This was the first time in a long time that I'd ever felt relaxed. The Kouga people, though I'd only just met them, seemed wonderful and welcoming. Even to someone like me they were kind. They helped me get my chains off, but there was a visible bruise along my ankles. It was odd to have a comfortable bed, decent food, and to be treated like any other person. But I was free now. It was hard to believe, much more than I realized.
The tent was large, but not too spacious due to the furniture that filled it up. A few beautiful cabinets with a variety of trinkets on top. A small table in the center with pots and pans lying around the place. But overall there was stuff everywhere. The bed was also nice and comfortable, with a cloth hanging over a wire that I could pull in front of it. But this style was nothing like the mansion I'd been living in. It had character and felt homey.
The sound of sheep baaing outside was soothing with that of the breeze fluttering by. Most of the men were out, and the rest of the tribe was quite quiet this morning. But I was sure they were each doing their share of the work.
Right now I wasn't in my room, but in the one they laid Aladdin in. I hope he'll wake up soon, so I can thank him properly. The boy stirs and shudders, sweat dripping down his pale forehead. He must have been having a nightmare. I had one the night before as well. I don't think I've had a dream in years until now. But then I can't even remember what the awful dream was about. Not capturing a dungeon or fighting for freedom. No, it was something of the past.
The boy's lips murmur something, and he jolts up out of bed. His fists clench as he shouts out, "Why won't you say anything?!" His eyes flutter around the room before landing on me, sitting on the side of his bed. He's calmed down by now, rubbing his tired eyes as if nothing had happened. It was just a dream after all. Right? He smiles at me, "Good morning."
I nod. "Thank you, for freeing me." I didn't know how else to word it.
"I didn't do anything. You're the one who was brave enough to go back with us. I can't imagine what it's like to be a slave, but I'm sure that took a lot of strength." I listen to his words, letting a wave of something good, something that felt relieving, wash over me. "What's your name?" He adds.
"(y/n)." His face lights up as he smiles so brightly.
"That's a pretty name." I don't understand why but there's a stab of guilt twisting in my stomach now. In the way that he would poke at it threateningly. The way he'd killed a few slaves before my eyes. Our conversation continues as he asks me where we are, and how we got here. But I don't know any more than he does.
The sun lights up the place as a familiar girl walks in. I met her the day before. "Good morning (y/n); Good morning Aladdin," Toya greets. I had told them a bit about this mysterious boy, but not much. I figured it'd be best to hear from him. "Would you two like some breakfast?" She brought a tray over as we nodded.
I plunge into a few bits of crackers and sip on some milk as she tells him about finding us. Apparently there are wolves at night that may have eaten us had they not been passing through. "Thank you, miss (y/n)!" Aladdin tells me, "I'm glad you were there beside me." Then there's a pause. "Where's Alibaba?"
"I.. I don't know," I tell him, "When I woke up I didn't see him or Morgin anywhere."
The boy nods before turning to Toya. "Were you the one who brought us back here?" Aladdin asks.
"No, that was Doruji. He's my friend you see." She gets up with our empty tray. "He's out right now, but when they get back I'll point him out to you." Soon the door opens again and a lady who went by Baba came in. She's a bit odd, but I'd only talked to her once. Last night she discussed with me a variety of things, now it was his turn.
I can hear the sound of horses and chatter. Leaving her some time to talk to Aladdin, Toya and I head out to see what all the commotion was. "The scouting party's returned!" Someone shouts. Crowds of the women and others swarm to the group that's slowly coming to a halt, each asking their loved ones how things went. All seems well, there were no signs of the enemy I kept hearing about either. Plus one of the men brought back a deer for all to share.
One of them was staring at me as he held the deer out for a few of the people to see. His cheeks flushed up as our eyes met. It's then I recognized him. He was the one I rode back with the day before.
Aladdin heads out with Baba to greet everyone. Pulling the magi to her side, Toya points to another male to the right of the one I had been looking at. "This is Doruji."
This seems to catch his attention as he turns to Aladdin and me. "Ah! It's you two! Are you alright? Neither of you are hurt or anything, right?" We shake our heads quickly, assuring that all was well.
The boy who'd been staring at me and another hop off their horses and stand beside Doruji's. "Hey Toya! Doruji killed this big deer for you! Tell him how cool he was!"
"It's not just for her.." Doruji mutters, rubbing the back of his neck shyly.
Toya stares up at him for a long time as his cheeks only grow redder. "You must've been so scared. Did you cry? You used to be afraid of rabbits."
Anyone can see the embarrassment on his face as the two boys beside him burst into laughter. "Th-that was a long time ago! I'm a man now, Toya! I'm a warrior of the clan! I can do anything to protect the tribe!"
My attention is brought away though from their silly conversation and to Baba talking to the others. Something about a rumor of the east involving the expansion of the Kou empire. But the clan seemed determined to hold their ground. I wondered what all that was about though.