WeatherMaker Hearts Desire Prologue
Chapter 4: Plans for the Future

Arlen sat on the wall of the fountain in the town, feeling better now than he had done in years. He had had no trouble from his landlord for quite some time now, and both his brothers seemed to be in better moods with him. But above all, Arlen thought with a silent smile to himself, he had gotten her attention.

‘Life is finally looking up for me’ he muttered to himself under his breath. ‘Perhaps the gods have heard my prayers at last.’

He suddenly noticed a figure in the distance watching him. Ramana waved to him playfully. He beaconed for her to come over, but she would only wave at him back, teasing him on.

Arlen frowned at her in mock annoyance, amused by her behaviour. He rose from his seat, making his way towards her, but was suddenly blocked by another figure.

‘Sue’ Arlen stammered. ‘What are you doing here?’

The pretty young girl cocked her head at him curiously, dressed in regal clothes with very long hair, coloured straw-blonde and wavy. She was the daughter of an important lord, and many sought her attention. But she only had eyes for one man.

‘Arlen’ she said, in a sombre voice. ‘It’s been too long since I’ve seen you. Where have you been?’

‘Oh’ Arlen said casually, glancing over her shoulder towards Ramana, ‘just here and there.’

Sue looked around towards Ramana. ‘Who is that woman?’

‘Oh her?’ Arlen said nonchalantly. ‘I barely know her.’

Sue turned back to Arlen, glaring at him, betrayal written all over her face. ‘You’re lying.’

Arlen waved at Ramana helplessly, but she simply made gestures at him as if struggling to hear. Then she ran away. Arlen could hear very faintly, her giggles as she danced off. Now he was alone.

‘Are you cheating on me?’ Sue demanded of him. ‘You know my father would not approve of this.’

‘But we’re not together’ Arlen protested, backing off.

She descended upon him, trapping Arlen between herself and the water fountain behind him.

‘He has already made arrangements’ she told him vaguely.

Arlen’s heart began to sink in his chest. Her father was a terrifying, hawk-faced man with a temper, and Arlen was even more frightened of him than he was of Sue. The spoilt little rich girl. Both father and daughter were the same. But the father was worse, because he had more power and influence.

‘But…but…’ Arlen fumbled. ‘I don’t have any money.’

’I have money’ Sue told him, raising her voice. ‘Money can buy you anything and everything. And I can have whatever I want.’

Arlen gulped, seeing his life flash before his eyes.

‘Think of the handsome children we could have’ Sue told him. ‘Arlen? Arlen! Are you alright?’

Arlen stumbled, holding the wall behind him for support.

‘I’m feeling suddenly faint’ he said, in a weak voice.

‘Why Arlen’ Ramana teased as he rounded the corner moments later. ‘I’ve never seen such acting.’

Arlen jumped at the sound of her voice, not expecting to see her there.

‘Yes’ he agreed composing himself. ‘I am rather fabulous. I was able to slip away when she ran to get a healer.’

‘That was very sly of you’ she told him. ‘What will she think when she comes back?’

‘I know, but how else could I get away?’ Arlen shrugged.

’I’m surprised you wanted to get away, from a pretty little flower like that.’

‘Beauty is more than skin deep. Oh’ Arlen sighed deeply, touching a hand to his heart. ‘But what a curse it is to be so handsome.’

Ramana laughed out loud at this.

‘You’re so melodramatic’ she told him. ‘And ever so vain.’

‘Only when I need to be’ he winked at her. ‘And anyway’ he continued. ‘You’re not one to talk.’

She smirked at him, rolling her shoulders and swaying her hips. She strolled away from him, pausing to glance back. Arlen watched her go; he waited for a moment, before following.

Farrell twirled his sword, dancing back and stepping to the side. Brice scowled at him, hiding behind his own shield.

‘Now you’re showing off’ Brice grumbled.

‘Come on’ Farrell chuckled, ‘hit me.’

