The memories continued their deadly mission. The corridor was filled and overrun. Different memories flashed through her mind. Spiraling and swirling before pushed by another. Haze after haze drenched her in the familiar shadows of the past. She could feel her body jerking from side to side. Her eyes clenched shut, despite wanting out, the terror coursing through her remained bottled up. It bounced through every fibre, filling every neurone.
She felt someone gently shake her. That was all it took. She jolted awake, her back bone-straight. Suddenly, series of pain flagged her senses before she could register the atmosphere of her surroundings. She hissed, ignoring the shuffling that resounded around her. Various eruptions of different magnitudes alighted her body, leaving her bent with her eyes shut from the pain.
Someone guided their hands onto her head. A pulsing throb echoed at the sudden emptiness of the corridor of her mind. She wanted to slap the hand away but she felt too weak to. She was pushed down to her former position. Her eyes remained shut, her surroundings too disoriented. Not longer after, something hard pushed against her mouth. She felt a hand open her mouth gently. A thick viscous liquid soon slid down her tongue. On instinct, she swallowed it and the non blistering sensation followed down her throat. Before a few minutes passed, she felt the weariness kick in once again. The pain suddenly drooped back slightly. Soon she was falling into a memory-less sleep.
***
The voices were loud, breaking into her trance of sleep. The headache returned. She cracked her eyes open lightly. Everything shifted and pulsed uncomfortably. Her head pounded gently in the background. She had to blink a couple of times before everything aligned. She could still hear the voices, much clearer but still couldnt wrap her head around what they were saying.
She pushed down on the bed with her hands. Suddenly, she felt all the weight of bandages around her. She managed to push herself off the bed without falling. Her legs were sprawled over the white linen. Bandages with green marks or some entirely green covered different parts of her body.
She felt light jabs of pain from different places but overall it was nothing she couldnt handle. She took a look around. She was in a small section, two large curtains, the same length and distance apart hung from a rack pinned to the ceiling. They were a greyish white with the heavy looking material just hovering a little above the dirty brown floor. The ceiling was as brown as the floor, leaving her now functioning nostrils with an earthy smell. The moss crawled about the ground leaving the tint of green mixed in with the ground. She recognized this place to once again be the healer's hut. The heavy smell of herb gave its self away. She almost gagged.
She raised her hand and winced from the prickles of needles on her hands. She looked down. A couple of baskets filled with bread and some cookies lay beside the low and narrow bed. Before she could think, the sound of shuffling and footsteps deterred her. Ahead the curtained little chamber, a narrow passage ran down. Alia appeared with another man she didnt really recognize, she frowned deeply.
Her face turned to one of surprise before she rushed to her. Her body slid past the curtains that just swung back to her sudden presence. She wrapped her arms around Maya tightly, she felt her body tremble at the physical contact. She pushed herself away, already remembering her rule. No hugs.
"How are you feeling?"
"Haven't felt better in years." She didn't know why but her heart felt heavy. Alia wanted to say more when a grunt from the passage sounded. They both turned to the short man whom stood there with his hazel eyes watching them in irritation.
"Maya. Council office. Now." Her brows furrowed in confusion. Suddenly, all the events from the previous day crashed back on her. She crouched back, her limbs shaking. Everything sent shock waves and different emotions tossing through her. But before she could mellow down in the realization of this news, she felt her body being dragged up roughly. A heavy set man in white pulled her up against Alias protest. Standing on her two feet, she felt her vision wobble as well as her limbs.
"Carry her to the council office. She doesn't look like she can make it herself." The man swung her over his back. Pain rippled down her torso at the muscle poking through the clean linen and the clothing she had on. Her body shook as the man trampled away.
They reached the place, one of the few buildings across the Central Walkway, where the statue stood under the sun. Unlike the other buildings, it was wider than it was high. the walkway sloped down the clean cut grass that was dampened by dew. The sun barely showed its face, the cooler surroundings a testimony to its absence. The building was made of stone splattered brown by the mud. The same stone walls encircled the building. They reached the end of the stone walkway that bopped up and down before reaching the door. The pain from being on this mans back had all her attention.
There was no door so they walked inside. The surrounding chatter died down simultaneously. Her body slightly hopped as the man stomped. His loud footsteps being the only indication of life. He reached a chair that stood afar off that had a white plush pillow and a lower similar looking stool was in front of it. He dropped her down roughly before turning away.
