Chapter 44 Fire horse

Mavli
I TUCK THE POUCH and matchbox Ghost gave me and mount the mare that Cirok stole for us. He didn't say what it was, just that it is a lethal concoction that can put a whole village on fire if used wisely. A shiver ran down my spine as he tossed it to me and grinned showing me yellow teeth. I wonder how Rhani knew this guy. And I wonder how he even got the 'lethal concoction'.
The mare — Hijar, which means messenger of death in Kintilese — snorts as we reenter the forest. I pat her head, leaning on her neck and wrapping my hands around her. It took us mere hours to arrive at the village when we were making our escape and I wonder why the security around the forest isn't tight at all. Do the slavemasters underestimate the slaves that much? Well, it's my luck that I can gain easy entry. The taskmaster won't stand a chance against me. Even the whole army of taskmasters who oversee the plantation won't stand a chance. I'm invincible.
But why don't I feel so? Why do I sit slouching on Hijar with fear and doubts weighing on my mind. Why do I have second thoughts about this? And why am I considering turning back?
The night is not peaceful at all. There is no starlight, no moon beam, no sounds of the nocturnal animals. Nothing. It's like the forest is aware of the dread that is steaming. Every living thing is holding it's breath but I know they are on my side, I know that the odds are in my favour and I hope that God is on my side.
I have to do this for me. I have to get back what was taken from me: peace, respect, control.
I have to do this for Cirok. Twice he was taken from me, and I'll avenge him. I will make sure his spirit finds peace.
I have to do this for Isla. She would want me to do this. She would be proud when she hears how I conquered.
I crouch down behind some bushes and take in the familiar environment not much has changed, it has only been a few days anyway. These people will regret not having guards and high walls. The taskmaster's cabin is in darkness, he's probably asleep. I pray that he is, I'll need the element of surprise. Hijar is tied to a tree a few metres away. I'll need to accomplish this on foot.
I stay in the shadows and tiptoe towards the hut I once shared with nine other people. A twig snaps under my foot making my heart race. I clutch my heaving chest and my eyes dart around for anyone or anything that can pose a threat to me.
When I see no one. I heave a sigh of relief and continue my way to the hut. I crouch down by the back window and my eyes scan the emaciation bodies. My heart sinks to see them like this, it's only been two days but it's as if they lost all their body weight and aged twenty years.
I spot the woman who tried to comfort me when I was crying. She lays face up on a torn raffia mat with her eyes closed. Long thick welts are embedded on the length of her arms and a livid bruise is stamped on her cheek. My teeth bare back in a snarl and my nails dig into my palms, I'll deal with that taskmaster, I'll make sure he pays.
I don't know how to get her attention, I'll need to warn her so she'll warn the others to evacuate. I'm going to burn down all the huts and the taskmaster's cabin, I'll make sure they burn to ashes on the ground.
Grabbing a small pebble from the ground, I toss it into the hut. It hits her temple and I wince at the impact. She turns in her sleep and slowly her eyes open, she groggily sits up and looks around blearily probably trying to figure out who hit her.
Guiltily I psst at her, hoping I don't attract the attention of others. They will probably not be so happy to see me. Her eyes dart to me and our gazes meet. Her expression is unreadable, her eyes are lifeless. Recognition flickers in her swollen eyes and she pushes herself up from the worn out mat. I stifle a cry when I see the freshly charred flesh on her arm that shapes a number.
21.
They have reduced her to a number. Tears pool at the corners of my eyes and pour out.
Her eyes are tired and weary, her mouth slacks and her skin is pallor. "You came back." She blinks like she can't believe her eyes. "We thought... He brought back a body, we thought you were... Gone..." She sniffs sadly. "How did you—?"
My chest tightens at the mention of a body. I force a smile. "Don't worry about that now, God has been faithful... What's your name?"
I feel ashamed that I don't know her name.
"Nadhat." She whispers.
"I'm Mavli," I supply.
"I'm so happy to see that you are alive, Mavli. We had hope when you escaped but when he brought back—" her voice cracks. She wipes away tears with the back of her hand. I reach out to comfort her though I can't do much because of the barrier of the window.
"You will be free today, Nadhat. Wake the others up—" just then two men rise from their mats with suspicion etched in their tired faces.
"You, we thought we were dead!" It's almost a yell and Nadhat turns to shush him.
The other regards me with beady eyes and mutters, "may God be praised."
"Listen to me," I say pleadingly. "I have a plan to free us all. Just stay in the hut and when you hear the first explosion, make a run for it, cross the streamlet and enter the woods. Don't look back until you get to a village called Bynin. From there, plan your routes back home."
