It was one of the wettest days of the year. You could see it was autumn, the countryside had turned into a swamp. Lea Hartfell was picking the last apples when the rain popped out of the sky. She cursed and ran to the farm with the basket that contained the apples. Once inside she put the basket on the counter, dripping with water and mud. "Gosh, say what weather it is," said Mura, Lea’s mother. She stood in the kitchen cutting potatoes for dinner. Leah took off her cloak that was completely wet and covered in mud and hung it on the coat rack. "Tell me something, luckily I picked all the apples just in time." Mura put down her knife and walked over to the coat rack and looked at the dirty cloak. "Yes, we really can't get this clean anymore, I think you need a new one." "I'll tell your father so he can take back one from the city." Lea smiled, "Thanks, Mom." Mura winked at her and returned to the kitchen. Lea took off her boots that were covered in mud and walked to the living room. The fireplace crackled and filled the house with warmth. She settled on the couch and picked up a book. She was reading a novel from an author she had never heard of. She liked to read books, especially when the weather was bad. It was the best moment to read a book especially with a cup of tea. The smell from the kitchen was unbelievably good. Her mother was making her favorite evening meal. Tomorrow they would make an apple pie out of the freshly picked apples. There was nothing better than that. Her father would return from the city tomorrow. He was visiting his brother and had to be in the city for work.

Mura walked into the living room. "Lea, I'm short on ingredients for tomorrow's apple pie, can you get them now before the market closes? Otherwise, you won't have an apple pie tomorrow. " "Okay, only I don't have a cloak that's not completely soaked". "You can take my cloak, it's dry. Now be quick before it starts raining again!” Lea grabbed a bag and put on her mother's Bordeaux red cloak and closed the door behind her. She didn't want to go out again because of this weather, but otherwise, she wouldn't have a cake tomorrow. So she just started walking, it was finally dry. The wind was cold and she clamped the cloak a little closer around her. She was walking on a forest path that was muddy and hoped that her mother's cloak would not get dirty. In the distance, she saw some lights flickering. When she was a bit closer, she saw the soldiers setting up camp. She heard that they would pass by their village. It was a small legion of the royal army. They had just returned from a mission in the south and were returning to the capital. They were certainly on the road for a few days. It wasn't a short trip to the capital, at least that's what she had heard from her parents. She had never been there before but had heard many stories about it. After looking at the soldiers, she went on to the market. When she finally arrived at the market, they were already breaking down and quickly hurried to the baker's stall. The woman at the booth was not very happy with her, but she ignored that. She asked about the ingredients and took a few copper coins from her hip bag and handed it to the woman. Who grabbed the money and walked away. She also turned and walked back home. It was already dark by now. The sun had disappeared behind the forest. She looked up through the trees and saw that the moon was hidden behind a thick layer of clouds. After a view minutes, she saw the camp again, it was all set up. Dirty textile tents were set up in a line. The horses and carts stood opposite the tents. There were fire pits around the camp that gave warmth to the camp. Moments later she saw a cart with bars that she didn't saw before. There was a person in it. She looked at the camp and sneaked in the direction of the cart. When she was a little closer but still at a safe distance, she saw that the person was a young man. He had dirty blonde hair and was covered with blood. He looked beaten up as if he had been tortured. Just when she was studying it from where she was standing. He turned his head and looked directly into her eyes. She was surprised to see that his eyes were bright and alert. You could see he was tough. Suddenly she heard voices coming from the tents coming this way. She startled and hid behind another cart. The voices came closer and stopped when they finally stood in front of the cage. "So this is him," said an older man with a heavy voice. He looked at the young man who was sitting with his head down with his hands in chains. "Yes, Commander, we tried to hear him out, but he did not tell a thing," said a younger soldier. The commander made a low agreeing sound and took his sword and went with his sword along the bars. Immediately the prisoner jumped up. Alert but calm, he looked at the Commander. The Commander nodded with a grin and turned to the soldier. "Give him less food from now on, then we'll see if it breaks him. Otherwise, something awaits him in the city. "When finally no more voices and footsteps were heard, she looked at the prisoner one last time and walked back home. He was put there for a good reason she convinced herself as she walked on.

When she finally got home with the ingredients, it started raining again, so she quickly entered the house. She took off her boots and returned her mother's cloak to the cloak stand. Luckily, he hadn't gotten dirty. "That took a long time! Was the market still there? "." Yes, only that woman was not very happy with me. " Said Lea as she put the bag of ingredients on the dining table. "Yes, that woman is a very difficult lady". Mura grinned "The food is ready in a minute, do you want to set the table?" Mura asked. Lea nodded and started to set the table. When she wanted to get the plates she saw the beautiful porcelain set of her grandmother. It was beautifully painted, they used it for special occasions, such as birthdays or when an important person came by. She finally took the normal plates from the cabinet and placed it on the table. The food was ready and Mura put the pans on the table. They were just about to start eating when there was a knock at the door. Mura walked over and opened the door. There was a boy all wet standing in the doorway. His face was pale and looked around anxiously. "Are you Mura?" "Mura nodded," Yes I am, what can I do for you child? ". "I have an emergency letter for you," he took it from under his coat and handed it to her. Mura took it and looked at it. "Thank you, young..." when Mura wanted to thank him, he had already disappeared into the rain. She peered through the darkness but he was gone. She closed the door and walked to the dining room with the letter in her hands. "What is that mom?"Asked lea. Mura said nothing and opened the seal on the letter. While she was reading she turned pale and her eyes began to water. Lea was shocked by her mother's reaction. When her mother finished reading, Lea asked: "Mom, what's in it?" Mura picked up the letter and stood up and threw it in the fireplace. Lea followed her into the living room "Mom! What are you doing? What is going on! Answer!". "Lea, we have to get out of here as quickly as possible. Grab a bag, a few comfortable and warm clothes, our spare money and some food that doesn't spoil quickly. " "Why?" "I explain that on the way, now hurry!" Lea ran upstairs and took everything her mother had asked of her. She looked around her room and picked up her grandmother's necklace, which meant a lot to her, and put it under her clothes. When she came down again, her mother was ready. She too had a bag on her back and wore a black cloak. Lea wanted to take the red cloak, but her mother handed her a black one and she silently accepted it. Mura went to the fireplace and put out the fire. Now the house was all dark. Lea's eyes had to adjust to the darkness. Her mother walked through the house one more time and unlocked the door. "Lea, I'll tell you everything when we're on the road. Now you have to listen and do exactly what I say. She hesitated and then moved her arm. She took something from under her cloak and handed it to Lea. To her great surprise, she saw that it was a dagger. "Hide this in one of your boots, remember only to use it when a person gets too close, understood?" Lea nodded silently and took the dagger and put it in her boot. "Now, follow me," Mura said quietly, putting on her hood. Mura opened the door and walked quickly to the stable. Lea followed. When they entered the stable, two horses where waiting. As fast as they could they saddled them up and moved them out of the stable into the rain. And after a last check on the house, they got on the horses and rode into the rainy night. Lea saw her house get smaller and smaller. She felt she would never see it again. And as the trees blocked the view on the house, she blinked away the tears and followed her mother at a steady pace.