Despite the desperate look in those eyes, she could do nothing. Would do nothing? The sand beneath her feet ground against the wooden platform as she stepped closer. Half the distance crossed, Farha came to a stop and sat down. Letting her feet hang over the edge, she looked off into the distance. The trees were still blowing in the wind, the tents remained ostentatious, and the verbal thrashing continued.

"I promise I'm not a spy! What would I even be spying on? We're in a training pit!"

"How am I supposed to know? I'm a loyal citizen. Even if you're not, what gives you the right to parade around here as if you're one of us? Last I checked, Meloth doesn't even have a single member of the nobility."

"Just because I wasn't born to the right person doesn't mean I don't deserve to be here! I've been training since I could walk!"

"Ha! You think attempting to swing a blade around is enough? You're no better than a common laborer. Who did your father have to bribe to let you come here? They deserve to be punished severely for such a deplorable act."

"But he didn't bribe anybody! He just paid the instructors for their time and skills. "

"He even admits it! Shameful, disgusting behavior."

Farha winced, still staring off into the distance. Why were they making such a big fuss over Meloth? It was just a port to the south. Come to think of it, where were the instructors? There should be somebody overlooking the camp. With how much finery was on display, surely someone would be tempted to abscond with some valuables. She strained her ears against the breeze, listening for the next cruel statement.

"You all are no better than me! I could take any of you in a bout!"

"What did you just say, rat?"

The leader's tone was rough now, dangerously quiet.

"The gall to say you're better than me? Me, who has had the finest experts personally oversee my training? Me, who comes from a long line of talented swordsmen all the way back to the Vestige? Even Iecim here would demolish you, and only his father is high-born. Next time you even imply that your worthless self is better than any of us, I'll be forced to make it abundantly clear."

The sound of a thud forced Farha to impulsively look over her shoulder. The blonde boy lay in the sand, the three figures looming over him. He kicked and flailed, scurrying backward away from his tormentors. The three watched him with twisted smiles. They did let him go without further mistreatment, but the loss of entertainment resulted in unfortunate timing. Turning around, the shortest one caught sight of her.

Surprise crossed his face, that twisted grin quickly replaced it. Nudging the leader of that small pack, he gestured towards her.

"Look Molnt. If he was a rat, then we've got ourselves a mouse over there."

Molnt fixed lecim with a disdainful glance.

"A mouse?"

"Yeah, she's quiet and scared. So...a mouse."

Molnt shook his head but walked over to Farha regardless.

"Why are you here?"

Farha sighed and jumped down into the pit. Her feet sunk into the loose sand, the familiar sensation was comforting. She stepped around Molnt and lecim, heading for the tents. The third figure moved directly into her path, stopping her short.

"Think you can just walk away?"

"I'm here to train, same as all of you. Now, get out of my way."

"Oh, how perfect! Molnt already has that rat cleaning his armor but now that you're here, lecim and I won't be neglected."

"I will not be cleaning your armor or any other tasks. Out of my way."

"Ah, you seem to think you have a choice in the matter. Let I myself, Vesalios Brandunin, be the one to assure you, that is not the case. In fact, you can serve me my meals as well."

Farha snapped. Planting her feet, she launched out her fist with as much force as she could. It collided with Vesalios' chin, sending him reeling backward. The sharp pain in her fingers was almost as welcome as the sand. She took another step, ignoring the fury in his face.

The world tilted.

Face first in the sand, Farha tried to comprehend what just happened. Her back ached, but she ignored it and rolled over. Molnt loomed above her, both hands extended. His face was warped with hatred. A pulse flew out and buffeted her, forcing her head back. What was happening? She put an arm out behind her and pushed with all her might. It was no use. The force was so strong she barely rose an inch off the ground. The pressure didn't relent. She was helpless.

Deep within, she could feel her skin crawl. For a moment, she was back at the fire, facing the beast. NO! She pushed with both arms, straining against...whatever this was. Was it a wind fiercer than any storm she had experienced? Finally, it relented. The lack of counteracting force launched her to an upright seated position. Her eyes churned in her head, looking for any escape. Another pulse. She was forced flat once more.

Rage, panic, the clouds grew indistinct. She could hear her pulse, each rapid beat building on the other... faster and faster. Tears sprung to her eyes, every muscle fiber twitched in rebellion. She had to move, to fight. Yet another pulse. Rational thought had long since taken its leave. All she could do was observe. Those three retched smiles etched themselves into her memory. Her blood felt like it was on fire.

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How long she lay there, she couldn't say. Was it seconds? Minutes? Blast after blast of air buffeted her, muffling all sound. She opened her mouth to scream but the breath was ripped from her lungs. Eventually, it was over. Molnt dropped his hands, looking drained. Vesalios had regained his feet at some point, a red mark clearly visible on his chin. lecim had never looked away, fixated in sickening fasion.

Farha lay there, limbs robbed of their strength. She was trembling all over, her hair was heavy with sweat.

