Hanna just finished her washing for the day and was spreading out the linens and materials on the grass outside her home. There were large sheets of materials and she pinned them together at the edge so the light wind wouldn't blow them away. She was a middle aged woman in her early fifties and a widow. Her husband had died years ago, living her with a single daughter. Few years back, a young stable man had asked for her daughters hand in marriage and now that her daughter was married and settled, she was all alone. Her daughter, Helena came occasionally to pay her a visit and Hanna always looked forward to each visit. Helena had twins, a boy and a girl and Hanna doted on them as a grandmother would. She was looking forward to the next visit from her daughter and grandchildren.
As she worked, her mind drifted to Evaleen. Evaleen was just nineteen when she had her baby. The boy was all grown up now and still, the secret of his true identity ate at her heart. She recalled that particular night she helped Beatrice and Mary to deliver the baby boy. Shortly after Beatrice and Evaleen left, three men had come calling at the cabin, claiming to be messengers from the King. Hanna clearly remembered Beatrice's warning not to let out the news of the baby to anyone except the King. She knew the men were obviously lying about being messengers of the King. She and Mary understood what needed to be done. They told the men that the baby died at birth and had been taken away to be buried. When asked about the mother, they said she was distraught and she lost consciousness and had been taken to a healer. The men seemed to believe their lies and after taking a look round the small cabin, they left. Hanna and Mary had waited a bit before packing their things and fleeing into the night.
Three years later after the birth of the King's sons, Carl approached Evaleen and asked for her hand in marriage. Carl was the kind soul that had helped Beatrice and Evaleen escape that night on his carriage. Unaware of the real father of Sebastian, Carl had taken a liking to Evaleen and asked to marry her and take care of her only son. Evaleen had given up all hope on King Cyrus and she agreed to marry Carl. They lived together for twelve years and then Carl died tragically. Evaleen then made up her mind to remain a single mother and raise her son alone. She constantly made sure Sebastian never went out without her so he wouldn't draw attention to himself because he was a spitting image of the King.
Twenty five years ago and the incident still remained fresh on Hanna's memory. She knew keeping the secret from Sebastian wasn't the right thing to do anymore. Then it had been right, to protect him from harm. Now he was all grown up. He needed to know who he was. It wasn't fair, keeping such secrets from him. He had every right to know now. He was the rightful heir to the Kingdom of Duville and he alone could end the tyranny of King Cyrus and his sons.
Hanna made up her mind instantly. If Evaleen wouldn't tell her son, then she would. The secret had been hidden long enough. Sebastian was a man now. He was mature enough to understand why the secret had been kept from him. Evaleen would probably hate her for speaking out, but she had to choice. The truth is bitter, as people always say.
She finished her chores and gathered the pails and bowls she used in washing. She would pay a visit to Evaleen at dusk and sit Sebastian down so he could hear everything.
Hanna put her washing pails and buckets by the side of the door and entered her humble home. It was a little cottage, similar to Evaleen's home in the woodlands. It had just a living room and another extra room with a kitchen and bathroom. The house was tidy without a speck of dirt. She made her way to the kitchen to prepare her lunch when a knock sounded on the door.
There was no one on the other side when Hanna opened the door. All she saw was a brown envelope on the ground. The person must have dropped the envelope and left immediately after knocking.
"Strange",Hanna said to herself.
She picked up the envelope and opened it. There was a white piece of paper inside, folded a few times. She unfolded the paper and read out.
'the life of sebastian is in danger. meet me at the edge of the forest. it is urgent. don't let anyone notice you leaving. Mary.'
"Oh no",Hanna whispered. The Queens must have found out about Sebastian. She needed to warn Evaleen and Beatrice right now. But Mary said to meet her at the edge of the forest. Maybe the news she had was of grave importance. Without thinking of the consequences of going alone into the forest, Hanna picked up her shawl and hurried out of the house. It was still noon. She would be back in time before the sun sets. She placed her shawl around her shoulders and hurried towards the direction of the forest. The forest laid beyond the woodlands and she didn't have a horse or a carriage. She had to walk there on her own.
Thirty minutes later, Hanna arrived at the end of the woodlands. The forest lay just beyond and Mary said in her letter to meet her at the edge.
"Mary",Hanna whispered. "Mary where are you?".
It was eeriely quiet. Not even the sound of birds could be heard. Hanna picked her way over the fallen branches and dead leaves and crossed into the forest. It lay dark and creepy before her and she gulped fearfully. She began to regret her decision of coming alone. But Mary said to come alone without anyone noticing.
"Mary",she whispered again.
A twig snapped behind her and as she was about to turn, a cloth bag was thrown over her head. She tried to fight whoever her captor was but something had been applied to the cloth bag and the smell seeped into her nostrils. Her eyes turned heavy and she collapsed on the ground.
______________________________________________
When Hanna opened her eyes, it was entirely dark. Her eyes were blindfolded and she was tied to a chair. She tried to loosen the ropes around her wrist but it was thick. She couldn't move a muscle.
"Hello?",she said out loud.
"Be quiet peasant!",a male voice snapped at her.
Hanna gulped fearfully and went quiet. Where was she? What was this place? Did they hurt Mary? Who captured her? So many questions ran through her mind but she remained quiet. She heard a door open and someone entered. No. Two persons entered. She could hear two different sound of footsteps. One sharp and quick, the other flat and sluggish.
Everything was quiet for a while. And then a voice spoke out.
"Remove the blindfold".
The blindfold was ripped away from her eyes and Hanna struggled to see in the dim room. The only light in the room came from a lantern hung at the corner. The blinds at the windows were drawn and there was no way to tell what time of day it was. Someone sat before her, hidden in the shadows. Three men were also in the room with her but she didn't pay any attention to them. She faced the one sitting before her.
"What do you want with me?",she asked.
Bam!
A punch landed on the side of her face and Hanna felt like she would pass out. Her vision blurred and a loud ringing sounded in her ears. She felt the warm flow of blood on her face as the corner of her eye bled.
"You only speak when you're spoken to peasant",the person sitting before her said quietly.
"Who are you? What have you done with Mary?",Hanna screamed out despite the pain in her head nor the threat that she might get punched again. Fear made her immune to fear itself.
The man who struck her raised his hand to hit her again but the mysterious person in the room raised a hand to stop him.
"Mary?",the voice asked and chuckled darkly. "Oh you naive little fool. You're so blinded by trust that you don't know who your real enemies are".
"What do you mean?",Hanna asked in confusion.
The room turned silent as the door to the room was opened again. Someone walked in and bowed.
"Greetings Master. I came as quickly as I could".
Hanna gasped at the familiar voice. She turned in her chair, praying that it was some kind of trick. It was no trick. Mary stood beside her with a straight face, not even showing the slightest surprise at seeing her.
"Mary?",she whispered unbelievably.
"Hello Hanna",Mary said. And then she smiled evilly.