Kurea

There were 100 men in arms or more staring at s through their glistening helmets. Gimu shoved a little knife into my hand thought he knew I had no idea how to properly wield it. Gimu stood tell, his eyes waiting for a flinch, the signal on which the fight would begin. I was frozen, the thin jacket proving to be of no help protecting myself from the blistering wind.

Despite the horrifying situation that was upon us, I was still able to focus my mind on listening. The howling whistle of the wind blocked most ears but mine searched around those vibrations and found their way to a discussion near the back of the army.

“… Didn’t take long for then to arrive, sir.” Said the first apparently male voice.

“No.” replied a strong and obviously powerful man, perhaps their leader.

“Shall we capture then now or would you like to see them fight?” the first male suggested, I noted a hint of a teasing smile in his tone.

“Test them, but don’t submit too many men. We need them for the capture.” The leader announced and seemingly dismissed the other.

It happened so quickly, Gimu sliding in front of me and so delicately removing the opposition. I clasped my small but worthy weapon tightly. I knew that eventually I would have to use it but I was hesitant about doing so.

Then one of them slipped through Gimus’ guard, he slowed for a moment smiling slightly before attacking. Big mistake, I had seen the burning of Kisas’ house and for that I would not be merciful. My leg spun out and swept him to the ground while the knife sunk into his abdomen. It seemed like slow motion at the time but after pulling it back out things seemed to speed up to recover the loss of time. Gimu carefully acknowledged my skill and soon I began to take an even load of attackers with him.

After the last one was taken out of the way, Gimu and I both exhausted were taken by surprise as another almost identical army approached from behind us, trapping us in between. They carried two human size caskets.

I heard their footsteps but neither Gimu nor I could manage to fend them off in time. We were tied up and thrown uncomfortably into the boxes which were significantly small once inside. I could not move, it was like a coffin and I was claustrophobic.

They began to call us the reds. Kisa and I became friends almost automatically. Our personalities were inseparable. We could have been from the same mother if not for my mysterious entry to their village. She was slightly taller then me and loved to use that to tease. Kurea, she would say, Kurea is a shorty, munchkin, dwarf. She wasn’t very good with words but she would almost sing it.

It was a small and cozy village; most of the people had never stepped outside its borders, a giant white pebble wall circling it. That would be the only part of the town I didn’t like. I felt entrapped by it, claustrophobic.

Kisa told me that it was Gimu who hit me over the head. Later she showed me who he was, the same quiet somebody who stood by the door. I was still puzzled as to why I could not have noticed him. He was a big man, about 20 years old though his hands were as wrinkled as a 60year olds. He had the same intriguing, green eyes as me and his hair was a dark black tinted with red. He was I suppose handsome in another woman’s eyes but to me he was strange, perhaps he held the key to my past.

Meme the older woman who had first welcomed me to their town had often asked me about what I was doing out in the forest. I simply told her I was passing through. She understood that I did not remember my past, save the strange dream I had had. She would try her hardest to help me think back and remember but it was no use so eventually she gave up. She told me it was the same thing with Gimu.

It was a cold day and Kisa was sick so I told her family I would travel out and collect the medicine. Her mum gave me a thin coat, the only one in the house that would fit me as I didn’t have my own. I wandered out in the wind and just like clumsy, old me I slipped. Only I happened to slip and land back onto Gimu. Neither of us said a word but he stood up and lent me a hand to get up. He walked next to me until we reached the doctor. I came out and he was waiting there by the door.

“You don’t have to escort me you know.” I announced.

“I’d rather not see you squash someone again.” He said his lips curving into a silent smile.

“Hmph” We walked on and soon spotted a red mist off towards where we were heading. Instantaneously we both began to run, no sprint.

I awoke, half dead in a field of rich, green grass. Shaking and disorientated i lifted my head. It was day and there were no clouds in the sky, a beautiful day. Last time i was awake it was a snow storm, where was i? The wind was light but flowing enough for me to hear it soothing song. I lay back staring at the blue above me, drifting in and out of my mind, letting the wind blow through my head, clearing my thoughts. After a while i rose to my feet. There were trees in the distance to the east and a storm cloud o the horizon the the west. No need to think of what i direction, i was in no state to stay alive in a storm.

After about 10minutes i was among the trees. Their leaves providing the shelter i needed from the sweltering heat. There was still no sound but my breath and the breeze that seemed to follow my every step. I could not see far, the bush was thick but i would be able to travel through it. I was silent but it was hard to be as quiet as the forest, there was the occasional twig trodden on or a root sticking out that was left un-noticed. I spent hours searching for an exit until a small clearing could be seen up ahead. The forestry became lighter and my vision less obstructed. I moved faster and faster but the clearing seemed to evaporate every-time i came close. Another root, another noise, then out of no where i was blinded.

The darkness faded and my mind felt like it was about to explode. Thump, thump, thump. Voices, whispers, foot steps. I shuddered as something touched my brow. My sight was blurred but i could see figures appearing in-front of me. Soon i could see who they were. 3 women, all kneeling, one with a cup of liquid in her hands. Her hair was a sight of auburn much like my own, it drifted often onto her face as she bowed to me and held out the cup. The second woman was thin and much older, her silver hair plaited off to the side. She sat there with a quiet, welcoming smile on her face. The third held her head low, she had a light brown taint to her hair and she seemed around the age of the auburn. I recieved the cup, taking it between my hands i sipped. I placed it next to my mat and began to open my mouth when i noticed another person in the doorway. He was quiet, i had good ears and yet did not hear his breath or feet like i did with the others. I closed my mouth and dropped my head.

It was a while before anyone attempted to speak again and by that time the man had wandered off into the hallway, out of my view anyway. The first to speak was the older woman who welcomed me to their home. She said she was sorry that i had been interrupted on my travels, that i was mistaken as an intruder with ill intentions. I kept my silence. I was not one for words.

I could smell it, the soft smokey smell. Once before this tainted my air, now it chased me through my misleading life. Into the depths i crawled trying to find my escape but only becoming more confused in the mist. Then i could hear the music. It swallowed me in its glorious spell, traping my mind, unescapable. I was lost. Voices of motion call to me, THIS IS NOT YOUR END, THIS IS BUT YOUR BEGINNING, SEEK THE TRUTH, SEEK THE EVIDENCE, SEEK THE JUSTICE. This is my path. This is my journey.