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“ZEMIRA! COME BACK HERE!”
I rush through the forest with the castle at my back, my arms and legs pumping as hard as they’ll go. The windows at the castle are alight with candles, and the voices of guards barking out orders to find me echo behind me. I can hear their armor rattling and their feet pounding against the ground as they give chase.
My chest aches and my throat burns as I run with all my might through the harsh night air, dodging trees and roots, but I refuse to stop. I can’t.
I have to get out of here.
I look back over my shoulder to check if the guards are still near, only to see that the castle is no farther than it was ten minutes ago.
How long have I been running?!
“Zemira!” My sisters shout behind me, somewhere in the distance.
They’re alive? They’re all alive?! But I thought...
I focus on running towards the mountains, swatting away branches and leaves, whipping and grabbing at my clothes and hair.
No, I can’t. I can’t go back!
“Zemira, you insolent child!”
I scream as Queen Mother’s booming voice fills my ears. I cover them to block her out and keep running.
“You’re such a coward!” Suri calls at my heels.
“No! Please, I can’t! I’m sorry!” Tears blur my vision and I trip on a root jutting from the ground, tumbling into a small clearing. I come to a rolling stop and slowly sit up in a daze.
The world around me is offly quiet.
The sound of my heavy breathing fills the empty space. I look around the thick circle of trees, trying to figure out which way to go. I can no longer see the castle in the distance! But I can’t see the mountains either. Each direction looks the same.
A cry bubbles from my throat as I try to figure out which way to go. I don’t want to make a mistake and run back towards the castle, I don’t want to–
“Why did you leave us Zemira?”
I whip around to the sound of Reyna’s voice. Three of my sister’s stand there in the middle of the clearing with angry, disappointed eyes.
“You think you’re too good to have to fight?” Tempest bites out.
“N-no, that’s not it at all. I–”
“You think you’re so special that you should be the one to survive?”
“No Suri! I swear! I’m just sca–” I hear a crunch behind me and turn face to face with Malala, looking completely drained with a blazing fire in her eyes. Her entire body is covered in blood, and I’m not sure if it’s hers, someone else's, or both.
“Malala,” I gasp.
Blood bubbles from her lips and pours down her chin.
“Why did you leave me Zemi?”
“Hey Zemi!”
I startle awake, and sit up in the caravan. The bright sun beaming down on me through the windows makes the sweat pull even faster under my arms and along my forehead.
I look around, disoriented. Trying to catch my breath as the subjects of this foreign land bustle about in the open market as if it were any other day.
The remnants of the dream slowly melt away as I look to my left just in time to catch an apple Scirocco tosses my way through the open caravan window. I roll it around in my hands, letting its smooth exterior and deep red color ground me in the present. Then I look around at the people rushing by, worried that they may have heard her say my name.
“Scirocco, please be careful saying my name out in public like that.” I grit through my teeth. The fact that we’re both obvious foreigners in this land, riding around in a giant caravan with the Lost Souls logo on the side of it draws enough attention. Even though it's my nickname, I don’t want people to catch on to who I am.
Scirocco looks at me with a hint of a sparkle in her eyes.
“I told you, you don’t have to worry. We left Hivena behind well over two weeks ago. The dwarf queens of Hivena are known, but not that well known. No one here is going to recognize you.”
She’s right. We aren’t in Hivena anymore. Ever since we left, no one has been obsessively trying to get a look at a dwarf queen or ogling at my features. Yeah I get a few looks here and there, but I don't know if it’s because I have traits of a dwarf queen, or just traits they’ve never seen before. I guess my dwarf queen characteristics are unusual to some people, but not any cause for alarm.
As soon as I left the castle with Scirocco, and past the borders of Hivena, I felt lighter than I’ve ever felt before. Don’t get me wrong, I was terrified. I thought any moment now Queen Mother would come barreling down the road with an army at her back, ready to take off my head for running away. But it’s been weeks now, and no one has come.
Did I do it? Am I really free?
“We’re almost there, Zemi. Maybe a couple more days of traveling and we’ll have caught up with the rest of the troupe.” She points to the apple in my hand. “Eat up so you can keep your strength.”
I nod my gratitude. The royal jelly laced food Balenda packed for me has long run out. I can last for a long time without royal jelly in my system, but eventually I’ll grow sick, and my body will start to attack itself. That’s one of the first things we learned in health and maintenance for a dwarf queen. Our bodies can last a while without royal jelly, but not long...not forever.
I can already tell the difference in my energy levels. I don’t have as much strength as I used to, even when my stomach is full of food. I don’t know what I’m going to do when we get to the Lost Souls camp.
Besides that, being out on the road has been a delight. Not only have we passed through many dominions, Scirocco has taken me to visit many wonderful places along the way. From terrains with hidden waterfalls and caverns, to towns that serve some of the most delicious food and have the most whimsical festivals.
It’s been a dream. Everything I could have ever hoped to imagine. All of the detours are probably the reason why we haven’t caught up with the Lost Souls yet.
“I can’t believe you’re allowed to keep the caravan for so long. How were the others able to get around from show to show?” I ask. She shrugs.
“No worries. We have multiple modes of transportation. This is just one of our caravans.” I nod in wonder. They must make a lot of money as performers. That’s amazing. There aren’t a lot of opportunities for magic users in Hivena. Although there’s a lot of prejudice in other domains, there’s still a lot more sympathizers and tolerance for magic wielders. They don’t have to hide as much out of fear of being hurt...or worse.
She hops back into the caravan and we set off again to the next town.
