Emily

by Storm Jk

  ‘It’s alright, just move slowly the guards won’t bother you,’ Thora prompted, and Valeskia stepped out into the sun. Moving down between the tents, Valeskia walked past several people who nodded hello. They were all performing different tasks and at the end of the tents she could see children playing a game of catch. Dusana was there with a group of children and while she was small for her age, she was very fast. After a moment, Valeskia noticed a young boy who was better dressed than the rest of the children and she guessed it was Thomas.

  Suddenly, a group of guards approached the children and a man with a red face yelled, ‘Thomas, get away from her!’ He marched up to the boy and grabbed him by his collar.

  ‘Leave him alone!’ Dusana screamed, launching herself at the man. He just swatted Dusana away and she fell onto her back. Thomas reacted by pulling himself from the guard’s grasp and he ran over to where Dusana lay.

  ‘Are you alright?’ he asked, helping her up.

  Dusana nodded, she was a bit winded so Valeskia went over to check that she wasn’t badly hurt. Her anger flared out of her.

  ‘What are you doing?’ she demanded of the guards, ‘they’re just children.’

  The guards formed a circle around Valeskia and Dusana. The guard with the red face moved closer to her, noticing how beautiful she was.

  ‘Perhaps we should discuss this elsewhere,’ he said, running his eyes up and down her body. Realising her mistake at having been noticed, Valeskia’s mind raced. Then a thought popped into her head and she knew what to say.

  ‘Varrick is planning to breed with me. I think he would mind if you touched me.’ The guard looked confused, not sure if he could believe the girl; but he was afraid of Varrick.

  ‘She’s right,’ another guard volunteered, and he laughed in a cruel way.

  The guard with the red face stepped back and turning to Thomas he said, ‘Your father will beat you for being here. You know he said that if he caught you again he’d send you to live with your aunt.’

  ‘No,’ Dusana cried and grabbed Thomas’ hand. But the guards pushed past Valeskia and grabbed him. Valeskia had to pull Dusana away as she was worried the guards would hit the girl again. Thomas was marched off and Valeskia picked up Dusana who was sobbing.

  ‘Shh, it will be alright,’ she crooned and walked slowly back to the tent.

  *

  Valeskia woke with a start. It was early in the morning and still dark. Reaching her hand out to Dusana’s cot, she realised that the girl was gone. Quietly getting up, Valeskia wondered what to do. She was afraid that if she woke Thora she might wake Sven and Jonas. Knowing that the guards would shoot anyone that was out at night, Valeskia grabbed a dark blanket and threw it over her clothes. The moon wasn’t out so Valeskia crept silently through the tents, not sure where to look for the girl. As she peered behind the tent closest to the fence, she caught sight of Dusana by the fence and on the other side of it was Thomas. Valeskia crouched down slowing, approaching the pair – she could see that they were holding hands through the fence.

  ‘Dusana, what are you doing?’ Valeskia whispered.

  Both Dusana and Thomas jumped at the sound of her voice. Looking at her face, Valeskia saw that Dusana was crying. She could see tears on Thomas’ face as well.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ Valeskia asked, scared that at any moment a guard would come and see them.

  ‘Thomas’ father is sending him away,’ Dusana wailed quietly, she was very upset.

  ‘Oh Dusana, I am so sorry,’ Valeskia replied, putting her arm around the young girl’s shoulders.

  ‘I hate my father,’ Thomas vehemently declared.

  They heard a noise and realised that the guards were walking down the stairs from the guardhouse.

  ‘We must go,’ Valeskia said and pulled Dusana away from the fence.

  ‘Wait!’ Thomas called and he gave Dusana a piece of folded paper. ‘I will return for you, I promise,’ and Thomas ran off into the darkness. Valeskia lifted the young girl into her arms and as quickly as she could, went back into the tents. It took her a moment to work out which tent was hers as Dusana was no help sobbing silently. As she entered the tent, she found Sven and Jonas inside.

  Thora cried, ‘Oh my God! I was so worried.’ Moving to help Valeskia with Dusana, Thora led them to one of the cots and helped Valeskia sit down.

  ‘What were you thinking?’ Sven asked Valeskia, he was really cross with her.

