CORA

CHAPTER 5

CORA'S POV

I was standing in a white gown just by an oak tree, there were several demons about trying to reach out to me, but I kept enchanting spells.

"Shrum ki da bi da" I said

The demons tried to get closer but I continued to enchant the spells and all of a sudden I was surrounded by fire, and I began to feel weak. I felt defeated as I fell to the then all of a sudden a man appeared. I was yet to see his face properly because he was showing just his back , but his form and voice made me realize he was male. He said some spells and the fire went off. He was about to turn when I woke up.

The morning rays hit me on my face as I stretched and yawned.

A weird dream I thought

It has been a week of being in Winslow, I had been at a place. I barely left the house. I was either helping Uncle Evan get ready to go to his workshop, he was a blacksmith or I was helping Aunt Thea prepare breakfast, lunch or dinner. Or we where doing chores in the house. Aunt Thea loved weaving and she had tried teaching me on so many occasion.

I thought of mama and papa most of the times too, I wondered if they were alright and safe. I also thought of the blue eyes, the man who had helped me at the palace.

Will we ever get to see again, so I'll thank him properly I thought

I was there'd of staying in the house doing absolutely nothing. Aunt Thea had also opted to find me a job, but all to no avail. I met aunt Thea weaving in her room, she loved doing that when she was done with all other chores.

"It helps me relax" she always said.

I sat just right beside her and she noticed my presence.

"My dear Cora, what is the problem?" Aunty Thea asked.

"I'm tired of being idle, I need to go out and find a job myself" I said.

"I understand Cora, I spoke to my husband about it and he's trying his vest to find one for you" she said

"I really appreciate that Aunt Thea, but I want to go out myself and search for a job" I pleaded.

"You can't go all by yourself, I'll go with you" she suggested.

"No, don't worry. You've done a lot. Remember I'm no longer a child, I'll be careful" I promised.

"Please be, your mother and father won't forgive me if anything ever happens to you" Aunt Thea said.

"I will" I said giving her a peck on her cheek as I dashed off to have my bathe.

I was determined to find a job, so I set out to the market place, I could find some old woman who needed a young girl to assist them and in return paid with coins. I asked most of the traders if they had any vacancy. Some where kind enough to answer me, some other ignored me while the grumpy ones chased me away.

It was enjoying the chase but at a point it became frustrating.

I saw a man who looked so tired.

"Excuse me Sir, would you like to hire me" I asked.

"No child, I can't pay you properly" he said.

I turned to leave but unfortunately I didn't see a man coming and we ran into each other.

"Not again" I mumbled

The man rushed over to my side. He looked like he was going to chop me into two, he was fat.

"Oh you will pay for this" he shouted grabbing me by my arms, I tried to wriggle out of his grip but it was impossible because he held on tight to my right wrist like he'd break it.

"Cora! Cora!!" I heard someone calling out my name.

The voice was to light to be Aunt Thea's and was too feminine to be Uncle Evans, who could it possibly be I thought to myself.

I searched for where who was calling me with the man still holding me.

"Cora!!" The voice called out and this time I looked in the direction it was coming from and I was fortunate to see who it was.

Maia, I was relieved someone recognized me and would save me from the hands of this fat trader. I waved at her and she waved right back. And for a minute she disappeared. I was disappointed.

Maia reappeared, this time very much close to me.

"Sir please let my sister go" Maia pleaded with the trader.

"Not until she pays for what she destroyed" the man said.

"How much is it" Maia asked.

"It's for 50 coins" he said

Maia looked at her basket, then she said.

" I just have 40 coins left"

She dipped her hands in and too the coins. She stretched her hands to the trader and her hurriedly collected it letting my hands go immediately.

"You are lucky girl" he said shoving me to a side a passed.

I turned to Maia full of appreciation. I touched her arm.

"Thank you" I said.

"It nothing" she said and we burst out laughing.

Regardless of the fact that I was a little uncomfortable with the kind of questions she asked while we were together the last time but I was super grateful she got me out from this mess. I wondered what Aunt Thea would have thought or said if she had witnessed this little chaos.

"What are you doing here?" Maia asked.

