Once Upon An Apple

Ila gathered the thins skirts of her dress before opening the door. Outside was a perfectly mild summer morning, she let her feet carry her to the hen house with a small woven basket in hand. Her brown hair was tucked back into a tight braid and her clothes were dirty and worn. She had no shoes and her feet were almost black with dirt. Her eyes averted to the ground when she heard footsteps. "Good, good the maid is doing her job. Yesterday's discipline must have worked wonders." A firm hand gripped her shoulder and it made Ila wince in pain. The wounds were still fresh from yesterday's beating.  Her master was the richest man in the village, but he treated his slaves the worst. If they didn't match his expectations then they were beaten repeatedly until they could do so. Ila was one of many slaves that was tortured by this man. He took joy in the pain and breaking the will of the people under him. The ones he favored became his mistresses in the house.  Ila felt him let go and heard him walk toward the sleeping quarters. He would punish anyone that overslept. She continued into the hen house. The birds were peacefully resting in straw-stuffed boxes. She slipped her hand under their warm bodies to retrieve the eggs, careful to not disturb them. After she had gathered her eggs she wandered to the kitchen. The cooks were abuzz with rumors that someone important was visiting today. They debated the best dishes to serve that fit royalty. "Ila can you go gather some apples and make your apple pie." A russet-haired chef called Randall asked her. Ila only nodded her head and grabbed a fresh basket to carry the apples. She walked up a small path toward the orchard.  As she walked she came upon a small spring. Looking to make sure the coast was clear she allowed herself to dip her feet into the cool waters. It was a refreshing break before reality hit again. Too much dawdling would mean a beating. The apple trees came into sight. Ila quickened her pace until she arrived at the trees. She began reaching up for the apples and picking them one by one until they became out of reach. Ila began to climb the tree and soon became nestled in the branches. She suddenly heard voices beneath her and began to panic. Ila became unbalanced and soon there was a flurry of leaves and apples falling around her. When she landed there was an oof sound beneath her. Opening her eyes there was a man in front of her with black hair and gold-laced clothing. His eyes were closed. "I-I-I'm so sorry I have to go." Ila grabbed her basket and bolted from the orchard.