I Saved You

No! Stop! Where's our father? You can't do this!" Nena screamed as the guards smashed through their gates and barged into their home, sending things flying in their path.

"You both have to come with us!" They yelled, rushing to grab Zeep, who stood by the door, stunned by the chaos unfolding around them.

"Let go of me! Don't you know I'm supposed to marry the Prince? Have you no respect, you common servant?" She shouted as the guard tightened his grip on her delicate wrist. He chuckled at her distress and others joined him to laugh at her. 

"Do you really think you'll still marry the prince?" He mocked her.

Before she could respond, their attention was drawn to Nena sprinting into the house to lock herself in their room.

"Get her now! Hurry!" The leader commanded his men, while still keeping a firm grip on Zeep's trembling hands.

"I wish the king had ordered us to do whatever we want with you! I'd have torn into your fragile body and handed you over to my comrades for the deaths of my fellow guards that your sister caused!"

"You have no authority to touch me or speak to me like that! I'll ensure the Prince takes not only your tongue but your head too!"

In a fit of rage, he forcefully gripped her lips, knowing he was crossing a line but he couldn't stop himself from causing her pain. The nobles! He hated them!

"The Dramidis have fallen from grace to grass, and you'll be lucky to even serve as the Prince's foot scrubber! It's all over for you in Maribah! Your treacherous sister has ruined everything for you!"

"No! Let me go!" Nena's cries echoed as a guard hoisted her up by the waist, dragging her towards the palace—a thing that could never have happened back when they were still esteemed daughters of a chief.

Nena shook in tears while tears streamed down Zeep's face as they find it hard to make sense of what was happening to them. They hadn't stayed a second more after Asha had been rescued by a strange man because everyone watched and whispered about them.They knew the king wouldn't pardon Asha, but they never imagined they'd bear the brunt of her actions.

"The Daughters of Japthan Dramidi! You would have been welcomed here like the esteemed in-laws of the king if your sister hadn't conspired to kill me!" the king stated calmly.

Nena lifted her head to defend her sister, but the king's menacing glare silenced her.

"Say one word in her defense, and you'll join your father in prison. Don't act surprised; I've sentenced your father to a lifetime behind bars!"

"But he was your most trusted advisor..."

"Silence! When the king speaks, you remain silent!" he snapped, as a guard viciously slapped Nena across the face, leaving her stunned and speechless for a moment.

"Good! Here's what will happen to you two! You!" He pointed at Zeep whose face has been bowed in shame "I hope you know your marriage to my son is cancelled! Yes! But Mayo still has interest in you. So, I will leave you as his personal servant. He and his wife will use you as they like!"

Zeep was shocked by the news and she lifted her head to ask of the identity of Mayo's new wife but kept mute out of fear of being slapped. Mayo saw the curiosity on her face and said. 

"Soma is to be my wife and our marriage would be coming up in a few days time!"

That was enough for Zeep to know her life was truly over. She could never be queen and see if she can find a way to help her family out of the mess Asha has put them into. 

"You!" The king continued, pointing at Nena. 

"You shall serve the Queen of Maribah and perform any other household chores in the palace. You will never set foot into your father's home unless I decided to let you for it belongs to me now! You all will pay for your sister's betrayal. And as for your sister, Asha, I will find her and bring her back here where she would be killed for her sins! Now, get out of my sight slaves and change your beautiful outfits into rags befitting of your status"

"Please, my king, can we at least see our father?" Nena implored, suddenly feeling overwhelmed by their situation.

The king paused, and for a moment, Nena feared he wouldn't grant her request. But to her surprise, he accepted.

"Very well, let them see their worthless father. But keep a close eye on them! The Dramidis cannot be trusted!"

"Father!" Nena cried out as they caught sight of their defeated father. He rushed to meet them, tears welling in his eyes as he grasped their hands through the cell gate.

"I've failed you and your mother! I'm sorry!"

"No, Father. If anyone's to blame, it's Asha! She's responsible for all of this!" Zeep declared angrily.

"She's not to blame! I know she had no part in the plot to kill the king!"

"Quiet! If you defend her, you'll suffer her fate. Isn't our life as slaves punishment enough for you?" Zeep scolded Nena.

"I won't stop defending her!" Nena insisted.

"Stop, both of you! Now's the time to be united more than ever. Don't argue over things beyond your control. To survive here, you must learn to keep your thoughts to yourselves and obey the royal family!" their father interjected.

"Obey?"

"Nena, don't ask questions. Don't follow in your sister's footsteps. I don't want to discuss her right now. Just stay strong and stop arguing," their father pleaded.

"Stay strong? How, Father? I'm going from almost being a queen to being a slave, and Soma is taking my place!" Zeep sobbed.

"That's the least of our worries!" Nena shot back, glaring at her sister.

"Enough! I'll find a way to get us out of this mess..."

"You two, it's time to resume your duties!" a guard barked, breaking the moment between Japthan and his daughters.

Reluctantly, they parted ways to begin their new lives as servants. While Zeep lamented her changed fate, Nena's thoughts were consumed with finding her sister, Asha.

——-

Asha couldn't sleep. How could she when she was so far away from home? Her mind was consumed with worry about her family's wellbeing at that very moment. Surely the king will punish them. 

She gazed sadly into the crackling fire that illuminated the darkness of the empty land where they were camped.

"You need to rest. We can't linger here for too long. There could be men already on our trail," Elim urged, his eyes studying the beautiful yet distressed girl lying at a distance.

"I don't care! I'm innocent of the accusations against me, and I shouldn't have fled! The king might have just flogged me and change his mind once my father spoke to him. But now, I fear for my family's fate because of what you've done!"

"I saved you! You should be grateful! Now, try to get some sleep while I figure out our next move."

Asha saw that as opportunity to study the strange man as numerous questions crept into her mind. 

"Why did you save me? Why were you in Maribah? And why do you want the king dead?"

"Enough! Go to sleep!" Elim barked, turning his face away from her. "And if you intend to run from me you will be putting yourself in greater danger. Imagine what would happen to a young, fresh girl like you when you stumble upon the wrong people or when wild beasts find you. It will be in your best interest to stay with me and come closer!"

Asha suddenly became aware of the eerie noises in the forest and the encroaching darkness. Hastily, she moved her animal skin cover closer to Elim and settled beside Elim. Even though she was scared of him, she was better off with him. 

"She's better off without me! As long as we are together, she will always be in danger and besides I can't trust myself around her!" Elim muttered to himself as he cast a glance at Asha's sleeping form. 

He must find a place to dump her while he thought of another way to complete his mission of killing the king. It was the only way he could ensure they could both return to their home- Maribah. The king must die!