The
War of Sarah Beth. The war that began on the day of my birth. A war
for nothing
except an acre of land which has been handed down for
generations in my family, for we are
Peacekeepers. We kept Botlan
and Metban from war for hundreds of years , until the day they
both
decided they wanted the land for themselves. The day of my birth.
Now this one acre of land is called the Neutral Zone because its
is neutral meaning we
are not Botlan or Metban. The countries
kept fighting and fighting until there was nothing
except
bloodshed. While the countries fought I made best friends with the
two opposites. One
from Botlan and one from Metban.
Joseph
is from Botlan. He is one most handsome boys from either side of the
Neutral
Zone. He has beautiful brown hair, tan complexion from
always staying outside, tall and
muscular from always working
from always working in the fields, and his eyes are his best
feature
for they are so blue that they look purer than the sea.
Joseph
always talks about joining the Botlan army like his deceased father.
Joseph has
been the bravest of our trio, he's the one who would
do almost anything. Tim is as different
from Joseph as two can be
for he is more of a dreamer. He does not believe in monarchy and
thinks that the people should have a choice.
Tim is also
different from Joseph in looks as well. He is handsome is his own
way. He
has blonde hair that is always sticking up, medium-
height and is rather skinny for his age of
16. His eyes, like
Joseph's, are his best feature. They are gray but not an ordinary
gray. They
look like the sea after a storm and always seem to
stare into your very soul.
I, unlike my best friends, am quite
ugly. I have frizzy red hair that seems to get more and
more
frizzy with every day. I have brown eyes and I am rater short and
pudgy. I am a book
worm because before I met Joseph and Tim my
best friends were books. Tim and Joseph
always make fun of my
constant reading.
The war made our friendship rather hard. More
times than not we go to the Neutral
Zone, which is the only place
we can meet. It was okay until the day the boys brought up the
subject of joining the army for each of their kingdoms...
The
Beginning
“You
two are not really thinking about joining your kingdoms' armies. If
you do, you
would be fighting against each other and there I
would be with two, dead best friends,” I say in
a serious tone
that I hope they will listen to. Yet I know that they will not for
they never do.
You can not find any three people that are as
different.
“Aww , Sarah, we were just talking, although joining
the army would not be all that
bad,” says Joseph in is deepened
voice. He has always been the one I keep falling in love over
and
over again ,but sadly e will never even love me more than a sister.
He just has a charm
that has a charm that makes every girl in
Botlan and Metban fall in love with him.
“I think I will join
the Metban army just to get away from Joseph,” Tim said
sarcastically.
I play hit on the arm. We always do that and
chase each other around like we are 5 but we are
15, 16, and 17.
For once I am not in the middle for I am the youngest.
A Botlan,
Metban, and Peacemaker right in the middle of a Neutral Zone. The two
of
them were sworn enemies yet they end up best friends trough
me. In this relationship it is
true about opposites attract.
I hit Tim and Joseph on the arm softly like we always do. Wishing
the world could just
always stay in this very moment. Joseph
looks at me with those perfect eyes and says,” You do
know that
they are about to establish a law that makes every man or boy in this
case 16 or
older to fight at least a year on either side.”
I
look at him like he is joking. I can see in those eyes he is not. His
eyes have a vague
look to them. They are misty. It looks like the
sea is about to cry which makes my eyes want to
shed tears
themselves.
“You are not joking ,are you, Joseph?”
“No
,Sarah, I am not. Three weeks from today they will force Tim and I to
go fight in the
war.”
“Then what about me?” I say. My
voice is shaking and tears have not ceased yet. This is
my worst
nightmare.
“Since we both have to go fight I came to say
goodbye to both of you.” I look at Tim. I
see that he looks
very guilty. He knew about it too, and did not tell me. How many
secrets do
they keep from me? Anger hits me.
“You knew
about this too didn't you?” I shouted at him. They threw away our
friendship like garbage.
He finally talks but quietly, “Well
Sarah, it has been what everyone in both kingdoms
are talking
about and I did not know they were going to enforce it.”
Then everything started to fade. Blackness was starting to take me to
the pit of despair.
A place I hate more than the war itself. The
last thing I see is Tim and Joseph staring down at
me in a loving
way and their mouths are saying something I can not hear or make
out.......
