The Twisted Tale of Saffron Schmidt Read online

  The Twisted Tale

  of

  Saffron Schmidt

  By

  C.J. Laurence

  Copyright © 2019 C.J. Laurence

  www.cjlauthor.com

  All rights reserved.

  Cover Designer: Dark Imaginarium Art

  No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to locales, events, business establishments, or actual persons—living or dead—is entirely coincidental.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  DEDICATION

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

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  Also By C.J. Laurence

  DEDICATION

  For my wonderful friend, Elicia. I value you more than you know.

  Chapter One

  Saffron slid her small palm over the smooth brown leather cover of her new book. When she opened it, she beamed with joy. Its crinkled, aged pages were thick and musty smelling. Each right-hand page harboured a beautiful hand drawn picture of the story being told in curly black handwriting on the left-hand page.

  “Let’s begin, children,” Frau Hood said, standing at the front of the classroom. “Here is your history of our prosperous town...”

  ONCE UPON A TIME, THERE lived a beautiful forest queen. A magnificent being so dainty and elegant, everything around her thrived with life. One day, a man from the city hiked through the abundant woods, curious what lovely sights he may find hidden inside to distract him from the ugliness of the modern world.

  After hours of fighting with thick branches and losing sense of direction, Wilhelm Holtzmann finally pushed through the other side of the forest to set eyes upon a vast open plain. Lush green grass spread over the horizon, encircled by the woods completely.

  Wilhelm fell in love instantly. He skipped across the long grass, laughing and thanking the universe for such splendour. Immediately he knew this was the place where he could escape the confines and mental struggles of a society he had come to hate. This was where he wanted to raise his family.

  Mapping things out in his mind, Wilhelm started making plans for the home he would build here. Then he thought of his friends and other family members, realising that despite his hatred for the City, he couldn’t live without seeing them.

  “I’ll invite them, too,” he thought to himself. “There is more than enough room here for all of us.”

  And so, Wilhelm was soon imagining a village, an old-fashioned community where money was a foreign substance, and everyone pitched in to help survive—the way it should be.

  Full of ideas and joy, Wilhelm turned to go home, only to be met with a pulsing green light blinding his view. As he tried to push forwards, the light became stronger, and as it burned brighter, started to hum with a low-pitched tremor.

  Wilhelm, frightened, fell backwards, staring up at the paranormal phenomenon. The light lessened, and as it did, the shadow of a small human started to form in the centre of its presence. As Wilhelm took in the breath-taking sight before him, a soft, female voice spoke to him through his mind. Entranced by her gentle tones, Wilhelm could do nothing but listen.

  “I can see your mind, human. I can feel your emotions; your pain, your hope, your need for freedom. My forest can provide you with what you seek, however, should you treat this place with anything but the utmost respect, you will be immediately removed from my domain. What you reap, you must sow, and there will be no death except those of natural causes.”

  Wilhelm nodded, hypnotised by the fairy floating in front of him. The light faded away, taking with it the exquisite forest spirit. Excited for his new adventure, Wilhelm immediately got to work, telling his friends and family of his marvellous idea. Within a few weeks, wooden frames turned into cosy homes, spread apart on the vast expanse of lush green grass. The towns folk decided to call their new home ‘Sehrstadt’ which loosely translated meant ‘Very Town’. Their new home was very beautiful, very fruitful, and very giving. It was a place of very good things to come.

  The fairy Queen lived for many, many years, deep inside the rich forest surrounding the village of Sehrstadt. However, after centuries of pouring her life essence into the wonderful woodland, the Queen died without an heir.

  Within days, the forest started to die, no longer kept alive by the pure heartbeat of a worthy Queen. The Queen’s confidantes summoned Wilhelm to the heart of forest and demanded he leave or provide the forest with a new Queen. Panicked and desperate to keep his blooming family in Sehrstadt, Wilhelm consulted with his closest family and friends.

  It was decided, to repay the fairies for their generosity over the years, that they would indeed sacrifice one of their own to take on the role of being Queen. After deliberation with the fairies, it was revealed that they needed a young, innocent female whose pure essence could give the forest the heartbeat it needed to continue thriving. Desperate to keep his community together, Wilhelm said he would give them his own seventeen-year-old daughter, Adala.

  However, to be deemed worthy enough of filling the empty throne, Adala would have to endure thirty days and thirty nights in the forest, surviving solely off the fruits offered to her by nature. Only if she survived this would she be crowned as the forest spirits new Queen.

  Not wanting to scare Adala away from the monumental task ahead, Wilhelm kept quiet about the mission she faced. Instead, he asked her to go into the forest to seek out a rare ‘corpse’ flower before the autumn equinox. It was needed because of its pungent smell similar to that of a rotting corpse.

  “We need it to keep the rodents away from the grain during winter,” he said to her, handing her a basket of water, bread, nuts, and berries. “There is enough for a few days. You should be back before then.”

