CHAPTER 07

ACT 31

3 years later...

Early in the morning after the cock crows, Ricktin woke up 8 years old Reolita...

Ricktin - Good morning my daughter. It's time to Wake up.

Reolita yawns very loudly.

Reolita - Oh I'm tired...

Ricktin - You have to wake up. There are a lot of chores for the two of us already.

Reolita - What of breakfast?

Ricktin - There is no water to cook. You have to go to the stream and fetch water and sweep the house and I'll go and cut fire wood and Diablo will be with me on the way. Then we will come back and cook and start the farm work. I have asked people from the farmers group to help me with some seeds and crops.

Reolita - Mmnngghhhrrr....

Ricktin - Oyah go. The small pot is outside. Make sure you fill the big pot with water. It is high time you go outside. You've been staying inside too much. You sleep too much.

Reolita - I don't know where the stream is.

Ricktin - If you have forgotten see those girls carrying pots follow them.

Reolita - OK. I'll be back.

Ricktin - Be fast oh. The goddess protection is on you.

Reolita yawned and stretched out. She carried the small pot and a piece of cloth with her.

ACT 32

She walked to the front of the hut.

She saw different people. People holding bow, arrows and traps for hunting. Mothers carrying babies and washing clothes. Animals walking all over the place.

She followed the others who had pots with them. She noticed two girls discussing and laughing. She was sad because she remembered her old friend from her former Village. She passed the big statue of the goddess at the center of the Village.

She got to the river and saw a lot of people. Some naughty boys were swimming in the river. Some where washing clothes and others were discussing or fetching water.

She fetched the water and went home. She did it again 2 more times. She looked into the big pot.

Reolita - Almost full. Papa isn't back yet. I have to be fast. I'm hungry.

She picked up a pot and passed a big compound she didn't notice before. She smelled something delicious. She sniffs.

Reolita - Mmm roast bush meat. It's so good. I haven't tasted some in ages. And i have only eaten it once.

She shakes her head.

Reolita - (Focus. The earlier I do my chores, the earlier i eat.)

She quickly hurried to the stream. When she got there she saw someone near the bushes. The person looked like Joey. She became excited finally someone she knew.

She went to hug the person.

Reolita - Joey I missed you so much. It thought you were going to the Yellow Empire city.

The person looked back at her with surprise. Reolita looked up and realized it wasn't Joey. It wasn't even a boy. It was a Red girl just like her.

Reolita - Oh my goddess I'm sorry.

The girl giggled. Reolita carried her pot and ran off. The girl looked at her in confusion. Reolita entered the shallow end of the stream and fetched some water.

Reolita - (So embarrassing and stupid of me.)

As she was about to leave, the Red girl she bumped into earlier came up to her.

Reolita looked at her expecting an insult. Instead the girl was smiling at her.

Girl - Hi. My name is Pepin.

Pepin was a year older than Reolita.

Pepin - What's your name?

Reolita - I'm Reolita. I'm sorry for bothering you.

Pepin - It's okay. I haven't seen you around before are you new?

Reolita - Not really me and my Father moved here 3 years ago.

Pepin - Ah. How come I've never seen you before? I know it's none of my business but who is Joey?

Reolita - He's a friend from my former Village. It was attacked by Blue Warriors and I just hope he is alright wherever he is now.

Pepin - Is that why your sad? I'm so sorry. I know the goddess will protect him.

Reolita - Thank you. It's been three years. I should just forget about it. I better be going.

Pepin - Let's go home together.

Reolita - Really?

Pepin - Yeah. Where do you live?

Reolita - At the edge of the Village by the banana farmlands.

Pepin - That's really far. I leave near the marketplace. No wonder I hardly see you. But don't worry I'll follow you to the Village square.

Reolita - Thank you.

They were heading back to the village.

Pepin - So what about your parents. My Papa is a tailor and my Mama is a trader.

Reolita - My Papa is a farmer. My Mama was a strong Warrior woman.

Pepin - Wow. I bet she's very brave.

Reolita - Oh yeah she was. But she's gone now.

Pepin - I'm sorry. You've been through a lot. Your very strong and I don't think I can be as calm as you if all that happened to me. Goddess forbid.

Reolita - It's not easy but I'm closer to my Papa.

Pepin - I'm glad. I like your bracelet. Where did you get it?

