The Kingdom

He nodded and headed for the door, followed by the tall boy. The boy looked a lot like the nursing woman and I surmised it must be her son. The older woman noticed my gaze on the younger woman and said, "A survivor."

My eyes rose to the woman before me and she went on, "The Lion Men are coming more often. They are venturing further into the Kingdom of Thyana than ever before. They killed her husband and younger children about two days ago. They lived on a farm 2 miles from here. Such a nice young family they were and now…… it's just her and the boy." As she finished her voice cracked with emotion.

My hand closed over her fingers and her eyes met mine and with my mind full of the imagery of the massacred caravan I said, "You're not safe here!"

Her lips quivered as she said, "I know."

She reclaimed her hand and picking up a needle and thread she said, "I'm sorry, but this is going to hurt."

I nodded and gritted my teeth as she started to pull the torn flesh back together.

I stared at the woman nursing the baby that I'd saved from the burning wagon. Somehow the sight of the two of them helped to take my mind off the pain.

Endless tears flowed down the woman's cheeks as she held the baby to her. So much grief and sorrow. It hurt to see the look of loss on her face as she endlessly stroked the baby's head while she cooed softly to it.

I could see her reliving over and over the experience that had taken her own family from her. Then I saw her give a watery smile and I looked down to see the baby cooing back up at her as its hunger was finally abated. Of all of us right now, the baby looked the most content.

It knew nothing of the world or the danger that we were all in. All it knew was the comfort of the warm milk in its belly and the loving attentions that were being given to it in endless supply. In an instant I found myself envying the blissful ignorance of the baby.

For me the world was opening up to be a place of heartbreak and sorrow. I felt anger course through me at the knowledge that this innocent baby would someday know for itself the fears and pestilences of the times that we lived in. It wasn't right. It would never be right!

"Where do you come from?"

Blinking, I gazed back up to the older woman before me and answered, "The Kingdom of Smirnaz."