From the Depths

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have your world turned upside down? To have it change in the blink of an eye?

Kirea did, and far too many times than she should. Often inspired by fantasy novels or fairy tales, she gazed out across the ocean with a heavy sigh. Her mind was running away from her as she was lost in a state of daydreaming.

Although, her life was anything but boring, perhaps that was why she found comfort in these little dreams. She was constantly busy, never really free to enjoy any time to herself, besides the few moments before bed in which she could read. Stealing moments in time to catch glimpses of the sea, brought so much joy. She wanted nothing more than to be out there, free from the everyday bindings of boring everyday life.

“Kirea dear, we have another customer!” Her mother called from the other room.

Her gaze came back into focus at the same time as her mind, her large brown eyes staring back at her in the window’s reflection. She shoved the rest of her rather plain sandwich into her mouth and dusted herself off. That was enough daydreaming for today. Back to work. She quickly braided her scarlet hair over her shoulder and wrapped her apron around her slender frame, before joining her mother in the clinic.

Kirea was her mother’s apprentice, though many thought that she had far exceeded her mother’s capabilities. She had learnt a lot from her mother, and would never try to take the clinic away or branch off to start a new one, it simply didn’t feel right to her. The town’s folk had long since grown a custom to calling her an animal whisperer. They claimed she could talk to animals, but the truth was far from the wishful thinking of their clients. She just has a good sense and a vast array of knowledge, partly thanks to her reading, not just fantasy novels.

“Quickly, Kirea, the young mare is in dire condition, I need your assistance.” Her mother, a woman by the name of Doris, was already examining the horse, a confused look posed on her expression. Her own rusty red locks also tired back, she was basically an older more worn version of her daughter.

She could tell her mother was at a loss for what had happened to the sweet little thing. Kirea quickly put on some gloves and reached for the young stead ready to provide aid.

“Pulse is weak and irregular, she is having muscle tremors too...” She lowered her head to the animal’s mouth, she could barely feel it breathing.

“Labored breathing.” She glanced at her mother as the older women gasped coming to the same conclusion.

“Poison.” They said in unison.

“That cannot be!” The owner of the mare was rather distraught by the news.

He was a local farmer and one who actually cared for the animals he raised. It was heartbreaking to see him so concerned for his little companion.

“Mr Pinly, have you recently started growing any new plants around or near the horse stables or paddocks?” Kirea asked.

He was shaking his head. “I make sure not to have crops harmful to them, the tomato vines are in the greenhouse and the onions are nowhere near them.”

“What of trees?” Her mother asked.

“The wife did pick up some tree saplings, but she knows that we can’t have Maple.”

“Were they Yew trees by chance?” Kirea questioned.

The man’s eyes widened in shock, and he nodded.

“I would advise to get rid of them. Or in the least move them.”

“Yes ma’am!”

“Leave her with us overnight, we will care for her and try to get the poison out of her system.” Kirea’s mother left her with the mare while she walked the shaken-up farmer outside.

The pumping of an animal’s stomach was not a pleasant sight, it was always best to do so without the owners around. She immediately got to work once he was out of site. The sooner they got the leaves out of the poor thing’s stomach the sooner the body could focus on healing and recovery.

After forcing the horse to expel its stomach countenance, the day didn’t stop. Farmers continually brought in their sick or injured animals for treatment.

But today was different, today did not end like the rest, she got her wish but in the worst impossible way, she could have imagined. She would get her wish, but not in the way she wanted...

The sun was setting on the horizon by the time her mother had collapsed at her desk. Placing a small blanket over her she headed outside to start bringing in the signs and closing up the clinic. That was when a convoy of what appeared to be soldiers on horseback approached the dwelling. It was utterly unexpected, the royal knights never had a need to come out this far, what were they doing here?

They were in full uniform; plate shoulders, chest pieces and helms, they were covered head to toe in shining metal. It must make it hard to move, she thought also wondering how long it took to take the getup off and on again. But it was extremely unusual for such men to be coming to such a peaceful town. What was their purpose here, were they lost?

“Miss Kirea Riverton?” One asked, his head held high, his voice stern and commanding. It was intimidating, to say the least.

“Y-yes?” She answered timidly. Clearly, they were not lost, her mind was racing, what did this mean? Why did they know her name?

Her mother hastily exited the building, concern on her face. “You have business with my daughter?” She asked. She must have woken to the sound of the horses and the clang of their armour, they weren’t a quiet bunch.

“By order of King Haith Venoctus the Third, your presence is requested.” He responded. His helm hid his face, but Kirea could tell he was growing impatient.

“For what purpose!?” Kirea’s mother stepped in front of her in a show of defiance.

“Woman that is none of your concern.” He spat back with venom.

“With all due respect, the kingdom has already taken my husband, what could you possibly want with my daughter!” Her mother stood her ground, protecting her child.

Kirea’s hand clenched tightly on the back of her mother’s blouse. She may be in her twenties but in that moment she felt like a child. Her heart was racing and her eyes darted around confused with this situation.

Her father had been taken when she was only a child and never returned. Her mother had told her that he had fought and died in the Great Demon War. A time when mystical and magical beings had come out from hiding and tried to take over the land. They had learnt Demon's, elves, dwarfs and shape-shifters were all real. But truth be told they don’t know what had actually happened to him.

“You will be well compensated for the loss to your household-” He began only to be cut off.

“COMPENSATED! This is MY daughter, no price is worth her life to me.” Her mother hissed back.

The man dismounted his horse and took a step forward. He backhanded her mother, Kirea's eyes opened wide as she saw droplets of blood spray from her mother’s mouth as if in slow motion. Her mother had been thrown by the sheer force of the blow and landed with a heavy thud to the side. The so-called knight was about to strike her again when Kirea jumped forward covering her mother with her own body.

“I WILL GO!” She shouted as tears began to run down her cheeks. “I will go...” She whispered again.

The Lord of this land was anything but kind, but what could he want with her? It didn’t matter in that moment, nothing but her mother mattered. To keep her safe, she would do anything, she was all she had left, all she cared for, all that mattered.

“My mother will be well looked after correct? Even if I were to...” She trailed off, it was all too well known that very little woman left the castle of Haith... alive, and if they did they certainly weren’t whole anymore.

The man snickered knowing precisely what she meant. “Aid to your mother and the town will not stop, so long as you behave and play your part while you remain at the castle.”

She felt a chill run up her spine, every fibre in her being was standing on end. It wasn’t reassurance, it was a threat. If she didn’t play nice and survive her stay her mother and the town, would pay the price. She stood slowly and side-stepped over her mother. She looked back over her shoulder as tears streaked down her face.

“I love you.” She said.

“No, no no, no. Please Kirea.” Her mother sat up, her face now covered in blood, dirt and tears. “I can’t lose you too!”

Her heart was breaking and her bottom lip trembled. She didn't want to go and she couldn’t promise that she would return, she couldn’t say anything in that moment. She didn’t know what was to come.

The knight’s hand gripped her arm tightly as she was yanked toward his horse. She went obediently, mounting the horse after him. She watched as her mother broke down behind them, slamming her fists onto the ground countless times. The distance that slowly separated them only added to the ache she felt in her chest.

Would she ever see her again? Would she ever be the same? As her home faded into the distance her head sank. The man in control of the horse appeared shift and rigid. Words were spoken and he short orders back at them but she couldn't concentrate on what was actually said.

She remained silent and she was stolen away from her home. Fearful of what would befall her mother and her town if she tried to escape. So... have you ever wondered if life could change in the blink of an eye? Because for Kirea, that day, it did.