I nodded, acknowledging what she had said. I knew little about Wester Lea since it was so far north from Drishane. Not a lot had been in the books I have read about the country of Dreyle regarding WesterLea.
“How did you end up in Stonewald, Eve?” I casuallyasked.
“My…parents. They needed forest chips. Master Lochlaan was willing topay.”
Eve looked down at her empty hand, saddened by the fact there was no more left. I handed her the small piece that I had left. She looked at the open door that was still wide open.How had no one come to check on her yet? I could have killed her.She held her hand out toward me with the bread init.
“This was for you,” she saidfirmly.
“Thank you, dear Eve. But, I think you would benefit from eating it. You are nothing but skin and bones.” She nodded and looked back down. “Do you eat everyday?”
“Master gives me what I am allowed to have,” she quickly whispered and glanced at the barsagain.
“Will you be in trouble for staying or bringing me food, Eve? I do not want you to get introuble.”
“I…no one knows that I am here,” she whisperedagain.
I narrowed my eyes at her. This tiny young woman risked what I imagine are terrible consequences by bringing me food when she easily could have taken the food for herself. She seemed desperate for something and afraid of God only knowswhat.
“Eve,” Ibegan.
“I must go,” Eve said and rushedout.
As she hurried to exit the cell, I noticed the backs of her legs were covered in cuts and bruises in various stages of healing. She quietly shut the bars that made up the cell door, and before she scurried away, she apologized for eating most of my bread roll. Hopefully, it would not be the last that I would see of my littlefriend.
I needed to think quickly. I knew that there was a very good chance that Octavia was doing exactly the opposite of what I told her to do. In doing so, it only proved my point that she had a heart. But, under no circumstances did I want her coming here. And unless I thought of something quickly, she could lose her kingdom, Drishane, or worse…herlife.
I woke up several times during the night to the sounds of a woman’s screams. I prayed that the screams were not Eve’s. Each time I tried to fall back to sleep, I tried to think of a plan. The next time I woke up, it was morning. I stood up and stretched. I had not seen Lochlaan, or any of the Carpe Noctem since they apprehended me in the forest. I looked at the table and noticed a plate with two fruit pastries on it. Next to the plate was a charger full oftea.
“Eve,” I said under my breath and scarfed down the food andtea.
As I ate, I began to play out the option of befriending Eve. Perhaps she could help me. She certainly seemed as though she wanted to help me, and she seemed to trustme.
I waited around all day long in my cell. I leaned against the bars and observed everything that I could. Though my hearing was somewhat distorted at times, I listened very carefully and looked from side to side. No one walked by. It was as though my cell was not on a path that anyone frequently traveled. Nor had anyone guarded this area. At least not in my immediate area. I heard no one near me, at least, no CarpeNoctem.
As the sun began to set, I determined that there was a chance that last night I may have been able to escape. If I had ran past Eve, I may have been able to make it to the forest. I could have gone at least until now undetected. The forest was not very faraway.
I turned my head in the direction of the stone steps to my left. I had heard footsteps growing louder as the distortion began to clear. I had hoped it would be Eve, mostly so I could see that she was ok and that it was not her screaming in thenight.
The auburn colored hair of Eve’s came into view. Though she was coming up the steps, she was facing the direction she had just come from. When she came fully into view, I could see that she had a plate in her hands. When she saw that I was looking in her direction, she stalled and slowed herpace.
“Hello, Eve,” I greeted her andsmiled.
Her cheeks blushed as she pulled the key from the pocket in her smock. She opened the door to my cell and brought the plate inside and set it on the table. Tonight, there were two breadrolls.
“Thank you for staying and having a meal with me, Eve. It is very lonely here,” Isaid.
“You are welcome,” she said with asmile.
I handed her one whole bread roll, and she began to quickly eat. Though it was on the tip of my tongue to ask her if she had been screaming last night, I feared that it would frighten her, and she would leave and never return. Right now, I neededher.
“Is that a bracelet?” I asked and pointed to the gathered red threads that hung from herwrist.
“Yes,” she said with a smile. I could tell that she was excited that someone hadnoticed.
“Did you makeit?”
“I did, yes. I fix some clothes and collect the strings when they come off. I keep them according to color, and I had enough to make thisone.”
