Chapter Text
Long ago in a land far away there once rose an empire that stretched from the steps of Corona to the shores of the Silver Sea, that empire was Olay. Fierce in battle, wise in victory, where the Olayan sword went order followed, the Olayan King Arman ruled with his brother, Javad upon the principles of loyalty and brother hood. The king had two sons who gave him great joy, but in the eyes of the gods the king’s family was not yet complete. Until the day he witnessed the single act of courage of an orphan girl from the streets of Baltac.
“Come on Danny!” Anatashka said pulling the little girl along. They slithered between people’s legs and ducked under vender’s tables loaded with goods, Anatashka smelled the roasting meat and her mouth practically watered. She mustered her will power and kept on, she could have stolen a piece of fried meat easily enough, but she wasn't here to steal. She clenched the little girl’s hand tighter and led them into a hole in the wall. She had to let go as she boosted herself up over a crate. She turned to make sure Danny was following before jumping down. They ducked and shimmied their way between the dirty rafters that lined the alleys of North-Eastern Olay. She held her hand up; they crouched in the shadows until the guards passed. After the coast was clear she motioned for Danny to follow. They raced across the road into another alley. “There,” she whispered, pointing to a merchants hay wagon. She ran towards the moving wagon and hoisted herself up. “Faster Danny!” she called as the little girl ran as fast as her short legs would allow. When she was close enough Anatashka grabbed her hand, pulling the younger girl up. They sat breathlessly as they dangled their feet over the edge of the wagon, Danny smiled at her companion. Anatashka smiled back and gently bumped her with her shoulder.
Danny got up and stumbled giggling deeper into the back of the wagon. It was a hay wagon, no roof, and only two walls. It was large enough for the two girls to play hide-and-seek in if they wished. Anatashka uneasily got up, trying to maintain her balance on the moving vehicle; her keen eyes caught the flash of white that made up Danny’s hair before the little girl dived into the mountain of hay. Anatashka stumbled this way and that after her friend; the wagon lurched sending her face first onto the hay. A laughing bundle of giggles landed on top of her. She pushed herself up and turned to face her opponent. They tumbled in the hay, getting the already dirty rags that barely passed for clothing even more dirty than they already were. The wagon lurched, giving Anatashka the chance she needed to pin the younger girl on her back. She looked down at Danny’s pouting face.
“No fair!” she scowled.
Anatashka laughed, brushing off the hay that had gotten in Danny’s mouth. The younger girl wrinkled her nose at her. Anatashka felt her breath hitch, Danny was so beautiful. Dirt covered her small face, and her snow white hair, but she knew how soft Danny’s hair was. She knew how Danny’s lips trembled when she cried, and how they smiled. She knew everything about her, the way her soft blue eyes light up, how she laughed, how she felt in her arms. A wave of possession washed over Anatashka, and she was powerless against it.
Danny squirmed, “Get off Tash!” She laughed playfully. Anatashka shook her head as if to dislodge her thoughts, she rolled off of the younger girl and lay back on the hay. Danny yawned and moved closer to her, “When do ya’ think we’ll get there?” She asked cuddling against Anatashka.
“Soon,” she whispered, putting an arm around her. “Go to sleep Danny.”
“I’m not tired,” she yawned. Tash laughed and ran her fingers through Danny’s white hair. She waited until she was sure the little girl was asleep before following her into a dreamless night.