  Adala, full of excitement to complete such an important task for her father, skipped out into the forest, her blue cotton dress swinging above her knees, and her red riding hood billowing out behind her.

  The townsfolk held their breath for the next thirty days. When the browning leaves suddenly turned evergreen, birds started chirping morning songs once more, and the forest bustled again with energy, Sehrstadt realised that Adala had done the impossible—she had survived the forest and been deemed worthy of being their new Queen.

  And so, in deep respect to pay thanks to Adala, every seventeen years, a young seventeen-year-old girl has been sent out into the forest to carry out the same journey that Adala did all those years ago. A stunning carved statue of Wilhelm’s firstborn is situated in the middle of the for
est and offerings are made to it by the chosen girl.

  To say thanks for the ritual, Adala grants the chosen one an escape from the forest, letting them pass through and into the wide world beyond.

  “AND THAT, MY DEAR CHILDREN, is the fantastical history of Sehrstadt,” said Frau Hood. “Because of that, here we are today, living in this beautiful town, a perfect mix of old traditions with a touch of modern amenities. Does anyone have any questions?”

  “What if the chosen one doesn’t want to live away from Sehrstadt?” Saffron asked, frowning.

  Frau Hood’s round smiley face darkened with a thunderous look. “All children, when they reach that age in life, want to explore and see what lays beyond our borders.” She clapped her hands together and then smiled at the rest of the class. “Now, children, let’s—”

  Saffron put her hand up and said, “But what if they really don’t want to?”

  “Saffron, look around you.”

  Frowning, Saffron took a hesitant glance around her at the rest of her class. A sea of young faces stared back at her, some blank, some scowling, some smiling.

  “Eighty per cent of Sehrstadt’s children go on to live in the City. In five years time, hardly any of your classmates will remain here,” she replied, her tone of voice curt.

  “What if it’s the year of the Offering and there isn’t a suitable girl?”

  Frau Hood narrowed her eyes at the inquisitive young girl. “There is always a suitable child. Nothing happens by chance, Saffron, remember that.”

  “But—”

  “That’s enough for today, Saffron Schmidt.”

  Saffron closed her mouth and chewed over her teacher’s words. What if there wasn’t a suitable child for the Offering? Then what? What if the Chosen One didn’t want to live in the City? Then what?

  Chapter Two

  “How did you get on today, sweetie?” Saffron’s mother, Anna, said as she walked through the door after school.

  Saffron held up her book and frowned at her mother. “I got my book, but Frau Hood wouldn’t answer my questions.”

  Anna blew a blonde curl out of her eyes as she kneaded the bread dough on the aged wooden pastry board. “What questions did you have? Maybe I can help.”

  Saffron dumped her new book down on the sturdy kitchen table. The resounding thud as the leather slapped against the solid oak surface made Anna jump. “What if the Chosen One doesn’t want to go to the City? Does Adala make them leave?”

  “I can honestly say, sweetheart, that hardly any children want to stay here once they have the option to leave.”

  “But why? This is our home.”

  Anna sighed. “Most of the children have visited the City for several years beforehand. The sights, the smells, the busyness of it attracts them to want to know more.” She lifted her head and gave her daughter a beaming smile. “You’re thirteen now, Saffron. You’ll soon be adventuring on the monthly supply trips. Then you will understand why no Chosen Ones have come back.”

  “What if there isn’t a suitable child for the Offering? Then what?”

  Sadness filled Anna’s sky-blue eyes. “There is always a suitable child, sweetie.”

  “But what if, by some freak incident, there isn’t?”

  “Saffron, sweetie, you really do think about things too much.”

  Saffron sighed. “When is the next Offering? Four years?”

  Anna nodded.

  “What if all the children who will be seventeen that year have gone by then.”

  Anna gave a gentle laugh. “That won’t happen, Saffron. Are you forgetting our most basic law?”

  A lightbulb went off in Saffron’s head. “No child under the age of eighteen shall leave Sehrstadt.”

  “Exactly,” Anna said. “That’s not just for your protection, that’s for ours, too. Babies are being born every year, but should something happen where that doesn’t happen, we can perhaps negotiate with the forest spirits to offer a different child.”

  “Why is it for our protection that we don’t leave Sehrstadt until we’re eighteen?”

  “Because the City is an unforgiving modern monster. Who do you think would help someone who dresses like we do, has no money, and no sense of society? Money is a pivotal thing in the City, Saffron. Without money, you would starve to death, if you didn’t die from thirst first. City people are too wrapped up in themselves to consider helping anyone who lives like we do. They judge you on your looks and how worthy you are of their time as a result.” Anna let out a long sigh. “And the sad thing is, if you were any younger than that, going into the City alone, there are some very unsavoury characters out there who would exploit you in ways you can’t even imagine.”

