Red Haired Beauty (wattys2016)

Chapter 5: The Mills

Spring left the lands to bring Summer, John and Grace would come together on the cliff top most days, other days John had business that he would have to attend; meaning he would be unable to see her. Today just so happened to be one of those days. Grace was standing at the front door of her hut, securing her cloak around her neck; the weather was not all to favorable. Once it was secure, Grace grabbed her shoulder bag and placed it to hang over her right side, just under her hand.

" I am going into town to get dinner. I will be back by nightfall." She smiled to her Mother before turning to open the weak door.

" Be safe." She called back to Grace as she walked out and closed the door behind her. Making sure her cloak was covering her green dress, she gently walked down the pathway that was made by herself; leading directly into Bellstone.

The cloudy sky set a dull light over the forest as the smell of damp wood drifted through the air. It had been raining through the night, leaving everything dripping with droplets. The rim of Grace's cloak and dress soaked up the damp from the grass beneath her feet. The bird sang happily and the leaves rustled in the gentle breeze. Grace smiled happily as the beautiful of the forest and mother nature never ceased to amaze her.

It was not too long until the trees began to thin out, signalling her approach to the forest ending. She reach smoothly behind her neck and lifted her hood to cover her flaming red hair which her had pulled back into a tight braid. She quickly left the comfort of the tree and forward to the bustling, buzzing town. She carefully made her way into the town walking around people who were rushing around.

" Fresh quality beef! Four pennies a pound!" A merchent called out, attempting to gain business. The smoke and dust hung heavy in the air, making it harder to breath than to what she was used to. The town was made up from dull colours in comparison to the greenery of the forest. She walked over to a stand which was selling fresh fish just caught that week.

" One please." Grace asked the man as he nodded and picked up a fish.

" That's two pennies." The man smiled gently to Grace as he handed the fish over wrapped in paper. Grace opened her bag and searched for her money pouch, pulling it out so she could retrieve the pennies for him. Grace carefully handed over the money and took the fish placing both her pouch and fish into the bag. It was then she saw the wooden sculpture tucked into the corner.

" Thank you." Grace smiled to the shop owner and turned to walk away, her eyes trailing back down to the wooden sculpture she had pulled out from the bag. She held the wood in her hand, it was a carving of Orifiel; the angel of Forests. It was just big enough to fit in her hand, a smile erupted on to her lips as she remember the moment her father.

*Flashback*

" Grace." Her father deep but gentle voice called to the four year old Grace. She came running up to her father and jumped into his arms, wrapping her small slender arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.

" I made you something." The corner of his mouth tugged up into a side smile as he handed her a wooden carving. "Here."

" It's pretty!" Young grace squealed happily as she took the large carving into her tiny hands and looked at it closely. It was of a male angel with his wings spread out wide, there was so much detail in the wings.

"It's Orifiel, the Angel of the Forests. He protects everything and everyone whom dwell in his forests, just like this one. " Her father smiled and looked down to the carving. "He will protected you when I am not here."

" Thank you, Daddy!" She squealed and wriggled from his arms. She laughed as her father gently placed her onto the ground and she rushed off calling for her Mother. He followed behind her with long strides, easily keeping up with his small daughter.