The rattling of the wagon wheels made the ride nearly miserable, the rough wooden benches and the wooden beam covered in thick leather behind me arching overhead.
I endured this for three days all to enter the Zelig Kingdom, the hardest of all places to enter, for whatever reason. If people made it past the dense forest with misty passageways and confusing pathways, the first inspection port would surly make one reconsider where they had ended up.
With Madame Lota and Sir Lumin in charge of making brisk work of handling all paperwork and identification, we were the fastest to enter. But once inside, I couldn't help but get the odd feeling that I had just left behind safety. It was the way people looked here, or rather it was the appearance of the people themselves. It was nothing too suspicious, bustling people heading to their destinations, children playing around, no one seemed starved nor overly exhausted, but there was something almost off in the streets. It was on a momentary rest period while we had lunch, pulled over, and away from Main Street. I sat with Andrea as she chatted along with some of the others, looking around in awe at the lavish and elegant buildings around here. Which was odd, for a town so far from the capital, where these not supposed to be the lesser version of it?
I too began to look around, and in doing so came to stare at a pair of young brown eyes looking back at me. A child no older than seven was strolling along with his mother. It was mostly instinctive and somewhat ruse, I softened my face and smiled. He stared for a moment longer than normal as they strolled, eyes dropping lower as if looking me over, stared some more, and then mirrored my actions.
But his smile dropped faster than it had taken to even reach his face, eyes unusually expressionless for a young child, looking behind me, I saw him make faces at whoever he had been staring at. His mother, eye forward, did not even glance down to place her hand on his shoulder. At once, he too looked forward and on they went. It puzzled me, but I shrugged it off. Children were hard to read, harder to control, and unreasonable when it came to finding a reason behind their actions. Later that afternoon, I had been placed near the back, a freeing view of the scenery as the cold day went on.
The Kingdom of Zelig was the largest on the west side of the map, the territory stretching out father than the rich and lustrous kingdom of Mozier, not as large, but definitely nothing to brush off. Mozier was a nation of hot weather, sand-filled afternoons and beautiful music, jewels of all shapes and sizes, riches beyond one's imagination covered homes and the people. For a moment, I was swept away with recollections of the seafoam green morning skies while the world below swirled in caramels, browns and hypnotic laughter, golden dresses, and books laid out beside pillows. Those days it was much easier to play around for me. I had yet to know what I knew now of the price of the freedom I carried. I bit my tongue, focusing back on the moment at hand.
Zelig, for all its richness of the land, was priming with wildlife both around and within the nation. As extravagant as the buildings were, if one had enough knowledge on what other places looked like, would be able to tell that there was something almost wild and nearly haunted to the looks of this place, even if they were elegant when the little sun that came hit them. It was as if the very buildings themselves were taller than they seemed, their shadows crawling up the walls, windows looking like watchful eyes. Not much was known about here. Businesses that made trade within the ports said it was a place filled with restrained sharks. The women were known to be as powerful, if not more so than the men themselves. The thickest fabrics and furs were exported from here, along with exotic flowers and, most importantly, the strongest military power. These were all the common things known about Zelig, which made it all the more suspicious.
For a kingdom so large and brimming with military power, they were oddly nonexistent when it came to rumors. Nothing ill, nothing grand, there was little to ever be heard when it came to the ongoings of a place filled with such overflowing potential. Fewer people knew the names of royalty, less knew who was in power currently. The only time I could recall ever hearing a whisper of a rumor was perhaps from a tale my mother had told me of hand, something about a shut-in king or such. Even so, I couldn't help the sensation that there was something more to it. I mean, undoubtedly there probably was, no grand nation built themselves up holding hands, there was probably more skeleton beneath this uneven ground than most cared to dig for, but the sense that I had just walked into a spider web would not leave me. Not one to ignore my instincts, I decided then and there that my stay would be shorter than all of the previous, despite the benefits of being shielded as a maid by an entire kingdom, I needed no warning sign to know danger lurked here.
