Ethereal Burn

The Journey

The journey to the east would be a week at most, the coachman was given orders by my father not to stop for any reason. Completely unreasonable and unrealistic, which I gladly let the coachman know it was perfectly fine with me to stop when needed.

Thankfully, there was two of them to take turns, but it would seem the coachman were scared to disobey my father's orders for whatever reason.

I felt bad for the horses who had little breaks, was typically just long enough for some water and food. And for the most obvious reasons, so we could relieve ourselves. Which was a borderline traumatic experience for me to relieve myself in the wilderness but I managed. Not that I like it one bit, feels almost barbaric. But I'm not one to throw a tantrum like Margaret would.

In between sleeping, I would read or admire the outside world of nature and small towns as we passed through. We occasionally stopped for more food and water. The children in the small towns would wave as we rode past, their giggles were precious sounds to my ears.

Children.

That would be expected of me now, to give the Duke children. His family house was important and having an heir or two was even more crucial.

The thought scared me, but a very small part of me loved the idea. Having children of my own. Maybe then, I wouldn't feel so alone, if I had my own children to love and be loved in return.

I'd be a loving mother to my children, just as my own mother was to me.

When I turned of age, I had a tutor who explained to me all the duties that was expected of a wife. And sex was a main topic. I remember feeling very uncomfortable about hearing how it happens and unfortunately the first time isn't pleasant for the woman.

It would hurt, be painful even. Depending on the man, if he's gentle I may be alright. But if he's rough, I was told I may not be able to get out of bed for a few days.

A cold shiver went down my spine as I can only imagine the Duke belonging to the rough category of men.

I don't know the man, not yet anyways. But with so many awful rumors about him, it would be a small hopeless chance indeed, that he's a gentle and kind man.

Will he hurt me?

***

I'm not sure how many days it's been already, I stopped counting after three. The sun is high in the sky, indicating it's early afternoon.

The coachman stops the carriage and I'm puzzled as to why, seeing nothing but trees on either side of the carriage windows.

Maybe it's another small break for either the horses or the coachman. I don't feel the need to relieve myself again since it wasn't that long ago.

As I wait patiently for the carriage to begin moving once again, I hear voices but I figure it's the men chatting amongst themselves like they normally do.

The carriage door is opened without a knock and I couldn't stop the gasp that escaped me. How rude.

My eyes widened at the man before me, who is not either of the two familiar coachmen I know.

"Helloooo there beautiful" ... a man holding a very big knife licked his lips as he looked me over. He looked utterly disgusting, dirty clothes and rotten teeth. I could even smell him from here.

Bandits

Someone pounded on the other side of the carriage causing me to yelp in fright. Suddenly a group of men could be heard laughing.

How many were there?!

"Now why would a pretty lady like yourself be traveling these parts without an escort? Tsk tsk how stupid, now you're all mine for the taking"... his malicious laugh made my skin crawl.