Kora and her journey to her first love

Kora, a young university student, in her second year of studying business management, went on a hike in the mountains with some friends, for a weekend away from the stress of studying, had no idea that this trip would change her life forever.

It took two and a half hours for the group to make it to the half way point of the mountain trail, they stopped to take a quick break and a get some water from the stream when Kora see a hidden path by some bushes, as she moved the leaves to the side, she spotted a well beaten path covered over by cypress trees.

She looked back at and called for the others but none of them were interested in what she had found, they told her to forget the path and that they were going to continue up the mountain, Kora on the other hand decided to deviate and walk down the cove of trees. She gripped the handles of her backpack, and took in the calming sent of the trees and the sounds of the Woodlyn creatures that were around her, a small smile formed on the edge of her lips as she continued to walk down the path.

When she made it to the end of the cove, she found herself on top of a steep hill that overlooked a beautiful lake that was surrounded in fields of vibrant green grass, on one side of the lake she could see a herd of horses just grazing, while the foals were running and playing together, she then looked a little further to the left of her and saw a small village in the distance.

Kora then walked down the pathway that lead to the village, she walked past a grove of medicinal herbs she had once read about, as she continued towards the village she walked closer to the lake and saw that the horses had markings on them, that showed that they belonged to someone, one of the foals got curious and trotted towards her, she stopped and knelt down, she held her hand out to allow the foal to sniff her hand, but as she did a horse of similar coat to the foal came galloping in their direction, when she noticed the horse she tried to back off, but ended up tripping and fell backwards, hitting her head of the ground, and loosing consciousness.

When Kora regained consciousness, she found herself in an unfamiliar place, she was in a room she didn't recognise, when she sat up and hung her legs over the side of the bed, she noticed that her right leg and foot were bandaged, she hadn't known she hurt it, she also got a sharp pain in the back of her head, she got up and walked around looking at every detail as it was new to her, the walls were made of wood, and the roof was made out of twine and thatch, as she walked by the dressing table she glided her fingers over the intricate design that was carved out of the wood, a smile tugged at the edge of her lips, until she looked up and saw herself in the mirror that was hanging on the wall by the dressing table, she saw that her head had been bandaged and she looked quite dirty, she also saw that her hair was not the vibrant colour it was when she left her home before her trip, it had somehow dulled into a messy brown colour and filled with grass and leaves.

As she was taking in her looks and how dirty she was, a knock came from behind the door, she snapped her head towards the door, as the handle started twisting she got scared and dropped to the floor and scuttled backwards beside the dressing table and brought her legs up to her chest, and hid her head in-between her knees and wrapped her arms around herself to make herself look smaller and possibly invisible.

While she trembled as the thoughts came into head about what could happen and gentle, warm hand was placed on her arm as a woman's voice said "Hello dear, I'm glad you are awake, it's ok I wont harm you", Kora looked up and saw that the woman was in her mid-40's, she had slightly tanned skin, with tattoos in a tribal style across her collar bone, she had waist length light brown hair that was in a fish Braide that was finished off with beautiful pink crocus flowers, she had aqua blue eyes that looked like the lake she saw on her way to the village, she was also dressed in a dress that looked quite vintage, but also elegant and almost healer like, she had the sent of herbs on her.

she smiled and offered Kora her hand to help her up, when they both were standing Kora noticed that she was shorter by a foot, but that only made her look more beautiful, "My name is Etta, I am the healer of this village, you were brought in unconscious and bleeding from your head, one of the hunters had found you by the lake, and brought you here", Etta said while she removed the bandage from Kora's head and looked at her wound, it was quite small and almost fully healed, "Thank you for saving me, my name is Kora, where am I?", she asked with a shaky voice as she still didn't trust where she was.

"Well its nice to meet you Kora, and we are in Nansu village", Nansu village, Kora remembered reading about this village when she was looking through some old books in her grandfathers attack, it was a village where her grandmother was born, it was located deep within the mountains and impossible to find unless you have been there before, the people here don't live on modern technology, they survive on the land and the hard work of the village, they also don't like confrontation.

"I've heard of this village before, its the village my grandmother was from, she brought me here when I was young, I think I have met you before?" she raised an eyebrow at her own memories, Etta looked at her then she decided to take Kora to see the village Elder and the Elders wife.

As they walked through the village, you could tell who was who by the look of the outfits, there were young men and women who were clearly gathers due to the light green and brown outfits, and the bags they had around their waists, then there were the hunters/warriors, they were dressed in white and grey outfits, with bows, spears and knives, the children under the age of 14 years old were dressed in bright and playful colours, they were running around and chasing animals around while laughing, Kora smiled and it brought back the feeling of piece and tranquillity that she felt while walking through the tree cove.

When they arrived at the Elders house, they were greeted by 2 warriors, one of which recognised Kora, "Hey, good to see you up and about, how is your injury?", he shifted his weight from his left foot to the right as he lent on his spear, the other warrior was confused and cocked an eyebrow, "I'm feeling better and my would is healing well, thank you for saving me and bringing me back here, my name is Kora", she smiled a genuine smile that showed her gratitude to the warrior.

