A long way back in history, there was once a female warrior named Aya in the Army of Hans. She was more fierce, brave, and strong than all the other men in her clan. She was the co-captain of the army and brought victory to every war she fought. But the men were humiliated that a woman, thought of as an inferior being, was leading them and giving them orders. This was unheard of except for their army. The men all wanted to find a way to get rid of this girl, but it was not an easy task for she was the lover of Hans, the captain of the army.
Aaron, cousin of Hans, hated Aya more than anything. He wanted to be second in power to support his cousin, but she was the only one in the way. “Men! Gather around. How will we eliminate Aya? How shall we do it?” he said.
All the men in the room felt the same way as Aaron, but they were too afraid to kill Aya, for if they were caught, Hans would pay. Then Aden, the most clever, smart, and devious man in the group spoke out about a great plan.
“We don’t have to kill her. We just have to, you know, make her disappear. Make Hans forget who she is. Make herself forget who she is.”
The room suddenly filled with hundreds of men gasping and whispering. Had Aden gone mad? What was he even saying? He must be joking, everyone thought.
“How do you propose this be possible?” Aaron yelled. All the warriors in the room fell quiet.
“Sire. It is an easy task with the potion that my sister creates. It makes one strong memory completely disappear. All we need is Aya’s hair to put in the potion. Then we can pour some of it in Hans’ drink and the leftover in Aya’s. Hans will forget Aya and Aya will forget herself. Is this not a perfect plan?” Aden boasted in a cocky voice. Aaron smiled after hearing this. Aden was a smart man and knew what he was doing. He knew this was going to work.
“When do you think is the appropriate time to set forth this plan?” a man in the crowd asked.
“Tomorrow! We shall set forth this plan tomorrow! Tomorrow at the feast! Yes, tomorrow indeed…” Aaron laughed out loud as all the men roared and cheered. Finally that annoying girl was going to be out of sight.
“Tonight let us all feast together! For it is a glorious night. Tomorrow it will be more, but let us feast!” The men cheered again and started to hog the food down. Aaron and Aden walked outside together to a quiet place to discuss the plan in a detailed manner.
“Does this potion of your sister’s really work? Well, that is?” Aaron asked.
“Yes sire. She has tested it on numerous people. It works every time and lasts a lifetime. Tonight, I will go into Aya’s room and get some hair from her brush. Then I will send it to my sister to create the potion and she will deliver it by tomorrow at dawn. This will not be hard to do.” Aden replied, again with a very arrogant tone.
“Indeed.” Aaron replied with a smirk smeared across his face.
* * *
Everyone was drunk at the feast, either sleeping or singing or dancing away. Aya was sitting next to Hans, drinking away to celebrate the victory of the previous war. Aaron and Aden looked at each other and decided to carry out their plan.
“Here is the drink with the potion mixed in. You pour for Hans and I will pour for Aya.” Aden told Aaron.
“Perfect,” Aaron replied.
“Cousin. I would like to pour you a drink. You will accept yes?” Aaron asked.
“Of course, of course my dear Aaron. Pour me a drink! Let us celebrate!” Hans yelled with joy.
“And you Aya? May I pour you a drink?” asked Aden.
“Yes! Yes! Go ahead!” Aya roared with laughter. Hans and Aya drank away the alcohol with the mysterious potion. Aaron laughed as well, excited for what would happen tomorrow morning.
“Aden. I cannot thank you enough for what you have done. What do you ask of in return?”
“Sire, I want to be third in power. Your first supporter.”
“Is this all you long for? That will not be hard. Indeed you will be my first supporter!”
“May I pour you a drink sire?”
“Yes! Yes you may! Let’s drink away for our future!” Aden poured a full cup of the drink for Aaron. Aaron thought it tasted strange, but he didn’t mind for it was a victorious night. The feast was coming to an end and everyone slowly went back to their tents.
* * *
Aaron woke up. His head stung and he felt extremely dizzy. He couldn’t remember who he was or where he was. What was his name? Who was he? What was this place? Why was he stranded in a forest? All he could feel was a strong headache as if someone had hit him hard with a brick.
“Is anyone there? Anyone? Hello?” he shouted, hoping someone would answer.
“Hello? Is anyone here? Hello?” he shouted louder, now scared of what was happening. Why could he not remember anything? Really, who was he? What had happened? Aden stood behind a tree, listening to every word of Aaron, and smirked.
“Foolish man. How could he not know Aya was my own dear cousin? Foolish, foolish man, blinded by power and ambition! How dare he plan to kill a member of my family? He shall starve to death for no one will remember who he is. Not even Hans.” Aden whispered to himself. He swiftly left the place and rode back to the army’s camp on his horse. He snickered under his breath a few times more at the foolishness of Aaron.
By Anna Koh
