Tesaldia sat in the cellar, her eyes were foggy with the lack of sleep. She had been here for five days and her entire body was exhausted. Her throat felt like sandpaper and she was sweating, mostly because she had become ill while she had been here.

A mouse scurried across the floor. Tesaldia didn't even notice it. She wanted to go home.

Sleep didn't come that night. Tesaldia just tossed and turned trying to get comfortable on the hard floor. Eventually she managed to find a comfortable position and she dozed off.

She didn't have much time to escape into a world of dreams because the mistress was soon coming for her. She pulled on Tesaldia's chains and Tesaldia slowly got up. She climbed out of the cellar and into the kitchen.

Tesaldia stood by the stove cooking breakfast. Everything was blurred in front of her eyes. She tried to keep track of things but lost control of a kettle of boiling water. The kettle fell and hit Tesaldia's already raw hand. She held onto the kettle though because she knew she would be spared no pitty and if the kettle fell she would be punished.

The rest of the morning was like torture. Tesaldia was sent to do countless chores. Tesaldia had taken a rest when no one was looking and it had helped, but only a little.

Tesaldia took all of her chances to escape the pain. When the mistress told her to collect corn, she would do so very quickly then she would rest in the garden until the mistress called for her. When she went to pump water from the well she would get a cool drink herself and let the water fall over the rest of her body, the mistress wouldn't notice because Tesaldia was sweating so much anyway.

Tesaldia was about to bring in the clothing from the line. The whole world swayed back and forth, and Tesaldia thought she was going to vomit. Tesaldia slowly shuffled back into the house. Then her mind snapped. Tesaldia couldn't take it anymore. She dropped the clothes and fell to the floor.

Even while she was unconscious Tesaldia could feel the harsh stings of the whip on her back. Then they stopped, and Tesaldia was dragged into the cellar.

Tesaldia didn't wake for a long time. When she did get up, she could see the light shining through the cellar door. It was morning. The rest that Tesaldia had gotten helped her tremendously. She didn't feel as sick and she could now easily walk straight.

Tesaldia didn't get out of the cellar until she was called to do so. The mistress had laid out breakfast. Tesaldia looked shocked. However, she didn't get the same breakfast. She got two slices of buttered toast and a glass of water.

Tesaldia gobbled down the food. She hadn't eaten in what seemed like forever. The cool water ran down her throat.

She looked at the water pitcher on the table. She had tried to use her powers once when she had the chance, but by that time she had been so weak it was impossible to control more than a cup of water.

The mistress looked at her and sneered. Tesaldia looked away. She would try to escape today.

Tesaldia looked out the window. The master had gone out, but the mistress was in the garden. Tesaldia looked around the house until she had found what she wanted. A pin.

Tesaldia fiddled with the brace on her ankle. She pushed the pin into the lock and shoved it in all different directions and then, the brace came off and fell to the ground.

Tesaldia stared in amazement, she had done it. Her joy was short lived as she heard the mistress coming. Tesaldia placed the brace by her leg and made it look like she was wearing it.

The mistress came in. "Girl, fetch me some water."

Tesaldia's face turned into a wretched grin. "You want water, well, here's your water."

Tesaldia had gone over to the table. She picked up the water pitcher and threw the water at the mistress. Soaked and furious the mistress grabbed the chain and yanked it toward her. The brace was the only thing that went toward the mistress though.

The mistress looked up more angry than ever before. "Why you little witch."

"At least I don't look like an old hag."

The mistress stared at Tesaldia, shocked by the callous remark. Tesaldia's eyes were flashing with excitement. She didn't have to take the abuse from this woman anymore.

Tesaldia leapt out of the way as the mistress lunged for her. "Come back here, you brat."

"Do you actually think I'm going to listen to you?"

"You better or else."

"Or else what, you can't do anything you haven't got the brains for it."

The mistress screamed and jumped again for Tesaldia, but Tesaldia was quicker than the old woman and moved. Tesaldia then ran to the door and flung it open. The world stretched in front of her and Tesaldia ran out of the house, and into the woods.

The woods seemed to go on forever. Tesaldia was weaving through the tall pine trees. No noise seemed to enter the forest. The silence was very peaceful and soon Tesaldia stopped running. She walked slowly her body hurt all over. She was about to rest when she stopped short. There right in front of her, was an aloe vera plant.

"What luck," Tesaldia screamed.

She ran over to it and ripped one of the leaves carefully open, then she let the clear liquid run onto her hands. She smeared the healing cream all over her body. It burned for a second and then cooled her entire body. The refreshing feel of the cream helped Tesaldia continue walking. She had to make it back to Balar.

Tesaldia walked straight, she did not even know if she was going in the right direction but she had a feeling she was. Her feet were tired but her body still felt cool from the aloe vera. She did not like the sticky feeling the aloe vera left on her skin, but it was better than having to deal with the pain.

A bird soared above the trees, Tesaldia couldn't see it, but she could hear its mournful cry. Tesaldia kept walking and then she started running. She could see the town, she could see Balar!

Tesaldia walked into the town and it was just like before, quiet. Tesaldia walked down the street and she went over to the Halter Inn. She knocked on the door. The same man came to the door again. "What do you want?"

She told him, "I'm looking for Shai and Sharaes."

"A boy and a water horse, right?"

"Yes, that's them."

"You might have some trouble finding them, they left three days ago."