The most unusual
Uncommon but real to touch
But who is to judge
***
" It is a good year for pumpkins," Gregory said as I walked inside.
" I hope so, I have never planted pumpkins before. Well, I am going to start on dinner."
Gregory nodded. "I picked up a research job in the next town over, so I will be gone for about two days."
"When do you leave?"
"Tomorrow."
I nodded. "I will pack you some food."
" You really are a mother." Alex teased walking towards us.
" Well, someone needs to be motherly here. What do you need?"
"Nothing. I want to help. I am bored. Nee is with Rina learning and I got kicked out."
" Alright. Peel those potatoes."
" I can peel all the potatoes."
" Just five."
" That's easy."
I continued to cook with Alex making jokes. This is normal. This is what I want. No death. No oracles. Just family. Just peaceful, quiet, family. When we sat down for dinner Alex took all the credit for the potatoes even though all she did was peel and cut them. There was no talk about death or oracles. We decided to forget about the oracle and just enjoy each other's company.
"Here." I said then handed Gregory some food." Be safe."
" Bring back tons of money," Alex said
Rina shook her head."Alex, maybe you should come to my lessons
" Why am I stupid? You were the one who kicked me out."
" You were distracting."
Alex rolled her eyes and I turned to Gregory
" You might want to leave now."
He nodded.
"Bye" Nee called out.
" I will ask around about your condition," he promised Nee.
She whispered thank you and then he was off.
"Come on Nee, today we will work on the history of the kingdom," Rina said
"Can I join?" Alex asked
Rina sighed. "You are too distracting"
I shook my head and went to check on my pumpkins.
"Can I help you then?" Alex asked me.
I smiled at her. "Get me a bucket of water from the well."
Slowly Alex and I got all the chores in the house done. Three days before the royal family came we joined the cleaning efforts of the village and a green sprout popped up where my pumpkins were growing. Gregory came home with money for us, but no new information about oracles. They come tomorrow. We created plans. The green sprouts grew a bit more. Now it was the day that the royal family came. We put on our nicest clothes and headed down to the village square with the others. They came on horses and carriages. It seems like the king has not come this time, but the queen and her children have, along with about a dozen guards.
" Do they really need that many guards?" Alex asked
" You never know when someone will come for your head," Gregory explained
YOU ARE READING
The Lost Mark
FantastikIt starts with a prophecy, but it doesn't end there. A girl with no memory in a strange place will do all she can to protect her newfound family. The cost is high, but she is ready. Are you? In the great forest to the north it shall appear With the...
