It was not quite yet midday, when the village of Arimythia finally came into view. The young shepherdess and the Captain-General were greatly exhausted from walking all night long, but the sight enthralled them both; Akorsa because it was home and Verican because he had never seen such a thing in the whole of his thirty-eight winters. Small groups of people could already be seen moving about in the distance.
�Your people certainly do rise early,� commented the Captain-General.
�We rise with the sun, and we set into our beds with it,� she told him. �One can accomplish far more in such a manner. City-folk sleep the day away, so I noticed. It is a dreadful waste of time, I do think.�
�Well, I shall admit to the fact that I am indeed a favorer of sleep, though most days I rise just after the sun, so I might be able accomplish more of that dreadful work in a shorter period of time. Have you never slept in past the dawn?� he asked. He knew that most young people favored sleep, like some of the younger men that served under him, most of which tended to sleep in far too late, arriving tardily for duty.
�I have in the past, my lord, generally after having the flock out to pasture for more than one day at a time without returning home. Such constant watchfulness proves to be quite trying on the eyes, indeed. There have also been some incidents in the past when I have needed to fight the Maseriff in defense of my sheep, and have been wounded. I have spent many a long hour recovering in bed,� she told him and he nodded.
�The Maseriff attack your flock? I had not thought sheep-tending to be such a difficult and dangerous task in the least.�
�They are fond of lamb for their suppers on occasion, and we cannot afford to lose a single one of them, no matter how small. I do suppose that city-folk would think it to be an easy chore, but they are not entirely aware of the ways of the world, if you take my meaning. It is my duty, as their caretaker, to defend them at all costs, even if it means laying down my own life,� she explained to him. A brief shiver ran down her spine at the memories of those monsters going after her flock; of all the times they had come after her.
�Is there no person more suited for the duty than you?� he asked. She looked at him with a slight perplexity. �Is not the caring of sheep the job of a man? That was what I meant to say.�
�Most generally it is, indeed. A very long while ago my people only wanted a man to do it, not wanting to risk a woman�s life. However, when I was much younger the shepherd, an older man, fell ill and passed away. There was no one else in the village able to fill his position, and the need was rather great, so I volunteered. My people, knowing full and well that there was no other person more suited for the task, I was permitted to do it.�
�Volunteered much in the same manner by which you came to be within the Walled Cities, I presume?� he asked.
�Aye, it was very much the same, indeed,� she smiled. �Such are the ways of things here. People do wherever there is a need of doing. We cannot survive if we do not make sacrifices for one another, if our only concerns lie with ourselves. That is the reason why I love my people so dearly; I have always done for them, and they have always cared for me.�
�The love and loyalty you hold for them is evident,� he told her as they approached the village. �It reminds me of the way in which my men sometimes look at me, with this flawless and utter devotion. It is something I cannot yet comprehend.�
�I thank you truly. I must say, however, that you are being unusually gregarious this morn, my lord. Perhaps it is the open air that has made you so? Or do you just enjoy my company?� she asked cheekily. He glared at her.
�I have become so gregarious because, despite our differences and the fact that I still believe you to be an insolent girl in need of fatherly discipline, I find you easy to speak with,� he snapped. �I need to uphold no political principles because you have no use for them, nor do you follow them either.�
�You would do well to listen to me,� she said sternly, stopping short and turning to stand in front of the Captain-General. �I do not know the place of women in Uljaya, but here, we are equal to one another, regardless of gender. Do not dare to call me insolent so long as you remain pompous and egotistical!�
�Is there no law here in Arimythia having women submit to their husbands, or daughters to their fathers?� he growled. �Or are you allowed to speak your minds openly here?�
�It is given that a woman would submit to her husband; as would a daughter submit to her father. You are neither my husband, nor my father, nor am I of Uljaya, and I shall not submit to you by way of shutting my mouth,� she snapped at him. He leaned forward, grabbing her chin with his hand menacingly.
�Were you my daughter, I would have you know your place, and you would stay locked in the smallest room of my house, without food or water, until you learned it,� he hissed at her. She glared at him with a growing fury before she batted his arm away angrily and stormed off towards the village.
Verican watched as she ran off towards the village. Apparently he had managed to upset her a great deal, causing himself to feel a bit guilty, but also glad that he had been able to get his point across. He admitted admiring the girl, though, acknowledging the great strength she possessed within herself. He also knew that Akorsa�s ability to carry her strenuous burden alone was quickly depleting, so he turned his mind towards the Arimythians and to helping them to the very best of his known ability. Resuming his swift pace, he followed after the fleeing Proctoress, highly determined to get a good impression of her people.
- - - -
Akorsa bolted down the dirt streets toward her family�s home, skidding to a stop just long enough to open the wooden door, only to proceed by stumbling in. Inside her mother turned, dropped her wooden mug filled with steaming tea, and let out a scream. Her father, who was coming into the kitchen, saw her. She charged at him and flung herself into his warm embrace. Her mother grabbed a hold of her daughter and held her tightly for many moments, before all was ruined by the Captain-General Verican entering the house.
Alvis stared at him. �Akorsa, do you know this man?�
�Aye, father. This is Captain-General Verican of Uljaya, leader of the Proctorial Army. I have brought him here with the hope of persuading him to lead the army against the Maseriff,� she said, her tone slightly cold, as she could not help but have their confrontation still fresh in her mind.
�You wrote to us saying you were not permitted to return home!� exclaimed her mother. �We thought we would never life to see you again!�
�Your daughter and I departed in secret, under cover of darkness. None yet know that we have left the city walls,� explained Verican, producing a brief nod from Alvis, who then turned to his daughter.
�Fetch your brother, he yet sleeps,� instructed Alvis, pointing towards the back bedroom that Akorsa and Keihl had shared for years. She nodded, and went to get the young boy, leaving Verican alone with Alvis and Aroha.
�Captain-General, we would have you know that the people of Arimythia do not seek revolution, only safety from the enemy. Our daughter is the one harboring ideas of change and equality that we know are not likely to be achieved. We pray you shall consider this matter with great care,� said Alvis.
�I understand,� said the Uljayan.
�My daughter does indeed appear trust you, sir, or else she would not have permitted you to come here. I ask that you watch over her when you are able; she is young and vulnerable in these days. Do be aware that if you cause her harm you will not live to return to your home,� warned the father.
�Your concern over your daughter�s honor is valid, my good sir, and you need not fear. I shall do what I can for Akorsa,� assured the Captain-General.
�Spare yourself the trouble of watching me, my lord, and concentrate on doing for my people,� said Akorsa, emerging from the bedroom with a sleepy-eyed Keihl in her arms. The small boy looked at the Captain-General curiously.
�Is this man going to save us?� asked Keihl.
�He has not yet decided whether we are worth his time, so I have brought him here in hopes of changing his mind, little one,� said Akorsa, pressing a kiss to the child�s head. Verican stared at the young woman with the child with a sort of near fascination.
�Please help us? I do not want those frightening monsters to return again!� said the boy, looking directly into the Captain-General�s eyes pleadingly, until the older man turned his eyes away, and looked towards the floor.
�We shall see in time, lad, we shall see,� was his reply. He child stared at him for a moment more before turning and burying his small face into the warm crook of Akorsa�s neck, suddenly appearing as rather shy. She gave her little brother a final kiss upon the crown of his head before handing him off to her mother.
�Come with me Captain-General. I am taking you out to see what the life of a shepherdess is like on this glorious morn,� said Akorsa as she walked out of the house.