Just watching the people here work put me on edge. They weren't doing anything too uncanny, couples strolled about hand in hand whispering together as they watched those around them, children clustered together near shop windows to peer at sharpened blades, men with rugged faces walked briskly as they looked around, women made faces at one another that was neither unfriendly nor completely warm. Doing a double-take, I blinked. At once, understanding what my eyes had been seeing and figuring out what had not made sense to me. I shut my eyes and focused on my ears. When I was proven correct, I opened my eyes, unease, and an emotion I hadn't felt in a while rising within me like slow steam.
I had been right about this place being odd, not because of what I knew, but because of what I had felt and of who I was. I was used to putting on a show, I was used to a show being put on in front of me, but I was not used to something of this scale.
I hadn't realized it at first because of the creaky wagon wheels, the constant chattering of nervous the workers traveling together, the sound the carriages behind us or the horse hooves, all these sounds and the new scenery had distracted me.
It had all almost distracted me from the very fact that this town was unusually quiet.
Yes, I could see the people whispering to one another, I could see and hear the sound of their movements, but there was almost a sense of or rather a sound of life missing from this town. It was as if they were all still in life, silent images from which sound was not heard from. Slowly, I leaned back and slouched, tilting my head in the direction of the open back, and watched. I watched for so long that when the wagon finally fell silent, my eyes had begun to sting, but I continued to watch the people of Zelig. From rural homes to large towns, watching as the scenery and people went by, their odd and unique behavior adapting, but never quite changing. I watched as the townspeople so silent and unbothered morphed into higher class people, just as quiet, but openly watchful and silent.
By the time the sun had risen on the third day, I wasn't surprised to see the structures grow almost grotesque and dark, unbelievably beautiful to those with a twisted sense, but still unnerving at the first sight. The colors the people walked about in where neither bright nor dull, and yet blended into wherever they stood, ornaments extravagant and gleaming with life. Intricate fans held just below dark painted eyes, men draped in capes or something the like of it that nearly dragged to the floor, their clothing not at all plain nor drab as I had expected. They dressed just as well, if not more so than the woman. Sharp eyes and stilled lips as they escorted their partners. Children walked undisturbed, twirling lace made parasol's under the early morning rise. No matter where it was that I looked, it was as if they had already been looking our way. Waiting for the right chance to pose.
It was as if I were staring at a moving painting. A painting that stared back as I continued to move, following along.
I dreaded just imagining what the castle would be like once I set foot forth. I sighed, knowing none of my usual schemes and tricks would do if the people here were as sharp as they looked. While I disliked idiots, intellectuals with no bite were just as bad. I would have to be both mindful and mannered here. Not like I couldn't, but... accidents do happen.
There was no break this time, we were to reach the castle before nightfall and get situated for the remainder of the day. We would be less of a bother for the other servants that way. Huddled beneath her coat, Andrea's red hair was a mess of loosened strands that had slipped out of her braids during her slumber. It was cold enough that the tip of her nose and cheeks were turning a feverish shade of pink. Looking her over, I wondered if she talked her way into a fever on the way with the amount of chattering she did with everyone. Leaning next to her with an open mouth and a funny expression on his face was someone I had learned was called Louis. Wild spirals of brown curls fell in disarray, nearly blocking his eye sight as they fell down to the tip of his nose. Every now and then he would shake his head to clear his sight, or raise a hand to tuck them behind his ear, showing his almond shaped dark eyes. He was in his mid twenties, all broad shoulders and lean muscles pulled tightly in as to not take to much space, skin the color of honey-milk and a dashing smile. He had been picked up four towns before us and was full of useful information about why this recruitment was even happening in the first place.
While shrouded in mystery, the royal family of Zelig had a shortage of help within the castle and apparently had a taste for foreigners to fill those spots. When I heard that immediate suspension of the reasoning why arose in me, after all, it wouldn't be the first prominent family to abuse their help. Perhpas as the royal family, they wished to continue with whatever imagine of the people of Zelig saw them as and so recruited help from outside. It was as if any, and all things Zelig stirred unease.
