Spellbound

Chapter Two: Grace

Ever since I was a girl I've always dreamed of a better life. A life where my family and I could be something more than millers, a life that was always close enough to grasp but yet far enough away to give false hope.   My mother was a seamstress for the queen and in secret she learned swordplay from the knights, and in turn taught the sport to me. "It's for defense. In our line of work you never know when an attacker will be around the corner," she repeated over and over but I never understood what she meant.

My father taught me everything he knew about the mill, even more than I would like to. Day after day I would spend locked away turning as much grain into flour as I could before sundown. Then I would be liberated for a little while to learn from my mother, but soon it would be back to work.

When mother died I felt as lonely as ever, I remember that I was the only one crying when we said our final goodbyes . "There is nothing to cry so much about, Gracie. Your mother is gone, and we must not let that waiver us. Go on, the flour isn't going to make itself," he said with a stern look; and I knew that life would be forever changed.

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Years went by, I continued to work while my father dealed with everyone in town to make sure we had food on the table. As time passed, my father and I spoke less to each other and more at each other. Each night I prayed to the Gods to send us salvation.  

Until one day, my father came to me early one morning and told me of a wealthy couple that he met while on one of his "excursions" that made a deal with him that he couldn't refuse. They would give all of their daughters inheritance if they were to see her be married. He was of course ecstatic. I on the other hand, wasn't. I feared that my father's health was clouding his judgement, however my father once had the spark he had when mother was alive. So I agreed. Soon I would have a new parent. 

I believed the Gods had finally sent what I had been hoping for and I was determined to save my father from himself, no matter what. 

 The day came. My father seemed worried about her arrival, but I was optimistic for the both of us. 

The door clicked and I was ready for what was to come. This would finally lead us to a better life. 

- Chapter written by snow_phantom18

The picture above is Grace, and was made from a picture from Karen Gillan.

Hey guys! Sorry the update was late. Writer's block is a serious issue but it will be addressed come next update.  

Please stick around for the rest of this amazing story.