Chapter Text
The tiny settlement, enclosed by an iron fence, was not far from the forest, so its fragrance could be smelt even here. The thick scent of dark, loose earth and the succulence of fruit, ripened to a luscious sweetness, followed you on your heels, right up to the entrance to the tent.
It was a hot summer. the guards that patrolled the area were sweating profusely. this was especially felt inside the tent where they had to watch over a group of captive savages. trying to beat the heat, the guards drank much water, frequently left the tent to inhale more fresh air and cleansed their bodies with cool water. not a single one of them even gave a thought to taking care of the captives.
However, the adars were careful not to show their weakness. once these lands were their home, but now they were an iron cage, the touch of which could deprive them of their magic.
One of the guards visibly revived upon noticing you. Within seconds he was at your side, taking you by the elbow and pulling you closer to the adar cage.
- let me guess, interested in children? - the guard smugly scratched his beard, sure he knew exactly what you were talking about.
- No, I need someone who can do the heavy chores around the house.
- Well, at least that's new, - he grinned. - The only people who came the last few days were ladies who were convinced that wild children were better entertainment than pocket dogs, dressing them up like dolls and then... ah, never mind. just haven't talked to anyone in a long time.
the adars were sitting in the middle of a large cage, afraid to come any closer to the iron bars. one adult female, two little girls and one boy. they were huddled together as if trying to hide from your gaze behind another's body, or hoping you would think they were one ugly monster with multiple heads, extra pairs of arms and legs. Their bodies were covered in interesting patches of white and brown, and various plants and flowers were woven into their hair. despite the heat, lack of sun and water, these plants seemed to be nourished by magic and would never wither until their host died.
Away from them, aloof, sat a man. he, too, was afraid of the iron bars, but he stood awfully close to them, as if testing himself, or trying to get used to them. his dark, long and tangled hair hung down over his face. you got a good look at his sparkling golden eyes and the furrow of his cheekbone scar, for once you were inside the tent, the man kept staring at you.
- in that case, there's not much choice. you can take a woman, but she's weak and can't handle all the work, and a man has a heavy temper...
- just a heavy temperament? - the adar man's voice twisted ironically. - it seems i should have broken a few bones with you then. you might have been able to give me a true characterization otherwise your lady will now think that i am just hard to get along with.
you noted that he spoke your language beautifully, but with a distinctive growling adar accent that made his manner of speech even harsher. you could detect an undisguised hatred in his gaze. though it made you shiver with fear, you could also sense the despair in him.
- Well, that's what I said,- the guard shrugged.
but an inexplicable instinct told you that you would get along. naivety? perhaps. you felt alone after losing your husband and hoped that a man who had also lost everything in his life would help you through this difficult time.
- I'm sure it's not that bad,- you said with a glance at the guard. - Who would want to spend all day in a cage? I can understand his acrimony. what is his name?
- Shota. Yet, his tongue is sharp and so are his teeth.
uneasily you stepped closer to the cage and, picking up the hem of your skirt gently, took a seat beside it. You were now at eye level with the adar and all that stood between you were the iron bars.
- Hi Shota, I need a strong worker to chop wood and do other things around the house. you will have your own room and three meals a day. do you agree?
- You're asking the slave if he agrees? - Shota's slyly narrowed eyes indicated he was about to laugh. - Come into my cage and I will give you my answer, unless, of course, you fear I might bite you.
he grinned in acknowledgement of his own words, showing you a row of sharp teeth, some of them deliberately filed to give you an even more bestial grin. no matter how hard you tried to enter his position, your kindness was not infinite.
- I don't mind. But I'll only enter it with a blade. I don't need to be skilled in swordsmanship or have any power to subdue you. The iron will do it for me.
- Really? What a pity I'm not afraid of your weapons. Come on, woman of iron, come into my cage right now and show me what you're worth.
You had no weapon of any kind with you and it seemed to you humiliating to ask the guard. you were disappointed that things were not going as you had originally intended. you had offered good terms, equality of arms and employment, but Shota seemed unimpressed with such condescension.
- Ladies, let us not take this to extremes. If anything were to happen to any of you it would be my responsibility," the warder interjected and you were immensely grateful to him.