  Saffron looked down at her ankle length, full sleeved pink dress. “What’s wrong with the way we dress? And what do you mean they would exploit us? How?”

  Anna smiled as she reached for the bread tin. “You’re a little too young to go into details of that with, Saffron.” Anna looked at her daughter and gave her a warm smile. “I tell you what, I’ll have a word with Herr Schulz and see if we can get you on the next supply trip. Then you can answer your own questions about the City.”

  “Really?” Saffron squealed and clapped her hands together. “Mama, that would be amazing.” She rushed forwards and slipped her arms around her mother’s soft waist, squeezing her tight.

  “Don’t thank me just yet, Saffron. Nothing has been agreed. Herr Schulz may deny the request.”

  “I know, I know, but I have a good feeling about this.”

  Anna pressed her lips together in a tight-lipped smile. “Let me finish this bread then, sweetie. Go and entertain yourself for a while.”

  Saffron gave a contented sigh, scooped her book up from the table, and ran into her small bedroom. Her single bed sat underneath a window, its crystal-clear glass taking up half of the back wall. Saffron could see her two sisters playing ball outside with their younger brother.

  Jumping onto her wad of grey wool blankets, Saffron plumped up her pillow and settled back against the solid mahogany headboard with her Sehrstadt story book. Saffron opened up the first page, drinking in the colourful picture of the forest fairy on the right-hand page. The multiple shades of greens hypnotised her as she stared at the vivid art.

  Page by page, Saffron read and re-read the story of Sehrstadt until every little detail of her town’s history was engrained into her brain. Satisfied, and humming happily to herself, Saffron gently placed her new book on the large shelf above her bed, nestling it into place between all of her other books.

  “Saffron!” Walter, her father, shouted her from the kitchen.

  “Coming, Papa.”

  Running into the kitchen, overwhelmed by the tantalising smell of freshly baked bread, Saffron saw her father stood in the doorway. His clothes were covered in black marks, most likely soot or burns, and his face harboured grubby streaks of dirt and grime.

  “Come and help me with the mare, please, Saffron.”

  Saffron rolled her eyes. “Hanna, Papa. She has a name.”

  Walter huffed as his daughter skipped towards him. “We’ve been through this, Saffron. Naming animals makes you emotionally attached. In the world we live in, it’s best not to become attached. They serve a purpose. That is all.”

  “They deserve more than being treated as slaves, Papa. We couldn’t do half of the things we do without the animals.”

  “Exactly, Saffron. It’s their job. Nothing more, nothing less. They are a necessity for us, not a privilege. We name pets, not workers.”

  Saffron frowned at her father. Deciding keeping quiet was the best option, mostly learned from previous experience, Saffron proceeded to help her father unharness their Belgian draught horse from their rickety old cart.

  Henry, Hanna’s three-year-old son, neighed to her from their shared pasture. He trotted up and down the fence line, his brown eyes bright and full of life at seeing his mother after a long day alone.

  “How has your day been?”
Walter asked his daughter.

  “I got my book,” Saffron said, then proceeded to explain how Frau Hood had refused to answer her questions. “Mama said that any child that goes to the City never wants to come back here. Is that true?”

  Walter nodded and sighed. “Sadly, yes. The City, compared to here, is a bright, colourful world full of endless opportunities. We’re all too easily forgotten out here with our simple way of life. We have nothing to offer compared to the City.”

  “But it’s wonderful living here. It’s so peaceful, everything is so easy and relaxed. I don’t understand why anyone would want to leave.”

  “Think of the City as like a bright shiny ring to a magpie. It can’t resist, and neither can the children. It blinds them with opportunities and promises. Once they’ve been sucked in, it’s impossible to see anything else.”

  “I want to be a blacksmith like you, Papa,” Saffron said, sliding Hanna’s bridle from her head. She held a headcollar in front of the chestnut mare’s face, which she eagerly slid her head into.

  “A forge is no place for a woman, Saffron. We’ve had this discussion before. Here, we live very simple, clear cut lives. Men do physical hard-working jobs, women mind the house and the children.”

  “But Frau Beck runs her own bakery.”

  “Yes, Saffron. A bakery—that’s a woman’s job. It’s easy and allows for other chores to be carried out in the meantime. It fits around looking after children and the house.”

  Walter pushed the cart away, heading into the barn. Saffron clicked to Hanna and led her towards the lush green field with her eager son awaiting her return. As she trundled down the gentle slope towards the wooden gate, Saffron let her eyes drift to the forest beyond. Her imagination ran wild as she fantasised about the fairy Queen coming to see her, telling her she had been chosen to give the Offering but that she could return to Sehrstadt if she so desired.

  “I think I would take you, Hanna,” she said to the mare, stroking her neck. “It’s been a while since you had a day off to go for a long ride. What do you think?”