Game of Survival

by T R Tells

  “Everyone is equal?” Thea asked the sound of that made her heart leap with joy. She suddenly felt a gnawing pain in her gut for leaving her daughter and Maggie behind.

  “Especially equality, any Magi mistreated deserves a second chance.”

  “And what about if they aren’t Magi?” Thea inquired; her thoughts instantly went to Maggie.

  “Excuse me?”

  “My friend, she works as a courtesan too. She isn’t a Magi or Roma, but she has been abandoned, raped, and mistreated just as much as I have. Well, two have actually,” she said, thinking of Freya.

  Nathan twisted his lips and clucked his tongue, thinking. Thea watched as he rubbed his chin. “The All-Father only sees and accepts Kobold, Magi, Cryptid, but… What sort of mistreatment have they been through? I’ll just be honest with you Thea; many people only want redemption and salvation because they want to gain support without the work and to get a free ticket to escape judgment—”

  Thea shook her head and smiled. “No. No. They aren’t like that at all. My friend Freya, she watched her mother get raped and killed in front of her. She ended up losing an eye. My friend has to hide who she is and her relationship. She’s been abused because she only prefers women, and . . . my daughter. I didn’t bring her with me, but she was born into this world. That’s mistreatment enough and I just want better for her so, she wouldn’t have to survive like I had to.”

  Thea heard the crack in her voice as she spoke and felt the tears pour out without even realizing. She couldn’t understand how easy it was to talk to Nathan or how accepting he was with everything so far.

  “Thea,” Nathan whispered, resting his hand on her shoulder and pulling her to his chest. At first, Thea didn’t know what to do as she felt Nathan’s arms wrap around her waist. “How do you feel?”

  How do you feel? The mocking voice echoed in a sing-song tone.

  Thea gulped. She had her face in his shirt taking in the smell of the sea water smell on him. She wrapped her arms tightly around his waist and squeezed her eyes shut.

  “I feel tired, Nathan. Every day I die a little inside, but I can’t give up because I have people, I need to keep taking care of and I can’t let them down.”

  Yeah, because abandoning them on a pointless quest to look for your dead sister is taking care of them, the mocking voice chimed in, twisting the knife in her gut.

  “So, who’s taking care of you?” Nathan asked. Thea pulled away from him, her eyes bloodshot as she wiped her nose with the back of her hand. Nathan reached a hand out to wipe her eye. “The All-Father is here to take care of you, Thea. He sent my father to take you away from that wretched place. He can send for your friends and your daughter.”

  Thea sniffed. “A-And there won’t be no problems?”

  Nathan smiled and leaned forward to place a kiss on her forehead.

  “He sent you to me. And if you want to, we can be a family.”

  Just another person for you to lose, the ominous, disembodied voice spoke.

  Thea frowned and peered up at him. “What do you mean?”

  “You and me, your friends, your sister, and daughter. Every Magi and Roma. We don’t have to be oppressed anymore.”

  Nathan pressed his forehead against hers, pushing her hair out of her eyes. “Do you want to be accepted?”

  Thea nodded, her mouth agape and unable to speak, but every part of her wanted Nathan. She couldn’t explain the sudden attraction, and she wanted nothing more than for him to save her.

  “Do you want to be accepted, Thea?” He asked in a hypnotic voice, his eyes dilated as he hypnotized Thea.

  “Y-Yes.”

  “Then, marry me. Under the All-Father’s eyes, for our kind is what should be the ones who make this world: for one is all—”

  “Yes, I will,” Thea said without thinking.

  The power of Nathan’s hypnotism played upon Thea’s true feelings and what she wanted. A family and to be equal in everyone’s eyes was something she had yearned for far too long; her weakness that many could use against her as Nathan did now.

