Chapter 23: A Day We Feared

*This chapter contains a bit more language and graphic detail than the others. Please enjoy still.

After a few hours rest the little band rose and headed out again. Peace felt it hadn’t been long enough, but the others were ready and able. Here she was having traveled across half of Barakdethen mostly alone, then further still with company, all to save her land… and suddenly she was slowing down her own purpose. She nearly needed Yevish’s pull to get herself onto Darkstar. The emotional drain was taking her physical strength now too. She struggled to have the strength for the day and her mind was never clear now. It had only been less than two weeks and already these nightmares from her past had nearly destroyed her. Peace clung to Yevish, leaning on his strength to keep her going. She looked up to the sky, silently praying for Yeshua’s help. Within half a day they were within sight of Chiff, and they joined up with the caravan routes. They entered the city as the sun began to set, Strife would spend tomorrow searching, while the others restocked their supplies. The guards starting pestering the caravans to hurry as they rode past the gates and down the main street. Ahead of them was a small caravan consisting of one steed, two camels, 7 men, and two women, most likely harlots. Peace and her brothers rode past them, but Strife stopped as he passed one of the women. He heeled his horse and stopped the woman in her stride. Peace and her brothers stopped to wait.

“Well well, I do declare…” Strife started off with a harsh chuckle. “If it isn’t little miss Chastity.”

The woman looked up at him, a sudden deadly fear springing up in her eyes. She let out a gasp and then attempted to throw the bundle she’d been carrying in Strife’s face. She missed, but turned and tried to run anyway.

Strife kicked his horse after her and caught her by her hair with one hand. Hoisting her up to her toes he looked her straight in the eyes. “Where do you think you’re off to?”

The woman squirmed and tried not to let out a cry as she weakly grasped at his arm. The other woman from her caravan hung her head and sat silent, the other men leaned back on the camels and watched. Peace held Yevish close and for the first time in several weeks she was completely aware. Her brothers watched with varying levels of agitation.

Strife held the woman a bit longer and higher, nearly drawing a scream from her. “Ready to chat sweetheart?” She nodded vigorously and he let her down. “Doesn’t look as if you’re trade’s been kind to you lately.” A cruel smile spread across his face as he looked over her bruises and thin cheeks. She spit up at him, but stayed where she was. Strife brushed the spit off his cheek and looked back down at her. He chuckled, “As I thought. “Maybe you should’ve taken my offer hmm?” The woman growled and looked down, shame and hate mixing in her sunken eyes. It was easy to see now her attempts at covering up the bruises with cheap make-up. “To bad those days are past.” Strife continued, his tone harsh and cold. Peace shivered, she’d heard that tone before, far too often. Strife leaned over and stroked the woman’s cheeks to bring her eyes up to meet his. “Now I need information. When last you saw me I was traveling with a band of men led by a soldier named Corref. You seen him lately?”

The woman shook her head hesitatingly, pleading she hadn’t. Strife raised his hand and backhanded her. She fell from the force of the strike and caught herself with her thin arms.

Strife circled her with his horse, adding force and fear to his threats and words. Justice started forward, a silent passion burning in his eyes. The men from the caravan laughed a bit and commented to each other, obviously holding no attachment whatever. Zeal reached over and put a hand on Peace’s shoulder to steady her.  

“Try again whore.” Strife’s voice had become a growl, fierce as a wolf. He stopped the horse before her as the woman looked up. “Where did you last see him?”

Tears begun down the woman’s cheeks. She shook her head again. “It’s been years!” She screamed, her voice pleading. “He was with you!”

“You’re lying!” Strife’s horse reared and it’s hoofs clashed down dangerously close to the woman with the thunder in his voice. Peace started and reached out to grasp Zeal’s outstretched arm. What on earth was happening? She knew he’d been a warrior all his life, and done many things, but this sudden burst of violence. Was this woman so low in his eyes? Like a street dog?

The woman screamed, shaking her head with all the force her frail body held. “No! I swear!”

Justice stopped Kloppit a few feet from Strife, stalling right behind him. “Strife.” It was a statement, made in a low voice, but it was clear and curt as stark sunlight.

Strife turned to Justice, surprise and challenge across his face. Just then the voice of a guard called out: “What in the damned is the ruckus?”

Justice, Strife, woman, and gathering crowd all turned to look at the four guards. The woman managed to sit up but did not lift her face and kept silent as a mouse. Strife turned and inclined his head to them. The guard’s straightened as they obviously recognized him. “Just a petty argument.” Strife stated. “All done now, no need for you to worry yourselves about it.” He finished as he looked down meaningfully at the woman. The guards nodded, ushered the crowd away and hurriedly returned to their posts. Strife glowered down at the still cowering woman and then started his horse towards Peace and Zeal at a very slow gait. Justice turned to accompany him.

The woman stood, fairly unstable, but managing. “He’s supposed to meet us here in two days.” She called out, her head still hanging.

Strife smiled to himself and flipped a coin back at the woman. He joined the others, all who were nearly glaring at him and then led them down the street. Strife took them to a well off house, where they were given three rooms and access to the open courtyard and fire pit.

As night fully set in the small company set themselves down around the fire, a thousand questions and emotions filling the minds of the siblings.