  ‘Don’t be angry with her,’ Dusana sobbed, ‘she came looking for me.’

  ‘Dusana, what were you doing? You know better than that,’ Thora asked gently, but Dusana was inconsolable and just pressed her head into Valeskia’s neck, sobbing even more.

  ‘Her friend Thomas is being taken away,’ Valeskia softly told the small group.

  ‘Oh child,’ Sven said and patted her on the head. They all felt so bad for Dusana but the truth was, their lives were bitter. There was no hope and it was foolish to give it.

  Thora told the men to go back to the tent and try to sleep a little before dawn, kissing Sven as he went. Valeskia lay down on the small cot with Dusana pressed against her. This is not living, she thought before closing her eyes. After a few minutes she felt Dusana’s breathing slow down and the sobs become less until the little girl fell asleep.

  The next morning, Valeskia woke as soon as Dusana did. Kissing the girl on the head, Valeskia gave her a hug before getting up.

  After they had straightened up the small tent, Thora said to them both, ‘Today is bath day.’

  ‘Oh no,’ Dusana cried, ‘not again.’ Thora smiled, knowing that Dusana was only happy when she was covered in mud.

  ‘I think every second day is not enough young lady, be grateful, that I don’t throw a bucket of water over you every night.’ Dusana gave a small smile but her heart was sad at losing her friend.

  Valeskia remembered the paper that Thomas had given Dusana and asked her, ‘What was on that paper Thomas gave you?’

  ‘Oh, I don’t know, I forgot about it,’ Dusana replied. The pair found the paper under the cot and Dusana unfolded it on the small table. It was a hand draw map of the world and Thomas had drawn a circle around one of the countries. He had written on it, ‘Dusana and I live here.’

  ‘What is this country?’ Dusana asked. The map had words but Dusana didn’t know how to read.

  ‘It is a place called Australia,’ Valeskia told her. ‘See, the words say it here.’ Dusana was interested. ‘You can read?’

  ‘Yes, I can,’ Valeskia said. Would you like me to teach you?’

  Looking at Thora, who smiled and nodded, Dusana said, ‘That would be good. Would you teach my friends as well?’ Valeskia thought about it for a moment and a sharp wave of sadness caught her as she thought of her father and the dream he had for her to become a teacher.

  However, she straightening her back and put a determined look on her face saying, ‘Yes, I will teach you all.’ And she thought to herself, Maybe this is what will bring the people together. Looking down at the young girl, Valeskia smiled and said, ‘Go round up your friends, we start today. Tell them to come to the food tent.’

  As Dusana left the tent, she turned to the women and said, ‘I’ll be able to read when Thomas takes me to Australia,’ and while both women smiled at the girl, they both felt a touch of sadness knowing that such a thing would never happen.

  A week passed and Valeskia’s school now had all the children in it and a couple of the adults had begun to come along as well. With no resources, Valeskia just used a stick in the dirt. A few of the adults had given her some books, which she had read to the class, on different subjects.

  The guards had been nervous at having Valeskia gather the children in one place but after they saw that she kept them busy and that they had less fights to break up, it was decided that she could continue the lessons, at least until Varrick came back.

  The class finished every day when the guards brought in the food. After a week, Valeskia had decided to have
the children line up first to get fed. A couple of the men had tried to push the children aside but the stern looks that Valeskia gave them and the fact that Jonas, Sven and two more men stood between them, caused them to wait before the frenzy. Over the next few days, more of the people began to line up without pushing others out of the way. When the food ran out, Valeskia ordered the people to share, telling the ones that missed out that they would be first in line on the next day. By the fourth day, there was no pushing in. By the sixth day, people were talking and laughing over dinner. The food was still awful but everybody trusted that they would at least get a little bit. Valeskia didn’t eat until everyone did and her stern gaze kept them all in line.

  On the seventh night, as everyone was eating, a guard walked up to Valeskia and ordered her to come with him. Everyone fell silent.

  Valeskia turned to the group and calmly said, ‘I will return soon,’ and to the children, she said, ‘Be good until then.’ Inside she was shaking, knowing what was going to happen to her.

