We had walked for hours, when we finaly stopped, deep inside the forest. Or was it a jungle? I wasn’t sure. But soon, the Zygerian-Queen, called on us, asking
«Where are my slaves?»
We immediately rushed to her side, after being in the back of the group. Me, who was human. And a Twi’lek, plus a Tholothian.
«Now please get the tent set up.» The queen commanded, and the three of us began working, «And give me some refreshments.» she continued with, adding, «Baltassar? Could you please go into the city, and by some more food? Our that we took with us, will not last for long.»
The Zygerian-servant whom she was talking to, bowed low to the ground for her,
«It will be done, your Majesty.» before heading off.
The Queen then sat her eyes in me, and the other two, who seemed to be struggling with the tent,
«You better speed up, with that, we don’t have all day.» turning on her heal, «I’m gonna go for a walk, and when I come back, I exept that all the tent is done.»
«Yes, my Queen.» we said in unity.
And when she was gone, we looked on each other,
«What do we do now?» I asked.
«Escape?» the Tholothian suggested, but the Twi’lek shaked her head,
«No. You all know we can’t do that. The Queen trust us, and besides, if we tried to get away, we would probably die, because they could shoot after us.» She sighed slowly, «No. It’s better to stay safe, and remain loyal.»
I to sighed,
«Seems like we dosen’t have much choice then.» but the Tholothian’s expression grew impatient,
«We are letting the opportunity to be free get away.» staring frustrated at us, «Who knows when we will get another chance like this. We should run away now.»
I put my hand on her shoulder to calm her down,
«We should never rush into things like you are suggesting.» I stated, «And it isn’t much of an opportunity anyway. If they see us running away, we probably gets killed or worse.» putting a pole through a hole in the tent cloth, «We should never try to escape during the day, it will be easier at night when is it dark.»
«But…»
«Hagar is right.» the Twi’lek nodded, «And we should listen to her. There’s never an good idea to rush into things.»
«But…» the Tholothian looked around her to see no one of the guards in place, «We have a cleared path. We only have to…»
«I think that path is a trap.» I burst out with, «The Zygerrian’s are probably hiding behind some trees only to test us, and then they shoot us if we fall for it.»
«Yeah…»
We got the tents set up. The big one for the Queen, the middle one for the guards, and the tiny one for us slaves. But that tent had so much flaws that the wind blewed right through it. And we just knew that it would be a little cold to sleep this night.
The Queen came back, investigates the finished tents, before a smile shows up in her face, but it quickly fades away again,
«Where are my refreshments?» she barks sharp, looking around at us, «Were did the guards go?»
Some of the other Zygerrian came out from behind the trees where they had been standing,
«We are here, your Majesty.» they replied.
«Wonderful. Now get some food ready at ones. I’m hungry.»
The day went as usual. The only different thing, was that we where in the forest. We worked us exausted from the morning, untill the late evening. And when the night, came, we were allowed to get into our tent, where the three of us were overwhelmed completely by sleep at once.
«Hagar! Hagar!» I woke up with a start by someone shaked desperately in me. It was still in the middle of the night, but the voice sounded familliar. I opened my tired eyes slowly, feeling my body still tired after the day.
«Hagar, please wake up.» the voice continued, «I’m here to rescue you. The pirates are waiting for us, but we have to go now.»
I sat up, kind of shocked,
«Isha?» was this a dream? «What are you doing here? How…?»
«No need to explain.» dragging my arm, «Come on! Hurry!»
«We…» I hesitated, «We can’t leave the other two.» looking at the Twi’lek and the Tholothian who I thought were still asleep, but I haven’t said out the words, before they were wide awake.
«We both heard it.» the Twi’lek replied, «We are coming along. If is it safe.»
Isha nodded,
«I waited untill the crew were asleep before I ran in here. But I’m been watching you for days, allong with the pirates.»
«Pirates…» I replied, alarmed.
«They have taken good care of me, sister.» Isha explained, «We’ll have to trust them. They will fly us out of here, they have promised.»
