Ailis, Part 5

Chapter 10: Ailis, Part 5

Years passed, all lands owned by the clans were declared owned by the invaders who occupied large portions or corners in which to keep an eye on their newfound property. They checked on each clan regularly, claiming it was for tax purposes. After warring with them, the clans fell individually to their rule under a truce. The invaders no longer massacred whole clans or even hunting parties unless claiming there was a break of the treaty, giving the illusion of peace. All the while, Ailis grew into a beautiful young woman with auburn hair flowing down her back and past her hips. Her sharp eyes were a creamy dark brown, framed with thick lashes. Her shining smile, though rarely shown, and high cheekbones were matched perfectly with the elegant shape of the rest of her face. Today, her smile was hidden behind a set jaw and scowl as she was forced to watch a small group of soldiers vandalize her home like the filthy evil-minded people that they were.

Her firm, womanly form and warrior build stood straight in a line made up of her people, her father standing tall next to her. The soldiers had ridden in on black horses, wearing black hoods, carrying many weapons. They flew wildly through each small home, checking for anything they wanted to steal. The taxes of unfair portions of food and items that they owed were already packed up for them to hitch to their horses for the journey back to the local landlord. The soldiers didn't care about that. They were under orders to treat the clans like dogs, and so they did. The chief and his daughter shared a secret glance at each other right before the end of the rampage. Ailis and the clans knew the obvious truth about the invaders. The clans had been caught off guard long enough for the cowardly invaders to sneak in with numbers and occupy. The slaughter was due to their brutality, dishonor, and greed; all its own vein of evil. But the scattered clans were weak against the invaders' united forces and had no choice to go along with it to prevent genocide.

Finally, a soldier shoved through the line and made it to the group of horses standing at the edge of the village. Calling out behind him, the rest of his men followed, carrying varied items. The people watched angrily as their belongings were being packed up on the soldier's horses and passed between them through grubby and uncouth hands. One of the men dropped his pack and cursed at the tumbled contents on the ground. A sudden gasp was uttered from the line, and Ailis' head snapped over to see Domhnall's mother-in-law slapping a hand over her mouth. Following her eyes, she saw her attention on some dresses sprawled over the grass. They were clearly older but unworn from lack of use. They were made of mostly the same cloth, though different intricate lines and patterns separated them from each other. Beside the common cloth of her clan, Ailis recognized the dress right away. The clumsy soldier chuckled smugly as he shook the dirt from the garments in front of the clan. Domhnall's mother-in-law whimpered and tightly shut her eyes. The dresses belonged to her deceased daughter, Ailis' sister-in-law, whose ashes now mingled with the earth.

Ailis looked back up at the man who had clumsily dropped the pack of stolen goods, and she felt the anger swell within her. They were little monsters who wanted to torture and humiliate her people in any way they could. The chief knew Ailis' mind and grabbed her clenched fist at her side. By treating the clans inhumanly, the invaders showed themselves to be lower than dogs and one of the worst forms of evil known. Ailis wanted to club the soldiers to death and take back her people's belongings, but not before spitting on their cowardly forms. The taste of the vision left her wanting, but she controlled her anger and gave her father's steadying hand-hold a reassuring squeeze. The soldiers, finished with their power-trip and packing, scurried along like rats until they mounted their bored horses and left.

The clan's line slowly eased into normality again as each person's renewed breath brought relief to them. The chief let go of Ailis' hand and went to comfort the old woman who could no longer cherish her deceased daughter's clothes in her absence. Ailis grabbed her stomach with both hands as she took in a breath and looked over her people. They all seemed so strong, and yet frustrated and helpless. She quickly glanced over to make sure the soldiers were well on their way before she went to help clean up after them.

After most of the clean-up was under way, Ailis managed a moment to check her own belongings. Her usually kept-up area was left with scattered clothes and blankets. This was routine, for the soldiers often rummaged through her things. Anytime there were different soldiers is when the people had to worry more about personal items being taken. The previous soldiers never deemed clanswomen's dresses of any value. Ailis bent to lift her toppled hunting bow from the ground and placed it neatly upright next to her untouched arrows. Sighing heavily, she wondered if this was how life would always be. This, or death. Was this better than death? She wasn't so sure. Without freedom, life was empty and utterly terrible. She picked up Domhnall's old dagger which fell from her waist before standing back up. I still have father, she thought. Though life was gritty and bare, with the chief around the clan had hope. She had hope.

Before Ailis could finish refastening the belt wrapped around the waist of her dress, something pointy and hard hit her painfully in the middle of her back. The wind knocked out of her, and she fell flat on her face. Assuming the worst, she turned quickly to face her enemy. Standing above her was a gruff-looking man with sullen cheeks and black eyes. Ailis knew his face well. He was one of the landlord's guards who often visited with the petty soldiers. His turned-up nose, bulky form, and leering gaze repulsed her. He hadn’t arrive with the soldiers this time, she would have noticed his sickening attention on her. He must have snuck in during the thievery while the clan was lined up.

The guard pounced, but he was predictable, and Ailis moved to the side just in time. Slamming to the ground made him angry, but when he looked up at her, he grinned cockily with a grunt. Ailis grabbed the hilt of her brother's dagger and held it safely hidden in the folds of her dress as she waited. She wanted to escape and find anyone who could give her aid, but the man was straggling on the ground, taking up the space between her and the way out.