Reolita - It was Joey who gave me.

Pepin - Wow. I wish a boy would give me a fine gift. All the boys in this Village are too rough and don't know how to treat a girl.

The both of them laughed. They talked all the way to the Village square. Reolita was enjoying herself so much she didn't see in front of her and bumped into someone. She and the other person fell down and all her water poured away.

Reolita - Oh I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to...

Girl - What is wrong with you? Are you blind or just incredibly stupid? Aren't your eyes working?!

Reolita stood up.

Reolita - I'm very sorry. Let me help you get up.

Girl - Don't touch me you. Do you know who I am! I am the daughter of the great and rich Chief Laster.

The 9 years old girl stood up and dusted her skirt.

Reolita - I already said I'm sorry.

Girl - My name is Yuveta. I'm the daughter of the king's Chief Head of guards. And that means I'm practically Nobility. Looking at you your obviously good for nothing.

Reolita - You don't have to talk to me like that I said I was sorry already.

Yuveta - I don't need your pitiful apologies. Poor man's child.

Reolita grew very angry.

Reolita - Who does this idiot think she is anyway?

Pepin giggled at the insult.

Yuveta - How dare you talk to me like that?

Reolita noticed the girl behind Yuveta holding a fan and was fanning her. The girl was a very short bald girl. A colourless servant. She looked very malnourished and tired.

Reolita - (She's just a spoilt brat.)

Yuveta stepped on Reolita pot and broke it. Reolita angrily pushed Yuveta and she fell backwards. Her beautiful clothes got soiled with mud.

Yuveta - I will make your life a living hell in this Village you hear me.

Reolita - Try it let me see. You are all bark and no bite.

Yuveta - I'll show you.

She stood up and they started fighting. Yuveta pulled her hair and Reolita threw sand in her eyes. Pepin quickly carried her pot and ran off. A lot of people gathered round to see what the commotion was all about.

Reolita's Father was passing by with her Brother and some food stuffs in a bag. When he noticed the crowd of people and went to check what the commotion was all about. He was surprised and angry to see Reolita fighting with another girl.

He pushed passed the crowds and pulled Reolita away from the fight.

Ricktin - Reolita! What is the meaning of this? What is the matter with you?

Reolita looked up and saw her father glaring at her. She had cuts and bruises all over her body. She looked away from him in shame. Soon they heard a loud voice.

Man - What is going on here?

He got close and saw his daughter, Yuveta.

Chief Laster- What is the meaning of this? Yuveta who did this to you? What is going on here?!

Yuveta - Papa!

Yuveta pushed her maid away and ran to her Father.

Yuveta - It's this girl. I was just passing by and she hit me and when I told her to apologize she started hitting me and I had to fight back. She even bit my hand. See the bite mark. And this stupid girl...

She glared at her maid.

Yuveta - She just stood there and let her touch me. Umadi, I don't even know what you are useful for!

Umadi - I'm sorry lady Yuveta.

Reolita - That's a lie. I apologized and she insulted me calling me poor.

Yuveta - Well you are poor. Papa this is why I told you I need a bodyguard. I'm being attacked.

Ricktin - Chief Laster, I am very sorry for this. I am very ashamed. Please forgive my daughter she was just being childish.

Chief Laster - I understand. Children will always be children. But she should apologize for what she did to my daughter. I don't joke with my daughter. Your daughter is very rude.

Ricktin - Reolita apologize now.

Reolita - I'm sorry.

Ricktin - Again I am very sorry.

The Chief just laughed it off. Ricktin picked up the food stuffs and pulled Reolita home.

Reolita felt bad and scared. Ricktin was really angry. As they we're walking home two girls were gossiping about them.

Girl 1 - Look at her. Such a wild girl. She's new in the Village but already causing trouble.

Girl 2 - You can't blame a girl who came from a warring Village. Where is her Mother anyway?

Girl 1 - Probably ran away. Tired of the poor life. Can't blame her...

Reolita felt terrible. She had really disgraced her family. The people in this Village were stupid.

ACT 33

They finally got home, but Reolita didn't want to enter the house. When she finally did, her Father hadn't said a word. Ricktin dropped Diablo on the mat. He was still asleep.

Ricktin - Reolita come here.

She quietly entered her Papa's room.

