Here I am again, guys. It's short, I know, but only because it is a small frame of time in which something relatively important happens. Knock yourselves out.
Epoch 2
Among seas of men and animals, all seemed too natural. The smell was like flesh, except unusually more so. The air was filled with flakes of wood, dust, and small bronze specks- rust. Clopping hooves accompanied the “thud” of my heart.
The Thithers didn’t march in any fashion, so I only occupied myself with moving forward. Very little thought was needed so far. Around me were several thousand footmen, a few hundred horsemen, and several thousand captives. I would have been a captive along with them, and I was one mistake away from that tragedy.
I felt strangely disconnected. The sadness of my master’s death, the elation of my freedom, and the unthinking frenzy of my narrow escape left me fazed. As my stomach began to grumble and my loosely hanging mouth dried under the sun, I quickly regretted masquerading as a Thitherian. Their armor was heavy and their progress through the wilderness was dragging.
I tried wondering how difficult it’d be to make my way from the center of the horde to the outskirts for an escape, but my weariness stopped my wondering. I couldn’t wonder, only walk. I wonder when we’ll stop walking.
A mule passed me, carrying half its weight in children. A woman clothed like a civilian from the city led it forward. As she shouldered her way through the droves of men, then past me, I realized a light haze over her eyes. She opened her mouth and a voice like flowing water broke forth.
She had tresses of brown hair and a round face. Her lips were small, nearly inexistent. Her nose was pierced, and adorned with a priceless jewel.
“Happiness is for such as these.” She pointed toward the children riding on the mule, whose noses were similarly pierced.
The mule seemed to succumb to her every wish. It didn’t back away or impose itself, but silently followed. I watched as the haze slowly lifted from her eyes and time froze around us. Her eyes were grayer than granite.
I looked down to realize that her feet weren’t on the ground. She floats!
But then, she was gone, mule and children with her. I wasn’t sure what to think or say. So, I asked the soldier to my right.
“Did you see that?”
“See what?” he returned quietly.
“It was a- a spirit or something.”
He parted his lips. Both of us stopped, and the crowds moved on past us.
“Was it a woman?” he queried.
I batted my eyes, “It was.”
“And what did she tell you?” he nearly whispered.
“ ‘Happiness is for such as these.’ “ I replied, “What does it mean? She was pointing at kids riding on a mule that she was leading.”
“Are you so sure she wasn’t pointing at the mule?”
I stared at the ground. Chuckling, the soldier moved on. I need something to eat.
