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RIZA
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Chapter Fifty-Nine: The Cruelty of Hope - Part One
Galactic Quadrant: Darna Quadrant
Ruling Government: Talum Merchant Federation
Solar System: D-447
Planet: Ora
Location: Daska City, Outer City
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***
Ten years ago
***
It has been nearly two years since my mother died. I remain strong for her. For the promise that I made to hold a flower someday, to honor the name she gave me. That and to spite those who sold me. I will thrive even without them. There is hope in me, despite the despair that surrounds me. People have been acting differently of late. The food is scarce, even more so for an Ulima like me. The others in my group spoke of a Clan accepting new members who have skills and are not afraid of hard work. I am wary of the prospect of what that can mean. For a Kuwathi to say something is hard, it must be doubly so. No matter, I am not afraid.
“Riza, we move.” The leader of our little band of Ulima says. My name on his lips causes me to blush. Though I will not say it, I am very fond of him, I have been since he saved me. He is not the best fighter, nor the smartest of our group, but he is diligent and caring. This is more than enough for me.
“Understood, Eres,” I reply to him. A glance from him and a smile on his lips sets my heart ablaze. Though I try to hide it, I fear he may know. I am almost fourteen, he is nearly fifteen. If we can join this Clan together and prove ourselves, perhaps in a few years… no, I should not fill my mind with such hopeful things, one step at a time.
We move through the streets of our city, towards an outer Clan’s hall. The Inner Clans have no need of Ulima. They treat the outers as servants already. Someday though, I will return to the inner Clan that sold me, breaking the divide in my station, plunging my blade into their hearts. I will see their blood run in the streets. This much I have already sworn on my mother’s ashes.
“We only have room for three more.” The man at the Clan door says.
“I bring six.” Eres says, trying to plead with the man now “We are all skilled, we will be great assets to your Clan.”
The man strikes Eres firmly across the face, sending him to the ground.
“How much of an asset are you with ears that do not listen? I said three only.” The man says, spitting at the ground "Filthy Ulima."
My hand reaches to draw my blade, but I see Eres’s hand already holding back mine. He has always been good at reading me and my intentions. Letting go of the grip after my hand relaxes in his, he rises to his feet again.
“Then three shall remain,” Eres says with a bow.
“Enter.” The man says, moving from the large circular door as it rolls away “I will decide which three.”
Eres leads us inside, he does not appear to be mad at the offense. He has always been better than us at letting go of things like that. Meanwhile, my mind still wishes to see my hand remove the smirk from the face of the man who struck him.
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“First to fighting, then show us your skills.” The man says. Staring at us with uncaring eyes, he motions for a few boys older than us to step forward. They appear to be Ulima as well, I will be wary of them. Their stance tells me they are unafraid of us.
***
Of the six of us, only I won my match. Eres’s face is bruised and battered, though he does not show he is in pain. He is strong like that. He does not stare at the ground in shame, he meets the eyes of those who beat him. Offering them a bow even.
“Five of the six you brought are useless.” The man says to Eres with a sneer.
The ones we were made to fight, were formidable. They are also a few years our elder. To say the others are useless is not true. The man seems to want to get a rise out of Eres. He does not give it.
“I will test your other skills now.” The man who I have since learned is named Jenek says folding his arms.
***
Of the six of us, only three including me were able to impress Jenek. Showing him that we know how to repair armor and laser cutters. That we have value. Eres was amongst those who proved themselves. My heart is gladdened by it. I do not know that I could stay without him. He is the light in my dark reality.
***
Days turn to weeks and soon months follow. I have turned fourteen finally. In that time, I have made myself useful, and so has Eres and the other of our group that was selected. For the first few weeks, we used to sneak out to give rations to the others who did not make it. We were caught though and beaten severely for it. Luckily, they did not expel us. Yet.
Today we visit the markets. The last time I was here, was when I was sold years ago. I am wary of the merchants who see me as little more than a product to be peddled. The man, Jenek leads us as we carry the small bounties we claimed from the mines.
My eyes widen as I see a woman I recognize amongst the merchants. She gave me sweets as a child when I came with my mother. She was kind, unlike the others I see here. I remember that she used to leave me things, like books hidden away, the books would take me to faraway lands, they are some of my fondest memories. I have not seen her since my mother died. I wonder if she will recognize me. As I walk by her, giving her a small bow, she pauses what she is doing.
“Riza?” she says, moving towards me.
Jenek looks at me squarely, watching the interaction. He will not dare interrupt her. The Arasha are above the Kuwathi.
“Yuna,” I say fondly. Dropping my bag and embracing her open arms.
“My, how you have grown.” She says, pushing me away to look at me “Last I saw you were only to my chest. Now you look me in the eyes like a real woman.”
Her smile breaks back the darkness, I had nearly forgotten how kind she was. Like an oasis in the frozen wastes of our world. She does not treat me as the other Arasha do, nor as my fellow Kuwathi, she treats me as an equal. Like I am a person.
“How is your mother?” she asks me. Taking the wind from my chest.
“She died,” I say softly.
Her expression sinks as she pulls me in tightly. Her embrace is warm. Like my mother’s used to be. She whispers in my ear now so the others cannot hear.
“It is not safe here, let me take you away.” She says.
My head looks to Eres, I do not wish to leave him. She seems to notice my reluctance.
“How much for the girl and that boy?” the woman asks, pointing to me then Eres.
Does she mean to buy us both? Why? I cannot help but get a little excited at the thought though. If I was to be sold to anyone, I would be glad it was her.
“A thousand Deca,” Jenek says.
“You could buy ten for that price.” Yuna protests.
“The lowest I could go is eight hundred,” Jenek replies with a sneer.
She turns and scrawls something quickly and slides it into my hand with something I would not forget the shape of, a sweet. My eyes look over to Jenek who has seen the exchange but says nothing.
“I will gather the money.” She says, looking at him now “Will you let me take them in the meantime?”
“No money, no deal,” Jenek says, looking at me now, there is no emotion in his eyes. Since I have known him, the only time I have seen him happy is when others suffer.
Yuna nods. While the Arasha are above us, they must follow the law of trade, it keeps the balance, and the goods flowing both ways. Embracing me again, she whispers once more.
“I will come back for you. If chaos descends before then, meet me where I wrote.” She says, clutching me tighter “Do not believe their lies, there is only death in the future they promise.”
Who will lie? What future will they promise? What is she warning of? As she pulls away, she leaves me confused. What does it all mean? Why does she wish to take me from here?
***
A week has passed since I saw Yuna, and still no word. When we left, Jenek stole the sweet from me, saying he would sell it for the Clan, he did not find the note she left me. I was able to hide that at least.
Not having heard from her for so long, I don’t know if Jenek lied and stole her money, or if she did not pay. Perhaps she has abandoned me. It does not distress me though, I have Eres still. This is all I need to find happiness.