1760
It has been years since I had traversed through such green land. The country which I had come from lacked greenery and most of my time was spent indoors avoiding the unpredictable bouts of rain. Oh, how I loved the rain and everything that came with it - the petrichor and the thirst it quenched. The thirst of the poor, the thirst of the plants, the thirst of the miserable and the thirst for redemption.
However, my governess was a rather stern, buxom woman who hated the rain and the mud and the slush and everything that would soak her pretty dresses down to the petticoat. Hence why, I was never allowed to leave the mansion and instead would spend an enlightening session of the Tudor's history and how Great Britain was indeed great. For a four year old such as myself, I grew increasingly bored with the history of strong monarchs and instead craved the adventures that my servant boys often spoke so fondly about. I simply wanted to see the world - my governess would be scandalised at the idea of a young girl exploring outside the safety of her home therefore I never mentioned it to her.
This all changed one day when my father announced that he was taking me on a grand tour of the world. I could not be more joyous at this news, for it felt like I had been granted my greatest wish - a wish I could not ever voice. My governess, Miss Penelope was not too happy about the change of environment and travelling on a ship seemed much too uncomfortable for her.
My father, Charles Lee assured her that we would be back in no time and I could resume my studies, but Miss Penelope made sure to pack heavily for a trip that she said would most likely extend due to the unforeseeable circumstances of my father's job. So in two weeks time, when I stepped off the merchant's ship (much to the dismay of my governess!), I saw that the vast land before me was green and dense and people - so many people that wore different clothes. It was the first time I had fallen in love.
Our mansion was located in the middle of nowhere and stable boys were tending to the horses when I arrived hand in hand with Miss Penelope. She was complaining throughout the entire carriage ride about how ladies should not have to deal with such discomfort, but I had spent time ignoring her with my face glued to the tiny square window. Lush green trees and small animals that would scurry around occasionally were before my sight and I had never felt more free than I did then.
"You there!" Miss Penelope let my hand go and stepped forward, her lace parasol held on her shoulder while she addressed the small, dark-skinned stable boy. "Take these things inside immediately. Are our rooms ready to accustom us?"
The boy nodded hurriedly, grabbing two small wooden suitcases easily. He looked up and our eyes met and I smiled at him warmly. Startled, he turned away.
"This way, please, miss."
I ran forward and linked hands with Miss Penelope while looking around curiously. The mansion was big and encompassing and the familiar dread began to creep up within me.
"Miss Penelope, what will we do here?"
She sighed, fanning herself with a small handkerchief. "Heaven knows, Daisy. Your father's choice to bring us to these barbarians' land was the worst decision." She stroked my golden hair fondly making sure to not tip my hat off my head. "Daisy, I worry that you will become tainted - the world is not a pleasant place."
I stared confused. "Miss Penelope, I believe the world is a wonderful place! There are so many people and so many places. You can go anywhere and everywhere and still there would be much to explore!"
She sighed back at me looking a little crestfallen, before turning to address the boy. "Nonsense, girl. Do not argue back. You there! Do you intend to stand there eavesdropping on our conversation? You barbarians need to learn your place!"
I stared shocked as a taller man dressed in a pressed red uniform came forward and slapped the small boy hard across the face. Our suitcases tumbled and Miss Penelope cried in horror.
"What have you done! You broke everything!" I was surprised to see that she addressed the small boy lying on his side instead of the man. Her parasol which had been sitting uselessly on her shoulder was now being used to poke the tiny boy in the stomach.
The officer stepped forward extending a hand to Miss Penelope's gloved hand. "If you may, miss, I can handle this. This boy will be trained so that such incident does not happen." Taking the butt of his gun, he struck the boy hard against his face. I simultaneously passed out as a flourish of blood landed on my tiny shoes.
I was shaken awake by the thunderstorm that struck later that night. Shadows danced in the room and I instinctively cowered in my bed wondering if the man in the red coat was going to come and get me too. That little boy had done absolutely nothing wrong, yet he had been beaten severely. I swallowed nervously and remembered all the times I had been mischievous - perhaps for a lot more serious things!
