Atria (Chapter 20)

The next few turns for Ashley passed in a daze, she noticed though, that Atrius was watching her far more than usual. He walked up to her and took her hands in his. “Have you considered my request Ashley?” he asked gently. Ashley nodded, biting her lip to prevent the masses of tears escaping her eyes. “And what have you decided” Atrius asked conclusively, Ashley realized that there was no avoiding this question. She swallowed loudly, willing herself not to vomit, and opened her mouth. “I will Atrius.” She said shakily, “I accept your offer” Atrius smiled. “That is wonderful Ashley” he said, you will complete your education on earth and then I will begin to teach you the ways of an Atrian chief.” Ashley nodded. “ Be blessed child” Atrius said softly, Ashley raised her head and looked at Atrius, “Be blessed” she replied softly. Without another word, Atrius turned and walked away.1

Several moons passed and Ashley was informed that Casey, aka, “Marina, Princess of Morocco” Had just been assassinated by her younger brother, to clear his way to the throne. Ashley laughed when she heard this, “I bet you Casey is going to love that!” She said, “She will be absolutely FUMING when she gets back” Ashley walked over to the arrival pool that Casey was due to return through. She walked slowly, she knew that the cues into Cantrell were long and she was in no hurry to stand around the pool watching spirits she hardly knew spin into existence amongst the blue gaseous substance. Ashley noticed the pool seemed to have gotten emptier. As she stood there, one of the elders walked up behind her and raised his arms, causing the pool to refill. She felt shocked, one day she was going to be doing that and there were so many duties that the elders took care of that she hadn’t even heard of, how could she possibly learn everything. Suddenly, another spirit spun out of the arrival pool and Ashley smiled, “Casey!” she yelled out. Casey had a scowl across her face; she walked up to the side of the arrival pool, kicked it and then stepped out. Ashley laughed and called out again. “CASEY!” she yelled. Casey looked around and then she saw Ashley. “Hey Ash!” She yelled back, walking towards her. Ashley grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the crowd and into a small courtyard, designed as a waiting area for the arrival pool. “What is it Ash” Casey asked urgently, completely forgetting her anger about being assassinated. “I have something really crazy to tell you” Ashley said quietly, “But there is no way you are going to believe me” she finished. Casey gestured for her to continue. Ashley paused before going on. “Atrius asked me to replace him as Chief of Atria after he moves on.” She said softly. Casey’s jaw dropped. “Bullshit” she said defiantly, she smirked. “I told you that you wouldn’t believe me” Ashley said softly, she turned and started to walk away. “Wait” yelled Casey. Ashley turned around, tears streaming down her face. “You’re not kidding are you?” said Casey, completely awe struck. Ashley shook her head reluctantly. “This is crazy” said Casey softly. “I know,” said Ashley, sniffing and wiping her face with her sleeve. Casey walked up and hugged Ashley. “It’s ok Hon” she said quietly, “It’s all going to be ok” Ashley nodded. “So how was your last life” Ashley asked hurriedly. Casey paused for a moment before deciding that Ashley didn’t want to talk about the current situation anymore. “It was awesome!” Casey said, “I have always wanted to be royalty, it isn’t everything it is cracked up to be, I’ll tell you that, but the clothes that I got to wear were really cool!” Casey said. “I tell you what though,” she continued, “How about that cue back into Atria, I felt like I had been spinning for a lifetime” Ashley nodded in agreement, remembering her last entry. “So how was your last life” Casey asked, “Yea good,” said Ashley, “I was in the Australian army, fighting to stop the invasion of Darwin” She finished. “Did you win?” Casey asked casually, Ashley laughed, “Your head has been in the clouds to long Casey” she said, “If only it was that simple.”2


(UNFINISHED)3