The Golden Haven

A New Path

LUNA’s POV

“Why don’t we go together?” I grimaced.

“No, my child: it will ruin everything”

“Ruin?” I arched my brow

“I mean— lest I become a burden to you.”

“Promise me you will avoid the palace at all cost”

Raising my hand, “I will, mother! But you can never be a burden to me” I wrapped my hands around her, pursing my lips into a pout.

Lifting my head, I peered into her eyes, “How will you cope with— Tears gathered in my eyes.

“Freya” A deep voice thundered from outside.

I drew cold as she suddenly released my hands and scurried out to meet Sir Bu. Mother and I have been living with him since we arrived at the mountain village. He deals with business owners within the mountain village and on the Island from which he connected with a rich merchant.

“Have you informed her?” He asked, standing, with hands akimbo. He stared at her with a stern look on his face, wrinkled brows.

Nodding in affirmation, my mother, curtsied.

“Good. Marrying her off is best for all of us, before those useless village boys impregnate her.

“ Chief Dada is well respected, I’m sure his 4 wives won’t mind. This is the best I can do for your two: your lives are changed for good”

“Changed?” Mother blurted, screwing her face up to keep tears from falling.

“You said” Sir Bu leaned towards her

“Nothing” Mother shook her head. Lowering her head in goodbye, she returned to me in the one room we shared, staring at me with tears cascading down her eyes.

“Mother!” I ran towards her.

“Hush” She dried her eyes, blocking my kips with her fingers. As her locked her in my hands. She released her grips and waved at me to hurry up with the packing. She joined me in arranging my bag.

The clock chimed 5:00 am, Sir Bu and his wife are still on the bed, looking as if they were arrested in the dream world. Mother and I tiptoed out of the house, carefully turning the doorknob. I looked over my shoulder, taking a final glance at my uncle who gave mother and I a hard time. I had mixed feelings: a part of me was thankful for the shelter and meal they provided even though we had to labour like a bull, the other part was mad at them for the hostile living conditions and the humiliation they made us go through as if weren’t related, even if we were, aren’t we humans?

I exhale, mother pulled my hands, drawing the door to against us in the softest manner even to prevent the rattling sound from waking my Sir Bu and his wife.

Taking quick steps we headed towards the outskirt of the mountain village.

“I can’t leave without you” I blurted, stopping abruptly.

“Luna, not now!”

“What if he harms you?”

“He can’t! Please take care of yourself my child and remember all I have taught you” My heart tightens as mother buried my head in her arms. Tears streamed down our cheeks.

She soon released me. Bidding me farewell, she watched me walk into thin air as I journeyed through the mountains.

Moments of my mum and I kept showing up on my face. I shook my head and increased my pace.

“Ah!” I lowered my head to see my leg, it was stained with blood. “Mother!” I blurted, looking behind me.

I ran as fast as I could. Lucky, me: the boat was about to sail.

“Wait!” I hailed it to a halt and hopped in. Waving at everyone on the boat, silence greeted me. I reminiscence on all the fun moments my mother and I shared despite our difficult living conditions.

Their nonchalant faces soon beamed with smiles as I let melodious tunes part my lips. The two middle-aged men, few women and children soon started clapping in amusement.

“What’s your name?” A merchant asked

“Lunar”

“The golden haven would have been great for you. With your great voice, you could be the palace melodist and maybe pass for a palace concubine or something, but your short hair—

They giggled, boring into my skin. I buried my hand in my hair, lowering my head.

“If you were from a noble family, I’m sure you would do better than most of the elites kids, acting like overpriced peacocks” A little girl of 8 teased. They cracked into laughter, I forced a smile.

I bite my kips, as a tear escaped my eyes. Plodding towards the corner of the boat, I plant my buttocks on the wooden base. Like daggers, their words bore into my soul. I wondered what life would be like at the Island.

The little girl soon draw towards me, wrapping her tender hands around my neck. I exhaled “You look ugly when you frown” She said dryly, I chuckled.

She pass a sheet of paper to me. I

Unfurling it, she stopped me. I smirked and shoved it into my breast pocket.

“Sing for me, please” She grimaced, taking a comfortable position.

I nodded and began to sing. I paused, as her face signaled a distant journey.

Waving my hands in her view, she jerked into a smile.

“Princess” She blurted, still beaming.

“That’s not my name” I retorted

“That’s what I want to call you.

“You have a beautiful voice. Are you coming for the singing challenge at Golden Haven?”

I arched a brow, “Tell me about it”

“You can become very rich, famous and even live in the palace if you win” She rattled off

“Live in the palace” I heaved a sharp sigh.

We soon arrived at Golden Haven. I faltered through the market, not sure of what to do next. I tried to locate my mother’s best friend, but she had passed on already. This will be a hard blow for her.

I stared at everyone as they went about their businesses. “Where will I stay? What will I eat?” I swallowed hard as I saw people buying, selling and engaging in different activities.

I started singing with effortless grace and I could bet the sweetness of my voice penetrated the Golden Haven. People soon started dropping money at my feet. I wrapped the coins in piece of cloth, burying it inside bag the hanged loosely from my neck.

Staggering on the crowded street, I gripped my head. Why do I keep seeing a little boy biting my shoulder. It was more than a bite, he was a wolf. I feel like my head would fall any moment.

“Ah” I screeched in pain, falling to the ground.

I hear the sounds of chariots, but I’m too weak to stand.

“All hail the king” the commoners yelled.

Bowing in reverence, everyone parting hither and thither. I covered my forehead with my hands for a better view.

A security guard jumped down from the chariot. Walking towards me, he yelled. “Do you want to die?” Anger flickered in his eyes, as he drew closer to me, with a whip: the king raised a hand.

“Let her, be” he blurted. Looking into my eyes, our eyes locked.

The king was too charming for his age, he was over 60. Ladies must have been swept off their feet during his youthful days.

I swallowed hard. He blinked, making her heart thump in panic. I lowered my head, trembling.

I jumped to my feet and stood aside.

“Thank you, your majesty”. I curtsied, without lifting my head.

“Greetings your majesty” We shall leave now. A young lady, elegantly dressed in a purple gown says, stands beside me, holding my shoulders. She pulls me away from the king to a corner.

Our eyes follow the King’s chariot as he takes a U-turned.

“Why is he— the lady sputtered.

“Let me go” I shrieked, wriggling myself off her grip.