Far away on the planet of Oren, the sun was rising over her sister planet Solace. As Washanna spread the grain for the clucks, she watched the dew drops sparkle in the early rays of sunlight.
Washanna thought about how lucky she was to live in such a beautiful place.
"Washanna," her mother, Heirleigh, called out to her, "It's time for the sun meal, and please bring in a few cluck eggs with you."
"Yes Mother," Washanna called back and headed toward the cluck house. She figured she would need about six eggs. Her father, Overrann, was allergic; but her twin sister, Watianna, was an oink. The rest of her family were normal.
When she got back to the house, Watianna was just waking up.
"What are we having for sun meal?" she asked through a yawn, "I want fried oink!" she said in her bratty, over privileged voice.
"If you want fried oink, go slaughter one and cook it yourself, because I'm not gonna' do it for ya'." Scout, the only son in the family, said and took a huge bite of bread. He used to have a twin brother, who's name was Scotta, but he died about nine years ago as a baby.
"Well, Watianna, I guess you're not going to have fried oink, are you? Some how I can't see you going out there and killing one yourself, especially with how delicate you are." Overrann said and laughed so hard the table shook.
"That's enough you two, Watianna, we'll have fried oink for dark meal tomorrow." Heirleigh said as she got the sun meal on the table. "Has anyone seen Safalina this morning?"
"I have, she was sneaking off to the woods and told me not to tell, but what has she done for me lately?" said Scout.
"She killed that baby oink when you were too coward to do it." said Washanna.
"That child shall be the death of me," Heirleigh mussed.
"I'm not a coward and you weren't supposed to tell." Scout yelled at Washanna.
"You are too! And you spilled secrets first." Watianna yelled at her brother. And then more quietly, "Frankly, I don't see why you two let her go out into the forest and get dirty and scratched up. I think she should stay here and learn how to be a lady."
"From who, you?" Scout laughed, taunting her.
"Of course from me," Watianna said in a sickening sweet voice, "Who else in this house has enough manners to teach her anything useful."
"Mother does," Washanna said quietly, not bothering to look up.
"Everyone HATES me!!" Watianna screamed and ran back to her room.
As Watianna slams her door Safalina comes bursting in.
"Forgive me. I'm so sorry I'm late. I was on the other side of a really high hill and I didn't see the sun rise until about three minutes ago. Did I miss anything?" She asked seeing the look on everyone's faces.
"Watianna's having spoilt spasms again." Scout said loud enough for her to hear and laughed.
"I told you not to go into the forest without someone with you. Why don't you listen to me? I'm your mother, your supposed to do as I say. Your sisters and brother have never had such trouble doing what is asked of them. You. You might as well be living by yourself already. You wouldn't have us to bother you! You're not going to have sun meal today. You are to go strait to the attic. You may not come down until I say you can. Maybe you'll learn how to obey us! GO!" She said and turned to finish cooking the eggs, trying to hide tears and look like she really doesn't care simultaneously. Only Washanna was not convinced.
Scout stared wide eyed. Heirleigh hadn't been this angry since he'd dropped the ax on Overrann's foot. He'd spent nearly half a week up there for that.
Safalina looked stricken. The attic, she never got sent to the attic. Even Washanna had been sent to the attic once by Overrann. But Safalina NEVER had. What was she going to do? She couldn't just sit there all day. And besides what was Heirleigh going to do if she didn't go? Throw her out of the house? Like that would matter. But Overrann saw her hesitation and was getting up. That was one way to get her to the attic. She made a run for it.
The rest of the sun meal was quiet and subdued. Watianna obviously fell back asleep. And Safalina didn't make a sound. No one said a word.
After they had finished eating, everyone got to work, or almost. Watianna went into the orchard saying she would pick some fruit but everyone knew she would just doze all day and come back saying nothing was ripe.
They worked until Heirleigh called them in for midmeal. They had cool porridge and warm milk.
Scout looked up suddenly, "Neighs. Lots of them. They're coming this way!"
Heirleigh went to the window. "Raiders!" She screamed. "My children!"