******
When I awake, I
find I am in my cottage. I see Tim and Joseph hovering over me in a
brotherly way. While my head is throbbing it is nice to see them
worrying about me. Tim is
the first to speak for once in his
life.
“Oh my goodness,
Sarah you had us worried almost to
death.” I could tell he
meant it for both his beautiful eyes were misty and tears left a
trail
down his face. But even then their faces hold smiles. I
could tell they really do care about me.
“Aww, I am alright but
still the thought of you two fighting each other to the death is a
thought I will never be able to erase from my head. What if you
both die? It will be sorrow
just like Mother's death except you
would not be here to comfort me. Then it came to me.
I remember
her death like it was yesterday. Another thing gone wrong on my
birthday.
As all bad things happen on the anniversary of my
birth. Why can't I be like the other girls
who love the day of
their birth?
************
It was the tenth
anniversary of my birth. My mother went to buy me a new book from
Botlan, which is the book capital of the world. She was going to
walk on the path, which is
considered the shortest way but the
most dangerous.
While I begged her to allow me to go she would
not allow me. She said it was
dangerous and she was right. I
being a stubborn child walked fifteen yards behind her. While I
walked I was afraid of being found out for my mother loved me but
she would give me a
thrashing for disobeying her.
As she
walked she would turn around and look for someone following her for
it was
known that the kingdom was plagued with spies. When mother
was half way through I saw
something of a shadow behind me.
I
started , like mother, turning around every so often for I kept
hearing the rustle
of the leaves from not me but from someone
or something else. I have ever since have been a
paranoid child.
This event is the cause.
All of a sudden the shadow ran
fast,like a trowing knife, past me and ran fast toward my
mother.
While even if it meant death for me; my Mothers life is more
important to me than
my own. I screamed in the most bloodcurdling
voice I had in me,” Mother, behind you!”
She heard me and
turned but not in time to get away from the shadow. Soon the
shadow
turned into a tall, muscular, full grown man. He grabbed her and
forced her to her
knees. He then said to her in a harsh voice,”
Peacemaker, give your land to Matban or lose
your life in
exchange.”
Mothers eye caught mine and I could tell they told
me to run but my legs would not
move. Mother would not give up
our land, so she lost her life hanging from a noose in a tree.
Her
eyes full of fear while her body twitched a horrible dance. That is
the last thing I saw
before I blacked out.
When I woke up I
was still on the ground in the woods. I still remember the terror.
That
was the worst day of my life. Or it was.
Ever since then
I liked Botlan better, but I would not give my land given to me go to
either kingdoms. Now Joseph's, Tim's ,and my own life depends on
me. Since that dark
birthday I have not stepped one foot out of
the Neutral Zone. My mother laid down her life
just for this
land.
The only times I get out of my sorrow is when I am with the
boys or reading my books.
Tim and Joseph are the only people I
know and they love me but, Joseph only loves me like a
sister
like Tim but I prefer Joseph to Tim. Books have always been my
passion, but I can only
read when my hair is down. Tim and Joseph
still think that I am a book worm.
Now I am recovered with
the boys gone back to their own kingdoms, but only
reluctantly. I
thought about it again. The boys would undoubtedly die just for this
stupid piece
of land. I can not lose the only things I live for
just like that. I can not lose them like I lost Mother.
I know
what I will do. It may seem foolish, but if this is the only way to
save the boys'
lives I am willing to lay my own life down for the
boys. Now I am going to settle this War of
Sarah Beth even if it
means life on the line for me.
*********************
“I
am going to miss you, Sarah.” Joseph says to me while hugging me. I
have always
known Joseph was muscular, but not this muscular for
I felt every muscle with the slightest
movement. While he looked
handsome in the Botlan uniform, dark green jacket and pure
white
trousers.
He is leaving today while Tim leaves tomorrow. I know I
will miss him.
He lets out a soft breath. He pulls a little a
way, but not too far. His head leans down—
What is he doing? I
find out the second I thought about it. I often wondered at how his
lips
felt but I never thought I would find out. He pulls away
from me but only slightly. His intense
blue eyes look into my
dull brown ones which are barley able to take in all of this.
“Did
you know ,Sarah, that I have always loved you and I wanted to know
what it felt
like to kiss you before I go away. But, I swear I
will come back for you and you will be my
bride, but only if you
desire that, dear.”
