6 years later....

It was the early of the morning when Ezra had woken up. Wiping the sleep from her eyes she got up from her tiny mattress. She made her way out of her room grabbing the water bucket.

She stepped over her mother who was still asleep on the floor. Stepping out of their tiny house she made her way towards the back of the house. They got their water from a near by pond that sat at the back of their house.

Six years had passed since Ezra had been taken out of the orphanage and reunited with her mother. Now at 11 years old Ezra had started to understand the truth of her living situation.

Her mother and her were very poor. They made little money and  unfortunately Ezra couldn't attend school. Instead she helped her mother at the local bakery shop at the edge of the village.

Pouring some water over her head she grabbed the tiny bar of soap. They had to wake very early in the morning as not alot of people were out and about. She washed her long dark tresses making sure to scrub her body well.

When she was finished she wrapped herself in an old towel. Walking back inside the house she got dressed before making her way to the kitchen. She put a pot  of water on to make some oatmeal for her and her mother.

A few minutes later she grabbed the only bowl they had eating her breakfast first. Her mother still fast asleep she quickly finished her portion of food before tapping on her mother softly.

"Mama... I'm going to the market. They are having a fair today" she whispered softly in her mother's ear. Her mother immediately awoke her dark hair tousled blocking her face.

"Don't forget to buy milk. Only buy what we need. And don't talk to strangers" her mother warned still half asleep. Ezra kisses her forehead before grabbing their basket.

When the fair was in town it was best to go early. The last time she had gone late all that had been left was some hard bread and cheese. She walked down the quiet path her feet padding against the dewy ground.

The air was chilly this morning as winter was about to come. Quickly walking down the path she could already see the line of people forming. Living in a world that was divided, her mother had made sure to make her aware of what the real world was like.

Ezra had no clue who her father was. Her mother had refused to talk about him and when they were out in public she would always warn her about talking to strangers.

"There are bad people in this world Ezra. That is why we must stay protected" her mother would say. Her mother was always afraid.

She was glad that she at least had her mother. Back at the orphanage it wasn't a bad place but it wasn't home either. Home was wherever her mother was and she vowed to always take care of her mother.

Stepping on line she was the fourth person. She watched as the town men began setting things up. This time she hoped to get lots of delicious foods. The fair wouldn't take place until next month so she needed to make sure she collected enough food.

An hour had passed by and they finally let people in. Ezra grabbed almost everything in sight from fruits to vegetables to meat. She was glad she had brought the bigger basket this time.

As she was collecting food she stopped to glance at a poster. It was nailed to a tree and it read...

Wanted for kidnapping. Reward of 500 coins if found!

The poster was of a drawing of a women with dark hair. What was strange was the features that were described matched her mothers. With a shrug she continued to walk around the fair. She grabbed some apples knowing how much her mother loved them.

Lost in her own little world she didn't hear the sudden thud of horses riding towards the fair. A small crowd of people began to form as two guards on horses stopped.

Ezra walked towards the crowd with curiosity. She could barely see what was going on as she was very short.

"May we have everyone's attention. We are looking for this women, she has taken something very precious to the Grinverdales family. If you know of her or have seen her please notify us. Your hard work will be rewarded".

The crowd began to murmur amongst themselves. The poster that the guard was holding was the same poster she had seen pinned to a tree. Having a bad feeling about it she discreetly made her way back towards the path that led her home.

Her ring fingers gripped the basket of goods tightly. She had to get to her mother as she knew she would be worried. A few minutes later she could see her small house just up ahead.

She ran inside to see her mother packing up what little they had. "Mama... what's going on" Ezra asked as she watched her mother.

"Ezra... go and pack up your things. We need to leave now"! Her mother took the basket from her hands pushing her towards the only room in the small house.

She followed her mother's orders packing up her diary and a few clothes she had. When she was done she made her way out the room to her mother.

Pulling her daughter in her arms Nora murmured a few words. She casted a water spell surrounding her and her daughter. It would make them appear hidden but would only last a couple of hours.

Nora grabbed Ezra's hand pulling her outside just in time before the thudding of horse hooves could be heard. They walked deep into the forest walking miles upon miles.

Ezra had no idea where they were headed. She turned her head back to no longer see there tiny home. She kept quiet the whole way they had been walking. Her mother seemed rather determined to be distance away from there home.

After walking for at least two hours her mother decided to take rest. They ate some bread with cheese. When they had enough Nora pulled her daughter into her lap. She stroked her dark hair back from her face.

"Mama... where are going"? Ezra asked as her mother softly stroked her hair. Her mother didn't say anything for a few mintues. Ezra turned looking straight in her mother's eyes, she saw nothing but utter pain.

Ezra took her small hand placing it on her mother's cheek. "You can tell me mama... I won't tell anyone" she whispered. Tears welled up in her mother's eyes and she continued to stare down at her.

Nora didn't know how to explain to her daughter that her father was trying to find her. He was threatening to take her away from her and she knew if he ever found them she would never see her daughter again.

But she also knew it was unfair. To keep her daughter in the dark. She had a right to know who her father was. She couldn't keep this from her any longer Ezra was old enough to understand.

"Ezra my love. You know mama wants the best for you. I will always protect you from harm's way even if it cost me my life" her mother spoke softly.

Ezra had no idea where she was going with this but she remained quiet. "Ezra your father... is a very strong man and.... before you were born we were in love. Nothing could keep us apart but... we lived different lives. He lived a life filled with riches while I... I was a servant. I worked for his family along side my mother. It was forbidden for us to be together so when his father found out about us he banished me".

Ezra could see how painful it was for her mother to tell the story. But she wanted to know, no needed to know the truth. She had always been curious as to who her father was. She had no clue her father was a man that was well known.

"Ezra your father... he knows I gave birth to his child. But he doesn't know your name or anything. He's been trying to find you so that he can meet you. Do you want to see your father"?

Ezra wasn't sure she was ready to meet him. Of course she had always been curious about him but the thought of finally meeting him... scared her a bit.

"You don't have to answer now. Ezra my love... I won't be angry if you want to see your father. It is up to you". No matter how scared she was Nora knew she was doing the right thing.

They drifted off to sleep that night as they huddled together. No clue what would await them the next day.