"Heirleigh calm yourself! They may just be looking for someone. Maybe if we help they'll leave us alone." Overrann said, heading to the door. Washanna went and locked the attic door. She woke her twin up and headed out to the barn to calm the animals. Watianna followed her asking what was going on. When they were half way to the barn she saw the raiders. They were tying Heirleigh, Overrann, and Scout up, and putting them on a wagon with the rest of their neighbors. Watianna screamed.
"My children! NOOOO!" Heirleigh wailed and sank to her knees. The raider drug her onto the wagon. Four of them headed over to where Watianna was weeping.
"No, no, no! Washanna! Safalina! Noooooo!" she screamed hysterical. The raiders paid no attention. These names meant nothing to them.
Washanna walked through the barn. She had originally come to calm them but if she did that the raiders would hear Safalina screaming from the attic. She would be of course. The raiders burst into the barn.
"Come!" one of them said to her. He was not in armor. He must be the leader. Washanna thought.
"No." she said keeping her voice even. The man made gesture with his hand and the raiders rushed forward to seize her arms.
"You shall dance for his majesty December. Mark her as a dancer and take her to the wagon. And be careful, any bruises on her person will be doubly inflicted upon each of you!" He said and turned to leave, with a twirl of his cape.
"No." Washanna said, a little more desperately this time. "I cannot dance, I will not!"
"You shall learn or you shall die." He said simply, and then he was gone. Tears burned Washanna's eyes threatening to wash over her cheeks but she would not let them. She would not give them the satisfaction of seeing her cry. The bohemian guards bound her and tied a red veil around her arm. She was to be a dancer for his majesty December. Humph, sounds like a word from another planet! she thought.
They were put on a ship in a river named the Azare. Normally they only raided coastal towns but they had followed the river and docked just out of site of the only major town nearby. Regardless it would not take long for the town to figure out what had happened, and then Safalina would be safe.
The towns people were searching every property looking for survivors. They didn't expect any but they had to check. On the second day after the raid they checked Overrann's property. Porise was sent in to check the house.
"Helloo? Helloooo!" He yelled he heard a sound coming from up above him. He checked all of the upstairs doors. One was locked. "Hello?" he called out.
"Please. Open the door, please. I've been locked in here for three days. Please, my name is Safalina, my father is Overrann. Please let me out." he heard the voice of a young girl say. He unlocked the door. The girl practically fell out. "Oh, thank you." She said relieved.
"My name is Porise, I'm going to help you." he said and took her downstairs. What was he going to do with a little girl? He got her a drink of water, and some cold porridge.
"I've found one!" He called to the other searchers.
"They took everyone else, I heard." she said to him. "Don't bother looking for them. Where am I going to go now?"
"I could send you to my brother if you want. He's not Gorise, my twin. He's my other brother, Boreese, he doesn't have a twin. Boreese lives alone on the other side of town." He answered
"He's like me then, that's good. What about my family? Will they ever come back?" She asked.
"I don't think they can. But if I know Boreese, he'll help you do anything you want to try, might even try and help you find them if you want. He's been across the Soonee Ocean. He's seen some of the things they have over there. I'm sure he'll tell you all about them." He said. "Come, lets get you away from here. You own this property now but I think you shouldn't live here just yet."
"Oh, but that's what I want. I was in the attic because Heirleigh was tiered of me only listening to myself. I could do just fine on my own. I know I can, please give me a chance." She begged him.
"Child if I leave you herE the town elders will come for you and put you somewhere you don't want to be, and then they'll punish me."
"No. They won't. They'll leave me alone. They will. No one will care. Most people don't even know of me. Only my sisters because of their beauty and my brothers because one died of the plague. Please."
"No. I cannot. You can come back later, but you are too young now and too weak. You must go to my brother Boreese. I'm positive now that you will like him. Trust me, please." He said to her.
"I suppose I haven't much of a choice, have I?" She said. "At least let me gather my things." and she headed off to her room.
