Along The Prophecy

2

Morning was as bright as ever; I always enjoyed the feeling of the warm sun rays kissing my skin and warming me up entirely. Even though I quite enjoyed staying in bed, I knew that I had to get up and get on with my day.

With a groan and a yawn, I stretched my arms above my head and promptly got out of my warm and toasty bed. I stared longingly at it, wishing that I could cuddle up with my blankets and just eat sweet fruits all day long. Sadly, reality called for work. With a huff, I entered my bathing chambers and began peeling off my clothing to take a bath.

The water was cold since I could not afford warm water running from the pipes, but I was used to the freezing temperatures, it was second nature to me. After rinsing my hair in lavender scented oils and slathering other nice scented oils on my body, I got out the shower and wrapped a towel around myself.

I did not own much clothes, just enough to live by. My clothes included of cotton dresses and woolen sweaters when it was cold. I only owned two pair of shoes and no jewelry. I did not mind my lack of necessities since I knew that if I worked hard enough then those things would come by themselves.

I left my house adorning a bright red cotton dress and my usual black shoes and green satchel hanging off my neck, I also bought along my handy basket and the grocery list for Mr. Finn along with his black satchel which also hanged from my neck.

Walking through the little village which I grew up in was always soothing, especially in the early hours of day. The sky was clear, and the air was cool as it flew pass my face, reddening up my cheeks in the process. I greeted all my neighbors as they went past me to their workplace, wishing them a safe day.

Majority of the villagers worked in the market square, but some worked near the coasts to fish and dive for pearls or worked in the coal mines. People also took up easier jobs like doing laundry or cleaning a house and in my case, doing groceries. I have not met anyone who did groceries like me though, it was not grueling work like in the coal mines and you did not get dirty. Maybe people did not like doing groceries?

I looked at Mr. Finn's list, he was not a customer who I had often but poor Mr. Finn had fallen terribly ill three days ago and since he did not marry, he had no wife or kids to take care of him. Mr. Finn sent me a letter two days ago sending me his satchel and list and asked if I could help taking care of his groceries. I of course said yes, I was not that mean to say no to an ill person. I was not mean at all... I hope other people thought that too.

I heard the chatter of the market square getting louder as I approached it, it was always buzzing with life and I loved it. There were so many people to meet and so many things to buy! I would never get bored of the place.

I approached the blue stand which I visited every morning, Bernie's Breakfast. There was as short line consisting of three people and I hurried to take my place behind the two ladies, eager to get my breakfast. Bernie always made sure that the cheese and buns were fresh so it took a little time for everyone to wait their turn.

"Did you hear, one of the Kings men is going to come to town with an important announcement." One of the girls ahead of me whispered to the other one.

"Kings men don't come for news unless it is something very serious," The woman looked around as if to see if anyone else was listening and I quickly pretended to count the coins my satchel. "I reckon it is to find the person." She whispered hastily.

The person? I wonder who that person is, why would the King be looking for them? I hope it is nothing terrible. I would hate to see my fellow villagers be punished. Unless it was for something really bad I guess, like stealing. Still, I did not like to see other people in pain.

"Is it bad that I hope he is looking for me? I know the king is supposed to be wretched and merciless and terrible, but he is quite beautiful, is he not?" The woman giggled and patted her cheeks to cool the rising blush on her cheeks.

"How do you know that he is beautiful, have you seen the King?"

"I have, from a distance."

I quietly gasped along with the woman. Very few people in the village got to see the King, even if it was from a distance. I have heard that people who had seen him fainted on the first sight because he was too scary. I shivered as I thought about coming face to face with him. I did not have a clue as to why that woman seemed so smug to have ever seen him, I would be scared for my life.

Silly thoughts! It is not as if I am going to see the King anytime soon, so I do not have to worry about fainting. I still wonder though, who is the King looking for and why would that woman want to be that person?

Caught up in my thoughts, I absentmindedly moved forward in line after the women got their breakfast. I mumbled a quite hello to Bernie and petted the sweet goat beside the stand, I spread the cheese on my toasted bun without really looking and dropped a few coins on the stand without counting.

There was only one thing on the list Mr. Finn gave me and it was herbal medicine known to cure sickness, it tasted like blood and mold, but it cured quite well. As I was making my way across the market, I heard the distant galloping of horses. Horses were uncommon here in the village since they were animals that the rich owned and the rich did not shop for themselves.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and the usual chatter that was always up and about died down to an eerie silence, the only noise being the thudding of hooves meeting cobblestone. In the distance I spotted a speck that was moving at an alarming speed. It grew bigger and I could make out what I was looking at.

A fine white horse with a man adorned in clashing armor riding the beast into the market square. The villagers who stood in the way of the oncoming horse quickly scrambled near the stands to not be trampled over. The horse was now almost in the village where it gave a mighty neigh and rose up to its hind legs, the man still held on seemingly used to the antics of the horse. The man was a Werewolf since thy symbol on his chest plate represented their nation, I shivered slightly, no Werewolf ever came to this village just for a stroll.

The horse was magnificent but I did not have time to admire it because of what the man said, even though he was wearing a helmet that covered his face entirely, the words rang out loud and clear as if he was speaking right next to your ear.

"I come in the honor of his majesty the King who has ordered me to round up the woman of this village, aged eighteen to twenty four to be presented as the possible Mate and Queen to King Silas."