Hunching my shoulders down a bit, I tilted my head to the side to scan the rowdy crowd that filled the bar of the Inn.
Moving my spoon around in the slop that they called food, I went around trying to find interesting conversation, all the while not making eye contact with any of the drunks here. They had a terrible habit of taking that as consent to do anything they pleased, and not a lot of hero's visit where drunks roam.
"I tell you this, when I put my hands in the satchel, he ruffled up like a bird, uptight cunt that Nile." A slurred man spoke, swiping the back of his hand under his neck, before scratching his face with ragged nails. "Bribing him to lose a few papers-"
I tuned out and searched again.
"Another drink!"
"Keep your head down, we don't need attention-"
"This is disgusting."
"I done said I was sorry," A hushed voice whispered not at all apologetically, annoyance and strain, making the words easier to hear. "but instead of yelling at me, why not speak to yer sister about how she came onto me."
A sniffle, spoon scrapping again the bottom of the plate.
"A-Again, you keep saying it's her fault, and if it's not her, it's some other woman's fault-"
"All women come onto me, but I stay with you. Aren't you lucky-" I made a face and tried to tune out, catching a bit more of that conversation then I wanted to, but annoyance not letting me leave it be as quick as I'd wished.
There weren't many good things going on, nothing that stirred the locals interest, which I could say was favorable to me. However, it also made it nearly impossible to find an opening. Pushing the plate aside, I grabbed my sack and discretely made my way out towards the front door. No one paid any mind to the boy dressed in rags and a dirty hood.
Cool air fanned all around me as soon as I stepped out of the building, as well as fresh air that didn't reek of alcohol and unwashed bodies, with the occasional scent of stale food.
Walking down the bustling street, I made sure not to bump into the women as they did the same, eyeing me with caution and distrust. I preferred not to have a shrieking maiden afraid of a street thief. Looking both ways, I crossed the street, weaving in between carts and wagons until I made my way down a dimly lit ally. There was still enough skylight to make wandering about safe, but I still looked over my shoulders every now and then.
Coming out of the ally, I looked both left and right, trying to decided which path to take. To my right, I could see the busking port district, merchandise heading to and from. On my left, further than the eye could make out gigantic trees loomed above mountain ways, birds diving down into the forest. Before me, I continued to travel East, then I would make it to Covewell, which in itself was not a terrible idea, but I would be too close to home. Making money there was easier than looking for a job as I was now, but the risk of being recognized by someone, despite all these years, was not worth it.
I looked right once more and stared. If I closed my eyes and focused, I would surely be able to catch a whiff of the ocean coming from off of a wagon or even sea products. I had never been to Verenai before. It wouldn't hurt to learn the distance between here and there. If I was lucky, I wouldn't need to take a boat and could travel by nights cover as long as the trip didn't last more than a week, but the sea was tricky thing. There weren't many places to rest or land.
"Verenai Island, huh." Adjusting my sack, I turned and made my way up the street in the direction of the ports.
By wagon, it would have been a days ride, two at most, but walking came with better opportunities and less coins spent. I paced myself, making sure not to look aimless or hurried. I filled my bag with fruits and bread as I passed markets and asked a couple questions, which is how I learned that the fastest trip to Verenai had taken a little over a month. The news disappointed me but didn't derail me much. Still moving onward, I began to think of new ways to find self passage on a boat. Being a crew member wouldn't work, I'd had many employments, but sea work wasn't one of them. Buying passage way as a stowaway in a merchants ship was less likely as a woman.
Looking at the many stalls as I passed by, I figured looking for a higgler was easier, I could pretend to be an assistant or if we were both lucky, a lover. It had been a while since I found a worthy playmate. I sighed in annoyance as the sun began to set, and people walking about lessened, at least the decent people that is. The majority were suspicious, wary or unfortunate depending on what the night brought.
I would have to look for shelter or find a less conspicuous way to travel. I spun around a bit, eyes to the sky. The homes and buildings here were grand, but not enough. A tingle began at the base of my back, scratching it I straightened up and kept walking on.