I can not believe it. After all this time
he really loved me. One of my best friends, the
one who I always
thought loved me like a sister. Now it means I must make my plan work
the
easy way. I must say what I have always thought:
“I
have always loved you and always will. If you love me when you come
back I will be
yours.” I say in a shaky yet happy voice.
He
kisses me once more and bids me goodbye. I will miss him but it will
only be for a
few days.
My departure with Tim was more
formal. We just hugged and wished each other good
luck. He still
did not speak alot even though he thought it would probley be the
last time we see each other.
Now I must put my plan in action
for it will be rather hard to do. My plan consists of
getting the
Botlan leader and the Metban leaders to come and give each a third of
the Neutral
Zone and keep a third for my self. Hopefully that
will do for if it does not I decided to kill
myself for if a
peacemaker dies without having a child or close relative than the
land is not to
be claimed and all will be lost. That would
hopefully end the war if the first option does not.
Now I must
find some old white material to make trousers for i am to be
disguised as a
messenger. For I am 15 and I will look like a
twelve year old boy ,but that will have to do. I
find an old
dress from when I was younger to make the trousers.
I set to work
and finished in a short amount of time. I have never been a perfect
seamstress but they will have to do. I find mothers old black
dress and cut it to a blouse that
should fit. It will be a little
big but shall do for I do not waant to show any part of me that looks
feminine.
Now my hair which will be hard to pass for mans hair so
I grab one of mothers knives.
Lord please do not let it frizz it
anymore than it already is. The Lord will watch over me during
this
scheme of mine.
I set out on my way. First to get my plan to work
I must act like a messenger so I must
get a horse. So I get a wad
of grinets, which is our currency, that mother stashed for
emergency. And now is one.
I come across a horse seller about
a mile into Botlan territory. We made an exchange of
money for
horse. It was my mothers life savings but it was worth it. I got a
pretty, young, black
mare. Her name is Dixie. She is a beautiful
but has a frisky attitude to match,at least that is what the horse
seller told me.
Dixie and I set out to the Botlan army
encampment. Hopefully, I will see Joseph but I
doubt it for the
Botlan encampment has thousands of soldiers. First thing first, I
must go to
the Botlan army general, General Louis M. Meyer.
“Come on , Dixie , faster,” I tell my horse . We are racing
down the hill pass hundreds of
tents. Past the men, horses, and
mere boys trying to make it through a soldier's harsh life. We
made
it to the Generals' tent in three minutes. I decide to make it
urgent.
“Permission to enter , Sir.” I say in the deepest
voice I can muster up. I hear a rough , yet
deep voice say, “
Permission Granted.” I walk into a small yet lavish tent with a bed
with silk
curtains, silk linens, and silk embroidered rugs. The
general's tent is more than I expected.
I see a man that is tall,
brown headed, and in his late 40s who i suspect is the General
and
beside him is , Oh My God , Joseph, whose eyes look like they are
about to pop out of
his head. I give him a look that says Do not
say anything or we will both get it later. He does not speak because
of my glare but his eyes still bugged out of his sockets.
out.
Then I address the General.
“Sir General Armand, requested you
at the Deadly King Tavern tomorrow night.” I say
hoping he will
believe me but by the tensing of his body he is believing me so far,
“ at eight
o'clock sharp.
“What is your name ,son?” he
asked his brown eyes piercing into my own.
“Ijori Fletcher,Sir”
“Tell that man I will be seeing him tomorrow at eight o'clock
sharp.”
I did the same thing at General Armands encampment but
I did not see Tim. Also, I had more of a time with General Armands
but suceeded in the long run.
They
are both coming to my meeting. So far they believe me but one glitch
equals dead me.
I am waiting for both Generals to come. The
Deadly King is one of the decent taverns. It
is the nearest to
the Neutral Zone. I bribed the old innkeeper to give us a private
room.
Everyone could use extra money, so he takes the bribe. It
is a large room used when people
have banquets or hold meetings.
It is perfect even though it is going to be only the three of us but
it is more private than the main dining room. I nwhich the nosy
innkeeper would be listening.
I hear the deep, rough voice of
General Meyer. I decide to sit myself in one of the
chairs. When
he walks in I say very curtly,” General, how are you?” He looks
at me and asked”
What are you doing here Mr. Fletcher?” I
thought quick for I did not think this over.
