Unbound: Slave to the Desert Sands

No Stronger Bond

  It had been three days since Kaia’s ordeal by the men’s campfire. She had not seen much of Azra since the Ma’Kala’ree had informed her that she herself would be mentoring Kaia during her training. Despite herself Kaia couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed. She enjoyed the woman’s company far more that most of the other Kala’ree, who often stared at the three Creesan girls with distrust and outright dislike. Even those who didn’t seem to mind them being there gave them a wide berth as though they feared catching something contagious. Each day as they ascended the mountains Kaia felt more and more like cattle being led to the slaughter. She did not know anything beyond these mountains and once they were beyond them, Kaia feared she would never be able to return. She had contemplated trying to escape more than once, but although they were not restrained the Kala’ree almost never left them alone, with one of the women even sleeping on either side of the girls during the night. That precaution seemed almost unnecessary in the fact that guards stood around the pavilion throughout the night and even in the slight chance they did manage to slip away, the procession went on for miles behind them and the woods around them were thick and dangerous. Kaia could have sworn she had heard wolves howling in the night on more than one occasion. Pasha, who had been none too pleased with them after speaking with Azra had continued to be a mentor and seemed to somehow dislike them, Kaia in particular, even more  now. She had reminded them on multiple occasions that if they failed the training they would be cast out with the regular slaves who did not enjoy the same comforts as they did. This always caused poor Mary to squeal with terror which Kaia thought Pasha seemed to enjoy. 

     As the mountain path had grown more steep as they climbed and the air always had an icy chill to it now. Azra been busy seeing to various injury and discomforts among the King’s guard and the Kala’ree. Kaia had also seen her and her yellow companions treating horses for various wounds and scratches from there extended ride. Kaia enjoyed watching the men care for their horses before they set out to ride for the day. They made her think longingly of home and of the tiny warm stable behind the Rusty Nail. She often thought of Night Runner and Grimold. She was so lost in thought as she gazed at the stallions that she did not even notice someone approach her from behind. 

     “Do you ride?” Azra’s calm voice sounded from just over her shoulder making her jump and turn around hastily, nervous that she was going to get told off for daydreaming. The sun was setting now and everyone had already finished the setting up of camp. Kaia and the other girls did not have much to do at this time except, as Pasha always reminded them, to stay out of everyone’s way. Azra gripped her own horse’s reigns in her hand and tied them to a post with a quick practiced knot as she looked at Kaia. Her expression was just mild interest rather than irritation so Kaia relaxed a bit. 

    “Only a little,” she said honestly, “I used to care for the horses back home. Grimold always said I had a gift for the mean ones....” Kaia trailed off realizing she was babbling and Azra would have no idea who she was talking about but the Ma’Kala’ree didn’t seem to mind. She looked to the King’s guard and his horse which Kaia  had been staring at. 

     “A king’s guardsmen, or Ula’mor, as we call them is bonded with their stallion as soon as it is foaled in the very beginning of the man’s training. There are few stronger bonds that exist. They eat, sleep, do everything together until their training is complete.” Azra looked at Kaia rather sternly, “It is a great insult to touch an Ula’mor’s horse unless absolutely necessary, you must remember that.” Kaia swallowed hastily and nodded. Azra’s eyes softened and looked at her own horse fondly as she stroked his face. “This is Ratee’ka” she paused as Kaia had c****d her head curiously, “it means River dancer. His Ula’mor died very young, only a few years into his training. But it was too late to have him bond with another warrior. So he was given to me. If a Ula’mor dies in battle his bonded stallion will often die of grief or else will be rendered so useless by sorrow that it will be slaughtered and buried with its master.” Kaia opened her mouth appalled but caught herself after a quick look from Azra who shrugged and said, “it’s just the way it is.” Kaia looked at Ratee’ka and couldn’t imagine how strong the bond between a man and beast would have to be for a horse to die of sadness. She remembered how carefully groomed all the stallions always were and realized the devotion must go both ways. Azra watched her for a moment before saying, “if you would like, you may care for Ratee’ka. It would give you something productive to do while I am busy during the journey. We are not bonded in the same way so it is no insult for you to be with him.” Kaia’s eyes widened with shock and she felt a spark of joy, something she had not experienced since her last morning in Bleakburn.

     “I would love to!” She blurted out, unable to surprise her enthusiasm. Azra’s face broke into a genuine smile at the girl’s excitement. She handed Kaia the reigns. Kaia stares up into the eyes of the bright, intelligent eyes of the black stallion who had a small white star in the center of his forehead. She held out a hand which he sniffed curiously and then nickered softly. 

      “You’ll groom him once in the morning and once at night. The horses eat before we do no matter what.” Azra instructed and Kaia nodded eagerly, surprised how pleased she was to be given this new responsibility. They left Ratee’ka tethered and Azra showed Kaia where the feed and supplies were. Azra too seemed pleased with Kaia’s attentiveness as she got to work grooming. 

      “Just remember,” she warned, “Your training hasn’t truly begun yet. Once we are over the summit we will have more time and energy to start diving into it. This will not be a responsibility you can just push to the side.” Kaia gave a genuine smile as the horse let out a big sigh of contentment as it munched on grass and relaxed into the grooming.

      “Don’t worry,” she looked at Azra with confidence she hadn’t felt in days, “this I can handle.” The Ma’Kala’ree crosses her arms and watched, looking satisfied.