“What
is your mother like?” Baffled she stared at him for a moment.
“What
a strange question. She is an excellent Tawannana by all accounts.
She is honest and loyal to the King. They are very much in love. She
is beautiful and warm as the summer sun. There are those who have
tried to have her murdered many times. I'm sure you are aware of the
rumors surrounding her lineage.”
“Yes,
your mother rising to be Tawannana was a very strange ordeal.”
“I
know. That is how I came to be promised to you. I will pay for
my mother’s love.”
“In Hebat the daughter succeeds the mother as Tawannana unless she
is exchanged to a foreign land. In return the daughter of the
Tawannana in the foreign city becomes the successor to ensure
peace.”
“Yes." Astarte thought for a long moment. "I suppose asking for Mursili to teach me about war was my final way
of trying to not be treated like live stock.”
“What?”
“Woman
are traded every day for money or political gain. We are like animals
that are traded to create a bond between men. Woman are raped, sold,
and forcibly married. I have no choice but to marry you to restore
the order that my father disturbed by making my mother a second
Tawannana.”
“Until
then though, you have your freedom.”
“Do
I? I am expected to remain loyal in the promise. Even in freedom I am
still confined. If I fall in love with another…. What then?”
“I
see. Then let us look to the future together for now. You and I. I
wish to live in a world where you love me. I will work hard to win
your heart.”
“I
want that.”
The ancient land of Pangea could be a cruel place to be a woman born into privilege. Unlike any fairy tale she finds herself leading an army into a battle well fighting not to be forced into a loveless marriage. She wishes to change the world, but her feelings waver along the way. It's scary to leave the security of the palace. To walk out and not know if you will be alive to return. Please leave comments!
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