Taria
The truck grumbled to a stop beside the paddock. The cattle moaned in fright of the awful crunching noise it made as it turned off. The horrible stench from the truck assaulted my nose and I cringed. No matter how many times I smelt it I could never get use to it. The smell also seemed to cling to my clothing for days. Ma would wash and wash, trying to get rid of the stench.
Pa walked over to the driver’s side of the truck. He said a couple of words and the driver nodded. The truck roared to life again and the driver reversed it backwards to align it with the gate, with Pa directing him.
Once again there were no guards with the truck. It was strange. Normally we would have at least two other vehicles surrounding the truck. Their eyes focused on the treeline for poachers. But nothing. Not other guard besides the driver.
Pa waved me over and I climbed over the fence and moved around the edge of the cattle towards the gate. The cows groaned at me but shuffled away as I moved.
“Open the gate,” said Pa.
I grabbed the latch and flipped it off. The gate swung backwards and fell against the wood fence with a thump.
“Let’s get them moving,” said Pa.
I nodded.
I climbed over the fence and followed Pa to the back of the herd. Killer and Bruno, Pa’s two working dogs, followed at our heels. Once we were at the back Pa whistled and Killer and Bruno looked at him, waiting for an order. “Push,” he said. Killer and Bruno slipped under the fence and began to bark. The cattle moaned in fright and headed towards the only escape, the open gate that led into the truck.
The driver had opened the large door on the back and the cattle rushed in, trying to escape the barking dogs. Pa and I slowly walked behind the herd, keeping them ahead of us. We directed Killer and Bruno to any stragglers that tried to turn the other way. Slowly but surely the cattle moved into the truck.
Once the last cow had entered the truck the driver slammed the door shut. He locked the door and turned to us. He handed a piece of paper to my father and walked towards the front of the truck. He said, “Expect the first payment in two weeks, also your next load of calves will be delivered in a few months.”
“Thank you,” said Pa.
The truck rumbled to life and the driver pulled away. He left a cloud of smoke and the horrible stench behind him.
Pa pulled me to his side and smiled. “Guess we didn't have to worry about Kara after all.”
I returned his smile. We didn't have to worry about guards coming to kill Kara and arresting us but I still had to give everyone an answer. I knew what I was going to do but it wasn't what I wanted. Kara needed help and I was going to help her. Being a hero of a race wasn't what I expected my life would be but does anyone know what their life has planned for them.
Pa and I moved back towards the house. Nothing left to do for the rest of day, except pack. Choosing what I would need to take with me. I didn't even know where we had to go or what I had to do. Kara was my guide.
I stepped up onto the porch as a loud grown of a vehicle caught my attention. Up the dirt road came two vehicles holding multiple guards. They knew. They had to know that Kara was here. But how? No one knew of Kara except for my family.
Pa looked at me, worry had clouded his eyes but they also told me that everything would be fine. Pa would protect us no matter what. We faced the vehicles as they came to a stop in front of us. All eight doors swung open and the eight guards climbed out. Their guns at the ready. One of the guards was dressed differently. His uniform more formal than the rest, he was their Commander.
The Commander smiled at us and said, “Good morning.”
Pa forced a smile. “Good morning, Commander...”
“Commander Wright.”
“I’m Daniel Nayda, this is my daughter, Taria.”
I forced a smile at him.
Commander Wright looked me up and down; a smirk appeared on his face. “You are a pretty one, aren’t you?”
I glared at him, but before I could tell him where he could go Pa spoke up. “What can we do for you, Commander Wright?”
Commander Wright looked down at his boots, then said, “I have been visiting the local farms around the area, making sure that the orders have been going according to plan.” He looked back up at Pa and locked gazes with him.
“Was something wrong with our cattle?” Pa tried to act causal. He kept his shoulders loose and his face relaxed.
“I’m sure there is nothing wrong,” said Commander Wright.
Pa pushed his face to look confused. “Then I’m not quite sure why you are here.”
“I am here because I was over at one of your neighbours farm.” Commander Wright pointed to the south of our farm, the direction of Marcus Frank’s farm.” Quite a nice older man and he had quite the bit to say.”
I could feel the sweat building on my forehead. Mr Frank. I had forgotten about him and what he had seen. He had heard everything. Why would he tell them? This would get us all killed.
Pa remained calm and said, “Marcus Frank has a thing for stretching the truth and tell lies. I am sure he told you some of his hunting stories, most of them are completely unbelievable.” Pa laughed. He forced a wide smile and held his stomach like it was a funny story.
Commander Wright frowned. “Well, the story he told me didn't sound like a lie at all. In fact it sounded completely believable.”
Pa stopped laughing and tried to keep a calm expression.
“Mr Frank told me that you...no. Your daughter has a familiar and that she is protecting it. He said he tried to kill the thing but you wouldn’t let him. Are you telling me that this is a lie?”
