A Flame in The Wind

Chapter 1 - Amber

Usually I loved nothing more that the rain, the smell in the air and the fact that no one would bother me on such days. Yet I couldn't deny that I felt like an utter idiot as I made my way down the hill, the cold rain pouring down upon me. I pushed aside the tendrils of hair that were plastered against the side of my face.

Would he be at the blacksmith or the barn? I couldn't know. My hope was dwindling the closer I reached the town. Before I did, I would no doubt have to bring the hood of my cape over my face. The need to speak with him had clouded all my judgment, and when I could finally slip away, I grabbed only a cloak and ran. No thought of the weather or the fact that the streets would be less crowded than usual. Even with the rain, many people were still up and about the town going forth to carry out their transactions.

The rain did not stop as I reached the beginnings of the town. The dirt road turning to stone as I heard the click of my heeled boots clamber upon them. Even in my haste, I couldn't help myself from stopping by one of the shop windows to get a look at myself. I let a small smile grace my lips as the torrents of rain no longer pounded me, thanks to the to over-extended roof above me. As I peered into the mirror though, the smile was gone. My skirts were completely soaked through, and I could barely see the fine black color of my boots under the mud I'd picked up along the way. The cold was seeping through my skirts but I could do nothing about it. The worst part was that my hair was in complete disarray, too many strands had gone undone and covered my forehead in ugly swirls. It didn't matter now, all that mattered was that I saw him before I left. Nothing else.

I quickened my pace and finally stopped before the shop I'd visited many a times before. The sign of the anvil and the feel of the iron handle of the door were as familiar as the calloused palms of his hands.

I laid my hand on the handle and paused, perhaps I should go back home. 'No, go in' my mind countered but my hand would not budge. If indeed this would be the last time, I would see him, then perhaps I should avoid the confrontation altogether. Rather him hear the news from the townspeople long after I'd be gone. No, what a cruel thing to think. We had speculated this for a long time and knew what was expected of me. Yet, I couldn't help but feel guilty. I would be the one to cause him pain. Never mind that, I'd been breaking his heart since the moment I met him. Before I could think any further, I pushed down on the handle and opened the door.

The inside of the shop was dark with candles lighting up the room and weapons hung up and around the room along with many racks of jewelry and belts. As the door slammed shut behind me, I walked up towards the counter as I heard someone yell in the back.

"One moment please!" I could hear him say as the clatter of tools resonated towards me. I walked behind the counter and opened the door walking down the steps into the workroom. The sweltering heat greeted me first until I saw him, placing down his tools into the fire. When I felt like it was safe to speak, and there was no danger of an accident, I advanced.

"Simon," I breathed as he turned around to face me, a look of surprise and elation passing over his face.

"Amber, what are you doing here?" he asked. His teeth glittered in the light of the fire as the corners of his mouth lifted. I opened my mouth to say the speech I'd practiced on the way here, but I could not speak a word of it. "What's wrong?" Glancing at my hands as I wrung them in an attempt to project the words without faltering. The words were suddenly lost on my tongue.

"My father has finally agreed that I should be allowed to go to court, and my mother has decided we shall leave," I avoided his gaze as I gulped, "tomorrow." And I would never look into his eyes ever again.

I knew that after this day, going off to the royal court and finding a husband rich enough to satisfy my parents, would not make me love him any less. Even with having found no other love before Simon, I could tell he was the one I would pine over for the years to come. It was never supposed to go this far, him and I. I was just foolish enough to believe that we could be together when I'd felt the breathtaking inklings of love all those years ago. I'm sure his opinion of me is just some naïve little girl who always does what she's told.