The den they saw when they had found the location had been washed away, much to the disappointment of Alicia. And so, they turned away, heading towards the cliffs instead.

They walked side by side at the base, staring up towards the top.

‘It’s a beautiful view from up there’ Alicia spoke in a distant voice. ‘Wouldn’t you like to see it?’

‘I would’ Ashton replied.

‘Its been too long’ Alicia said, slowing to a stop and turning fully to face the steep cliffs now. ‘There’s so much I miss from home.’

And without another word she stepped forwards, heading towards the rocky slopes.

‘Hey hold on’ Ashton called after her, hurrying to keep up.

Alicia tied the skirt of her dress in a knot to keep it out of the way, tucking her hair behind her ear. She made a move forwards, beginning to climb.

Ashton had seen her do this many times before, but not for such a long time, and he watched her now with trepidation. But as he saw her climbing higher up the slope of the rocky cliff, he saw her move with surety, and his heart eased in his chest just a little.

He waited for a moment longer, simply watching from the bottom, until he saw Alicia reach the very top, climbing over the edge of the cliff and back onto solid and safe ground. She turned back to him.

‘You’ve still not moved from that spot?’ she exclaimed; her voice muffled by the sound of the wind. ‘Hurry up lazy bones. What are you even waiting for? You’ve done this so many times…’

Ashton gave a little frown of annoyance at that, stepping forwards towards the rock.

He lifted his foot to the nearest ledge, grabbing a suitable hold. He began to climb.

From above his sister watched patiently, not saying a word, simply waiting for him to reach her. But as Ashton climbed, his mind was foggy, and his thoughts distracted.

Edmund….

He wondered what kind of a man he was, why his parents had chosen him, whether or not he was a kind and loving man.

Ashton pursed his lips then, feeling a sudden wave of sadness and despair of the situation washing over him.

He did not even know what Edmund looked like; had not so much been shown a picture.

‘Ashton!’

His sister’s voice snapped him sharply out of his lacklustre thoughts.

His foot slipped, hand shooting out to grab something to hold onto, but his fingers just slipped off the rock.

The last thing that Ashton experienced before blacking out, was shock, and a sudden and sharp pain on the back of his head.