Chapter three
Alva Boone August 15th 2020
For every step Alva Boone took down to the men's room her thoughts raged like a wildfire. Why did she have to get stuck with that woman as her bunk mate for the next few months. Sandra had nearly done more work than her roommate and she was still not chosen. Alva wanted to yell at whoever was in charge for making the next few months of this program strenuous for her. Don't get Alva wrong, she didn't hate the woman. Nor could Alva say she disliked Andria Sellers either. Yet even as she tried multiple times in their class to get along, Aderia would not allow anyone in. Ironically Harald had started calling Andria the classroom's snow queen. As she seemed to feel the need to push almost everyone away. Alva, so lost in her thoughts about the other woman, suddenly found herself knocking over one of the workers.
"I am so sorry." Alva tried while the middle aged woman wearing a uniform with the Abbeys logo and name on her shirt waved Alava off. "It's ok young lady, just be careful in the future." Alva was just about to offer help to the worker,only to be distracted before she could by Harald calling her name from down the hall.
"Alva! Come look at what both Jacob and I have found. This place is so cool!" Alva watched the worker walk to her duties with a slight limp, causing her to feel guilt as the woman walked out of sight.
"Are you ok Alva?" Harald asked as she walked into the men's room.
"Yes, just lost in thought is all, so what is so cool you just had to show me?" Alva grinned, noticing how much bigger the Mens room was. It held a medieval look to it as the walls were nearly brick with one wall being covered by a thick old school theater curtain. Alva chalk that up to being a window not seeing why someone would hang a random curtain on a wall. Their room also had swords and daggers decorating the wall . Picture frames of past owners also lined the room with their name and relation to the establishment.
"Look at this portrait, doesn't it look like anyone you know?" At first Alva didn't know what Harlad was talking about. Until her focus landed on the portrait next to Jacobs bed. A man in his early to late twenties stood looking out from the portrait with stealy piercing gray eyes, tan skin and dark locks made the man look even more appealing. He looked to be standing in front of the Abbey of Ulsyassa or at its time the castle of Ulsyassa. He was decked out in chainmail and a green dragon decorated the front of the mail. Alva took another look from Harlad to the portrait . While Jacob laughed at the shocked expression Alva was no doubt sporting.
"Who is that. No better yet when was this made?" Alva spoke shocked at the weird photo. The similarities alone with this long dead person had with her best friend were almost uncanny.
"If my studying of this particular King is current which I assure you that it most likely is, as I've dedicated two and half years of side research towards this man and his time period then this is around 1192-1198. He left a legacy as such this portrait was made up after His return. To our nation he is known primarily as the Dragon king of Uylassa. Most have agreed that he is the grandfather of our nation." Both Alva and Harald watched as Jacob then proceeded to pull out some old dusty book showing both Harlad and Alva another picture of the man on the wall.
"He was known as King Harlad the great. Founder of our great nation.Though that is depending on who you ask. He was also known as Harlad the oath breaker but that could have come from the ranks in the Germanna house, honestly you would think after so many centuries we would be getting along"
"Dang how come we didn't go over him much last year's or this year's course material if he is such an important King?" Alva asked out loud, causing Harlad to laugh at the visible twitch of Jacobs' left eye. Alva made a mental note not to ask such questions in the future.
"While he was a real King, there is documentation on proving it as well as royal records in the great hall of liberties in the royal archives. Most mainstream scholars have dubbed him the King who kept the War of Germmana going.Or like to play him off as Viking Raider who went rogue and became an important figure in the powerhouse. Then there's the annoying few who want to place him around the time of king arthur or robin hood era. Though while I can slightly see the Robin Hood Era I refuse to agree he was the legendary King Arthur like those Folklorists." Both Harlad and Alva silently laughed at their friends' antics; he was truly the opposite of what people thought of him to be. Yet his passion was inspiring to her as she watched him flip through pages. She found her friend's lecture quite moving.