The others came into the house. Porise told them about the little girl and his brother and what she had said about the others so they went on to the next house. Safalina came back with a satchel full of the things she wanted with her, and they left for Boreese's house.
"Higher! Damn it, I said higher!! Pull a muscle if you have to!" Washanna's trainer, Badgea, said. "Listen, the sooner you learn the better, trust me. OK? Now dance."
Washanna danced, she kicked higher she moved more smoothly and more gracefully. She was a very quick learner, even though she did not want to learn. She new she looked wonderful when she danced and that is why she did not just up and kill herself.
"Washanna, I can do no more with you. I will tell Maline Ah that you are ready for his majesty December. I think he will like you. You are a pretty one. I tell you. If you are truthful and completely yourself with him you will do well. Forget what the other girls tell you, I know what I'm talking about." She said and headed off to find Maline Ah. Washanna sat down on some cushions. Just when she thought she was alone a girl about her age, but dressed in the outfit of a warrior, came bursting in.
"Where is Badgea?" she said in a voice that could easily compete with Maline Ah for authority.
"She went to find Maline Ah. Who are you?" Washanna asked.
"I am Warianna, her daughter, though it is truly none of your business." She said and left again.
Badgea came back with Maline Ah and he took Washanna to get a new outfit. It seemed as though that was most of what she did here, posed for the tailors while they checked colors with her skin and her size in various places. What materials looked good on her, what didn't.
Finally they were finished and she was told to go and rest. He brought her into a large circular room with many many other women in it and cushions everywhere, in the center was a pool with a fountain. Maline Ah told her to get some rest and make herself clean and presentable, her outfit would be here in a few hours. So she napped and took a refreshing bath in the fountain pool. The outfit was better than some of the others she'd seen on the women around her, but still not really to her taste, but what choice did she have? She slipped it on and did her hair up the way Badgea had shown her. She was ready to meet her King.
Scout was almost out of breath. The sergeant kept telling them that if they wanted to be in His Majesties Army they had train hard. But Scout didn't want to be in His army. He wanted to go home. He wanted to see Washanna. But he knew that if he didn't make it into HMA they would kill him, and then he would never see those he loved again.
There was one good thing about it all, though. The most beautiful girl he had ever seen was overseeing their training. She was about Washanna and Watianna's age. If he had heard correctly her name was Warianna. He had seen her fight too, magnificent. Soon, if he could pass this part of the training, she would be his teacher and he would learn how to fight. But for now he needed to get in shape. He pushed his legs a little harder.
"But why must I serve food? I am not a servant. And I don't care who this majesty person is, he would have to be Father Oren himself before I would bow to him and serve him food and drink on a platter. I'm much too delicate for this work. I wouldn't last a week. I'm too pretty to be a servant. Where is Washanna? She would be perfect for this. I should be an ornament, only to be admired." Watianna wined to her teacher.
He took a deeeeeep breath and spoke. "It is because you are so beautiful that you are assigned to serve His Majesty December, he will have no ugly servants in his presence. Your sister is a dancer, now she will never have to serve, unless he asks it of her. Now balance the tray and bring it to me, or you shall be whipped, and if it leaves permanent marks then you can no longer serve in His Majesties presence and you will be assigned to a lower level, where they care nothing for a girls morals or modesty if you catch my meaning. Now serve!"
"But-"
"NOW!"
Heirleigh was assigned to His Majesties Kitchen staff. This was not, definitely not, the worst place to be. But she didn't get to see her children, though, at least she got to see her husband. He was a worker, he brought most of the cooking supplies in. But he was sick and wouldn't last long. She didn't even know where her children where. She was doomed to cook for the rest of her life, but if she could rid these people of their king, she might be set free. She would have to find a way.
Overrann was sent everywhere, pushing barrels of this there, driving carts of that here. He was chosen for this because he was strong from his life as a farmer. He was very sick however. It was not the plague, like what Scotta had gotten, but he could not rid himself of it no matter what he did. It had come upon him while they were on the ship in the great Soonee. Something one of the other men had had and given to everyone near. He was not the only one in this condition, but if they stopped working they were killed. If he were killed, what would Heirleigh do? No, he must fight it. Someday he would again see his children if only he could stay alive long enough.