The afternoon was filled with the familiar sound of horse hooves on the stoned pavement, wooden wheels clicking and rocking, the rickety sound of heavyweight being carried. Mumbled conversations and the rare carefree laughter. The baggy clothes I wore, covering the layers I had beneath, made me swelter, wanting to swipe at the sticky sweat that was beginning to form at the back of my neck, dripping down my front, in between my breasts. I made a face as I patted my stomach.
I hours into my long walk, not at all tired or hungry when I caught the scent of salt. Different from the sea salt that wafted the air, a warmer, richer scent. Along with copper and something earthly sweet. My forehead scrunched as my steps slowed. My nose in the air I reached for my hood, holding it between my fingers as I inhaled deeply. A familiar scent. Pushing my hood behind my ear, I stopped and stared at the ground as I focused.
Steps behind me and in front of me slowly reaching ground, clip-clop of hooves, wind rustling rusty store signs that swung back and forth, the laughter of multiple people higher up, their vibrations shaking through glass, a wet slosh and sharp singing sound like sowing, almost tearing- ah, there.
Following the scent, I found myself further down the street, making a right and then another left, soon further away from my original path, surrounded by tightly packed mediocre lodgings with rusted frames and smudged windows. Paper and rags thrown hazardously, tin cans covered in flies that only moved their winds in the direction of the wind as they sat perched firmly.
Off in the distance, a horse was tied to a flickering night post, the magic that was supposed to keep it, undoubtedly long overdue to be charged. The animal looked at me once before making a distressed sound and shaking its head, tugging at its reigns. Tied to it were two bags, one a medium sized case, the other a rustic sack like the one I carried. Tied to the case was a green scarf. I stared at it for a moment longer, my heart beating louder than I cared for as a familiar feeling of both suspicion and dreaded acceptance began to creep upon me like a bitter bite.
Looking around, I caught sight of no lit candles behind curtains or shadows that moved beyond the window. Peering behind me, I looked for any sign of life, but even the wind carried off with the scent of any life that had passed by. I felt goosebumps rise on my arms, the sweat that had once made me uncomfortable now chilled me like an icy finger.
I stood still for a moment before stepping into the shadows and proceeding cautiously. I knew where the scent was coming from before I took my next breath. There was only one slight gap between the crammed buildings on this side of the street and a tall wall wrapped around the end to show a dead end neighborhood that might have once been occupied and thriving. The sounds of hitting flesh, the quieting of cries grew stronger. I stood at the end for a moment before taking a step forward. My shadow trailed in front of me and grew twice my size, nearly touching the manifestation in front of me.
She had deep brown eyes that were tainted in fear and pain, her body jolting roughly at mans movements. At the sight of me, she reached out, a shaky pale hand, a sign of supplication as tears streamed down her face. But as she looked at me, I could see that she could not actually see me. The man took hold of her wrist roughly, blood smeared hands clenching around her own as he slammed it down onto the cold ground. The familiar scent that I had found was blood. A gleam of silver, his hand still wrapped around the hilt, a knife plunged into her chest, blood soaked, and filled the sky with the scent of crimson and crime.
I hated this. I hated men. I despised this world that made them think they owned it when women had given them life and then more.
I took a step forward, and then another. As my shadow crept forward, I dropped my sack, something rolled out and hit the man boot covered foot. An apple. He froze, stiffening before turning his head slightly, but not enough to fully look over his shoulder. Brown hair disheveled, red faced and clean shaven, from the back his coat looked decent. A man in some sort of position.
He was silent. I was silent. She was now dead.
Rage boiled from the pit of my stomach, burning my chest as it traveled upward before pressure seized my throat, my lips parted.
"Get off of her and stand still and silent by the wall." The words that left my lips wrapped around his heart and mind, a lullaby only he could hear and understand, a melody to his heart. Smoother than silk and as enchanting as love.
He jumped back at once, loose trousers dropping to the ground as his body had no other choice but to stand silent and still, waiting for my next command, a stupefied expression over his face, dull eyes glazed.
Walking past him, I crouched down, I stared deeply into her eyes, heaviness pressing down around me. I reached out and closed her eyes, disliking the temperatures her skin. Neither warm nor cold, a stolen heat, a gifted chill. I took hold of one of her legs and bought it together with the other before pulling her skirt down, removing the knife, holding the dripping thing. I looked up at the moon, not in question, nor in grief, but in sanity.
