Cunning Fish of the Forest - Chapter 1

A year older than me, Ahmet would never admit it, but he must already know that I lead a life more complex than his. I disagree with the notion that the ideal life for a woman should flow smoothly like the Luther River. The river flows regardless of human emotions or circumstances.

But a woman, unlike the river, would stagnate miserably if she lived as such.

Each morning, the pointed spires of the castle welcome me through my bedroom window. It was a place once used to summon renowned sorcerers for learning magic. Now, in the absence of those ancient and enchanting practices, it has been converted into a learning center for the Janeth faith.

As the tales of sorcery vanished into the earth, so did women’s lives and freedoms. For this reason, I’ve come to loathe that pointed tower. A sentiment my brother and male counterpart, Ahmet, cannot sympathize with.

“Araneth!”

Being woken up at the crack of dawn is bad enough, but to then wash and dress just to learn sewing is even more disdainful. Moreover, the visiting home tutor, acclaimed to be of great prestige, turned out to be a terribly inadequate woman. She was quick to glare and flare up at the slightest provocation.

“I can’t come down right now!”

After tossing aside the embroidery frame, I climbed out and scaled the bent tree. Escaping had become almost too easy, especially since I had been as docile as a tongue in one’s mouth lately, probably leading the dimwitted tutor to lower her guard.

“My skirt has torn again, of all things…”

The staid ancestors of the Ludig family built a walled castle for the education of women. Surely, some must have died bored and miserable, unable to scale its low walls. I was luckier. A tree planted by my late grandfather to celebrate the birth of my oldest sibling, Arox, aided my escape.

“I will forgive today’s incident out of generosity, so come down immediately.”

Sitting atop the wall, the wind greeting me was entirely different from the breeze that enters through the morning window. It tasted of freedom and sweetness when savored.

“Araneth Priam Ludig…!”

“No.”

My mother threatened to change the tutor if I caused one more mishap. It was exactly what I wished for. A teacher who insists on proper demeanor and sewing skills from someone born a woman is not someone I want, not in this life or the next.

“Arox! Ahmet!”

Standing atop the fence, I waved my hands energetically. Catching the gaze of my brothers looking up at me, I flashed them a wide smile. Seeing me crouched and ready to leap down, Arox’s face turned pale with worry.

In no time, he had dropped the wooden sword he was holding and was rushing towards me.

“I’m going.”

I hoped the next tutor would be someone who could show me the world beyond these walls.

I yearned to escape the smooth, stone paths of the estate, like a tightly braided plait. For the yellow-dusty roads and wide pastures to become my stage, unlike teachers who falsely promise I could walk alongside my brothers once I came of age.

“Arox! Catch!”

“Araneth… you really!”

From the expression on Arox’s face as he ran towards me with hair flying, I could tell whether he would catch me or not. Based on past experiences, even at the risk of breaking an arm, Arox would surely catch me. Even when we were smaller, he had always rushed to catch my falling body with desperation.

“Here I go!”

The only reason I could hurl my body over the fence was my absolute trust in my brother.

The sensation of my hair flying up towards the sky, my body tensing, and my limbs floating up was always unsettling. Without the sky’s favor, a misalignment with my brother could lead to broken legs. A significant price was attached to my freedom.

“Got you!”

Arox, having grown much taller since I last saw him, caught me in his sturdy arms. After attending the academy, which was only open to men, he seemed even more solid and broad-shouldered. A girl like me could hardly match his now immense and firm stature.

“Ugh.”

As Arox caught me and fell backward, he quickly checked his wrist upon standing. I was momentarily gripped by fear, the kind that tightens your side. I know that damaging the precious firstborn, Arox, could result in more than just a few days without food.

“Are you hurt?”

The terrible realization that someone must be hurt for my freedom was overwhelming. I had eagerly awaited Arox’s return from the academy not with the intention of causing him harm.

“It’s okay, Neth.”

Gentle Arox tenderly stroked my head, his leg shaking slightly from the effort.

The nickname he used carried the same affection as the year before, making all those sleepless nights waiting for this day worthwhile. The longing that I had pretended not to feel, raced ahead of me, and I embraced Arox tightly.

“I really, really missed you so much!”

“You’ve become even more childish since I last saw you, Neth.”

Even though he chided me with his words, Arox didn’t push me away. He was different from that unfortunate creature who would just lie in the shade of the fence and read books all day.

“Ahmet! Won’t you even come to see if I’ve fallen?”

The god Janeth with three faces has six eyes, but what good are many eyes if they cannot see what matters? It’s Ahmet, the bookworm, who should have been sent to the academy, not Arox. If only I could swap their places by borrowing God’s infinite power.

Ahmet’s golden eyes, focused on his book, appeared indifferent. It only frustrated me further. He was seemingly amused by my ranting, he didn’t even snicker but continued to read his book without interruption.

“Neth, stand up.”