*Annie’s POV*
There my father laid in pool of his own blood,
I trembled shakily,clenching my newborn tightly,staring at father’s body,
For the first time in his life,
My father had nothing to say,
I met Reaper’s gaze above him,
A silent nod,
a knowing smile,
Finally,the storm had passed
*Two Years Earlier*
I woke up in a strange room,
“When did I leave the hospital?”
I said rubbing my head in pain,
it felt like I was hit by a bus,
I had a really terrible headache,
The smell of fried eggs filled the room,
I opened up my window,letting in the fresh morning breeze when suddenly when I wasn’t paying attention,
I had stubbed my toe on one of the wooden legs of the bed.
“Ouch!!”
I cried out in pain
Then a lady wearing medieval cloth ran towards me,immediately recognized her
“Mum!”
I called out,with tears filling my eyes,I wrapped my arms around her.
“I thought I had lost you for good. What is this place? And where is dad?”I said letting her off the embrace
“Annie my dear,are you alright?you must be hallucinating”
she said placing her hand on my forehead feeling it gently
“Your fever is still high”
she said looking a bit worried
“Don’t worry dear,I’ll make you some pottage”
she smiled,taking her hand off my forehead,she left my room.
I was still so confused,
“Where was I? how did I get here?Am I even still alive?”
I wondered trying to think of a reasonable explanation
Suddenly,loud voices and chanting broke the silence.
I ran to my window and saw a crowd pushing through the streets in a frenzy.
“Kill the traitor!Show no mercy!”
they chanted.I couldn’t help but follow them.
The crowd led me to an open square where the king sat on a high balcony,his beautiful wife,the queen at his side.
“Let it be a lesson to those who dare cooperate with the enemy.Bring his wife and children to witness his death.There is no mercy among those who challenge the king.Hang him!”
the king ordered sternly.
“Kill the traitor,show no mercy!”
the crowd continued to chant.
The executioners removed the blindfold from the man’s eyes.
“Hang me or behead me,but you will not kill me.I am principle and a principle lives on and cannot die”
the accused traitor said boldly.
The crowd were restless,whispers spreading like wildfire.
“Stop!”
a voice from the crowd said sharply.
Everyone turned to see who had spoken.
It was the prince.
“I shall grant him pardon.Do not kill him.I will deal with him myself”
The king’s eyes widened in disbelief.He got up and left.The queen looked hesitant.
She looked at the prince,gave him a reassuring smile and left.
“The show’s over.Dismiss.Everyone go home!back to your houses now!’
the king’s guard shouted.
*At Dinner*
‘Let us pray’
Mother said.
It was just us two at the dinner table.
I closed my eyes,put my hands together and lowered my head just as mum did.
“Dear Lord,we ask for thy love and joy.Grant us content with thy blessings.Thou art the almighty and we are weak.We are thy humble servants.Have mercy upon us.”
Suddenly,the door creaked open revealing a tall,frail figure.
“Oh dear husband,I thought you’d never return.I feared you’d been hurt.Its been months.”
She said running towards him,helping him into the house.
“Annie,heat some water.Let me rub your father’s feet.Come,my love,lean on me.I’ll help you sit down”
she said leading him to one of the dining chairs.
“Oh Lord,help me.If I get my hands on that theif,I’ll rip his pupils out”.
He scowled angrily,hitting his fists on the arms of the wooden chair.Mother,who was removing his boots on her knees paused and looked up to him.
“Who are you talking about?”she asked curiously.
“That despicable ship’s captain.He took us on a long sea trip to fish for pearls and after days of back-breaking work,we finally found enough pearls to enrich a country.One night he took his boat and fled,we woke up lost,confused with no idea where to go or what to do.That scummy!Oh Lord,let me lay my hands on him”father cursed angrily.
“Oh praise the Lord you’re here at least.We missed you dearly.”
Mother stood up with joyful tears filled eyes.
“How have you been feeding yourself and the girl?”
he asked,
“Don’t worry about that,we managed”
she smiled
“Annie,come kiss your father’s hand.Its rude not too”
Mother instructed.
I quickly got on my knees in front of father,took his hand and kissed it.
“How have you been father?
I asked trying to sound as caring as possible.
He withdrew his hand away sharply.
“Stop talking Annie.I am tired,you’re old enough to work aren’t you?Look around,can you see how we live?Do you need me to spell it out?”
Father reached for my arm and pulled me close to him forcefully,his grip was so tight he was hurting my skin
“I stole some threads,your mother will make hats and gloves,you’ll wander the town selling them…”
He pushed me down letting go of my arm
“Dont come back until you’ve sold every last one”
“Yes father”I nodded in obedience.