“What are they talking about?” The soldier asked, still glaring over her shoulder.

Mareen watched as much as felt the pencil fall from her fingers. He is going to find out. I will never get out of here.

“Young woman, what are they talking about?” the soldier asked again, his voice was level as his eyes moved to bore into her.

She heard gravel crunching behind her.

“Why not tell him Mother Mareen?” Burrach’s voice came from close behind her.

She stood slowly, starting to shake. It is all over. There is no point in staying here any longer. I need to get the sheep… She turned to see Burrach and his hanger’s on were gathered in a circle a few paces away.

“Come on, mother Mareen?” He repeated the childhood taunt. It had been his favorite since the loudmouth priest announced her path, at her pathday ceremony. “Why not tell the man? You were not going to lie to him were you, Mother Mareen?”

She stiffened and started to walk away from the table, but the group of busybodies was getting closer. Worse as she turned to the side, Burrach’s hangers on rushed to close off her escape. The two girls Rene and Abby almost ran to close off the last avenue of escape. Their smiles growing at the sight of her discomfort.

“Enough!” She winced at the force of the voice coming from behind her.

“Young woman we were speaking. Turn around.” She mechanically complied as the crowd whispered and laughed. The man was not looking at her. Instead, his attention was directed behind her. “As for the rest of you, back up and shut up, or you will be in violation of the king’s law!”

The crowd suddenly quieted and she heard gravel crunching again. The sound quickly stopped, and she could tell they barely backed more than a step.

Oh no, no. Why?! Mareen fought back tears as she felt everything spiraling out of control.

The soldier glared at the crowd again, before turning back to her. He extended his hand, “I do not like doing this, but I have to ask you for your plaque.”

Mareen felt the last shred of hope disappear. Her shaking hands fumbled at the clasp on her necklace. When they finally managed to work the clasp she extended it to the soldier.

The man gently, almost reverently placed his hand under the plaque and turned it towards him. The screaming of her internal dialog was only cut through by the sound of the crowd behind her whispering.

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Satisfied with his examination, the man slowly released the plaque to dangle from the chain held in her outstretched hand.

Leaning back he nodded gravely, and she fought the urge to throw the cursed thing away. Instead she managed to wad up the chain and plaque in her clenched fist. Breathing deeply she resigned herself to the words she knew were coming.

“A rare path, and an honorable one.” His words were unexpected and gentle. However his next were much harsher and his icy gaze turned to the crowd behind her. “This type of disrespect against a Mother is an affront to the Mother goddess herself.”

His words and clear anger, caused the growing chuckling to die instantly. But, despite the way he was sticking up for her, she could not help but flinch at the word ‘Mother.’

The soldier turned his attention back to her. When he spoke again his voice was softer than when he first spoke to her. “I understand why you want to leave this place. But herder skills are too common to justify any, but a full path. It is small consolation, but I will still have an investigator look into the priest and apothecary. If they mistreated you as you say; they will pay for it…”

She was shaking as she listened. She felt numb everywhere, but managed to mumble, “Thank you.”

“Do not thank me. It is my duty. I wish I could promise you, their punishments will fully match their crimes.” The man shook his head, “But, apothecaries and other healers are rare, and the church has its ow…”

Mareen let the words flow past her unheard as she looked at the crowd waiting for to bully her more. Burrach smile sent a shiver up her spine, and he winked at her.

“… even men of small healing skills are in demand.” The soldier finished.

Mareen spun around, feeling a lifeline appear. “How in demand?”

The soldier had stood and was picking the papers off the table. He blinked in confusion by her sudden question. As her words sank in he smiled, “Enough that there is a finder’s fee for bringing even a minor healer to the king’s attention. It is not a lot, but it should be enough for a single person to travel a good distance.”

“Do you know the location of someone with a healing skill?” She could almost hear the excitement in the soldier's voice.

She nodded. Maybe, I do not want to do this. But if I do not I will be stuck here forever.

Burrach’s laughter rang out.

“I told you to shut your trap!” the solder said slamming his fist on the table.

Apparently not concerned by the threat Burrach continued. “A healer? I thought you were not going to lie to the man. There is no healer around here. Why not drop the act and become my woman, you can be a mother many times over.”

Her skin crawled and she did not hear the solder’s response. I have to get out of this place. I will not let the village marry me off to one of their useless sons. I will not end up a farm animal popping out healthy sons for some rich landed man’s son… like Burrach. The thought shook her to her core. “I would rather die.”

She stuck her left arm straight out in front of her. The soldier was saying something, but she did not hear him. Her world narrowed, and everything fell away.

She watched a hand lifting a dagger. It was her hand, her dagger, but they felt separate; somehow removed from her control. The next instant she watched the dagger lifted high and slash down across the forearm in front of her. Blood sprayed across the table. The soldier was yelling something shock and horror on his face.

Mareen saw his lips moving and knew he was saying something, but it was as if he were yelling through the water. I wonder what he is saying?