  ***

  Donnell sat on the edge of the lumpy mattress of the Silver Tavern, one of the middle-quality inns in the city. As he began to tie one of his boots, he heard a muffled moan behind him. He looked at the mess of wild red hair and pale shoulders peeking out of the blanket. The girl, whose name had slipped his mind, had been an enjoyable distraction for the night. Donnie knew his father didn’t approve of his “mingling” with the common folk, but his life was dull without the so-called commoners. Even if he wasn’t off with the “common” women, his father would still find something to reprimand him about — that was how it had always been.

  He turned his thoughts to Thea and what he’d caught her trying to do. Maybe I should go to the Meretrix and make sure she hasn’t decided to finish what she started two nights ago. He mulled over the thought for a moment, wondering to himself why he cared so much about this girl he’d known for only a couple hours eight years ago. There’s just something about her. I feel like I need to protect her, to save her from whatever led her to that dagger.

  Donnie pulled himself from his thoughts and turned to look at the redhead in the room with him, whose eyes barely opened.

  “Why don’t you come back to bed?” she mumbled to Donnie, so quiet he could barely make out what she said.

  “I need to leave, but you can stay here and sleep,” Donnie said, smiling gently at her as he removed her hand from his arm. She muttered something inaudible as he rose. He donned his cloak and left the sleeping woman.

  Donnie decided to walk through the Kingsland market on the way to the Meretrix. It was still somewhat early in the morning, so some of the vendors were setting up their stalls for the day. Donnie wandered over to a fruit vendor and bought a bag of apples, taking a bite of one of them as he left the market.

  He took a detour to a small alley in the impoverished area of town, following the sound of children’s voices. There was a small group of young boys playing who looked up the moment they heard him approach.

  “Good morning boys,” Donnie said in greeting. “I have this bag of apples that I can’t eat all on my own. I was hoping you could take some off my hands?” Donnie held out the bag to them.

  The boys’ eyes grew wide with excitement and they all jumped up and rushed over to him, chattering excitedly. The look on their faces warmed Donnie’s heart. He handed them the bag as they gave him a hurried “thank you,” before digging in. Donnie stood and watched them for a moment, proud that he had brought them so much joy.

  He was about to turn away when a little girl came running up to the group, asking for an apple but the bag was empty. The little girl turned to him, her eyes wide, her face breaking his heart. Then he remembered the apple in his hand that he’d taken a bite of.

  “Here,” Donnie said, crouching down to meet her eyes, extending the apple to her. “Take this one.”

  Her face lit up with a beautiful smile as she silently took the offered apple. Donnie lightly touched her shoulder and said, “Don’t ever give up. No matter what life throws at you, never give up. You’re stronger than you know.”

  The girl, being mute, only gave him a slight nod and scurried away, apple in her hand. Donnie hoped she’d be okay. There was something about the mute little girl that reminded him of Thea. She was a little younger than she had been when he met her, but she held that same spark he remembered seeing in Thea, bringing a smile to his face.

  Having fed the children, he continued walking toward the Meretrix to check on Thea.

  ***

  Despite the early hour, the Meretrix was packed. Freya surveyed the room with her usual detached disgust which she hid well from the men, though it had taken her some practice not to outwardly display how much she despised their clientele. As she looked around the room, she saw a tall man with brown hair that was partially covering his eyes as he walked in. He seemed familiar and once he brushed his hair aside, Freya realized she’d seen
him the night before Thea left, he’d been with her. The man seemed to be scanning the room, probably looking for Thea when he caught sight of Freya and a look of recognition crossed his face.

  I suppose I should see what he wants, Freya approached him.

  “Welcome to the Meretrix,” Freya said. “How may we help you?”

  “I’m looking for Thea. Is she here?” the man asked.

  His face didn’t have the common desire in it that most men would have when looking for a courtesan. He seems concerned about her, Freya was puzzled.

  “She’s not here. But many of our courtesans are available right now,” Freya responded.

  He frowned and looked worried. “Can you tell me where she is?”

  “I don’t have details,” Freya said with a shrug. “I just know she’s gone for a while.”

  “Where did she go? Is she okay? Please, I need to see her,” he pressed.

