CHAPTER ONE

Redania, 1209

It was in the afternoon as I stood under the shade of one of our fruit trees. Having several in the small gated paddock behind our cottage, it was up to me to pluck them free of their generous delights. Wiping my dirt smudged hands along the apron hanging around my waist, I glanced at the two large baskets of fruit I'd gathered for the day and felt satisfied in myself. Its hard work having to climb the thick and tall trees to reach the top, but the effort is well received when we have more than enough to trade at the markets tomorrow.

The latch of the gate clicked and creaked and I turned my sites to find Bartha headed towards me. Appearing dirtier than myself as she'd harvested a few of the crops, a few brownish grey hairs had strayed as they peaked from under her working cap. Then a soft and motherly voice reached toward me in guide with the wind "And how is today's work?"

I nodded with a smile "It's been rather well. Plenty for us to keep and trade for tomorrow. If there's enough left over we might be able to fix the wagon"

"The wagon?" she questioned curiously, giving the old wooden cart a quick glance. It'd been sitting beside the barn for years, untouched and withering away more as each day passes "There's plenty of things that need fixing. Why would you want to put it towards that old thing?"

My lips pulled taught at the question "It could be useful for us. We can take more to the market and it wouldn't be such a hassle as it always tends to be"

Her brown eyes flickered before she gave a nod in approval of the suggestion "You're right. I suppose we could spare coin towards it. The years are starting to take a toll" she jested, even though her age rested near fifty.

"Was that an admission?" I questioned with a giggle to which she snickered. A smile played on her own thin lips.

"Should we head inside then?" she gestured.

"I think so"

Picking up the baskets of fruit, I carried them inside to set on the table whilst Bartha made her way to the fire wood stove; stirring the pot that held our supper for tonight "We'll have to get up early tomorrow if we're to make it for the better half of the auction. Last time didn't go so well"

The auction located in the town centre is the perfect opportunity to buy and sell cattle, whether for stock or meat. Normally, the earlier you get there the better your chances are of a decent bargain, otherwise you're stuck paying for something even a dog would rather pass by.

"Bright and early" I agreed while packing everything essential into our backpacks and satchels, ready for tomorrow's long day. Leaving them close to the door so we wouldn't forget, I readied the table for our supper.

Being just the two of us, the cottage we call our home is small but quaint. It has everything we need, although there's a few nicks and knacks that either need to be fixed or rearranged. The roof tends to leak in spots with heavy storms and the stone walls are starting to bend and sag from years of standing. However, the home as a whole has provided well over the years; sheltering us a little ways from the crawling slum of the town.

In truth, I would rather leave it all behind. I've had the desire to do so for a while now but never had the courage to do anything about it, until recently. Of course I want to tell Bartha of my plans; to take her with me as we venture out into the world, but I imagine the conversation being difficult. We've never talked about my future. A part of me is afraid that she already believes I'll never want to leave.

Sitting down, Bartha placed the round metal pot on the table centre and began to dish up our bowels "Be careful" she warned. For a moment I thought she might of herd my thoughts, but then added "It'll be hot"

There was some relief as I blew on the steaming bowel of stew. Sitting opposite of me, the two of us ate together in calm silence like we do most nights; with nothing but the light rustle of wind and creak of the cottage beams above our heads. It was suddenly that I felt Bartha's eyes steady on me from across the table.

"You seem, detached. Is there something wrong?"

I shook my head "No, not at all"

"Then what's that look in your eye? You seem so far away even though you're right here"

I paused, my spoon hovering just above the stews surface "I suppose I'm preoccupied with other things. My thoughts namely"

"And what might they be?"

I was hesitant to reply to the question and Bartha realised. Putting down her spoon and tucking herself closer in to the table, she laced her fingers together and gave me her full attention. I already know where this is going and what she's to say, but all I could think to do was just sit and listen.

"I know it can be difficult. You're at that age where you might think you can't talk to me like you once did, but you still can. You can trust me in all things" she sighed before adding solemnly "Veraylia, I may never be your –"

"I trust you" I quickly interjecting, wanting to stop Bartha from saying those last words. Titles and names never mattered to me and we both know she means everything.

