Astria tossed and turned in her sleep, unable to stop the restless feeling that overwhelmed her; no dreams arriving to comfort her mind. She opened her eyes slowly, the fire warming her skin as she moved into a seated position on the hard ground; looking around to find both her mother and GIlmy in a deep slumber. Wondering what she should do, the girl stared into the darkness, swearing she saw something move between the trees. And yet, she believed it to be the exhaustion playing with her mind, thinking nothing more of it. They had been travelling for days with no problems, the countryside seeming barren and lonely, with only the odd farm to distract their minds.
But then Tuviel wouldn’t even allow them to say hello, let alone stay the night in a nice comfortable bed. It didn’t seem at all fair that they must suffer because of the evil minds of the Deus, why couldn’t they just leave them alone? Surely there was more deserving people that should meet the fate
Tarian jumped on a dark brown horse, holding out his hand for the girl as she stared, she had never ridden on a horse, let alone seen one up close."Get on." He ordered as his men all hoisted themselves up onto the others.Astria took his hand, allowing him to lift her onto the horse as she panted, not knowing what would happen to her once they got to their destination. She was more nervous as they rode through the trees than she had ever been her entire life, her eyes wondering back, praying that her mother was alright."Pull up the hood of your cloak." Tarian said suddenly, his eyes locked onto something in the distance.The half-breed obeyed instantly, remembering her promise to listen to his every command, after all; what other choice did she have? She turned her eyes towards the horizon, noticing another set of horses heading straight for them. Taking a deep breath, she wondered if the strangers would help her, free her from her captures. Perhaps if
Astria stared up at the night sky, her entire form bound to a large oak tree, her legs numb and tingly from being unable to move. She sighed, they all slept so peacefully whilst she stayed awake, night after night; wondering if they would ever make it to their destination. They had been traveling for three moons, during the day they would ride, and at night they would tie her to the closest tree, ensuring her ears were covered in case of visitors. Though the girl did not know who they expected to show up in the middle of the night when all creatures slept.She looked around the small camp, feeling utterly alone as she fought back tears; praying that Gilmy wasn't far behind. That he would come rescue her. Yet, she knew that it would be a hard task; he would not know where to begin, or where to look for her. After all, he wouldn’t wake when she called to him for aid, his motionless form skill etched in her mind. Why? Why wouldn’t he wake?The half-breed jumpe
"Thank you." The white-haired man whispered, slowly moving into a seated position.She nodded, not knowing what to say and she crawled away, noticing another man that had fallen to the stranger's sword on the other side of the tree; knowing that he needed her help. Astria took a moment to look back at the fighting, distraught as she realised that Tarian and his men were losing to the law man. She knew that should they lose she would die, perhaps in an excruciating way, something that the girl did not want.Tarian panted for breath, he had never versed an adversary with such skill, nor did he want to again should he survive. He turned back to look at the small girl as she stared, an idea striking at his mind."Girl!" He shouted. "Use your fire to kill him."The half-breed gasped, he wanted her to kill? She had done that once before to one of his men and she had regretted it, it wasn't pleasant taking another's life, nor did she ever want to do it again. Bu
Astria groaned in her sleep, her head leant against Tarian's shoulder, though she hadn't realised that yet as she squirmed; the world around her growing louder. She blinked rapidly, jumping up once she realised who she was with, her heart racing in reckless motions against her chest. When had she fallen asleep? She couldn’t quite remember when she had drifted in the land of dreams and nightmares, grateful that her mind was not plagued with her greatest fears. The girl looked around, noticing that most of his men had disappeared, leaving only a small few to protect her and Tarian. What would they do should they run into the law again? How would they fight them off with only three men? "Where is everyone?" She asked bravely, turning back to look at Tarian as he shrugged. "They are scouting ahead, is that a problem?" "What if we get ambushed?" "That wouldn’t matter now, look." He smiled, pointing to the left. Astria followed his hand with
Astria screamed when he pushed the knife under the nail of her middle finger, the agony unbearable as he slowly cut it off; blood oozing from where the fingernail used to be. She bucked and twisted on the ground as he repeated the process four more times, begging for him to stop; though her cries for mercy were unheard as Tarian watched a smile etched into his face. How could he be so cruel? What could he possibly gain from her anguish?"Please …" She whispered, fighting against the men that held her down."That’s enough, you can let her go now." Tarian ordered, his men complying almost instantly.Tears slipped from the half-breed's eyes as she moved into a seated position on the hard ground, shocked to see the amount of blood that poured from her fingers. Astria watched in silence as some of the fifty men began to walk back towards the large camp, smiles etched into their faces; each one seeing it as though they had won some great battle. She
But the girl hoped that Tuviel would steer clear of the camp, that she would understand that there was nothing she could do to save her daughter, not now.One of Tarian's soldiers smiled wildly. "Perhaps we could keep her mother also.""That is not an option. The Deus are looking for the mother and we wouldn't want to go against an army of them." The leader shot back, clearly annoyed that one of his men would say such a thing."Why are they looking for her?""Because she broke their highest law when she had the girl." Tarian explained, turning towards the girl as he continued to speak; "Show them."Astria knew exactly what he meant, he wanted her to show them her ears, to reveal that she was a half-breed and face their judgment. Having no other choice, the girl removed her hood and tucked her hair behind her ears; showing who she was. The people gasped, some taking a step back in shock and disbelief."She is a half-breed!""Abominatio
"Then don't apologise."Astria nodded in response, though wasn’t quite sure as they continued to stare, as if they were waiting for something; waiting for her to make another mistake."Panett, leave us." Tarian ordered."I wish to make sure she is healthy first.""You can see she is quite alright, if there are any problems I will call for you.""Alright, as long as you do.""Of course."Panett stood up to leave, flashing a small smile at the girl as he exited the hut; leaving her alone with the tribe's leader.Tarian moved to sit beside her on the bed, a moment of silence stretching out between them before he finally spoke; his tone harsh. "I would not advise disobeying me again, you nearly lost your life."Astria scoffed, "It is your fault that I nearly died, if you hadn't have done what you did we wouldn’t be in this situation."He lashed out, striking her across the face. "Do not talk to me in such
Her entire frame trembled as she watched him pull the same bandages and ointment from his small pack, his eyes never leaving hers. Astria recoiled back when he neared her, blood coating her hair and neck as she cried softly; afraid that it would somehow all happen again."I need you to remain still." He said almost commandingly, taking her by the chin.The girl nodded, realising that he was only trying to help; he wasn’t like the others, he was the only one that didn’t wish to harm her. Something that she was grateful for. She supposed that because he was medically trained that he was like her, in the sense that he didn’t wish to harm anyone if he could help it; nor did he wish to kill unless there was no other choice. He leaned forward, applying the white cream to her ears, the pain of what had happened seeping through the girl's form. She winced, jumping back slightly when he placed the bandages over the open wound of her right ear, her eyes swollen