Growing up as the youngest daughter to a powerful Khal, I had been witness to many battles. Each and every one, my father returned from, his braid untouched. I was his youngest child, nothing spectacular about me but I had grown quite attached to him. I was daddy's little girl, always trying my best to impress him. When my chores were done and taken care of, I would oftn sneak away to watch as the warriors trained by battling each other.
I had once taken my father's arahk, hidden it away, and it had remained in my possession. I think he suspected it was me but he didn't press the matter. After all, what good would a girl do with an arahk? I would never see battle, I would never get the chance to understand the joy of a battle. I was meant to cook, to care for my husband, care for our children, and little else.
I was woken by my servant who shook me frantically, whispering about how a khalasar had attacked just moments ago. I knew that she wasn't lying, I could hear the telltale signs of a battle waging not far from where I slept. I told her to run and hide, to try and be safe. THe girl had been by my side since I was young, I couldn't remember a time without her. She was like a sister to me, I wanted her safe if nothing else.
Once she had disappeared, I stood, digging into the bag I carried each and every day. The arahk that I had taken years ago was at the bottom. Jerking it out of the bag, I tip toed over the grass, dropping down behind a cart of ours. I peered over the top, watching as the battle raged on. I said a silent prayer, to the Great Stallion, to whomever was listening that my father would come out on top. It had been a long time since we were attacked without much warning... my father was aging but still strong. He would win, right?
I heard a scream that chilled me right down to my core, my mother shouting my father's name over and over. Without even thinking about it, I rushed forward, gripping the arahk in my hands as I tried to find my mother. Not noticing the man come up behind me, I let out a grunt as I was shoved to the ground. The weapon was ripped from my grip and I was unceremoniously yanked onto my back.
I stared up at the man, fear flowing through me. My father had always taught me to be strong, to never fear because he would keep me safe but I couldn't help but be afraid. I didn't recognize the man who stood above me. Cursing as the man reached for my hair, I winced as he began to drag me forward. I struggled, trying to grab onto something that I could use to defend myself or at least stop him from dragging me wherever he was planning to. He was probably going to rape me, to kill me. I had no clue but my worst fears came true when I was dropped in front of a man with a braid so long that I was sure he must have never been defeated in battle.
The sound of my mother's voice was enough to make my heart sink as I glanced over, spotting her sobbing over my father's body. His throat had been cut, his braid discarded a few feet away.
Numb. It was all I could feel, I wasn't even afraid as I looked up to the khal standing in front of me. The man who had discovered me began to speak, laughing about the state he had found me in. "I found her with an arahk! A tiny, little whore with a weapon! What would she have done? Cut herself!" He began to laugh, a grin spreading across his features. "I want to break her, make her mine!"
I tossed a timid glance forward, realizing that perhaps I should have ran with my slave instead of trying to get involved in the battle. My parents had been right - a battle was no place for a woman. And yet, here I found myself at the mercy of the khal who had just killed my father.
May 14th, 2017 at 07:27pm