THE APPRENTICE
Once upon a time, in the eastern part of the world, where ancient trees towered and the sun set in the distance, there was a small kingdom called Gassel—a land of myth and ancient powers. The people lived respectfully and worshipped the gods and goddesses of the land, whom they believed took the form of shiny animals.
Theo, a fierce warrior with a heart of gold, was the protector of the land and ruled the kingdom with an iron fist. It was their custom that people found guilty of a crime in the kingdom were banished into the Forbidden Forest—a place of no return.
But amidst this tranquillity, a young man named Rufus, whose biological family was unknown, lived at the mercy of the protector. He had been involved in stealing the villagers' food as a young boy but was pardoned by the protector and handed over to the wealthiest blacksmith in the kingdom.
Rufus was found by the riverbank as a baby by an old woman, who raised him until she died. Rufus was left to fend for himself as a young boy, which led him to theft. He thought himself an outcast because the people believed he was cursed; his strange behaviour and unnatural strength only made him feel isolated.
The blacksmith loved him and took him as a son because of his cheerful nature. Rufus was also the most hardworking and smart apprentice he had.
The day had only begun when Annabelle, Rufus's childhood friend, comforter, and the daughter of the blacksmith, came over to spend time with him.
"Rufus, I knew I'd find you here; you're always around," Annabelle said as she walked into the workshop.
The workshop was dimly lit. The air was thick with the 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 admired, and she smiled at the compliment as though she expected it.
Annabelle was a fair-hearted lady, the most loved daughter of the blacksmith. Her mother had died when she was a baby. She was raised by her father, who later married another lady named Gracie.
Annabelle's stepmother was cruel and greedy. She only played the role of a good mother to Annabelle when her father was around.
"Seems you have a new dress," Rufus teased, continuously staring at her.
"I must say you're correct; it's a gift from my father," Annabelle replied graciously. She walked into the workshop and offered herself a seat.
"A blacksmith workshop isn't a place for a woman, especially one with a new dress," Rufus teased.
Annabelle laughed. "The workshop is one of the places that makes me happy. It's where I obtain a living and hope." She recalled to Rufus when her father had just started his trade with little income. But their lives had changed when the kingdom and neighbouring villages preferred his swords.
"Annabelle, you're quite the talker; let's get out of this memory room and find a place with conducive air," Rufus said, holding her hand, 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's not right to work just for rewards but from the heart. Sometimes you just have to work from here." Rufus placed his hand on his chest.
Annabelle smiled and thanked him for serving her father diligently since childhood.
"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, and 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. "Then let this inspire you, Rufus: my father was once a nobody, then a common blacksmith; he's now grown successful in his trade and recognized by most kingdoms in the world. Please, let's make our intentions known to my family."
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's strength, had followed them and eavesdropped on their conversation. She felt disappointed and bitter, as she ran back home in tears.
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"Amira, why are you crying?" Gracie asked as Amira ran into the house.
"I'm just in pain, Annabelle always gets everything," Amira replied, tears streaming down her face.
Gracie assured Amira it wasn't true. "Amira, I always do my best to give you a life better than Annabelle's, and I won't stop. Say what you want, and I'll do it."
Amira's expression turned cold as she made her request.
"I only wish for Rufus' death. He made me shed tears, and I don't want Annabelle's happiness; it irritates me. Mother, I want Annabelle to feel pain, I don't want her to be happy anymore!" Amira said, her voice filled with bitterness.
"Your wish shall be granted. I'll summon a witch right away," Gracie said, grabbing her coat and heading to the stable. She mounted her most reliable horse and rode into the forest.
She arrived at a place known as the Great Hole, where she summoned the witch who had once helped her marry Annabelle's father.
"What brings you here, Gracie? It's been a long time since we met," the Witch said, a twisted smile on her lips.
Gracie fell to her knees and pleaded for justice for her daughter. The witch laughed cruelly.
"What do you know about justice?" she mocked, her voice echoing in the dark.
Gracie pleaded for Rufus' death and Annabelle's suffering. The Witch continued to laugh sarcastically.
The place was creepy and dark. It was a cave where one could hear echoes of a thousand laughter.
Gracie promised she wouldn't leave without a positive response.
"I'll give you whatever you want," Gracie said coldly.
The Witch spotted her desperation immediately, and her eyes gleamed with wicked delight.
"You're a desperate woman, Gracie, and I love you for that. It seems you've taken over from your mother." She laughed.
"Well, well, your husband will be the price. I'll take his life as an exchange for this," the Witch requested.
Gracie gasped, but after a moment of hesitation, she bowed to the witch in agreement.
"And after killing him, I'll set up Rufus; he will be banished from the land into the Forbidden Forest. Then you can make life miserable for Annabelle and never let her out of your grasp. And you have to promise you'll come back and visit when it's done."
The Witch's voice was filled with evil satisfaction.
Gracie thanked her and promised to visit once the mission was accomplished.
"I'll be waiting," the Witch said, as she disappeared into the darkness.
