[FlashBack/Solo] Growing up a Theif

[Ly-nis]

Summer 488 AV

The sun slowly baked the rippling sea of grass with its firey rays, becoming darker then lighter again as large, fluffy clouds blew across the vast, azure, afternoon sky. There was a ripple in the distance, a small, black blob moving quickly away from Riverfall. Behind the shape was a mob of screaming people, lashing whips.

---

A small, ten year old girl pushed through the greenery, golden eyes narrowed with pain. She clutched her stomach, which was growling fiercly before plopping onto the sun-dried ground, staring up between blades of grass which swayed delicatly in the wind. The girl glanced down at a trinket that lay on her chest. She picked it up with tanned fingers and ran her nail over the prayer before closing it in her hands. Ly smiled, clutching the necklace close to her heart before sitting up, glancing about. All she could see was an endless Sea of Grass, a few shrubs scattered here and there. Ly was interest suddenly in a bush filled with purple berries. She rushed over, sniffing them, then picking as many as she could, stuffing her face until she was full. Ly looked around again, sighing as again, all she saw was endless grassy plains, but there was something else now. A loud thumping noise, almost like a raging heart. Ly stood up, her oversized white gown fluttering as she turned in search of the noise.

The sound grew louder and soon, Ly saw the black shape running towards her. The girl let out a scream and jumped to the side, watching a beautiful black mare rush by on woobly, baby legs. After the horse came, Ly heard another noise. Whips and yelling. She turned her head and watched a mob of five people pass her.

One of them turned, a grumy old man. Ly backed up a bit as the man advanced on her, looking down at her through black eyes, "Guys! I found a living one!" the man yelled in a gruff voice, grabbing Ly's wrist and holding her up. She grunted, "Don't touch me..." The man turned at the remark, throwing her to the earth with enough force to knock the breath from her lungs, "Have respect for yer elders, 'youngins." the man said with fury in his eyes. Ly struggled to get up, but once she did she found herself surronded by the other men... and the horse which violently shook its head against the force of a harness.

---

Ly was put to work for two years, tending to the livestock that would soon be sold and slaughtered and keeping the horses at bay. When she would slouch off or take a break, a whip would meet the back of her neck, sending violent firey pains down her spine.

Winter 491 AV

Ly, now twelve, clutched the fur of the black, mix blood mare, crying into the small animals back, "Ka'reana... they've sold you." The mare only gave a small snort, nibbling on Ly's brown hair. The young girl looked up in surprise as the horse trotted forward a bit, pointing her noise towards the five men who were saddling up, getting ready for a trip, "We'll be gone for the next few days while we fetch the Mix Blood's new owner. Stay put, brat." one of the grumy men said before they all sped out into the afternoon. Ly smiled suddenly, giving a nod, amber eyes bright with sudden happiness. she turned to the ther starving horses, "Tonight..."

Ly woke with a start, sitting up. Hay stuck out of her hair and littered her clothing. She glanced casually out the window next to her makeshift bedding and smiled as the full moon blared extra bright from behind a storm cloud. Ly lite a wood lantern and hurried down to the barn, moving as fast as her little bare feet could go. She placed the lantern on a stool, quickly unlaching all the horse pens. There was a sudden outburst of loud whinies as Ly opened the barn doors towards the grass sea. All the horses sped into the night, becoming as wild as they had been the first time. Ka'reana headbutted Ly's back, staring at her with liquid brown eyes and stomping her feet. Ly blinked, "You want to stay with me?" she asked, holding the mare's snout. Ka'reana let out a loud, young whinie. Ly clapped, but before hopping on the horse's back, she turned towards the latern, staring at it with dark, shadowed eyes.

Ly then rushed forward, smashing the lantern on the wood floor. Ka'reana whinied, stomping around with fear as the fire began to grow, licking at the air, turning the calm moon light into raging colors of orange and red. Ly turned, her eyes cold with hatred. She hated those men. She was glad to finally ruin their lives. The barn let out a loud and danger creeeeak, bringing Ly back to reality as fire began to fall from the ceiling, showering Ly with embers. She screamed, reaching for Ka'reana, leaping onto the mare's burning back as the horse let out frightened whinies. Ly pointed to the night air, "Run! Go!" she screamed. The horse let out a snort and rushed into the cooler air. Ly watched in awe as the world rushed around her, as the grass swished against her ankles. Ly sucked in a deep breath of cold air, clearing the smoke from her lungs. She felt drowsiness hit her like an arrow, "Ka'reana, lets stop for the night." she said, glancing back to see them well away from the flames that scourched her skin. The horse frozed, plopping down with Ly still on her back. Ly let out an oof as the air rushed from her lungs, but just gently slid down the mare's back, leaning back on the black horse as if it were a pillow.

The next day

Ly awoke from here spot on Ka'reana's back, sitting up. Cold winter air finally reached her nerves and Ly quickly pushed back down into the mare's fluffy back. The horse awoke, staring down at Ly with almost motherly eyes. Ly looked up at the horse and smiled, "We'll be together... forverer."