The world was cruel. I didn't deny that. Some believed that in order to be better, we had to do better than those who were evil. What evil doers do, will always come back to bite them. It took too long. I was faster.
"You're going to go into one of these empty buildings, take this knife and remove your member first, the hand not using the knife, then your toes, ears, nose, lips and tongue. If you're still alive, forget my face and wait to die."
Looking over his way, I watched as he nodded, holding out his right hand out for the knife. I stabbed it into his hand, he cried out, but pulled it out as I picked up my sack, walked past him and out of there. From a distance, I watched as he walked off, trousers still down, to a vacant building. Smashing in the windows and entering when the boarded up door wouldn't budge. I turned and walked off when his screaming began.
I was about to head back into my pathway, trying to trail my scent back when the sound of the horse made me stop. With a sigh, I spun and made my way back to it. It could be of use, and it didn't deserve to be left out here to starve.
Calming it down took a lot more time than I cared to waste, but once I handed him some fruit, he could have been mine all along with how friendly he became. Checking the sack ,I dumped it out and only took the coins, tossing it away, I unhooked the case with the green scarf. The first things I top of her clothing were papers and documentation that listed her name and life. Rummaging through her clothes, I found out ware, sleep-ware and familiar garments. A few family trinkets and photos, as well as her own coin purse. Curiosity made me open it, the fancy envelope with intricate details along the border with a fancy seal stamp that niggled at something within my memory. Since it was already open, I didn't have to tear it open, so I unfolded it and began to read it. When I finished, my hands dropped as I blinked in genuine surprise, the wheels in my head already turning, and potential chances swirling around me like leaves in the wind.
Folding the letter and placing it back in the envelope, I tapped it once, twice, and once more, before putting it back into the case and tying it once more. Drumming my fingers on the case, I stared at nothing in particular as I schemed and weighed my choices.
While I had never been to the land and it didn't have the best rumors surrounding it, a chance to enter was too little too suspicious. If not now, then when? If I could enter... If I made it in, like few rarely did so without justification, then they shouldn't be able to enter so easily, and if they did... It would be improbable-no, impossible to find me.
This was a rare chance. My shoulders tensed and strained as blood pumped faster through out my body, I balled my hands into fists. In invisible force seemed to buzz all around me, or maybe it was my imagination as all of the paths before me, the outcomes alluring like forbidden wine.
As I went back and forth with my thoughts, I climbed onto the horse, my body moving without much thought, already aware of what my choice was. Taking hold of the reins, I couldn't help but look once more down that retched space, closed my eyes and tipped my head in a silent moment before moving onward, as I always do.
The place I was headed to was dangerous, nearly forbidden, and it made me all the more excited as I thought about the adventure out there in the great wide somewhere.
***** 🥀 *****
"So you are Miss Marie? May I see your papers?" Holding out a hand, the older lady stared down at me from her impressive height, the black spectacles dangerously close to the end of her pointed nose.
"Yes, of course." Reaching into the side pocket of the teal colored dress I wore, I handed her the papers and then clasped my hands in front of me and looked off to the side, giving her the time to look over the paper work.
This Inn was far nicer than most I had been in, the place of meeting somewhere not many dared near in fear of being shouted at, much less enter without clear reason. The outside of this magnificently designed building had large windows with color that changed depended, where the sun was in the sky, which stood out more with the white walls and black wood that arched higher than the actual walls. It was like a piece of art. The lounge room I was in was a light blue color with bright oranges and sandy colors that made me feel as if I was on some sort of vacation with the smooth wooden floor. I stood in front of the dark haired woman whose hair was pulled back loosely around her face, two shorter strands of hair fanning around her heigh cheekbones, while the rest fell loosely down her back from a thin looking dagger that held it up. She wore a long sleeve white shirt with frills down her front that disappeared tucked into a long black skirt that was shapely on her, something not often seen on women.
Despite having cleaned myself up and dressing more feminine, even if it was in obvious second hand clothes, the guests here had taken one looked at my face with curiosity, looked down and decided I was the help. Unlike me, she gave off an elegant air, even without being covered in jewels or wearing make up, as the higher class ladies do. Besides the dagger, the only other adornment she wore were her spectacles, which had black beads falling from the frame that ran down her face and around her neck like some necklace. As soon as I walked in, I inhaled deeply, she smelled of smoky wood and something earthy that scratched at my throat, with a hint of soap. She looked to be about late forty's, no definitive lines on her fair colored skin, but the strands that framed her face had a few streaks of gray hairs that could not be ignored.