  “Come with me. I know who has the answers you’re looking for.”

  “Thank you,” he said earnestly.

  Freya led him through the brothel and up the stairs, all the while wondering who he was. She’d never seen him here before the other night, so she wondered how Thea could even know him. Freya stopped and knocked on a closed door.

  Maggie answered the door wearing nothing but a corset set and gave Freya a puzzled look at the sight of the man behind her. Since she’d been caring for Kadda, she’d told the girls not to send any men to her room.

  “Maggie, this guy is looking for Thea,” Freya said.

  “My name is Donnell, I’m a friend of hers,” Donnie introduced himself, holding out a hand to Maggie.

  She raised a brow and took his hand, before opening the door further and stepping to the side. “I’ve got this Freya,” Maggie said. “Come in.”

  ***

  Donnie stepped into the small room behind Maggie, saying thank you over his shoulder to the woman who’d brought him here. She shrugged dismissively and walked away. He turned around to take in his new surroundings and his eyes instantly locked on a little girl sitting on the bed, silently playing with a rag doll.

  “I apologize for interrupting your time with your daughter,” Donnie said.

  Maggie, who was rummaging through a drawer for a shirt, offhandedly replied, “Oh, she’s not my daughter.” Donnie didn’t think much of her response; this was a brothel, after all, there were bound to be a few children running around.

  “I was hoping you could tell me where Thea is?” Donnie asked. “She’s a friend of mine, and I wanted to check in on her.”

  “A Mage named, Nobius, bought her. They left yesterday morning,” Maggie replied.

  “Where’s the mage from?” Donnie asked with a tilt of his head.

  “He’s from the Bastion of Amac,” Maggie replied. She didn’t see any reason not to tell him about Thea’s trip. “Thea said he was going to teach her more about herself and that he might be able to help her find her sister.”

  Her sister? Didn’t her sister get taken during the Gathering? Donnie was puzzled. How could she still be alive? I thought my father had killed those women.

  “Do you think she’ll come back?” Donnie asked.

  Maggie put her hands on her hips and smirked, looking at the child on the bed. “I certainly hope so,” she replied.

  “Wait . . . is the little girl hers?”

  Maggie laughed. “Some friend you are. Or, are you her lover?” Maggie asked.

  Donnie quickly shook his head in response. “No, of course not. I knew her briefly when we were kids.”

  Maggie’s eyes ran up and down his body, Donnie could tell she was sizing him up. “I’ve concluded . . .” Maggie started.

  “Oh? What is that?”

  “That you don’t look or act like a complete asshole,” Maggie said with a grin.

  Donnie laughed in response, returning her smile with one of his own. “Well, that’s good to know.”

  “Granted you do look like a hoodlum with that bed head,” Maggie jerked her chin in the direction of his head. “No offense.”

  “None taken.”

  Donnie and Maggie talked about how he knew Thea. He shared his concerns about her leaving. Donnie was about to tell Maggie about Thea’s suicide attempt wondering if she knew or if Thea had done this before when a knock at the door interrupted them.

  On the other side was a woman in her early thirties with stringy hair the color of mud, and a lazy eye. “Yes, Rhonda?” Maggie said in greeting.

  “Edward has called a meeting,” Rhonda said.

  “Well, tell Eddie I’m with a customer.” Maggie’s frustration was evident in her voice.

  “He said he wants everyone there now. The men will be waiting downstairs until we’re finished.”

  Maggie sighed, “I’ll be right there,” before shutting the door again. She turned to Donnie. “Apparently, I have to go to a meeting . . . I hate to leave Kadda alone. Would . . . Would you be willing to sit with her while I deal with this?”

  “Thanks,” Maggie said, kissing Kadda on the cheek. “This is Mommy’s friend. He’s going to stay with you for a little bit, okay sweetie?” Kadda silently looked at Donnie and nodded.

  “If I find out you’ve done anything to that little girl, I will gut you in your sleep,” Maggie said, looking right into Donnie’s eyes.

