5 A Torn Heart

Mael

I knew something was wrong with Nala, but I couldn't figure out what.

I watched her as she moved amongst the warriors, her brown braid swinging back and forth as she poured kaliberry juice for those who asked.

I thought back to yesterday, racking my brain for anything that may have spurred this isolation she seemed to have put herself in.

Yesterday, we parted in the best of moods. I had spent time between meals showing her some basic skills she can do with her power. We had ended the session with her feeling the essence of the earth for the very first time. She was moved to tears as she was connected to the life and tranquility that it possessed. Before parting ways, she had expressed to me that she couldn't wait for me to show her more.

But, none of that same enthusiasm was present today. Instead, for most of breakfast, she was closed off and gloomy. When others had tried to engage her in conversation, she would reply with short answers and politely excuse herself.

I wouldn't admit it, even to myself, but I was hurt by how quickly she seemed too had forgotten me. The few short days I had been here I had developed a fondness for her, which did happen for me often.

"What do you think wrong with her?" asked Fanel, one of the younger serving girls. She and Liana joined me at the table, filling up pitchers for the other servers to walk around with.

I glanced at them and resumed what I was doing.

"I don't know. She seemed fine yesterday, maybe she slept wrong." I suggested.

Fanel snorted, "Talking about bond-mates yesterday reminded her that she has no real prospects and no real future."

I frowned at her words, allowing my eyes to travel back to Nala. From the corner of my eye, I caught Orson watching her. His face was in its usual state of indifference, but the slight downturn of his mouth suggested otherwise.

"I don't know if her prospects are that bleak. It looks like she may have a suitable candidate."

I jerked my head slightly to Orson and Liana shook her head once when she saw where I had indicated.

"Orson's always fancied Nala since they were children. But, his gifts are powerful, and he has already sired two offspring who are strong also. He didn't bond with their mothers, but the Priests are setting plans in motion to have him bonded to a Healer who comes from a strong line of affinities."

I clenched my jaw, holding back my words. Teaching Nala yesterday had helped me forget the way that these people bred. Mating in hopes of raising their status of social value.

"You don't think he would forgo the wise omens advice and bond with her out of love. Nala may have a gift that is considered useless, but she has other wonderful qualities to add to someone's life."

Liana laughed, "Oh, you have such silly ideas sometimes Mae. It is a wonder that your people have survived so long in the world. Our breeding methods keep us strong and allow everyone to know and have a place amongst their people."

Fanel visibly shivered, as if a cold mountain breeze had swept through the camp.

"I would hate to imagine where we would be without the order. I can't even imagine the chaos and danger."

I choose to ignore her, deciding that there was no way to convince them that there was a better way without exposing myself. I just shook my head.

"It looks like her pitcher is empty, I'll go take one to her, see if I can get her to talk."

"Good luck," called Liana.

As I walked between the paths', I caught Nala's eyes and smiled at her. Her eyes widened for a second, and I was afraid she was about to bolt. But, they returned to her closed gaze, and a polite smile touched her pink lips.

"What can I do for you Mae?"

I was taken aback by her formality.

Holding up the pitcher I responded,

"It looked like your pitcher was empty, so I thought I would come over and get you a new one. Don't want the boys getting thirsty."

That drew a few cheers from the warriors around me, and I grinned at their response. I looked back Nala and saw a strained smile pasted on her face. Mine dropped, and I reached out my hand, placing it on her farad.

"Did something happen Nala? You've been extra quite all morning."

She slowly removed her arm from my touch and took the pitcher away. But the strained smile never moved.

"No, no everything is fine. I'm just tired that's all."

I nodded my head, not convinced.

"Well, maybe at lunch I could work some of your duties for you. I'm sure Alma would understand if you wanted to go back to your tent and test. I'm sorry if what I told you yesterday upset you. We could talk about it more, at lunch, if you would like."

Her eyes snapped up to mine at that, and an emotion flew across those. Her body suddenly went rigid, prime for a hasty exit.

She began to step backward.

"Thanks for the concern, but I don't think I can make it for lunch. Alms assigned me some extra duties. But, I've got to go, I think I hear someone calling for me."

