in California
Kyra in Faith; Chapter 5; Soup
The morning was sunny. Not hot or cold, just a light breeze lifting the excess heat away from my skin. My arms were sore and the back of my dress was slightly muddy from lying on cold dirt. My head scarf kept my hair from getting too snarled. I looked up at the sky, but quickly looked away. The sun was in the center of the sky and blinded me. It was about noon by the looks. At a snail's pace, I got up and started to walk. But which way? Everything looked the same. I should have paid attention to where I was going! I went in one direction I thought might be right. My feet carried me forward, but my mind stayed back.
After an hour I couldn’t ignore it any longer. I gobbled up the apple I had packed to fill my hunger. It was perfectly juicy and had a crisp texture. It only made me more thirsty and hungry. I struggled to leave my water and bread for later. Hours had passed and I was not use to this kind of diet. I hadn’t missed a meal in my life. The day grew hotter and I grew more board. From time to time I would look for any edible plants or mushrooms but there weren’t any. I ate my bread and drank half my water. It felt good to replenish my dry throat. My journey continued for several hours. I took five minute breaks in the shade when I got to tired. I walked until the sun set. It was cold. My teeth chattered randomly. I settled against a scarce tree to sleep. I took me a while, but I finally drifted of to a deep sleep. My rest didn’t last long. Rain started to pour about an hour later. I ran with my bag over my head to the biggest tree I could find. It shielded me against most of nature’s droplets but I could still feel plops of water rain down on me. It only made me colder. It poured all night in buckets, leaving my whole body soaked.
. . . .
Joy filled my bones when the sun came out. After a sleepless, bitter and tender night, I was ready to be home, but no. I had to keep going to find Charlie. My hair was full of leaves and twigs. I was longing to see his jovial face again. I had dark circles under my eyes and my famished stomach growled in agony. My throat was like sand paper and my mouth was waterless. I walked again. This time I didn’t stop. I didn’t rest at all. All I wanted was to save Charlie and get home. I didn’t care how worked up my body was.
More hours passed. I drank all of my water; which didn’t even come close to how much liquid I wanted. The day was cold, unlike yesterday. The ground was muddled from the continues poor of rain. My shoes were soaked through the whole day which made my pace slow. More hours passed. My body was impaired. I wanted to be home, lying on my silky feather bed and having a buffet of food served to me on a silver platter. This was nothing like a life a princess should have. Why am I a princess anyway? I would be much happier if I was a normal person like Charlie. Charlie would marry me and we would live happily ever after right? That’s how things are supposed to go. Being a princess only has made things worse for me. Derek would never pay attention to me if I were like Charlie. Plus Charlie would not be in danger if it weren’t for me! I felt horrible. I was tired. After days of walking my body has taken its share. I collapsed on the ground. I felt pathetic. Most people could go a couple days with out food. Only I couldn’t take it. I tried to push myself up with my arms but I was too weak. I gave up. My eyes closed and I blacked out.
. . . .
I woke up in a small cottage. A fire place warmed the entire room. A middle-aged woman sat in a rocking chair sewing something that looked like a dress. I was confused. Where was I? I couldn’t think to clearly.
“Uhhh…Wha the?” I stammered. I hadn’t talked in over fifty-eight hours my voice was like a squeaking bird.
“There now. You rest young lady. And take a sip of water as well” said the lady
She pointed to a wooden cup filled with water. I drank the water furiously, not leaving a single drop. My throat didn’t hurt anymore.
“Hey Roger! She’s up!” yelled the lady
A brown bearded man walked into the room.
“My my little lady! We thought you were dead!” Said the man
“Wha…were am I? How did I get here” I could talk a little better but my voice was still dry.
“You collapsed a few yards from here. Roger carried you all the way here. My names Emily and this is my husband, Roger”
I looked at them. Emily was plump with brown hair braided down her back. She was wearing a plain blue skirt with a brown tunic. Roger however, was slender with a long beard and a straw hat perched on top of his head.
“What’s your name miss?” asked Roger
I couldn’t tell them my real name. I was afraid they would send me back to my father. So I used my mother’s name.
“Lila” I lied
“Lila then. How in the world did you end up here in the forest?!”
“Well…I…um…am traveling to Edwin’s palace to see my mother. Do you, by chance, know where it is?” I lied
“Edwin’s Palace? Do you have a map on ya?”
“No sir”
“Ah. Now how do you not have a map and get here!?”
“Um…I was lost” I stammered
“Ok well, you go north until you hit a river. Then you travel west. That’s probably the best way to go”
“Thank you”
There was a
“How long have I been here?”
“About a day” said Emily
“A day!”
There was only about three days left to find Charlie!
“I have to go!”
I sat up from the bed
“No way! You barely got out of that forest alive. Why would you want to go in it with out protection again?!?”
“You don’t understand. I HAVE to go!”
“Ok ok ok. Just eat something before you go”
Emily went over to a black pot above the fireplace. The flames licked it like a dog does to its owner. She scooped out some of its substance into a wooden bowl. She gave it to me. The aroma made my mouth water. I ate the soup, savoring each bite. It was filled with rosemary, celery root, potato and chicken. It tasted almost better than the soup I had at the palace. I finished every drop. Emily offered more but I was completely full. I told them thank you for their hospitality and gave them the three coins I had brought. I pushed the money toward them but Emily shook her head and pushed it away.
“No need to give that to us. I have a feeling that you’ll need it later”
“But you two have been so kind to me”
She shook her head again. I said goodbye one last time and walked off into the forest and away from some of the nicest people I have ever met. This time I knew where to go.
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