I looked at her in shock,
«You cam never trust a pirate! They’ll only lie to you!»
«No.» Isha protested, showing me the palm of her hand, that had a fresh scar on it, «See. I made a deal with them. In blood.»
My heart began tremble as I took her hand in mine,
«You’d what?» looking in disbelief at the scar.
«Trust me, Hagar.» Isha replied.
The Tholothian looked out of the tent-opening,
«We have to go now. You sure there’s no guard behind the trees, Isha?»
My sister nodded,
«Yeah, they’re all asleep as I said earlier. But we have to run as fast as we can, and we have to stay together. Hondo and the crew are waiting with a ship in the outskirts of the city.»
I wrinkled my nose,
«Ugh. I don’t want to see Hondo…»
«We dont have much choice.» my sister kind of protested, «It’s either this or that. And I promised father I would get you home. Hondo will…»
«I don’t like this…» I replied, «But I’m amazed of your bravery, little sister. But you shouldn’t set yourself in danger for my sake.»
«I’ll risk my life for you.»
«Time to go.» the Tholothian replied, «The sun’s coming up.»
«I’m running now!» The Twi’lek stated, before she rushed out of the tent.
«Wait.» It came from Isha who held out her hand towards her, «You don’t know where you are going.» she turned her gaze at me, «Ready?»
«I think so… But it is now, or never.» I replied, and out we rushed, holding hands. The Tholothian close on our heals. And we dissappeard between the trees.
«We’re not safe yet.» Isha said with a heavy breath, «We have to make it out of the forest before Hondo would be able to pick us up.»
«How can you be sure he’ll be there?»
«I just am. They have taken care of me after all. They won’t fail me.»
«What do you mean they have taken care of you? The pirates dosen’t take care of anyone. All they’re thinking of, is themself.»
«I’m one of them now, Hagar.» my sister sent back to me, «I’m a Pirate-girl. I don’t longer have to starve as we were doing back home, I get food and water and warm clothes…»
«You never know when they would change their mind.» I said out in a worrying tone, «They could at any time dump you or cast you off to strangers. I know this my self.»
But Isha just shaked her head,
«Not as long I’m dancing for them.»
«What?»
«In the evening nights, when they’re getting very drunk, they want me to come and dance. And then I climb up a table, and starts dancing. And while I do, I could hear them whistle, and they starts throwing money at me.»
I looked sadly down at the softly terrain wich we ran through,
«They’re only using you, Isha.»
«No, Hagar. You… you wouldn’t understand…»
I sighed as I felt sad for her. It was nothing I’d could say to make here realice the truth, how the Pirates really was. She only had to find out on her own.
We reached the end of the forest. Me, Isha and the Tholothian. But the Twi’lek, was sadly, nowhere to be seen.
I gazed up at the sky, trying to spot a ship, but didn’t see any.
«Where are they?» I troubled asked.
«Continue running.» my sister bursted out with as the three of us ran over a field, «They be here any minute now. They just have to see us first.»
«I’m not so sure…» but I haven’t even finished my sentence, before I saw the pirate-ship coming flying right above us, and a ladder were cast down.
Isha gripped it eagerly, whitout letting go of my hand,
«Come on, Hagar.»
I silently placed my hands on the ladder, climbing up after her, and the Tholothian right after me.
We reached the door with the platform the stood open, and got inside the ship.
«Welcome! Welcome! My girls, my girls.» we immediately heard a grinning Hondo saying as he walked towards us. He reached his hand towards my face, «Oh, Hagar.» but I gave him a slap.
«Don’t you dare touch me.» I yelled at him.
Hondo laughed, before taking his hand away,
«Is that how you thank me for rescuing you?» His face turned into a smirk, «Your ungrateful scum.» he looked at my sister, «You did great today, my dear. I’m so proud of you. So proud.»
«Thank you, Captain.» Isha replied. Humbly giving him a salute.
Hondo turned away, not even looking at the Tholothian,
«And now we will have a feast. And a surprise for our guests.» walking towards the ships dining room, «Come on, come on. Follow me.»
