The life and story of Lia Lia often wondered if other people looked at the world the way

she did, and if they saw what she saw. After 18 summers her father had been pressing her to choose a suitable husband, choice was not lacking. Probably every man and boy over the age of 14 in this godforsaken part of the world had been at her father's doorstep since she was of an appropriate age, asking for her hand; so far she had been able to convince her father that they were not acceptable. But now, now that the summer was undeniably on its way and her 19th birthday was inching closer, her father was of the opinion that she ought to choose someone. She didn't agree, but that changed nothing, if she didn't choose her father would announce her betrothal to Lord Dorsteroy (Dor: red, ster: kin, oy: cunning/wise). The man had to be a descendant of a dwarf, not that she believed in dwarves, they were as silly a notion as elves, but still he was small and round, with a beard and red puffy cheeks. She couldn't imagine calling him my lord husband without laughing, let alone obey him. She would have to find a way to convince her father of that, but those were problems for later. Right now she needed to focus on the ground or she would stumble, fall and probably break something crucial like her leg, then she would be eaten by wolves or bears, and wouldn't that be a horrible way to die. 'Focus', she said to herself, 'you got time later to ponder on such things, plus it is far more likely that your search and rescue party will find you long before that and the killing will be done by your father'. It wasnt that she didnt agree with him in this instant, the way to the meadow with the herbs truly was too dangerous to do it without a companion or at least someone who knew where you were going in case something happened, but right now there was no one Nan or she trusted enough to share the secret with. So yes, she knew very well she wasn't allowed to walk around alone, she remembered her fathers words quite well, 'you will be accompanied at all times outside the village, blah, blah.., she said out loud, no she shouldn't talk like that. She might not like her father's demand, but she did understand it, she was worth quite a lot. But now, for a few hours, she was free. She had left the stable boy, Saba, at the entrance of the valley and was now climbing towards a small plateau, where she knew she would find that particularly precious herb. No one else, except for dear old Nan knew where to find it, and she was too old to be able to get it herself, no this was her job and hers alone. Just imagining what people would do if they knew there were such quantities of it just half an hour outside the village would cause a stampede and later several broken bones as they tried to get back home, despite this knowledge she chuckled as she remembered what Saba, whom she left earlier, had done and seen when he had accidentally made tea with the leaves several years before. She had finally arrived at the plateau and after putting down her bow and arrow she said, 'ok, first of all collect some of the herb, and then a nice dip in the pond'. Twenty minutes later after she was done picking the herb, she carefully took off her clothes and hung them over a low branch and then raced towards the water and jumped in. She crawled up and down the pond a few times and then floated on her back, after a while she started to get cold so she got out and lay back on the grass, letting the sun dry her.

There she watched the traces of clouds in the blue sky flow by and resumed her earlier thoughts of how she saw the world and what she wanted from her life. She knew she was smart, when she was five she knew how to read and write, she could count better than anyone her father employed, including the man who counted the money, and when she was a little over sixteen she knew all the medical herbs, how to deliver a baby, foal or calf, and set broken bones. She didn't know how her father could expect her to marry a man who didn't know half the things she did or listen to his command! She was the one everyone turned to for help in the village, my nickname is the young wise woman for crying out loud, she mumbled to herself. On the other hand since she didnt know a man who was smarter than her, she supposed she would have to marry one of those morons who had come to her father, which was one of the biggest mysteries to her in this world. Didnt they want to marry her? If so, what were they doing sucking up to her father? She supposed it was because of the same reason why she ought to listen to her future stupid husband and turn to him for advice. Oh, she didnt like this marriage business at all, she didnt like that she needed a man and his permission to do anything and everything in this world. What she wanted to do was to travel, to see the world, stand on a cliff and look over the ocean. Maybe after seeing people from different parts of the world she would be able to verify her theory that what people claimed were elves and dwarves were actually just humans who looked different, like those black people who lived East of the Great Lake. Her thoughts were rudely interrupted by a cry, at first she didnt know what had happened, but then it sounded again, louder than the first time. She ran towards her clothes and quickly threw on her tunic, then grabbed her bow and arrows. The screaming continued, but now that the initial shock had worn off she could almost tell what the man was screaming, it sounded like. Oh no, she said, Im coming hold on! Hold on! Im coming, she yelled, while running towards the sound. She could hear the growling of the wolves as she tore through the brushes, when she reached the man he was surrounded by four wolves, she quickly shot 2 arrows at the nearest two, killing them immediately and yelled at the other two scaring them off. Once she was sure the wolves were gone she took a good look at the man lying before her. He had lost consciousness and a lot of blood, but he was alive. She quickly set about her work: she tore stripes of fabric from her tunic and wrapped them around the mans thigh, arm, chest and neck. When she was done she looked around quickly to make sure the wolves hadnt returned and then grabbed the man under his arms and proceeded to drag him back to the pond. When she arrived at the pond she took a moment to catch her breath and see how the man was doing. Once she was assured that his condition had not worsened she took off what was left of her tunic and put on the rest of her clothes. She then tore the remains of her tunic into stripes and rebandaged the mans chest, thigh and neck; his arm had stopped bleeding so she didnt put another bandage on. She quickly packed up the herbs and put them in the sack she brought with her, she then drank some water from stream running into the pond before picking the man up again and dragging him back to the entrance of the valley where help was waiting.

