Chapter 1
Evelyn stepped out of the small brick house, shielding her eyes from the late morning sun. The dirt roads were bustling with activity as villagers went about their daily chores, haggling for fresh produce and exchanging warm greetings. Clutching an empty pitcher, she weaved her way through the crowd, trying to keep her head down. She had dyed her once fiery red hair black in an attempt to blend in, but even then, her small stature and youthful appearance made her stand out.
“Morning!” called out a plump woman at a nearby fruit stand, beaming at her. “Lovely day, isn’t it?”
“Y-yes, it is,” Evelyn replied hesitantly, forcing a polite smile. She wasn’t used to speaking with strangers, let alone being friendly to them.
“Be sure to stop by later; I’ve got some ripe apples that’ll make your mouth water!” The woman winked, turning her attention to another customer.
“Thank you, I will,” Evelyn murmured, continuing towards the community spout where a small line had formed. She took her place behind an elderly man who was cheerfully chatting away with a woman beside him.
“Ah, young woman!” he exclaimed, noticing her. “How are you faring on this fine day?”
“Um, well, thank you,” she stammered, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. Why did everyone insist on talking to her? All she wanted was to fill her pitcher and return home as quickly as possible.
“Say, have you heard about the festival at the castle next week?” the woman inquired, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “I hear it’s going to be grander than ever before!”
Evelyn tensed at the mention of the castle, biting her lip. “No, I haven’t,” she lied, trying to keep her voice steady. The castle was the last place she wanted to think about right now.
“Ah, you must be new around here,” the elderly man said, nodding sagely. “Well, don’t you worry, dear. You’re in for a treat! There’ll be music, dancing, feasting... It’s quite the spectacle!”
“Sounds lovely,” Evelyn managed, shifting her gaze to the ground. She could feel the weight of their eyes on her, scrutinizing her every move and expression.
“Indeed it is!” the woman agreed enthusiastically. “And who knows, maybe you’ll catch the eye of a dashing young lord!” She laughed merrily, patting Evelyn’s arm.
“Maybe,” Evelyn whispered, wishing the conversation would end as she finally reached the spout. Inwardly, she sighed with relief once the water began to flow into her pitcher. Soon she would be able to escape these prying eyes and return to the safety of her temporary home.
Evelyn’s hands trembled slightly as she held the pitcher under the spout, watching the water cascade into it. The cool liquid sparkled in the sunlight, and for a moment, her thoughts drifted to the castle that loomed far off in the distance. She could barely make out its grand silhouette against the sky, but it was enough to fill her heart with an aching longing.
“Have you ever seen the inside of the castle?” asked a young boy with wide, curious eyes. He stood next to Evelyn, clutching his own empty container.
“Um... No,” lied Evelyn, forcing a smile. “I haven’t had the privilege.”
“Me neither,” he sighed wistfully. “But I bet it’s amazing! My ma says it’s got rooms filled with treasures, and feasts fit for kings every night!”
“Sounds wonderful,” Evelyn murmured, her voice betraying a hint of sadness. How she missed those luxurious halls, the softness of her bed, the rich aroma of her favorite dishes served by attentive servants. But she couldn’t let anyone know who she really was or where she came from. It was far too dangerous.
“Hey, are you okay?” the boy asked, noticing her furrowed brow. Before she could respond, more people arrived at the spout, engaging in lively chatter as they waited their turn. The conversations swirled around her like a whirlwind, making it difficult for her to focus on anything else.
“Did you hear about the latest proclamation from the castle?”
“Ah, I hope we get some rain soon. My crops could really use it.”
“Can’t wait for this year’s harvest festival. It’ll be the best one yet!”
As the voices grew louder, Evelyn couldn’t help but feel suffocated. She clutched her now-full pitcher tightly, using all her strength to maintain her composure. She needed to get away from the bustling crowd, away from their prying eyes and incessant questions.
With a deep breath, Evelyn steadied herself before turning to leave the water spout. She was ready to escape the suffocating atmosphere of the gathering crowd, eager to return to the relative solitude of her small brick house.
