Chapter 3

The sun was barely peeking through the clouds, creating a golden sunrise over the town of Plainswright. Martin Steward the local carpenter put on a coat and scarf to go out and face the cold, long drive to London. As he settled his cap on his head, there was a quick, sharp rap at the door. Slightly suprised by having a visitor this early in the morning. He opened the door and there stood a young boy, no older than probably twelve. The boy was shivering from the cold, and it was no wonder; he was wearing only a shirt and some breeches, which were not only out of date, but out of season. He had longer hair for a boy, but nothing he hadn't seen before. Before he could open his mouth, the boy started to speak through clenched teeth, "H-h-ello to you s-sir. I w-was wondering if I-- I may be a-able to--"

"Come on inside, lad," Martin said kindly- "You'll freeze to death if you don't get near some heat." The boy was only too happy to oblige, and quickly hurried inside. Mr. Steward gestured for the boy to have a seat in front of the fire, and he did, muttering "Thank you" as he sat. "Now lad," Mr. Steward said, "What is it you were trying to say?"

"Oh," the boy said, "I heard talk around town that you needed some help loading up wood for a trip your makeing to London, and I would only be too happy to help you out."

"Well, that's right nice of you, son," Mr. Steward said. "But I can't let you help me in those clothes; you'll die of the cold!"

"Martin?" A voice called from upstairs, "Martin, who is that down there with you?"

"Oh, a neighborhood boy, Love," Mr. Steward called back, "He was asking if he could help me load up the wood for my trip to the city."

The sound of footsteps started to decend from upstairs, and soon Mr. Steward's wife joined her husband and the boy. "Oh, what a sweet child..." she said with a smile.

"That he is, but I can't let him work for me," Mr. Steward said.

"And why not? He looks able enough for the job," Mrs. Steward argued.

"Yea, but look at what he's wearing! He'll catch his death in this cold!"

Mrs. Steward looked at the boy and a frown streched across her face. "Well, that may be... You don't seem to be dressed for this kind of weather, Dear..."

No, please! I have to work for you- to get to London! Olivia's mind screamed. "Please sir," she begged, trying her hardest to sound convincing, "I will be fine in the cold."

"Common, lad," Mr. Steward said with a small chuckle. "You were shivering like mad out there on my front door step!"

"Where did you even get clothes like that, dear?" Mrs. Steward asked, "You look like you just walked out of a fairy tale!"

It was true- Olivia had gotten her idea for her outfit by reading through some old story books her father had given her over the years about travelers and princes and such- that was the first idea that had come to her mind. "Actually, ma'am, I thought this was normal..."

"Heaven's no! Where have you been, dear?"

"Look," Mr. Steward broke in, "I would like some help with the wood, so--"

"Can't you just run home really fast and change clothes there?" Mrs. Steward continued on Olivia. "I-I--" Olivia stammered. Great, what am I going to say now?! She thought in a panic.

"Loreli!" Mr. Steward snapped, "don't interrupt me when I'm talking to the boy!"

Oh thank God... Olivia thought.

"Anyway, as I was saying, I could just let you use some of my son's old clothes. He left to be a preist last year, and never came back to pack up the rest of his belongings. Not that he needs them now, but that's not the point. Anyway, I could have my wife here stitch them up so they fit you a little better and I could loan you an old coat and hat to keep you warm, how does that sound?"

Olivia's face lit up, "That sounds wonderful, sir! Thank you so much!"

"No trouble at all, son. Loreli, you wouldn't mind doing that for the boy, would you?" Mr. Steward asked.

"No, I suppose not... It won't really that all that long... Matthew was always a bit short." Mrs. Stewart said quietly to no one in particular.

After about half an hour, Mrs. Stewart returned with Olivia's new clothes- a pair of dark pants, a dark brown coat, and another plain white button up shirt. "You may as well put this on over the one your already wearing, darling," she said to Olivia as she handed over the shirt, "another shirt will do you good in this cold. You can go get changed in that room over there, second door on the right." Olivia gladly accepted the clothes and moved quickly to the new room. Before she undressed, she peeked out the room's window. The sky was just starting to lighten up, and the lights in her house were still out. Thank goodness... She thought. I can still make this work...

"There, now that's better, lad!" Mr. Stewart said with a smile when Olivia came out in her new clothes. "Now, daylight's a burning- let's get loading so I can get on to London!"

Olivia had never had to do any really straining labor before, so loading wood on Mr. Stewart's cart was a new experience in it's own. Luckally none of the wood was very heavy, so she was able to manage. After almost an hour of hauling boards and planks back and forth, she and Mr. Stewart finished. "Alright, lad! That should do it!" "Thank you so much for letting me work with you, Mr. Stewart," Olivia breathed. "Now, how much should I pay ya? Two pounds should be more than enough-"

"Uh, Sir, I don't need to be paid," Olivia said earnestly, "I just... I need a way to London, sir."

"London? A young lad like yourself? Whatever for?"

Olivia's brain stirred- she hadn't thought of an answer for this, either. Oh, I'm sunk, now... she thought sadly.

Not quite, Love, the mysterious voice said in her mind. Just trust me- repeate everything I say...

Alright, Olivia replied in her mind, Its not like I have much of a choice in the matter...

Now, the voice instructed, say, "Well sir, I came up to Plainswright for work-"

"Well sir," Olivia mimicked, "I can up to Plainswright for work."

My family really lives in London, and I've just had no way to return.

"My family really lives in London, and I've just had no way to return."

So if you wouldn't mind sir, may I please get a ride there with you?

"So if you wouldn't mind sir, may I please get a ride there with you?" Olivia finished perfectly.

"Well, I don't see why not, lad. Let's you and me grab a couple of blankets from the misses so we don't freeze on the way up there, eh?"

Finally... I'm going to see London...! Olivia thought as her heart swelled with excitement. But her excited feeling was breif- out of the corner of her eye she saw light slowly come to life in the windows of her home. No...! No! Not yet! Don't wake up yet!! Her mind screamed. Luckally, Mr. Stewart came out of his house with two blankets and handed one to Olivia. "Well, let's get on out of here!" Mr. Stewart said happily. "Y-yes, lets!" Olivia said, trying to keep her cool. She and Mr. Stewart climbed upon the cart and Mr. Stewart snapped the reins.

Just as the horses started to move forward, Olivia peered over her shoulder. She saw a light come to light in her room. Then, as the cart got out of earshot, she saw her father run out of the house screaming something she couldn't hear.

"By the way, lad," Mr. Stewart said, calling her back to the present, "what's your name, anyway?"

"It's Oli-" she said and paused for a second, "Oliver. My name is Oliver."