The Ash Tree

Chapter 4

I am so sorry, I know I am late again. Just Homework is killing me, I hardly ever have time to work on this. I swear on the River Styx I am going to write every second I can this weekend. Here is chapter four.

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Chapter 4

The sharp brisk wind carrying droplets of rain thrashed against my body. I sat alone and terrified on a wagon on its way to Ashton. I have been traveling for six days, meaning I should be arriving there soon. I miss Oliver; I wish he were here with me. His face kept flashing through my thoughts, his angered and hurt face.

I shook my head and thought of the night before instead.

* * *

"The stars are beautiful." I said breathlessly as I lay on the grass. A giant blue moon lit up the night sky with a sea of stars. I looked to my left and saw Oliver smiling. When he returned home, he brought me to this hill right away. It's like in the memory of the night before I left.

"You loved staring at the night sky since we were little." He turned to look at me, both of us smiling brightly. We talked for a long time. He told me about everything that happened after I left. His father bought a small patch of land and started his own farming business. In the same year his mother passed, the crops failed. His father wanted him to marry the wealthiest woman in the village to save their farm.

"What happened?" I asked, my voice slightly strained.

"Simple, she was not... I did not love her." He said shrugging his shoulders. "When I marry, it should be to the girl I love, when I am ready and when I know I can support us."

He left the village and moved here. He started as an apprentice at the forgery, but took charge when the owner passed.

"When my memory returns, I promise to visit you and tell you about my life." My smile turned sad and my chest was aching. I was leaving my friend again.

I had fallen sleep in his arms. I had awoken when he lifted me off the ground and I pretended to be asleep while he carried me. The morning I left, I awoke and found Oliver asleep next to me. He looked so young and peaceful, I did not want to wake him.

* * *

The wagon jolted almost causing me to fall off. I gripped Oliver's shall tighter, missing his warmth.

Why did I marry or agree to marry Lord...Lord, the Lord of Ashton? Why did I break my promise? The real question is why did I not stay with Oliver? Why am I going to find a husband I know not who?

The wagon came to a stop and my heart beated faster. Quickly, I jumped off the wagon and looked around. The first thing I noticed was the castle. Is... That cannot be... I do not... my home? In a daze I walked toward the castle. Two guards stood by the giant iron door.

I stood in front of them, taking a deep breath and removed my hood. The guards said nothing and did not even look at me.

"Excuse me." I said clearing my throat. No response. I cleared my throat. "Excuse me!" They did not acknowledge me. "I am Alice Nash, betrothed to your Lord." They glanced at me and straightened their stance.

"Lord Burch." They bowed. Puzzled I looked behind me. There stood a man who I assume is Lord Burch. He has a dark brown hair, a beard, light skin, brown eyes, and seemed to be thirty years of age. His face was hard and seemed cruel. He looked at me and began to walk towards me. I was frozen in my place. That is the man I married? The distance between us became smaller and smaller. Soon he was too close for comfort, I took a step back but he continued to walk closer. I raised my hand to stop him

"Stop -" My voice caught in my through as Lord Burch was walking behind me. I stared at my extended arm still in the air.

"How did- No that is impossible." I ran toward Lord Burch, embracing for the impact that never came. Instead I found myself on the other side of him, and watched as he passed through me again.

"What is happening to me?"

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Next Chapter will get better. Promise.