Freedom

While other noble children her age took great care of their appearances, Ansul danced in the rain and ran through fields, often coating her fine clothes in mud and dust. She would avoid playing with other girls her age because of their fixations; and they, too, disliked Ansul because she paid no mind to how she looked. Ansul would often spar with peasant boys and girls, who welcomed her with open arms whenever she wished to play with them.

As Ansul grew older, however, her parents grew tired of this behaviour and often reprimanded her, but Ansul did not let them control her every move. She pushed forward with her free spirit and found herself sparring even with the knights of the city. One day, Ansul’s father threatened her, saying that he would give her in marriage soon if she didn’t change her ways. Ansul was defiant, but knowing how stubborn her father was, she knew he would keep his word. And so she devised a plan to ensure her freedom.

That weekend, a farmer saw Ansul being led out of the city by a group of outlaws. He rushed to Ansul’s father and mentioned what he had seen, and soon, guards were dispatched to search for her. Two days passed before they found Ansul deep in the mountains, but she was in no danger. Ansul told them that she had fled with the outlaws of her own accord, and that she would not return to her home unless it were absolutely necessary. That was her final word; no one could change her mind.

Ansul finally had her freedom. Her father gave up his pursuit, and she remained with the outlaws and took part in their vigilante missions in and around the area where they lived. It was more than what she could have asked for. Years passed before Ansul had to return to her home, not out of sentimentality but out of duty. When a rival lord attempted to overthrow her father, she, along with her outlaw family, helped push back the treacherous forces. On that day, Ansul’s parents finally acknowledged her true potential.