With that, she spun on her walk and dashed away.

I watched her as she went, determined to find out what happened to change her attitude so much. Nala had wormed her way into my heart, and I never left my friends hanging or distressed.

…..

Mael

After we finished eating lunch, I saw Nala sneak away towards to river. Today was her wash day, and I assumed that she was headed there to clean her clothes.

"Leven, I'm going to go wash by the river."

Leven hesitated, unsure whether it was wise to let me go by myself. If I was going to get Nala to talk to me about what was bothering her, I had to make sure Leven was nowhere nearby. She doesn't like to let others know about her problems.

I took a step into his personal space and placed a hand on his upper arm.

He looked down at my hand on his arm. Under my eyelashes, I saw his adam's apple bob up and down

I smiled inwardly, confident he wouldn't be able to withstand my damsel routine. I have years of practice to hone this particular persona, and it hasn't failed me yet.

Fluttering my eyelashes, I peered up at him.

"I know that your people are not shy about nudity, but mine are. I would be mortified if any men saw me naked. Please let me go by myself, I promise I won't do anything I'm not supposed to."

Leven's face flushed, realizing that if he followed me, he would be required to watch me and the others bathe.

Clearing his throat, he said, "This is a onetime exception. Don't ask again."

I nodded my head briskly, my eyes open wide. I looked like the epitome of innocence.

"Thank you so much, I knew that you would understand."

I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. As I hurried towards the river, he was frozen in surprise.

I made my way through the trees and kicked off my shoes. Taping into the earth's energy so that I could pinpoint where Nala was hiding.

She was in a small alcove a few yards away, alone. The closest person was a sentry manning his post, yards south of the alcove.

Silently, I made my way to her. Making sure a few noises were made, that way I didn't scare her when I arrived.

Finally, I spotted her through the trees. Nala was squatting by a rock, hitting a wet dress on it, trying to clean the dirt caked on it,

Stepping out of the trees I planted a smile on my face and called out to her.

"Nala! I didn't know that you were cleaning today, you should have let me know."

She jumped at my voice and quickly turned around. Guilt flashed onto her face but was quickly replaced with a smile. But, because I have spent so much time with her the last few days I could tell it was forced. Her eyes lacked their usual glimmer of warmth.

"Hey, Mae. What are you doing here?"

I ambled up to her, taking off my clothes I placed them on a rock and slipped into the water.

"Well, Alma told me that today and tomorrow are wash days so I thought I would take advantage. I haven't had a real bath since before I came here."

Nala smiled in acknowledgment, but the unease in her eyes let me know she wasn't convinced by my excuse. Turning back to her dress, we settled into a tense silence. I floated in the water, waiting for my chatty friend to speak up. Unfortunately, that never happened.

Heaving a sigh, I swam over to her. I rested my arms on the shore and looked at her as I tread the water. She avoided my gaze and focused intently on her task. I just kept staring at her, confident that patience would win.

After, what seemed like an eternity, she let out a heavy sigh and glanced my way.

"Obviously you have something you want to ask, so ask."

Smiling at my victory, my features softened.

"Well, thank you for asking Nala. In fact, I do have a few questions."

A quiet chuckle escaped Nala before she schooled her features.

"Have you been practicing today?"

"I haven't really had time today, but I've been trying to connect to the earth as I've been cleaning my dress. I've not been able to reach the level that we did last night, but I can feel something."

I smiled, happy to hear that she was practicing the skills that I showed her. Apparently, she isn't upset by the things that I taught her, but that confused me even more. I couldn't imagine what would have made her so upset.

"Good, I'm so happy to hear that. You've been so out of it today I thought that I had upset you by what I taught you last night."

Her head snapped up, and her eyes were rounded in surprise. She placed her dress on the rock and sat on her haunches.

"Oh no, I'm not upset at all by what you showed me. If anything I'm grateful!"

I frowned and asked,

"Then what's wrong. You've been out of it all day, and everyone has noticed it."

Looking out at the water, Nala sat there silently. A myriad of emotions flashing across her face. I stayed silent, allowing her the time to choose her words.

