Chapter 7-

Isabella woke up just as the sun was going down. She was amazed at how long she had slept. Outside she could hear the sound of chopping wood. She got up with a jolt and limped ever so slightly out of the door.
Alexander was cutting up firewood. He turned around suddenly.
“How are you feeling?” He smiled as sweat poured down his forehead.
“ Much better thanks.”

There was an awkward silence.
“Would you like to see something incredible?” Alexander said suddenly.
“Um…yes?”
“Good.” Alexander laughed. He held her hand gently and lead her into the woods behind the house.

They walked for quite some time in darkness. Her palm warming in his. She could hear his soft breathing close to her ear. She could see nothing but she felt safe with Alexander.

They made their way towards what looked like a White beam of light.
“Here we are.”

As they got closer Isabella realised that this was not a beam of light. But a ball of light. Flickers of strangely shaped and coloured things floated out in every angle.

“What are these?” She asked perplexed.
“These are fairies.” He smiled. “Another thing that you don’t have where you live?”
“No… I thought fairies were… myths. Stories.”
Alexander only smiled.
“Fairies are said to be the keepers of the forests. They looked after the land after it was created. They reside in the forests to keep all the magic inside them.”
“Why have I never seen them before?” Isabella asked.
“There are a few reasons. One of the reasons is that there are less and less forests now so hardly any places for them to take refuge. Second reason is they have began to fear humans - - some of them will hide as soon as they can sense them. They fear that humans will eventually take all the forests from the fairies. They only show themselves to animals or forest children - like myself.”

“But I’m not..”

“You’re still holding my hand.”

Isabella let go suddenly and the shapes that had formed the ball exploded off into different directions. They were stuck in the darkness of the woods once more.

“Rude.” Alexander joked. He sat down.
“Shouldn’t we go back now?” Isabella said nervously.
Alexander blew a red substance onto the ground next to him and a blazing fire appeared.
Isabella jumped back in fright.
“Where did you learn to do that?!?”
“My mother taught me. Its old magic. Its herbs and special flowers… a kind of old potion.”
Alexander noticed the shocked look on Isabella’s face.
“No one does this where you live either?” Alexander asked.
Isabella shook her head.
“Can we go back now please.”
“Why don’t you like the woods?”
“The woods aren’t a smart place for a young woman to be at night.”
“Why not?”
“There are… dangerous people in the woods… robbers. And murderers”
“There’s no other people in the this forest.”
“Scary animals then.”
“Listen.” Alexander said getting up. “I wouldn’t let anyone hurt you. You are safe with me.” He said and placed his hand awkwardly on her shoulder.

Isabella looked around anxiously.
“Come sit by the fire.”


Alexander sat close by Isabella.
“Tell me something about you.”
“ Like what? I’m not very interesting.” Isabella laughed nervously.
“I’ve not met another human in 9 years. Anything is interesting. What kind of trade were your parents in?”
“Well…. They were Gypsies. I never got to learn much about them.”
“That’s interesting . See.. Your not so bad at this.” He smiled.
“What about your mother?” Isabella asked.
“She was a healer. She made things. Looked after animals. Nurtured plant life. She was a really interesting person. Far removed from the society you live in however.”
“Did she always live here?” Isabella asked kindly.
“No.. believe it or not. She ran away from home. Her father died when she was a child and her mother remarried to a ghastly man who used to lock her away. He didn’t let her have friends like the other children her age. Her mother and her step-dad forgot about her. They had a new child. Her mother was overpowered by her new husband. It was almost like he had a spell over her or something. So on the eve of her 15 birthday she ran away into the forest, she made friends with a witch. The witch made her work and cook and sow for her but in return she taught my mother wonderful things and gave her a bed to sleep in at night. My mother learned to love this place and never left it again. She always used to say to me
‘For all the world and all its wonder there is nothing more beautiful than this forest.’”

“She sounds like she was a wise woman.” Isabella added.
“She was.” Alexander smiled. “Well.. What do you plan on doing when you get home?”
“I don’t really have a choice Alexander. I‘ll be going back to work”
“What do you mean?”
“ Well… where I come from people have positions.. I was born into this world a penniless worker and that is how I will die. My only hope of happiness is to marry someone a little above my rank and a little richer than I. But my rank being so low - I am barely noticed.”
“ I don’t understand.”
“ I am a servant for a middle class man Alexander. The lowest of the low. The more money you have in this world - the more power - the more privilege. People like me -- especially being female could be killed for merely speaking out of turn to someone of high rank.”

“Why.. Why are there ranks?”
“it’s the way its always been Alexander.”
“But that’s stupid”
“I know.”
“Why would you want to go back to a place like that?”
“it’s the only home I have.” Isabella said sadly.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. I know nothing of your life.”
“ It’s ok.” she sighed.
“Will you do something for me though.”
“like what?”
“Stay one week? If you like this place then you are welcome to stay. If I cant convince you then at least I will have tried.”
“You are only saying that because you are lonely.”
“Perhaps. Will you stay for the week?”
“…. yes.”
“Good.” Alexander said.

To look at Alexander at that moment. His face showed an expression of complete indifference. But his eyes - - they were his downfall. In Isabella’s answer they began to sparkle, and Isabella knew it had begun.