Brice charged forwards, swinging his sword back to strike. Farrell met his blow with ease, pushing him back again and lunging forwards. For hours the two fought together under the hot sun, fixed in concentration on each other. At last they came to rest, sitting on the grass and panting.

‘Perhaps I can get us something to drink’ Farrell suggested wiping his brow.

‘That would be lovely’ Brice gasped, getting his breath back.

Farrell leant back, waving at the servant that waited on the edge of the field. She bowed to him, rushing inside the manor, returning moments later with a jug of cold water and two glasses.

‘Thank you Amy’ Farrell said gratefully, pouring himself a glass and drinking deeply.

The servant bowed and retreated, returning to her spot on the edge of the field and waiting submissively for her next command.

Together Farrell and Brice rested; swords and shields left on the grass nearby. They watched as Alastor grazed in the field, swishing his tail at the flies. His mares grazed around him in the field, all sticking close to the stallion.

‘Do you think Arlen would like to join us?’ Brice asked, taking another sip of cold water.

‘He seems to have been in a better mood of late’ Farrell noted. ‘Maybe this time he will say yes. I’ll go find him.’

‘I’ll wait here’ Brice called happily after him as he left. ‘I’ll guard the water’ he said, raising his glass.

Farrell marched swiftly through the town, heading for Arlen’s home. He approached the building, entering the front door without bothering to knock and nearly running headlong into a figure.

Farrell stumbled back in surprise, blinking stupidly at the woman standing in the doorway before him.

‘Ramana’ he breathed. ‘What are you doing here?’

She averted her eyes, lifting her dress higher up her shoulder and leaning against the wall for support. Farrell noticed suddenly how messy her hair was, at this point his attention drifted into the room within, where he saw Arlen, looking equally as dishevelled and more than a little guilty.

‘Arlen’ Farrell said.

‘Brother’ Arlen answered curtly back.

‘I uh…’ Farrell began. ‘I’ve forgotten why I came here.’ He glanced at Ramana, nodding to her. And then he left.

It was late that night when Ramana returned home, creeping up the stone steps and slipping as silently as she could through the entrance. She closed the door after her, finding the room inside was pitch black, but it was far from deserted. The moment she took a step forward, two shadows appeared either side of her, flanking her. Ramana stumbled back in shock, drawing a deep breath ready to scream, but then a fire sprang to life, and Ramana saw the figures of Eidan and Markus before her.

‘I’m sorry if we startled you sister’ Eidan said, holding the lantern in one hand. ‘We were waiting for you.’

‘For me?’ Ramana asked guiltily, letting out a deep breath and brushing herself down. ‘Why were you waiting for me? And why are you sitting in the dark?’

‘We were waiting for a long time’ Markus answered.

‘So why were you waiting so long for me?’

‘We want to know of this new man you’ve found yourself’ Markus said. ‘He is a handsome one.’

‘You mean Arlen?’

‘Arlen’ Markus repeated. ‘We know of him, that’s Farrell’s brother isn’t it?’

‘How do you know?’ Ramana asked.

‘Oh dear sister’ Eidan beamed. ‘We have ears and we have eyes. We’ve seen the way you look at him.’

‘You must tell us about him’ Markus said. ‘Tell us what he’s like. He is good to you I hope.’

‘Oh’ Ramana sighed, holding her hands over her heart. ‘He is wonderful.’

‘I’ve never met anyone like her before’ Arlen went on. ‘She’s so funny; she makes me laugh at the silliest of things, and she’s happy all the time. I just wish I could spend more time with her, everyday if I could.’

‘And every night’ Farrell teased.

‘My goodness me’ Brice said to Arlen. ’This must be true love. I’ve never seen you blush before.’

‘We’re happy for you brother’ Farrell said, handing him another drink. ‘Aren’t we Brice?’

‘Oh yes’ Brice nodded vigorously. ‘Very happy.’