Washanna jumped and twirled, she dipped and rolled and danced her best. If she was not accepted by His Majesty December, she did not know where she would be sent. Where had they sent Watianna, surely she should be a dancer too. When she had finished she lay sprawled on the floor knowing she should not get up until told to do so.
"Rise." said December in his King voice. "You will remain here and tell me things. Come." and he gestured for her to sit next to him. She did, Badgea had told her he liked to talk sometimes. That was why she had been married to him. He had liked her personality. He just left her to sit there for a while ,while he tended to other business. His duties weren't nearly as numerous as a King's would be expected to be. But if Maline Ah did all that she suspected he did then it was like splitting the duties in two, not to mention the others who had taken on responsibility that she had seen. Warianna took care of the Armies. Badgea took care of most of his close servants of pleasure i.e., dancers, massagers, fanners, and etc., all scantily dressed of course. A man named Bovine took care of the food management and distribution.
After he was finished he turned to her. "What land do you come from?" He asked her.
"I came from across the ocean of Soonee. We have no name but that we are from Oren. We have nothing like this, this... kingdom of yours. We are a people who are equal. Sometime the elders think they are... kings? Yes, kings. They start to try and tell us what to do because we usually take their advice. We do not take their orders." She answered.
"Did you have any family before you left?"
"Left? I did not leave. I was taken, as was my family. I have not seen my mother, father, brother, or sister since that morning." She said indignantly.
"Only one brother, does he not have a twin or is he like my daughter Warianna, born alone?" He asked her, wandering if she had a unique family like his.
"He had a twin but he died at one year from a plague that passed our town."
"Ah, this is how it was with my own brother. January died of a plague about nine years ago. He was the king. When he died it was presented to me. My wife, Badgea became the head dancer under my new rule. She is one of many now but I have no children from the others and never will, they were presented to me as gifts and I do not want them. I would have you, your beauty overwhelms me. I cannot take a wife to love without her consent."
"I am not of age to marry, according to my people." she lied.
"Never the less, you shall remain at my side for now. We will talk." He said and someone came in on business matters, distracting him. She sighed.
Heirleigh, had surveyed everything in the Kitchen, the pantry, the warehouse, and even the garden. She had found nothing strong enough to even give His Majesty December indigestion, much less kill him. But Overrann might be able to get some. If he could, and then get it to her secretly, she would put it in one of the His Majesty's royal dishes, who cares if anyone else eats it, as long as he is killed.
"Lina, Higher! Listen, Safalina, jump higher, use the strength in your legs. You could have a powerful jump, if only you would try." pleaded Boreese.
"That's as high as I go!" Safalina yelled back at him.
"OK, have it your way. But I have some exercises that will help. Tomorrow we will begin them. Now go and catch us some dark meal." he said and headed inside the house.
"Why do I catch something for dark meal? I thought you were the adult." she said but he had already disappeared inside. She headed off into the woods. At least now she didn't get in trouble for going off on her own. She really didn't have any chores, though she really hadn't before either. She did, after all was said and done, love Borees's and like living here with him. She knew he was training her to be a great warrior, and she loved it. But it was hard work. She returned a short time later with a hop and some wild carrots she had found. Borees's was able to make a delicious meal out of this. That would probably be her next lessons, cooking.
Years after, many. Washanna was still at Decembers side. She didn't mind it so much anymore. They talked of politics and other things. She had even found her sister, who had become a servant/slave. Watianna was definitely not happy. She thought that she should be the dancer, just sit there and look beautiful, and Washanna should be the servant. Watianna thought herself the only civilized that had been captured by the raiders. She should become queen, a word she had heard often spoken by visitors.
December was having a visitor today, a prince from one of the other kingdoms. He was a man who liked gambling like December. When he arrived he had his wife and a dancing girl with him. He had been sent to discuss border matters for his father the King.