“Sir, General
Armand requested I would be here.” Then I hear the sound of General
Armands boot outside of the room. As he comes in he nods and
General Meyer does the same
Now it is time I step in.
“Generals,
I am sorry but I am the one who called both of you here-” I said
until General
Armand Interrupts me with “ What do you mean
,Fletcher? You are going to lose your head for
this!”
“Sir
I called you here for I am not a messenger-nor a boy. I am a
Peacemaker whose land your
kingdoms have been fighting over for I
am the owner and I have an offer to give you each one
third the
property for your kingdoms and I am also a girl.”
They both
thought about it for a good hour. When final General Meyer spoke up,”
I am
willing to take her offer. What about you, Armand?”
With
a lot of consideration he spoke, “ I believe it should be fair for
both Botlan and
Metban.”
“Generals, may I please be
excused?”
“Of course Miss.-,” says General Meyer.” “Sarah
Beth-Sir.”
As I go out to get Jacky to go home. I see Joseph
and Tim. I run into both of their arms. I
hug them both. I hope
Tim will find a real nice girl for he deserves one, for Joseph if he
still
wants me he can have me.
I get the answer before I
even say a word with his lips clamped on mine. A war ended
and
love found. I have not have a better day yet in my life then I
realized something it is my
fifteenth anniversary of my birth. I
for once had a Happy Birthday.
The End
Look soon for the sequel to the Neutral Zone called No Rights To Freedom including Sarah's grandkids.....
Heres the Preface:
I see life on Earth as punishment or redemption from heaven and hell. Hell is all bad while heaven is all good. Earth is in the middle of the two. You can choose how to live it until you are placed into Gods forgiving hands or into the devils torturing tools. If you have ever heard the saying," Only the good die young." I think it is true. Those who die young are redeemed early and are forgiven by god. That is why babies come out of there mothers womb crying begging God to forgive them for doing wrong or crying for delight for another chance to be redeemed to the Golden Kingdom. As we get older these memories fade away and we believe we are humans. While we are fallen angels either being redeemed or punished.
That is how I see life on Earth as. While I am a princess. I am treated like garbage. For I do not look like royalty. While my mother and all my sisters are extraordinary beautiful and graceful. I am quiet ugly and rather clumsy all the time. Nothing like royalty. I refuse to wear the rich golds and purples in dresses but dress in pure black as a sign of rebellion. Most believe I am not even the King's daughter for I look nothing like my parents in any manner yet none would like to suffer under Franded II of Botlan by calling his daughter odd. What even makes it worst is that I have a twin that is extraordinary beautiful and she is bright and follows all the rules a woman should. The opposite of myself.
My raven black hair is rather wavy unlike my sisters blonde self. All of the commoners adore Aredelia while most would try to assassinate me if they had the chance for it makes their kingdom look bad when one of its royals wears nothing but dark coal black. While Aredelia is tall and slim. I am rather short and about 109 jaks (lbs) My black eyes do not look to extraordinarily for they do not have any flakes of gold in them what so ever. All of my sisters look like Karja who in response looks like my mother not including the hair which she inherited from Father , The King . My mother, the queens hair is a auburn color which is the envy of the kingdom.Where my hair color came from i have not an idea. . It is better to to thin than have curves in this kingdom. All my sisters are slim and trim while myself is short with curves. What luck for myself the social outcast of the Kingdom. I am rather surprise my parents have not disowned me yet.
While my twin is the prettiest of us all with Mother's Auburn hair and emerald green eyes. Beautiful,slim,tall, and graceful. Everything I am not
What sets me off most is that my parents expect me to just get married off to some foreign prince just for some land. I am not a piece of property for them to sell or trade. While all of my other sister are fine with being married off by my parents choice of a husband and just do what the my husband wants and not have a mind of my own. I have different theories on most things. Just like how God punishes us or gives another chance on Earth and how we behave determines if we got to Heaven or Hell. No man would care about my opinion if I got married off i would lose the privilege of independence. My thoughts the only things I really care about.
Then came the day father announced that we all 5 of us are to be married to the Princes from Metban.I will not marry and certainly not to any Prince. Let alone one from are long since enemies.