"Well," I looked back her way, catching her frown as she flipped through the papers quickly without much interest in information on family. "The establishment that recommend you says that you are a efficient, punctual and well mannered, and while that is something to consider, all I want to know are two things."
I waited for her questions, already tying to figure out what they could be as she looked me up and down, as if trying to determine if I was even worthy the questions. It was a tricky thing, not knowing what face was best for this moment. Did she want a fierce worker? A meek one? All I could do was stare alert, not looking away from her dark gaze. Crossing a leg over the other, she leaned forward, one hand holding onto the papers while the other went to her chin.
"What are you expecting to see in the kingdom of Zelig?"
Slightly throw off by the unexpected question I frowned. What did I expect to see? A question for a traveler, not so much for a maid. Then again, not many were allowed entrance into Zelig but the force of her gaze made me feel as if her words were not out of curiosity nor a citizens pride in their home land. A trick question then. I brought my long brown braid to the front, playing with the end for a moment before tossing it back, is swayed for a moment before stilling mid back.
If this was what she asked a maid...hmm a maid. Someone who cleaned and provided assistance to their master when and before they were even called. Also, someone privy to important household information, and more often than not, secrets they were expected to keep.
"..." I opened my mouth, but nothing came. I cleared my throat and glanced off to the side for a moment in a show of nerves. Purposely, I spoke slow, pronouncing almost every letter. "Nothing I'm not suppose to see."
"Hmm," The corners of her lips turned upward, showing lines around her mouth. Her tone was casual and airy that it felt as if the question had been something else. "Lastly, have you written out your will yet?"
"No." I shook my head, my toes flexing within my shoes as suspicion began to form into something that felt like unease.
Why did it sound as if I were going into a mad house, not as a maid, but a meal?
"Do that soon." Giving me a very pointed look that she held until I nodded in understanding she reached for a pen on decorative round table in between the two of us, scribbling something that on the envelope before putting the paper back inside.
"So far you seem to have a good head on your shoulders, when you leave here head towards a building with red tiles and blue steps, the gentleman there will inform you of what to do next." Curtly, she held out the envelope which I took and motioned towards the door in a dismissive motion. "Hand this over to him. Farewell, Miss Marie."
"Good day, Madame Lota."
With a slight curtsy, I made my way out feeling her eyes on me. Once I was back outside, I held the envelope tightly.
Red tiles and blue steps. Nothing else. How was I to know I'm which direction to go and when to show up? I turned around to stare at the building behind me, a scowl in place. A trick or trial? Hmm.
I could wait until another candidate came for an interview, but the timing would be tricky if I was lucky enough to find one. There was also the importance of them actually having to pass and be told where to go. It would do me no good to follow a failure back home. The easiest thing would be to ask someone.
Looking around, I decided to search for a local who wasn't dressed better than I was. As a better off section of this city, there weren't as many stalls and people out and about that I could simply walk up to for conversation. High end stores for perfumes, tailor shops and pastry stores lined the streets, their buildings, as well as the fancy ladies that walked into them. I walked off a bit but kept the Inn within my sight in case I had to start over again.
The old wooden door stood out to me first, not polished or as well bolted as the others around it. Intact, to my eye, the top seemed larger than the bottom, a symmetrical error in the making. Unknowingly taking a step closer, I twisted around until I could catch a glimpse of what was inside, but all I could see were dull colors and what looked like a y'all wooden plank. Scanning the outside once more for a clue as to what was inside, I stopped at the right window where an open sign was flipped, a small drawing of open books scribbled on the corner.
I was in front of the quirky door before I knew it, placing my hand flatly on the door, underneath it was rough, not sanded out. Pulling on the handle, a bell sounded as soon as I did so. Walking in, I took a step to the side in case anyone else entered after I did. It wasn't a large place, but it made do with the space it had. Books covered all available space on walls, book shelves pushed together at different angles, like a maze, some with dead ends, others with slim walkways.
