Tales of Aranth: The Girl and The General

Chapter 9

The farther I go, the taller and dirtier the houses are. Some side streets are so narrow, that no sunlight can reach the ground. I guess the nearer to the small city walls, the poorer the inhabitants are and the less value the ground has. No wonder, who would like to live in a place that is first to be raided by the enemy. 

I already went 3 crossings and there is a fourth one. I turn right, just as the bun lady said. She also said that there will be a square, but there is none, only the long narrow, and dark street. It is past noon, so it was empty, all people are at work. Or sleeping after the night shift. I decide to go a bit farther and find someone I could ask for directions.

When I finally see someone, I have to gather all my strength not to turn around and run away from them. There were three of them, sitting on a curb, all big, with angry expressions on their dirty faces. How did Alarana survive in such a place?

They get up as I approach them. I’m not short, but they are much bigger than I.

“What have we here,” says the biggest one, with messy dark hair and dirty skin. “Soldier, soldier, what are you doing here?”

“Ummm, I’m looking for a friend’s house.” Something tells me that it is better not to tell them any names.

“A friend?” They burst into a hideous laugh. “You are lying, no one from here would like to be friends with a soldier.”

They circle me and I can’t do anything with it. There is no one else on the street and even if there was anybody, I doubt they would help me. They'd probably join my stalkers or simply run away.

I brace myself for whatever is coming, but then the biggest approaches me so closely that I can smell rotten stench of decayed teeth mixed with digested alcohol coming from his mouth, and says:

“But I could be your friend. If you are friendly enough for me and my friends.” And he touches my chin with his dirty hand, I panic. A pure, unstoppable panic flows in my body, making something inside stir and rise and blow outside through my skin. The thugs get tossed aside like puppets. I should run away when they are in shock, but I can’t. I’m stuck to the ground and can’t move.

The biggest one is the first one to get up.

“You little slut,” he yells. “We gave you chance to make friends. But a soldier slut doesn’t want to be friends with us, hard-working commoners.” He grabs my arm and starts dragging me into a dark gate. This time nothing rises and blows. I’m petrified with fear and the awareness of what is inevitably going to happen to me. He pushes me into a wall and starts pulling my shirt off my pants. I twist in the inside on the thought that his hands will be touching my bare skin. I want to throw up.

“You, stop right now!” I hear an unknown voice. “Leave the girl!”

To my surprise, the thug steps from me. Released from his grip, I slowly slide down the wall.

“Kartan,” he says. “Is she yours? I didn’t know. Sorry.”

“Not mine, but Evor wishes her to be safe here.”

“Evor? Is he alive?” The thug asks, with his voice almost polite.

“Alive, back and saying that this one is under his protection.”

“So we will go now,” says the thug.

“Yes, go,” says Kartan without looking at them. He turns to me and pulls me from the ground.

“Get your grip, girl.”

“Who are you?” I say with a trembling voice.

“Kartan Evor's right hand.' He says this with genuine pride. "Evor sends his greetings. Says it was rude of you not to say goodbye. But he understands and won't hold it against you.” He looks at me and shakes the dust from my clothes. He is tall but strongly built. He tries to copy Evor’s style, but he visibly is a different person. I can tell that they respect Evor, but are afraid of Kartan. No wonder. He looks like those thugs, only much cleaner.

“Thank you,” he says suddenly.

“What?” I mutter.

“For Evor. I spoke to him and he told me that you helped him. I'm grateful, I value him. This district values him.”

“Well, did you find a mage?” I ask.

“Mage? What for?”

“For Evor. Someone told me he won’t make it without a mage.”

“There was no need. They say his condition is improving. He will be released in days.” He grabs my backpack. “So, Mia, what were you doing here?”

“A friend of mine lives on Copper Street,” I say.

“You went the wrong way at the crossing. You look lost, I will lead you.”

I stand up on my shaky legs, still distressed.

“I will take your pack,” he says looking at me critically. We walk in silence until we reach the market. It’s like a peaceful island on the stormy sea. It doesn’t look wealthy, no, but it’s clean and neat, there is even a small lawn, where little children play. 

“How did you find me?” I ask finally.

“I didn’t,” he answers. “I mean I wasn't looking for you. It was a pure coincidence. “I just spoke with Evor and headed to my other businesses when I bumped into you.”

“How did you know it was me?”

“Tell me, how many girls in soldier clothes, with a bandage on their heads and waistlong hair, can rumble in the worse part of the Fourth, where no soldier goes willingly like they were taking the air?” I look at him. “He told me you may get lost here.”

“How did he know?” I ask.

“He knows people just by looking at them. Now, you are safe, I will leave you.” He turns back and walks away.

What is with men in this world? Why do they never say goodbye properly? Maybe it was dramatic and building some tension in the book but in the real-life, it’s just rude.