‘It’s good to see you smile at last’ Farrell said to Arlen. ’I mean…really smile.’

Farrell took another drink from the tray the servant held, and for once, Arlen did not object to this. The three of them sat before Farrell’s home, watching the horses in the field nearby, and the sun setting in the distance. They listened to Arlen prattle on about all the things he found most wonderful about Ramana, and he spoke long into the evening. Eventually however, Arlen and Brice had to leave as the night drew on. Brice walked from Farrell’s manor alone, and when he entered his own home, his wife was waiting for him in the kitchen.

‘You’ve been a while’ Alice noted. ‘Is everything alright?’

‘Yes’ Brice smiled. ‘Everything is alright.’

‘You seem to be in a particularly good mood’ she noticed. ‘Did I miss out on something?’

‘No, nothing at all.’

‘Then what is it?’ Alice asked with interest.

‘It’s Arlen…he’s…happy.’

The next day

The sunlight above cast moving patterns though the leaves upon the forest floor. Shielding his eyes Arlen squinted at Ramana as she lay next to him. She grinned at him cheekily.

‘I like it when you make funny faces’ she said.

‘I’m not making funny faces’ he told her indignantly. ‘This is just my face.’

She giggled at him, rolling onto her side she propped herself up on an elbow, resting her head in a hand.

‘You’re so cute’ she said to him.

‘I’m not trying to be cute.’

‘I know’ she beamed back. ‘That’s what I find cutest of all.’

Arlen lowered his hand, turning his head to face her properly as he rested on his back against the cool grass in the forest.

‘You say the silliest things sometimes’ he smiled warmly.

She glowed, looking ever more beautiful.

‘So’ she said to him, tickling him as he tried to squirm away from her. ‘A handsome man such as yourself chased by every woman who lays eyes on you….what made you choose me?’

‘What do you mean?’ Arlen asked her, weaving his fingers through hers.

‘I mean…’ she chuckled, poking his nose. ‘Why did you fall in love with me? I didn’t know who you were when you started sending me gifts.’ Her eyes glistened as she watched him closely, waiting for a response. ‘What was it about me that you liked?’

‘It was love at first sight’ Arlen breathed, never taking his eyes from her.

‘But women throw themselves at your feet’ Ramana told him. ’Why haven’t you fallen for any of them?’

‘It’s not like that’ Arlen said frowning and shoving her lightly.

Ramana flicked his hand away, pushing him back and giggling.

‘Women don’t throw themselves at my feet’ Arlen told her.

‘Yes they do.’

‘No’ Arlen said in mock irritation. ‘They don’t.’

‘Well’ Ramana continued. ‘Why didn’t you like any of them?’

‘I was waiting for the right person’ Arlen replied.

’But why were none of them the right person?’ She asked him.

’You mean those pampered spoilt women who think they are better than everyone else because they are richer, or better looking? Or because their parents are important people? The type of woman who spends hours every day painting her face and preening herself? The type of women who has so little care in the world besides themselves, they spend hours living inside their own heads? You want to know why I’m not interested in them?’

‘Alright’ Ramana smiled, satisfied at the answer. ‘What was it about me that made you fall in love with me before you even knew me?’

‘It was what I saw about you’ Arlen grinned.

‘What do you mean?’ Ramana asked teasingly.

‘I have seen so many women of the type who choose to spend their whole lives inside, knowing nothing of the real world. Not even caring to find out, women who do nothing with their lives. But when I saw you, I saw the kind of person you are.’

‘Oh?’ Ramana winked, curious now.

Arlen reached forward, brushing her hair back.

‘You look so beautiful all the time’ he told her. ‘But I like it best when your hair is down.’

‘It’s a good thing I always have it down then’ Ramana said, resting her head against the ground with her hands stuck out before her, poking Arlen’s stomach repeatedly.

Arlen tried to fend her off, waving his hands at her.

‘I saw a lot about your character that day’ Arlen continued, catching her waving hands in his. ‘That day you walked past me. That day I first laid eyes upon you, I saw your beauty and magnificence.’