Across from me there was a small desk with books stacked up underneath and overtop, papers scrawled all over the place, but the middle was clear of anything but a pen and stamp. Sound came from the back, a soft rhythmic sound of shuffling.
"I'll be with you in a moment... soon as I unbury myself." The last part was mumbled to low for other to hear, somehow this pulled a soft amused smile from me.
Walking in further, I walked over to a random bookshelf and bent, turning my head at an awkward angle to read the titles. I had a great respect for books, after I had learned to read, their knowledge was grand and the stories written within them fascinating. I didn't get to read often now.
I recognize less than a handful of books on this shelf, but since I wasn't here for fun, I stood up straight. Navigating around the small store was more interesting than I thought. Every time I thought I would exit, I found a dead end or some new loop.
"Hello? Did you leave?" The same voice called out confused. Trying to follow the sound, I turned left and walked down.
"No, I seem to be lost." I answered back.
"Ah, a common occurrence here." They replied slightly closer. I paused and turned, seeing the end of someone's feet sticking out from around the corner of what I had thought was another dead end.
"Hello?" Inching closer, my brows raised at the older man, surrounded and slightly hurried by books. Looking over his shoulder, he gave me a genial smile, not seeming at all bothered by the fact that he appeared to be stuck.
"Welcome to the Library Miss, how can I be of help? Check out or returning?" He turned back around, stacking books on top of one another, while also putting them back into the lower book shelf. The rhythmic thumping sound I had heard was this, him trying to unbury himself.
"Neither," I said slowly, unsure if I should offer assistance in helping set himself free, since he didn't seem all that bothered by it. "I came to ask for direction, and if not, a map of the city if possible."
He paused at my words and turned back around, looking at me properly. He squinted a bit before blinking.
"Oh, pardon me. A new face is always welcomed here, are you lost?"
"Not quite. I've got somewhere to go, but the information I was given was very little." More than little I'd say.
"I see, well I've lived here my whole life, I'm sure there's something I can do to help you." He placed his hands on his lap as he simply sat there, almost content.
"I would appreciate that very much." Hesitantly, I motioned with a hand towards him. "Do... do you want help getting out?"
"Huh-oh! Oh no, no, no, I'm fine. Actually," he rocked back and forth, grasping at a shelf beside him and across from him as he pulled himself up. Books tumbled to the floor around him. Dusting himself off, he shrugged. "This happens all too much."
Walking around me he raised a hand to his chin, stroking it as his other hand lifted in the air, skimming books quickly up and down or spinning around suddenly to head elsewhere.
"Now, what do you know of your destination? Maps where are the maps? Or would the best attractions here suit her best? Catalogs-" Rambling off to himself, I trailed after him slowly, giving him enough space to move about without crashing into his back. He was energetic for an elderly man.
"All I know was that I'm supposed to go to a place with red tiles and blue stairs." I input, hoping the little I knew was enough for a start.
"Red tiles and bl-" He stopped and spun around to face me with a ecstatic look to him. "Well, there's really only one place with blue stairs and red tiles. The House of Sublime? Oh my, are you an inventor?"
"Not at all. House of Sublime? What is the meaning of such place?" At my admission, his face fell, but he was kind enough to mask it to an extent, but the glimmer that had been present at his question was harder to hide.
"Well, it is the home base of inventors world wide, where all ideas go to thrive or be corrected." Crossing his arms over his chest, he looked me over, not in the way I'm usually used to, but in an inquisitive way. "If you don't mind me asking, if you aren't an inventor, what do you do?"
A harmless question.
"I'm a maid." He made an 'Ah' sort of expression, nodding.
"Well, I supposed they've lived in a mess long enough. I've never been, but every now and then you'll hear an explosion go off." He shook his head in a rueful sort of way. Scratching behind his ear. "And that's saying something since it's quite far from here. I'd feel for the people who live within the vicinity if it weren't for the fact that they were all family members of the inventors. They must be used to it by now."
I glanced outside the window, not much time had passed while I had entered but I wasn't sure if there was a time window I was to meet but it was best as if I acted as if I were.
"How do I reach the House of Sublime?" I asked.
"Pardon me for going off, you'll have to head off soon if you want to make it before nightfall." Giving me an apologetic look, he turned and made his way to the messy desk up front, rummaging around with his back facing me.
