As the days went by Cora became more and more miserable and pale. She had stopped eating and sleeping for food tasted like mud in her mouth and sleep only brought painful dreams. She didn’t speak to anyone else unless they spoke to her first. She hadn’t been able to manage to last outing with the princes and spent all of her free time sat at her window, gazing out towards the dusty horizon. Towards the region of Vandrea. Her mind was focused on only one thing: Braith.
If she was to in the hand of marriage to one of the fine princes, she would surely die of a broken heart. She was going to fail her father and region whatever happened.
Later that evening, after a visit from Madam Issera, (who left looking very concerned) Cora’s destiny changed. Madam Issera’s words had been kind to her, showing understanding and compassion. Upon leaving, the woman had softly, as if not fully intending it to be heard by anyone but herself, said, “You must follow your heart, dear.” As the door swung shut Cora realised that it was time to leave.
Another knock pulled Cora back to reality. It was her assigned maid, Elspeth, a sweet young girl, with dark ringlets and a beautiful smile. Elspeth was astonished to see a smile on Cora’s face – possibly the first she’d ever seen from the girl from Kretrin. “Miss, is there anything I can do for you before you sleep?” she asked. Cora nodded her head, her eyes bright and excited. “Oh Elspeth, you have come just at the right time. Please, I need my horse, Fudge, readied and supplies for the road. I am leaving tonight.” Elspeth looked startled at this news, not fully understanding why Cora would need or want to leave the beautiful castle and the chance to marry a prince of the land. But as her station doesn’t allow questions, she hurried down to the stables.
Cora’s packed her bags with the essentials for the road. Travelling at night, although dangerous through some areas, was not something she wasn’t used to and nothing as going to stop her now that she’d made her mind up. She wasn’t going to wither away, this beautiful castle wasn’t to be her tomb.
The door went again and in hurried Elspeth. She explained that everything was ready for her. The servant girl stood starting at Cora, desperate to ask her why she was leaving. Cora understood the look of enquiry covering the girl’s face. “I am in love,” she told the girl. “I am not in love with one of the princes, I am in love with a man who lives far away from here.” The girl looked shocked and the revelation but then she beamed. Love was something she hadn’t yet experienced fully, but she knew about it well and was longing for her own time to come.
Cora had left three letters on her table, one addressed to the Emperor, explaining she could no longer go through with the tasks and thanking him sincerely for his gracious hospitality. The other to Madam Issera, expressing thanks for her kindness and understanding and out of respect, giving more of insight to why she had to leave and the final was to be sent to her father. Cora was on the road within the hour. She never looked back.
It took Cora a week to reach the region of Vandrea. She arrived as the sun was setting over the horizon. Braith lived just out of the town. She headed straight to his home. He was outside when she arrived, tending to his horse. His muscled body moving smoothly as he brushed the stallion in front of him. He looked up as her horse clattered across the cobbled yard. The sun was behind her and he squinted to see who it was. As she drew nearer he dropped the brush. “Cora?” he asked, “Cora is that really you?” Cora didn’t reply, she just leapt from Fudge and straight into the strong arms of her waiting love. Tears of happiness poured down her face and Braith kissed and kissed her, stoking her hair and holding her as if he’d never let her go. “Marry me!” he said. She did and they lived happily ever after.
THE END |
