Fight or Flight

Azrya rode up to a tavern on the outskirts of town and tied her horse to the fence. Taking a deep breath to steel her nerves, she pulled her scarf lower to conceal her face and stepped inside.

To her advantage, the tavern was crowded and noisy. No one paid attention to the plain-looking woman who entered. Drunken men with bulging beer bellies slouched at wooden tables, chugging pints of ale and scarfing down greasy pies.

Azrya scanned the room carefully, eyes sharp as she searched for the shadiest characters. Her gaze settled on three men dressed in all black at the bar. Unlike the boisterous farmers and peasants, these men were quiet, alert, their cold, watchful eyes sweeping the room with trained caution.

She took a seat nearby with her back to them, close enough to overhear but far enough not to arouse suspicion.

"One ale, please," she said softly, placing a bronze coin on the counter.

As she sipped her drink, she strained to hear their hushed conversation.

"So far, we have eighteen girls," one of them muttered. "The boss wants two more products, then they're off to Volos. We've got one day to find the last two. No slip-ups—he's already fuming."

Another man hissed, "Those two idiots screwed up the job with the Lady wife of that scum knight Akio. That prissy noble was worth ten common girls."

Azrya's chest tightened at the insult to her husband. She wasn't overly fond of Akio—but he wasn't the worst man on earth. He had transformed Magnus from a ruin into a thriving city. And though he often barked threats, he had never once laid a hand on her... never even claimed her body, though it had been weeks since their marriage.

She knew he held himself back. She'd felt it—late at night when they lay together, his desire rising against her. But every time, he pulled away. She didn't understand why... but she was thankful. The very idea of intimacy still terrified her.

Still, hearing these men mock him stirred something fierce inside her. She gripped the cup tightly, her knuckles white.

A third man leaned in. "We only need one more. I've got a girl locked up not far from here. We're almost set."

One of them snickered. "Guess we better inspect the merchandise before we deliver it. Can't risk handing over poor-quality goods."

Azrya felt her stomach turn violently. Disgust flooded her.

"We'd better check on it now before anyone finds out."

They drained their mugs and headed toward the exit. One of them slapped a server girl on the backside as they passed, making her flinch.

Azrya froze. She knew she'd already crossed a line coming here. Akio's warning echoed in her mind. She could turn back now before things spiraled further out of control.

But her conscience wouldn't let her.

She had to try. Even if she couldn't save all the girls, she could at least save one.

Azrya slipped out of the tavern, spotted the three figures in the distance, and mounted her horse, trailing them from afar. After about fifteen minutes, they stopped at a small, run-down hut and entered one by one.

Her mind raced. What do I do?

As she neared the hut, a girl's scream pierced the air.

Without thinking, Azrya snatched up a large rock and hurled it through the window, shattering glass in a spray of shards. Then she ducked into a haystack nearby, heart pounding.

Moments later, the men burst out of the hut, fuming, and scattered into the woods to find the intruder.

Bingo.

Azrya bolted for the hut. Inside, a girl—no older than sixteen—was bound to a table leg, her hands tied with rope. Her face was streaked with tears, her hair wild and clothes ripped.

Rage surged through Azrya, but she softened at the girl's terrified expression.

"Don't worry—I'm not here to hurt you. I'm getting you out of here," she whispered urgently, pulling out her dagger and kneeling beside her.

She sliced through the ropes, then gently helped the girl to her feet. The girl was weak, unable to walk easily on her own. Bruised. Abused.

Azrya wrapped an arm around her and led her toward the door.

But before they could escape, a tall man stepped inside. His expression shifted from shock to a twisted smile.

"Tut tut... now what do we have here?"

Azrya shielded the girl with her body and backed away slowly, never breaking eye contact. With one hand, she discreetly reached into her sleeve for her blade.

"Looks like it's my lucky day," the man sneered. "Didn't even have to go looking for the second girl."

He prowled toward her, a predator stalking it's prey.

"Stay back. I'm warning you—" Azrya said.

"Or what, little missy?" he laughed. "Just do what I say, and I won't rough you up too badly."

Azrya swallowed her fear. She couldn't overpower him in a one on one fight, he was too big.

Instead, she played along. "If I do what you say, will you let us go? Swear it."

"I swear it," he grinned.

"Then... tell me what to do."

"Get over here. On your knees."

Her body locked in place, fear rooting her to the floor.

"I said now."

Her legs reluctantly obeyed. Slowly, she walked toward him.

He shoved her to her knees, then began undoing his belt, buttons following.

A vile, reeking organ dangled in front of her.

"You know what to do," he rasped. "Do it, or I'll kill you both."

Azrya's face twisted in revulsion. "Of course," she said sweetly.

Then, in one swift motion, she slashed upward with her hidden blade.

The man shrieked as blood burst from between his legs, collapsing in a writhing heap on the floor.

"QUICK—LET'S GO!" Azrya shouted.

The girl gaped at the scene, mouth agape in horror. Snapping out of it, she hobbled over, and the two of them fled.

They reached the horse. Azrya helped the girl mount, securing her in place.

But just as Azrya was about to climb up too, a pair of arms yanked her back. Her scarf slipped, revealing her unmistakable silver hair.

Shouts erupted behind her.

The horse bucked in fright and tore off into the darkness, the girl clinging for dear life.

"NO!" Azrya screamed, thrashing and kicking against the hands that held her. She fought desperately—but it was no use.

The two men overpowered her.

A sack was roughly shoved over her head.

And then, everything went black...