Chapter 1.6 The Reality of Life

The days seemed to wash like seconds in my quest to win back my daughter. Weeks passed months, but the only response I ever got when I tried to talk to Arcadia was,"I don't want to talk to you right now."

So my life continues much the same, I suppose I should mention Barsine's new child, a girl named Tais.

I to became pregnant and lost the child.

"You are to wound up", Peritas tells me.

I pretend tp listen but I'm really. My world seems to breathe sadness and their is only one person in the world that can make me happy, but she refuses to talk to me.

Then comes the big day, our journey to the village gathering. 

I am sure Arcadia is nervous because she has been moody all day. I to am nervous for myself and Arcadia, the villages will not look upon us kindly I know. The journey is long and Barsine is forced to let me carry Tais some of the time as well. It feels good to be needed by an innocent child again and it will always remind me of Arcadia.

When we arrive, people see me alone and Barsine with the three children and they assume all is well. Even I am forced to admit if only it could stay that way, but we must make introductions and it is then we things go terribly wrong. As soon as they realize that Arcadia is not Barsine but mines, the screaming and shouting begins. 

"You dirty little destroyer", one said.

"We don't want you here", another.

Then to me,"How can you live?"

"A disgrace to our people, your worthless."

These words hurt so much, but I had a feeling that they hurt Arcadia a lot more. Debates were carried on throughout the night whether we should even be allowed to stay or not. A decision was reached late in the night and father came and told me, we were not allowed to stay. The next day me and Arcadia would have to leave and survive in the village on our own.

We were escorted back to the village by Peritas. 

He was agaitied I could tell. Every time me and Arcadia tried to talk to him he snapped at us.

Upon arriving back at the village, Peritas wanted to leave straight away.

"Don't go anywhere, we'll be back in week", he told me curtly.

I nodded my understanding, what else could I do? As Peritas walked away I fought the urge to call out to him, I was a woman how was I supposed to survive on my own?

Arcadia sat down and I placed myself next to her.

"I'm sorry, my darling, I wish Barsine really was your mother", I say to her meaning every word. 

"I've never felt like thst turned on by my own people, nobody even tried to stand up for me. They're so cowardly, I could never understand how I could destroy the people, but now I can", she tells me sadly.

I was about to yell at her, but I held my tongue. For one she was talking to me, secondly part of me agreed with her.

"Even Peritas didn't do anything or Aristander and he could of made a difference, it hurts", she continued.

"I can promise you, that Aristander will be trying to convince people we are not evil. He just likes to avoid conflict", I tell her knowing this to be the truth.

She looks at me and I think she really sees me.

"I've been so horrible to you, I thought I could take back this curse upon me if I treated you bad. I'm sorry", she whispers.

"Arcadia, I think we will always fight. We are so different, but I want you to try and be friends with me again", I say to her hearing the hope in my voice.

"We can try", she says slowly.

I nod because I know that is all I am going to get.

Over the time we had alone me and Arcadia tried to become friends again, but I tell you it is not easy. Sometimes we fight, other times we get on well. I guess it just depends on the topic of our conversation. Arcadia likes talking about gardening, Hephastion, and even fishing, but start talking about being a proper woman and Arcadia shuts up.

I have learnt to avoid such subjects, but I am worried about her.

When the rest of the village returns, a bad feeling comes overme father does not look right. When everyone else is busy doing other things, I rush over to father.

"Father is all well?", I ask slowly.

"Arcadia is given you are chance at redemption I am happy for you", he says avoiding my question.

"Father", I say quietly.

"I'm dying, but before I go, I must tell you something very important my daughter", he says to me, but I refuse to believe my ears my father could not be dying.

Note- There are no pictures of Tais as because for some reason all baby girls come out as invisblie, with just this pink thing. I blame CC, but I don't know which one causes it.