"Thus while he was the Man who started a great nation's economic revolution in trade and religion change. Most just blame him for not upholding some oath . Though none have been able to figure out what the Oath was as that is where documentation has been lost . That is why I was excited to be chosen for this special program. They have literally found recent lost items and artifacts dating back to the original Kingdom of Ulsasa."
Alva smiled at the brooding Jacob Dunn. At first glance most would assume the twenty three year old male was into punk rock music and nothing good, his style screamed anything but the normal history buff. In Alva's opinion he fit right in their rat tat group. If only they could get Andria to open up. Alva sighed inwardly at the thought of the other woman's self isolating tendency. Four years into their college journey and she was still nowhere close to becoming friends or helping the other female understand that she didn't need to be alone. Sometimes Alva feared her isolating and brash nature was due to family problems. Call her crazy but Alva wished she could help the other woman see she was not alone. Knowing first hand what that could do to a person's health .To this day she thanked the god above for sending her Harlad he had saved her in more ways than one in their first years at the University. Harlad and Jacob joked that she was the mother hen of their class, always trying to help others even if they didn't want it themselves. Alva chalked it up to being unsure of her past. Every person she allowed close to her felt like family seeing as she had no clue who her real father or mother were. She trusted every friend dearly.
"Wow, who knew Mr.Dunn had a mass amount of knowledge of the Oath Breaker King." Disdain clearly laced her words yet it felt more personal to Alva as she listened in. Alva noted how it was not meant to be aimed at Dunn, rather there was a vast hatred for the word King Harlad. Alva made a mental note to remember this for later. One more puzzle piece to the puzzle that was Andria Seller's, Alva thought tiredly.
"Well not all of us tend to study how to be a Queen of thorns." shot back Harald hotley missing the hurt look that briefly passed over Andria. Alva wanted to slap her best friend for his tact, then realized Harald may not have noticed her words were meant towards the King and not to their friend.
"Forgive me, I have overstayed my welcome. Professor Jane asked me to let everyone know that she would like to have dinner in the dining hall within the next three hours."
Alva called after her as she rushed to catch the other woman , only to be stopped by Harlad. "Let her go Ava , she will be alright."
"You hurt her feelings though someone should at least apologize." Alva stressed giving a steely glare at Harlad.
"She--"
"I don't think she was aiming to insult or imply hate towards Jacob. She only seemed to hate the Oath breaker King as she called him. Maybe if we all give her a chance and actually try to be friends with her we will all come out of this stronger and gain an ally in our respective fields , who knows Andria may be going through something that none of us can imagine."
"Are you sure you want to be a history major?" Jacob chalked at Harlads expense.
"Yeah why?"
"I think you would have made a better psychology major."
***
Alexandria wiped her eyes as she hid in the servants' alcove. Professor Jane trusted her to deliver the message of their dinner plans for tonight,so why did she have to add usual banter with the others? Her mother and Uncle would have chastised her for the lack of thought. These people were lower than her status . No point in making friends with those who could not possibly understand Royal life. Besides, she needed to focus on her mission. The sooner they started digging the sooner she could relay information to her Uncle. Afterwards she could start looking into the lead of her missing sister. Only then would Alexandria finally be able to be free of her personal oath .Maybe then she could finally have a friend she could share her innermost secrets with. Her brother was an entire continent away in Germanna preparing for his coronation and Kinghood. Afterwards there would be no more time for her in his life. She had been told this repeatedly in a kindly way from her Uncle as he too was close to their father his brother long ago before he had to accept the Throne. It was not to hurt her only to prepare her for the inevitable as the second in line.
