CRUEL KING

Girls of the Sandlands

Girls of the Sandlands

Anisha started screaming despite the firm hand covering her mouth. She struggled as much as her slender body allowed. Her eyes, wide and red with terror, realized her attacker was not alone.

Laughter and whistles thundered once she was dragged deeper into the alley. Grasping the arm of the man holding her, she tried to make him let go.

"She's a feisty one, this little one," a short, stocky, bald man growled, approaching her. With a predatory smile, pushing back his hood, he examined her closely. "You were right, Sigmund, she's a girl from the Sandlands. Look at those eyes. A real feline..."

"We'll get a good price for her, especially since she's young and rather cute," her captor replied, leaning in a little closer to sniff the skin of her neck. Anisha shivered with disgust and dread.

"You said it. With the fortune we'll make from her, we can even get our old ship seaworthy again and sail next week."

These unscrupulous people were after her, not her money, the young girl thought. This monstrous reality pushed her to scream louder, despite the hand still holding her captive. If she didn't find a way to escape quickly, she could say goodbye to her sister and her freedom. And there wasn't a soul in this land who was ignorant of the fate that awaited those who became slaves.

Lifting her legs high in front of her, she kicked the man facing her. The second one felt the bite of her desperation on his hand and freed her mouth for a moment. She screamed at the top of her lungs while continuing to struggle. Far from intervening, the others stayed back in a doorway, laughing at her defiance.

"You filthy brat!" cursed the bald man, who seemed to be the leader and had just dodged a volley of kicks. "Let her go, let's see..."

His henchman obeyed instantly. Without further ado, the ruffian she had just kicked delivered several slaps that sent her to the ground. With the taste of her own blood in her mouth and her head spinning, the girl struggled to get back up. The sky seemed so bright from this sinister, dark place. It was as if she were at the bottom of a well. Would anyone hear her if she started screaming? Anisha wondered without much conviction.

Bending over her with a vicious smile, the leader tore off her cloak. The young girl began to scream with all her might before her mouth was sealed once more. Without fully understanding what was happening to her, she was pulled to her feet by the man behind her, while the one in front continued his work. With a rough gesture, he lowered the fabric of her chiton, which covered her shoulders, and left her chest almost bare. Her eyes pleading and full of tears, Anisha tried to implore these brutes to stop.

"Look at that skin—silk that will bring us a fine sum. And that," the man snickered, getting ready to put his hand on her, "that's what you call a bosom."

"If you don't release her this instant, you'll be facing serious trouble," a deep voice growled from the end of the alley.

"What's this now?" the bald man asked, frowning with a brow as bare as his head. "Can't a man even work in this neighborhood?" he exaggerated, realizing that these were neither soldiers nor watchmen.

Despite her tear-filled eyes, Anisha could make out men in long, dark cloaks and hoods, likely to conceal their faces, posted on the rooftops above them. Others stood at the end of the alley, blocking the passage. Her attacker pulled the drapes of her chiton back over her shoulders before spitting on the ground with contempt.

"I don't know who you are, but today you'll pay for your audacity."

With these words, he whistled, and his men emerged from one of the entrances and gathered around him.

"Release the girl," the unknown man at the end of the alley urged again. His deep voice was so soothing and so firm that Anisha felt a flicker of hope.

"You're giving me orders? On my own territor—"

The man stopped mid-word, a worried expression crossing his face. Anisha's thoughts were racing. And despite her will to believe these people were there to help her, she couldn't help but wonder if they were just fighting over the prize she represented.

Soon, light crossbows emerged from beneath the newcomers' cloaks. On the silent orders of the man who seemed to be their leader, those on the rooftop took aim at Anisha's captors.

"One move from me," the stranger declared, "and your foul carcasses will be feeding the harbor fish."

In a single, perfectly synchronized motion, the sentries loaded their bolts into their weapons.

"Boss, these aren't amateurs," stammered the one still holding Anisha.

"Let her go. We'll know where to find her later," the bald man ordered with a grimace. Then, to the faction's leader, he said, "There! Your wish has been granted. You can tell your men to lower their toys now..."

Not knowing what to do and trembling all over, Anisha no longer dared to move.

"You can go," the man with the enchanting voice and cloak told her. Without a second thought, or even taking the time to pick up her cloak, Anisha ran towards her unexpected freedom.

Before leaving the alley, and just as she was abreast of her savior, she mumbled a small "thank you" in her hoarse voice. The fear prevented her from looking up at him, so she simply stared at his large, gloved hands.

"Don't you ever dare to linger in these kinds of cutthroat places again. You're lucky my men heard you screaming before we set sail."

His tone was moralizing and firm, but all the young girl heard was a soft melody that made every fiber of her body vibrate. The stranger's immense stature and broad shoulders gave her a sense of great protection for an instant. And after what she had just been through, it felt good. She didn't need to meet his gaze to know he was staring at her as well. She could sense the impatience and annoyance in his breathing.

Understanding that she was wasting his time, she replied with an energetic nod of her head and fled the notorious place, running...

Her sister was a little better when she arrived, waiting thoughtfully by the fire, a concoction in her hand. It was a good thing she had stopped by the outdoor well to wash up, Anisha thought, not expecting to see her up. It was a good thing her condition was improving, as without a doctor available, the night would have been difficult.

"Ani!" Dalia straightened up, her gaze as intrigued as it was worried. "You took your time." Then, seeing her sister's red and still bruised face, she continued: "What happened to you?! Why is your face in that state?"