I just finished two sculptures within a span of one week. One for a wealthy merchant and one for display, I couldn't get any more prouder of myself. Today is going to be a peaceful day, at least that's what I thought. I'm not expecting anything interesting to happen, just sitting inside my shed, facing my art works and sipping tea while staring outside the window next to me. This kind of activity makes me feel contented and happy. Although my shed has already started decomposing itself, I still like it. Not just because it's far from the other houses but also because at the back of this place, is a river and a forest which I enjoy watching after one whole day of carving woods.
Which now that I think of it, is actually a very difficult job. So sometimes, I just wish that I could get more money out of what I do so I can afford buying clay, but sadly I'm not that known yet which means that the payment for my sculpting services is low, only enough to last for a few weeks or so. Thankfully, I live alone so fortunately, I can still make ends meet. I was born in . . . well, believe it or not I don't know where or when I was born. I don't even know who my real parents are because they abandoned me. The woman who raised me, who's known as Linda the animal sculptor found me at the village entrance inside a basket full of carrots with a black silk blanket covering me. She once told me that maybe my parents were one of those poor people who couldn't afford raising a child that's why they left me. I knew she was trying to comfort me but I didn't really care about my parents, and I still don't. What's important is that I had Mama Linda by my side who loved me dearly. But that was until I turned ten, she passed away without warning. After that, at the age of eleven I had to work and fend for myself in order to live.
I was thinking of my entire life story when I was suddenly pulled out of my reverie by a loud bang on the door. I hurriedly stood up from my wooden chair then I made my way towards the door to open it.
"Good afternoon Sir." I greeted once I opened the door. "Is there anything I can do?" I asked politely. There were people wearing the same uniforms, some were on horses while some were just standing. The man in front of me, was obviously a high ranking official from the northern kingdom. He wore a blank face with his right hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
"Are you the Lewd Sculptor?" He directly asked in a demanding tone. I stepped back in surprise, feeling my blood immediately freeze. This was what Jin told me about days ago. Are they going to arrest me? Hang me? Why are they here? I started panicking as my mind raced to no end.
"I-uhh . . . ahm no Sir." I stuttered as I looked up at the man's towering form. He scoffed clearly not believing me. He looked at me head to toe before harshly shoving me out of his way and going inside the shed. The force was so strong that I ended up on the ground, my face landing on the dirt path, resulting me to accidentally eat some soil. I brought myself to my knees with both my hands as support before I started spitting out in disgust. Suddenly, before I could even compose myself, two different hands pulled me harshly by the arm.
"Stand up you lousy bitch!" The one to my right hissed, his spit flying to my face as I supressed a grimace. I averted my gaze towards the shed's door, there I saw the man who went in, come out with a glare directed towards me. And before I could even blink, his fist already connected with my stomach. The impact making me cough in pain.
"Liar!" He glowered.
"He's the sculptor." He stated, giving me an angry looking side glance. "Tie him to the horse and bring the statues."
"No!" I protested. "Not my sculptures!" I yelled. "Please I'm begging you! I'll ask for permit, I'll pay higher taxes if I have to! Just please let me go-ahh!" A hard slap was given to me. I looked at the man wide eyed, tears spilling from my eyes.
"Shut it boy! Or else I'll cut your tongue." He threatened holding my jaw tightly. "Now get him out of my face!" He ordered to which his men immediately followed. Four men came to me, all looking as if they've seen things that they shouldn't have due to their dark and scarred faces. One grabbed me by the elbow while the other trailed behind as I was placed on top of the horse. My hands were tied to my back, and my body to the horse. The rope were so tight that I just know that it was going to leave a mark on my skin.
All this happened while I was crying silently and regretting the fact that I didn't listen to Jin. He was right. I should've sold all my statues while there was time and made new ones that were not perverted and sexual. I should've listened to him! Maybe I would've been able to prevent this from happening! How stupid could I get?
With me bound to the four legged animal, I looked behind me. I saw villagers crowding around and looking at me with sympathy as if it was their way of telling me how much they wanted to help but couldn't.
That was the last thing I saw together with my art works being taken out. Then someone gave my head a hard blow resulting my sight to instantly turn black.
***TIME SKIP***
When I woke up I almost screamed because I wasn't in my shed. But when I remembered what happened to me, I calmed down . . . kind of. I'm still nervous deep inside but I'm trying not to freak out, afraid that someone might knock my head off again.
I sat properly on the horse then I started roaming my eyes.
My lips parted in awe. This place we were currently at, is nothing close to my village or even my kingdom. My kingdom is mostly surrounded by trees and dirt paths but this? This place is so well-built. The paths were made of cobblestones, each spot my eyes fell on were shops designed to impress, the things hanging outside them were a sight to see. Whether it be food, merchandise, furniture, beverages, paintings, clothing and many more. All were equally pleasing to the eye resulting people dressed neatly and expensively to rush towards them with their servants trailing behind.
As I continued watching the places we passed by, I started forgetting that my life was at stake, enjoying myself even though people were staring at my direction. I ignored every negative thing around me. I ignored them all as if I was just a normal tourist exploring a foreign land, but that was until the horse came to a halt that I came back to reality. The reality that's telling me that soon I will be nothing but a dead body.
I looked in front of me, there I saw a red gate with golden intricate patterns on them. It stood high and mighty, I'm guessing ten times taller than me. Worry started consuming me so I looked back to wear we came from, I shouldn't have. The shops and the beautiful things I saw earlier were still there, except that I just now realized that I wasn't the only person the soldiers captured. There were a lot of other people too. Men and women, young and old. They were with me all this time and I didn't even noticed. And unlike me, they weren't riding on horses or tied by a rope. They were walking barefoot with their hands chained in front of them. Their feet were filled with splinters from walking, this sight made me feel as if all my blood were drained. I looked around, and the fact that I was the only captured person who was riding a horse, made me hurl.
Why? Why just me? How about these poor people? I felt like crying for them but I was so dehydrated that no tears came out of my eyes.
"Dirt bags!" The high ranking man from when I was arrested shouted. All head turned towards him including mine. The wide grin on his face, was so unsettling that a shiver ran down my spine.
"Look around you one last time . . . " He paused. ". . .because this will be the last time you'll be seeing the outside world peasants!" he added as I gulped in fear.
Either they take my freedom or my life.