Hey everyone, I know i haven't updated in a while but school controls my life. I added something to the Prologue, its a really quick first paragraph and i just didn't no where else to put it so i thought that was a good place for it. So please check out the prolouge before you read this Chapter.
Happy reading, ~Lily~
Love
We had been walking for several days. After I had spent two days in the camp, the council had decided they would send a group deeper into Ashlyn. I soon as I had heard I told Irma that I would go with them. She refused but in the end I won out. So that is how I ended up here, traveling on my way to Rion, the capital city of Ashlyn. Irma had called it a suicide mission, the roads of the capital scouted by marauders. Inside the city's walls guards protected Puer's palace. I was amazed in how big of a revolution the country was in. In Arria we only knew that Puer had been having a difficult time controlling the people and that riots had broken out.
"Don't stray Asha." The lead man Lysander called. There were twelve others in our group. I was unclear about the purpose of going to the city; Lysander had said we would reason with the king. In the little chance that Puer would speak to us, I had much doubt that we would be able to accomplish anything. Lysander claimed that Puer would send troops to control the towns. But that made little sense because he knew his country was in ruins, there were no troops, Ashlyn would rely solely on Arrian for support, if they gave it. I had asked Lysander about Dale, although I cared very little. He had said that he did not know what had happened to my friend and that it was most likely that the men had disposed of him.
"About a half days walk is the village of Tophia." Lysander said.
"Is it safe?" Inquired Reaelle, a woman of about twenty.
"It should be, and even if it is not we come in peace."
"Like that has helped Sander, where is your head. The revolutionaries do not care about us who are loyal to the king." Grunted a man named Theo. Lysander did not respond. We continued walking.
"Why do you torment him so?" Reaelle, whispered to Theo.
"I do not understand why the council appointed him leader, he is just a boy with mixed ethics," came the answer.
"Like you would do better." A man named Sisna challenged. The forest was so thick here. I left my companions to their bickering and trailed a few paces behind. The trees smelled spicy and the air was hazy and hot. Over head the sun was shining fiercely. I continued walking, losing site of the group, and came to a meadow. Someone was calling my name in the distance but I continued to walk deeper. There was something calling me to the center of it. Suddenly a vision seized me and I fell to the ground.
*_*
Images raced in front of my eyes. The past, the future, the present, it all made no sense. My head was trying to comprehend the pictures but it was no use. One of them slowed and I could begin to make it out. Two figures sat in front of a fire in the middle of the meadow. No, the vision changed again. More images, faces colliding together. Another one slows. A man and a woman sit in the middle of the field, holding each other.
"I love you" He whispers. She turns to him and smiles.
"I love you too" She says. I want it to stop; this moment is far too precious. "But you understand that it cannot be. Your parents would never allow it, you are bound to her." The man's face darkens. "This is the way it must be." The woman continues.
"I am tired of it all." The man shouts. "I love you that should be enough. My parents know nothing." Something startles the women.
"I must go, do not follow me Aaron." She runs, her footsteps echo long after she is gone. The vision fades. Sounds join the images flashing before my eyes. My head is reeling from the pain. An absolute darkness overwhelms me.
*_*
It seems like a million voices wake me. I try to open my eyes, but the light is too fierce.
"Be quiet," a voice calls. "She is awake." I concentrate, it is very familiar. When I do open my eyes I recognize the woman immediately. "Best leave her to rest." The woman says. "You have come." She tells me once they have all gone. I swallow my mouth very dry. The woman was in my first vision, she first told me about the Ashlyn family. "I am Mother Eugenia. I knew you would come. "
"You are an Ashlyn." I choke.
"My parents were banished from the family long ago but yes I am an Ashlyn." She smiles showing pointed yellow teeth. "My dear child you must be tired, you must rest."
"No," I say getting up. "You must tell me, I have so many questions."
"In the morning."
"No, I must know now."
"Hush my dear. You are safe now." I stare at her with harsh eyes. "Dmitri will come for you."
"Who?"
"He is the prince of the Ashlyns. Your betrothed. Your soul mate."
"What! I have no idea who he is how can I be his betrothed?"
"Your parents bounded you at birth."
"What does that mean?" I shouted frustrated, this woman was not helping me in the least. Lysander rushed in before Mother Eugenia could reply.
"Are you all right?" He asked me with a worried look in his eyes. "Mother, she really should rest." He said looking never taking his eyes off me.
"We will speak later child." Mother Eugenia told me. She briskly walked out of the cabin.
"Are you all right?" Lysander asked again. "I was so worried about you in the meadow. I heard you screaming and I thought perhaps it was happening again."
"Happening again?" I asked.
"Yes, it was horrible. You were screaming at the top of your lungs. We tried to wake you but it was no use. Theo and I took turns carrying you to this village. What was Mother speaking to you about?"
"Nothing, it was nothing." I looked up at him. There was worry in his deep chocolate brown eyes.
"Well don't let her get you upset. She's a little mad." He said with a grin.
"You know her?"
"No, but she showed us much kindness. When we first arrived the villagers were afraid of us. They thought that we had come as revolutionaries. Mother told the people that we had not come to cause any harm. She gave you herbs which calmed you. You were in such pain, I am so glad we found her."
I cupped his heart shaped face in my hand. He moved closer to me. My breathing quickened. He was so handsome and kind. I do not know what came over me but I wanted this man. He pulled away slightly and rejection filled me. He smiled and then came to me once again. His lips met mine in the slightest hesitation and then fused with more confidence. It only lasted a few seconds and when he pulled away I was hungry for more. He got up from the cot I was laying on. "Goodnight Asha." He whispered before giving me a final kiss on the forehead and walking out of the cabin.
I sat in the bed for what seemed like hours. I couldn't sleep, afraid of my own dreams, tormented by my own questions. Mother Eugenia had only complicated things further. Who was Dmitri? Why did I have that vision in the meadow? Who were the woman and the man, Aaron? Who was he bound to? What did being bounded even mean? What just happened with Lysander? My head pounded. I needed sleep but I could not will myself to it. Instead I sat there, in a limbo between sleep and awake, willing for everything to be revealed, all the while knowing that it was up to me to understand it all.
So what do you think. Like always please review. Critisim, comments, questions, anything greatly appreciated. I'm half way done with Ch. 6. And what do you think Dmitri should look like, thanks again for reading