A6: The Old Woman

chapter one

chapter two

The old woman shuffled down the long corridor muttering under her hood.

"There's not much time left. I thought for sure, but perhaps I was mislead. Or perhaps...she is afraid. 'They call me, A6.' What utter nonsense! She doesn't even remember her own name!"

The guards at the end of the corridor moved slightly out of the way and held the tent flaps open for her. They knew who she was, or rather what she was. They feared her. It was whispered that she was a witch. Even the Aurian Chief, Kaufa, was suspicious of her. It was his suspicious nature that permitted Soondra to come to the field. He worried about harming her lest she put a curse on his tribe. Yet, his doubt about her powers grew after each visit. She was becoming less a threat and more a nuisance.

"What am I going to tell Edgar?"

Outside, the first shoots of sunlight were beginning to spring forth from the horizon. The rays danced on the ice and made it impossible to see if you looked out beyond the field. The old woman was not looking at the field. She walked directly to a coach and after a few words to the servants was hoisted up. The coach was not fancy, nor was it empty.

Edgar was waiting for her.

Edgar was large and jovial by nature. The perfect opposite to Soondra, who was small and cranky by nature. His beard was neatly trimmed. Under his velvet cloak were cashmere and silk garments. The gray flecks in his full head of tawny brown hair and the immense laugh lines around his eyes suggested he had years of experience to go with them. Despite his easy nature he was a terrible menace when provoked. Because of his size and his pocket book, he was not often provoked. For the same reasons, the Auroians respected him. They did not know of his fierce devotion to Soondra and her quest.

Today those warm brown eyes looked serious and anxious as Soondra entered the coach.

"Anything?" he asked.

"No. She is completely in the dark. Literally and figuratively. The Aurorians' methods are very effective. They keep their slaves like I keep my goats and pigs. Ignorant and obedient. Indeed they are no more than work animals.

There was absolutely no recognition in her eyes, Edgar."

"You seemed so certain about this one. And to think of all the risks we took this time! There must be others we can interview."

"None. I've searched and asked the hundreds of slaves here at the field. She is the last of the line. Kaufa doesn't keep his slaves once they're worn out.

Such an awful waste of life. I begin to doubt the ancients. They promised one who would remember. Still, she is young. Maybe too young. She may truly have no memories at all."

She sighed and rested her head back on the pillow. Sometimes she wished that she was ignorant of the memories. They were a terrible burden. She had carried them for so long. When would she be delivered?

There will be no rest in the this life, she thought.

Soondra was compelled because of who she was; her soul was bound to this cause. She had placed so much hope on this interview. Her part was done and now she prayed that the ancients would do theirs.

"The seed has been planted. All we can do is wait."

It was a long ride home. The Aurorians feared and distrusted Soondra. It would be a while before she could come back to the field; before she could see if her seed would sprout.
Soondra watched the cold, barren, unchanging landscape go by through her window. She closed her eyes and heaved a great sigh.

The memories, which always lingered around her, slowly began to make their way into her dreams.