Curse Of The Dragon

I am leaving

“How are you doing now?” Grandmother asked. It’s been four days and my fever wasn’t coming down leaving me very weak with each passing day.

“I don’t know. I think I will die.” I whispered while she held a wet cloth on my cheeks.

“No, you won’t. Don’t be so weak.” She said and Zora helped me to sit.

“Any news on Dogan?” I asked as she held soup to my mouth. I don’t know but I didn’t want to do this without him. I wanted him beside me to get me through this.

“It is better if you don’t think about him much. He won’t return before long and getting attached to him will only make you worse.” For many times I wanted to ask them where exactly in the north he went but the answer was always the same. To the north borders.

“It’s exactly how you told us to make it. I was wondering if we can call a friend of yours here. She must know how to make the food you like.”

“No,…I will eat anything. I assure you.” I replied not wanting them to take anyone from Saka’s tribe here.

“Any idea how long it will continue?” I asked to which she told me one more time. “It gets better in three days. I don’t know why it is taking so long this time.” Saying this she came to sit beside me on my bed and grazed her hand on my head. “I am so sorry that you have to get through all of this. But don’t get worried, six months will pass before you even know.” I only got to know two days ago that pregnancy lasts for only six months and I swear I can’t complain.

It was on the eighth day when I didn’t wake up with a fever. And, the herbs they brought from four days afar were the reason. The medicine really suits me.

“You seem active today. May the dragons bless you,” Zora whispered while dressing me and soon granny entered. She was graceful and though she had grey hair in her head her face didn’t seem to age from when she must be forty.

“My peace…” She called me. She called me this a lot and it seems you call your beloved like this.

“Today, we will eat together.” She took me outside to where mother’s chamber was. Outside the mother’s chamber, we had a beautiful terrace again carved in the mountain. It had the perfect light and it seemed that they prepared the food with more enthusiasm today.

“I am so happy that you pulled through it.” His mother commented and asked Zora to fill my plate again. I can’t complain. I actually wanted a refill.

“She remained sick for seven days…it is a very good number,” Grandmother commented while I was accustomed to their talk by now.

“You are right. I can’t wait to hold him in my hands. And, then…his brothers. Shia! I have made some outfits for him. I hope you have a look and if you want you can do some alterations.” Mother asked me and I nodded my head.

“Don’t get her into this too soon. Shia…why don’t you go back to your room and rest for some more days.”

“Elder…Raheek has sent some gifts for the queen. They were supposed to be sent the day she recovers from the initial fever.” This made both elders look at their back and then look at each other.

“What happened?” I asked making them look at me.

“Nothing, we thought we won’t receive any more gifts after not choosing any girl from the Taseen tribe but it is…” Grandmother was still speaking when the mother cut off.

“…amazing. It shows their ties with us are unconditional. I know Raheek better. He…loves Dogan the most. Of course, he is very excited for him.”

“Can I take a look at the gifts?” I wonder what kind of gifts these must be. This made the grandmother smile.

“Of course, I will send them all to your room…” She was still talking but stopped looking at the maid coming in. I recalled this maid to be the same one who came bearing the news about the witch.

That maid didn’t speak anything and the mother excused herself before leaving. I could tell they were not sharing this specific news to not get me affected but if I had decided to stay here I had to know.

“Is it about the witch?” This made grandmother’s expression very sore.

“Why you have to mention that wretch on the breakfast table? And…Shia…don’t you dare say the word when you are in these days. It won’t have a good effect on your health.” I don’t know why but looking at maids around us while I got the bashing like a kid shrinks my heart. But it was too soon to use my authority. I knew too little what the norms here were but from Tiara, I knew that witches could be very much like us. I wonder what kind of crime that witch has committed to getting capital punishment.

I went to my room and waited until Zora came in with the gifts. I was given four women at my service and Zora was the head.