A servant passed by with a bundle of goods on a black tray, for a moment Alexandria thought she had been discovered, however if the worker saw her she gave no notice as she bustled down the hall eager to get her job done. Alaxderia sighed as she began to make her way from the servants' alcove. 'No use hiding like a coward.' Alaxderia thought proudly making her way to the dining hall. Taking in the gothic architecture as she went. Green and red, the colors of her country's longtime rival, took different shades in the pottery and curtains , giving the Abbey an earthy enchanting feel about it. For a moment she could pretend she was back in the castle of Germanna as the Architecture was similar. The only difference was the colors of Germmana and the weather. Right now Alaxandria could envision the blissful cold start of the season. Not this blended hot yet dry cold that seems to plague the county of Ulyassa this time of year, She hated the bipolar weather never knowing what to wear thanks to its unpredictableness. 'Kind of like its people who chose to wrong their allies Alexandria though ironically.
"You seem to be lost in thought there Miss are you lost?" Alexandria nearly gave a shout not realizing; she had allowed herself to become consumed in her thoughts. An older woman in a security guard's outfit stood at the doorway looking at Alexandria with half caring eyes, as she scanned the area with intent to keep it safe.
Before she could respond a feminime hand found its way on her shoulder causing the security guard to straighten up . "It's alright Mary. She is with me. There should be four others who will be making their way soon. Please send them if you see them to the dinning hall."
"Yes ma'am Lady Jane." The guard answered as she stood straighter.
***
If you were to ask the staff of Ulyassa Abbey how they felt about their Lady and her profession as both a Ulyassa Historian and her being Heiress of the Ulyassa Royal line. Thus the Keeper of the Ulyassa Abbey they would only tell you good things. However if you asked them how they felt about Professor Oswald you would get mixed reviews. As such, those who chose to come for employment at the Abbey were those who still held onto the Old ways in regards to the work. Yes they tolerated the modern conveniences , but tradition was a key part of their lives that even addressing their ladyship by Jane other than Lady Lokison was most hard on the older staff. That being said they watched over their Lady as she treated each as if they were her blood Kinsmen. Footmen Jones and Marque stood by the alcoves connected to the dining hall and the kitchen hallway in their proper black suits awaiting instructions from their Ladies head steward Mr.Hightower who looked on over the house alongside Ms.Douglass.
Jones found serving to be all he ever wanted since his father first took him along the great house of Ulyassa. He loved its ancestral roots. Though the country's main seat of power left the once powerful port town in favor of the powerhouse of Londinium. It was the Ulyassa that prevailed under the constant hands of Lords and Ladies of the proud ancient house of Lokison that relinquished their royal titles for the care and maintenance of their country's history and the historical Ulyassa Abbey. Jones watched as their Ladyship escorted her four charges for the next few months to the dining hall. He analyzed each one with sharp eyes , two of which appeared close to his age of twenty four as they took in the enchanting gothic beauty that was the dining hall of the Abbey.
"What do you make of them Jones?" Marque asked with his thick Scottish accent that it took Jones a half a second to process what his friend had asked. Jones smiled, his brown eyes sharing a mischievous glint to them as he responded to his red haired friend.
"Honestly?"
"Yea we got nothing better to do while these blocks eat and chat, why not pass the time."
"Hmm…"
"Jones, come on, tell me what you are thinking. I am sure Lady Jane and our lovely boss MR.Hightower have made you the main footman to the men staying with us . Knowing you as I like to think that I do, you had them followed to assure you'd know what they may be like, so that we would have a better understanding to assist them. What do you make of our charges?" whined in a not so manly manner that had Jones laughing quietly at his friends' antics.
"Fine you big baby if you are that bored." Jones eyes the red haired Lady with fair blue eyes and pale fair skin. She was a medium fair size Jones however thought she held it very well. She appeared to be more of an athletic build to her yet there was a sense of book worm to hear that made him think she was much like Lady Jane. Then there was the other woman with sharp elegant green imperial eyes that held a calculating gaze. Her ivory copper skin tone accentuated her regal beauty. Yet she seemed more like a warrior than a historian major, watching her surroundings even when she thought no one else was watching her. There was something far darker, almost deadly about this one that made her by far the most interesting of the group. That left the two men. Firstly Jones thought nothing of these two yet while they both held Raven black hair their eyes and height told a different tale at what he assumed them to be twins.
