Olivia's home is the Green Man Inn, situated in medieval city of London. She is content with her life, running the bustling tavern with her father, and is taken aback when he suggests a long journey in late autumn into the west of the country to meet her mysterious bridegroom.<br><br>As Olivia gets farther away from the busy metropolis, her concerns grow, especially as Halloween approaches. She senses something strange and unearthly in her fate, and her imagination conjures up fearful images.<br><br>All alone in the wild forests of Wales, will she be an unwilling sacrifice to the pagan gods?

The Green Man

The trees seem to line up against her, and she was prepared to be scratched to pieces as she fought her way through them, that the harsh branches would rend her clothes and tear her skin. But they simply formed a barrier, causing her no harm as she slid to the sodden ground. She was almost insensible with dread, but as her sobs eased, she was aware that the tumult of the storm was now far above her in the sky. In the shelter of the woods, there was an atmosphere of strangely expectant calm.


She wiped her eyes and as she opened them, the trees in front of her almost seemed to give off a glow. The leaves began to rustle as if whispering to her. If she concentrated, she could almost imagine they were forming words and addressing her.


Chapter 4