I panted as I ran with all my might, my heart palpitating so much I can hear my own heartbeat, it is so loud I'm sure the whole forest could hear it! The sticks and dead leaves crunching and cracking under my bare feet, I tripped over an old oak root that was sticking out of the ground, my body rolling a few times before fully coming to a stop. I still heard the loud pounding of feet coming closer and closer to me at a rapid and steady pace. I shot my head in the opposite direction of the noise and bolted away wearily, I climbed up one of the trees and sat on what looked to be a sturdy branch able to take my weight. I looked down to see the person- or whatever was pursuing me, trying to stay quiet as I panted and sputtered, the pursuer was a boy around my age 15 at the most, he looked around as in avail he finally lost me, he shook his head in defeat. I sighed and smiled thinking I was finally safe but to my luck- the branch cracked and fell under my weight and I fell with it. The boy's head snapped in my direction and his eyes widened and rushed towards my falling self- and caught me and I fell softly in his arms. When we were face to face, His features began to soften. With Concerned eyes, he sat me on my feet.
"Are you alright?" he asked, I was still panting and on the verge of tears, the past events that had happened the memory still sends my mind into utter weakness and shock. The Magic Council leader, Echo Lumbus had cut down the Tree of Life and sent all of its protectors and my friends to death, including me. I was on the run for days at the least, maybe a week. Being overwhelmed with emotion, A single tear had erupted from my left eye. Snapping out of the flashback, A hand rested on my cheek, I looked up as my knees buckled and I collapsed onto the forest floor. The boy kneeled down, his pale complexion made him seem as if he weren't there, just a ghost. His freckled cheeks inches from mine- he smiled wearily
"I'm Hayden," he smiled softly.
"Grace" I croaked out. His candy apple colored eyes shining in the light were full of distress.
"Are you feeling alright?" he asked concern filled his voice with a lump in his throat, I shook my head and sniffled.
"My whole village wants me dead because of who my family is" I cried out, the lack of rest left me fatigued, my eyes rolled back as I blacked out. I awoke in a comfy feather bed wrapped up in blankets with a wet rag to my head. I heard footsteps coming closer to the room I was lying in, I snapped my eyes shut as the door to the room had opened and slammed shut.
"Is she alright" a familiar voice questioned with a lump remaining in his throat.
"You're blessed to have gotten her here in time because otherwise, she'd be in the ground Lad" a Scottish accent sighed and his heavy footsteps left the room. I freed one eye open and Hayden was sitting on a wooden stool by the bed, his head in his hands.
"I feel this is all my fault.." He sobbed. He looked back at me and notice my eyes were now fully opened and staring back at him, I tried to sit up but there was a bandage on my stomach.
"No! no! you'll tear your wound even more and you might bleed out!" he reprimanded and forced me on my back with a gentle hand. A man with ginger hair walked into the room, a cheerful smile was sheltering his face with a bowl of steaming soup in his hands, He sat the bowl on a small table beside the bed.
"Well look who's finally awake", he exclaimed enthusiastically. His bright cheery attitude forcing me into a smile.
"My name is Ambros Alasdair, I'm the towns Doctor" He held out his hand to me, I slowly reached out and shook his hand with a nod.
"Grace, Grace Drach" I replied with a soft voice, He started to leave the room.
"Drach? As in the Valkyrie? I should contact the Earthen- err the Counsel to come to get-"
"NO" both Hayden and I wailed, interrupting him nonetheless. Ambros came to a full stop, a condoling frown coating over his face, he sighed and walked back towards the bed and gently sat me up and placed pillows behind my back so I could sit up correctly, he handed me the soup which was most likely still quite hot.
"Eat up now, When you're fully recovered and healthy enough to do some work around here- I want the whole story, till then get your rest and call if you need anything, Hayden will help you as well." He smiled as he headed out the room.
"What did he mean by 'some work around here' ?" I thought out loud, lost in my thoughts as I ate my soup.
"Well- you don't have anywhere to go remember? Did that fall make your mind slip?" Hayden teased, I giggled softly and kept eating my soup till it was gone.
It took about 2 weeks for me to not be bedridden, after that I was allowed to sit outside while Hayden worked in the yard- I grew closer to him, I felt the connection between the two of us begin to blossom further. I now live with the Alasdair family in their property- which had 4 buildings. One was the main house in which the lot of us lived in, slept and ate in. The second was the workhouse- the one where Hayden's eldest cousin, James works in to help keep the land, James is 20 and he is a blacksmith. He helps make things for the house and tools to work with. The other two I haven't ventured in with Hayden yet- or by myself.
"You look peaceful when you're in your thoughts" Hayden gave a chuckle.
"Oh, I'm sorry Hayden I didn't know you were talking to me" I apologized.
"No it's fine, it wasn't that important anyways..." He mumbled. I tried to stand and struggled out of my chair, the lack of movement had taken some toll. I winced in pain as Hayden continued his work on the patch of herbs, which were quite impressive for normal folk- the people I've dealt with on a daily basis had a large array of herbs, not that much larger than the Alasdair house had. I stretched my limbs so they felt relieved, Hayden heard the crackling of my bones and turned around, about to speak.
"Grace! Hayden! Dinner!" The voice of Mrs. Alasdair beckoned our empty stomachs. Hayden's shocked expression turned into a smile as he grasped my hands gently. "Can you walk?" he questioned. I attempted to take a step, using Hayden as support I cried in pain and my legs gave out, Hayden caught me in his strong arms steadying me back to my feet.
"Looks like you still need me to carry you" he chuckled. My cheeks grew warm as he lifted me and carried me into our house for dinner like a husband would do his bride.