"Then speak to me. Tell me what's bothering you and maybe I can help"

It sounded like a plea and defeat settled inside of me along with guilt. I wondered briefly before coming to a decision. Perhaps this is the time to tell her the truth and if fate wanted it this way than who am I to try and prolong it – so I told Bartha what I really wanted.

"I want to leave"

I admit, it sounded more abrupt than what I intended. The candles inside the cottage seemed to flicker at my words and Bartha leant back slowly in her chair. Shock and confusion crossed her face and all I could do was wait for a reply "You want to leave?" she said "Where would you go?"

"Anywhere and everywhere" I replied "I want to travel this world, to do and see what you once saw. But I don't want to leave you behind. I want you to come with me so we'll always be together. I think it would be wonderful. We could leave all this behind and never look back, just keep going" I tried to encourage the situation but she only seemed more saddened.

"Is this the real reason, as to why you wanted that wagon fixed?" I wanted to somehow try and defend myself, but Bartha took to her feet quickly; taking our bowels to the kitchen with a clang of frustration "I can tell you there isn't anything out there for you. Why would you want to leave when you have everything you need right here?"

I was taken aback by the change in her demeanour. Standing by the kitchen bench Bartha peered out of the window and I noticed the sky had turned a familiar dark blue; the night settling into its place "Because I want to see it. All those stories you used to tell me when I was a girl and the ones you still tell me now. I want all of that"

There was a huff before she replied "Well it's not there. They were just as they are – a story"

I scoffed in disbelief "Do you really expect me to believe that? There's more out there and I know it. I just don't understand why you're so desperate to deny it – to keep me here. Why would you want me to be this person when I could become someone better?"

Bartha turned to look at me "Because the world is a dangerous place"

"This town is a dangerous" I bit back in reply "Do you think I don't know what's out there? I'm not naïve. I know it isn't all pretty, but I also know it isn't all terrible either. I'm willing to see the good in what there is" standing up from my own seat I looked into Bartha's green eyes, wanting her to feel my words as I spoke them "I refuse to believe my destiny is to live and die in this horrible place"

"This horrible place" she referred to being our home.

"If it would trap me here forever, then yes"

Bartha eyes cast downward and I instantly regretted my cold words. I shouldn't have said that. Looking up at me once again, she added "I want nothing more than for you to be happy, but what's more important is that you're safe. Being here in this home and living this life might not be a part of the dreams I once told you when you were a girl, but it's reality and I can only give you that much"

"Then I want more" I admitted vainly as my hands reached to clutch my chest "I feel something inside of me and it grows as each day passes. It's a longing for something that I can't describe, but it's there – waiting for me to be set free so that I can find it"

The tension in the room had grown thick and horrid. We'd never argued like this before and it left me feeling strange and conflicted. A time passed as Bartha moved from the kitchen to stand in front of me, her hand reaching out to untie the string of my cap beneath my chin. Tugging it from my head, her fingers moved to entwine themselves in my pale locks as they cascaded over my shoulders; the colour of fresh snow.

"I can't stop you. All I can ask is that you think about the choice you're going to make. When your mother gave you to me, I made a promise to protect you for as long as I could. I've done my best over the years but now I've come to realise, you're not a child anymore. You'll want what you desire and if it's not here in this home, then it's somewhere else and it's your destiny to find it"

"But it's not without you" I replied "I don't want to leave you here"

"I know you believe that, but I know this is where I belong. This is my home"

A sigh of sadness and frustration coursed through me at her words, but I couldn't argue with them. Bartha is right in what she said and I just have to except that it's her choice to stay, whether I choose to do the same or not. But that decision won't be made tonight.

Her fingers moved from my hair and Bartha placed a gentle kiss on my forehead. Moving along, she left for her bedroom and the door closed firmly behind with a distinct twist of a lock. She wants to be left alone and I understand. It's what's best for us both right now. Things have changed tonight and who knows what it will bring.