It took her a long time to drag the unconscious man back, the road to the plateau was tricky, it was steep, narrow and covered with loose rocks and stones. If she fell, it would be catastrophic. Much to her relief she saw Saba [Sabert [Saberct] (nickname Saba)] coming
towards her when she was about three quarters downhill, she called for him and when he saw her, he came running towards her. She took this as a cue to sit down on the nearest rock and get some rest, after a few minutes she checked how the man was doing and said, you know, for all the damage the wolves have done to you, you still look quite nice, although I have to say you are damned heavy to carry around. When Saba arrived he knew better than to ask her what happened, Are you alright Lia? Should I carry him down to the village?, he asked her. Yes Saba, if you dont mind, Im exhausted, Ive been dragging him for the past two hours, he was attacked by wolves. We should tell anyone who asks that we found him at the waterfall in the green valley, next to the road. There is no need to tell anyone where I was. Of course Lia, but are you sure youre ok? Yes, dont worry. Im just tired. Now that she was relieved of the unconscious mans dead weight, the rest of the way back to the village went much quicker. When they arrived on the main road they met a merchant who promised to let the villagers know they were coming, and to send a horse and wagon out to meet them if at all possible. Something they found out was true, because soon after the merchant left them they saw the blacksmith and some other men coming from the village. The merchant told us you were in trouble lass, the blacksmith said, he told us to ride out and meet you. His voice trailed off when he saw the unconscious man, What happened to him?, he asked. I saw him getting attacked by wolves, he needs help, Lia replied, did the merchant by any chance mention that? No, not in such detail, when he told us you were in trouble we rode out, but Im sure someone will have warned Old Nan by now. He was rudely interrupted by Lord Dorsteroy, who had arrived later than the others and yelled, What is it that I hear, you were attacked by wolves? No, Lia replied, This man was attacked by wolves, I just scared them off. Lord Dorsteroy seemed to swell up rapidly at this reply, Lia started, Are you alright, Lord Dorsteroy?, when he started to berate her, What? You did what? , he yelled. No, no I wont have this, this reckless behavior. Have you gone mad my dearest lady? This is the end of those ridiculous outings of yours! You will stay home from now on, and do what every woman does, look after the house. He would have said more but Lia quickly interjected with, No Lord Dorsteroy, I will not. I will not stay at home just because you say so, you are not my father or my husband, you cannot tell me what I can and cannot do. Now if you please, move aside so I can help Saba get the man on the blacksmiths horse. He spluttered some more, but she paid him no heed; when the man was finally lifted on the horse, she turned to ask one of the men if she could ride their horse but was pulled up harshly by Lord Dorsteroy. She opened her mouth to protest, but he didnt give her the chance, Shush my dear, he said into her ear. I mean no harm. Even you must see that this is the only way for you to go back on horse with the rest of us, since you are wearing a dress. Plus I am your suitor, so no-one can think ill of it. She gave in without grace, but in her head the phrase, if only they would resounded the entire way back. When they finally arrived back in the village, although only 15 minutes had passed, it felt like hours, Old Nan was waiting. The old lady wasted no time and immediately took control of the situation, I need him carried inside, place him on the table and place something under his head. She shuffled behind them, but turned when Lord Dorsteroy made an attempt to keep riding. Luckily good Old Nan didnt give him a chance to escape, My Lord, I am in need of her assistance, would you be so kind to let her father know? Great, Lia thought, not only was she relieved of sitting on his lap, he would