One was about Marque's six foot frame while the others were more of a five nine . Regardless, the one called Harlad looked far too much like the Ulyassa namesake King Harlad the vow breaker. Jones stared at the Doppelganger of the past King, even though Barley Jones had ties with two of the ancient clans none of which ever received any glory but he felt an odd kinship towards the king look alike and silently Jones swore he would try to help the history major succeeded in his study whilst here at the birthplace of Ulyassa. The last male however was a different story . Jones felt an odd weary caution towards the gothic looking History major. He gave Jones nothing to work with which was an impressive feat. His training prior to being a footman led him to be the best for spotting trouble makers, those watchful eyes kept the priceless historical finds safe for the occasional thief who tried to stay at the Abbey. Also earning him the nickname Merlin for his bird-like eyesight and keen hunting talents.
"Ones...Jones you're still with me?" Marque tapped Jones on the back, not so subtly causing the younger man to stumble for a second. "DUDLEY!"
'Sorry Barley it's just well you look as if you had drifted off. I tried gaining your attention." At least Marque had the decency to appear ashamed, though Jones as his older friend's face went red out of embarrassment. Though it was quickly replaced by his normal curiosity that always seemed to get the better of him.
"So was your assumption of the guest you never said just drifting off into the big bird head of yours."
"Little Red who could pass as your sister with that bright red hair of hers--ow really Marque!" Jones rubbed his left elbow half offended. Duddley would hit him on the job.
"As I was saying little Red strikes me as the type of woman who loves adventure with a hint of four walls along with a side order of a dose of good reading. Then we have the other woman with those dark elegant raven locks, she strikes me as a woman on a mission not just here for the class but rather something more , she seems the most interesting of this group." Jones made sure to leave out his other suspicions as Dudley Marque kept giving him a concerned look. ``Then there is the dead king who looks more protective of Little Red than anyone else , maybe her brother , best friend or lover. I am not sure but he looks like a man who didn't join this education without keeping her safe , then again I could be wrong. Lastly the goth boy is prolly the hardest to read."
"Why do you say that?"
"First he loves the history stuff. It would appear much like both the professor and our lady Jane, yet there as I say this I can't shake the feeling there is something off about him . Something much darker than just his style."
"That was deep dude."
"Not deed, just my observation."
"Still thought it's scary how you can be almost accurate in those observations."
"Yet that thief still got past me on that guided tour even the hired guards have laughed at me for that blunder."
"That was not your fault. Why they merely gossip like old men and women in their nothing they say is tru-"
"When both you and I know that you have listened to that nonsense, It hardly helps your case nor does it make you an expert at comforting me on what is right and wrong. Nevertheless Duds the Lady Jane had made it quite clear that if I want my old position as captain of the grounds again I need to find the culprit before the cops do. While being a footman again is not a big disgrace, it still has become frustrating . Not including my time to look for clues has become severely hampered due to the duties of a footman."
"Sorry I know how hard you worked to be captain like your father , if it helps I will do my best to help you find the thief."
"Thanks D-man."
"Think nothing of it, what are Cousins for. Now let us finish this task at hand. Maybe we can start looking for clues on that missing item that was stolen."
***
Laughter echoed from the massive halls , as plates began to be cleaned up by the workers. Harlad, Jacob and Alva being the main source. Princess Alexandria had eaten in silence as Lady Jane explained what their agenda would be . While the others may have been content to laugh and joke along with their teacher and guide She did not. Her mind was still trying to solve the puzzle she'd been haunted with after accepting the invitation to this program. The note had claimed she would find her answers here, so far in her search she'd come up empty handed.
