Way of the Empire

3

Lilibeth's heart was pounding against her chest. The army was charging towards the village. The horse's hooves beat against the dirt sending dust flying up and into a cloud. Their riders urged them to run faster.

"Let me go!" Lilibeth screamed. The man refused. If they don't move, they'll be trampled. Lilibeth pulled his arm up to her mouth and bit. A vile, salty, metallic-like taste filled her mouth. The vendor cried out in agony. He secured his arm to his chest and raised his other hand. Lilibeth turned before he could land the blow against her face and instead hit the side of her head.

"You wench!'', he pulled her hair and sent her tumbling to the floor, the contents of her basket spilling out. She could feel the horses advancing. Sweat beaded on her forehead and trailed down her back. She dragged herself away as he pulled his leg back. She scrambled to crawl away to the forest's edge. The vendor stomped his way towards her. Some soldiers screamed their approach as their horses neared the man. It was too late. Lilibeth turned her head as she heard the crunching of the horses colliding with the vendor's body. Lilibeth covered her ears and tucked herself away behind a bush along the path. Everyone knew the king and his army were a horrid band of violent, unfeasible soldiers with no consideration for those that dared not heed their warning. It wasn't her fault. She thought to herself. Everyone could see them coming. They were loud enough that the entire village shook with their wrath. She took a deep breath to calm herself. Dirt and dust filled her mouth and nose. If she hadn't pulled herself away...well. He might still be alive, she thought. If he had just left her alone, none of this would have happened! She could taste the musk of the earth on her tongue. Lilibeth's hands were shaking as she pressed into the sides of her head. Her lungs rejected the dust, forcing her to cough. The shaking of the ground had stopped, she realized. She spit the taste off her tongue. Lilibeth slowly turned her head back to the road in time to see the villagers approaching the vendor's mangled body. A small pool of blood was forming beneath him. Some turned to look at her with disgust as they blamed her for his demise. His boy twitched like a last desperate act to pin the blame on her. As if her act of rebellion was responsible for this man's destiny. Lilibeth gathered her basket and walked away with her head low.

"Of course it's that girl's fault. You know she's always causing trouble around here''

"The palace girl'' said a woman that was sneering at her. As if her being from the palace gave her the freedom to trample over who she wishes.

"By God, he was just trying to help that girl'' Lilibeth quickened her pace. If only the ground could open up, swallow her whole, and then spit her out somewhere far away. The king and his army had slowed down to a slow trot through the town. She would have to get back to the palace soon. Her mother! Lilibeth's head snapped up as she scanned the crowd for her mother's familiar figure. Where is she? Fear surged through her body as she felt someone's hand wrap around her elbow. Lilibeth yanked her arm away. She turned around, ready to lash out and then let out a breath as she met her mother's eyes.

"Come quickly, we must make haste before the king arrives at the palace.'' her mother began to pull her away. Lilibeth's head turned around to look at the scene behind her. She began to speak when her mother shushed her.

"Never mind that. He's no child, he should have known better.'' Her mother dragged her away without letting her say another word. Lilibeth was glad the walk back to the palace was uneventful. The clanging of metal followed them as the soldiers began their walk back. Some of them had stayed behind to celebrate in town before coming to the feast tonight. Lilibeth suddenly perked up as she remembered her father. Had he seen them on the way into town?

"Mother, is father here? Did you see him in town?" She bombarded her mother. Her mother sighed before shaking her head, never missing a step. Lilibeth took her silence as an example and quieted herself down. She peeked over at her mother's basket. She had to re-purchase the herbs and flowers that Lilibeth had dropped. Guilt slowly gnawed its way into her. It's teeth sinking directly into her heart and sucking out whatever confidence and enjoyment she had left. They didn't earn much money from working at the palace. This mishap would just increase their family's debt. As if there was ever a chance of it being paid off. Her family had been working for longer than her mother could remember.

"I'm sorry mama'' Lilibeth whispered loud enough for her mother to hear. Her mother shook her head. The lines on her forehead clumped together in the center. The lines beside her eyes crinkled like the paper that drifts into puddles on a rainy day. She was annoyed. At her. Again.

They continued the walk in silence. Occasionally dusting off the specks of rocks left behind from her fall. Her palm had stopped bleeding. Lilibeth slowly un-cleanched the hem of her dress. Her fresh blood tinted the hem.

"Come, we'll use the servant's entrance.'' She followed her mother through the palace gates. The grounds were filled with servants bustling around preparing everything for the celebration tonight. People were sweeping the cobblestones and shining the candelabras. Excitement was buzzing in the air like a hive of angry bees. Lilibeth marveled at the sight of paper banners hanging across the courtyard over the tables. She released a dejected sigh. They'd probably make her stay in the kitchen tonight. Out of sight, out of mind. Probably for the best, Lilibeth thought. The last thing she wanted was to cause trouble for everyone else.

But then again, she'd never been to a party. Let alone one in the palace. Lilibeth could see it already. The music would be playing loud and everyone dancing in their best dress. The musicians in the local group that occasionally stands outside the palace and sings to the young servants would sing and dance the way they do at the fair. Lilibeth thought of the way the other girls would dance with each other whilst they gossiped about the events in town. Lilibeth had only been once, but perhaps once was enough for everyone. Although they tried to be secretive, she sometimes caught the singer of the group quietly singing to one of the cleaning ladies named Marissa. There would be meats of all sorts. Fruit! Bread. Lilibeth's mouth watered at the thought. Their rations at the palace weren't very much, and it had been months since she had fruit.

Before she knew it, they had left the courtyard and Lilibeth now found herself in the kitchen washing the dried blood and dirt off her hands before helping the other servants wash and prep the food.