Fall of Shasarazade: Vol. 2

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In spite of the heat, there seemed to be a strange chill in the air. Tyllia struggled to keep her teeth from chattering. She brought her knees to her chest and hugged herself. Her mother scooted closer and put her arms around her, they both just sat and listened.

They simply waited, for what seemed like the better part of

an hour, every moment agonizing, until they heard a loud crash met by the wailing of men. Her mother reached for the sword and partially stood, trying to peer through the lattice work around the base of the house. Tyllia just clutched her mother and shut her eyes. Suddenly, the stomping of hooves could be heard approaching their side of the crawl space. She could feel her mother tense as she clung to her.

The legs of two horses came into view. A rider dismounted

with a thud, their boots striking the ground at the same time. "Eliss!?" Said a breathy man, "Tyllia!?" Her father dropped to his knees and leaned over to look through the foliage.

"We're here." Her mother replied as she turned and seized

the small bags.

The bells chimed again, a sign that the Minotaur and Nexus

armies had made it beyond the walls. Her father tore the strips of lattice down with a grunt as he told them, "Hurry!"

Her mother handed one of the bags to her and said, "Whatever happens, we love you. Keep this, you'll need it if we get separated." Tyllia started to sob, but her mother firmly gripped her shoulders and shook her. Shock and outrage washed over Tyllia. Her mother said, "We weep when we're safe. Stay close and move when I move, no questions and no hesitation, understood?"

Tyllia nodded without further response. Her mother knew she

would heed her words. They both clambered out of the dugout, crawling toward the opening. When they got outside, her father helped them both to their feet. Her mother tied the bag she was holding to the saddle, lifted her nightgown up as she mounted the gelding and straddled its back.

Tyllia's father grunted as he picked her up, placing her on the saddle in her mothers arms. She too, straddled the mount. After releasing her, he clutched his side. Tyllia exclaimed in a whimper, "You're wounded!"

Smiling, her father said, "There is peace in the mother's last embrace. May she welcome me home."

"Yes, but not today!" Her mother responded, "Today we fight

and live."

Her father reiterated, "Today we fight and live." as he quickly mounted his horse.

continued in Fall of Shasarazade: Vol. 3

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