Chapter 7

The road to King Liam’s castle was treacherous and daunting. Tall hills. Rocky roads.

But Rebekah was neither discouraged nor afraid.

The cart slowed her down a lot as she travelled through the road, making her take longer time to reach the King’s road.

At some point, she stopped by a stream to have a drink of water. While she paused to rest, she looked up ahead and saw the King of Elywoods Castle, which stood dreary and tall in the distance. She recalled stories from the villagers about the castle. Stories which had horrified her.

Stories of an enchantment cast over the entire Kingdom of Elywoods because of the presence of a wicked Queen. Stories which had filled her with sympathy for the former Queen and her baby.

The stories had filled her with such sadness that she had wondered what King in his right mind would exile his innocent Queen and their baby to the unknown for a complete stranger. Another wife.

But whenever she had brought the stories before her mother, her mother had always dismissed the stories with a laugh.

So Rebekah found herself thinking about that Queen and her baby, whom had never been heard from again. She was grateful that her own father, according to her mother had loved her.

Unfortunately, her mother had told her that he had died from a grave illness. She knew nothing else about her father.

Now, staring at the rather gloomy castle in the distance, Rebekah realized that the castle looked as everyone had described, lifeless.

Rebekah gathered herself, after she rested and continued on her way. As she reached King Liam’s castle, she heard loud clumping sounds from a distance. Horses.

Rebekah instantly shifted out of the road in time to come face to face with soldiers on horseback approaching her direction. When they drew closer, she observed they were all in hunting garments. One of them, who was very pleasant in the eyes, looked at her curiously.

“Fair maiden.” He greeted her quietly from his horse. “What are you doing, pushing that cart on these treacherous roads?” He asked concerned.

Rebekah frowned slightly as she thought about his question.

“I bring wool to King Liam’s castle," she replied boldly.

She was tired of people thinking that she was incapable. True she was lithe, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t strong to handle challenges. The stranger stared at her with intrigue and smiled. His horse moved restlessly and he effortlessly controlled its reins.

“Wool? Forgive me, fair one. It’s just that one doesn’t meet a maiden pushing a cart every day on these roads.” The man quietly remarked.

Rebekah nodded understandably and curtseyed, before she continued on her way. But his voice stopped her.

“Wait.” He called, breathlessly. “Let me help you. We can work together to bring this to the King.” He kindly suggested.

Rebekah stared at him, curiously. “Why do you want to help me?”

The man watched her for a moment before he softly said, “Because It is the right thing to do."

“My Lord…” One of the men with him cut in.

The stranger cut him a sharp look. The other man bowed his head respectfully.

Then the stranger climbed down his black horse, and came to tie his mount to her cart. Rebekah watched him all through. When he was done, he climbed back his horse and reached a black leather gloved hand to her.

“I hope you don’t mind accompanying me on my horse. As you see we are short of mounts.” He offered.

Rebekah looked around and found that he was right. There were no other horses and in truth, having help wasn’t bad at the moment. Shifting her eyes back to the man, she took his hand and he helped her climb on top of his mount.

In no time, they were all on their way. They rode to the castle in silence and soon came to the gates of a very intimidating castle.

When they all climbed down, the man helped her down as well, after he dismounted the horse. Then he turned to whisper to one of the men with him, who went on ahead. He returned shortly after with some servants who immediately carried the wool inside.

The man handed a scroll to the handsome stranger, who thanked him and left. Leaving Rebekah and the handsome and kind stranger alone.

“I understand that we do not know each other, fair maiden. But I would like to still ask you to come to the dance in the next full moon. This is an invitation for you.”

He handed her the small scroll, which Rebekah carefully received from his hand.

“Why would you want me to come for a dance?” Rebekah asked meditatively.

She looked at him, warily.

He shrugged slightly, “Because you are a strong woman.” He frowned as he continued. “A woman who would brace the task which I just discovered was meant for a servant that decided to be dubious and negligent. Kept the penny but sold out the task of bringing the wool to someone else.”

Rebekah stared at him oddly. How did he know of the man that had asked her to bring the wool? She puzzled.

Then he bowed slightly before her and was about leaving, when she stopped him.

"Wait!" She called out and came to stand before him.

"What if I'm able to always supply the King wool. I would go through the struggles and the King would have the wool." She offered nervously.

The handsome stranger, gazed at her, keenly.

"You seem to be familiar with King Liam and my mother and I need the coins. So please. Give us this job. I promise you wouldn't be disappointed." Rebekah pleaded, eagerly.

The man grew thoughtful. And after a brief moment nodded his head.

"Alright. I would give you the task on one condition." He pressed.

"Which is?" She asked, curiously.

"At the end of every seven days, you will supply the castle wool. But with one of the guards. Do you agree?"

Rebekah thought about his offer. She and her mother needed the coins. And this stranger seemed in need for wool in the castle, from his words to her earlier.

"I agree."