Hazel's Royal Plight

Chapter 12

"Over there in the tree!" shouted a fierce voice. I heard footsteps approaching me.

'Oh no! She found me. I am going back to caves' I turned to face to footsteps, they stopped. A man with hunting gear stood close. His rifle hung on his back, his cloths were shades of brown, his hair was red and his eyes a watery blue. His smile was some what of amusing, like he found a new toy.

"Sire it's a girl!" shouted the man over his shoulder. More foot steps come close.

"She sure looks like she went thru hell." said the man they called Sire. "What is your name child?"

I did not move or blink. I just started at him. "I don't think she talks, sir. Do you think she came from the home that was destroyed a month ago?"

"Possible." he answered, I looked in his eyes they were kind. It made me want to trust him. "let's call here Poppy, like the field we found her in."

His men agreed," Hello Poppy." said a few of the men in unison.

"Come with me Poppy. I am so sorry about your home and your family. The lighting storm started a fire and destroy 10 homes killing 15 people. You are the only one to survive. Come I have promised all who lost something a place to work in my castle." he held out his hand, I took it and climbed out of the tree.

"Look at her cloak. It's is absolutely magnificent." said one of the men. I counted 4 plus the one they called Sire. They looked like they were out hunting. One horse was pulling a wagon full of dead animals. Then men helped me climb to the front of the wagon and then we all set off towards a castle.

"My name is Edward, Poppy. I will be sitting with you." said one of the men who had not spoken yet. He had on a black hat, I had never seen a hat like his, it was round and pointed in the front. I liked it. He also had blue soft eyes, and a crooked smile. As he drove to the castle he talked the whole way. He told me all about lighting storm, the king who found me, his sons, his wife, he told me about his family. I thought he would never stop.

"Edward!" said another man he too had a hat like Edwards, blue sparkling eyes and a soothing smile. "Stop talking, you are scaring Poppy."

"OH Eric I am not!" replied Edward he then looked at me. "Am I scaring you?"

I kept my head, and body facing forward. I showed no emotions. This might be another illusion. I had no idea how long I was in the wilderness for. I lost track after I entered the caves. My cloak lost all its small sticks days before the lighting storm.

"You are just in time, another day out there and the winter storms would come. You would not have survived." said Eric. He rode by us. I looked at him. "We had our first snowfall last night, while the king was hunting for winter food. We have hard winters here. You should know how hard they get you look like you may have served at least 18."

I did not move.

"You have not? Where are you from?" Eric asked. My eyes betrayed me and.closed on there own. "Oh my Poppy. You poor child."

He then left me and Eric he joined the Sire. Moments later they both looked back at me." Don't worry Poppy. Our king is a kind one. He will give you work and not turn you out. You will grow to love our little Kingdom."

The rest of the ride was a quiet one. I enjoyed the silences, and the wind on my face. I pulled my cloak close to my body. The things I had underneath were long gone. My once long slacks were now short and my once white blouse was brown with very little sleeves left. When I was alone I did not fear modesty, but with people I was suddenly worried. I decided to keep on coat on. Never letting it come off, I would also not take any of their cloths. I wanted to remain Poppy in their eyes.