[IC] Freedom in Qishan

[writingrin]

The village was no more.

Teren could barely believe that still.

She remembered seeing it empty as they were all carted away in chains but it was nuts! That village had always been there and they'd survived SO MUCH for so long. She'd always expected the extreme weather or an attack from the nearby villages to be what ended them. Not slavers. Of course she'd always known slavery was a possibility too, but you never think that's going to happen to you!

At least she already knew how to work hard. As a little girl she was in service to the village doing lots of odd jobs. Then she grew up and joined their army helping defend everyone. That was a whole new type of discipline but with it came certain benefits that made it easier. Finally she had a purpose in life and if she died she would die for a purpose--protecting the village.

But in the end she hadn't died protecting it. Others had. And they'd all failed.

At least, so far, she wasn't being physically abused in any way except through forced labor in cruel conditions. Teren didn't think she could live with rape. But this backbreaking labor in the hot sun and dry wind? Even the lack of food and water. It was enough to drive one crazy but she could endure it. And she helped others endure it too.

Today they got a break at lunch time. Apparently slaves were dropping like flies a little too quickly for their master's taste and they were easing up a bit. Teren was almost too tired to care. She had, sneakily, been using her magic to keep a breeze blowing on herself and those near her. They were the least overheated now but she was extra tired from her efforts. Her magic was, for obvious reasons, being supressed by the owners. Just not enough apparently. She'd noticed that right away. But the little bit of magic she did have wasn't going to help her escape. She couldn't whip up enough of a breeze to slice open her bonds or pick up a ring of keys and bring it to her. The air could stir but it was blunt and unwieldy.

Teren sucked down her water fast, stumbled away and collapsed on the ground, struggling not to be sick and loose the precious water. She knew better than to chug water when she was dehydrated and hungry but several times her water had been spilled before she could finish it. She refused to risk it again. Now that she was resting she didn't risk calling up a breeze. But she still begged the universe for a natural one. Heck, even a storm. Bring a storm and end the day's work. Or bury everyone forever. She was so tired she didn't care at the moment.

[Sunflower]

The morning sun was warm and welcomed as the nights in the desert could be cold. Alibaba stretched his arms above his head and soaked in the sun’s rays as he waited for Aladdin on an outcropping of yellow sandstone. Behind him, further down the hill, was the small camp of ten people. They buzzed about getting ready for the day, making food and checking supplies.
Over the years Alibaba and Aladdin worked to end slavery and at the moment the desert lands above Balbadd was their main focus. The villages and towns that were spread out at oasis to oasis often fell victim to raids by slave traders due to their relative isolation. Only the larger villages to the south, closer to the shared border with Balbadd were safe.
"I thought I'd find you up here," A feminine voice called out to Alibaba. He turned around and for a moment he believed that he had imagined the voice.
A hand suddenly appeared from the other side of the small cliff and soon the rest of the girl followed. Alibaba clutched her hand and pulled her up, "Thank you. Now I have something to ask of you."
The girl was about as old as Aladdin and she was a little on the short side. Her clothes were stained in areas from the lack of washing. Water was valuable in the desert and they didn't want to waste it on washing clothes.
"What did you want?" Alibaba asked with a smile, even though he knew what she was going to say.
"Let me go with you and Aladdin." She said, "You guys never let me do much beyond help around the camp and I'm getting restless."
"Saran...We don't want you hurt, that's why we don't allow many people to come with us." Alibaba said, holding a hand up to silence her protests.

The girl sighed in frustration. She wasn't used to staying in the camp for long stretches like the others were. Her upbringing had ensured that she would always enjoy moving from place to place. Crossing her arms over her chest, Saran tapped her foot impatiently. "You do know that I can help you, right? I was taught how to fight by my father and brothers."
Usually she would have gestured to the sword that was almost always present on her hip but for the time being it was back in the camp being cleaned by one of the men.
The blond man didn't know what to tell her other than a quick little answer that would hold her at bay until Aladdin got back. "Let me ask Aladdin then."
Shouting below the high hill made both of them whip around.
"BREAKFAST!" The voice, which seemed so soft but actually belonged to one of the loudest people that both Alibaba and Saran had ever met, called out to them.
Saran sighed as she made her way back to the edge of the cliff, "I'll save you some breakfast I guess. But seriously, I want to go with you both this time." And with that the girl climbed her way down the small cliff, leaving Alibaba to think things over.