"I hope you all enjoyed supper at this time. I do feel rather tired and hope to see all of you bright and early on the fields. In case you get lost just remember that you can always get with the staff for them to point you in the right direction should you need it." with that they had been effortlessly dismissed from the bonds of solilzing. Thus Princess Alaxandria found herself left alone as the three friends walked back to their rooms. Alva had given her a solemn look, almost pleading yet Alexandria could not find the words to join them on their team bonding. Alexandria found herself sitting for a while after they left in the dining hall, before a noise caused her attention from the hallway. Unsure if she should leave it for the help or not Alexandria made her way to the hall to investigate once her curiosity got the better of her.
In the hall Alexadria noticed that one of the main lights began to flicker, something it had definitely not been doing earlier. A cold chill went down her spine as she decided whatever had made the noise was gone. Cursing herself for being the last to leave the dining hall, Alexandria attempted to make her way to her chambers, only to let loose a startled scream as a ghastly figure covered in green ancient robes made its way menacingly down the hall to her. Now Alexandria liked to think she was a sensible woman , who prided herself on many achievements. None of those however could have prepared her for the surprise that stared her down in the form of a menacing druid-like individual holding a mysterious object. Before she could think about running the figure broke out in a sprint in her direction. Fear gripped her for a moment. She felt frozen in place then he began to shout this breaking whatever spell she had found herself under gone as she found her feet. This was definitely not how she saw the night ending. For lack of better words she ran, losing one her shoes along the hallway nearly falling over the other as the figure chase continued . Her heart pounded against her chest for a moment she thought she would faint."
"TEACHT AR PHRIONNSAÍ IS FÉIDIR LIOM NUACHT A DHÉANAMH LEAT!"
Alex nearly jumped for joy when she saw one of the footmen from early , who wore a confused, then anxious expression seeing her run down the hall while being pursued by a lunatic. "Help!" she cried desperately as she ran towards the footman.Unlike what she thought he would do he ran into the alcove . The Druid caught up to her, as he made way to grab her by the hand, spinning her around in desperation. She pulled out her hidden blade from her pocket, only to end up dropping it when the figure that must have been a man shoved her to the wall. Alexandria screamed again her fear, taking its control over her.
"tabhair aire dóibh siúd atá thart timpeall ort, tarlóidh iarracht an oíche thrócaireach a fhanfaidh tú anseo. lorg ord an chochall Dhearg."
"Get away from her!" shouted a male's voice causing both the figure and Alexandria to look at the new commer. Alexandria nearly shouted for joy , as both footmen came to her rescue. Seeing the two footmen, he dropped her from the wall, taking off in the opposite direction as one of the footmen gave chase, while the one who she thought had abandoned her gently helped her back to her feet.
"I apologize if you thought I had abandoned you . My dear Cousin is faster and used to be a part of the abbey's guard."
"Thank you for helping. I don't know what his plan was but it was terrifying."
"At first I thought he was the ghost of the Red hoodsman. I am Dudley Marque"
"The Red Who?"
"I am sorry to report that he got away from me again. I will be lucky if I am not sacked by his escape."
"IF they sack you for attempting to apprehend an intruder then this Abbey has gone down in class sir--"
"Jones , er Bradley Jones MyLady."
"I must thank you both for helping me. I don't know why he went after me nor do I wish to dwell on it. Would you mind escorting me to the students' chambers? I am afraid to admit it but I do not wish to walk alone." Alexandria hated to admit it but she found it far too easy to slip into how she normally talked back home with these two. Then again tradition was the most important thing with those who worked at this particular Abbey.
"I am afraid I can not but Bradley can."
"Marque."
"Thank you Bradley. And you too Mr.Marque."
Jones let out a small sigh. Knowing his cousin as he did he knew the other was playing a dangerous game.Jones just prayed that his little cousin knew what he was doing. Nodding in Dudley's direction he took the Lady Sellers by her arm, escorting her back to the students' dorms. All the while wondering just how his day could have ended like this. Further Bradley Jones wondered just who was the weird guy that chased the beautiful woman he was escorting back to her dorms , and what connection it could have with the Red Hood Clan.