Daughter of Aratta

There is a war heading our way, a war that I don't think anyone of us is prepared for. Our land has known peace and harmony for as long as I can remember. We've always been told that the Celestials will protect us as they are the ones sitting on the Eternal throne and there has been a prophecy or belief that says, "The one who sits on the Eternal throne is the eternal ruler of Aratta".

"Everyone will live and die for Aratta and the Eternal throne!", announced the hologram speaker broadcasting the daily morning live stream from the capital, as new announcements poured in I zone out thinking about the people who will have to leave their homes and families and destruction that is moving our way if not stopped beforehand.

As the end of my night shift approaches, I see my best friend Sultana come and stand next to me.We are both looking at the hologram when she askes, "Isra, will you be told to join the troops that are leaving for the boarders too? Is the Capital going to recruit untrained civilians, do you think we are prepared for the war?"

I looked at her for a few moments searching for a reply and said, "We have not been informed about anything so far and I am sure that the Capital will issue a notice soon. Don't worry your father will protect you Sultana, you are a Viscount's daughter." I know my answer will not give her all the answers that she wants, but I hope that it will put her mind at ease. In a sense of not wanting to talk about the current situations I try changing the topic and ask her about what she was planning on doing for the rest of the day when my replacement guard walks in to take his position.

While I was debriefing the guard about how the night went she shouted that she was going to head to her practice class and going to hurry before she gets late again for the elemental magick class.

After she left I started walking towards the guards room to change, get my belongings and head to training class, but as soon as I entered the class our instructor walked in with the Dux and said, "You all have three weeks to get as much training as you can possibly get and then every single student will be stationed at different outposts on the border. We know and understand that your training is still not complete, but the orders from the Capital just came in and its our duty to follow them." A sudden silence fell and of the students including me started looking at the instructor and eachother.

I don't know about what others felt at the moment but I felt scared, unprepared, uncertain and all the other emotions just came crashing to me and I couldn't stop myself for saying anything.

I looked at the Dux and asked him, "Pardon me Sir, but they can't be serious? Are they actually thinking about sending us 17 18 years old students out there to die? What new will we be able to learn in three weeks time?"

My instructor looked at me as if he wanted to strangle me then and there and snapped, "WHO ARE YOU TO QUESTION THE ETERNAL THRONE'S ORDERS? There is a war on the horizon and all the orders that we receive are for our safety." Not feeling the courage that I felt before anymore I started looking at my feet as the Dux and instructor walked out of the room to make the same announcement for other students I guess.

After they were out of the class everyone started looking at me as if I had made a very grave mistake, which I realise that I did. I should have never questioned the Dux or the Capital and should have just kept my mouth shut. Embarrased I got ready to leave when Arius got out of his seat and haughtily asked me, " Why do you care if you get deployed or not? Its not like someone will miss you or will be waiting for your return. We all remember what happened to your parents and thankfully, maybe the same will happen to you too. Orphan."

"You always want to have the last word in everything. Even when it is not needed, right? Just so you can make yourself feel relevent. I do remember about what happened to my parents.They are martyrs, wish I could say the same about yours. Coward.", I replied and stormed out towards the dragon shed to practice shadow manipulation in a bid to get a way from everyone.

"May the Celestials help us", I say it after my practice and start walking towards my black dragon Saaya to feed her and take her for flying practice afterwards.