FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Original story by: Courgus

Translated by: Erazaa

After Irana had thrown Ammnir into the pigsty and Karinar had closed it again, the three made their way into the house. Under the cover of darkness, the other farmers who lived here had all gone to bed and no one noticed the spectacle across the street. Karinar sat down at the table and Roidros joined her. Irana was still standing at the door she had just closed behind her. She turned her gaze to the table and the two of them. Seriousness was in her gaze as Karinar spoke out what was important to her:

>>Come, sit down, Irana. I think we have some things to talk about before we leave.<<

These words Karniar gave her were more balm for her soul than she wanted to admit at that moment or ever could have.

>>But, Karniar I don't want to destroy your life.<<

She waved it off and then smiled.

>>You can't destroy what others have already broken. Ammnir came almost every day when Roidros was not there. But I didn't want to involve Roidros in this.<< she said and looked at her husband.

He smiled because he loved his wife for being so strong and for not allowing herself to be taken advantage of. No matter by whom. So he grabbed her hand, smiled and kissed it gently.

Irana wanted to leave, but she could not. Something inside her commanded her to stay. The two broke away from each other and Karinar gestured for Irana to join them again.

>>So he came every day when I was not here? Did none of the other guards here in the surrounding area say anything?<< Roidros asked, but immediately he waved it off.

>>Wait. Stop. Forget I asked. All of them are in bondage to Ragoht.<< he said softly. Karinar nodded and then said to Irana and her husband: >>Since you brought Irana, I assume that we will pack our things. So it's time then, right?<<

Irana lowered her head, feeling responsible for the whole dilemma. Roidros looked at Karinar and nodded.

>>Yes. It's time.<<

Karinar put her hands on the table and sighed. A moment later came what Irana had not expected.

>>Finally! I almost couldn't wait anymore.<< said Karinar.

Irana instinctively looked up because she couldn't believe what Karinar had just said. Still Irana looked at her friend and was puzzled. Karinar quickly noticed the look on her face and smiled.

>>I told you before, you can't destroy what is already broken. It was my idea to leave but I didn't want to leave without you.<< she said to Irana while getting up and packing the first things.

Irana understood what Karinar wanted to tell her, but the words sounded strange in her mind. It was the same as Roidros had suggested when they were on their way from the mansion.

"She would understand." he had implied then, and those words echoed in her thoughts now.

>>I am tired of this life here. The only thing left is the king. The people have hardly any air to breathe. Hardly a day passes that something new is not decided. The farmers are already almost at the end. There is only enough for the minimum.<< said Karniar and looked at Irana.

>>I can no longer accept such a life let alone even lead it. That's why I asked Roidros to get you so we can escape together. Irana was torn. Her feelings went from one extreme to the next. She could no longer put into words what she was actually feeling or thinking. Everything was crazy, it seemed.

>>Why...?<< she asked almost close to tears about the act of the two. It took a moment for Karniar to answer her, but the answer was precise:

>>You probably don't remember, but you had saved our son's life.<< Karinar said and Roidros nodded in agreement. Irana thought hard about what she could mean, but nothing came to mind.

>>I don't know what you mean. I'm sorry.<< she finally said.

>>It was the last winter morning. The snow began to thaw already slowly and I was with the two small up in the city. We were just on the market on the way as a carriage came racing up. My son wanted to run away but he slipped. No one moved but then you came running and dragged him away from the carriage.<<

Irana let Karinar's words sink in and looked at her hands. Little by little, the details of that day came back to her. She had been sent to the market with another maid to get new supplies for the baron and an important guest. When the carriage roared up, she dropped everything they had already bought and rescued the child. Irana now remembered that he had cried terribly, but he quickly calmed down when he understood that the she-wolf had saved his life. She also remembered the punishment the baron had given her. She was punished with five lashes. All the others looked away, but there had been one more face. Roidros was standing in the crowd and his face was full of pain and sadness.

Irana slowly came back from her thoughts and looked at the two of them.

>>I'm starting to remember again.<< she said.

Karinar nodded and then continued:

>>If it hadn't been for you...<< Karniar said, faltering slightly.

>>... then our son would have died then.<< Roidros finished his wife's sentence.

Karinar nodded and packed the last things she needed.

>>Since that moment I have always kept an eye on you. Watched over you wherever I could. Nevertheless, I am sorry that you had to go through so much. You didn't deserve any of this. I wish we...<< Roidros wanted to continue but Irana told him that it was not necessary.

She grabbed his hand while a few tears ran down her face.

>>There is no need to say that. Thank you for helping me.<<

>>You don't have to thank us. We are eternally grateful to you!<< said Karniar.

>>Since that day you have been a good friend to me. That's why I liked to come to the market when you were there. Irana nodded because she noticed her face again. Karinar was often at the market, but she liked to wear a hood, which hid her face somewhat. She often helped Irana carry the groceries and other opportunities that came her way.

>>But now enough of the old stories. We want to go now, I think.<< she said to Roidros and Irana.

Karinar went into the small adjoining room, through a door and got the children. As soon as the boy was on his feet, he immediately ran out to Irana.

>>Hello Aunt Irana!<< he shouted euphorically as if it would be the most normal thing in the world.

She took the young man in her arms as he approached her. But even if she had wanted it differently, she would not have been able to resist. Karinar enjoyed the sight of her son holding on to Irana.

>>Thank you. To both of you!<< Irana said and hugged the boy. With the little one in her arms, Karinar came out of the room again.

>>Everything was packed. We can go.<<

Roidros nodded and took the two backpacks and a bag.

>>But I don't know where to go.<< Roidros said to his wife.

Karniar looked at him and smiled. Roidros knew exactly what that smile meant. He grinned because he could be sure that she had already thought about it.

>>I have a place for the five of us. Don't worry. We have to travel west. There, in the middle of the forest, is an old hunting lodge. I know someone who invited us there.<<

Roidros nodded and Irana rose from her chair. Together, the five left the house and turned their backs to Dorangtir.