Ahe'ey

Sky Falling

SKY FALLING

Sky saw horror reflected in her mother’s eyes as their front door was abruptly knocked down by a sharp blow. She could hear her newborn baby sister crying uncontrollably. The baby was tightly wrapped in the cotton sling that hung over her mother’s chest. Ten-year-old Sky tried to control the fast thundering of her heartbeat as four Hu’urei surrounded them.

Sky pressed her lips together and held her breath. She scanned the bodies of the men, observing each sword, dagger, and axe. She waited anxiously for her mother’s direction. Gráinne was Sky’s world, moon and stars. The girl adored her mum and hoped to become just like her. The fiercest Yi’ingo warrior in the land was a courageous and beloved leader to her people—ruthless and fair in equal measure.

Gráinne was preparing Sky to become the queen of Ahe’ey, a birthright locked in her pure blood. An honour and a curse, a privilege and a burden. Sky recalled her mother’s words: “Cherish your loving heart but never listen to its calling in matters of rule. There will be times when you will need to sacrifice the ones you most love for the sake of all our people.” Words repeated every time Sky’s wild and passionate heart got the better of her.

Gráinne didn’t react to the men. The Yi’ingo warrior finished braiding Sky’s wild copper hair. Then she placed her fingers on Sky’s chin and looked into her eyes. With her gaze, the mother pointed to the open window that stood a few metres from the young girl. Sky stood frozen, processing her mother’s silent command. The girl’s eyes were wide; her lips squeezed between her teeth as she prepared to run away. Tears streamed down her face as she kissed her sister’s head. I love you; I’ll come back for you. I promise.

Before Sky could react, Gráinne stood up, dagger in hand, carrying her youngest on her chest. The man that stood between Sky and the window fell as Gráinne slashed his throat with a single swipe. Red rain showered on Sky’s face. The girl watched nervously; she feared for her mother’s life. Gráinne was faster and more accomplished in battle than any Hu’urei in the land, but she’d given birth just the night before. She was weak, too weak to fight three men with a child in her arms.

“Go Sky! Fetch help,” Gráinne screamed as she placed her body between the rest of the Hu’urei and Sky. The Yi’ingo held her dagger in front of her baby, commanding the full attention of the men. Sky hesitated, watching her mother stumble and nearly faint.

“Leave my home, Iblis, or I will skin you alive.” Gráinne’s voice quivered.

“Don’t kill them. We need them alive,” Iblis said, managing the rage of his men, who huffed and grunted at the sight of their dead companion. The three Hu’urei unsheathed their swords.

Sky jumped over the dead Hu’urei and ran towards the open window. She dived straight over the window-sill and rolled on the ground, quickly moving into a standing position. She looked back to meet her mother’s gaze. The curls of her blood-coloured hair covered her face and hid the panic in her chestnut eyes. She didn’t want to leave them. She had to leave them.

“Leave the girl,” Iblis ordered, keeping his eyes set on Gráinne, “she’s not yet of fertile age.” The three men surrounded the woman, Iblis’ sword pointed towards her baby. “Yi’ingo, drop your sword or the child will die.”

Sky raced as fast as she could, ignoring the blood gushing from a scraped knee caused by the impact of the fall.

“I’ll come back for you, Mother.”

To leave her family was to abandon her heart. She left in search of help; she was unaware she’d never keep her promise. Guilt would torment her for the rest of her life.