ears

would be home today, and her mum would be making the usual little puff pastries and rabbit stew. With their humble brick house and few livestock, they weren't exactly buoyant enough to afford these meals. But her pa always did what he could, saving up little pennies to be able to treat his family to this meal at the end of every month. And so the tradition had been for as long as she could remember. Tyson would be out with Isabella today. He worked so hard on the farm beside their father on the weekdays that the precious two days of th

his face beaming with elation at the sight of her. Ella smiled politely and adjusted her basket of turnips on her hips. "Arie

mall, polite smile. "Ho

fond of Ariella and had even gone as far as asking for her hand just two weeks ago. The moment everyone had turned to her expectantly to listen to her answer, she had felt this sadness at what she already knew she'd say. Jeffery was a great man, but he wasn't what she was looking for. He was quite lacklustre, would barely get anything i

s. She had avoided him for days after that, not bearing to see the look of sadness on his face whenever he saw her. Despite all of that, he still hadn't sta

in the eye. "M'father made a catch yesterday, a huge boar it wa

smile and waved him off.

ith such beseeching eyes she couldn't stare back. Looking away, she read

very much

in that moment, she felt an overwhelming pang of sadness.

is. Standing here, pretending to be like every other person when sh

ss…

ow surrounded her. Finally slowing down, she turned left, in the direction of her favorite place, the village river and made her way slowly, the feeling of peace engulfing her steadily as she made her way closer and closer. She never felt at peace anywhere like she did near a body of water. She liked to stare into the waters and imagine what it would feel like to live in a world free of crue

y one group of people whose horses moved in such a manner……the azukhi. And having the azukhi in the village was never good news. What could be

Ower'

aturday of

known to the rest villagers but never to be seen again. And her whole bei

you James". Her mum had hissed a

ight there…..by the door, halted in her steps on her way to get a glass of water. "I have hope that I'll be able to raise the money before the yuletide. But just in

to give you a sentence huh?". Her mum's had spoken thr

ed with uncertainty. "My source was a good one. They say it's a slave sentence, not death". Ella hadn

ence is as go

". Her father

t's final". And the sound of her angry footsteps approaching the door Ella hid behind had sent her scurrying back up the stairs and into her attic room, heart beating fra

nnies that had been gifted to her into the family's piggy. She did not want her parents to know she had overhead their exchange and so had never asked if they

htly diseased turnips she had given her to sell knowing fully well not much people were going to buy them and that she wouldn't come back home till she had finished her sales.

se the money…..and true to her wor

..no……no……..". Adrenaline pumped in her as she sprung into action and soon, she was running back down the path she had co