When they had finished their politics the Prince, Darmus, looked at December.
"Well old man, ready for some fun?" He asked.
"Whenever you are." He answered, and gestured for a servant to bring a deck of playing cards. "Lacolyt?" he asked the prince.
"Of course, let me see the deck." he said. He checked every card in the deck, which took quite some time for the size of it. When he was finished he mixed them and dealt. "Before we start we must bet and I have an idea." he said eyeing Washanna. "My dancer against yours."
December looked her over thoroughly, and obviously. "That will do, she is stubborn and will not hold honor with you long though." He replied.
"Her beauty fully makes up for it." he said. They played for a long while. Washanna was tense, if she was won she would not see her sister ever again, though she was having trouble deciding if that was good or bad.
All of the sudden Bovine came bursting in, accidentally bumping the game and sending it sprawling. "Your Majesty, I have news that one of your servants has smuggled poison into your kitchen. I have not been able to find it, the guards may have confiscated it all but we cannot be sure." he said frantically.
"Oversee the preparation of every dish from now on. Though I doubt that they would try so soon to have it into my presence. Darmus, I believe that concludes our game with a draw. Tell your father I wish him the best health." and with a flouris he gestured for the gaurds to show him out
"Sir what shall be done with the smuggler/servant?" the chef asked.
"Kill him." the King answered simply. He turned to Washanna. "I nearly lost you my sweet. That would not boad well with my conscience. I will ask you again please marry me." he said to her. Watianna, who had been approaching the King with the dinner platter, screamed and dropped the tray. She clutched her stomach and collapsed.
"Watianna!" someone screamed from the other end of the room. Washanna looked for who had yelled, the voice sounded familiar. She spotted her sister, Safalina, pushing her way in.
"Safalina!" she screamed to her sister.
"Washanna! Oh, thank Father Oren! I had thought you were dead. I saw Watianna yesterday, I was going to try and help her, where are the others?" she yelled over the din.
"Seize her!" December roared to the guards. Safalina seamed to disappear. Washanna looked around for her and spotted her at the entrance just as the guards started running for her.
"No! Please, she's my sister." she said tugging on Decembers arm.
"Your sister lies dead before me and you say that she,", he gestured toward the entrance, "the murderer of your own flesh, is your sister? No, she shall be killed. And I will see to it myself." He got up and left by a side door. Washanna followed. She caught up to him in an orchard the guards had the young girl cornered but she was resisting valiantly. Warianna came running up suddenly.
"Father, one of the soldiers has turned. He has killed half my men in one of your armies. He should be put to death."
"What is this mans name?" December asked ignoring the fight only meters away.
"Oh, but he's just a boy, father, he is called Scout. Father, I trained him myself he is good." she answered.
"As well he would have to be to destroy half an army. Yes, to death, by the lions. Lets see him fight."
"Oh, no. Please, you can't kill him he's my brother. The one I told you of. He is like you. Please, I shall do anything to spare these two's lives." Washanna pleaded.
He looked at her for a moment. "Will you become my wife?" he asked, it seemed this is exactly what he had needed for so long.
"Oh, yes! Anything you wish, let them free, please." She said to him, tears in her eyes.
"Very well. Let her alone, she is a free soul." he said to the guards. "Take her to this boy of yours, they shall be freed." He said to his daughter.
"Father, no!" "Washanna, no!" Warianna, and Safalina yelled at the same time.
"Safalina, I must. Take Scout back home." she said and headed off with December.
"Your little stunt has killed a servant girl named Watianna. It did not get near His Majesty. You have failed your little mission and now you shall be punished." Bovine said to Heirleigh. He grabbed her.
"Watianna! No! Oh, why? No! You cannot have me, not while my husband still lives, not on your life!" she yelled at him as he pulled her down.
"Oh, but Overrann lives not. That is the glory of it, you are mine now." he said.
"Noooo." she moaned in despair. All at once her world had fallen apart. Her daughter, and her husband dead and this man, having her, desecrating her. It could never get worse. Or would it ever get better? No never. This was her fate from now on.