Pa nodded. “As I said, Commander, Frank has a thing for lying.”
Commander Wright sighed. “I would like to believe you, I would. But I am going to have to search your farm.”
“Go right ahead, I won't stop you.” Pa held his arms out and the Commander turned to his men.
“Search everything.” Commander Wright stepped past Pa and I, along with two guards, into our house. The rest of the men spread out to different buildings.
Pa looked at me and took a deep breath. He stepped up onto the porch and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. I was scared of what would happen. Unless they already knew about the small room behind the wall then there was no way they would find it. Not unless they were that lucky.
Inside Commander Wright stood talking to Ma and Gean. Gean was huddled under Ma’s arm. He was scared of the guards and he had right to be. They didn't exactly smile at you and shake your hand, and they pointed their guns at anyone who was a possible threat. Every year when they came to collect the cattle the guards who accompanied the truck would watch us all. Their guns ready to shoot us at a moments notice.
Ma smiled at us as we walked inside. She played dumb and said, “Everything all right?”
Pa nodded. “Yes. Mr Frank is making up stories again.”
Ma sighed, but held a smile of her face. “That old man again. What has he said this time? That he set a pack of wild animals on him and his dogs.” Ma laughed.
Commander Wright frowned. “No. He said that you have a familiar here.”
Ma frowned. “A familiar.”
Gean looked up at Commander Wright and Ma confused. “What’s a familiar?”
Commander Wright looked at Gean with a chuckle. “Nothing you need to concern yourself with young man. They are dangerous creatures that are a threat.”
“They can’t be that dangerous. Ma tells me stories of all the dangerous things I need to worry about.” I couldn’t help but smile. Gean looked Ma’s stories. So many of them Ma had made up to entertain him.
Commander Wright laughed. “Well, good on your Ma.”
The two guards walked back into the front room. Both of them with blank expressions.
“Anything?” said Commander Wright.
“No sir,” they both said.
The guards walked past us and outside. Commander Wright followed. Pa squeezed my shoulders. “Stay here,” he said, and followed the men outside.
Ma pushed Gean to sit on the couch and asked me to sit with him. I sat down beside my brother and he moved to sit right beside me. He was scared.
“Scared of a few guards?” I teased.
Gean frowned. “No.” He crossed his arms. “I just don’t like the fact that they went through my room. That boss man was weird though. I didn't like him.”
“Neither did I.”
“Are they looking for Kara?” I looked to Ma who stood behind the door. She hadn’t heard Gean’s question and I didn't know how to answer the question. Should I tell Gean about Kara and who I really was? He shouldn’t have to come to terms with the fact that his sister isn't really his sister and is actually a princess. He was too young for that. However, he would love to know about Kara. Gean would think it was amazing that I could understand Kara. It would be like one of his books.
I ran my fingers through Gean’s hair. “No. Kara isn't who they are looking for. In fact, I have no idea what a familiar is either.”
“But I heard the man say something about Marcus Frank and how he said he saw a big black cat and that is the familiar.” Gean was always hearing everything. He heard things he should never hear but sometimes he could be useful.
“I don’t know. Maybe ask Pa or Ma after this is all over.”
Gean nodded. He picked up his book that he had left on the table at some point and read while we waited.
***
The door opened and Pa stepped back inside. He had been outside for almost an hour. Ma had kept me inside. Both of us wanted to know what was going on but she was worried what would happen. We hadn’t heard any yelling or firing of weapons so Pa had to be fine. But as he stepped back through the door I couldn’t help but running over to hug him. Pa wrapped his arms around me and I was glad that he was safe.
“Are they gone?” said Ma.
Pa nodded. “I think they will be watching us though. What Frank told them has them spooked and I don’t think they believed us.”
“They didn't find anything though,” I said.
Pa sighed. “Doesn't mean they don’t think we are hiding something. Everyone is hiding something and they won't go away until they find out what our secret is.”
“What am I meant to do then?”
Ma looked at my confused. “What do you mean, Taria?”
“Well, I need to help Kara and her people. We can’t do that from the farm.”
Pa sighed. “We will have to sneak out.”
“We?” I looked at Pa confused.
“Yes, we. You, Kara and me.” Pa smiled and held my shoulders.
“Pa—” He couldn’t come. He had to look after Ma and Gean. And the farm, what would happen with the farm. I didn't know how long this would take. It could take days, weeks, months, I didn't know.
“I’m coming with you. I raised you and you might know how to take care of yourself but I am your father and I need to protect you.” Pa was determined. He wouldn’t budge on this and there was no stopping him.
I smiled at him and hugged him again. He returned the hug and then said, “Lia, why don’t you let Kara out. Their gone for now but she will need to stay hidden until we make a run for it.”
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