"It's not all bad, a girl from my town has been working here for five years and sends money back home every two months." Louis had defended with gleaming eyes as he stare upwards, his Adams apple moving as he spoke softly.
"A diligent daughter." I commented.
"I'm going to save enough money to pay for better roofing materials for my family home. The thing has been leaking ever since I was a small boy. Every bucket used to catch water used to drive me nuts when it poured." Shaking his head, he stared over at me, leaning his head against the wooden arch at his back. Every time the wagon rocked, his curls bounced about. "What about you? Saving for the family or looking for one?" His eye brows wiggled suggestively in a playful manner.
I grinned naturally, there was something fun and naively boyish about him. It reminded me of my own younger sibling. A pang of longing appeared for a moment before I shook my head softly. I was Marie now.
"Family of course," a flash of faces from the photo I found came to mind. "I'm the oldest of three girls."
"Oh, me too!" Someone further down the wagon chimed. We both turned to find the eaves dropper. Lifting a hand, a young girl with hair cut close to her head waved at us, moss green eyes bright. I blinked as I tried to picture her as being the oldest of anything. She looked no older than twelve.
"I suggest you all leave the small talk for later this evening. You will all have the opportunity when we sort out your skills." Madame Lota's voice rang out from the front, her dry tone making everyone pinch their lips together and lean back.
Louis winked at me before looking away and shutting his eyes, feigning sleep. Chuckling, I took what was left of this ride to close my own. Once I entered the lion's den, who knew when I would be able to sleep properly. The next jolt of the wagon sent more than a few heads smacking into whatever part they had been resting on. Proper sleep, I would probably not receive, but a moment of rest would be well welcomed.
***** 🥀 *****
"For now, all of your belongings will be locked in this office. While your qualifications are what got all of you into this castle, we will still be conducting our own evaluation to know where would be most appropriate for such skills." Murmuring began, Madame Lota scanned us all before a small smile came over her face. She was the type that appeared cynical when she smiled. "Fret not, every scrap of you will be put to good use here."
"Men, follow me." Sir Gon said brusquely before turning, walking away knowing they would scamper after his. Before they were out of ear shot, Madame Lota clapped and brought out a large stack of paper, flipping through them quickly.
"As for the rest of you, those of you who have had experience in cleaning duties step to my left, on my right kitchen help, and stand around here if you believe you exhibit skills that might be useful outside of those listed on your recommendations." Scrambling to follow her directions, everyone bumped into one another, trying to stay in a lined formation. I too scrambled as they had, but more so to recall what was on this Marie's work history. Taking a safe bet, I lined up on her left.
A handful of women stood off to the side, one or two held their heads up, the rest looked hesitant or shy.
"Hmmm," Madame Lota scanned the rouges above the papers. "Talents?"
"I know how to read Madame."
"I'm good at handling children of all ages."
"Oh really?" The dark-haired girl nodded in response, the woman beside her made a face.
"What of you two?"
After they had all finished speaking, Madame Lotta wrote something down on one of the pages, tucking them under her arm. She then motioned with her head to the large castle off in the distance.
"That's where some of you may be working in the future, but for now all of your duties consist of shadowing the help you will be assigned to. They will be reporting the quality of your work and if anything is of dissatisfaction within your trial period, you will be escorted out. At best." There was bite to her smile, a flash of teeth. "Unless special permission is granted, none of the servants are allowed to remain within castle grounds after dinner is served. Regardless of what is yet to be finished for the day when you notice everyone leaving, you are to follow unless instructed. This is not a rule any of you shall break unless you wish to inspect the inside of a cell. Do not ask why, no one will tell you, you are to simply do, as the master of this castle instructs. Now come along, the people you will be shadowing will arrive shortly. The day shall end in but a few minutes. Any questions?"
