Chapter 2
The Samurai and the Dream
The carriage had made it to the castle and had stopped in front of the main entrance when the guards came running out pointing their guns and swords at Ash. "Move away from the princess and get off the carriage." A guard said. Then Norman stepped out of the carriage and in front of the guards. "It's alright he's no enemy." Norman explained. The guards started to put their guns down when the captain came out. He had red hair and was wearing a black police man's uniform with four medals on it. He walked through the guards and stopped in front of the king. "We all do respect sire but letting a manslayer into the palace will not do. Especially an escaped one" The captain explained. Norman looked back at the captain and smiled. "Captain Lance this manslayer as you called him saved my family's life, as well as my own, against some bandits. As for his sentence I'm willing to let him of a life sentence and allow him to stay in the palace as long as he wishes."
Everyone looked at Norman with great shock. He was letting a manslayer with a reputation of murders and robberies go free and allow him to live in the palace. "Sire we I must inter…" He was cut short when the king walked past him with his wife and son following. Meanwhile Ash was helping May of the carriage and onto the ground. May was climbing down when she slipped and fell. She heard everyone gasp and expected a hard hit to the ground but she looked up and saw Ash was holding her in his arms. "Uh…thanks Ash." May thanked blushing furiously. "Yeah. No prob." Ash replied as he let May stand up and the two walked into the palace. Lance followed behind and the other guards went back to their posts.
Inside the castle Ash was amazed at the beauty of the castle. May was walking beside him still blushing from when he caught her. "So this is where you live. No wonder a beautiful palace for a beautiful princess." Ash commented blushing. May's face was practically as red as a cherry when he said that. Lance was walking behind looking at the two. 'Those two really seem to like each other. I wonder if the king knows? Well the king's a pretty good judge of character so if he says he's changed then I agree' Lance thought.
The family had arrived into the royal dinning room so to have dinner. The family and Ash and Lance sat down at the table. While they were waiting for the food to be served Norman spoke up. "So Ash now that you are staying here I would like you to be Lance's lieutenant." Ash and Lance looked at Norman surprisingly at the position given. "But your majesty I couldn't…" Ash stuttered. "Nonsense I saw the way you protected me and my family so you deserve this position." Norman interrupted. Ash was silent in thought for the rest of dinner
It was 8:30 when dinner was over May was showing Ash his quarters for his stay. May showed him a room with a king sized bed, a chestnut carved dresser and table along with a view of the whole town outside the window. There was also a sun porch outside the window doors beside the window. "This is where your be staying Ash hope you like." May explained smiling. Ash stared in amazement at the room. "Well good night." May finished and left. Ash started to look through the room. 'I can't stay here I have to get out there to fight… father.' Ash thought. He packed his bag with some supplies he managed to get while in the castle and began to tie the sheets from the bed together.
May was walking to Ash's room to give him his new uniform for tomorrow. When she opened the door she looked to see that Ash was throwing his sheets down the sun porch to the ground with it tied to the railing. May walked over to Ash quietly and spoke up when she was behind him. "What are you doing?" May asked making Ash turn around with a start. "What the hell!" Ash nearly yelled. "Oh May what do you want?" He looked down at May. "Where are you going Ash?" May asked. Ash was silent for a second then spoke up. "I'm leaving the castle." He admitted looking to the side. "Why Ash?" May questioned. Ash looked directly into May's eyes and spoke out. "I can't stay here I have a dream to become the greatest samurai ever and travel the world meeting and defeating new opponents." Ash explained honestly to May. "Well I guess I'll get on my way." He said as he walked to the end of the porch. He was about to climb over when May grabbed his arm and stopped him. "Ash, take me with you." May said seriously. Ash looked at her with shock. " May I can't." Ash apologized sadly. He was about to leave when May grabbed him again.
She looked into Ash's eyes with courage and spoke. "Listen Ash I want to get out of this castle and besides who better to travel with then you. If you leave I'll just follow you anyway." May exclaimed. She started to make a face of sadness and heartbreak. Ash knew he couldn't win this so he gave in. 'I give up how can I say no to that face.' He thought smiling at it. "Okay May you can come," Ash gave in. May jumped up into the air screeching happily. "As long as you not let anyone know you're a princes since who knows what they'll know." He looked straight at May happily and smiled. "Now can you at least change for the trip and pack some food, supplies and clothes for the trip." Ash explained. May ran quietly to her room at picked out a purple kimono and a brown bag with some clothes and some other things of hers. "Ready." Said Ash standing beside her. "Yes." Replied May. The two climbed down the sheets and to the ground. They snuck pass the guards and out the gate into the world towards the sunset.