Remembering the night that changed my life forever, it was funny how Elsa took a new load of responsibilities after that night. She recalled vividly walking through the forest, suddenly, her eyes caught sight of the strangest thing any human had ever seen. She wouldn't had believed if her eyes hadn't witnessed it. Elsa's body changed forever due to what she encountered in the forest that night.
Madame Hornet asked her to go into the forest that night to get her a special spice, it was needed to prepare a special delicacy for her visitors. Annoyance wore her like a garment but she had no choice but to go. Soliloquizing, she kept her self company as she walked the lonlely part a terribly scared.
Suddenly, she heard something groaning in pain. Deciding to move closer, the moon came out in its brightness and there it was. From that day, her destiny changed and her burden tripled.
*******
War they say is costly! No one knew the cause of the war but nobody can ever forget that day. In the small City of Astra, everyone lived in total peace and happiness. There wasn't much that could be seen except for it's plentious fruits, few people and the ever magical forest. The people found the forest magical cause every full moon, blue lights were seen floating in the air and no matter how far a person wandered into the forest, there was something that always brought them back to the entrance of the city.
While on other evenings, white lights were seen forming different creatures in the air such as butterflies, birds, dragons and so on. At certain times, these lights formed the shape of a human which immediately changed to that of a wolf. Knowing how inquisitive humans will always be, they never found anything out of the ordinary when they went deeper into the woods in search of those lights. Everything was indeed normal and this puzzled them. These wonderful lights emitted such peace and happiness that no body expected what was coming.
That bright afternoon, fire broke out from this forest and every effort made to quench it proved abortive. Men ran with water and soap while others threw sand into the fire all to quench the fire. Before any knew what was happening and before they could think of running away from the city, the fire was already causing damages as it burnt down houses and anyone in it's path. Many died, homes were lost and the once peaceful city had nothing to remind people of its past beauty.
Days later, some merchants from the East came into the city having heard of the wild fire that broke out. They came in search of any precious objects that they could sell.
Lying on the ground covered with dirt, was a 17 years old Elsa who was unconscious for some days. Having confirmed she was still alive, she and four others were carried by these merchants to another city. With the fire's impact in the city, no one else survived apart from these five people. Elsa's wounds were attended to in a nearby inn and after much care from the health giver, she regained consciousness after four days. For a while, she forgot all that happened in her city and tried helping the inn keeper until the merchant who brought her there came around. The remaining four were each taken by different merchants for care.
When Asthar the merchant came, he paid the inn keeper and left with Elsa to his home. He didn't ask her any questions but only what her name was.
"Elsa" she replied.
'Good' was all he said. He give her necessities of life but never got attached to her. A week later, he told her to get ready as she would be leaving him soon for another. Elsa could only begin to imagine what lied ahead of her as she rested her chin on her arms holding her knees.
"I will survive" she thought. Though she couldn't remember clearly yet what happened in her hometown, she felt there was something important she was yet to do.
The day Elsa was suppose to leave finally came and she thanked Asthar.
"Thank you for everything sir. I really don't know how I would have lived without you for these past few days. I can't remember all that happened before you came into my life but I'm grateful for letting me stay with you this long, and treating me well." she said with a faint smile.
He walked up to her, place his left palm on her head and said;
"Be strong"... Elsa has always known Asthar was a man of few words. He smiled at her for the first time.
"Let's leave now". He said leading the way.
They walked a few miles and stood in front of a house. It wasn't bad looking from outside and she wasn't disappointed when they went in cause the house was well decorated as that of a royalty. They sat on available seats while they waited for the Madame of the house.
"Welcome" they heard someone say and rose to give a bow
"Is this the girl?" she asked.
Asthar only nodded.
"She will grow up to be a beautiful woman".
"Well, she isn't bad, so I'll pay right away" she continued.
What was she expecting?
She was been sold to this chubby pretty woman with red short hairs, brown eyes and a mole on her left cheeks. She was pretty and one could tell she would make a beautiful singer from her voice. After some minutes, Asthar left without a goodbye or final words.
"I'm Madame H, H for Hornet and henceforth, you work for me" she said.
She scanned me from my head to my toes and asked about the black mark on my left hand.
"I was born with it!" Elsa said staring at the mark that is located a little above my elbow. Having been well fed at Asthar's place, Elsa's beauty shone. She had a blue eyes that complimented her bright skin with a long black hair that reached her back.
The two beauties on her chest stood elegantly complimenting her hips.
"Take her to your room." Madame Hornet said to a girl who walked in few minutes later. She ate and went to bed wondering what the days ahead would bring. She knew deep down that she had a life outside Madame Hornet. Who knew this feeling she of worry and responsibilities have would come into reality really soon.