We're crammed in a cage, awaiting the auction that will soon commence. I hold myself together on memories of the past. My homeland and the wonderful times we, the Kouga Clan, had celebrated together: always one big family. I think of him, who I have waited many years for his return.
I recall the gentle breeze blowing through my (h/c) locks as I turned to the noise of cheering and horses. They were returning from hunting, a few carrying deer for the night's supper. My eyes searched among the young men before finally spotting him. Tall and strong, I watched as my warrior came to a stop in front of me. He jumped off his horse as I ran up to him, wrapping my arms tightly around his waist, "Goltas!" He holds tightly onto me, smiling down at the sweet girl that clings to him.
"You miss me," he would tease, placing his lips to my forehead. Laughing at the blush that adorned my (s/c) cheeks, he would grab me by my hand, pulling me along as he went to greet some of the others. It was always a joyous occasion to be reunited as a clan. After even such a short time, there was always a need for celebration.
The nighttime was filled with laughter and excitement. We gather round the fire feasting on delicious food and horse milk. Talking with one another like always. I pray that every day can be like this, all of us together, laughing and never having to worry.
I can vividly remember sitting with Goltas, joking around like usual. His loving dark eyes staring into my (e/c) ones. I wish we didn't ever have to spend a moment apart. On nights like those, I was happy to lay in his arms, protected by my warrior as I fell asleep.
These memories bring me comfort, but I know that can't change the fate I'm about to face. One day when they were returning, Goltas wasn't with them. Some said he was probably captured and sold into slavery, but we weren't sure. We weren't even sure if he was alive or not. Now I was panicking, who knew where I would go or what would happen to me. Who knows if I ever would come home.
Someone with keys opens the door. I see the shackles on his feet, so he must be a slave. His master must have sent him to bring us in. His large, muscular build is enough to frighten us if we don't obey. "Run," he tells us. 'Is he helping us escape? But how, and why? How did he escape his master to let us out? And why is he helping us in the first place?' His face is covered by a thick gray mask that only reveals one eye so I can't make much of it.
He grips my hand, pulling me out of my daze, "Come on, hurry!"
Then I recognize his voice. "G.. Goltas?" I know he knows who I am. He avoids my eyes.
While he has changed very much in appearances, I hope he hasn't changed much from who he was. He doesn't say anything more, just stares at me.
"Please, I know it's you. Does all this mean you are coming back to the village with us?" He shakes his head as tears pour out from under that mask. I tug on his arm to follow, but he doesn't budge.
"I can't go back," his dark lifeless eyes meet mine. "If the rest of the clan saw what I have become they would be disappointed. Even you, I can't explain, but please go home without me. I can't bear to let you meet the horrors I've had to suffer."
I hear someone coming and know I have to leave soon, "But I don't want to." I shake him off, holding my ground. "I can't lose you again!"
"I don't think the me you love will ever be able to come back. So please, return to our homeland and live a happy life. I no longer deserve it after all the lives I've taken as a slave." I leave, finally, but upset to leave him behind as he disappears back to his master so as not to get caught.
I know I will not be able to forget this moment, but I also know I can no longer sit around waiting for his return like before. He wouldn't want me to spend each day in tears. I would be happy for the both of us, because no matter what he's done or who he's become he still deserves happiness and I know he would tell me the same.