Annika lived a life above average, she lived comfortably with her dogs and cows, with a dozen pigs and hens to accompany her and she had thought no reason to leave. She had no life beyond this and her creative talents to draw and write was mesmerizing as that was what Mr Arun said, he was the village scholar and had thought and encouraged her to publish a few books. But women were never recognized. He had even gone as far as to advise her to use a certain name as far as she would get her income, who would know, not every philosopher and writers they knew.
However, while the people gathered themselves in carriages, Maurice had a rough time getting her quill and quires for writing and drawings as the stores where all closing up, they had until a week of surety to leave the village.
Walking back that evening after her days work, she sensed the abnormalities of the village but shrugged it off because a great numbers of people where already leaving the village so the quietness was expected, she finally found her requirements and took the road narrowed into the woods, it was closer but was thick with dense bushes, she grew closer to her destination and the unwavering smell of copper filled her nose, she halted and all sort of imagination clustered her but her heels made fast as she got to her cottage, and the trails of blood and thick puddles of red was obvious in her surroundings, her home seemed like a slaughter home, moving around in her house the only surviving creature was the wolf cub she had recently taken in a week ago when she went fishing, it hide itself perfectly, she wouldn't have seen it if not for it's whimpers, it looked like it tried escaping and hiding quietly, however it was still heard from its sustained injuries.
She didn't understand what was going on, was it the invaders that caused this havoc in her home, her thoughts where interrupted by the heavy galloping coming outside her yard, rushing to the ripped door, she saw a horde of horses approaching, all dressed up like A level soldiers on armors with an engraving of a crest, a crest of the house of Sunbeam obviously this group was definitely from high rankers.
Woman you should leave here it's not safe one of the men without a helmet spoke, this group were sixteen, from Maurice's calculation, from the petit structure, two females and fourteen males, they were dressed in dark clothes, seems that the first four which faces were completely covered with dark scarfs, were on a black sturdy horses were ranking.
This is my home i have no where else she replied standing her ground.
One of the men who seemed to have dealt with stubborn villagers who
refused to leave, she could see him rolled his eyes, the others got off their horses except the silent four who strode their horses around the area examining it.
Do you wish to die here, look at your home and livestock, only that your lucky you survived the attack he spoke.
Do not worry about me I can fend for myself. The man seemed exhausted from convincing her, he only left her after sparing her a long pitiful stare and left to answer one of the men on the black horses, they men soared in and out of her house and could not help but feel irritated by the intrusion, from how much she knows, she didn't even know if they were they ones to vandalize her abode.
I will not have it that you and more men intrude my privacy for so much the heavens may have it I do know if your group is indeed the invaders given that I don't know who you people are, I do not recognize if you're part of the country or not sir.
The whole area dropped silent in the accusations and finally one of the person's on the horse got off and walked to her.
A sweet tantalizing voice of an authoritative woman spoke.
Apologies Miss, orders from the royal house. We are the Sunbeam soldiers and we are designated to survey the activities and help move the residents of the commune to closest and safest community she spoke, It is quite strange that nearly all the residents of this commune has exited, it is a small one not to say, the village i mean, but seeing a young woman as you in a family cottage, how is it you were not harmed nor leave, were are your family, y'all need to leave right away.
Annika had seen this point was a lost of course as she was cornered under her own truth, she stammered I.. I do not have anywhere nor any family relations to go find.
Surely a lady like you should have someone.... one of the soldiers jumped in, Sir Alhearaah.
What is it?
They was a rumor of a witch in the woods perhaps she is the one.
I am no witch, I couldn't bear such accusations at this point.
Do tell why your home was attacked not too long ago and you survived.
I was at the library and was merely lucky .
All shops and stalls has being closed since yesterday that's the inclusion of the library, luck is what a witch would say.
Why would I destroy my own home if I was a witch.
Some sort of ritual and you had to play the victim because you know you
can't out run the royal hunters.
Enough clatter bellman, witch or not the time to find a witch is long gone
said the woman who returned with the wolf.
You have to vacate here, it's not safe, willing or not ma'am, we advise you
head in and pick the rest of the important things of yours Allaeraah declared.
Her unwillingness was plastered but she couldn't continue to be thoughtless, walking back the woman called back.
Miss..?
It's Annika.
-_-
Dallas..., Annika Lanai.