Turning Wheel

I wake up to the sound of gunshots.

"Uncle! W-what happened?" I ask, rubbing my eyes to clear my vision.

Kasim doesn't answer. He shouts orders to the driver to go faster.

I hear the clash of steel. I remember that guards are escorting my carriage. They must have engaged in a fight. Deliberately, I tuck the curtain away for just a little to peek. My eyes dilate, despite my drowsiness. It is a fight indeed!

Guns fire, the unsatisfying cling and clang of swords screech by my ears. The adversaries look just like normal people, in dark cloaks and scarves. But to their chest they all wear golden...brooches? I take too long to notice a bullet coming my way. It buzzes just past my ear and scratches the hand I was using to hold the curtain. I gasp. A good deal of blood is coming out.

"Razia, what are you doing! Close the curtains and don't you look outside for even a moment!" Kasim shouts. I only nod, staring at the wound, too overwhelmed by the pain. For a while, he tosses to and fro frantically, not knowing what to do, then at last decides to pray.

"Why won't you tell me who those men are?" I wipe the sweat from my forehead. My breath quickens.

"They're- They're cutthroats." Doesn't sound very convincing. But I am too scared to press on. The wheels of the carriage might even break. I've never rode this fast in my life.

We both don't realize that someone is clinging onto the wall of the carriage until a hand with a knife threateningly places itself by Kasim's throat from the window. "Too late for prayers, old man."

My hands fly to my mouth, trying to muffle the scream that involuntarily came out. Kasim is as pale as a ghost and dares not stir. I must do something, so by instinct I take out the pin that fastened a broken button on my bodice, and pierce that brawny arm with it. The man yelps and pulls his arm away. "That fool doesn't give up! Down with the carriage!"

Kasim just pants, evidently feeling better not having a knife by his throat. But then he turns sober and looks at me. "That wasn't very wise, you made them angry."

"Then what do we do?" I ask desperately, almost shouting. My heart might as well jump to my throat.

"Make a run fo-"

Someone kicks the door in. Another man with a dark scarf whose face I cannot see. But he holds a flintlock pistol. Everyone has guns with them but I do not perceive anyone using it except him.

But who are they really...assassins? They look every part of it.

"Make a run for it? Hah, you must have gone mad. If you may, take a view outside, my- our men are everywhere, so you are bound to grace me with your presence," the tall figure says with a thumb pressed to his chest, his voice deep but also flamboyant. I resist the urge to not roll my eyes, despite the scared tears brimming it. He must've practiced the speech last night or something.

"Please, please, I pray you spare me. I have a daughter, see, I'm the only one she has," he begs with innocent eyes.

"Daughter? Isn't that another girl you tricked to gift away?" he replies without even looking at me.

Wait, I heard that voice before. I look at his eyes...hazel. Definitely a foreigner? Leave that, what did he just say? Kasim realizes I am gaping at him and so gives me a look saying he has no idea what that man is saying.

"Please! I have no idea what you talk about. Just spare my father!" I try to force out more tears. The stranger finally fixes his gaze upon me, confused. Then lower. "Nice necklace."

That's all he can say!?

I look down and realize I forgot about the pin, leaving the top of my chest bare, and my face goes warm. I fold my arms and open my mouth to say something hostile but nothing comes out.

Suddenly, an extremely loud blast rings to my ears. I have no idea of it's source, but my enemy seems to have the same bewildered look about him as he exclaims, "What in the blazing fire was that?"

I might be able to escape

I close my shaky hands into fists, waiting for a moment. Then with the help of my agility, I jump, and push him hard and slip away as fast as I can. I hear shouts from behind. Fools.

Or actually, I am the fool. My pace slackens when I look around to see the main square burning and people shouting. It really is a blazing fire! It's about a hundred yards away, but the screams tell just how bad it is. Smoke hovers above like a dark cloud. A lot of people are running and bumping into me, which makes even slower.

To my horror, I see a man in a shop stall stuck amidst a pile of wood. He screams when the roof caves in on top of him. His voice is cut of so abruptly, that it sends the hairs on my back on end.

Oh, Lord, end this.

Another shot is fired and it grazes my calf. I crouch down, turn my face back and start cursing. "You bloody-!"

Another hit on my head.

All goes blank.