  Dusana ran to Valeskia, grabbing her leg. Scared that the guard would try and kick her, Valeskia beckoned for Jonas to pull her off.

  ‘It’s alright, little one,’ Valeskia’s voice was soft but she was scared. Leading her back to the manor the guard said nothing, simply leading her through the hall to the bedroom she had been in previously.

  ‘You are to bathe and change into the clothes on the bed. You have one hour.’

  Standing alone, Valeskia’s mind was racing. She knew Varrick had returned. This time she wouldn’t be afraid. I’ll give him what he wants, she thought, undressing and slipping into the tub of hot water. Washing her long hair, she quickly rinsed it and stood in front of the fire, running her fingers through her hair to help it dry. He had provided soap that smelled of lemongrass and the smell made her homesick for her old life. She scolded herself and thought, It’s no use being weak. This was her life now and she would make the best of it.

  The dress that Varrick had picked out for her was pale yellow. She knew that he liked that colour and Valeskia quickly washed her old clothes in the bath water, putting them in front of the fire to dry. Unsure of what to do, she looked around the room and noticed a chest of drawers. Going over to it she saw a picture of a woman in a silver frame on top of it. Picking it up, Valeskia wondered who the woman was. She had a handsome face but looked cruel.

  ‘That’s my mother,’ Varrick called from the doorway. Valeskia jumped, almost dropping the picture. Placing it down on the chest she turned to face him.

  ‘How was your trip?’ Valeskia asked. Varrick was taken aback by the question. The girl had previously acted as if she hated him and never spoke before he did.

  ‘I had business – it is now over. Are you hungry?’ he asked, perhaps being in the camp had softened her towards him.

  ‘Actually yes, I’m hungry,’ Valeskia said, keeping her voice pleasant. Lifting her dress so that Varrick could see her legs, she said, ‘I’m now as thin as a rake. If I carried your child it wouldn’t do well from the lack and quality of food.’ Varrick had to think about that. It was true that the girl had lost weight. And while she was still beautiful, she looked better with more flesh on her.

  Pressing the conversation, Valeskia continued with, ‘Why do you give the people you create so little food?’

  ‘They live, do they not?’ Varrick answered coolly. Valeskia went over to the fire, letting the light from the flames outline her body in the dress she wore. ‘It takes my guards at least half the day to prepare your food,’ he added. He could smell the scent of lemongrass from her body. His desire for her was building.

  ‘Why should they do such work?’ Valeskia said gently. ‘Give us whole food and we’ll cook it ourselves. Let us grow food and tend to livestock ourselves, it will save you and your guards work.’

  Varrick laughed. He could not believe how bold this girl was. ‘Is there anything else you want?’

  ‘Yes. I need books and writing materials so that I can teach the children to read.’

  ‘Why bother?’ Varrick was becoming annoyed.

  ‘Because it will keep them busy and maybe they’ll become useful to you.’

  Pausing to think on her words, Varrick eyed her body and then demanded, ‘What will you give me in return?’ Valeskia paused and played her only card, she prayed that she had judged his desire correctly.

  ‘I will bear you a child,’ Valeskia paused. Her heart was pounding in her chest.

  ‘You think you have a choice with this?’ Varrick replied coldly.

  ‘I will find a way to kill myself, this is no way to live,’ Valeskia spoke firmly. ‘I’m not an animal. I was raised for a better life than this.’

  Varrick smiled coldly at the girl’s thinking. Maybe this could work, getting them to look after themselves. The guards complained all the time about looking after the people and what he gave he could take away. He was impressed with this young girl. She stood calmly, waiting for him to answer her. A child from this woman could be the one that survives; he just knew it in his bones. The doctors couldn’t explain why child after child of his were born either dead or died shortly after birth.

  Gesturing to the girl to go to the bed he said, ‘Let’s discuss the finer details.’ Knowing she had won for the moment, Valeskia prayed she could pay the price as she slowly removed her dress.

  *

  Six months later, the first of the crops from the garden in the compound delivered. The people celebrated by preparing a feast. Valeskia had taken over the preparation of the food and had trained several helpers. The extra food and the fact that Valeskia prepared it, improved the condition of the people. Jonas worked hard putting together the garden and tending to the animals. He would meet every morning with Valeskia and they would go over the work for the day, and who would be allocated to do it.