"Can we trust you?" The man with the beady eyes dare to ask.
"I cannot forsake my people," I reply.
"Let me go to the next hut and tell the others!" Nadhat says.
I give her a stiff nod and she darts out of the hut.
"May God be with you," the first man tells me.
I nod. I don't know if God is in support with what I'm about to do.
I line the perimeter of the cabin with the black powder from the pouch. Beads of sweat line my forehead and upper lip. My heartbeat thumps frantically like I'm running for my life. Once I'm done circling the cabin, I tuck the pouch back into my pocket and step back.
Taking a deep breath, I retrieve the pack of matches. With trembling fingers, I light it. The kindling flame dances on the match and my eyes burn, with abandon I toss it to the cabin and the excited sizzling begins. With a cry, I spin on my heels and make to run when the deafening blast and the sweltering red heat pushes me to the ground. Immediately, the huts are thrown into an uproar as tens of people flee the huts that kept them slaves.
The heat is scorching, I can feel it's intensity as if I'm in the burning house. The wooden cabin cracks like burning twigs. The fire is roaring like a pride of hungry lions and the house crumbles under it's flames.
I imagine him, the taskmaster suffocating to his death. My mouth lifts in a twisted smile. Will he regret his sins? Will he die saying his last prayers?
Wincing, I push myself to my feet. The night sky is cloudy with smoke and particles of soot swirl in the air. The pungent smell of sulphur and burning wood dulls my senses and burns my lungs. I need out now, I can't even see in front of me. My eyes sting from the smoke, I'm gasping and sputtering for breath. The air tastes bitter. I'm thankful for the fact that I can still walk, I can still push forward in the enveloping dark clouds.
Once I feel for the walls of the hut, I lean on it trying to catch my breath.
"Mavli!" It's a scream, the voice is growing closer. Nadhat. She supposed to be gone by now, what is she thinking? "Mavli!"
I try to reply her, to yell back but the words come out in groans and moans. I cough to clear my airways but I end up sucking in more smoke.
I don't mind dying now. At least I've found peace, the house exploded in flames and is still burning at this moment. He is dead. He has to be. The other taskmasters must be awake by now, I don't care if they find me here. It's late, I've gotten my revenge.
A hand grabs me, I don't even consider fighting. "Mavli?" Nadhat helps me to my feet, "let's go."
I can't believe she came back for me, I don't resist as she helps me walk away from the smoke and the roaring flames that are hungrily licking their way forward. As we approach the streamlet, I hear the distant shouts and yells of people.
Nadhat turns to me with wild eyes,"we have to go! They will discover we have gone and come after us!"
We can't escape if they are intent on finding us. I have to stall them, maybe if they are unlucky they will burn to their demise too.
"Go," I say to her, "I'll stop them."
"No," she cries. The yells and whistles are becoming louder, closer. "We can make it." She drags me, urging me to come with her. I resist, standing my ground.
"Go. I know what I'm doing. I'll see you again, Nadhat. We will see again." Turning away from her, I pull out the pouch. She whimpers and I hear her splash through the streamlet.
I suck in deep breaths trying to slow my pants, the pouch seems three times heavier now. They are closer now, I can hear their stampeding footsteps and echoing voices.
I toss the pouch to the ground, it makes no sound in the midst of all the chaos. I strike the matchstick and it sizzles as it ignites. And without feeling, I toss it to the pouch.
The world crumbles around me and flying balls of fire rain down singing me all over.
Disoriented in pain, I run into the streamlet and a strong force pushed me to the ground. I fall into what seems will be my watery grave and the world turns dark and mum.
I race into the forest leaving destruction and flames behind. Leaves rustle under my feet and branches swipe and lash at me mercilessly. I don't even feel a pinch of pain, I won't feel it now. But if I survive this night I'll be paralysed by pain for days.
I get to the tree where Hijar was tied to. Only a whistling breeze is here, no mare. I begin to hyperventilate, sweat damping every inch of skin. Maybe one of the people found her, they would be stupid to see a horse and ignore it. The journey out of the forest will be way longer without Hijar but it's worth my freedom.
I dash into the darkness but a hand grabs me. This time, I fight back blindly throwing fists at the shadow.
The person winces in pain and releases me. "It's me, Mavli."
Nadhat. I'm so glad to see her. Throwing my arms around her I pull her to myself. She returns the hug for a moment and pulls me away, we are running faster than the wind, we are elusive. Invincible.
"I found a horse," she says breathlessly, "God is faithful."