  “I swear to you. I will do nothing to harm her.” Donnie believed that she was fully capable of carrying out her threat, though he wouldn’t have done anything to Kadda anyway.

  Maggie gave a soft look to the little girl, nodded at Donnie, and left the room.

  Donnie sat on the bed next to Kadda. “So, Kadda . . .” he started.

  She silently looked up at him and wrapped her little hand around his finger. His heart melted as she looked into his eyes.

  ***

  It was sunrise and the early morning sun peaked over the horizon, shining down on the black waters of the ocean and casting a yellow glow to the surface. Thea decided to attend service about the All-Father with Nathan. She was nervous, that much she knew, but it excited her to know that other people had shared her pain of survival. She would never have to be alone or struggle in a world that could care less about her.

  “Are you nervous still?” Nathan had asked her as he smiled down at her. They climbed up the steps and headed toward the dock. “Don’t be, everyone is your friend here, Thea; and if you don’t feel like speaking, you don’t have to – All you have to do is listen.”

  Thea nodded in understanding. She didn’t want to force herself into any predicaments, but she also wanted to be accepted by these people whose lives were as much oppressed and taken from them.

  They headed to the dock and sitting down were a few people who had been on the ship when Thea had boarded the boat. As if they knew Nathan and Thea were behind them, they all turned around and stared. Thea’s eyes widened, frozen with fear, but Nathan didn’t show any emotion. His entire posture was straight as he looked at the people in their eyes.

  “I have a new person joining our group today. This here is Thea.”

  Nathan extended his hand out to her and nervously she lifted it, half smiling at them.

  “Hello, Thea,” They all said simultaneously, unblinking and never moving an inch.

  Nathan grinned and he turned to face Thea, his back to the crowd.

  “Are you ready to hear what good he has done for everyone?”

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  The moment Thea saw the Bastion of Amac’s shores she almost burst with joy. She smiled so broadly her face hurt. Soon she would learn more about her magic and who she was, and after eight painful years, she would see her sister again.

  The moment seemed surreal and Thea thought she might have been dreaming. She couldn’t see the entire Bastion from the shore, just a small part of it. Nathan told her that the Bastion wasn’t a castle, but it was the church itself that housed religious officials, where they conducted business and had a monastery for Magi and Cryptid to get b
ack on their feet before attempting to make a living for themselves. In brief detail, her sister worked at the monastery, helping struggling Magi and Cryptid make ends meet. Thea hoped it wouldn’t be hard to recognize her.

  When the boat finally landed on shore, Thea took her first steps into a new country. The brown sand felt soft under her feet, feeling them sink in. The smell of pine filled her nose and she saw several green trees in the distance beyond dark green hills.

  “The carriage should be coming soon,” Nathan told her. He helped unload the rest of the ship with the other crew members. “We’re going to take that dirt road path through the forest and in twenty or so minutes, you’ll see the town.”

  Thea craned her neck as she followed Nathan’s finger, just as she saw the top of a carriage heading toward them. When they finally boarded, the wagon led along the dirt road path. Thea looked out at the forest as it spread on for miles, the trees here were different than the ones in Kingsland. These trees were much taller — almost as tall as the ones in the Citadel — they had beautiful leaves covering them in shapes Thea had never seen before. There were also many trees with needles on them and even those looked slightly different than the trees Thea had seen. Then for just a moment, everything Thea was looking at flickered; and instead of the full-grown green leafy trees, she saw bare-boned trees, right down to the branches. It left the forest with an almost scarce and haunting appearance. Thea closed her eyes and shook her head, wondering if what she saw was real or a manifestation from her mind. What was that? Thea asked to herself.

  When she opened her eyes again the abundance of green, leafy trees returned to their grand appearance. In the distance were grayscale mountains that were so tall they touched the clouds. It made Thea forget the horrid image she’d just seen as she gaped at the wonder of the beauty here.