It's…that dream again. It's so odd, so different. Everything is so clear and shiny, like a water's surface. Ripples bounce off, but don't extend into the many rings you usually see. The noise is very strange. It sounds almost like a bleating lamb. I've arrived at the spot once more, where the water splits and you are thrown into a diverse world. Flashbacks of one's past go before my eyes. But who's are they? The bleating noise slowly gets louder as I get to my feet and decide to search this new world on the other side of the water's surface. Louder and louder the moaning becomes and the sounds of the ripple's echoes flinch greater. I see my hand stretch out, fingers spread. Just a little bit farther and I'll have it. Just a little bit more!

"Wake up!"

            I open my eyes wide and see my arm extended into the air and my fist grasping nothing. That was definitely peculiar if you ask me. Even stranger is the fact that I've had that dream more then once before. The same thing happens over and over in each dream. I'm surprised I'm not a somnambulist with all the exotic and vivid nightmares my slumber brings. I force myself to sit up in bed. Today, was my birthday. My 17th birthday to be precise. I'm glad nobody was going all out for it. It seems like everybody in town knows about my life. Why wouldn't they, with my father being the Earl and all. Being the son of an Earl can be such a cursed life.

"Boy? Did you hear me?"

"Yes, Mother." I reply sleepily. "I heard you perfectly."

"Then get up!" My mother scouts. "We need to prepare for the party."

"What if I don't wish to go, Mother?" I ask.

"You must, Ash, it is, after all, your birthday." Mother answers.

"A celebration is not needed. I know it's my birthday, that's all that's required."

"Snap out of that attitude now, boy." My mother says surprisingly sweet. "We are having guests from all over Europe! Your father is even having an old friend of his come from Sweden!"

"Lovely, Mother." I moan.

"Don't be shy! I won't force you to look at any women this time." My mother reads my mind. Friends of my father usually seem to come equipped with a daughter to spare.

"Why are you so pushy in me getting a Lady so early? It's not like Father is going to roll over and kick the bucket just after he orders his eggs for breakfast." I said.

"Ash." My mother groans. "I hate to say this, but you never know!"

"Well, what I do know, Mother, is that I don't wish for a Lady at the moment. Definitely not a Swede."  I roll my eyes and pull myself out of bed and finally go to open the door to talk to my mother face-to-face. "Can you understand that, Mother? Please?"

My mother was standing there, biting her laced kerchief with sappy eyes, and a quivering lip. "They make good chocolate."

I force a laugh. "Can't I just decide on my own? Now, I'll get dressed and meet you downstairs for breakfast. Okay?"

"Okay." My mother squeaks and turns around and leaves.

I sigh as I watch her go. She is so sensitive at times. It was also like her to think of the country's strong points if I were to consider a woman who lived there. Swedes make good chocolate. I chuckle to myself and close the door to get dressed for the day. I slowly make my way down to the dinning hall and take my place at the endless table. Mother and Father were already there. My mom picks at some melon as my dad chews heartily on some ham. A bowl of five minute eggs is placed before me and I reach for the salt.

"I truly cannot wait to see my old friend, Hans." Father mumbles to Mother with a mouthful. I continue to eat quietly by myself.

"It's good to see you happy, Darling." Mother replies.

 "If only that son of mine would crack a smile." Father says grimly.

I sigh to myself. "I don't care, Father."

"I know you do," Father said. "deep down." He laughs. "Somewhere down in that iron middle, there's a sensitive side. Just need to show it more so you seem more attractive."

"Darling! Don't say iron middle. It makes him sound fat." Mother snivels in worry. 

"It's okay, Mother." I grit my teeth.

"You shouldn't have pampered him so much, Delia." My Father points his fork at Mother.

"But he was so small!" Mother wails.

I stand up after setting my spoon down and push in my chair.

"Where are you going? Your eggs will get cold." Mother said.

"Why are we talking so much about me? We usually don't have me for the subject this early in the morning." I say angrily.

"Why is it bothering you?" Father says as he chews.

"Answer my question first." I reply.

"Well," My Mother laughs illicitly. "Hans did say he was bringing a true beauty."
I groan loudly in frustration. "That's enough, Mother! No women, you hear me? NO WOMEN!"

"Don't tell me you want a man." My father mutters.

"Darling!" Mother puts a hand over her mouth in a gasp.

"No, Father." I say straightly. "Now if you don't mind, I'll be outside."

"Just, be back before two o'clock, Sweetie." Mother calls. "Lunch is served."

"And what is he doesn't show up?" I hear my Father whisper.

"Dinner is half past seven!" Mother calls again.

            I stomp out of the hall and the large, main oak doors. It was a very bright day today, with a very cool breeze that swept across the land every once in a while. I'd do anything to get away from this life. My Mother and Father are such…procurators. They might think of finding a Lady for me to be an insignificant affair, but I believe it to be a large matter. I take the path down through the woods. There was a swindler that was actually quite kind to me before that would let me borrow his cart. I could ride that down to the creek where I like to spend my time these kind of days. Our small palace was on a peninsula, and I had to ride a ways before getting to complete land and actually rivers, not just lakes. I knew a boy down there, a peasant, who would always talk with me. I think I'd visit him today…I haven't seen him in a while.