[alaklondewen]

A sweet fragrance fill Lyshka’s nostrils, and she breathed it in deeply as she ran her fingers through the grass, relishing the way the blades pricked the soft flesh of her palms. Many years she had dreamed of the greenness of the grass, unmarred by the evil that had always surrounded her. The Evil was gone now. She had felt the tremor, and had first been afraid, but as the fresh breeze came and the heaviness of her heart lifted, she knew. The darkness that had controlled her every waking moment would never hurt her again. She was free.

The Easterling had awoken early that morning to find herself in the most beautiful place she had ever seen. “Ith-il-ee-un,” she treasured the way the word tasted in her mouth. She had decided she would not utter the words of the Dark Lord again. This new language, the language of freedom, would only leave her lips now. A smile crept across her face. Such a simple thing, a smile, yet she had not experienced this pleasure since she had been taken from her people. Pushing the memory from her head, Lyshka broadened her smile, letting the corners of her mouth push up to their extremities. If she had seen herself, she would have thought she was ridiculous, but this feeling of joy was so nature here.

“Lyshka!” The sound of her name pulled her from her thoughts. Darash! The Amazon woman stood a few feet from her, dressed in the same garments as she. Lyshka pushed her weight up and met the woman who had been much of her strength through that last many days. The women looked at one another without saying a word. Their experience reflected in their dark eyes. Lyshka felt hot tears rise beneath her lashes, and she stepped forward and embraced the dark woman tightly. The tears fell gingerly down her cheeks. “Thay-nnk yoo, Darash,” Lyshka whispered.

Darash pulled back from her and shook her head negatively. “Kashtia Ma'at-Ka-Re.” Lyshka tipped her head to the side, not understanding the meaning of these words. The taller woman took the Easterling’s hand and placed it on her shoulder. “I am Kashtia Ma'at-Ka-Re.”

Lyshka’s eyes widened with surprise, yet she understood. This new name was her name of freedom. Lyshka tried to pronounce it with Darash, no, Kashtia’s aid. It was a poor attempt, and caused both women to laugh freely.

One of the ranger men stood behind the women, and he now made himself known by clearing his throat and speaking to Kashtia. Lyshka was surprised that she was not frightened by his presence. Until now, any man’s presence unnerved the Easterling, and put her completely on guard. Now, she smiled at the young man and walked confidently alongside him and Kashtia as they walked to the peak of a grassy knoll. The man pointed to the sky and spoke to the women. Lyshka did not understand his words, but she hung onto the sound of it.

The sky was clearing and the sun shown down upon them, warm and strong. Lyshka took in its strength and knew that she was free to walk wherever the sun touched the brown of the soil or the green of the grass. Once more, but not for the last time, Lyshka smiled.