“Zora…can you tell me what crime that witch has committed?” My question made her eyes widened. She stared at me for a few minutes before asking. “They don’t kill witches at your place?” Of course, my mind was quick to get what she meant. Witches are killed here just because they were witches.

“Of course, they do…I was just asking…why we have to kill witches. Haven’t you wondered? What if they have some good ones too?”

“No…once they form coven they try to annihilate everything. Their knowledge is very powerful and…even the person who is suspected to learn things from witches should be killed. We never know what havoc that knowledge will create.” I looked at her dumbfounded. These people were too stupid. Can’t they see that knowledge was the very reason that they had the decency to talk, to cook and to cloth? Wasn’t this knowledge? But then I realized what kind of knowledge she was talking about. Magic.

“But…what if we can take advantage from that knowledge…to learn about…things we can’t understand.”

“How anything good can come from their knowledge? They are always the bad news bearer.” I knew I was freaking her out at this point and had to make sure she doesn’t tell anyone about this.

“Can you keep this thing a secret between us? You have seen how much elder…”

“Don’t worry Queen. Your secrets are always safe with me.” She spoke and left. There wasn’t much excitement to look at the gifts now. I grazed my hand on my belly. We were at the same place and in the same situation. I was being protected to the extent that they don’t think I should hear about any cursed thing while on the other side that woman knows for sure that she will be killed no matter what after she delivers. I don’t know why but my heart reaches for that woman. I wish I could return the favour to a witch. One of them was the reason that I was here to change my cursed destiny.

Three more days passed and I tried my best to look where that witch was but the feat was impossible given I can’t even say that word. But the only thing I could do so far was to spend more time with his mother to get my ears on anything at all.

It was after five more days. My belly was growing faster than any woman in my time. I had a proud small bump and was happy given I will have someone to take care of. I couldn't help but recall how much good his arms can make me. I wanted those arms. I wanted him. And, even the thought that I had to wait for him for years was enough to unsettle me.

At times, I wonder if Tiara was still waiting for me. But if I could help this witch out I can ask her to pass the message to Tiara.

It was in the afternoon and I was called to mother’s chamber but this time what I was welcomed with were frowns and silent mouths. It never happened before so it got me a little worried. “Is something wrong?” I asked making my way in.

They both remain silent before grandmother started. “It is about your tribe.” Somehow, I recalled that tribe got destroyed when Shia’s belly was exactly this much.

“Are they fine?” I was horrified. I didn’t want it to happen now. It shouldn’t happen now. The future should be different.

“Didn’t I tell you? Of course, she would care more about her tribe.” This is when I noticed Raheek’s wife in the room.

“What happened?” I asked again.

“My Queen, we get it that your tribe is famous for getting their daughters to the high but they must have thought thousands of times before getting their daughter married to someone we don’t like.” Raheek's wife almost hissed.

“Shia…it is obvious that the Saka tribe can never be as same as Taseen. We have some morals than to sell our daughters. But…this is insane. It is huge below to our palace.” His mother added,

“What…is going on?” I had to ask.

“You will be sent with fifty guards and you will stop this bond at any cost. If they ever give their daughter’s hand to Bora we will sever our ties…and, you will never be able to see your granny or your chief…”

“They better call that Bora to their help then…but I doubt if your queen will be fine with this.” Raheek's wife spoke. I wonder why mother and granny fail to look at how she was trying to cause the situation. Just because she was from the Taseen tribe she was always given the way out.

“I don’t know what you people are talking about…but if you think I should go and talk to them…I will go…and, one more thing,” I said before looking at Raheek’s wife. “If they do anything that damages our reputation I will never see them.” This did get them in shock but the granny was first to react.

“I knew I have chosen the right queen for our palace.”

I got back to my room and Zora came to help me with the travel for tomorrow.

“Don’t worry you will enjoy the journey. Ask the soldiers for anything and they will follow. I have chosen the best maids for you too.”

She said and I couldn’t help thinking how far the Saka tribe must be from North.