- I understand. And yet I can't go home alone.
the warden scratched his beard thoughtfully and gestured for you to move aside. you assumed he had something to say that should not be heard by the adars.
- I was once taught an interesting spell,- he said, making sure no one could hear you. - It prevents an adar from getting far away from you, from escaping, or from causing harm. For a small fee I could teach it to you.
As you prepared to speak, you heard Shota's cracking laughter.
- teach me that spell,- was your reply, a very firm and confident one.
You didn't feel sorry for the extra coin, and knowing the spell would have given you confidence that there would be no problem with the adar. for some reason you clung tenaciously to the idea of taking him home with you, despite his temper.
You held out the weighty pouch of gold coins that was intended for Adar's purchase. The guard hastily hid it behind his belt and, after receiving additional payment for the spell, showed you a deft movement with his fingers:
- wait, do it on him and not on me. next you have to say "hold on tight". wherever he is and whatever he is doing, he will feel the suffocating power of the spell on himself. in this way adars have turned the wildest and most dangerous animals into silk, and it works just as effectively on them themselves.
Once inside, he drew his blade and headed for Shota.
- I could have come out myself but thanks for the escort" a wry grin crossed his face. Once inside the cage, Shota stood upright and stretched his shoulders stiff from the long sitting in the same position.
He was larger than you and seemed much stronger, so the spell and the iron pendant around your neck were all you could defend yourself with.
- Do you want me to disappoint you? - he stopped right in front of you, flashing his eyes. - Men of iron are incapable of using magic.
- What makes you so sure?
- I mean, have you ever seen one that could? Well, you'll see for yourself soon enough.
you didn't tell him that you knew someone who could use Adar magic, and you didn't convince Shouta that you had used a few spells at home.
"He's just trying to intimidate me," you mentally reassured yourself.
You noticed that all he had on was a pitiful cloth that served as a loincloth.
Suddenly realizing that you were examining the man's body too closely, you turned away with embarrassment and strode out of the tent. With a low chuckle Shota followed you, accompanied by the warder.
- what is so funny?
- all you are is funny, woman of iron.
There was a pleasant breeze outside, and you covered your eyes with undisguised pleasure. The summer sun seemed to want to burn a hole in you, or at least make you suffer a sunstroke. you hurried to the edge of the forest, where your two horses had been grazing all this time.
- And yet I say, lady,- grumbled the guard. - Letting that savage ride is not a good idea.
- His hands are tied to my horse," you replied as you yanked the rope, causing the Adar to sway in the saddle.
- then take care of yourself, lady.
the guard left you, returning to the tent, and your horses moved slowly. a slow walk to your home would take you about an hour.
- I have water and some meat with me. Tell me when you are tired and we will have a little rest.
- You would be sooner tired than me,- Shota glanced up at the high sun and a drop of sweat rolled down his neck. he was still wearing only a loincloth and you were worried that the saddle would rub his thighs.
You rode in silence along the narrow paved paths. sometimes you would go into the shade and it was a real relief to you. on the contrary, Shota looked as if he did not feel the heat at all. every time you offered him water he refused it.
You have known those who regarded the Adar as though they were worse than cattle. You have never regarded yourself as such. You saw the Adar who rode beside you as your equal, and the way he struggled awkwardly in the saddle with his hands tied made you feel wrong.
- Stop, I'll untie your hands.
- No need, I can manage it myself.
he was only waiting for the right moment to discourage you. his lips parted in a smug grin as he used magic with the fingers of one hand. the rope came undone easily
- surprised, woman of iron? you should have turned around and gone home as soon as you saw me. but thanks for helping me escape, i really appreciate it.
he suddenly clung to the horse's neck and spurred forward down the path, sprinting away from you. you were surprised by what happened, so you didn't react in time and lost precious seconds in pursuit.
should have known that! but why did you hope that a kind attitude would work on this man?
You were afraid that your mare could not endure the breakneck pace but you ran after him as fast as you could, yet you could not keep up with him.
Remembering the movements of the spell, you spoke the activator words "hold on tight" aloud, but absolutely nothing happened. you repeated it again, spitting some dust out of your mouth, but the adar's silhouette, which was rapidly moving away from you, never stopped.