Regardless of all the incidents that had occurred today, I had one thing on my mind. That boy was around my age and the area around this mansion extended to that beautiful valley. Tomorrow was not a day to sit in and learn, but a day to explore and make new friends. With a strong resolution and a big smile, I dreamt of running in the grass with daisies stroking my arms.
"Hello there!"
The boy with a large black eye stared at me while running a curry comb through the horse's black coat. It shined beautifully in the sun, but I was still weary of the horse so I stood slightly away from it's daunting mouth.
The boy however seemed to be scared of me, for he immediately began to pack the material in a bucket and looked ready to bolt. How uncouth of him! How was I to befriend him if he would bolt each time we would meet eyes?
"Stop! Do not walk away from me." I commanded, stepping in front of him with my arms outstretched wide and legs wide apart. The hem of my dress was already dirtied and I was in for an earful from Miss Penelope, but I was beyond caring now.
"Miss, what do you need?" He mumbled slowly, an accent prominent in his voice. It sounded refreshing and less rigid from the posh English I had heard for as long as I could remember. He was staring straight at his dirtied slippers, his small toes peeking out.
I huffed and placed my hands on my waist. "Why will you not look at me? Is it the black eye? I..." I hesitated, placing my hand on his tiny cheek. "I am sorry you got hurt. That man in the redcoat was scary, was he not?"
He jerked away from me looking stung and surprised. What on earth was wrong with this boy? I had not slapped him accidentally, had I? Or maybe touching someone's cheek was considered rude in this side of the world?
He looked around nervously. "Miss, you can't be seen here! Not with me!"
"Why ever not?" I asked, confused. "It is fine if you are a servant here. I had friends in the servant's block in my mansion back home too!"
"This not the same." He sighed, swiping his hand across the black eye. "I'm not like you or the elder miss from yesterday."
I nodded, understanding him instantly. "Why, of course you are not. No one is ever the same! You are shorter than me slightly. You are not scared of horses, but I am. Oh, oh and yes! You can carry two suitcases whereas I cannot even pick one up easily!"
He stared at me quietly, before turning away amused. "Miss, afraid you don't understand. I don't understand myself either."
Understand what? Was this boy calling me stupid? The nerve of him! Oh, but I must not get angry - I wanted to be friends with him and maybe he could show me the valley which I had been staring at all morning from the balcony today.
"I am not really fussed about the small details! What I would really like to know is your name, young sir!" I smiled, curtsying elegantly, although my dirty hem probably ended up making me look silly.
He dropped the bucket and took a deep bow, a perfect right angle. "The name is Ezekiel, miss. At your humble service."
I giggled, grabbing his hand which he had placed on his chest and shaking it with a good vigour. "Pleasure to meet your acquaintance, Zeke! I am Daisy Lee, daughter of Charles Lee."
He drew back his hand gently, which I realised was small and cold. He also seemed frail and slightly tired and the black eye gave him a rather spent look. I was worried about Zeke. Maybe what he required at this instant was not a new name to remember, but medicine. I was going to fetch it for him, I thought determined. Instructing him to continue with his chores, I ran inside the mansion past Miss Penelope who was too busy managing the restoration of the rooms and asked our doctor for medicine to heal skin wounds such as a black eye. He seemed curious to know why, but I told him I was interested in the art of healing and he was handing over the vial instantly. I was a good liar it seemed, I thought smug as I returned to Zeke.
Zeke was not only small and quiet, but also rather humble and hesitant. He refused the medicine many times before I ordered him to take it and use it. The next time I would see him would be without a trace of a black eye and the day he finally agreed to take me sightseeing towards the valley. We planned a quiet day when Miss Penelope would head to Boston and the man in red coat would accompany her - they seemed to have taken quite a liking to each other, I thought. Or maybe Miss Penelope was rather listless and needed a companion; just the way I needed Zeke.
"Oh Zeke, but we only just arrived! And the valley is right there!" I pointed at the grey rock while jumping excitedly. He shook his head hurriedly in response, his eyes darting left to right while he tugged on my arm none too gently.
