16
VIOLYA
The tall bamboos swayed in the wind. Random gusts pushed the hollow stems sideways for a few moments before they sprung upright again. The warrior Violya loved the bamboo forest, a short hike out of Riaow. The endless rustling soothed her. She lay in the usual secluded spot, her long, lean limbs stretched out. Watching the towering grass as she waited for Emmya, for their weekly whine and wine get together.
This place held many memories for the warrior, imprinted on her soul.
“Run!” Emmya had yelled, when they were seven years old, and her friend couldn’t hold off V’s attackers any longer. Emmya had opened the cupboard door where V cowered and shouted. V had run, with the bully Sianya on her heels, but V had kept going long after Sianya had given up. Out of the city, deeper