  School was attended by every child and Dusana proved to be the star pupil. Her mind was quick and her wit was funny and insightful. She turned ten but really didn’t grow much taller. However, she was still faster than anyone and still ended the day covered in mud.

  Once a week Valeskia was taken into the dark manor to Varrick. Afterwards she would be sent to the doctors who would poke and prod her. On entering the bedroom, she found the usual hot bath and change of clothes. Valeskia loved the bath – it was the only time she allowed herself to think about her old life, with the hot water on her body. Dressing in the gown that Varrick had left for her she found a book placed under it. The book was on natural farming methods and had been handwritten. Valeskia took the book, sitting with her back to the fire so that her hair would dry and began to read it. It was a wonderful source of information and it would help the people with the development of the farm. As she was reading the book, she didn’t notice the door open. Varrick watched her for a moment. He was in a good mood, he had just been with the doctors and they had told him that Valeskia was finally pregnant.

  ‘I thought you would find the book interesting,’ he spoke softly. Valeskia jumped at the sound of his voice.

  Gathering herself she said, ‘Thank you for the gift. It will be useful.’

  Varrick walked into the room carrying a pear. He handed it to Valeskia who smiled in thanks. It had been so long since she had seen a piece of fruit. Putting it besides the book, she thought to herself, I will share it with the children. She knew that some of them would have never seen a pear before. Standing up, Valeskia went to remove her gown but Varrick held up his hand and gestured for her to stop.

  ‘The doctors say you are pregnant. I am most pleased.’

  ‘Oh, I see,’ Valeskia replied. She had felt strange for the last week and had thought she was slightly ill with the flu.

  ‘I want you to stay in the manor until the child is born,’ Varrick said firmly.

  ‘No, please,’ Valeskia stammered, pausing when she saw his face becoming angry. ‘The children need to learn, it keeps them busy.’ Knowing that he wouldn’t change his mind she asked, ‘May I please go back to th
e compound during the day? The fresh air and the exercise will be healthy for the baby.’

  Knowing he wouldn’t say no to her and hating the part of him that craved for her affection, he said, ‘Only until you are six months gone, the last three months are when I lose my spawn; the babies abort. You will sleep with me in this bed and maybe, in time, you will like me.’

  But the look she gave him bode no hope, so he ordered, ‘Help me with my clothes,’ and Valeskia knelt down to help Varrick take off his boots, despairing at the turn of events.

  The next day, Valeskia sliced up the pear so that all the children could taste a piece. There were ‘ooos’ and ‘ahhs’ as the children slowly savoured the fruit. Jonas had just popped into the tent as it was the end of class for the day. Valeskia could see that he had something on his mind but he wouldn’t volunteer it, she knew that she’d have to draw it out of him.

  ‘How did the preparation of the new vegetable bed go today?’ she asked, handing him a tiny piece of the pear. He smiled at her before popping the delicious fruit into his mouth.

  ‘It went well. The south block doesn’t have as many boulders so we’ve almost cleared it up. I think it will be ready in another two days.’

  ‘What do you think we should grow in it?’ Valeskia asked, pushing the last of the children from the tent so she could start to prepare food for the evening. Jonas went quiet and Valeskia knew he had an idea.

  ‘Lavender,’ he almost whispered.

  ‘Lavender?’ Valeskia was surprised, thinking to herself, What does he have on his mind? She had grown to trust his counsel but this was an odd idea. Keeping quiet, she waited for Jonas to share his idea.

  After a few seconds and knowing that she was waiting he said, ‘Varrick has been kind to give us seeds to grow and livestock as well. We now produce enough food for our needs.’

  ‘True,’ said Valeskia and thought, although not from kindness. But no one knew of the pact she had made to get the resources.

  ‘We’re still no use to Varrick and it is only at his whim that he keeps us alive. If we grew lavender we could make things for Varrick to sell at the markets; soap, perfume, creams. Thora knows of such things. We need to develop an industry so we won’t be so expendable.’ Valeskia smiled at Jonas, who was now bright red.