"Please miss, we leave now." The afternoon sun shone on his skin making him look even more ghostly than usual. It only added to the fact that Zeke really was not brave. But I was not a coward - I had wished to visit this valley two weeks ago when I arrived and now to leave when it was in my touching range was absolutely absurd!
"I will not leave Zeke! Miss Penelope is not expected back till later in the evening. Oh, you must not fret, you will get a wrinkly forehead!" I stroked his soft skin on his forehead and he drew back; his face a surprising red. He looked distracted enough for me to bolt in my dress up towards the valley and the view I saw was the second time I fell in love.
A small flock of deer were grazing near the river. A distant music - traditional music (maybe) was being played in the background. And the trees, oh those majestic green trees were so pretty and provided a great shade to stroll beneath them. I had just kissed Paradise, but I had to taste it or I would forever regret it.
"Miss please! We can't be here!"
"Oh, but Zeke, you must see this! There are people living across this valley! Can you not hear the singing? Maybe a festival - we can go see it and no one will-"
"Miss!" He reprimanded harshly, grabbing my hand which was resting on the rock. "Forgive me, but we leave now." I stared into his brown eyes and realised that Zeke was not going to budge this time. It was the same look that Miss Penelope, Father and my elderly butler had given me too. Funny how people were similar after all, but Zeke would probably not agree.
"Who are you?" A cold voice startled us from behind the valley and we both let out a cry. Zeke recovered quickly because he was shielding me completely from the view of the voice. I groaned internally. Oh Zeke, why must you always be so cautious?
"We didn't trespass." Zeke defended truthfully, his voice shaky and meek. I stepped away from behind him and met the eyes of a boy much taller than Zeke and I.
He was dressed strange and was slightly fairer than Zeke yet he seemed in much better health than many children I had seen working in my mansion. He wore a necklace which drew my attention instantly. It was rather ugly looking, not shiny at all and very unattractive - small, sharp rock looking objects were tied with a string. His hair was shiny and black, just like the horse Zeke spent extra time currying to. But one thing that stood out the most was the hard look in the eyes of the boy. I had never seen a child of my age look so brave and frightening - I was very intimidated to befriend this boy, yet the idea of an opportunity lost was more depressing.
Grabbing Zeke's hand for comfort, I drew him into a bow while I simultaneously curtsied. "We are sorry to have caused you any discomfort. My name is Daisy Lee and this is Zeke. We live in that mansion nearby." I turned around and pointed to the land below - the mansion looking very tiny.
"And are you lost?" He asked eyeing us suspiciously, the small knife glinting from the edge of his pocket. I gulped and met eyes with Zeke who seemed lost for words.
"Well not precisely," I said, but quickly added more after his stance became more rigid. "I wanted to explore the land and Zeke accompanied me. I want to see the festival happening on the other side of the valley!"
Surely being honest with this boy had to be the best policy. Lying never proved fruitful anyway, I thought remembering the medicine incident where I had spouted lies after lies to the doctor. Hopefully nothing bad would come out of it.
"Festival?" He looked confused, turning to stare at the quiet land behind him; the sound of music present, but faint. He then turned and stared at us again. "There is no festival taking place there. You heard wrong."
"Yes we did," Zeke commented, taking my arm and rushing towards the steps of the valley. "Come on now, miss." I shook him off and ran back to the curious boy who was still staring at us.
"May we come next time when the festival is running in full spirits?" I asked excitedly, clasping my hands together in a desperate plea. "It seems lively and maybe you can come to a tea party afterwards and we can be friends!"
"Miss!" Zeke cried, horrified. I ignored him and did not remove my gaze from the tan boy's.
"You cannot come back here again." The boy warned; the knife in his hands. I stepped back fearful of him and a flash of regret crept in his eyes. Zeke was now pulling me back with full strength and we were now very close to the bottom.
"Your name!" I cried, clutching at a rock's edge to dispel my friend's efforts. "May I at least know your name?"
"Miss, you are pushing it!" Zeke shrieked, with fistfuls of my pink dress.
The tan boy stared in silence before taking a step closer to us. It was the first time I saw him move and it was quiet - like a leopard waiting to strike. With careful deliberation, he quietly uttered.
"Ratonhnhaké:ton."