After they left, the two of them ran to Zora.
"Hi. I'm Zora Daustram. Thank y..."
"Where are you from? Why are you dressed like this? Do you know what you just did".
Zora had no clue but she was sure the person on the white horse was gyenk.
"I'm very sure he's gyenk. He duped me some months ago an..."
Before she could complete her sentence, the woman covered her mouth and pulled her to a corner where everyone's eyes and ears couldn't reach.
"Shut up. You should be conscious of whatever you say here unless you don't value your life". The woman cautioned and she stared at them, befuddled.
"Hi I'm krysia".
Zora nodded and smiled, bringing out her hand for a shake. Krysia ignored her shake and hugged her instead.
"But why did you help me?" She asked.
"Because I wanted to get into the palace". Krysia said, her gaze on the floor now. Her expression changed suddenly and Zora wondered why.
"Come let's go home". The woman said and led the way.
"Let's go". Krysia motioned when Zora stood on a spot without moving.
"Me?" She pointed to herself and krysia wasted no time to pull her along with her. She was surprised and confused as to why these people were helping her. Was it because she looked rich and wanted to use her? Obviously not. They just said she'd work in the palace in exchange for her life. They helped her, helped her so they could gain something from her. An advantage.
"You must be thirsty. Krysia go on and bring her water". The woman ordered as she settled Zora on the neat floor. "Are you hungry?" She asked again and her stomach cried out making the woman smile. "You must be very hungry".
She forced a smile, her mind still in disarray. What did they want from her.
"So why did you help me". She asked as krysia sat down with the water.
The woman looked around and stood up to close the windows. She settled down after she was rest assured no one could hear them.
"It was planned and we're very grateful you complied to our lies. Only God knows what would have happened if you had said no back there. You have no idea how scared I was".
She smiled but that didn't answer her question.
"We knew there was no way you could escape the punishment but we still wanted to risk our chances".
"That doesn't still answer my question". She spoke out slowly and carefully, trying not to offend them.
"I have a disease". Krysia went straight to the point. "And there is no cure for it".
Zora eyes widen. "Are you going to die?"
"Yes...unless I get into the palace. There is no antidote but there is a substance that can prolong my life and it's only in the palace." She explained without beating around the bush.
"Is that why you want us to work in the palace? To get the substance?"
She nodded.
"You can go without me. I'm sorry but I'm not going into that palace. I have to look for a way to get back home". She stood up and took her shoes but she was immediately pulled back to the floor.
"We'll lose our heads if you go. We told them you're with us and they won't rest until they find you and kill you."
"Why would you lose your heads? Just tell them I went out of town"
"After we've told them we'll be at the palace as maids as from tomorrow? Are you dumb? Do you even think before you take actions? Look, I don't know where you're from and what kind of rules you follow but here, the tiniest mistake can cost your life and you have to be watch full of what you say". Krysia stood up. "You don't know how hard it was for us to risk our lives just to save you. My life is on the line here. If I don't get to the palace on time, I'll die and if this is how you'll repay us then fine. Let us all die together! Go on and look for a way to get back home. Let's see how far you can get". With tears in her eyes, she stormed into a room and the next thing they heard was her sobbing quietly.
The woman rubbed Zora's knees sadly, noticing she couldn't take her eyes off the door krysia went through. She stood up and opened the windows before she left the both of them inside.
Zora heaved a sigh, regret washing all over her face. She shouldn't have said that. Sure they saved her for their own advantage but she was the one benefitting alot from it.
She never thought krysia would be so annoyed at her for what she said. But she wanted to go back home. She didn't want to be in a place where they joke with heads. She wanted to see her mom again. She wanted to spank her younger brother's butt again. She missed them alot and her body was getting bumps from the biting of the giant mosquitoes.
What about krysia? She'd die. She had to help her first. At least, to repay them. She had to make her get into the palace before she escaped. And besides, she would have been familiar with the village and how to return home if she stayed a little long. Not only that, she'd be able to get her revenge on Gyenk and exposed him.
She smiled contentedly and made up her mind to work as a maid even if she'd never experienced anything like working as a maid.
She stood up and knocked on krysia's door.
"Hey krysia. Can I talk to you for a moment?" She asked, waiting patiently for an answer but nothing came. "I understand I was being selfish a while ago but I'm sorry. I'll follow you tomorrow".
"Really?!" She heard her voice from the other end as the door flung open. "You aren't going back home again?"
She smiled and krysia embraced her tightly. "Thank you."
Zora could feel tears running down krysia's face as she sniffed.
"But how are we going to get it?" Zora asked and krysia pulled away, a broad smile plastered on her face.
"That's for us to know when we get there". She giggled and hugged her again.
***
"You two should be careful. Especially you Zora". Peevey advised as she dressed ignorant Zora up. "Remember you aren't allowed to go out of the palace once you've entered."
"Why can't we?" Zora turned, disrupting the hair peevey had been making for her.
Peevey sighed and turned her head. "Because they believe they can leak vital information."
"That's cruel." Zora admitted. Even at that, she'd still find a way to escape after taking her revenge on Gyenk.
"Nothing is fair." Peevey was done with her hair now. "You have a beautiful hair".
"Thank you". She said. "But do we have to wear this long shit". She stood up and turned around in her long blue dress.
"Sh..shit?" Krysia asked, puzzled. "What's that?"
"Oh.. it's a...erm...like a slang".
"You should keep the slang or whatever to yourself. Don't say that if you don't want to get punishment."
"Why should I get punished for something I have right over. I have right over my speech and no one can deprive me of that". She was irritated.
"Right? Who said you have right over anything? You have right over nothing, not even your life". Krysia made it clear.
"But righ...." She stopped for a moment as a weird thought sipped into her mind. Could she have gone back in time where rights hadn't been declared?
"Come on let's go". Krysia pulled Zora's arm as she hugged her mom bye. They had a long talk yesterday night and had said their good-byes. They had cried, confessed their love and talked about things they kept from each other. It was like they weren't going to see each other again. Zora kept battling with her thoughts and plans on how to deal with Gyenk and escape the time they were both getting emotional.
After a while of walking, they got to a very large gate and heaved a sigh.
Krysia shot out her pinky finger at Zora and said; "Let promise. No matter what, let's remember never to give up."
"Okay". They crossed fingers and smiled. And before Zora could take a step, krysia pulled her back.
"And remember we're cousins okay...how old are you?"
"I'll be 26". She replied.
"Then you're my mother's elder sister's daughter". She said and Zora nodded slowly, trying to digest her words. "I'm 25".
"What if I'm asked about my family? What should I say?"
"Tell them your father and mother died and you've been living with us since you were four. Your family name is Fletcher and your name is Zora. That's all you know about your family okay". She whispered and Zora nodded.
"Now let's go!"
.
.