Call of Freedom

Chapter One

There she is, sitting on the ground with her bow next to her and a case for her arrows on her back. She is all alone, a lot further than her village, hitting a rock to sharpen it and create her own arrows. The continuous bang of rocks colliding with each other is the only thing audible in the large plain. The sun has just came out and the golden light is reflected in her grey eyes, but she doesn't care. She loves feeling the warmth of the sun removing the night's coldness off her body.

After finishing with her hobby, she examines the curved arrowhead proud of her work. These designs represented on detail will forever be her beloved secret.

Suddenly, she hears movement from across her, where the weeds grow thick and nothing can be seen as the morning fog is still covering the ground surface. Raising from the ground, she grabs her bow from the land and moves warily behind a massive rock controlling her breath. Watching the leaves moving from a crack on the rock, she wishes it's not the patrolmen.

Let's just say that her actions are considered illegal and if she is caught, her life will be in danger. No matter her confidence over her illegal skills, it would be better for this secret to remain hidden.

Watcing concentrated, she notices a little boy getting out of the weeds. A sigh of relief comes out of her mouth, as her eyes examine the boy. Barefoot, walking in the mud, he leaves footprints making her roll her eyes for his immaturity. As he walks towards a random direction, she realizes the risk he is putting his and her life into. Taking out an arrow and placing it on her bow, the arrowhead points him.

She releases the bow string and the arrow lands right in front of his feet, just where she wanted. A scream of terror comes out of his mouth as he collapses on his knees, covering his eyes with his hands.

With steady and slow steps, her tall figure stands in front of him and she grabs the dirty arrow from the muddy ground.

"Who are you?" At the sound of her flat voice, he flinches. His head slowly raises, his brown eyes are haunted by some inner anxiety. Nervously, he moistens his dry lips as his fingers are seeking out anything to reach.

"Please, don't kill me! It's not my fault!" He speaks in a suffocated whisper which frightens her. But, she must learn more.

"Why would I kill you?" She forces a sweeter voice and kneels. Slowly, she puts her arrow on her case, watching his sobbing reducing.

"Aren't you a patrolman?"

"Do I look like one?"

His eyes, for the first time, focus on something which is her appearence. They search from head to toe, but lock at the area around her waist. At least he's informed. No belt, no patrolling.

"No..." he blurs out, wiping off his red nose. And his eyes meet the ground again, his arms embracing his body.

What could harm a little boy that much -or even better- who? Deep down she knows the answer, but it's too reckless to admit it. Even the thought upsets her. Her eyes scan the valley, searching for any kind of threat. The time is running out, someone might see them. A patrolman might do what he's ordered and then tremendous problems will occur.

Some would ask why she even follows this routine of secretely escaping and lying to everyone if it's so risky? Well, simply because she is Merida. Her mind is in constant alertness, full of questions and worries that are illegal to express.

This boy, however, and his experiences can obviously give answers. What really is out there, beyond the limits of her home?

"What is your name?"

"Zion."

"What happened out there?"

His eyes fill with tears and his chest vibrates.

"The Army, the fire..." He talks to quickly to be clearly understood. That's it, she has no other choice but do this reckless thing.

"Zion, you will come with me," his eyes meet hers immediately. "You will be safe and sound; no one can harm you there."

His head moves up and down in a slow ratio.

"Will you promise me something?"

"Yes...?"

"Don't talk to anyone about this. Let me handle the danger."