Land of the Blue

She silently watched as the snarling man was carried into the room, his arms bound behind his back. She ignored the hushed murmurs from the gathered locals, each demanding justice.

"Gentle." Her voice purred out as the guards threw the bound man to his knees at the base of her throne.

Moving down the steps, she verified with her guard, "You sure this is the man?"

"Yes, this is him." The guard stated, disdain tinting his tone.

She stood in front of him, peering into his eyes as she questioned, "Are you from this land?"

"N-no." His words shook out.

"Hmm..." Her head nodded as she began to pace back and forth in front of him, "I thought as much. Where are you from?"

"Verdant." He replied.

"Verdant?" She stopped pacing momentarily as her face filled with delight. "I love Verdant! " Her movement continued as her tone began to normalize, "but unfortunately, you're not in Verdant anymore. You're in my land, and I know..." she held her hands up in acceptance, "that in Verdant you are allowed to kill but that is simply not the case here."

"Oh, I..." true shock and lack of understanding present on his face, "I didn't know."

"As such, I decree that you shall be held for the next hunt, which coincidentally is in just a few short days."

"The next hunt?" He questioned. "What's that?"

"It is where we take all the criminals that have been sentenced to death, like yourself, and we hunt you."

"Hunt me?" His words screeched higher than he expected. "Death? For killing a bull? It was just a bull!"

"Just a bull.." She began before being interrupted by a voice in the audience.

"That was my father!" A young calf's pain drenched words called out.

Kaliya's eyes scanned the room of various animals and people, looking for the voice. Her eyes connected with the young calf before walking towards him.

Placing her hand on the calf's tear soaked cheek, she spoke. "I am so sorry for your loss young one. It is not fair, and it is not okay and I will get retribution for your father," she looked up to the mother cow, "and for your mate."

"Why are you speaking to that animal as if it can understand you?" He demanded as he listened to her respond to the grunts and moos of the animals in front of her. "Are you crazy?"

"Crazy?" Her voice had playful intrigue as she brought her attention back to him. "Crazy would be calling the person holding the manner of your death in their hands rude names."

She made her way directly in front of him, connecting her eyes with his. "And of course, I can speak to animals. You are from Verdant, the land of Green Spirits but you are in the land of Blue Spirits now." She spread her arms out as she signaled to the crowd of people and animals.

"Look around, we are not each other's food, we are each other's neighbors..." her voice firmed, "and you have killed our neighbor."

"I really didn't know." He pleaded.

"I really believe you, but it does not bring back the life you took." She pointed towards the bull's family, "that is the family of the bull you murdered. That is his partner and their calf. You didn't just kill a bull. You destroyed a family."

"So you're going to hunt me? Like an animal?"

"If it helps, when we do hunt you, you'll be dressed like an animal. A bull to be specific. Poetic justice and all, so just pretend that you're a bull and then your life won't matter to you anymore because, ya know, you're just a bull and should have no opinion of being killed. Right?"

"I..." he began.

"And!..." she cheerfully interrupted, "guess what? The next hunt will be for my daughter Wren's birthday, which means..." she did a little drum roll against her legs as she happily announced, "the ruler of Verdant will be in attendance! Perhaps they will be the ones that kill you. They can take you home to Verdant and put your head on a wall or whatever you weirdos do with your kills. Wouldn't that be cool?"

"Cool?" His entire being exuded exasperation, "No, I don't think it's cool. I really didn't know."

"And I already told you," she reminded, "I really believe you. Why else would I be so lenient?"

"Lenient?" He ridiculed her words in disbelief.

"Yes, lenient," she willingly explained, "I am simply giving what is owed. A life for a life. Nothing more, nothing less."

"And if I was from here?" He asked out of pure curiosity.

"I would see how long I could keep you barely alive and conscious." Her voice turned sharp as she continued. "You would beg and wish for such a generous death and you should say thank you."

"Thank you?" He scoffed.

"You're welcome." She smiled politely as she signaled her guard. "Take him."