He was a great warrior. She was proud to walk behind him. Smiling softly she studied his back, his long black hair. Her happiness too abruptly turned to confusion when she heard the noise, then to utter devastation seeing him fall to the earth. She knew he was dead, but put that truth from her mind. Someone as strong and alive as he could not possibly be there before her one moment and then lying so still the next.
Even as they began pushing her toward the big circle of dirt, away from him, her eyes searched for him among the living. There was so much noise. Men with rough hands began shoving her, her people into the circle. They shouted to each other in their strange tongue.
She walked. It seemed to be what they wanted. Coralled by their bodies into the circle, she walked for hours, the warm soft dirt beneath her feet, the hot sun over her head. Over and over again she saw him fall. Still she walked the never ending circle certain she must be dreaming. It wasn't possible that this was really happening.
The nightmare went on until she was exhausted. Her feet were bruised and blistered, but her terror kept her walking. Who were these people? Why were they doing this? Her mind raced, as her feet pushed on and on. She understood but one thing. The men were keeping them in the circle so they couldn't fight back. They were making sure that she and her people were too tired and frightened to act.
Finding the courage to look up, she saw her brother. He moved toward her with pity in his eyes. She understood then. This was real. This was no dream. Her grief rose from deep inside and she could no longer stand. She fell to the ground weeping. Her hands clawed the dirt, sifting it. The scent of blood and sweat filled her nostrils while hatred began to fill her heart.
Posted by juel at May 21, 2007 12:20 AM