Salem, 1722
After the night of the trial, Mercy and Esme had walked what felt at least 700 miles from Ora. They had stumbled upon a very small abandoned village, a faded wooden sign reading "Town of Alzè" . A small church, a flower and library shop, a butcher, a sword smith's, a bakery and within 50 miles east, a coal mine. A river that went connected to the ocean that surrounded Salem. Mercy had set her and her sister up along the woods, between the river and large rock wall. They had stayed camped out, at least a week, to see if the town members would come back. Mercy assumed they had also headed to the "promise land" that everyone seemed to be talking about. It was a great land out West. The people spoke of land, wealth, and beautiful fertile women. It was also said to be where God would come back to "restore in all". It was a very long travel, many couldn't afford to travel that far for that long. 273 days of travel. Most through unknown land. But many were willing to take the chance. Even if most end up dead. Legends called it "the trail of bones" but, it's said, the ones that do make it, live the greatest life God could give them. Saying "the trail of stones will bring you many fortunes. For a person willing to travel is truly one with God".
Mercy had found a small cottage along the river, only thirty paces from the bakery, surrounded by woodland. The stone cottage could comfortably hold a whole family. Everything was still perfectly in place, as if the owners had just walked to town to gather everything for dinner. Mercy had left Esme at the waters edge to catch fish that swam through the river in the warm seasons. Mercy paced, searched, and studied each room. The wooden floors creak every few steps. How good could this "promise land" be? To not bring anything? Mercy twirled her waist long, nearly black, hair. "BOO!" tiny hands tap on either side of Mercy's waist. A loud, short, scream echos on the walls without art. "ESME! WHAT THE HELL?!" Esme's small frame curls into a ball of laughter on the floor. Dirty blonde with the most beautiful natural highlights from the sun, gathers on the wooden floor going side to side with each giggle. "Meme I thought I asked you to stay near the waters edge!" Mercy looks out every window, which was only two visible to the eye. One exit, front wall in the kitchen. Six windows in total. Two, kitchen. One in each bedroom. Mercy was always very sure to cover all points of entry, or, quick exit. "You do realize in the GM's had heard me scream they would be coming this way...right now"
Mercy tries to calculate how far the The Gaurdains would travel from each base. Was Alzé far enough away? Maybe they should head further West.
YOU ARE READING
Burning Wonder
FantasyThe year is 1722, Mercy Wonder is struggling to survive. Ever since her grandmother was burned at the stake, after the trial in front of her whole town; her and her younger sister, Esme, had been on the run from the Gaurdains and Church.
