Chapter Four
Sisters? You Must Be Joking!
As I pushed past the forest's dense, overgrown trees and bushes, I heard familiar voices in the distance. Curiosity, being one of my greatest weaknesses, led me through the forest, and as I drew near, I could clearly hear the voices of my five sisters. I stepped behind a tree and listened to the conversation.
"Just lure her to this spot," Benjamin's voice rang out loudest.
"It's impossible! She always spends her time with Seth, our cursed older brother!"
"Nothing is impossible, dear."
Stella's voice wavered, "If we bring her to you, where will you take her?"
Benjamin replied, "We will sell her at a local market in a nearby kingdom. Her beauty will make a large profit."
"And how much of the profit will you give us?" Grace's voice was eager.
"When you bring her to me, you will receive a pouch of this silver, and when I sell her, you will receive fifty percent of the profit."
I was struck with a tremendous fear when I realized that they meant to sell me. Knowing that I was in great danger, I put forth a trembling foot, waiting for the right moment to sprint out of the forest.
"My men will travel swiftly for your safety, ladies." Benjamin's voice rang out again as I lost my balance and fell atop a rotting log, which emitted a loud CRACK in the process. Without a moment's loss, I pulled myself up and sprinted towards my home, but almost immediately, I felt a large weight on my back as I tumbled to the ground.
"Ralph! Finn!" Benjamin shouted, "Tie the girl up, but be careful not to ruin her pretty face."
I thrashed and struggled, but Benjamin finally silenced me with a punch. My sisters stood there the whole time, perhaps waiting for their payment. As Ralph and Finn, two burly-looking men, carried me through the forest, I shared my last words with them.
"Sisters? You must be joking."