She felt different pangs from her sides. She stretched her hands, closing her eyes trying to shift her discomforted and pained joints back. She rolled her shoulders as much as she could get for now. She opened her eyes once again. The dark floor had a honey brown tone that seemed to sparkle under the flame of the torch that stood at the centre of the room. After a little distance, a table almost circled the torch, save for a little gap. The council. Older and younger looking people sat around the table, now talking in low tones. A familiar pang struck her at newly discovered secret. At the centre of the table, a bigger chair stood compared to the others. He tilted his head back to talk to Diane's father that flanked his right and an elder that flanked his left. The far off corners had two miniature statues of the supreme leader.
Beside the one at the left lay a small shelf with ancient tomes that were neatly arranged into it. A flag, very similar to Centrals stood a little distance away from the shelf. The only difference was that where an owl was encircled by yellow, a crow stood in its stead. In answer, a small pole with branches jutting out of the sides lay beside it, a crow was perched on it. It cawed and flapped its wings. The weakest of the birds of the eight isles. It represented loss and ill omen, the embodiment of their isle. The torch wilted at the wind that blew from the large and almost latched windows that was directly behind the king. It stretched from the ceiling and almost touched the floor. Maya could see the passerbys look in the direction of the council office before looking away.
He barely took a glance at her. She heard the light chatter to her left and finally noticed the crowd. Mostly teenagers and the trainers. Ajax was in their midst with two of her other fellow wranglers that she'd beaten. She also spotted Diane and Amelia whom currently made their way to her from the crowd.
"Areyouokay?youlookunwell.Haveyoubeentothehealers?" She said quickly, Maya barely caught onto anything she said. Diane sighed, a bright blue gown once again hugged her slim frame.
"Though, Amelia is right, are you alright? We were distressed by the news of what had happened and we weren't allowed entry to the healer's hut." She felt fresh waves of rage and sadness burst through her. She clenched her shaking fists, reminding herself it was a normal occurrence for her. She deserved to suffer. The words echoed deep from a memory. She pushed it away quickly, not allowing herself to fall through it.
"I'm touched by your seeming interest in my unworthy self. I hope it didn't take too much time of your schedule. Distressing about me would be very very time-wasting. Don't you think?" Amelia laughed and Diane's face remained passive but her eyes twitched in annoyance before a small smile flicked her lips upwards.
"I- "The loud sound of footsteps interrupted Amelia. The men from yesterday still in the same clothes flanked Cabinet Representative Tarrick. They saluted and announced his presence and stalked off one again, leaving as soon as they came.
Her stomach plummeted. The familiar rise of panic and confusion swept up her. She kept it in, leashing her emotions to avoid another melt down. But how long could she take this, being in the same place with the one whod caused her so much misery. She distracted herself and watched the Cabinet Representative. The adults still sported almost the same look of yesterday but it was more masked and concealed.
He had his hands behind his back. Another similar looking vest covered his torso, underneath it lay a white shirt. His cold eyes looked around the now seated people, watching them passively. Small grunts and awkward shuffles spoke from the people at her left. The atmosphere was soon clouded with an unsaid tension.
"As you all know," His tone was firm and hard, his voice boomed the silent hall. "The festival of life is held every five years and only two years and a few months remain until that occurs. And preceding the event, six teenagers from each of the seven isles, including Central, will be selected to participate in each of the six major arts; wrangling, healing, archery, taming, tailoring and jewellery making. These teenagers would learn under the best of the artisans and trainers in the world at the Central isle. After the two years, not long after the festival of life would take place. During the week long festival, they would compete among themselves in an attempt to win and be able to work and live in the most prestigious and dignified isle in the world. And not only that, you could indirectly say it's a game between isles to determine which is better." There was silence. He watched them all with a passive gaze.
"As the only cabinet representative of this isle and this being the first time the Western Isle will participate in this event, I have been tasked to bring the chosen six from this isle to the Central Isle." He cleared his throat as he paced, the clip clop of his shoes accompanying his words. He turned to the group of teenagers and adults sharply.
"By normal standards, the chosen six should have been readily selected and made known to the other islians. But, as it is, your council members were furious as to some of representatives. So, to ease this matter, I made sure they set up this meet so as to finalize these plans hastily and move quickly. After all, judging by the almost absence of strong winds and currents in the dead sea, it would take us two months and a few weeks to get to the Central isle." He held Maya's gaze for a few seconds. Her stomach churned, the questions of that day still resounding within her. She finally noticed a parchment in his hand which he now watched keenly.