"Now, let's try this again. Besides cleaning my armor and attending to me during meals, you will also do the same for lecim and Molnt. Is that understood?"

A plaintive cry from the only bit of logic that remained begged her to listen. It wouldn't be so bad, just a bit of cleaning and bearing insults cast her way. Far better than being subjected to this abuse. She could get back at them somehow. Maybe an instructor would listen? Maybe Ahven? Oh...it might rest solely on her. She could do this though, bear this burden. She opened her mouth once more, spit some sand, and croaked out an answer.

"No."

"So weak, you must speak up."

"She really is a mouse."

Farha took a deep breath. The first in an eternity. Her heart still was convinced she was in danger and every fiber in her body burned, but why should that stop her?

"I said no."

Stunned silence. The thrumming of her heart was the only sound she could hear.

"Dumb as well as weak then. Go ahead, lecim. Show her the consequences of disobedience.

lecim eyes lit up in excitement. He stepped closer to the prone Farha, lifted his hands, and pinched his fingers together. Drops of water formed on the tips, dripping down to land on her exhausted face.

"I won't kill you this time. But you'll wish I did."

He leaned down, that evil face filling her vision. Perhaps her heart had been right. The danger was far from over. Shuddering breaths wracked her body. She closed her eyes. Hard drops of water struck her face, tearing at her skin. It pooled around her lips, she refused to let it in. The wind also returned, though softer. It guided the water towards her nose. She held her breath with every remaining shred of willpower she could muster. The liquid crept farther up each nostril, begging to be let in.

She couldn't even turn her head and let it flow away. The air was being expertly adjusted to force her head to remain stationary. She pushed back, trying to get away. It was the only way she could go. The sand refused to give. Her legs began to cramp, sharp tingling covered her body. Even her teeth were hurting. Second by second passed, each one somehow worse than the last. The water pressure continued to build, waiting for one moment of weakness. Involuntarily, her throat was convulsing, begging for oxygen.

"STOP THIS INSTANT!

She didn't even hear the shout. Just the thudding of her pulse and the screaming thoughts. Like a blow to the head, the pressure was gone. She felt she could move, but fear restrained her more firmly than the air and water had done. Darkness was encroaching on her vision. It looked so comforting. Her body took control and drew in fresh air through her nose. The darkness fled. She felt sad to see it go.

Another breath, several more. The clouds regained their detail. People were talking, arguing. She heard but did not understand. Only one thought ran through her head.

Weak.

She heard it in lecim's voice, Vesalios and Molnt's. She heard it pared with disappointment in her father's. Most of all, she heard it in her own. It whispered through her mind, shouted, accused, stated. It layered over itself creating a cacophony. She could have sworn it was being said aloud, at least her ears seemed to think so. It could be felt too. Down to her bones.

A touch. She recoiled.

A new face looked down at her with moist eyes. Its lips were moving...how funny they looked. Gradually, senses returned. How odd, taste was first. Salty liquid mixed with grains of sand coated her tongue. Touch followed shortly after. The smooth surface below her, her familiar garments, four painful spots on each palm. Last of all was sound. It returned in stages, each one slowly drowning out the loud thoughts. She could hear birds chirping and singing in the distant trees. There was a faint shout somewhere far away. Flags rippling in the breeze.

"Can you hear me? Are you alright?"

Her eyes focused on that face. It was a kind one, or maybe anything not reeking of evil appeared so. Young, but with a growing set of wrinkles. Short stubble and a stylish haircut framed the concerned expression. What were they saying? Should she respond?

"I'm going to help you up now, okay? If it's not, you don't need to say anything at all, just shake your head."

Farha held still. Gently, two hands lifted her by her arms and supported her back. It was doubtful she'd be able to stay upright otherwise. Leaning against him, she tried to speak.

"They were-"

A cough cut her short.

"I know. I saw."

They sat in silence for a bit. Each of them wrestled with all that had just occurred.

"Thank you."

"Of course. I'll do my best to see them punished."

Farha closed her eyes, completely exhausted.

"Try to stay awake, it's safer. I'm Perol by the way. What might your name be?"

"Farha"

"Well Farha, how are you feeling? Any injuries that need tending to?"

She forced her eyes open and looked down on her traitorous body. The lack of visible wounds did nothing to comfort her. Glancing down, her hands still hurt, she could see four crescent divots in each one. There wasn't much blood, not that it mattered.

"I...nothing you can tend."

She looked up at him, why did he have tears?

"I'm sorry."

Rage flooded her overworn system. He had something to do with this? She tried to push him away, she couldn't even lift an arm.

"You let them do this?"

"What?! No! I'm sorry they mistreated you like this. It's reprehensible."

The emotion faded again, leaving an empty void.

"Oh."

The man carefully pushed her back up from his side, maintaining support with his arms.

"I think you're in need of rest. Can you walk?"

Her legs factually answered in the negative. Her mind was beyond her control. Was even her blood flowing?

"I'll try."