Chapter 16- The Trade

The following morning, Ademar takes his mother’s advice and gets straight to work. He wants to make her proud and, if she is to sell him at his next birthday, he wants to make sure he is worth a lot of money for the tribe. This means he will need to spend all of his time working hard and building his skills.

When Serafina wakes up, she is shocked to find that Ayla’s bed is empty. Her daughter is never awake before herself and, after searching the entire house, she realises that Ayla is missing. She quickly runs upstairs to alert Clarissa.

“Clarissa, it’s Ayla! She is missing!” Serafina fights back tears as she wakes up the Scholar.

Clarissa sits up. “Are you sure she isn’t playing outside?”

“I have looked everywhere! She is not here!” Serafina realises why she felt a strange sensation in her stomach the day before.

‘Strength doesn’t always win wars…’

‘Mental pursuits are just as important…’

“No… Nina…” she rushed out of the room.

Serafina gathers her tribe to tell them what has happened. “Last night, my daughter was taken by an evil woman. Nina stole her while I was sleeping. We must get her back before something bad happens to her.”

Dina feels guilty. She had told Serafina that Nina was harmless, and now look. She has failed her Creator. “This is my fault, Creator. Please forgive me and let me make it right. I will find Nina and Ayla, and I will fix it.”

Serafina is hesitant, Dina and Nina are sisters. Their familial bond could pose an issue in this situation. “Are you sure you can do this? You will remain loyal to Tribe Areia?” Dina looks at her Creator. “You have my loyalty, I will not betray you like my sister did. She no longer means anything to me.”

Serafina throws herself into her boxing. If it is war Nina wants, then it is war she shall get. But even the Creator knows that she needs more strength, so she spends the rest of the day training. She will not let Nina get away with this.

Later that night, Nina arrives at the temple, Ayla following closely behind. It is time to make the trade. “Sister!” she shouts. “Show yourself!”

As Dina emerges from the temple, Nina turns to Ayla. “Stay there, kid. You will regret it if you try to run.” She makes her way towards her sister.

“What have you done? How could you betray us even more than you already have?” Dina stands between Nina and Ayla. “Do you even realise the damage you have caused?”

Nina stands, unmoved by her speech. “I am here for my daughter. If you don’t give her back to me, then I will not hesitate to take my revenge out on this child.” Ayla is frightened, but stays where she is. As much as she wants to run, she knows better than to risk it.

Dina hesitates, but agrees to trade the children. She knows that Nina would never hurt her own flesh and blood. Her sole focus must be on protecting the Heiress.

After the trade is complete, Dina turns to Ayla. “Are you hurt?” Ayla is furious. “What is going on?! Who is that woman, and why did you let her take Reyna?”

Dina is unsure of what to tell the child. “It is not my place to explain this to you. I’m sorry. Come inside, get some sleep. We will return to your home in the morning.”

With that, Dina turns away from the child. Fighting back tears, she enters the temple. She now knows that her sister is long gone. This person that she has become proves that.