"If it that far?"
"Far?" He repeated, he looked over his shoulder, eyes knowing. "Miss, it's in the town next over."
Tick or trail? I'd say a bit of both.
***** 🥀 *****
Not only had the good librarian who I had learned was named Lorenz, helped me located the House of Sublime, but he had also gotten me a schedule of when the next wagon ride would be heading nearby. Once I had all the information that I needed, it didn't take long for me to be in route for my destination. I was a bit unhappy without having a definitive way of being sure that this was where I was supposed to be headed, but it didn't take long for my worries to be resolved.
"This is as close as this wagons getting to that mad house, anyone going there gets off here or has a long ride back." The driver said roughly, his large mustache twisted whenever he spoke, brooding eyes scanning all of us.
Taking hold of my luggage, I got off, but wasn't the only one. Two other women with a single case like I did, as well. We all paused and looked at one another. As the wagon pulled off, we stared at one another. If I had to guess, I believe we were all trying to see if we were all here for the same reason, and if so, if one knew the best way to go about entering the murky looking forest.
The one closest to me had straight black hair that didn't flutter with cold wind that went about, with matching black eyes that looked around shrewdly, measuring us up without a hint of bashfulness. Covered in a long black coat with a single button underneath her breast and a black hat that cast a shadow over her features, I felt as if I could have been staring at Madame Death.
The other woman was the complete opposite with chestnut red hair and freckles, and a bright complexion and colors. Her coat was bright yellow and her dress underneath a slight washed out pink. She clasped her white glove, covered hands together nervous as she looked between me and the other woman. A hesitant expression, but with burning amber eyes.
"Hello, I'm Andrea, I'm here for a maid position at the Zelig kingdom, could it be that you two are as well?" She asked with a barely contained strong voice.
"I am." I answered. At my confirmation, she jumped up and steeped closer to me, reaching down to take hold of my free hand.
"Blessed my luck, I thought I had gotten it wrong. You can call me Andy, what's your name?"
"Marie."
"Hello Marie, what about you Miss?" She looked up at me, now that she was closer, I could see the faint traces of freckles she had around her cheeks and down her neck, but not across her nose as was usually seen. Shorter than me she looked youthful as well, around nineteen. Turning to look at Madame Death with an expected tone.
"You should be more cautious about telling others about your business." Turning away from us she faced forward and stared at the desolate road in front of us.
From where we stood, the large red tiles Madam Lota spoke of were clearly visible. The path we stood on was a clear dirt one that headed directly to House of Sublime, rather than one large speck of blue that I thought would be a singular staircase. It seemed as if spirals of cases that went no where and everywhere came from the large mansion. However, surrounding the path from both sides was a thick covering of trees and wild life. I wasn't at all perturbed by that, but there was something almost... chilling about this atmosphere. Perhaps it was being so close to the border.
"Was I too forward?" Andy asked, brows furrowed. I stared at her for a moment before plastering a small smile on my face and intertwined out arms together.
"Not at all, she might be nervous as well, but she does have a point. You shouldn't be so quick to tell others your business. What if we were wicked?"
"Are you?" She asked lightly, already laughing.
"Hmm." I chuckled and shook my head. "Why don't we go check out this place?"
Starting off the walk with her attached to my side, I looked down at her.
"Is it just me or is there something almost creepy about walking down this road? I feel as if something might jump out at any moment."
"The House of Sublime is home to the brightest minds world wide, they've no doubt placed wards to keep those with ill intentions away." A sudden voice interjected, her tone cool and void of any emotion she was feeling. When neither of us responded after a moment, she added. "I'm Nathalie."
"A pleasure to meet you Nathalie." We both said simultaneously. Ahead of us by a few steps, she stopped enough for us to catch up, tilted her head to the side and continued on.
"Like wise." Was the last thing she said as we all walked forward together.
Throughout the majority of the walk Andy was the main entertainment as she jumped at any and all sudden sounds or brought up scary stories that seemed more to energize her than frighten her. Every now and then she would ask me a question. I had a feeling she would have tried it with Nathalie, but she seemed to sense she would be met with more silence than anything resembling a straight forward answer. I made sure to keep my ears and eyes alert for anything moving about that wasn't within its natural habitat. A large black gate that grew to a towering size the closer we got was the only deterrent that we faced.
