Seven

ZODAR

Stephanie sighed as she dug with a shovel. She had been working all morning with an empty stomach. The only food she had was bread and jam which she saved for later.

The guards would not let her get food nor fend for herself, they will not even take it if a supernatural was seen resting instead of working. That was how life is now in Zodar, living for the king and the king alone.

"Keep working you fools. The king wants more gold to be dug before this evening" The guard said as he watched every supernatural working.

"Such cruel people!" Stephanie cried and then she spotted an old witch who looked tired and hungry"

"Hey ma'am, do rest for a while" She said as she helped the woman sit on the grass.

"I am very tired and hungry. I haven't eaten anything for three days now. She said as she coughed.

"Ma'am, manage this, you need it more than me. Please eat" She said as she fed the woman her bread.

"Thank you my dear, but will you eat now?"

"I am full now that you have eaten. Please go home and rest, I will work for you"

"My dear, I do not have a home. My home was demolished and I have been sleeping outdoors since then" She said as she bowed her head.

"Ok ma'am, I will take you to my house" she said.

The guard noticed that two people were missing and sighted Stephanie and an old woman sitting under a tree.

"Hey you! what are you doing sitting down there? Did i give you permission to rest? Now get on your knees, i will give you each thirty strokes, that will teach you a lesson"

"No please sir, this lady was hungry and tired, that was why I brought her here to rest"

"What a rude fairy you are, challenging a chief guard like me? Both of you should kneel down"

"Please do not whip the poor old woman, she has done nothing wrong, I am the one at fault"

"I will punish her and you do not have a say in it so you better behave and kneel down"

"I am willing to take mine and the old woman's punishment, please do not punish her" Stephanie knelt, begging the guard.

"Okay then, lie down on the ground" He said

She lay on the grass and the guard flogged her. Each stroke of cain made her whimper, the pain, too much to bear.

"Now both of you should get out there and work now" He said as he pushed the old woman.

Stephanie caught her before she fell.

"Dont worry ma'am, go seat behind that tree, where no one will see you, i will complete your work for you"

"Thank you very much my daughter" she said as she limped to the tree Stephanie suggested.

_

Stephanie sighed as she dropped the shovel. She was through with her work and old woman's. She dusted her dress and went to the tree that the old woman hid. She was shocked to see the old woman lying helplessly on the grass.

"Ma'am, are you alright?" she asked as she helped the old woman up.

"Let me take you to my place" She said as she supported the old woman, leading her to her abode.

"Now you can rest ma'am" She said as she helped the woman lie in the bed.

"Let me go find you something to eat" She said, but was stopped by the woman who held her hand.

"Dont go my child, i dont have much time to live".

"No, you will be fine soon. I just have to get you drugs and food"

"No my daughter, sit beside me. I want to tell you something" She said as Stephanie sat beside her.

"I was the midwife who brought Queen Graciella's child into this world. I was the one who nursed her and baby sitted her when her mother was always busy. I unfortunately witnessed the King's death and i saw the Queens dead body.

"But I never saw or heard of the death of little Keira. I searched high and low for her, over the mountains, under the seas and through the desserts, but i did not find her"

"Till I consulted the middle east witch who told me the baby was alive and well, but was in a strange land.

"I thought about it and thought maybe she was outside Zodar.

"I visited all the planets. All except earth. I could not go to earth because i was getting weaker and old age began to dawn on me"

"But why are you telling me all this ma'am ?" Stephanie asked.

"Because I want you to go to earth and find our ruler, our destined queen and the future of Zodar. I am sure shesin earth and I want you to find her and bring her here"

"Me? but I have lost all my powers to King Rexandro and I am not a warrior or a witch like you"

"You are capable my dear, and that is why I am entrusting this to you. The future of Zodar is in your hands.

"Go find the Queen and help her find the sceptre of good magic. It was believed to be hidden underneath Zodar, due east, into the waters and under the zoo of the dead. It is in your hands now my child.

"Go.....go.......goooo" She shouted as she kicked the buckets.

"Ma'am?" Stephanie whispered but she couldn't be heard.

Her body rose into the air and disappeared, forming tiny crystals which floated on the air. It went through the window and into the great beyond.

"I don't know why you chose me ma'am but i wont let you down. I will find her and bring her back to Zodar. Its a promise i am willing to make"

She said as she got up from the bed. She changed her clothes and made her way out of her house. She closed the door and locked it. She stared at it for awhile as she went deep in thoughts.

"I have lived in this house all my life, this was the property my parents left me and the only shelter i have. Now I will have to leave this world of comfort and move on" She said as she admired the house before setting out on a journey, a journey that is yet to begin.

AT THE COLLEGE

Finally, the day of the interview came. All the students who passed the entry exams were seen in a class. Each person, when called will enter a room full of moderators who asks questions.

Lilian hurried down the hallway. She was late. She bumped into someone, making her fall.

"Are you blind? dont you have eyes?" Kelvin asked as he stared at the girl in front of him.

"I am sorry" he apologised, with her head bowed.

Then she ran all the way to the hall. Only stopping when she reached the door that led into the hall where all the interviewers where all the students who were to be interviewed were seated.

Finally, it was Lilian's turn. She was called to the room and was asked some questions. She answered all perfectly but was given a low score.

Lilian didn't know about this, only the Principal and the assumed moderators. She left and was about to go when someone called her.

It was the same woman who helped her when she had no card to enter the exam hall.

"Where are you going my dear? the interview isnt over yet" she said

"But i just had mine just now, im going home now"

"No dear, follow me. Your interview is about to start" She said as she held Lilian's hand.

"Who are you? one of the moderators asked.

"I was sent by the college of examination to interview the students, but i want to interview only one because time isnt in my side"

"I met this girl on the stairs and decided to interview her. Seat down my dear" She said referring to Lilian.

She asked her some questions and scored her well.

"I have already marked her so no one has the right to stop her from entering this school. She must enter or else I will peraonally make sure I shut your school down" She said as she looked around.

"Do not worry madam, she has passed" The Principal said as he frowned.

"That is good. I will leave now" She said

She nudged Lilian to follow her. They climbed down the stairs, and went outside the college.

"Always believe in yourself dear and you will never fail. Go home and prepare for school. Ill always be with you and protect you" She said as she turned Lilian towards the road.

"But....." she said and then she turned, but no one was there. All she saw was a ray of light which shone and disappeared into that same sparkle.

That same sparkle that she saw coming out of her necklace, that sparkle that always brought good luck to her.

"It cannot be" She said as she touched the sparkle. It touched her face and rested on her necklace.

"Who is she and why does she live in my necklace?" She asked herself as she touched her necklace.

"I never knew I had someone in my necklace. She must be a very powerful witch. No, witches dont exist, or maybe a mermaid, No, mermaids dont exist. A fairy?, who am i kidding? fairies dont exist"

She said as she walked, leaving the school premises.