Promises of Gold

16. True Colours

As Cordelia awoke she realized she was tied to a post with her hands around her back. She blinked her eyes a few times, as she took in her surroundings. They were in a very large field with long grass that tickled her ankles. Normally Cordelia  would love the feeling, but at the moment she wanted to scream at the feeling. She looked to her right and left and realized James and Peter were also tied to posts but both were passed out. She let out a strangled sob and she tugged at the rope around her wrists. There was dirt all over her tunic and hair. She felt sick. Cordelia heard chatter and footsteps from her left and she saw a large group of the inhabitants of the Eastside.

Max and Maya were among them as many other boys and girls followed. There were many more of them here. She continued to struggle to escape. Cordelia knew it was hopeless deep down.  As the group neared them they stood as if they were in formation. The group was organized in rows, as if it was a normal formation that they remembered. Max and Maya approached them and stood very close to the posts.

"Why aren't they waking up?" Cordelia cried, not caring about an audience.

"They were hit harder than you. We needed you awake. You're more valuable" Max said with a shrug as Maya held his arm.

"You're my aunt! You claim you are family. Why would you ever want this to happen to me?" Cordelia demanded, getting angrier and angrier at her new family member.

Maya looked down and did not speak a word. This only made Cordelia feel more betrayed and furious. Her whole life her family had treated her badly. She was sick of it. Before she could demand an answer she saw a man in a large robe approach the scene. She knew it must have been their odd king. She heard James groan from beside her and she quickly turned to him.

"James" she whispered.

He raised his head and looked around. It took him a moment to react and tug at the rope. Cordelia wanted to rush to his side. James looked at her with concern and pining. She returned the look before deciding to give him one last whisper.

"James. I didn't get the chance to reply. I feel a strange connection to you. I don't understand it but I want to explore it. My feelings about you are  strong and I could even say my feelings are not platonic. I care for you and I do not think I would be happy without you."

James' eyes became glossy after her words and he began to tug at the rope as the man got closer. As Cordelia turned around to look at him she realized he looked familiar. His walk was eerily familiar. She squinted her eyes to look at him as he got closer. He stopped a distance away and spoke.

"It was not an accident that you're here Cordelia. You know you have a past. You know you have powers beyond understanding and most of all you were brought here to escape. You have been so naive as you do not understand that you're arrival was planned. By me. Your parents, mine and myself have done this. It was never for your escape and well-being. You naively thought you could trust me." the boy spoke. He was close enough to hear but not close enough to see or discern his voice. Cordelia was shocked at his words. It had been planned? Who was this boy?

As he approached, Peter awoke and started to pant. He looked unwell.  Cordelia's head began to feel dizzy as the whole scene unfolded before her. Her whole life seemed to be all over the place. She couldn't believe how much  shock she had lived through. Cordelia thought she couldn't become more shocked.

That was until the boy was close enough to see. Her heart dropped and she suddenly felt sick.

The king was Oliver.