The sudden information made curious expressions rise, but not all were brave enough to push the subject. It was odd enough, no help after dinner in a castle where royalty presided in as unimaginable. Were they not all needly upper class folk, whom could do nothing without the aid of those around them? A hesitant hand came up, a hopeful voice quickly cut off.
"If we are to leave after dinner is served, does that then mean that the rest of the-"
"No, simply because you are out of the castle does not mean your work is finished. You may rest after nine thirty, but do not venture far from your cabins unless you wished to be muled by animals." Madame Lota scrutinized us with scrutiny. It felt like she lingered on me for a moment, but that was my imagination. We all must have appeared in varying degrees of suspicious and half-witted.
"Has anyone ever died here?" A worried voice blurted out from behind me. I held back a snort. The expression on Madame Lota didn't so much as twitch as she looked behind me with a tilt of her head.
"Has anyone ever died anywhere?" Her face went soft afterward as she looked over us all. "Follow the rules, mind your manners, and all shall run smoothly. If any of you are already in doubt, speak now, it will make removing you much easier." Everyone held their breath as if doing so would be the same as volunteering. "Any more questions? No? Follow closely."
As we followed closely behind, I turned to looked behind me at the gigantic castle that wanted no one after dinner time to remain. I found I was not the only one to have taken a backwards, glance and immediately knew I couldn't have been the only one wondering if choosing to stay was the right choice to make.
Female servants remained at the back of the western portion of the castle, the males the eastern, but both only had one entry and exit point to get to and from the castle. There was a large black gate that expanded for as far as the human eye could see, blocking off the forest from the clear gardens and smaller buildings behind the castle, but even those structures were separated from the lodgings where all workers not permitted to remain slept in. Although the gate secluded up, there was another to surround us from the forest as well. We would be like secluded sheep with but one door to travel through. There were three long buildings, two facing the other from a distance, and the third at the end of both. The two that faced each other were the sleeping courters, the third the dinning hall, a water well in the center of all three buildings, and further down a smaller building that was to be our shared washing station. By the time we ha walked past the gate, we had found the place vacant, but Madame Lota made us all stand in wait until the maids came back, we didn't have to wait for long.
There were women of all shapes and sizes, different except for the same exhausted expression they all wore. I would no doubt be put to go use soon as well. Inwardly sighing, boxed my shoulders and put on as shy of a welcoming smile as I could. They must have been expecting us because most of them scanned us with excitement, while the other half looked on with a pained grimace. Amusement unfurled at that, mischievous part of me knowing exactly what I could do if I wanted to push some buttons. But I was Marie, and Marie had to keep a low profile. It must have been Marie's lucky day, because I was partnered with a woman who was vastly older than I, a withered and stern face. When Madame Lota said who I was to shadow, I caught pitying looks from the older workers. I kept my smile in place.
"I'll be in your care Ms.Phili-"
"You'll be calling me Violetta and nothing else. Got it?" She started off bluntly, large brown eyes staring me down for dominance, although she had to look up to do so. I nodded once, smile firmly in place.
"Will do Violetta, my name is-" Shaking a hand motioned for me to stop speaking at once while she closed her eyes. She wore her lightening brown hair in a short cut, curling upwards at the end with the front framing her brows. She had a large nose that fit her full face and wide eyes nicely. I'm sure that had she had on any other expression other than contempt, there might have been a warm smile there somewhere.
"I'm not going to memorize it unless you stick for longer than a week. I've seen you all come and go." Waving a hand, she turned and began a slight waddle to the sleeping courter on the left building. I stood there, hands clasped in front of me, smile in place. "Come, girl, my back is aching."
Glancing around me, I caught eyes with various people, Andy being one with an excited look while all the other ladies looked relieved to not have gotten someone who didn't even want to bother with learning their name.
"Good luck." A woman to my right said patting me on the back. My smile tightened for a moment before I nodded and strode off behind Violette.
"Hang in there." Someone else whispered. Behind my back, various greetings and introductions rang out as I left the gathering.
At least Marie wouldn't be remembered if she suddenly disappeared. After all, she never got to introduce herself to everyone.