let me start building extensions to your farms. I'll need living quarters, and food to eat, but that's all."

"Fine, agreed. In any matter, thou are more reasonable than the crude brutes are."

Violet gave a quiet sigh of relief. How ridiculous to think there were so many misunderstandings and deaths just because testificates didn't know how to be diplomatic with each other.

Eustace, who already seemed more cooperative, indicated to the two young women standing close by the wall, "These are mine daughters, Mabel the eldest and Cecilia. They shall help thee with thy needs."

Mabel was the one Violet had first spoken to. They looked very similar but she could still make out a year's age difference and facial distinctions. They stepped up and Violet voiced her thanks before following them out. Mabel remained put off while Cecilia was apprehensive to engage with Violet at all.

"For what it's worth, I'm sorry this is happening to your people," Violet said and Mabel softened.

"I too am sorry for the predicament forced upon thee," Mabel responded.

Violet clenched her teeth, lowered her head and said nothing. Yes, it's all been a total catastrophe….

"Would not our defender be enough to keep us safe?" Cecilia spoke mostly to her sister, her eyes flicking back to Violet for a second, who was imagining the tumult if they relied on just that.

"I watched them take down two iron golems at once. It won't make a difference."

At Violet's words the sisters scowled but said nothing.

Before leaving the illager tribe Violet had emptied some of her inventory into chests there to make room for useful items she could bring. She had dirt, sandstone, and also a raw carrot in case they didn't have any. They did, beetroot was missing instead.

Using her pickaxe, Violet broke through the sandstone edge of the farm and started building outwards. Members of the local cohort came to stare for a while but nobody helped, and that was fine. She worked until the approach of dusk, and keeping her hands busy worked to stave off more torment. Still, she was getting plagued by strange thoughts she'd never had before.

Perhaps she'd got more used to the illagers without realising. Regular villagers seemed so inept to her now. They shambled around, looking uncoordinated and weak. Violet used to be so endeared to them, but they'd become distinctly unimpressive. Bronis's words came back to her then: Tis the responsibility of all to be strong. She once appreciated their ineptitude for fighting and thought it made them better. Quietly, a strange craving for violence made her shiver, and she focused all her attention on shovelling the dirt in front of her.

。。。

【AN: Thx to Shuriken for the chapter 5 review. So this story will actually have a Part 3 as well, look forward to that soon-ish~】