“Batu! Batu!” cried a small voice. “Look at thissy! It cut me. It is evil.”
Clasped in her small was a glistening silver blade that I recognized as father’s hunting knife.
It had fascinated me as a child, and now I couldn’t be gladder to see it. I reached out my hands,
and somehow flexed my wrist and cut one of the bonds.
After a while of sawing away at rope, I stood up, my bonds falling off me. Freedom. It felt
marvelous. I slowly stooped down to pick up Naransetseg, her arms hugging my shoulders. I took
one last look at what had been my prison for the last few months, and sprinted away, until the
falling snow completely blocked it from my sight.
It took us several days to find a village, but when we did, we were greeted so warmly and
kindly I felt as though all of my previous troubles had melted away. This village is now my home,
and never have I strayed from its precious walls. Never again will I have to face such desolation
and cruelty.
