The wagon is very much uncomfortable. Not only was it quiet, the occassional bumps roughed up Alea's almost empty stomach.
"Hey, you hungry?" Feri asks quietly. She shook her head but her stomach betrayed her, grumbling loudly. The other girls turn to look at her and giggle loudly, causing her to turn a ripe shade of red.
Giggling, Feri hands a pouch filled with buns and berries for her to eat.
"Isn't that your lunch Feri?"
"Eat Alea. I don't mind going hungry. We'll soon be at the capital"
"But....."
"No buts. Eat before I force it down your throat"
"Yes ma'am" Alea hurriedly replies and wolves down the food. She chokes on a piece of fruit and Feri pats her back while stifling her laughter.
"So Feri, it has been a year and you haven't told me your origin story?"
"Only if you'll tell me yours"
"I already told you. I was rescued in the desert by a caravan which was attacked by a bandit, I was captured and sold into slavery"
"How did you get to the desert? How did a ten-year-old survive in that harsh environment? Where did your bad luck come from? What's that mark on your shoulder?"
"Shhh" Alea quickly places a hand over her mouth and checks if the other girls heard what she did. Thankfully, it seemed like no-one was paying attention to them.
"Look Feri, I trust you, with my life. But there are some things I cannot tell you because I care for you. These things are bigger than us and it is imperative no one knows and interferes with them, okay?"
"Wow, you got deep fast"
"Promise me Feri, that whatever happens, you won't interfere"
"Alea, I can't do that...."
"Feri, please. Promise me" Alea said with so much pain, Feri could only nod. A pleading look in Alea's eyes made her say, I promise.
They sit in silence. Feri is processing what Alea had said while Alea, well, one couldn't tell what was on her mind.
"I was born in the city of Bermon, in the kingdom of Ataliya. My mother was a Governor and my father, he was just one of her numerous consorts"
"Wait! Men are consorts in a kingdom in this continent?"
"Yes. The biggest kingdom in this continent, Ataliya. It is ruled by a Queen and the priestess of Muni. Can I continue?"
"Yes, of course"
"Thank you. I was my mother's fourth daughter. Unlike my sisters, I wasn't into politics. I preferred to practice my magix and brew potions. Imagine my surprise one day when my mother put me in the race for Governorship. I was frightened, afraid my politics crazed sisters would off me just to secure their place as Governor. I wasn't too far off from the truth. One night I fall asleep, the next, I'm a slave. I don't know which of my sisters sold me off and I don't care. As long as I can practice my magix and brew my potions, I'm alright"
"Oh, Feri....."
"Don't feel sorry for me. Besides, it happened a long time ago. I'm over it"
"What if you see any of your sisters?"
"Really Alea, really?"
"Come on, just answer"
"Well, I'll sock 'em up. Right in the jaw. I'm no longer the weak girl they used to know"
"That's my Feri"
"Actually, its Feriella. Feri's fine though"
Alea grinned and hugged her. With Feri's head on Alea's shoulder, the wagon rolled into the city. All the other girls are awed by the sights but all Alea and Feri could think of was how they were going to survive.