"Kora, we have been summoned inside, lets go", said Etta as she opened the door and walked inside with Kora following close behind, when they entered they were greeted by the elder and his wife, as they offered them a seat, they discussed what had happened and what Kora remembered about the village, "Do you know a woman by the name Taliya?, she was my grandmother and she came from this village, I remember her bringing me here when I was young", the elders wife looked at him and then at her with tears in her eyes, "Taliya is my younger sister, she met a man from the city and married him, after which she moved to the city and had her own family, she came here about 15 years ago, while showing her granddaughter around, I'm assuming that is you my dear?", Kora nodded while a sad expression appeared on her face as the memories of her grandmother came rushing back.

After the talk with the elders, Kora was given her grandmothers old house for her to stay in while she was in the village, as she looked around the house she found some old clothes her grandmother must have worn when she was young, she then found the bath in the back of the house behind the kitchen, she started a fire and then filled the bath was hot water, then she had a bath, cleaning the dirt off her skin, and out of her hair, when she finished she saw that her skin was back to being the fair tone it was before and the smoothness of her skin she found amazing, her platinum blond hair fell down to her knees, she dried her hair with a towel and then braided it over her shoulder in a fish braid style, she incorporated light blue azalea flowers into the braid, she then wore a white and blue dress that complemented her athletic figure, and made her look quite delicate and feminine, she hasn't looked like this in a very long time as she only dressed in suits and had her hair up in buns and tied back for university and work.

when she left the house and walked around the village, people stopped and staired at her with genuine shock at how beautiful she looked.

she sat by the lake just outside of the village, reading a book on local herbs that she found in her grandmothers house, she was then approached by the horses from before and they all laid next to her, a beautiful black mare with a white mane laid its head on her lap and let her pet it while she read.

A few hours had passed, the sun was starting to set, Kora stood up and brushed the grass of her dress, when she heard some horses, she looked and saw what looked like warriors and gathers coming back from the forest, as they got closer, the warrior from that morning got off his horse and walked up to her, "Evening Kora, how are you?", "I'm fine, just finished reading this book, and now going to head home and make some dinner. Are you just getting back?", "yeah we went hunting for some meat some come and get some once its ready, also my name is Kael, this is my boyfriend Teo, and my little brother Minta, and that is Tirza, she is the only female warrior in our age range", he pointed at the female warrior sitting on the black mare she was petting earlier, she smiled at her then noticed the scar on her cheek, "That scar, when did you get it?", "! oh u mean my scar?" Tirza smiled and then dismounted her horse "I got it when I was young, me and a friend were climbing trees when she slipped, as I caught her I got injured by the branch that fell with her. Why?", she cocked her head to the side and raised an eyebrow, "I was the one that fell out of that tree, hey it's been a while T", Kora smiled while saying a familiar nickname that Tirza recognised, she was shocked for a few seconds before she ran and hugged Kora, picking her up and spinning her around, "I missed you K", they laughed, and hugged even tighter, when they finally let go, she didn't hesitate and placed a long, soft and gentle kiss on Kora's lips, Kora was surprised at first but then kissed her back and placed her arms around Tirza's neck lifting her onto her tiptoes.

The next day Kora was called to the elders house, when she arrived she was in a white and purple top and trousers outfit, with her hair in a high ponytail, she walked in and they offered her a seat, next to her was Tirza and her parents, they were a little startled at Kora's appearance, but didn't mention anything, "Right so we have called you here because we have had a report that you both performed a act that is not accepted in our village, is that true? Tirza?, Kora?", Kora looked at Tirza and then back at the elder, "You mean the kiss we shared?", Kora cocked an eyebrow as she was genuinely confused as to why it was a bad action, "Yes, because this is our custom and not one you may be familiar with as your from the city, any kind of affection beyond light hugging is unfortunately frowned upon, unless you are married or a parent, so we all are wondering what is the relation you both have?", the elder said while Tirza's parents were looking worried about their daughter and what the other villagers would say if this was nothing but a whim.

That is when Tirza stood up to protest, when Kora grabbed her arm gently and shook her head, "Well I do apologise to you sir and ma'am, for any type of misunderstanding, I can't say for Tirza but for me I have been in love with her since I met her 15 years ago, I have been trying to find her ever since I turned 18 years old and was allowed to travel by my self", upon hearing this Tirza looked at Kora and smiled, she then Knelt down in front of Kora and handed her a Ring "Will you marry me Kora?, I have loved you for a very long time, and have refused other suiters because I have only wanted to marry you", tears started forming in Kora's eyes as she took the ring and placed it on her hand "YES, yes I will", she then kissed Tirza, Tirza's parents were happy and accepted their relationship.

3 months later their wedding was held, the elder asked Kora if she was willing to stay in the village and have their family or if Tirza was willing to leave and live in the city with Kora, either way they were accepted, Kora decided that it was best if she stayed in the village as she had no intention of making Tirza leave her family, the only people Kora had left in the city was some old friends that she didn't see that often, and if needed she could always visit.

THE END.

written by Hannah Walker.