"So, three of the best of each of the trade with your trainers were called upon. So I want you all to separate yourselves into the six trades wherein you fall, as a trainer or the student. I will call each of the first drafted representatives and the trade so any arguments for and against from the council, trainers or even the other teenagers themselves is permitted. Am I clear?" Small mumbles of yes flooded through Maya's ears. As he said, they divided into the six groups. Ajax and the two others made their way to Maya. One of the boys almost reached Ajax's height even though his shoulders sagged. His pale skin accompanied with his pale brown eyes and dark hair made him less than extraordinary. The other smirked at Maya, his brown eyes glistening as well as his sandy brown hair.
"I see they've finally realized how bad it was an idea to even allow the prospect of you representing this wonderful isle."
"I beat you unconscious or did you forget? If you did, I'd be happy to remind you." He snorted.
"I can't stoop so low to beat a woman I found half dead a few days ago. Unlike you, I have- " Ajax cut them off with a stern look. He focused his attention back to the front. Cabinet representative Tarrick watched them all and a pin drop silence soon echoed around the room.
"Diane Harred, representative of the healing category. Any objections?" None surfaced.
"Eric Vlod, representative of the taming category. Any objections?" None surfaced. He looked back to the parchment.
"Amelia Basilweather, representative of the tailoring category. Any objections?" None surfaced.
"Felix Dior, representative of the archery category. Any objections?" None surfaced.
"Agatha Dior, representative of the jewellery making category. Any objections?" Maya felt an unsaid tension suddenly. She knew in fact she was next. She soon realized she was the reason this whole meeting had been called up. The others glanced at her. Some gave her pitying stares, the rest just gave her annoyed looks. Dread clawed at her belly, knowing fully well she wouldn't like this at all.
"And Maya Clover, representative of the wrangling category. Any objections?" Suddenly the hands of virtually all the council members rose up in the air. She looked to her side, some others had their hands up too. Cabinet representative Tarrick turned to the set of hands raised by the teenagers. He surveyed them all, as if gauging whom would say something worthwhile. He turned to Gunther, the boy whom stood beside Maya.
"You?" He nodded towards him. He immediately cleared his throat.
"Well I believe she shouldn't go because she isn't good enough-"
"That is hardly an argument to begin with. She beat you in the qualifiers, did she not?"
"See, that was a fluke-"
"Only a failure would give such a useless excuse. She beat you once, don't damage your....pride even further by requesting a rematch." Maya snorted. The older council members including the king narrowed their eyes, the younger council members merely laughed. The hands rose up in the air again and he watched them all, gauging them once again. He motioned to the young man that was seated at the edge of the council table. His bald head glinted slightly as he rose up and his chair shuffled backwards.
"um," He started nervously, rubbing his head. "The thing is Mayas well as you can see. um a girl and so um-"
"Get to the point or be quiet!" He cut him off loudly. His piercing gaze made him chuckle nervously.
"She's a girl. And I am very sure girls are not meant to wrangle."
"I can assure you that even though the rest of the nobles would abhor this obscenity, it is not forbidden. And then again by the looks of it, your replacements for her stands no chance against her talk-less of the rest of the competition. If you all want to bring some sort of recognition to your isle, you must deposit your best. And if she is your best chance, it would do you all well to seize it.";The king suddenly rose up from his table.
"Out! All of you!" He roared, startling the crowd. His hands pointed at the group of teenagers and their teachers. His eyes were livid. They walked out quickly, their confused whispers and footsteps echoing in the silence of the room. Maya made a move to stand up despite the prickling pain running down her limbs. She had no intention of been here any longer.
"Maya remain!" The king bellowed also. The voice sent shudders down her spine. She felt a rage so hot burn in her belly. She had no reason to listen to him. She would have walked out all the same if she could walk. She looked down at the bandages and felt the memories file down the corridor. She blinked away the tension, turning her focus to the room. Her stomach plummeted once again.
"I know what you're trying to do."The king hissed, his knuckles pressed down on the table. His cheeks were flushed, his back hunched. The other council members watched him, most with narrowed and hard gazes. Cabinet representative Tarrick returned his stare with a raised eyebrow. His eyes were an entirely different story.
"And your plans won't work." The king added soon after. Tarrick's eyebrows raised slightly again.
"I don't recall ever letting you in on this nefarious agenda that you all keep talking about." The clip clop of his shoes continued.
"Unlike your peanut brain we can see right through your lies." A man cut in. His thin lips was twisted into a snarl. Thinning white hair tumbled down his neck, rough and sickly. His lips twisted up slightly revealing coffee coloured crooked teeth. Maya shuddered from where she watched. Elder Finn. Tarrick watched him in his usual disinterest.