"I got asked to do something last night that I'm not comfortable with. I declined but was told that I had no choice or I would be banished. I left my land in hopes of leaving the tyrannical society of our homeland behind. It is better, but this order reminds me too much of home and what I tried to escape."

I nodded, understanding more then she knew.

"Then why don't you leave? There are plenty of places in this land that you could find a home with."

"Because these are my people and my family. I don't think I could leave if I even wanted to, it's just too familiar."

"I can understand. Is what you were asked to do so bad?"

Nala glanced at me and grimaced.

"I would be putting someone I care about in a tough position, and I can't convince myself that it's the right thing to do."

I looked at her, mulling over her words. My gaze shifted to the jungles as I realized what she wasn't saying.

"Nala, does this have anything to do with me?"

She stared intently at her nails, seeming to clean to the dirt out from under her fingernails. The silence was answer enough.

"What have they asked you to do?"

Nala sat their silent, I could feel her nerves permeating the air

"They asked me to get information from you about your people. They think you've been lying and have valuable information to share with them."

"So, basically they want to learn about my people and then go over and conquer them."

Nala meekly nodded her head. I hopped out of the water and put my clothes back on. I walked back over to her and sat on the ground.

"Do what they ask."

Nala's head snapped to me.

"But-"

"Listen before you start objecting. I'll tell you some stuff, and you relay that information. That way you don't get in trouble, and I can control the information they receive. A lot is going on in this land that your people aren't aware of. Things that are extremely important in regards to your people survival if they want to settle here."

"Are you sure? I don't want to put you or your people in danger."

"Don't worry, none of the information I will share will do that. But, after you report it, I will need to leave."

Nala grabbed my arm,

"What? No! I would miss you, you've become a part of my family."

My lips drew upwards, and I pulled her into a hug.

"I know me too. But, if I stay after what I share my chances of leaving will decrease and put my people and me in danger. I have to leave, but once your people come out of hiding, I'll come to visit. Maybe we can even continue your training. "

Nala sat up and wiped her eyes.

"I'm so sorry Mae."

I smiled at her apology and shook my head.

"Don't even worry about it. Things like this happen all the time, it's part of our world. There are so many dangers and unexpected things that leaders have to plan for. I don't blame you, and I don't blame them. Honestly, I would probably do the same thing if I was in their position."

"Okay."

"Now, let me give you some information to report back to your superiors."

…..

Mael

Sitting on the floor of my tent, I grounded my spirit into the essence of the earth. I could feel my being caught up in the dancing energy of the earth. I could feel the emerald and aquas that fill the earth. The limitless energy that the colors embodied made me feel whole and a new, as the essence of life, blended with my spirit. I basked in the harmony I felt and shifted my focus to the sense of the earth.

Since it was a short time after the apex of the moon, I knew that it was finally time to try and leave this place. I expanded my spirit and felt for the number of people up at this time. Sensing an area of 20 feet, I noted about 13 people up and moving around outside the tents. There was one stationed outside of my tent, 3 within 5 feet, 2 within 10 feet, and another 3 within 20 feet. Mostly they were spread out, with a pair here of there near one another. From the hums they transmitted to the earth they were conversing, with one pair giving off feelings of desire.

I smiled, happy that at least someone was getting action. It had months since I had indulged myself in the companionship of a man. Hopefully, that stint would end sometime soon.

Focusing back to my scouting, I was happy with the number of people at 20 feet. The edge of the camp was around 23 feet from my tent. This will enable me to slip out of the camp unnoticed if I stay connected to the earth.

Taking a deep breath, I released my senses from the earth. I was still connected, but not so ingrained in the companionship. It was there, in the back of my conscious, buzzing with life.

I tied the front and back of my dress together, making my dress into a makeshift jumper, enabling me to scale up the center pole of my tent. I took the scarf off my head and placed it around the center pole. Setting my feet on it I put the scarf around the role to help balance my weight as I stepped upward. When the general taught it to me, he called it the Mulan technique.

The climb was hard, mainly since the scarf kept slipping. I slowed my pace, knowing it wouldn't help to slip and making a lot of noise. After what felt like forever, I was at the top of the pole. Gripping the top and I pulled myself up. My head poked outside the hole at the top of my hut.