‘Oh stop’ she laughed, slapping his shoulder lightly.

He flicked her nose playfully in response.

‘Go on’ Ramana told him when they had calmed again. ‘What did you see about my character?’

‘You’re fingers’ he told her.

‘Fingers?’ she made a funny face at him. ‘You fell in love with me because of my fingers?’

‘Yes. I mean no.’ Arlen made a sound of exasperation. ‘You had paint on your fingers’ Arlen went on, ‘which means you like to paint, you are creative. There were twigs in your hair, and dirt on your dress that made it look like you had been kneeling. I thought you perhaps like to garden, maybe you like flowers; maybe you have a collection of them. And the twigs in your hair, how did they get there? Were you walking through the woods, or perhaps climbing a tree? You didn’t wear any makeup, but you were more beautiful without it. You dressed in vibrant red and walked with your head held high; I saw you were a confident person, proud, and strong. That is the woman I have spent my life searching for, that is the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. And when I heard you sing…’ Arlen took a deep breath. ‘I was completely blown away.’

Ramana smiled proudly at Arlen. She leant forward to kiss him.

They only rose, when the darkness began to set. Night was coming, and already the first stars in the sky could be seen growing stronger.

‘Goodnight’ Ramana breathed. ‘My heavenly prince.’

Arlen smiled widely, the edges of his eyes crinkled in pure joy. He bowed low to Ramana, kissing the back of her hand as he did so. ‘Good night’ he said to her. ‘My queen.’

She pressed her body into his, the two of them becoming one.

‘I can’t wait for morning to come’ she said to him. ‘I ache every moment we are apart. I long only to be by your side once more.’

‘As do I’ Arlen smiled. ‘I will pray to the gods to make the moon travel faster across the sky, so that the sun may rise sooner.’

Ramana chuckled at this, nodding to him. ‘In that case I will pray also. Perhaps the gods are more likely to listen to both of us.’

‘I will see you in the morning’ Arlen said, reluctantly letting go of her. Suddenly he was filled with a strong desire to hold her again.

‘Goodnight’ Ramana said, slipping away from him. ‘My love.’

‘Until we meet again’ Arlen bowed. ‘Sleep well.’

Ramana curtsied to him, turning and striding away. She paused a short distance from him, glancing back. She grinned at him one last time, before slipping into the darkness.

The next morning, Arlen waited for her in the woods where they had the day before agreed to meet. But when Ramana appeared, Arlen was shocked to see her.

Ramana fell into his arms, crying hysterically.

‘What is it?!’ Arlen asked in alarm, fear clawing at his heart. ‘What’s happened?’

‘Arlen!’ Ramana sobbed; eyes red and tears streaming down her cheeks. ‘I have some terrible news…’

Arlen met Farrell later that day in his manor.

‘Brother’ Farrell said in surprise as Arlen walked through the kitchen unannounced. ‘I didn’t hear you come in. Are you alright?’

‘Farrell’ Arlen spoke in a flat tone. ‘I need to speak to you.’

‘Goodnight’ Ramana breathed. ‘My heavenly prince.’

‘Until we meet again’ Arlen bowed. ‘Sleep well.’

Ramana curtsied to him, turning and striding away. She paused a short distance from him, glancing back. She grinned at him one last time, before slipping into the darkness.

The night was quiet, and Ramana moved silently through the woods. Even in the failing light, she knew her way, so familiar with the forest she was. She found her path, out of the woods and through the town, heading to the small hill her father’s manor was built upon. She slipped through the large doors that guarded the grounds, skipping down the path and towards the manor. She entered quietly, closing the doors behind her gently so as not to make a noise. But she needn’t have bothered, her father and two brothers were awake, and they were waiting for her.

‘Sister’ the eldest brother Eidan said. ‘It’s late, and you’ve been out all day. Where have you been?’