Ricktin - What was the meaning of the fight you had today? Do you know you disgraced me today. We got to this Peaceful Village and you got into a fight? It is just not like you. Don't you know you just broke the law. We could be kicked out. No fighting is allowed here.

Reolita - I'm sorry Papa. It's that stupid girl. She caused it. She called me poor.

Ricktin - That is no excuse. Come here.

Ricktin brought out a thin and long stick.

Reolita stretched her hand and he gave her 6 strokes of cane.

Ricktin - Now go to your room. Now!

She quickly went to her room and laid on her mat. She thought about the whole day so far. She remembered her Mother. She started to cry. She carried her blanket and covered herself.

Reolita - Mama I miss you. I wish you were here with me.

ACT 34

A group of 100 Blue men were riding towards a Red Village. Prince Kydin was on a horse holding his sword and the new Chief Warrior in command was beside him. His name was Makillo.

Makillo - My Prince now that you have clocked 13 years it is time for your first taste of battle.

Prince Kydin - Yes Chief but why here. I want to be fighting against the Red Empire army not raiding a small Village.

Makillo - In due time my Prince. But we are not here to raid. Our sources say that this red Village has been using Blues as slaves and we have come to free them.

Prince Kydin - They must pay for that.

Makillo - Exactly my Prince. We have come to free our people. Don't worry my Prince do your best and I'll back you up. Charge men. Free our people.

On entering the Village A lot of Red people started running and screaming for their lives. Red Warriors came out to fight. Kydin managed to fight off 2 of the Warriors but a third almost got him but was struck down by Makillo.

They arrived at the Chief's house.

Makillo - You two go inside and bring Chief Nalo out.

The two men entered the hut and brought out the Chief. He was very skinny for a Chief.

Makillo - Well well. Did you really think you could get away with treating our people like slaves.

Nalo - Isn't that what you people are good for.

Makillo gave him a kick to the face.

Prince Kydin - How dare you disrespect my people?!

Nalo glares at Kydin.

Makillo - Don't worry my Prince. He will be dealt with accordingly. You men pick him up.

Suddenly a girl ran out of the hut and knelt down in front of the Warriors.

Girl - Please don't hurt my Father. I beg you. He is the only one I have. I beg you. Please.

Nalo - Naphen get away from here!

Naphen - No. Please let my Father go please.

Kydin began to feel bad.

Makillo - I don't have time for this nonsense. Take the girl and anyone else you can find!

Nalo - No! Naphen run!

They grabbed the girl and managed to round up about 20 more people. They tied them up and led them away.

Makillo - Very good. Now move everyone.

They rode for about 30 minutes. Makillo noticed how quiet Kydin was.

Makillo - My Prince why so quiet?

Prince Kydin - I know that the Village head was guilty but his daughter was innocent.

Makillo - I understand your point but they are still the enemy which means they can't be trusted. She could start an uprising against us and we can't have that.

Prince Kydin - Yes. You are right. Besides when her Father was using our people as slaves I'm sure she was also enjoying it. What is done is done.

Makillo - Exactly. Well said, my Prince.

ACT 35

2 hours later...

Ricktin had already made breakfast. He went to Reolita's room and saw her sleeping. He sat down on the mat and gently woke her up.

Ricktin - It's time to eat your food, my dear.

Reolita - I'm not hungry. I just want to sleep.

He carried her and put her on his laps and hugs her tight.

Ricktin - I know you are angry at me. But I beat you because I was disappointed with your behavior.

She started to cry again.

Reolita - But it was that girl. She called me good for nothing. It's all her fault.

Ricktin - My dear, you see in life you need to learn how to handle people. No matter what anyone does to you. You should learn how to act and not react. OK? It's not everything someone does to you that you react to. When foolish people talk the wise ones maintain silence and ignore them. Believe me people like her don't deserve attention.

Reolita - OK Papa. I'm sorry.

He used his hand to wipe away her tears.

Ricktin - I know its hard after what happened to your Mama but we have to try our best to cope. OK?

Reolita - Yes Papa.

Ricktin - I forgive you. Oyah It's time for your breakfast. We still have to clean the house and work on the farm. But first eat and shower OK.

Reolita - Yes Papa.

Ricktin - And I will also check those scratches on your body. That girl is very stupid for touching you.

Reolita giggles.

Reolita - Yes Papa.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Please, I would really appreciate reviews and criticism.