"First of all, your insistence on keeping childhood grudges is rather baffling to be honest." He raised his hand. The man's face reddened. He banged his fist on the table.
"I d-"
"I see throwing mindless tantrums has become a way of life here." He was met with heated stares that seemed as though they could press through his very soul.
"And I see you are still the selfish brat that you are." A woman far across him hissed. The mole on her cheek lobed as she spat. Tarrick sighed.
"We have all had this bits of conversation already."
"But that doesn't make it any less true."
"Or make you any less of the traitor you are."
"Disgusting scumbag."
Voices from different directions flung insult save from three others that watched in confusion. They pounded at him in different ways but he didnt flinch in the slightest. The king raised a hand again. They all became silent.
"Safe to say, the answer to your unsaid question despite the validity of any counterargument you make, is that Maya will not be apart of your chosen six." Tarrick raised a brow again. A different story unfolded in his crusty blue eyes.
"And why is that? You do know that you are throwing away your chances of winning against the other isles by deciding that." The king's nostrils flared again. He hammered down on the table. The torch wilted.
"You know, we all know, that your insistence has nothing to do with that."
"So you are some kind of mind reader to think not."
"I've known you well enough to know that this has nothing to do with it," his breaths were heavy and laboured. Tarrick watched his frame in mild interest.
"Maya will not be going with you anywhere. She will stay in this isle." His voice rose. Maya watched the man in both confusion and anger.
"Is she not the one that is to decide that?"
"I know what's best for her! And I know that she will stay with us and Gunther will take her place."
"Dimming your chances at a bright future, how predictable. If I had been your father, I'd be rolling in the grave at your incompetence."
"Do. Not. Speak. Of. Him."
"The past is in the past. Boy, put yourself together."
"You're a terrible human being."
"And you are not? You're hypocrisy is rather amusing but," He turned, eyeing him. "Discussing things of the past is more time-wasting than that of childhood grudges."
"You're despicable."
"This," Tarrick motioned around the meeting of people. "Is despicable. Maya?" He finally turned to her. All their stares flickered to her. The hate. Disgust. She felt her stomach tighten. Tarrick walked to her, his shoes clipping against the floor.
"You alone should decide what-"
"Her decision has already been made! She will not be allowed to go!" The king shouted, leaving his chair. It scraped against the wooden floor, gritting as it went. He pounded towards them, his hands flailing.
"Her decision is hers alone to make. She alone can decide." Tarrick said. His eyes held a coldness that held no bounds. The heat of her anger pulsed off her. The king, now near centimeters away from her brought back every foul voice and memory. The hollow cloud escaped its locked cage, laughing wickedly at her.
"She is my daughter- "
"What do you take me for?" Her voice came out more quiet than she had expected. A desperate sadness clung to her chest. The heaviness wore her down. The king swiveled to her, his nostrils flared. Similar to all the times he had hit her. She moistened her lips.
"Excuse me?"
"I know I'm not your child." For once in her entire life, his eyes looked down on her without resentment. Something so close to guilt flickered in his eyes. The room stilled. Tarrick watched them with the hint of excitement skittering past his cold and sullen look. Her heart reined in all the emotions behind the memories.
"I-"
"I accept to go." She said, pressing down the tremble from a memory. She turned to Tarrick. She nodded at him, despite feeling her heart gasp for breath at the overload.
"You are not leaving!" Her body shook. Anger swam through her. She felt all the fiery hot rage file into her core.
"Isn't that what you've always wanted?" Her chest hissed at the pain from the memory.
"You-"
"I thought you wanted nothing to do with me!" Her breathing hitched. A fire crawled down her consciousness. The tension clouded the atmosphere. She breathed in, railing the gourmet of words that were ready at the tip of her tongue. She heaved despite the pain of her limbs.
"You are not my father. You have no control over me." With each word, she rose from the chair. Pain thrust through her but she kept rising. Soon, she was a few steps away from the man. His eyes were livid at the defiance.
"I will go to Central." She completed simply. The king raised a hand. On childish instinct, she flinched and closed her eyes. No sting came. She opened her eyes. His hands were in front of her, waggling his finger wildly.
"I will not allow any more mistakes to befall the people of this isle," His eyes grew distant. They suddenly snapped back to reality.
"If you go off to Central. You will banished from this isle and never be allowed to step foot into it again!"
I want to thank God for giving me the Grace to write this. Maya is going through a lot presently. Anyway, if you liked it, vote and comment.