‘I know’ the second brother, Markus the younger said. ‘You’ve been with Arlen.’

Ramana hunched her shoulders shyly, averting her eyes. Her father frowned at this.

‘Come here my daughter’ he said to her. ‘Come sit with us.’

Ramana obeyed, feeling slightly nervous, though she didn’t know why. She sat opposite her brothers who were both sitting, and her father who was standing. All three of them were huddled together.

‘What’s all this about?’ she asked them uncertainly. ‘Why are you all here?’

‘We need to have a talk’ Bairn her father told her.

‘Have I done something wrong?’ Ramana worried. ‘Have I upset you?’

Bairn shared an uncertain look with his sons, who glanced at each other also.

‘You’ve done nothing wrong’ Eidan said. ‘We are not upset with you, we just….need to have a talk. That’s all.’

Ramana looked to each of them, however felt no better.

‘We’ve been talking’ Bairn began. ‘About children.’

‘Children?’ Ramana repeated flatly. ‘Now I am confused.’

‘It’s time you thought about children’ Bairn went on.

‘Why?’

‘Because your mother was your age when she had her first child.’

‘So?’ Ramana argued. ‘That doesn’t mean I have to live my life exactly as she’s lived hers.’

‘Oh dear’ her father sighed. ‘I forget sometimes how different you are from her, and from me.’ He ran his fingers through what little hair he had. ‘It’s time you started thinking about family’ Bairn persisted. ‘You must plan where you want your life to go from here.’

Ramana pursed her lips irritantly, her brows knitting together as she glowered in displeasure at her father.

‘You are young’ Bairn went on, oblivious to his daughter’s annoyance. ‘You will have many sons.’

‘Like you’ve had many sons?’ Ramana retorted.

Bairn fell into an impatient silence.

‘And anyway’ Ramana went on. ‘I want a daughter.’

‘Good lords’ Bairn sighed in exasperation. ‘You will have both sons and daughters and plenty of them.’

‘No I won’t.’

‘Why must you be so belligerent?’ her father cried in despair.

‘I am not a factory’ Ramana said crossing her arms and turning away in distain. ‘I will have as few or as many children as I please.’

‘Oh lords above’ Bairn sighed again. ‘You’re mother was never like this. She always wanted children, even when she was young.’

‘I never said I didn’t want children’ Ramana went on. ’I just meant I will have them when I am ready, if I am ready.’

‘I think we’ve started this on the wrong foot’ Eidan interrupted as Bairn groaned, walking away with his head in his hands in sheer frustration. ‘We didn’t wait hours for you to talk about children, but about husbands.’

‘Husbands?’

‘Yes’ Markus added. ‘Father wants you to marry Farrell.’

Ramana’s jaw fell open.

‘He is a good man’ Bairn began happily, glad that the topic had at last gotten to its point. ‘He would make a perfect husband. He is rich and powerful…he has a fine reputation. You would be respected greatly if you married him. Many people look to him with respect and awe, and jealously, some even with fear...I am sure. He is young still, he would likely give you many children, and he’s not unpleasant to look at. Your children would be handsome.’

’I don’t want to marry him’ Ramana said flatly.

The following silence stretched on as the statement sunk in.

‘What?’

‘He’s not right for me’ Ramana told her father. ‘I want no man who keeps the company of whores. All those women hanging off him….how can any woman love a man like that?’

‘Men have needs’ Bairn shrugged. ‘I don’t excuse his behaviour, but…’ he shrugged again, casting a pleading look towards his two sons, a look that begged for help.

‘You will come to love him in time’ Eidan said rising to sit beside her, he took her by the hand. ‘I don’t know him personally, but I’m sure he is a good man when you get to know him.’

‘What makes you think that?’ Ramana asked him unconvinced.

‘He has wealth’ Markus said sitting the other side of her. ’You don’t have you love him if you find that he is not right for you.’

‘But I love Arlen.’

