Chapter 33

“What about you? Where do you come from?”

“the swamps of lacus, that is where i was raised. Though now we are banished from there.”

“banished?”

“yes, the deus attacked and they blamed it on me... Because i am who i am. A halfling.”

“so the people who took you in shunned you, turned you away when you needed them the most?”

“they were being killed because of me, wouldn’t you have done the same to protect those you love?”

“i would have done anything to protect them.”

“then we cannot blame the fera for doing the same, they are already seen as a burden on the land. They have been given a terrible life and they are trying to make the best of it.”

“just like you.”

“i suppose you are right. But all i wish for is to meet my mother once more. I miss her terribly.”

“i know dear one, and we will do our best to find her. But for now, we need somewhere to hide. We cannot roam the realm with no provisions.”

The girl nodded, he was right, they couldn’t survive without food and water; which neither of them had the money to buy. Tyrants do not pay their slaves, no matter how long they have been in their service. She hoped that his friend still resided in the same place, that he would help them to the best of his ability. But first, they had to concentrate on surviving, and their chances were looking very slim as they reached a large opening, several deus waiting for them.

A stunning woman with ebony hair climbed down from her horse, alongside a light-haired man with emerald eyes; astria recognising them almost immediately. They were the very same ones who stopped tarian and his men when he had first captured her, she needed to think of something and fast, before they realised who she truly was.

“greetings, i don’t suppose either of you have seen two women on your travels, one is quite young.” Asked the man, his eyes solely on the girl.

The girl shook her head, not trusting her own voice as she began to panic. She would die if they discovered who she really was, and this time; she didn’t have tarian’s help. She needed to come up with a believable lie, and fast.

“i am afraid not. You are the first people we have seen.” Panett said smoothly, his eyes locked onto the deus male.

The white-haired man turned towards the woman, “you are correct, it is the same girl.”

“where is your father girl?” The woman asked, her voice once again just like silk.

Panett opened his mouth to speak, but the woman held up her hand to silence him, her eyes becoming a deep shade of crimson. Astria sighed heavily, this was something she would not be avoid with ease, they may need to fight for their lives should she say the wrong thing.

She turned towards panett, her heart racing as she attempted to think of something to say, the silence stretching out. Could astria survive a deus attack? Could she fend off several of them on her own?

When her friend opened his mouth to speak once more, the woman growled like that of a caged beast; ready to strike.

“i want to hear it from the girl, not you.”

The white-haired dues threateningly stepped towards panett, his emerald eyes alight with fury. “if you speak to her again without strict permission, i will personally tear out your tongue.”

Panett scowled, but said nothing as the girl’s fear only rose. She was running out of time, they both were.

“i will not ask you again.” Snapped the woman as she took the reins of astria’s horse. “where is your father?!”

The girl had a thought, carelessly pulling down her hood as the wind began to pick up; droplets of rain sliding from her cheeks. The woman’s eyes widened at the sight of her ears, or; what was left of them after tarian’s men cut most of them off. She doubted that the woman could tell that she was a half-breed just by looking at her, even astria could no longer tell she was half elf.

“i ran away from him.” Was all the girl said, though her mind was alive with lies.

“he cut off your ears?” Asked the woman, releasing the reins as she spoke.

“yes. But that isn’t the worst he has done.” The girl murmured, also showing the ebony-haired woman her bandaged hands. “i apologise for lying to you when we last met, but i was afraid of what he might do if i told you the truth.”

The woman nodded, seeming to believe her. “then what is the truth?”

“he abused my mother to the point of death, so i ran away. But my father is persistent and he found me, that is when you stopped us.” The half-breed forced tears to fall from her eyes, a small sob escaping her lips, though it was forced.

“nearly a cycle of the moon has passed since then, how did you escape?”

“i barely got away with my life, my father is not a forgiving person. If it wasn’t for panett i doubt that i would have survived.”

“i see, and where is it you plan on going now that you have gotten away?”

“to a friend of panett’s if we have leave to do so, i don’t think we have committed any crime.”

The woman smiled, her eyes returning to their normal shade of brown. “hernan.” She called, the white-haired man taking a step towards her. “bring out the prisoners.”

Astria frowned not understanding as she followed the deus man with her eyes, he was shouting into the trees at someone the girl couldn’t see; and yet, she knew for certain that whatever was happening, it wouldn’t end well for the panett and herself. She gasped suddenly when a carriage emerged from between the trees, revealing something that the girl had never expected.

“mother!” She shouted, panicked.