"It's a market place" I replied her sarcastically.

Maia looked at me like she knew I was about to lie.

"You don't look like you came to sell neither do you look like you came to buy, so tell me why are you here?" Maia asked again.

"Okay, Okay I came in search of a job" I confessed.

"You're lucky then" Maia said smiling.

"How do you mean? Do you have a place in mind? I asked.

"Calm down, one question at a time" Maia said.

"Okay I'm calm" I said

"One of the royal maids just got fired and won't be working in the royal house again and she needs a replacement and my mum is in charge of the replacement." Maia said.

"And?" I asked not getting exactly where she was driving to.

"You can be her replacement" she said

"No, I don't think so" I said shaking my head.

"Why Cora?" She asked looking confused.

"I don't think I qualify to be a royal maid" I said.

"You do not need any special qualifications Cora, mama would be glad if you'd take the job" Maia assured me.

I liked the idea very much, I needed the job besides mama once worked in the palace, so I'd take it. I followed Maia. She took me to the palace, this time I was allowed to enter without any questions. Maia and I went to the kitchen to meet Gaia.

When Gaia saw me she rushed to give me a hug. "Oh child" Gaia said.

"Mama, Cora needs a job" Maia told her mum.

"Cora an replace the maid who just got fired" Gaia said.

Gaia turned to me "The job is yours child, I'll take you to the king at once to introduce you as the new replacement" Gaia said.

At the mention of the king I got a bit terrified. Mama had told me how mean the King of Winslow was, they described him as a mean man and in few minutes I'd be standing in the presence of the man who has made my parents out casts in the land of my birth.

Gaia lees the way through small door that led to a long corridor. I saw guards standing like statues at the end of different corners. We entered into a small hall decorated with royal fabrics and linen, I saw statues of gold that must have cost a fortune.there were still guards there too.

"Tell the King that I have brought a replacement like he ordered me to" Gaia told the guard.

The guard left briefly and returned with the king behind him.

Gaia bowed before the king, I was lost admiring the room, Gaia quickly drew me down beside her.

"Your highness" she said.

"Your highness" I repeated after her.

"I've found a replacement your majesty and here she is" Gaia said pointing in my direction.

The Kings eyes rested on me. He looked at me like he was seeing through me soul, He really looked exactly as he was described by my parents. He had a strong and intimidating presence.

"What is our name?" He asked.

His voice was very thick and even much more intimidating. His voice caused shivers all over my body.

"Don't make me repeat myself" The king said.

"Cora ...Cora that's my name" I answered immediately.

He looked a me from head to my toes and finally faced Gaia.

"Show here around and ensure she doesn't cause a nuisance here" he said and walked away.

What a relief. The king really looked mean. I'd avoid anything that'll make me share a space so lose with him I thought

Gaia and I turned to leave the hall when my eyes met with the beautiful blue eyes I'd seen in the palace the last time I was here. I had been looking for an opportunity to appreciate him properly. I quickly rushed to his side and gave him a tight hug and said

"I really must thank you for saving me the last time"

I could tell he was surprise from the way he reacted. He was about to say something before Gaia dragged me out of his embrace.

"I'm sorry my Prince, she must have mistaken you for someone else" Gaia pleaded as she dragged me out of the room.

"Prince? He was a Prince?" I kept asking myself.

"What is wrong with you, that's the prince you almost choked" Gaia said.

"I didn't know Gaia, must have mistaken him for someone else" I lied.

"You would have to be very careful while you work here my child, the king is really not that kind" Gaia said with pleading eyes.

"Yes Gaia I will" I assisted her with a hug and a pedi on her cheek and that was enough to make her smile.

We both entered the kitchen to meet Maia who seemed a little bit restless. She rushed over to us the moment she saw us.

"How did it go? Did you get it?" She asked

"One question at a time" I winked at her causing her to laugh a little.

"Okay , did you get it" she said slowly.

"Yes" I said .

"Yaaay!!! She shouted

"I have to inform my aunt about my new job" I said.

That was true. Aunt Thea came to my mind immediately, I did not think she would be okay with that, it would be really difficult to convince her and Uncle Evan on this one, but I was going to try my best. I needed this job.