‘I know’ Markus said sadly as he brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. ‘Dear sister. I know you love this man, but…’

Ramana fixed him with a pained expression as he spoke.

‘He could not possibly give you the life you deserve.’

‘But he loves me’ Ramana said weakly. ‘And I love him.’

‘We know’ Eidan said. ‘But you would live far more comfortably if you married Farrell.’

‘Life isn’t about wealth’ Ramana argued. ‘I don’t care about jewels and money. I just want to be happy.’

‘But think of the children you might have’ Markus added. ‘They would have a far better upbringing if you married a wealthy man.’

‘Just think’ Eidan went on, ‘you could give them the finest clothes…all the toys they could possibly want…’

‘They would have a better education’ Markus added. ‘They could go to better schools, have better homes when they grow up, and marry well. Your sons could provide well for any women they might want, and your daughters would be much sought after, they would have the first pick of any man they wished.’

Ramana gave an anguished sigh.

‘We only want what’s best for you’ Eidan said. ‘We love you, and we want you to be happy.’

Ramana fixed him with a deep stare.

‘Just think about it’ Markus said. ‘Just promise us that.’

‘Alright’ Ramana mumbled unhappily. ‘I will.’

‘Thank you’ Markus beamed. He stroked her hair back, kissing her forehead before rising and walking away.

Eidan touched her at the chin, turning her face towards his and smiling kindly at her. ‘Farrell could give you a much better life than anyone could.’

He winked at her, before standing and following his brother out of the room.

‘See’ Eidan said to his father as he walked past him. ‘Understand from her point of view, and she will listen.’

Bairn frowned at his sons as they went by. He looked back at his daughter, who would not meet his gaze, and considered saying something else, but decided against it. He would most likely only irritate her, and undo the good words that his sons had spoken.

He simply gave a sigh; then left without a word. When she was alone, only then did Ramana move. She walked silently through the manor, and to her room. She blocked the door with a large wardrobe, then fell onto the bed, and cried.

‘Do you understand now?’ Arlen spoke to Farrell. ‘This is what I’ve been praying for’ Arlen told him seriously. ‘Remember, ages ago I told you…when you asked me what I pray…I told you I pray that when I meet the right woman, I can give her a good home, safety and wealth. I have none of those things, but I can still give them to her.’ He took a deep breath. ‘I believed that the gods would answer my prayer, but I did not think that it would be this way. The only way I can give her the life she deserves, is if I give her to you.’

‘Arlen…’ Farrell began shaking his head.

‘No’ Arlen interrupted sharply. ‘I have made my choice. Its time you were married anyway.’

‘I don’t want to marry her.’

You have money, a fine home.’

‘I don’t want to marry her’ Farrell repeated.

‘I believe you would care for her’ Arlen continued, ignoring his brother’s words.

‘Arlen’ Farrell said seriously. ‘I don’t love her.’

‘She is beautiful’ Arlen went on.’

‘I don’t care about beauty.’

‘She is a good woman’ Arlen said, voice breaking now. He grabbed Farrell by the shoulders, pulling him close. ’If you care about me…if you truly…care about me…you would do this for me….for her…’

Arlen stared back at Farrell defiantly, tears brimming in his eyes.

‘But what about you?’ Farrell whispered.

‘I will be happy’ Arlen replied, letting go of his brother and backing off, ‘in the knowledge that she is in safe hands, and married…to someone I trust.’ Arlen took a slow and steady breath. ‘Look after her’ he said, ‘and…her children.’ He strode away, before Farrell could say another word.

It was the night before the wedding, and Ramana had spent her last day with Arlen. Now they lay alone together, in his home, in his bed. They lay side by side, staring up at the ceiling.

‘My brother is a good man’ Arlen said awkwardly. ‘He will look after you. He will treat you kindly.’

‘I’m sure I will find that out for myself’ Ramana mumbled.

Arlen turned away from her, failing to hold back the tears.

‘Arlen?’ she said. ‘Are you crying?’

