The Maiden and The Four Waters

Walla used what strength she probably didn’t have to push herself away from Crowe and Exel, she turned her back on the window and attempted to walk away from the window, from Crowe and from Exel.

Crowe and Exel grabbed a hold of Walla, they didn’t force her back into bed instead they let her lead the way as they let her use them as balance.

They lead their ways out of the hospital hall and out the hospital door.

Walla placed her foot out of the hospital door before placing her other foot out the door, she basked in the sunlight and cool breeze.

Crowe and Exel stayed by her side as they noticed Melana race towards them, her face red and covered in sweat.

Melana halted to a stop in front of the three of them, she squeezed Walla tight in her arms.

Walla smiled a little, her heart felt a sense of belonging in Melana’s arms.

“I don’t think I’d know what to do if we had to mourn for you.” She kissed Walla’s cheek; Melana felt Walla’s small smile.

“Cl..” Walla breathed “Ari” She took a breath “Nne.”

Melana shifted her glance to the brothel before returning her gaze to Walla “We don’t know.” She sighed.

Walla took her steps with caution as she tried to keep her friends away from her.

Crowe and Melana walked side by side as they followed Walla, Exel trailed behind the three woman.

The villagers shifted their attention from what they were doing to watch Walla walk, many stood to their feet as silence fall over the village with the exception of the nature sounds.

There were several hushes as they walked down the dirt path, Walla assumed it was woman hushing children.

Walla noticed the faces of her village, woman; some young, some old. Some who had experienced loses while some who had yet to experience their first steps. Men; some young, some old. Some who had seen the worst life has to offer while some had yet to experience their first lust filled conquest. Children: some who didn’t understand the history of hate, some who had grown accustomed with travelling due to exclusion.

Walla stepped up to the brothel door, everyone watched her.

She placed her hand on the door handle, she took caution in opening the door.

Walla stepped inside, without women lounging around inside of the brothel felt different.

The drapes of clothing seemed out of place, the mismatched furniture that was usually ignored due the beauty of women was now in plain sight.

The lust filled sounds no longer echoed inside.

Walla took further steps in; she gripped the stair railing to keep her balance.

Crowe, Melana and Exel took their steps inside.

“Clarinne isn’t a coward, usually the first to show what she’ was made off. Guess the whore life finally got to her, huh?” Exel threw his words out without a care “You’d think my aunt wouldn’t bring shame any further.”

“Nep..” Walla breathed “hew” She hated the pain in her throat “ofa” she swallowed the little of spit in her mouth “whore.”

Exel tossed a playfully annoyed glance at her.

Walla smiled as she reached for a robe that hung over the railing, she used her strength to throw the lightweight item towards Exel.

Exel jumped back a little “I don’t know where that’s been, but we can only assume.”

“But they…” Walla tried to begin her sentence.

“Couldn’t have just disappeared without us knowing?” Exel finished for her.

Walla nodded.

Crowe and Melana didn’t have any words as they moved their attention around the brothel, both accustomed to knowing the layout.

“Clarinne knew about the four waters.” Crowe called out from the top of the stairs.

Walla and Exel turned their attention to Crowe.

“That night in the tavern, you noticed she acted differently. It wasn’t strange for her to be in the tavern, but it was different to see her lose her composure and be all over you.” Melana stepped out of a room and stood next to Crowe.

“You think…” Walla tried to speak.

No one knew what Walla was going to say.

“Instead of…”

They tried to listen to Walla’s uncertain words.

“Love.” Walla swallowed hard “jealously.”

It was as if Melana and Crowe had both come to the same realisation as they looked down to the lower floor, starring down at Exel and Walla.

“River.” Walla breathed out.