In a Forest, Under a Tree Where Many Plans Were Made

Chapter One

🌲A Question and an Answer. 🌲

The night was bitter cold, and Summered hugged her grey shawl tighter around her, shifting her satchel, and wishing that she'd worn a warmer dress. But her warmest dress was a bright red, and too obvious for sneaking out into the woods to run away with a boy you weren't allowed to love.

You must be confused, dear reader.

So come, sit with me in a forest, under a tree, where many plans were made.

***

It was Summers twenty first birthday. For a woman, a momentous occasion, as it is at this age where they can marry. Summer was in a bright red shawl and a pretty, light blue dress, which was nice and light, so she wasn't too hot on this summers night. Her long brown hair was tied back, into an elegant braid instead of her usual pony tail or plait. She was a pretty enough girl, but in comparison to some of the other girls in the village, she wasn't much.

Ah, the village. I hate to drag you away from this so far happy party, but I must introduce you to the village of Kryston.

It's in the middle of a vast forest that never ends. It's population: barely eighty. It's quaint, but supplies are in demand. But the inhabitants always scrape through. The large mines are their main feature.

There are exactly four shops. One for clothing, and sewing material, one for footwear, and shoe polish, and shoe mending things, one for food, it has vegetables, fruit, sweets, as well as all other kinds of food. Bread, that sort of thing. Then there's the 'other shop', which just sells everything else. Make up, even though most girls don't bother with it, hair things, furniture, blankets, garden tools, you name it.

Anyway, back to the party. Summer was chatting to Carmen, who seemed obsessed with clothes and was one of the few girls in the village who actually bought make up from the 'other shop'.

She was also, by far, the prettiest girl. With bright green eyes, jet black hair with just a hint of light brown, which is actually natural, it's no wonder she's obsessed with being pretty.

"...Oh Summer, that shawl is gorge-ous! It goes so well with that red dress. And I love that you just have a hint of light red eyeshadow, it really adds a great affect to the whole outfit. Oh Summer, you're so much prettier than normal, why can't you take the time each day to ALWAYS be pretty? I mean, you remind me of a butterfly emerging from its cocoon. OH MY GOSH, I hadn't even NOTICED your hair! Gorge-ous!" She was saying, very fast, such was the way she talked. She always said 'gorge-ous!', with great emphasis on the 'gorge' part. You might think she was a bit rude, but thats just how Carmen was, and everyone accepted that.

Summer was trying hard to hold back laughter. The way Carmen talked to her was pretty funny to Summer, and she was wishing someone would get we out of this situation before she had to explain why she was rolling on the ground in tears of laughter. Not that Carmen would care, except for if Summers dress got dirty.

Then, like a gift from heaven, Summers best friend Jualla came along, sensing Summer was in a tricky situation. "You know me too well Ju," thought Summer as Jualla gave her a knowing grin.

"Hate to steal her away Carmen, but I need to talk to Summer. Nice dress by the way, really brings out your eyes."

Yes, the only way to get rid of Carmen was to praise her, which wasn't hard since she looked gorge-ous all the time.

Jualla led Summer over to a bench, a bit away from the party, and patted the spot next to her.

"What is it Ju?" Summer asked warily. Jualla, or as everyone called her, Ju, was a mischief maker. Everyone knew it. She was stubborn, yet sly, and knew how to cause chaos. It's actually a mystery how she and Summer became such good friends, when Summer is a shy little thing, hates too much attention, while Ju always seems to get herself in the middle of it. All the same, Ju was a loyal, caring friend, and knew what to say, and when to say it.