[Lyra Greenleaf]

Essenia watched the ritual sacrifice with little emotion. She had never seen the point, really, but if the Dark Religion was the way that Umbar would get glory, then the dark Religion was important. She sneered as that oaf of a tribesman half killed the girl’s father. Neither were worth her consideration. He sold his daughter into sacrifice- just as her own father had done. Yes, Essenia’s slavery had not involved death but providing children- still in the end it made little difference. Unlike this girl she had escaped. She had a purpose in life, this girl obviously hadn’t.

When at last the Priestess decreed that they could go, Essenia moved unhurriedly back towards their camp. There was talking around her; village people shocked and scared, sailors awed or excited by the bloodshed. They were all pathetic. One life should not have such a command on their senses! Walking towards her she saw the loud man, the one who had sent her to flirt with the merchants and began to walk slower, to try to avoid him. She did not wish to be disturbed by his advances. He made no effort to approach her, but was walking so slowly that they converged anyway. Still he made no effort to talk.

Surprised, Essenia weakened enough to look at him. His dark eyes were shadowed, his face grim. Maliciously she smiled. She remembered a conversation in which he had told her that men were required to save women.
So he disapproves of this sacrifice! So he disapproves of this sacrifice! she thought. So he disapproves of this sacrifice! she thought. He dislikes to see women die. This could come in useful for revenge for what he forced me into.

Silently she sped up, soon leaving him and his faithful shadow far behind in the desert.

[ July 13, 2003: Message edited by: Lyra Greenleaf ]