ALERT
1546 Words
Ajora was just finishing packing her fruit stand after selling all of her goods in record time that evening when the loud tumult of an enormous crowd of soldiers suddenly mobilizing at the center of the city attracted her attention and made her look up with curiosity.
-What's happening? – She asked discreetly, looking towards Maeshi, who kept folding the garments that she had not sold that day – What are they doing?
-They say we're going to war now – The tall, skinny girl replied, shrugging off with indifference, gesturing at the freshly used execution scaffold a short distance away from them – I guess Queen Elande finally lost it.
-To war? – The young trader exclaimed with disbelief - Against whom?
-Word on the street is that we're invading Mavaer – Maeshi whispered, secretively giggling – Well, not us, of course… You know what I mean, our army is.
Ajora nodded distractedly at her statement, keeping her eyes on the endless lines of soldiers and making sure not to let any kind of emotion show as her brain ran at full speed, absorbing this new information that she'd just learned.
What Maeshi or her other fellow merchants didn't know was that Ajora was a Mavaerian herself.
When her father had gotten sick at the beginning of the winter, she'd taken over the business, and she'd come to Hathengatt for the season to try and sell all their harvest at a higher price than they would normally get everywhere else.
Everyone knew that agriculture was not particularly their strong suit, and being located so far away from Lowland´s farming cities, their inhabitants would usually pay double or even triple for good quality produce. So, she had come and practically settled there.
But Ajora´s priorities had changed now.
She could not afford to stay and finish selling her batch anymore. There was no use in getting all that coin if there wasn't a father waiting for her at home, or even a home to return to in the end. She needed to go back, and she needed to do it immediately.
With simulated disinterest, she continued gathering her stuff and headed to the cellar that she had rented to store her merchandise. Taking one last sad look at the plenty of still unsold crops and grabbing only the necessary amount for her trip.
Then she sold the rest to the owner of the barn for barely a chunk of the price that she was hoping to get.
-Why are you leaving now, girl? – The nosy old man with yellow teeth asked, handing her the bag of money with suspicion – You could easily double your profit if you stayed... you know?
-My dad is sick back home and I have a feeling that something bad is about to happen – Ajora truthfully replied – … Besides, I'm spending too much on lodging anyway.
-You could always camp – The insistent keeper suggested, eyeing her skeptically - Most traders do, to cut expenses.
-Just count your gains and stop trying to hold me back, old man – The young woman said exasperatedly, turning around and heading for the large wooden entrance in a hurry – I'll see you next year!
She'd left the city that night without even looking back, rushing down the hill where Hathengatt sat and running nonstop until she couldn't physically take another step.
Only then would she allow herself to rest, but just enough to regain her strength and continue her journey. Her mind focused on her objective and forcing her body to go on.
Judging by the Queen's famous impatience and the fact that the army was already making preparations, she knew that it shouldn't take them long to be ready and on their way. She needed to alert the King, she needed to ring the bell!
It had taken her three full days to finally spot the outline of her beloved home. Her heart was on the verge of bursting, and her stomach growled in protest as she had run out of provisions the prior night.
Knowing that the time was nigh, she had hurried towards the gates, tripping and stumbling all the way there, until she reached the guards at the front and proceeded to make the loudest ruckus anyone had ever heard. Her relentless screaming anxiously announcing that war was coming to them.
They had tried to contain her, but she wouldn't budge. Her flailing arms battling the men that tried to restrain her as she demanded to see the King at all costs.
-I'm your only hope, you idiots! – She'd yelled, enraged, trashing all around and resisting with impressive grit – He needs to hear my warning, or it would soon be too late!
One of them, apparently an important one, had finally taken heed of her words and ordered them to release her. Which they reluctantly did.
When they let go of her at last, Ajora stood shakily fixing her clothes a little, before the man took her by the arm and brusquely shoved her forward, forcing her to walk by his side as he pushed her through the streets and escorted her directly to the palace's hall.
Once inside the large, dark vault, he threw her down the floor and silently walked towards the edge of the room, lighting a single gas lamp that would barely cast a dim light around that enormous chamber.
-Kneel – He commanded, grabbing her by the clothes and placing her in position, inspecting her up and down and sighing with annoyance – Wait here.
With that, he went out and Ajora was left there alone, kneeling on the cold ground and surrounded only by the quietness and her own troubled thoughts.
She couldn't tell how much time had passed, but her legs had started hurting pretty badly by the time she heard the faint sound of steps approaching behind the deserted stage that she had been kneeling before, where a single and magnificent seat proudly stood.
A moment later, a young man emerged from the back of a heavy set of draperies and took a brief look around, making Ajora suddenly forget how to breathe.
He was tall and athletic, his dark, short hair scattered messily around his head, the olive skin of his masculine chest clearly visible beyond the rich green robe that he wore as his only garment. His bare feet brushing the tiles softly as he walked towards the chair and took a seat. His brow rising with interest as his dark eyes scanned her curiously.
-So… you say that you're our only hope – He spoke, a playful smirk curling his lip – You better be, as you woke me up.
Ajora had never seen the King up close before. Not even when he'd convinced them all to march to Lowland’s gate and save their lives.
She had barely caught a glimpse of him back then, standing in the distance and talking fervently about that terrible threat along with an old woman who seemed to know everything about it. Then they had all ended traveling and staying put until it was deemed that they could go back home… And that had been it. Life just went on.
But she'd never seen his features, and now that she was seeing everything, her mouth simply refused to make a single sound.
-Do you have a name? – The monarch asked after a moment, gesturing for her to stand.
-A-Ajora… Your Majesty – She stuttered, finally finding her voice while straightening herself with difficulty and bowing to him, her eyes darting to her feet – I'm sorry to disturb your rest. I just… There's something very important I need to tell you.
-Go on then – The young ruler replied encouragingly, giving her a captivating smile – You've got my undivided attention, Ajora.
- Hathengatt is coming – Ajora plainly blurted out, her face contorting with fear – Elande is Queen now, and she's sending her army! I came here to warn you!
- I see... And how do you happen to know about all this? – The King calmly inquired, his face remaining mostly impassive, except for a brief shadow darkening his eyes.
-I am a merchant, I was there three days ago… I saw them! – She anxiously explained - They are preparing… and there are plenty!
-And so… You dropped everything? – He rapidly deduced, his sight shining with admiration – And you ran back here just to tell me then?
-I did – She muttered, her eyes watering – We can't let that happen! Not again!
-We won't – He assured her, tilting his head at her with intrigue – What about your merchandise?
-I left it – Ajora admitted, shrugging off, then grinning smugly at him – But I still got a piece of the profit, though.
-Clever girl – The ruler mumbled distractedly, nodding at her in approval – So… Tell me? Did you count them?
-You mean... the men? - She frowned, her eyes illuminating - You bet I did!
-Well… Clever girl indeed – He wheezed out, his smile widening as he stood up and offered her his hand to take – Are you hungry?
- Writer