She reached for him, turning his head back so that he faced her. ‘Please don’t cry’ she begged of him. ‘I hate to see you sad.’

‘I’m sorry’ Arlen whispered. ‘It’s just...…these last few days we’ve spent together…have been the happiest of my life.’

‘Mine too’ Ramana said. ‘Many years of my life I’ve spent behind walls, dreaming of being on the other side, wondering what was there…and then I found you.’ She lay back down, resting on her side now, her long silky black hair pooled around her head. She watched Arlen, never taking her eyes off his. ‘When you started sending those gifts over the wall, each time you sent another, I learnt a little more about you. Who you were, what you were like….I waited, for hours sometimes to see if you would send me anything on that day. I began to collect them, so that I might look back on them, and remember those days I looked forward to. I shall never forget.’

‘And I shall never forget how you made me laugh’ Arlen sighed. ‘Oh what fun we had.’

‘We did’ Ramana said, enthusiastically now. ‘Let us never forget those days. Let us always remember them, and let us not be sad.’

‘I know this is the last night I will have you, and that tomorrow you will belong to my brother, but…I just want you to know…that I will always love you, from now, until forever…no matter what. And…I just want you to know……. Farrell could give you a much better life than I ever could.’

‘Oh Arlen…’

He pulled her closer, feeling her naked skin against his.

‘Love me’ she whispered to him. ‘Just one last time.’

He leant forward to kiss her.

The next morning was spectacular. Every single person who lived in the town was present at the wedding, with eyes all turned to the bride.

Ramana took a deep and steady breath to calm her nerves, as she saw the crowd of people before her split roughly in half, walking down the path between them and feeling very uncomfortable at the staring faces all around. Her strides were wide, and her pace slow. She mounted the steps to stand before the holy man, looking utterly magnificent. Her luscious black hair was tied up, showing her long beautiful neck and shoulders. She wore a striking dress of bronze and dark green and other earthy colours. Running across her shoulders and trailing behind her as she walked. Her makeup was light but appealing, however felt strange and unfamiliar for her to wear.

A figure approached her from beside, and Ramana turned to see Farrell marching up the steps towards her, handsomely dressed and well presented.

He held out his arm, and she took it, only reluctantly. She glanced back to the crowd, where she spotted Arlen. He stood with his head high, and despite the words he had spoken to her the night before, Ramana could see the suffering in his eyes. All his words of confidence and encouragement, all of it had been lies. He didn’t want to let her go, but he did so, for her.

She remembered the words Arlen had said to her, the words her own brothers had said.

Farrell could give you a much better life than anyone could.

Ramana turned from him with head hung low. She faced the holy man before her, as did Farrell.

The holy man opened his hands, and smiled. He began his sermon, and shortly after, the couple were married.

Farrell walked the short distance back to his home, guiding behind him the dappled stallion, upon which Ramana sat.

They approached the manor, Farrell bringing the stallion around to the front steps. He helped Ramana down, watching her sternly; she almost shrank from his gaze, dipping her head.

Farrell took her hand with no tenderness, and led her to the front door. Behind them, one of the servants took the horse and led it away.

Farrell opened the huge double doors with ease and led Ramana through his home. Her eyes grew wide as she surveyed her new surroundings, the place that was now her home too. She was in awe as to how large the place was, how expensive. It was even larger than her old home, despite her father’s wealth and position.

Farrell led Ramana up the stairs and to his bedroom. The room was oversized, like the rest of the rooms in the manor. There was a four-poster bed at the back wall and several bear skins on the floor, but little else. It was a rich environment, but lacking comfort. Beyond the window outside, the stars were growing bright, and the moon was a waning crescent glowing brightly like a lantern in the sky.

Silently Farrell closed the door. He led Ramana towards the centre of the room, holding her by the hand. Slipping the dress down her body, and reaching forward to kiss her, Farrell pushed her gently back onto the bed.

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