I Was Reincarnated To Save Their World

The next few days were uneventful. I did not touch the sleep medicine, I couldn't bring myself to. Thankfully my dreams had subsided for now. My wrist still hurt but the pain medicine helped. 

It was on a quiet stretch that it happened.

I had been braiding the front strands of Ny-An's hair whilst Mother slept. I wasn't aware of the danger until it was on top of us, quite literally.

The carriage came to a sudden grinding halt. Ny-An and I rocked forward screeching in fear. The windows went dark and we could see nothing. I tried to jiggle the handle to my door but it stayed stuck.

I went silent. Ny-An started to whimper and I shushed her. Mother's eyes darted around but we could see nothing. We all listened.

"Thieves! Raiders! Traitors!" Came a shrill yell. I recognized it as the driver's voice, "Take your hands off me!"

We listened to the ensuing struggle as it seemed to fade away. Then the carriage jolted forward and we fell to our knees. I directed them both to crouch down. We stayed that way for what felt like an eternity. 

Finally, the carriage came to an abrupt rest. The cover was whipped off and before I could stop her Mother jumped out her door. I scrambled for my door.

I came face to face with a fearsome girl. She looked like me enough for me to know she was Licnine. Her hair was long and blonde and braided. She had paint on her face highlighting her stripes. Her clothes were rugged yet so well made and clearly, some kind of animal hide.

"Stay right there," She said, she pointed a bow at me the arrow notched.

I held my hands up but begged, "My Mother, she ran out the other door."

"I've got her," Came another female voice.

A girl nearly identical to the one before me carried my mother like it was nothing. Mother struggled against her grip but it was clear who was winning. 

Ny-An gripped my arm and whispered in my ear, "We're outmatched."

"Tam! Mie!" Came a voice from the distance.

"We have them!" One of the girls called back. Her eyes danced with excitement, "There are four of them!"

I wrestled myself closer to Mother and gripped her hand.

"Don't try to run," I whispered.

The girls watched us with eyes like falcons. I dared not move a muscle.

A figure appeared in the trees above us. She crouched on a branch like a cat. I watched as she appraised us in silent deliberation. She was dressed in short furs that let her move in a way I could only describe as catlike. She slinked her way closer to us.

I saw the two girls shift their demeanor to a more relaxed one.

"Was there anyone else?" The woman asked in a hushed voice.

"Just these three and the driver," One of the girls replied, "They were in the carriage though like they told us."

The woman took a closer look at me and Mother. "What business do you have riding through these parts?"

"Please, we are just riding through," I explained, "We did not mean to trespass on your land." I gave her the most innocent beseeching look I could muster.

The woman did not look impressed.

"Only the Others and their inner circle use these carriages," She leaned into Mother's face, "Explain yourself?"

Mother set her jaw and did not speak. I turned to her and tugged her hand.

"Bring them back to the camp, my daughters," She said, her voice warmed a bit. I watched her pat each of them on the head. "I will tell him about their arrival."

I watched her start to walk away and felt something come over me.

"I'm the bride!" I yelled after her, "I am the King's bride."

She stopped in her tracks. Both the girls lowered their bows slightly.

"But I'm just like you, I'm a Licnine," I frantically tugged at my long hair to show them my stripes, "My name is Lit-An, and this is my mother."

"That changes things..." The woman trailed off. 

"Please let us go," I begged.

She took in my fear-stricken face, the little girl clinging to me for life and my stone statue for a mother.

She came towards us and stroked my cheek with a gentle finger.

"I wish it were that simple, little flower," She spoke in a near purr.

They walked us to their camp and the two girls disappeared for firewood. The woman gestured for us to sit down near the fire. I guided Mother to the ground before sitting next to her.

We all leaned in toward the fire trying to warm ourselves. When the girls returned and began to cook meat on the fire I felt my mouth watering.

"May we have something to eat?" I asked quietly, "It's been a while since we had a meal."

I heard the sound of twigs cracking. Both the girls looked up with tiny smiles growing on their faces.

Another figure came into the clearing. This time it was a man, youngish but proud and strong. He was dressed in the same beautiful furs. In his hand, a staff glittered proudly. The two girls bowed their heads to him but he just ruffled their hair.

"Who are you?" I asked.

He looked up at me more closely, "You don't know?"

"Your Los-Ar," Mother said. I had to stop her from jumping on him.