A Girl who can't See

200 B.C

Labyrinth Kingdom 

King Tharks arrived with his troops from the war and announced that they won the war between the Oregon Kingdom. It's a ten days battle and they succeeded but they lose hundred of armies during the time of war. His people waited in front of the gate to rejoice and hail their King for great news and achievements once again on the battlefield while Amira, his daughter was still snorting deeply over her soft wooden made mattress. 

She heard the screaming and scrambling noise of people leaving their houses and strolled going to the Kingdom's gate to welcome the King's victory, her father. The scene is always like this every month. Her father and his legions went cities to cities, towns to towns, kingdoms to kingdoms, and territories to territories to slay innocent civilians to have a wide range of lands. She doesn't like her father's advocacy but he's the King and everyone bowed their head and bend their knees when he passed them. Even Amira can't tame her father. 

"Amira! My lady, get up now! Your father is here!" Agnes, her Dama rush inside her room to wake her up. She has the keys to her room so it's easy for her to walk inside. 

Amira was still half asleep but she heard what Agnes just told her. 

" hmmm, what for? I'm still sleepy, Agnes! You know, for me, the day is night and the night is the day. I don't know what time is it so my father will understand." Amira used her reasoning power again. 

Agnes is always oblivious that the princess is blind. 

"Oh, sorry, my princess but you have to open your eyes, I mean you have to get up and get ready. The King waited for you beside his throne. You know your father very well" Agnes said before she left her room. 

Amira took a deep breath and sigh. For her eighteen years of being a daughter of King Tharks, she thought of signing off to be one because of his evil deeds but she loves her father and he was only doing it to protect her and his people. He's a promising man and doesn't like battles before but a dark past always haunted him that he was scared of his people to die in his bare eyes. Seeing his wife and son burnt by dragons made him gone crazy. They won the war but it's too late to restore his loved one's life. 

Princess Amira didn't realize she came back to deep sleep again. 

                    ~~~~~~~~~~~

Agnes saw the King and she went to tell him that his beloved princess was still in her bed. Tharks heard it and again his daughter did the same thing as always. 

"Let her be, Agnes. I don't want to bother my sleeping beauty besides she will train the new warriors later. Give her a rest." King Tharks said to Agnes. 

"Yes, my Lord. I'm sorry to bother you too." Agnes bows her head to obey her master's command. 

                      ~~~~~~~~~~ 

Amira POV

I heard a rumbling noise of strange animals which I guess coming outside from my window. I impatiently peeled my eyes open to check what it was. 

My father just got home with another victory. I'm happy that Agnes didn't come back to upset me again about attending the arrival of King Tharks, my father. 

I'm still drowsy, dozing off in between my yawns. I'm a bit exhausted yesterday after extreme training with my new students. My body aches as I got up from my bed. I fondled my sluggish hands beside my headboard to get my waddy. These serve as my best friend, company, and my eyes for almost eleven years of me being blind. I asked my father about my disorder but he can't answer why I turned out sightless after my seventh birthday. Now, I had to stay strong on behalf of myself as a blind princess of the Labyrinth Kingdom. 

Holding my cane with me, I navigated my window to check what are those loud strange noises I just heard. As I trailed the opening part of it, I pushed it outside than in just a few seconds, a sudden heat touches my face. 

"Ahhhh!!!" I cry out to the abrupt attacks coming from my window. 

I lost my balance due to the immediate heat like a blaze of fire hit my skin. It was like millions of needles prick beneath my skin. But as a warrior, I'm versatile and sagacious. I quickly took my waddy beside me and regain my strength. I immediately close and locked all the windows I have in my room and hurriedly went to open my door. I have a sharp earshot not to hear the growling sounds of feral things enveloping inside our Kingdom.

I called Agnes as I pop out of my door but I felt a strong hand grasping my arms.

"Amira, come and let's go! The Dragons are attacking!" A voice was familiar to her. He sounded like Jade, her childhood friend. 

"Jake? Is that you? Dragons? That thing who burnt my arms are Dragons?" I was in tremor to learn that Dragons are attacking the place where I was born and lived for eighteen years. 

"Yes, come and let's get your horse, Princess Amira! We have to escape!" I could feel that Jade was scared like a rat from a cat. His voice was trembling. 

I don't know if I was only dreaming or is this real? 

I thought dragons are not real! Father told me that Dragons are just myths and their tale of existence was just a story untold by ancestors from where Perun created them with Adamah and Eeva.

"They're not real Jade! I won't go! Let go of me!" I resist my hands from his grip. 

I heard his sudden deep breathing like he's afraid to get out without me. 

"Why you stop? Are not going to run away? I'm so sorry, I stay!" I said with sternness in my tone. 

We both in that position when everyone went screaming and running to save their lives. Someone hit my arms even knowingly I am their princess. 

"Hey, I'm Amira! Can't you see me?" I shouted but I heard a soft voice whisper beneath my earlobes. 

"You're not the King's daughter! You're just a stranger whom he found in the jungle!" It's an old woman's voice. 

I felt humiliated by her words. While everyone runs to save their breath, I was standing still near my door. Jade left me and I was alone again. I had no idea what's happening outside and I can't even see Dragons with my eyes because I am blind. I thought being a warrior is an achievement to be proud of with my condition but a warrior who can't see her opponents? A warrior who can't tell what she was battling? 

I went back to my room. I burst out into tears and every time I sniff, I pinch myself. I hated myself. I hated my capability. I'm still useless as their princess because I couldn't dispute with my enemies with their eyes opened glancing at yours. 

                      ~~~~~~~~

I felt damp in my face when my hands touch it. I was confused about what just happened. I slowly open my eyes after I realized I was crying. 

"What just happened?" I mumbled. 

I simply caressed my cane right next to my bed and I found it. I took it with my hands and helped myself ambling near my windows. I heard growling and whining sounds a while ago. But, everything seems different from before. I trailed its opening and unlock it myself. Of course, being blind for many years, I was familiar with my room and even the paths and houses in the whole Kingdom. I was born with a sharp mind and ears. I was a warrior and a hunter and my father was very proud of me but why I cried. 

A chill of passing winds came crossed my face and brushed my hair which covers all my face. It's not like before where a blaze of fire hit her skin. 

"Am I dreaming? I remember myself outside my door when Jade came and urge me to come with him because Dragons are attacking our whole place" I was like a madwoman talking to myself now. 

I scratch my head as I'm trying to recall everything until I confirmed that I was only dreaming. I feel relieved to know that it's only a dream. I'm more relax and doing fine at this moment. Father was right, Dragons are not real. 

As I'm navigating the part of my door, my palm was trailing my wall and used it as my signs to know where I stop. I'm more confident when I have my best friend beside me. She helped me guide my way. 

I was almost near my door when there was a sudden movement on the floor. My room is shaking. I guess this is not a dream anymore. I heard Agnes calling my name. 

"Amira, your father is looking for you! You have to stay with him. The enemies are attacking us!" Her soft but loud voice almost prick my eardrums.

Now, this is the real enemy. They are not dragons like in a tale but they're humans too who are hungry for powers. 

"I'm coming!" I replied as I put my armor in my body and my best friend with me. 

I brought my bows and arrows too. I can't go without them because I was an expert at hunting wild animals since I was seven. They served as my protector and the only armor I can use to fight enemies. 

I followed my instincts and ambled through the corridors out from my room. Our place is in chaos and I heard my people screaming and wailing. I was on my way when I heard someone is calling my name.

I tried to find the voice but it slowly faded from the darkness. When I was five, I heard the same voice, it's like a voice coming from within, a voice which I've to know before.