2. Himari Rum

"She is an abomination! Sent by the gods to destroy us all! Do you see her footwear? And ..."

The faint voices woke me up. I groaned in pain as it felt like punches were being lunged on my whole body. My eyes opened slowly, the brightness seeping through my eyelid making it impossible to open. But I managed.

I got up to sit, and before me found at least twenty people in the room with me, all in yellow robes and white hats.

"The horror is awake!" Screamed an old man. They all turned in to me.

I bottled up confidence, "who are you? Where am I?" They gave no reply.

My eyes were darting left and right now for a self-defense weapon. Just out of the blue, I found the tip of something shining. It was hung on the belt of one of the men, the old man who had alerted the others. Perfect target.

Instantly, I lunged forward and reached for the knife on the old man and placed it on his neck. "Stay back, all of you!" I didn't know who they were, but from the way they spoke about me ...they had not been saying friendly things.

There was an uproar of mummering now that had one of them under my...

It pierced through my bones as I felt a sharp poke in my stomach. The knife dropped from my hand and I saw the old man smirk. Without much effort, the old man brought his hands out again like a weapon, but this time, he lunged a punch at me so hard in the face that my nose and lips instantly felt numb.

I screamed out in pain, but my suffering was not over yet. He came behind me and I felt his grip around my neck, strangling all the life out of me. If I did nothing, he might actually end my life! I choked, forcefully brought to stare at the faces that stared at me with mockery.

Then I heard the man's voice speak. "Foolish girl! We should just kill her already before the prince comes."

The crowd cheered in unison. "Yea! She must be nothing but bad luck from Gilme!"

Just when I felt my luck had run out, the door flung open and a young man around my age stepped in. "Dha-Sa-Sa, I--" his eyes bulged open at the scene before him. "Release her at once!" He commanded.

Not immediately, but soon enough, I felt release around my neck and I fell to the ground, coughing and gasping, wondering how I was still alive.

"Shame on you, Dha-Sa-Sa!" The young man grunted, then almost like he'd forgotten that I even existed, he continued to address the rest of them. "Everyone, the soldiers are back with the Cottars. We will welcome them at once."

Not long after he had spoken did they all walk out, mummering what only they understood.

Weak and tired, I still laid on my knees, praying my skull hadn't cracked from the heavy punch that was lunged at me. My head hurts like crazy. I sniffed in, and the pain from my nose felt like it had broken, blood gushing down.

He walked over to me, crouching low next to me. He was dressed in a tunic shirt and dark pants, with a pair of boots, but everything about him signified royalty. From his confident tone, to his composure, plus the crown that sat on his head. He had sea green eyes, and fair smooth skin that boasted of good health--something I begged to have. My skin was fair, but far from smooth.

His face was constructed into a handsome physique, light colored plum lips stretching to a smile. "Is it true you were sent here by Gilme?" His voice was different now as it was calmer and less authoritative.

My breath was now heavy and shaky, and I was fuming with rage now. "Who the fuck is Gilme!" I spat out, freckles of blood splashing on his face.

He closed his eyes, a sigh escaping his lips moments later. Then his eyes opened again. He reached for his pocket and handed me a green bottle.

A potion?

My brows arched. "You wish to end me already?" I swallowed, hoping it wasn't true.

He rose up and my eyes followed his posture. He looked down at me, "just one cover. Return it to me. Come outside, and stay close to me." He chuckled to himself, "Himari Rum, I always carry it around."

With that, he walked out, leaving me alone with his so-called Himari Rum.

***

The moment the content traveled down my throat, it had been like I'd never gotten hurt before in the first place! It was magic, because no other explanation would best describe its wonders.

I went down towards the alley that led to an entrance. People stared at me left and right, but I ignored and hurried towards a figure that resembled that of the prince. He was addressing the people.

"We do not need the Book-"

"Cottar Mathew is dead, your highness!" Wailed a woman. Her voice sounded a bit exaggerated, and I could have sworn I'd heard the voice before.

"The plague killed him." Said another, but it was a man. His voice was cold and proud, but something was off about him too. "How long shall we cower and hide? We need the book! Do not endanger us anymore, your majesty!"

I hid behind the prince to catch a glimpse of their face. When he saw me, he made an attempt to push me back but before he could, some guards dragged me back. "Get away from the prince!" One of them yelled.

But I wasn't ready to just back down. "It was them!" I yelled out.

People stopped to stare, even the prince turned around to look at me.

"They killed that man! It was them!" I continued to yell at the top of my voice so I could be heard. I didn't care about the consequences at all, but these people were evil!

Before I could continue, I felt a strong grip on my wrist, and I was being dragged away. As I struggled, a hand came and tightened my lips from opening.

Then just as we were away from the crowd, the last view I could see was the prince staring at me like I was a lunatic, before the sack brought darkness to my face.