Other Snips
The soldiers are satisfied and wrap ropes around our necks and wrists. But they never check us. Fools. I shift and walk widely so the dagger I hid on my inner thigh does not slip. I press my lips together to hide my grin as one ties the rope around my wrists.
Once everyone is gathered and tied together, the horsemen lead the way down the lonely road. The foot soldiers walk on each side of our line with their hands on their hilts.
“Do you suppose we will come back here and gather more villagers?” The soldier walking next to me asks suddenly. I keep my head down. “They did not put up nearly as much of a fight as we were told they would.”
“Oh, certainly. Our own people fight more than these did. Ambassador Vincent demands the meek for the mines. They make wonderful workers.”
“Perfect.”
“No captives,” Aira calls suddenly in Inzi. One of the soldiers briefly turns to her. “We take everyone. To protect Dwale, no one can know what actually became of this brigade.”
I close my eyes as I walk, breathing deeply.
“That girl is not speaking Dwalean,” one whispers. “I don't speak it myself, but her accent is wrong.”
Another watches me listening. “Do you understand us?” it asks me. I smile.
“Prepare yourselves,” Aira continues.
“Didn’t they say there’s a new Inzi chief…?”
“A young girl, yes.”
“On my command.”
Those around Aira step away as she stops walking. She grins. Soldiers too surprised to arm.
“She is speaking Inzi!”
Roll neck and squat. Reach for knife under dress.
“Attack!”
Cut rope from around wrists and pull second dagger from bosom. Am pulled back to the ground by neck.
“We’ve been tricked!”
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