A LIFE UNSEEN

Once upon a time, in the eastern part of the world Othei, where ancient trees towered and the sun set in the distance , bestowed a small kingdom Gassel. A land of myth and ancient powers. The people lived and worshipped the gods and goddesses of the land, whom they believed were like animals unseen. Theo, who was the protector of the land and a fierce warrior ruled the kingdom with an iron fist. No one dared to commit a crime nor stand against the protector's words. But amidst this tranquillity, a young boy Rufus, whose biological family was unknown because he was found by the riverbank as a baby, by an old woman, the woman raised him until she died, Rufus was left to fend for himself. He felt like an outcast because the people believed he was cursed, his strange behaviour and strength only made him feel isolated. He worked for a blacksmith, who had a beautiful daughter named Anabelle. " Rufus, you're here already." Annabelle said as she walked into the workshop. The workshop was dimly lit. The air was thick with an acrid scent of hot metal, sweat and smoke. Rufus looked back and saw Annabelle, who stood by the door, dressed in a purple high quality cotton dress with a modest design. "You look beautiful." Rufus said. Annabelle was a fair hearted lady, she was the most loved daughter of the blacksmith. Her mother had died when she was a child. She was raised by her father who later married another wife named Graie. Annabelle's stepmother was cruel and greedy. She played the role of a good mother to Annabelle, only when her father was around. "Seems you have a new dress." Rufus teased as he continuously stared at her. "I must say you're correct, it's a gift from my father. " Anabelle replied graciously. She walked into the workshop and offered herself a seat. " A blacksmith workshop isn't a place for a woman, especially the one with a new dress." Rufus teased. Annabelle laughed. Annabelle replied, the workshop was one of the places that made her happy. She recalled when her father was only starting the job with less income. But their lives became different when the kingdom and other neighbouring villages preferred his sword. "Annabelle, you're really a talker, let's get out of this memory room to a place with conducive air." Rufus said as he held her hands and they walked out. "You're always earlier than everyone, you deserve a reward." Annabelle said as they walked into the woods. Rufus laughed and said it wasn't right to work just for the rewards but from the heart. "Sometimes you just have to work from here. " Rufus said as he held her hands to his chest. Annabelle smiled and thanked him for serving her father diligently since he was a child. “You know when Nana died, as an eight year old boy, I realised I had to survive, when others rejected me, your father took me in and I can't forget that. Everyone else thinks I'm weird. ” Rufus said. He was immediately interrupted by Annabelle. "I think you're a great man with a great destiny." Rufus smiled and thanked her for being his friend since childhood. "Thank you too for being my friend, and looking out for me." Annabelle responded. They both sat on a fallen oak tree. Annabelle leaned on his shoulders. "Sometimes I feel I'm not the right person for you, I don't know what your family will think of me. I'm just a blacksmith." Rufus said. Annabelle looked up to his face " even though my father was once a blacksmith but now he has grown bigger in his trade, so please let's make our intentions known to our family. " She said. Rufus smiled affirmatively and promised to take care of her. While the two sat sharing their heartfelt conversation, Annabelle's stepsister Amira, who admired Rufus' strength, had followed them and eavesdropped on their conversation. She felt disappointed and bitter as she ran back to the house in tears. ******************* "Amira, why are you crying?" Graie asked Amira, as she ran into the house. " I'm just in pain, Anabelle Always gets it all." Graie assured Amira it wasn't true, " Amira I always do my best to give you a life better than Annabelle, and I will not stop, say what you want and I'll do it. " Graie assured. Amira coldly requested Rufus' death because he had made her cry and she went further to say she didn't want Annabelle's happiness. "Mother, I want Annabelle to feel pain, I don't want her to be happy. " Amira said. "Your wish shall be granted. I'll summon the great witch right away." Graie said as she got hold of her coat and made it to the stable. She got on her most reliable horse and hurried into the forest. She arrived at a place known as the great hole, where she summoned the great witch who had also helped her to marry Annabelle's father. "What brings you here Graie? It's been a long time since we met ." The Witch said. Graie fell on her knees and pleaded she wanted justice for her daughter. " What do you know about justice?" The Witch asked in laughter. Graie pleaded she wanted Rufus dead and Annabelle's suffering. But the Witch continued in a sarcastic laughter. The place was creepy and dark. It was a cave in which you could hear echoes of a thousand laughter. Graie promised she wasn't going without a good response. " I'll give you whatever you want. " Graie said coldly. The Witch was mesmerised by her desperation, "you're a desperate woman Graie and I love you for that. " The Witch said in laughter. "Well well you'll have to take your husband's life. " The Witch requested. Graie went on her knees, bowing to the witch and promised to do as she said. "And after killing him you'll set up Rufus, he will be banished from the land to meet his doom, then you can make life miserable for Annabelle but you have to promise you'll come back and visit when it's done." The Witch said. Graie thanked her and promised she would visit when it was done.