Helena Amakiir

Arrival
''So you say you want to hear the tales of how I got here? *chuckles* ...Very well. Then buckle up traveller, 'cause you are in for a treat...''

...I woke up in the North-Eastern Uldarashi deserts. I do not recall how I ended up there in the first place, nor do I know anything of what was before. I do, on the other hand, remember the immense pain soaring through my body, as I could barely move a muscle when I finally woke from the slumber.

Was I perhaps in battle? No. Although I was dressed in clothing somewhat suited for combat, and even equipped with a sword, I had no external wounds. Instead, I was coughing up sand and my head was aching tremendously. I could not focus properly as my mind was clouded with confusion and pain. I was lost.

The sun was the only thing that filled the emptiness of the sand dunes stretching for miles in every direction. Truly, I was never meant to make it through. Time was running out as my body had already neglected the mind’s determination to stay alive. And I vividly remember the pessimistic thoughts I had while trying to make sense of things: «Was this it? Was this the end to something that had just started? Certainly no fate could be worse than having only just begun, to so perish.» And then another thought hit me; perish from what exactly? What lays beyond the sand dunes, if anything? Are there more of me out there? More lost souls? These thoughts kept repeating themselves in my mind as I aimlessly wandered in the desert for what seemed to be no end.

Nightfall eventually came, and the moon had fully conquered the sky with its many bright stars. Despite the lingering pain, my determination, or perhaps stubbornness, kept me alive. I kept walking into the night with the scarce light the moon gave me.

However, eventually my fragile body did give in. My mind too crumbled with it as I fell to my knees, reaching for the sword to make the inevitable come sooner. But then, as I glanced at the sword, I spotted a cloaked figure in its reflection behind my own. Was this merely a cruel trick by exhaustion? With the darkness that filled the night, it was also hard to make out the facial features of this cloaked figure. After taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and tried to focus. Though, my hands started shaking, and I became hesitant. Even though death is inevitable, I still carried the fear for it, and struggled to do the one thing that would end my suffering.

However, from that point on in my story, dear traveller, something changed. The wind grew stronger by the second, and it somehow filled the emptiness in my mind with its powerful, melodic breeze. And that is when I heard it. In a calm, soothing voice, the wind called out to me. It whispered to me; «My child… head south…beyond the sand dunes… to the city of freedom.»... And as I then opened my eyes and looked up into the starry sky, it was now filled with the many colours of the universe. Green, purple, magenta and blue, as well as many more, all combined into this beautiful chain of light.

The wind, with its gentle touch, kept swirling around me until I got back on my feet. Where did this new profound strength come from? This strange event which brought comfort in my heart, challenged the agonising pain that struck through my bones. I convinced myself I could hold on a little longer. I no longer felt the heavy burden of being in this fragile body, but my mind was still lost. I simply kept walking. Walking with the guidance of the wind and the many colours lighting my way forward...

The Road Ahead
Following several day-and-night cycles later, a spark of hope ignited inside me as I spotted what seemed to be a line of trees stretching over the horizon. Though far too exhausted and malnourished, I laid down beneath one of the trees to rest. The smell of the green grass was calming, and the occasional bird chirping, music to my ears...

But my peaceful rest was abrupted by the sound of clopping hooves, and a man humming in a foreign speech. A wicked stench filled the air as the source of this noise stopped beside me. "Oh my..." he mumbled. "Child, what are you doing out here all by yourself?..." the man asked expecting no response, as I laid there half-dead. He started mumbling what I later got to know is a prayer for the dead to pass peacefully over to the other plane. Though, barely able to open my eyes, I gave away that I was still alive. "Oh heavens!" he said shocked, as he then quickly ran back to his wagon and grabbed one thing after the other. "I'm here, kiddo. Don't leave us yet!... Drink this." he said kneeling next to me whilst holding a flask up to my face. Not knowing what it was then, I drank the potion of healing. And again, the lingering pain was eased, but my body far too weak to do anything. "Come on. You can't stay out here to rot!" He chuckled as he helped me over to his wagon. Though, more of that day I do not recall, as my consciousness left the frame of my body soon after.

Some time later, I woke up to the same horrid stench and familiar humming. But I was laying inside the wagon this time, and I was surrounded by barrels and nets, and cages and chests. I had a filthy sheet of some kind as blanket, but it at least kept me warm. From the front of the wagon I heard; "Are you finally awake, kiddo? Good! We are but a few miles ahead of the capital." I continued pondering over the thought of this man being like me, yet different. He does not seem to be lost at all. And did he just mention 'the capital'?

To be continued...