"Is," Andy started to say, squinting off at something at the distance. "Is that who were supposed to meet?"
Following her eyes, I found that away from the main gate, lingering by the edge of the left forest, a dark shadow stood still. At the sight of the figure, all three of us looked at one another and walked off in that direction. Three women walk off the path to meet a mysterious figure by the woods. Doesn't seem like beginning to a happy tale, but also not the worst.
Upon closer distance, I came to find that the gentleman was a bit peculiar to the eye. Shortly styled black hair with streaks of gray on either side of his temples, hair parted in the middle, but slightly pushed away from his eyes falling over his forehead. Thick but primed dark straight brows over black penetrating gazing eyes, a long flared out nose and clean shaven face. He was definitely older than me by more than a handful but he wore his age very well. Broad shoulders and a trim waist was outlined by the uniform he wore, buttons running down either side of his abdomen and those nicely defined legs....
He held one hand behind his back, the other pressed firmly to his abdomen, covered by silky looking white gloves. He had a rugged air about him despite the clean appearance. His eyes were slightly slanted, making it look as if he were glaring at us, with dark coal lashes. The other two stopped at a bit of a distance away from him. Andy held onto my arm, trying to keep me with her but I pulled forward. Smiling politely, I tilted my head a bit.
"Hello, would you happen to be the gentleman whom Madame Lota told us to expect?" He stared at me coldly for a moment, before looking over my shoulder. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a pocket watch, snapped it shut, placed it back and resumed the previous stance he held.
"Documents?" He demanded, holding a hand out. Eyeing him, I brought them out, I said nothing as I watched him. I had a feeling he was a man of little words, straight forward. Oh how I'd love to know what he was like enraged.
He took it from me and read the front. I had tried to decipher what the odd drawings had meant, but it was early impossible without any backhand knowledge on the lettering system. I didn't even know what it sounded like when spoken, but neither he nor Madame Lota seemed to have any heavy accent. I watched his face carefully for any indication that might mean crummy luck for me. The only indication that he had any change at all was the slight raise that came from his brows, but it was gone as soon as it was there.
He glanced at me and nodded before holding out his hand for the other two to give him their own envelopes. Nathalie was the first to step forward, she kept quiet like I did. Andy shuffled nervously, mustering the courage to cough out a quiet 'Hello' before stepping back. Everything seemed to be well since he tucked all three envelopes into his coat pocket and seemed to face us with the purpose of finally acknowledging us.
"I am Gerald Lumin, the second hand of the head butler, in charge of the East and Northern side of the palace where you will be working. Follow forth, we will be staying close by for the next two days as we wait for the remained of those who have the approval of Madame Lota. During this time, I will be informing you of the rules and behavior we expect to see while you are in our service, as well as the benefits and penalties for a breach of contract." He spoke direct and resolute, not taking a break as he turned and began to walk off into the forest on a nearly indistinguishable pathway. "I will be overlooking your work and correcting any habits trained into you by your previous keepers."
Andy made a distressed sound as she followed behind me. Nathalie followed silently, but a glance down showed she clutched her case with pale hands. Looking back at Sir Gerald's steady pace, it took me a moment, not because of what was but what wasn't there. In the forest I could hear the various birds and their calls, the mimicking sounds other animals made, the scuffling of those who burrowed deeper, the harsh steps Nathalie took and the timid shuffles Andy took. Even my own had their own echo within the forest.
Sir Gerald's were practically nonexistent.
Follow the handsome gentleman into the forest, did the three women do. If he turned out to truly be a mad man, this whole trip would have turned out to be a waste.
It felt as if we were walking around rather than further from the House of Sublime. Despite the darkening sky and the tree coverage, the red tiles still stood out in their own way high in the clouds. A splash of color that did not belong within the forest brought me back. A decent sized building with similar red tiles covering both the roof and exterior of the house was perched on a slight uphill, a shade darker than the previous stairs leading the way upward.
"We will be staying here, go make yourselves comfortable for the night for tomorrow begins your new training." Sir Gerald stayed without a backward glance and began the climb uphill.
Well, all adventure came with a little hard work. I just hope that this would all be worth it in the long run.