17 Autumns ago -
The giggles of delight filled the air, as Desiare ran through the house cheerfully carrying the new doll. She wasn't quite sure what a 'birthday' was, but she had been repeatedly assured that today was hers and she was to have fun. Many of her relatives had already been to visit, bearing various gifts and treats. And her mother had promised to make pies for after the supper - a treat in itself that Desiare adored.
Watching her go by, her mother smiled at her enthusiasm and energy. Holding her belly, she got up and left her reading, to go seek the young girl for her afternoon lessons. "Desiare," she called out, hearing the child's animated chattering ahead, and wandered in the direction of the kitchen.
She found the child, talking the ear off the poor cook as she tried to prepare the evening feast. Several people were attending that evening, and a large roast had been prepared for the occasion. The aroma of the cooking meat, and various root vegetables filled the air with a tantelizing scent. "Come child," she said, holding her hand out for her daughter. "Tis time for your reading lessons."
Desiare looked up at her mother and grinned. For, unlike most children, Desiare loved her lessons more than anything. It seemed she was filled with question upon question, each lesson bringing forth as many new questions as they answered. For a child of 3, her mother thought, Desiare was immensely capable of recalling what she learned. Of course, she thought to herself with a smile, she does get it from me.
Turning, Desiare went racing out of the room, eager to beat her mother to the sitting room. As she turned the corner into the hall, her small foot caught on the side of the rug, throwing her forward as she hit her head upon the stone floor beneath with a resounding crack.
"Desiare!!" her mother cried, by her side in an instant, crouching down to shake the child who appeared to be unconscious. "Get up, Desiare ... get up ..."
DESIARE! GET UP!!
Bolting awake, her mother's voice still echoing in her ears, she jolts upright as her body screams in protest from the sudden movement. Momentarily disoriented, she looks around in confusion. Where was her mother, it had been her birthday ... It was her birthday. 'Where was she then?' she thought to herself frantically.
Attempting to stand, her fists clench into small balls, as the pain in her back comes back in throbbing waves, and she shoves one to her mouth to keep from screaming as she recalls, once more, where she is and why. Looking around, she cannot tell if it is evening or morning, but the cool darkness of the camp is quiet and she surmises through her misery that most of the Easterlings are now asleep. Gritting her teeth against the pain, she feels around until she finds the stone, and begins working on freeing herself from the cage once more.