As I surveyed the area around me, I didn't see anyone near, besides for the guard stationed in front of my entrance. But on the other side of the tent no one near enough to raise concern.

I placed my hand on the pool and began to lose myself into the evermoving swirl of the earth. I looked for the essence of the pool and found its grey aura that was once vibrant with the green of life. Since it was dead, it was harder to merge with its aura, I had to strain my spirit to meld with its strands. Once I was immersed with its waning spirit, I began to breathe some of my life's essence into it. Causing is to slowly beat with a hue of green. It started to expand and grow small, but sturdy branches from its curving trunk. Since the wood was dead, it was harder to connect to its essence and make it move. It felt as though I was moving through molasses, working against a substance that was preventing me from moving forward. The woods growth was slow, and my arms were growing fatigued from my position. Not able to maintain the flow, I stopped the wood's growth a few feet from the ground.

Taking a deep breath, I pulled myself up to the top of the pole, swung my left leg up and over the top of the pole. Placing my foot on top, I shifted my leg into a crouch and brought the other next to it. Keeping my balance on top of the pool was difficult. It was a foot wide and slightly rounded. Thankfully I was able to meld my toes and fingers into the wood. Giving myself a solid hold on top.

Taking a deep breath to center myself, I maneuvered myself so that my feet were placed on the newly grown branches. Slowly, I scaled down on the part of wood curving towards the ground, using the branches as holdings for my feet and hands. At the end, I jumped off onto a patch of moss. It softened my landing, allowing me to quietly blend into the shadows.

I took a moment to compose myself, already feeling fatigued from my efforts. I looked at the branch and placed my hand on it from the shadows. I sucked back in the energy I had fed it, causing it to crumble into ash until it was once again a vertical pole. Where it once laid a few feet above the ground was now a pile of ash that was swept away into the nights' breeze.

Feeling slightly refreshed, I used the earths impressions to find the vibrations of people moving about. Blending in with the shadows I quickly worked my way through the maze of huts towards the outskirts of the camp. Finally, a few miles from the camp I sat down on the ground and dug my hands and feet into the dirt. I hunched over and breathed in the scents of the earth. The smells rolled through my body as I drew energy from the earth. I allowed the connection to ease the tension from my body and fill me with the life around me.

As I felt my body feel up, I opened my eyes and smiled. Now I could finally head home and get a proper night's rest of sleep.

…..

Ryker

Stirring from my sleep, I heard hushed voices outside of my hut. I sat up just as Thalia stepped into my sleeping chambers Ryker closely following her.

Their rigid stance indicated they didn't have good news and my annoyance from being woken up increased. Sitting forward on the edge of my bed I peered at them and said,

"What is so important you felt the need to wake me?"

Thalia cleared her throat,

"Apologies Warlord, but the slave Mae did not report for her duties this morning. Alma, Head of the servers, went to retrieve her and she was not there."

If a pin was dropped on the dirt floor, it would echo through the silence that now permeated the space. I blink a few times; not quite understanding what Thalia was indicating.

"And? It isn't uncommon for men and women to spend the night in each other's tent. Did Alma ask her guards."

"Yes Warlord. I even questioned them personally. Her Guard Orson reported that after completing her evening duties she immediately went to her hut and that she didn't leave during his shift. Leven corroborated his story, that when he relieved Orson of his duty, no one had gone in or come out on his watch. There is no trace of her leaving the tent."

I stood at those words and began to clothe myself.

"Did you check her hut? Where the walls cut, or holes dug?"

Thalia and Ryker turned to follow me as I headed towards the slave huts.

"Yes, sir. Ryker and I checked together. We couldn't find any indications of the hut being tampered with. We even checked the pole and hole at the top of the hut."

Stepping up the escaped slave's hut I turned to Thalia.

"Thalia, I want out best trackers looking for signs of escape or any unusual markings around the area to the perimeter tent. If anything seems out of place or suspicious, I want it reported directly to me. I will be looking around the hut to determine if there are any patterns I can sense. We cannot afford to let her escape. Our people are too vulnerable to become exposed right now."

Stepping into a tent, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Once feeling centered I opened my eyes to the patterns of life that moved around me.