“Out of my way!” barked an impatient voice, jolting Evelyn from her thoughts. Before she could react, she collided with a burly man carrying his own brimming pitcher. The impact sent water cascading over both of them, soaking their clothes and causing Evelyn’s black hair dye to run down her face in rivulets, unveiling the fiery red beneath.
“Ah! I’m so sorry,” she stammered, hastily pulling up her hood to hide the telltale strands. “I didn’t see you coming.”
“Watch where you’re going, girl!” the man grumbled, his face contorted in irritation as he assessed the damage to his clothes. “You’ve gone and wasted half my water!”
“Please forgive me,” Evelyn pleaded, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn’t afford to draw attention to herself now, not when her true identity was so precariously close to being discovered.
“Whatever,” the man muttered, shaking his head as he stomped away. “Just be more careful next time.”
Evelyn exhaled a shaky sigh of relief, clutching her pitcher tightly to her chest. Her thoughts raced with the knowledge that her secret was nearly exposed, but she took solace in the fact that the man hadn’t seemed to recognize her. As she began to walk back to her house along the dirt path, she couldn’t help but feel the weight of her deception bearing down on her.
As she navigated the uneven ground, her mind wandered back to the castle that loomed in the distance. She missed the softness of her bed, the rich flavors of the food, and the comfort of having servants tend to her every need. But she knew that life was forever out of her reach now, and each step away from the water spout brought her further from the world she had once known.
“Keep your head down,” she reminded herself, her voice barely above a whisper as she pulled her hood lower over her face. “You can’t go back. Not now.”
The memory of the young boy’s smile briefly flashed in her mind, providing a momentary respite from her heavy thoughts. But as she continued on her way, her heart ached with the knowledge that the life she had left behind – one filled with luxury and privilege – was a dangerous secret she could never share with anyone in this new world.
The wind picked up, sending a flurry of dust and leaves swirling around Evelyn as she clutched her hood tighter around her face. Her heart raced, feeling as if it was trying to escape her chest. A shiver ran down her spine, the sensation of being watched overwhelming her.
“Too long,” a voice hissed from the shadows, startling her. “You’ve been out in the open for too long.”
Evelyn spun around to see a figure emerge from behind a nearby tree, clad in a brown hood that obscured their features. She caught her breath when she recognized the familiar set of green eyes peering at her from beneath the hood.
“Miles,” she whispered, relief flooding through her. “What are you doing here?”
“Keeping an eye on you,” he replied gruffly, pulling back his hood to reveal his rugged, handsome face. “It’s not safe for you to be out like this. You know that.”
“I had no choice,” Evelyn retorted, her voice barely audible. “I need water.”
“Then let me get it for you next time,” Miles insisted, his concern evident in his furrowed brow. “You’re in more danger than you realize.”
“Fine,” Evelyn acquiesced, knowing that arguing with him would only draw unwanted attention. As they continued their walk, the castle loomed in the distance, a silent sentinel surveying its lands.
Their kingdom was divided into distinct sections, each with its own unique characteristics. To the north lay the homes of the wealthy, surrounded by tranquil lakes and lush forests. The east, where Evelyn now resided, housed middle-class families on dirt roads lined with the occasional tree. In the south, the poor made their homes in simple brick houses, with little access to water or vegetation. And finally, the west was home to the most destitute, their ramshackle dwellings huddled together as if seeking solace from their shared misery.
“Your Artisan’s men are searching for you, Evelyn,” Miles murmured, his voice barely audible. “They’ve been in the east side asking questions. It won’t be long before they find you.”
“Then we’ll have to move again,” Evelyn replied, her thoughts racing as she considered the implications of being discovered. “Maybe we can go to the south side. No one would think to look for me there.”
“Perhaps,” Miles conceded with a sigh. “But it doesn’t matter where we go, Evelyn. You need to understand that hiding like this is only a temporary solution. Eventually, your past will catch up to you.”
Evelyn stared at her feet, unable to respond. She knew he was right, but the thought of facing Artisan and the life she had left behind filled her with dread. For now, all she could do was keep moving, keep hiding, and hope that her new identity would offer some measure of protection from the dangerous truth.
