Alicia And The Letter

An unusual tax collector

       Alicia slept a dreamless sleep. Why give the girl another nightmare when she just lived through one?
      Once she had waken, her first thought was to find Charles. She's not losing him again.
      "Charles?" Alicia murmurs sleepily waiting for an answer.
      "Yes, yes. I am here. I'm not letting you run off with out me again."
      "Where are we?" Alicia opened the shades and out there stood hills and hills that dressed in pastel greens with yellow flowers for accents.
      "Just a few hills away from Calleash I'd say." A hoarse voice came from the from of the carriage.
      As she looked around, Alicia saw the empty, worn out carriage and then saw Charles. She was happy he was there, but something wasn't right.
      "Where are the girls?"
      "They got off earlier and decided to go home. They were confused and sad. Their father must be angry right now, Knowing what they did."
      They went down the path, as it wound
around the hills. They followed the landscape's dance until they came across a toll bridge. Alicia barely heard the Coachman's conversation through the carriage walls.
      "Does it matter?....toll before...can't speak to...no interviews."
      After 20 minutes, Alicia got out to see what could be holding the carriage.
      "But I simply want to talk to her. You won't be able to hide the truth forever, you know." A woman with a hunched back standing next to what seemed to be her daughter was talking to the coachman.
      "What's holding us up?"
      "Ah! There she is! Even more beautiful than she was rumored to be. Now, I have a question..."
      "No questions! We must get past."
      "Not without paying the toll!" The young woman exclaimed.
      "I'm not paying a toll for a bridge that isn't even supposed to be taxed! Now move!"
      "What makes you think it isn't supposed to be taxed?" The young woman argued
      "Why would they send you and not actual guards to collect it?"
      "Because I happen to be more charming and friendly looking. Maybe when folks enter Calleash, they want people to feel welcomed. Use your common sense."
      "Am I supposed to believe that?"
      "We'll have money waiting for us in Calleash!" Alicia suddenly blurted out. She just wanted to get going, and with the way things are playing out, that would not happen until these two move.
      "Is that so?" The old woman seemed to sneer. "Then perhaps you wouldn't mind if I sent Medeia, my beautiful granddaughter."
      The Coachman gave Alicia a Stern look. "Of course not. Get in and do so quickly. We can't delay any longer."
      Madeia broke the silence."When will you start leading the people? Giving speeches, throwing parties for other rich folk, passing laws, pretending to care about each individual: you know, royal stuff."
      "What? No, I couldn't lead a kingdom. I can barely handle my own life. I barely settled in my house, and finally start having a normal life; then I get thrown into this mess.
      "Mess? Oh no. You have to ride in a slightly worn luxury coach. How will you live with this horror?"
      "..."Alicia was getting slightly confused and frustrated, but if she was to ride with this girl, might as well try to make her an acquaintance if not a friend.
      "You aren't afraid to travel with strangers?"
      "I've been through much worst. I wish I was innocent enough for this to scare me."
      Charles gave her sad eyes. "It's a sad day when a child starts wishing she was scared."
      Madeia looked them both over with judgement. "It's even worst when a royal of this world is too broken to lead her own people."