Nadia sat perched above on the branch of a tree keeping a lookout with one leg dangling. Her family right below caring for the wounded soldier they had hidden in a cave who had saved all their lives so effortlessly.
Now they were struggling themselves to save hers before it was too late.
The soldier had been screaming for hours. Tossing and turning in unimaginable pain. She had tried to keep her agony to herself in silence for all their sakes but had been unable to. Mother and father had been forced to gag her mouth by her own instruction so she wouldn't let the whole jungle know they were here. The muffled noise was still horrible to have to listen regardless while they worked on her leg below, hidden behind a tapestry mother had hung at the front of the cave to hide the bloody mess from the girls.
Father had asked her to stay above and warn them if any soldiers returned, but mostly so she wouldn't have to keep hearing the unnerving noise. A request she was all to happy to oblige by.
Nadia had climbed up and now held her bow firmly in hand acting as a sentry. Eagerly waiting for any trouble. Almost as if she wished to see any more of those monsters so she could kill one herself for burning down their home and hurting mother and father.
The leaves began to rustle next to her. Nadia didn't draw her arrow and kept calm. It was only little Nya climbing up to join her at the top to her mother's request. Nadia scooted over to give her sister a place to sit beside her.
"You ok? Nadia asked her little sister.
Nya didn't reply. Instead leaning over and placing her exhausted head to rest against her big sister's shoulder. Nadia sighed and wrapped an arm around her frightened sister trying to provide some comfort to them both after all that they had seen. After some time sitting atop the branch in silence listening to the leaves rock back and forth. Nya looked up to face her sister.
"Is she going to be alright?" Nya gestured with her hands.
Nadia looked away. Not knowing what to say.
"I think so." She asked conflicted. "Mom and dad said she might make it."
Nya looked back down to the jungle floor far below them both in sorrow. "I hope she does. She gestured before rubbing her hands together for warmth. "I like her"
"Yea..me too." Smiled Nadia. The two allowed a brief faint hug as they looked out into the open countryside stretching for miles. With faint lines of smoke billowing in the distance. Other houses.
No.
Other innocent families who hadn't been so fortunate as themselves.
Nadia gripped her bow tighter in anger at the view. She wanted to help. But knew she would only endanger her current family she was all too lucky to still have beside her breathing.
Instead she just stared in silence for hours. Watching as an invader continued setting her home ablaze for their own pleasures and personal gain. Somehow thinking they were entitled to these lands. This was a game for them. A game that Nadia prayed her family would not lose. Nothing would ever be the same again.
She heard the blanket divider being parted as father slowly emerged with his head lowered and covered in blood to collapse atop the rocky wall in silence. Naida gently shifted aside in the tree to allow her sister to continue resting.
Nadia removed a single silk strand from behind and propelled herself down from the tree to the jungle floor to rush over to father.
"Is she....?" Nadia asked hesitantly as she approached. Staring up and down at her father's bloodied hands beginning to calm down from shaking.
"Yes..,she'll live." Father breathed aloud heavily. Wiping his forehead of sweat. "You're mother is caring for her right now while she rests. When she wakes please don't trouble her. She'll need rest.
"Lots of it by the looks of it."
Nadia slowly sat down beside her father and hugged him for all his hard work. He chuckled nervously. To Nadia's surprise he didn't hug back. Only patting her hand in gratitude before standing up exhausted to go back inside to be with mother.
"Nadia now sat alone in the hidden grove with her back slumped against an ancient slab of rock not knowing what the future would hold for her and her family. Her eye's turned their gaze over toward the tank that had tormented them just hours earlier now parked by the tree hidden in shrubbery. Father had managed to figure out to how to drive it albeit with some fear at firing it unintenatly. He had driven it and them far away from their home with a few of their valued belongings tied to the back. Not by their own hand though. Nadia chuckled.
The Savanese had looted their house of all it's treasures and fabrics they deemed of some use and placed them in the back of the tank hoping to have traded them in for later wealth. They had unintentionally saved most of their old life and given them a slim chance at rebuilding their future. For that, Naida was somewhat grateful for their greed.
Nadia walked over to the shimmering metal creation. Nadia thought it was strangely beautiful and terrifying at the same time. Just earlier it had been a frightening beast that prowled their homeland destroying anything in it's path. Only now the beast was fast asleep. Serving them instead.
Nadia climbed atop the massive tank, her feet making a series of clanks as they walked along and up the gold and metal plating of the large scorpion.
Placed on the top of the hull were the injured soldiers rifle and gear that father had recovered for her. Having a feeling she would need it later. Nadia approached and looked at the rifle beneath her.
She reached out and picked it up with all of her arms. It was heavy. Very heavy. Although it was battered and scratched. It was still incredible. Detailed ornamentation resembling swirling ocean waves were indented on each of its sides with shinning bronze and brown leather acting as a comfortable handle. As she continued inspecting the weapon fascinated. Something caught her eye resting under the soldier's ruined uniform.
Nadia couldn't help but stare intrigued and placed the rifle back down. She reached over under the pile of bloodied cloths and felt something metallic in her palm. She slowly pulled back her hand unable to wait any longer.
She had never seen anything like it.
Although what it was she couldn't quite figure out yet. It was made of gold and old bronze. It looked to be some sort of handle to something.
Inside the transparent grip of hardened swirling glass acting as a container, Nadia could see a little bit of water rocking back and forth as she tilted the handle around. Was it some sort of fancy cup?
Her finger followed the handle until it stopped at the top just under the golden guard resembling a sea shell. She felt an outdent that broke the smooth swirling pattern of the grip. She pressed her finger against the notch not expecting anything to happen.
A rush of glowing water instantly shot up to form in front of her face. Making a loud WSHH sound. Nadia darted her head back frightened. But still she would not let go. Her eye's gazed up and down the stream of water utterly transfixed as it illuminated her dumbstruck face in the dark.
It was a sword.
Whoever this soldier was. She certainly had a story to tell.
And one that Nadia couldn't wait to hear when she awakens.