Aniya frowned, hiding behind one tent to another, as she moved so that she would get closer and find out about the discussions going on in the tent.
It was probably about an attack, an information she would sell at the price of the freedom of her and her son.
“---e cannot keep doing this.” Ula protested in a low whisper.
“---promised… if I win.”
Aniya smiled, glad that she could finally hear them and hoping that they would be too busy to notice her still shadow.
Hopefully, the tent was thick enough to hide that away.
“There will be consequences if they find out.”
“No one will know,” a husky voice said.
There was a rustle. Movements. Then muffled sounds that Aniya knew all too well.
Aniya rolled her eyes.
By Ignas, this was disappointing.
Of course, not every volunteer would be sincere with the “sacred vows”. She burst into the tent, catching Ula and her lover, who was behind her, holding her to him with his palm over her mouth.
He had his pants down and her dress hiked up to her thighs. Her scarf was pulled back slightly and the look in her eyes promised nothing innocent.
Ula’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment before her eyes filled with fear. She staggered away from her lover who Aniya couldn't see properly yet due to the darkness in that part of the tent. As Ula pulled down her dress, she stammered, trying to come up with excuses to exonerate herself from the consequences of this mess.
“Oh, please do not stop on my account. I just couldn't help but find you, Ula!” She smiled. “You have an earring that looks just like the one that has come into my possession. Would you mind showing me the other pair of yours? There is just really something important that I must confirm.” A slight pause and her smile vanished. “Who gave that earring to you, Ula?”
“Get out.” The man in the tent said as he stepped forward into the moonlight that seeped into the tent and stood in front of Ula.
It was the silver-haired warrior that had just won the recent round on the Fight Ground.
Aniya smiled.
By Ignas, this was perfect.
“I will but rest assured that if I leave here without the answers I seek, everyone will hear of “this”.” She looked squarely at him, annoyed that she couldn't see Ula, the obviously weaker one of the pair. She was probably trembling behind him.
Ula rushed out from behind him.
“Please, don't do this.”
“Do not beg her! Who will listen to an unwanted Scared Face?”
He spat on her veil.
Anger flared right through Aniya and she wept her hand across his face swiftly.
Ula gasped and he raised his hand.
“I’ll scream. Tell everyone of how you are defiling poor Ula.” She pointed at Ula who was still trembling, her voice in a whisper. “This innocent Guardian in training. There is no way she would have come to you willingly knowing that her family's life will be at stake. I will also tell them of how you spat in my face,” she paused and a pretentious tremble slipped into her voice that was shaky with a promise of tears, “when I shouted for you to stop.” She raised her hand which now had a dagger in it and she pressed the blade to her skin.
The man frowned. That was his, she must have gotten it when she had slapped him.
“How you hurt me with your dagger—”
“You are lying.” He gnashed his teeth in anger, his anger and hatred running over.
She smiled.
Of course she was lying but the ones that would come to witness her pour out her story wouldn't know that.
Aniya hated doing this but desperate times did call for desperate measures.
“It will be hard to convince the Princess of that when I show them the cuts.” She frowned. “Also, My mate will be very displeased with you. I am of importance. Right, Ula?”
It was strange to keep on saying the word “mate” but it had the desired effect so she would commit to using it.
The man scoffed and staggered back. “Your mate doesn't care about you. Also, he is in the dungeon. What can he do from there?” He held up a finger and chuckled. “Rumour has it that he plans to kill you. You are that useless. Nomobe will listen to you.”
“There is one interesting rumour I would like to spread right now. Far more interesting than the one you are talking about. Shall we find out if people will listen?” She pressed the dagger further against her skin.
Ula was trembling now.
She rushed forward, fell on her knees and hugged Aniya's leg as she wept.
“Please, don't. I only volunteered because of my father's sickness—”
Aniya slid the hilt of the dagger in her hand under Ula’s chin, making her look up at her - the black veiled presence that was now the root of her biggest fear.
“Shhh. Answers, only.”
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My tests are upcoming, and the update schedule is now one chapter in two days. I know this isn't convenient but it will only be for a short while, I promise. Once again, thank you so much for your understanding.