“We’ll stop in Ira once the sun sets and stay the night, then continue in the morning. It’ll be the last stop before we enter into the Cyan Forest.” I nod, biting into my apple. When she first mentioned where we were headed days after she rescued me from the castle, I was a little taken aback. I’ve never been to the Cyan Forest, but I’ve learned alot about it in my classes. I heard it was a mysterious and...daunting place.
Many travelers have gotten lost there and have never returned. There's even rare animals and creatures that only live in the forest and never venture outside of it. But Scirocco doesn’t seem the least bit scared. So either the forest isn’t that bad, or, the Lost Souls are stronger than many are led to believe. Which would also make sense considering Scirocco is comfortable traveling on the road as two lone women. It would be dangerous for any woman to be out on the roads at night. Considering I’ve had years of training, and Scirocco is a magic user, I’m sure we’d be okay if we came across any trouble, but it’s still nerve wracking nonetheless.
We arrive in the quaint town of Ira by sunset and pull up right in front of a small inn. It’s a modest place and looks like it’s seen years of repairs, but there’s an indefinite charm to its ruggedness. It gives me the same homey feeling I feel when looking at Balenda’s quilts that she made from pieces of my sister and I’s baby clothes.
“It’s probably not like what you're used to Zemi, but it’s nice.”
“Would you stop it?” I roll my eyes for the fiftieth time at her assumptions. “I left that life for a reason. And we’ve been on the road for almost three weeks, I think I’m used to not living in luxury by now.” She smiles teasingly and we both chuckle as we hop out of the caravan on to the red clay road and up to the nice cozy inn. The bells above the door jingle as we enter and approach the counter where a middle aged woman with a cheery face is directing customers to their room for their stay.
“...the complimentary breakfast is from six to nine. We even have stuff for the children.” She waves to a young boy who clumsily totters after his parents to their room, then turns to us.
“How can I–” Her eyes go wide in surprise and recognition.
“Oh Scirocco!” She rushes from behind the counter and gives Scirocco a big bear hug, lifting her off the ground. I smile politely. She’s a sturdy woman with dark, brown curly hair that’s cropped close to her head. But her demeanor is softened by her wholesome and easy smile. “I’m so happy to see you dear girl. I was wondering where you were when the troupe stopped by days ago and you weren’t with them.” She huffs, setting Scirocco down.
“Yeah, I've been on my own little journey without the troupe for the past couple of weeks.”
The older woman smooths down Sciroccos’ burgundy locs lovingly before taking notice of me curiously. Her eyes trail up the length of my torso all the way to the top of my head. I can tell she’s impressed by my tall frame.
“And who is this gorgeous young lady?”
I blush at the compliment.
“This is my friend Zemira. I’ve told you about her before.” Her eyes widen.
“The young queen you’ve been sending letters–”
“Shhh,” Scirocco grabs her hand hurriedly and squeezes. “Not so loud,” she grinds out as we both look around uncomfortably. Then she gives me a sheepish look over her shoulder.
I may be in a different kingdom, but oftentimes in quiet towns where not a lot of things happen, news can spread fast. And a runaway dwarf queen from the fabled and mysterious queendom of Hivena is definitely interesting news.
“Yes yes, of course, I’m sorry. It’s so nice to meet you, Zemira. I’m Mirda.”
“Nice to meet you Mirda.” I greet her with a nod.
“How many rooms are you looking at, two?” I stiffen a bit.
“We’ll take one with two beds, thanks.” Scirocco informs her. I sigh in relief, grateful to be sharing a room. I’m still not used to being out alone and sleeping in a room by myself in such unfamiliar places. Plus, the nightmares are less intense when I wake up and a familiar face is there. I wonder if Scirocco has picked up on this throughout our journey.
“Alright, Love, come right this way.”
She guides us down the hall and opens up one of the many brown doors to reveal a small cozy room. A window lets in an abundant amount of light and looks out onto the town square that’s quite peaceful.
“Here you are Loves. Your bathroom is right over there, breakfast starts at six am and ends at nine. Do let me know if you need anything.”
“Thank you Mirda.” Scirocco smiles. She closes the door behind her and we get settled in on our beds. I sit on mine with a huff and look around the simple room. It reminds me of when I used to sit in Balenda’s room.
The sudden memory sends a pang shooting through my heart. I hate that I had to leave her there. Her and my sisters.
I try not to let the emotions boil up again but tears sting my eyes regardless. I quickly shoo them away as well as the painful thoughts.
No, I don't want to think about that right now.
Instead, I get up and grab my bag with my clothes and dig out something clean to sleep in. After a couple of weeks on the road, I’ve already worn everything that I brought with me.
Scirocco turns to me.
“If you set your dirty clothes to the side I can get Mirda to wash them for us.” I nod and sort my dirty clothes from the clean and set them by the door before heading to the bathroom to wash away the journey and prepare for the last leg.
I sit on a stool and stare up at the cream walls as I wash my skin with a rough rag and soap. The tin tub is way too small for me to sit in properly, like many of the inns we’ve stayed at. So I have to settle for a bird bath.
The sounds of people out on the streets, driving by in steam carriages and walking, gently seeps through the walls. The low drawl of normal everyday life is peaceful and makes me feel more at ease and less alone.
I wonder what it’s going to be like when we meet up with the rest of the Lost Souls. Scirocco has told me so much about them in her letters. I wonder if they’re just like how I imagined them in my head. I wonder if they’d accept me into their troupe, and if I truly have what it takes to become a Lost Soul.
A sudden weight of fear settles onto my shoulders and blooms in my stomach.
Or... if Queen Mother was right all along...and the only place I truly belong is as a brick in the Weeping Wall.
