Protest (1)

Once the story ended, like the night before, people began cleaning up and heading back to the tents for the night.

A-Narah stayed back and helped to gather and roll up the mats. Carrying a pile in her arms, she walked over and put them away in the tent where the supplies were kept. With the star and firelight to guide her, alone, she walked back to Feme's tent and went to sleep.

The next day she decided to stay with Feme to help with the chores instead of watching the men practice. Today Feme was going to teach her basket weaving. They were located in the rocky area of the desert. There was more vegetation and animals here. It made it easier to gather supplies. Before the tribe moved deeper into the desert, they need to gather the materials they will need and do what repairs they could. They were always in need of more baskets.

Feme gave her a pile of long, flat lengths of grass that some of the women had gathered. Watching Feme, A-Narah began to copy her movements. The process was fairly simple, but to compete it took time, and the edges of the grass kept stinging her fingers. She hadn't been careful and the grass made a small cut on the seam of her finger. A-Narah made a small cry and went to suck the injury, but Feme took ahold of her arm and stopped her.

"Here." Feme pressed a piece of cloth to the bleeding finger. "Don't suck on it. Any injury you get here needs to be properly treated. Even the most insignificant. Something small can be what kills you in the end." Feme motioned to a nearby woman, who went and brought back some medicine. Taking the greasy salve, Feme rubbed it on the cut and then bandaged it with a small strip of clean cloth. "There," she said tying it off. "Remember to never neglect an injury."

"Thank you, Feme." A-Narah cradled her finger in her other hand, and then went back to weaving.

"Ara! Someone is looking for you," one of the women called over. A-Narah didn't see who she was talking about, but setting aside her basket she got up and followed. Behind the tents stood Lael and Uzzi.

A-Narah stepped back when she saw them, but then took a deep breath and move forward. The hot, rocky sand ground into her feet. "What is it you need me for."

Lael nudged Uzzi with his shoulder and Uzzi turned his head to the side. With a sigh Lael said, "Little lady we came to check on you." Lael nudged Uzzi again, harder.

"I'm sorry for what I said yesterday. I was just shocked was all. You—you looked very nice in those clothes," Uzzi reluctantly said.

A-Narah watched him and frowned. "There is more you want to say."

Uzzi still didn't look at her and kept his silence. "Well if you have something to say, it's best you get it out."

Uzzi finally turned his head and looked at her. "I think that it is inappropriate for you to dress this way, and last night you were serving men. My lady, you are greater than this. You shouldn't be dressed like this, or getting close to unfamiliar men."

"Uzzi, I understand that it might be hard for you, but we are not in Middle Kingdom anymore and I am no longer who I was. I can't hold onto the past. I can't pretend to be something I'm not. I admit, I don't feel comfortable in these clothes and it was somewhat unnerving to be surrounded by the warriors, but this isn't Middle Kingdom and we can't treat it like it is.

"Uzzi, if I want to learn anything or gain the trust of these people. I have to adapt to their culture. I can't have them thinking of me as a stranger."

"That is wise of you little lady," Lael commented.

"I understand, but just because you had to go away doesn't mean that you lost who you are. Don't forget that," Uzzi said.

"Alright," A-Narah murmured. Silence hung between them. In the distance she could hear the women and children going about their day. It was like they all belonged to a different world. One she could watch and touch, but never be truly a part of.

When A-Narah rubbed her arms from a nonexistent chill, Lael's eyes zeroed in on her bandage. "Ara what happened?" Lael came forward and grabbed the injured hand, pulling it up. Uzzi also came forward to look.

"Oh, I just cut it on some grass," she said carelessly.

"How? What grass?" Lael worried like a mother hen.

"I was just helping with some basket weaving and wasn't careful."

"Basket weaving?" Uzzi said.

"It's nothing to worry about. I already have it treated and medicine was applied." A-Narah took back her hand and backed away. "Well I should be getting back. My basket isn't even halfway finished.

Lael and Uzzi stood in place, not moving long after A-Narah had run back. "Did she say she was basket weaving," Lael said shocked.

"If her father finds out…Can you imagine what will happen?" Uzzi trembled. Lael and Uzzi looked at each other and then ran back to the temporary barracks where their comrades were.

"Did you see Ara?" Uri asked as he saw Lael and Uzzi running over. When they got closer, he looked at them with wide eyes and then his expression fell. Lael and Uzzi were wearing horrified faces and sprinting at full speed. Something serious must of happened.

Uri picked up his sword and grabbed Launch. Was something attacking? No one else here seemed worried. Had an accident befallen their little lady? The two of them had been on their way to see her.

When Lael and Uzzi reached them, sweat was dripping off the tips of their noses and covering their foreheads.

"What happened?" Uri asked before Lael or Uzzi could say a word.

"It's the little lady," Lael said.

"What happened to Ara?" Launch asked worriedly.

"Her finger, it's been cut."

"Her finger was cut off?" Launch exclaimed.

"No, it's not that severe yet. Just a cut."

"Tell us," Uri demanded.