Astrid's POV
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That man was determined to kill me. I just know he was.
"Ah!".
I exclaimed quietly, using the back of my hand to wipe off the beads of sweat on my forehead. I looked up at the blinding sun and squinted my eyes, looking away immediately and adjusting the hat on my head.
"Time for a break everyone. Good job".
An elderly man who I guessed to be the head of the farmers said.
A small smile crept to my lips and I sighed getting up. I staggered a little as I stood, my legs were hurting like crazy.
Bending down, I kept the bowl of wild berry seeds on the ground next to me and removed my farming gloves.
Tossing the gloves to the ground, I stood up straight with my hands akimbo.
"F-finally, a much-needed break". I inhaled and exhaled with the smile still lurking at the corners of my lips. I turned to walk away but almost collided with someone.
"Where to?". The enforcer asked using his staff to block my way. The small smile faded from my lips.
I pointed towards the other farmers and my lips parted, I wanted to say something but he interrupted.
"You're going nowhere". He stated simply with a smug look. He didn't even look where I was pointing so I let my hand fall beside me helplessly.
"We were instructed that you finish about ten rows on this hectare of land before you take a break".
"W-water". I whispered and swallowed. My throat felt so dry. "I-i just wanted to get up and drink some water". I lied chuckling nervously.
The enforcer eyed me before turning and walking away. I touched the strap on my waist and unfastened what was holding the wineskin that contained drinking water.
I quickly opened it and raised it to my lips. "W-water is life…". I shook the wineskin but nothing came out. "W-what? N-no water?". I shook it several times more but still, nothing.
I sighed and walked towards the enforcer who was standing under a shade, with the wineskin in my hand.
"W-water". I stated simply and opened the large jar there.
"H-huh?" Th…there's nothing in here". I informed the enforcer but was ignored.
"J-just going to get some water".
I covered the jar and showed him the wineskin as I walked past him.
He ignored me which made me pout and hasten my steps to go get some water.
I approached a cottage that had smoke coming out of the chimney.
"I-i should get water in there". I told myself walking in.
"H-hello?".
I called but got no response.
I walked further in looking everywhere and at everything. My stomach suddenly growled.
"What's that aroma?".
I asked sniffing in the mouthwatering scent. I soon came face-to-face with a bowl of porridge oats sitting comfortably on the wooden table.
I swallowed and cleared my throat.
"A-anyone here?".
I asked again but got replied with silence.
"O-okay, I'll just help myself to the porridge oats".
I went to the table and picked up the small spoon next to the bowl and quickly started eating.
"Uh! It's…it's hot".
I brought out my tongue and fanned it using my hand.
"Who are you?".
I froze at the spot and looked ahead, I couldn't turn to look at the person who had just caught me red-handed. My tongue was still sticking out but I quickly took it in and closed my mouth then I turned to her.
"Who are you?".
Those innocent eyes bored into mine with such curiosity and fear.
"I'll scream and tell my mama about this if you do not answer my question".
"No, no, no". I quickly jumped up. "I'm a…"
"Oh, I know who you are".
She said and folded her little hands.
"W-what?". I asked wiping my hands onto the fabric of my farming Palazzo pants.
"You're…". She started with a little frown and then suddenly, her facial expression softened and she smiled. "You're a fairy".
"H-huh?". I arched my brows.
She twisted her lips and tapped her index finger onto her bottom lip scanning me thoroughly from head to toe.
"Are you a mud fairy?". She asked tilting her head.
I instantly looked myself over and discovered how unkept and dirty I looked from the farming activity I had been doing.
"Or…are you a farm fairy?"
I opened my mouth to say something but closed it back when the little girl dashed towards the door.
"Mama, mama, I just saw a fairy".
"H-hey!". I sped towards her and managed to stop her from leaving the cottage. She slowly turned to me.
"Can fairy have some food? She's quite hungry".
"Come with me then, Miss Fairy". She held my hand and we both walked out of the cottage. Along the way, I used my hat to hide my face away so no one would recognise me.
We entered another packed house and the little girl placed a hand over her mouth to ensure that I kept quiet. We both tiptoed into the house and I got seated at the table.
"Here". She said placing a bowl in front of me. "My mama made that, she's the best cook I know".
"Thank you".
I smiled but it didn't reach my eyes, the mention of her mother suddenly made me miss mine. Tears stung my eyes but I fought it back and picked up a spoon instead.
"So where are you from?". She sat on the chair next to mine and peered at me with those little curious eyes.
"C-crestwood". I replied blowing onto my spoon of food.
I wasn't lying, Crestwood was the name of where I was born and raised. Crestwood was well hidden deep in the Forest woods. My community- rogues, found a home there before we were…
"Really?". She beamed getting up and moving behind me. She lifted my hair and used a finger to tap around my upper back. "Do you have wings?"
"N-no, I don't ". I replied while eating.
"Oh!". She let down my hair and slowly took her seat. I only looked up after a while of silence.
"A-are you okay?".
She slowly shook her head without looking at me. Her head hung low and I could hear low whimpers.
I dropped my spoon and turned to her.
"What is it? Fairy can help". I gave a reassuring smile. That made her look up at me.
"You'd do that?".
I nodded with a small smile hoping it wouldn't be something I couldn't do. I just didn't want to disappoint her and I didn't know why.
She immediately jumped down from her seat and quickly grabbed my hand dragging me along. I turned to look at the bowl of food.
"T-the food…". I whispered low to myself but went along anyway.
We made our way into another packed house that had a cross on the door.
"We're not allowed in many places". She whispered as we walked further into the house. "This place is one of them. But I need your help, Miss Fairy. They all do".
"O-oh my…". She let go of my hand and it quickly shut over my mouth. My eyes bulged at the numbers before me.
"Dear…".