also not be able to get in her way, as he had the annoying tendency to do so, frequently. Grudgingly he turned his horse around and let her down on the ground. She rushed towards little house that smelled like herbs, but he grabbed her arm hard and turned her around, you will stay her until I come back to fetch you. Saba is still here, he can walk me home, she replied. He squeezed her arm even harder and repeated in a threatening voice you will stay here until I come and fetch you. When Lia remained silent, he gave her a shake and demanded, understood? She nodded her head quietly, for some reason his voice and demeanor scared her. Lord Dorsteroy turned his horse and stormed off. Are you all right my dear child?, asked Old Nan, Lets get this man fixed up Nan, Lia responded warily. She took the old lady by the arm and walked inside. When she and Old Nan got inside, they wasted no further time, He was attacked by wolves, I bound the wounds as best as I could, but hes in a bad shape and is going to need stitches in his neck and on his chest and thigh, she told Old Nan. Ok, Lia get the thread from the cupboard, I will get the needles, Saba go outside and bring in some wood for the fire. She then turned to the blacksmith and said, I want everyone out of my house, Lia and I will need room to work, and I will also need water, could someone bring me a couple of buckets? She turned without waiting for a reply and shuffled towards the trunk next to the knitting chair. Everybody started to leave the little house immediately and the blacksmith said, Ill bring it myself. Hours later, she and Old Nan finished the last of the stitches. The man had woken up the moment they had tried to put the first stitch in, and they had given him a strong herbal mix that was sure to put him out at least until dawn, which was close at hand. She looked the man over, they had undressed him with the help of Saba and Lord Dorsteroy, who had soon returned from informing Lias father of the events. He had left the house soon after as well, once they started to stitch him back up he had had to go outside to throw up, just as well she thought, he only got in the way anyway. She continued to study the man, he didnt look good, stitches ran from his left ear to his shoulder, all across his chest in an attempt to put back together what was left of his muscles there and across his thigh. Since a large chunk of his upper thigh muscle was gone he would probably need a walking stick after this, if he survived. The man moaned, which turned her attention to his face again, somehow he looked alien, he was pale, but she didnt think that was all because of the loss of blood. He moaned again, she put her hand on his forehead and whispered to him, Shhh everything will be alright, you are safe now. The man calmed down again. Does he have a fever? Old Nan asked, no he doesnt,she replied, so far he seems to be coping very well. You look tired Nan, she continued, you should go to bed and get some sleep. We should both go to bed and get some sleep my dear. Old Nan responded. Dont worry about me Nan, Im just going to finish cleaning him up and then Im going to rest in that comfy chair of yours. Lia said in a light voice. She hoped would convince Nan. It appeared it did, for Nan started to shuffle towards the stairs. Sleep well, Nan, she wished her. Ill see you tomorrow Lia dear. Old Nan called back. When she was assured Old Nan was safely upstairs and in bed, she continued with her work, dipping a cloth in hot water, wrenching it out and using it to clean the blood off the skin around the stitches. His whole body will be scarred after this, she murmured to herself. when she was done with his legs, she covered him chest down with a blanket. She didnt know what to do about his chest, there was so much raw flesh exposed that she feared doing more bad than good, she decided to wait until the morning, and the light came back, maybe she could somehow flush the remaining dirt from the wound with clean water. She started on his neck but soon started to wonder what the strange necklace he was wearing, was made

off. While stitching him back up they had tried to remove it, but no matter what they did or tried it wouldnt come off. In the end they had just worked around it. It was the most beautiful necklace she had ever seen, it looked like glass mixed with silver, but it was as flexible as a thread, on it hung a silver colored pendant, the image of a very elegant woman. When she was done with his neck, she searched for a clean cloth to cover his chest with and then covered him with the blanket. She intended to sit in the chair and wait until dawn, then go find some village woman to look after the man and go to bed like Old Nan, but only minutes after sitting in the chair she fell asleep. She was woken rudely by Lord Dorsteroy after what felt like only moments of sleep, What are you doing sleeping here my lady, you were supposed to call me to take you home after you were finished, What? Lia asked sleepily. I asked you what you were doing, sleeping here, Lord Dorsteroy snapped, I was supposed to take you home as soon as you were ready with that man. Ive been waiting outside all night, you know. Lia blinked her eyes a couple of times, looked outside, saw it was only dawn and lost her temper Lord Dorsteroy, I dont care that you spend the night outside, you could have gone to bed like everyone else, Saba would have walked me home later today, after I slept! ,she whispered furiously, and if you think that this is the way to convince me that youd be a good husband for me, you are mistaken , she added quickly. Now leave before I start screaming and wake up the entire village.