Nadine's Journey

Chapter One

Nadine

I tiptoe down the wooden stairs, avoiding the spots that let out long creaky moans and groans. I don't want to wake up my mother before I finish my special surprise for her. After careful planning for the past week, it would truly be a shame if I were to ruin it over a stupid mistake. She has done so much for me over the years, not just tolerating me (that alone should've gotten her a medal). She has cared for me, so it is only natural for me to want to care for her. I creep into the kitchen, silently grabbing a basket and a wineskin from the cupboard. I look outside the small window above the basin, smiling when I see that the moon is still high in the sky. Mother won't wake for a couple of hours. On my way to the door, I hit a creaky patch of floor that lets out a loud groan. I stand still for a minute, carefully listening for any signs of mother waking. When I do not hear any, I continue towards the door. When I reach it, I open it just a crack, squeezing through the small space. I grab my shoes that I left outside the door and put them on, starting towards the well. I fill my wineskin with water and head into the woods.

I reached my first stop soon after I entered. My destination: a berry bush. The moon lights my way to the berry bush, and I pick the ripe ones, putting them in my basket. Some of their dark flesh splits open, staining my fingers with violet juice. I eat every sixth berry, the sweet juice fills my senses. Yummy. After collection around forty berries, I decide that I should leave some for later. I need to move on.

I turn around, carefully tracing my steps back home. I sneak into the small shed and grab a bucket of feed. Then I slowly exit and open the door to the chicken coop. I smile when the chickens rush from their nests to the spilt feed. I collect all seven eggs and exit.

The morning sun breaks over the horizon just as I pour the scrambled eggs into the pan over the fireplace. The smell of the cooking eggs permeates the air, and I hear the tell-tale sound of mother walking down. The stairs are creaking very loudly. Mother reaches the threshold of the kitchen just as I scoop the eggs onto two plates and set them on the table.

"Splendid morning, mother." I put the berries on the table, loading a handful onto my plate. "I made you some eggs... and I also picked lots of berries." She casts a reproachful glare at the berries. "They're not poisonous... I promise. I ate a couple when I was picking them earlier."
She sighs. "Sorry, you went through a lot, making me breakfast. I truly am grateful. It's just--"

"Just what?" I interrupt.

"It's," she pauses for a while. "I need to tell you something."

"Tell me what, Mama? You can say anything to me." She looks very nervous all of a sudden.

"What's wrong, Mama?" She maintains silence, and we start eating. When we are finished she finally looks up.

"Nadine, there is something that I need to tell you, and I think that you are old enough to know the truth." What is she talking about? She looks up at me briefly and then lowers her eyes. "I... I..." she takes a deep breath. "Almost sixteen years ago, I was an assassin for hire." My head snaps up at that, and I look at her with wide eyes. She-- she was an assassin? No. My mother is too gentle to kill anyone. "On this day, years ago, a man with dark hair, royal features, and fine garments approached me. I had gone into the tavern, and he had followed me in. He whispered, 'I have heard of your reputation from a few contacts of mine. Now, if you want to keep your head, you will do as I say. Besides, I will pay handsomely for your services.' He brought out four sacks of gold coins. Back then, I was young and greedy, and my family needed the currency, and I most certainly had the means to obtain it. I didn't care about the consequences or about the people who were affected by my assignments-- I had kept myself emotionally detached until that one, special assignment. I was interested. He handed me a scroll and two of the four sacks of gold. He told me, 'You will get the other two when you have completed your assignment.' I had agreed, not even looking at the scroll containing my assignment."