Day 4

Autumn was serving her life sentence in the queen’s mines. Her people were excellent hunters and trackers, they were strong and durable. So, the Lovac tribe were perfect in the queen’s mind for mining her precious stones.

Most of Autumn’s tribe had died in the mines. Losing hope of ever returning to the surface. They worked waiting to die.

Autumn was all that was left of her family. But not all that was left of her tribe. She had never married as her betrothed was killed by the queen when enslaving her people. She and some of her people who still had spirit, that wasn’t broken would secretly dig, hoping for a way out.

The Lovac tribe was roughly put into cages pulled by horses. Autumn was among them, the mine she worked in was only a few hours away from the castle.

Execution was what everyone thought. They knew they were going to die sooner or later. So, they didn’t fight their fate.

There were so many new smells that they didn’t recognize. The air was fresh and clean. It was amazing to see the sun and sky again.

That was something that most had ever expected to see again.

Queen Tiffany was disturbed again.

“My Queen” a servant girl said

“The warrior woman has gone missing. Also, she killed your guards.”

Then the servant scurried away before the queen could behead her.

The irritating solider Black Beard Gruff that had been eager to see Joe’s death came in.

“It better be good news” she warned

“My queen the first wagon with hunters has arrived.”

“Well bring me the best one”

He went and looked at the Lovac tribe. Covered in dirt and smelly like a wet dog, they all looked thin and unhealthy, not inspiring confidence.

The rat of an advisor looked at them and worried for his head.

“Quickly clean them up” Black Beard Gruff said

“Clothe them and make them smell nice. Quickly, Quickly!” he ordered the servants.

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They hurried and washed, changed and made them smell nice.

Autumn was confused. She had never heard of the queen being kind to those she called slaves. Nor had she heard of people getting cleaned up and changed before getting executed. No one would tell her what was going on. Everyone, man, woman and teenager were lined up before Black Beard Gruff and the little rat of a man.

“She looks the best. Young. Doesn’t look diseased and no broken bones. Take her to the queen.” Shrew the rat of an advisor said.

Autumn was drugged off by soldiers to put before the queen. The queen looked her up and down.

“You are a hunter, from the Lovac tribe?” Tiffany asked.

“Yes I am.”

“I want you to find and bring two prisoners back to me. I will reward you with a week food.” Autumn couldn’t believe her ears.

“You must be crazy! If I find these women that you seek. You must give me and my whole tribe our freedom and the royal seal of protection that no one can buy or sell a Lovac.”

“How dare you speak to me like that!” said the outraged queen “I am your queen and I order you to find these women or die.”

“I am dying in your mine for being overworked, at least an execution is quick!” Autumn replied

“I have given my price. If you want these women so much you will agree to my tribe’s freedom and the royal seal of protection.”

Autumn wasn’t afraid to die, she wanted to live but she had expected to die in the mines like most of her tribe. She held onto hope but an execution was better than being worked to death or starvation. She had seen the sky again and smelt fresh air. If today was going to be the day she died then that was okay.

“I will give you your freedom but not your tribes.” Queen Tiffany agreed.

“So, I must live alone. Knowing that I am the last of my tribe. No chance of bonding. I will not.”

“Then I will offer this to someone else and have your insubordinate head on a pike in the city square.”

Autumn didn’t reply.

She now understood why she had been cleaned and changed and then lined up. They wanted someone who looked like they could get the job done. She stood her ground.

“Bring me the next and set up an evening execution” the queen ordered.

The next best looking was brought in. He was an older man who looked very weak.

“Too old” she gestured for him to go.

The next had a broken ankle that had never been set right.

“Can’t run.” The queen was getting annoyed

“Bring them all”

So, everyone was brought before the queen. They were either broken, old or to sick.

“Is this it?” she asked

“Yes, my queen. Maybe tomorrow others from another mine will come.”

“Bring me the first one” she snarled

Angered that she was made to look weak and that her decision to execute the woman was now being changed.

Autumn was brought before the queen again.

“I will agree to your terms” the queen choked on her words

“But all will stay here until you deliver those women and if you fail, I will kill everyone. Everyone in your tribe. You will be removed from history. A forgotten rain shower and I will feed them to the dogs while they are still alive!”

“A seal of protection for every member of my tribe and freedom forever when I succeed” Autumn said

“Yes” the queen agreed.

“Then let there be witnesses and it recorded, and the order for the seals to be made.”

“You vex me!” the queen said “Guards! Call the advisors and generals and scribes.”

The room filled with people.

“Let this be recorded” the queen began

“The Lovac tribe are free and each will be given a royal seal of protection. But if this woman fails to deliver then her entire tribe will be fed to the dogs.”

“And no one may buy or sell a Lovac.” Autumn added.

Everyone looked at the queen.

She nodded.

So, everyone in the room, great, small and smaller heard and recorded the decree.

Autumn was taken to the dungeon where Joe and Sugar had escaped. There were too many scents. She couldn’t tell whose was whose. So, she faked it.

Then she was fed and set free to hunt.

She ran through the forest it had been years. Using her cat senses, she tracked the missing prisoners. She was very out of practice.

In the mine she only used her strength and reflexes. Her other attributes were neglected.

The world was wonderful. Then she smelt something, a scent she had never smelt before. Unsure what it was she followed it back to the castle. It was now strong like blood, it was blood. But the scent disappeared as if into the wall. Thinking her senses were confused she left the castle again.

The queen hadn’t set a time. But she didn’t trust the queen, not one bit.

She needed to make progress, as quickly as possible. However, it was already late afternoon.