[Future]

I had no idea how deep this insanity went. All the children. All my friends. They were born on some glorified farms and distributed between various families. Whoever can pay more. The blood mother of the child subdued soon after the birth and sent back to make more babies.

True, there are exceptions like our family but they are so rare. I would never imagined those words to come to me but…

Perhaps it is better for us to die out than to continue in such manner.

[Warmth]

Lafirra decided to stay with me and I must admit I have grown fond of her warmth my side.

We may need a larger bed.

[Strangers]

As we hunted away from the town, we came across three girls bathing in the river. Trying to scrub off a smell that was not there. My heart sunk. The garden escapees.

It took us half the day to calm them down before they collapsed in a heap of crying bodies. They couldn’t believe we won’t send them back.

[Carvings]

It is difficult to unlearn what one was forced to accept as natural. My body yearns for pleasure while my mind revolts at the mere thought of the act. I want to be alone.

[Touch]

We sat giggling and laughing around a bottle of wine. She has such gentle hands.

New bed turned out just fine.

[Shrimps]

These two take their time now. Within ten springs they hardly grew an inch. A luxury my body did not afford me. I shoot up like a twig and matured too soon for my own taste.

And then the garden came.

Before they had to send me away, father told me, they went to see the Diva of the town. They begged her. Mother knelt before her crying her eyes out and yet they were dismissed without a word. No compassion. Not even an explanation. Nothing.

I do wonder. What would she say if I looked her in the eyes and asked does she knows what a garden is. I do wonder what would be there in her eyes.

[War]

At long last the news came. I believe mother felt it. Pa never been away for so long. They brought back his body… he… it was mauled beyond recognition.

The humans did it.

How can a species so vile exist. Not even wild beasts show this much cruelty.

If thy wish it, we shall bring death to them.

[Humans]

They die like the pigs they are. Squealing.

There’s no fight in those creatures.

[Who am I?]

Today’s raid brought me face to face with a human. I run her heart through with my rapier. She looked at me in astonishment before she collapsed and slid off my blade.

A child hid behind her.

It opened its mouth yet no sound came. With sickening thud an arrow lodged itself in the child's head. The force of impact thrown the little body to the ground.

I have no qualms over killing someone bearing their arms at me. That is the way of war. Kill or be killed.

But children?

I am a soldier not a slaughter.

[Fifty lashes]

I can no longer feel my back. My skin is rotting. I can smell it.

I have paid the price of asking a question but no answers were given. They released me when the fiver took me. Even the most remote chance of my womb bearing fruit kept them from killing me.

[Kill or be killed]

I stopped counting. So much blood on my hands. It was that or back to the garden.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

I am a coward.

[Fear]

Foolish. How foolish we were. Human army is here. Not only they outnumber us greatly but they have that man.

A monster.

Just his presence alone paralyzed our troop. Not one soul could move. We were trembling in fear on our knees when they came and picked us out.

He shoved a scroll into my face and ordered me to read. The runes were old but no elf would mistook the hand that wrote them. The Empress herself have sign this with her own blood. Eternal peace between her children and the empire.

One he says we broke.

Kill the men rape the women. The monster ordered and watched as his men took turns on us.

Those who lived were bound and marched back into the forest.

Naked we went home.

Without clothes. Without honor. Without hope.

The diva's guards are coming for me.

[…]

Eleven winters.

I have worn a chain around my neck for eleven winters.

Why?

Why would she do that to me?!

Those human trash were gentler with us when they raped us. Her?

I have nothing left but my wretched life which she hopes I will lose by my own hand.

No! I will not grant her that satisfaction!

[Empty]

My love, she took you from me. I cannot even call your name without causing you pain.

Order she may but I will not name you any other way than the true one.

I have my right to silence.

[Collars]

Removing the mark is but a child's play. The collar bear the real issue.

So far I have not found a way to undo it.

If the mark washes off before the collar is taken, it would separate the head from the body.

In painful and gruesome manner.

[Truth]

A man by the name of Hevelor hanged himself soon after my father’s death.

He wrote a letter in his own blood addressed for my mother.

A confession.

One which saved my life at the price of two.

My father did not die by the hands of man. No. His only sin being his refusal to slaughter defenseless farmers.

Mother bartered that confession for my life against the diva’s word. How little she could do for my loved ones but keep their lives in her hand.

She branded them and stripped them of reason.

My love gave in gladly. No protest left her lips when she took in the collar.

[Sweet, Sweet kiss]

Perhaps for the last time our lips touch. Yours unmoving, my full of painful passion.

Tonight ends it all.

I have found a way. One I perhaps may not return from.

Pray, do not hold that against me and have faith.

Next time we shall meet free.

> Galen Vesa

The last page ever written crinkled under dried out tears. The ink smudged in many places.

And what am I to do with it?

Should I even meddle?

I sat drinking wine with my own reflection staring me down from the tall mirror hanging on the wall.

“Well, it is your home. Have you no say in this matter?”

But the woman in the mirror did not respond to my words. Unmoved, she drank her wine.

It had the color of blood.