The chirping of the birds and the ray of sunshine that kissed my face as my curtains are being opened woke me up, the first thing that came to my mind were yesterday's events, the necklace Daryus gave me, his confessed feelings for me, and worse, the realization that I was still in love with him, but the pain and hurt won't let me let him back into my life. Perhaps it's good he returns east, giving me time to heal.
Alastair on the other hand, is to return to Arcania on urgent business but assured me that he'll return as soon as possible, it saddened me to see my friend go immediately after my birthday, but I remembered that he is heir, and he has duties, so I didn't let that bother me.
"Good morrow your highness, I trust you had a good night rest" Anastasia said.
"Good morrow Ana" Katheryne came in moments later to change my beddings while Ana and I moved to the bathing chambers. Warm water filled the tub, and the smell of the honey filled her nose as Ana washed my hair.
I chose black pants with knee high boots and a red long-sleeved shirt. Today I mean to fly to Mountcrest.
Anastasia had sent Katheryne to the kitchens to have something brought for me, in her absence, Ana and I had the room, I had thought about this for a while, I know Maeve is planning something, I might not know what it is and when it plans to unfold, but what I do know is that I cannot face it if I'm in the dark.
I gestured to Ana to take the seat opposite me "I wish to speak to you about something Ana" I said, nervous on how to begin, I sounded way more confident in my head, I swallowed the doubts that threatened to consume me and I continued.
"I serve at your pleasure, ask anything of me and I shall see it done" her words gave me more confidence.
"You have a network of informants under your employ here in the high keep?" I questioned.
"That's not exactly accurate, they are not under my employ, it's more like a trade, information from them in exchange for favors."
That gave me some insight at least on how she does things, before I continued, the door opened, Katheryne came in with my breakfast and placed it on the table, she poured tea into my cup and opened the cover to reveal the food. Buttered fish and salted pork with warm bread leave a mouthwatering scent in the air. "Is there anything else princess?" Katheryne asked.
"That would be all, thank you." I replied.
"So, they are not under your employ?" I asked, renewing our conversation, she nodded her head in disapproval. "How much are the servants paid here?" she put her hand on her chin.
"An average servant gets paid six coppers a month, handmaidens to the royals such as me and Katheryne get paid five silvers, and some of the servants here are not paid at all some work in exchange for shelter and food."
A strange feeling took root in my stomach, if it's guilt or sadness I could not tell, but it compelled me to do something, people who work tirelessly for us get paid next to nothing, there is no difference between them and us, we're all humans and therefore equal in the eyes of the gods.
"Those servants who give you information in exchange for favors will now work under you" a look of bewilderment nested on her face. "Let me explain, I need a network of spies here in the high keep."
I stood up and walked to my cabinet and retrieved six pouches and handed it over to Ana "In five of those pouches, are twenty gold coins, and in the sixth one a fifty gold coins, you will hand the fifty gold coins to five servants you trust, discreetly and they shall work for you, that should be worth more than the royal family pays them in a year, and the pouch with the hundred gold coins is for you."
A look of shock still nested on her face, as though she did not just hear what I said, and I honestly found it funny and to that effect, a laugh escaped my throat and that seemed to snap her out of it.
"I am at loss for words, I-" she fought to speak but words failed her "I need you to send money to the servants who aren't paid. In the back room, you'll find what you need. They will continue their duties around the castle, you will explain the new development to them."
The look on her face shifted from one of confusion to one of awe, as though she could not recognize the woman sitting opposite her, and in truth neither could I. months ago I would never have come up with such a scheme, but I need to establish this network to know the queen's doings. Maeve may likely have spies of her own working for her but now so do I.
"I shall carry out your orders princes. I have a gift for you as well, it was delivered last night" she stood up and opened the drawer that stood beside the door and retrieved a book, it is brown with detailed designs on them, the title is in a language I cannot understand.
"From Morbus Hall" my eyes widened in surprise, and the words seemed to get stuck in my throat as I slowly took the book from her and opened it. The contents of the book were mind-blowing, information ranging from spells to magical knowledge, all the information I could need, it's amazing.
"Thank you, Anastasia," I said, grateful.
"I am at your service princess" she responded with a bright smile and exited the room while I finished my breakfast.
I arrived at the clearing beyond the royal stables after having lunch, where I knew Ajax loved to rest, I stroked her gently on the head. Ajax, a Griffin black as night, green eyes, wings broader than any other and claws as sharp as steel.
She was hatched to me a year after my mother died and I found some solace in her company. When she grew of riding age, I myself saddled her and took her to the skies, the adrenaline that rushed through me was indescribable and I felt as if I could conquer the world.
I adjusted her saddles and mounted. I whispered to her fly, she spread her broad wings, leaped and we were airborne, the feeling never gets old, the wind through my hair, the feeling of oneness with the skies, it's glorious.
As I soared through the skies on Ajax, the island of Mountcrest unfolded below me like a vibrant tapestry. The turquoise sea gave way to lush green forests, which in turn surrendered to the rugged majesty of the castle. My heart skipped a beat as I caught sight of it, it's beautiful.
From above, the castle resembled an intricate stone puzzle, its walls and towers fitting together in a mesmerizing dance.
As I began my descent, I can see worn out houses, farms, stables and houses that look like they've seen better days.
We landed on the outer courtyard in front of the castle, I dismounted and rubbed her head one last time, before she took to the skies.
The interior of the castle, once a grand and majestic space, now bore the scars of time and neglect. Flickering torches cast eerie shadows on walls adorned with faded tapestries, their intricate patterns worn and frayed. The air is thick with dust and the scent of decay.
Cobwebs clung to the vaulted ceiling, and the stone floor, polished to a shine in its heyday, is now cracked and worn. Windows, once bright and sparkling, now filtered the light through grimy panes, casting a dim and foreboding glow.
The staircase' once-majestic carpet now tattered and frayed, curved upward like a ghostly ribbon, leading to floors above where shadows danced and secrets hide, doors, once sturdy and strong, now hung crookedly on hinges, creaking in the gentle breeze like whispers in the past.
The sound of footsteps drawing closer grabbed my attention, and I quickly turned to see who it was, holding a light, a man came into view, he is short and a bit fat, his grey hair depicting his old age accompanied by the wrinkles on his face, his clothes were torn and dirty. "Who goes there?" the man demanded…
"I am princess Anessa Highmount" I declared boldly and at the mention of my name, he tried to kneel, but I stopped him immediately "No need for that ser, who are you?" he coughed a bit before responding
"I am Cassius Laswell your highness, well met"
"Tell me about this place Cassius" I demanded.
"As you can see, the castle, and most of the town really is in a state of disrepair, funds have not been sent from the capital in a while, and well, our livelihood has been compromised."
I can only imagine how many people are starving or ill, from the skies, the farms and the houses looked bad, all because of neglect from the capital, I'll be sure to talk to father about this upon my return.
"I apologize for all this Cassius, the crown seems to have neglected Mountcrest and the people who live here, but Mountcrest now belongs to me by order of the king" he gave me a look of surprise.
"Then I am at your service your highness" I reached for my purse and brought out two leather pouches with gold coins and handed it over to him, he took it with hesitation "Begin whatever repairs you can, but start first with the town, I will return to the capital and make sure funds are sent here regularly. I will send a message by raven if there is anything else"
I could see happiness written all over his face as he took in all I just said.
"I will see it done my lady" with a sharp nod, he escorted me outside the castle "I entrust you with this task Cassius, I expect a report from you regularly" he bowed "I will not disappoint you princess" it warmed my heart thinking maybe I might have made a friend with him and that in my absence he will return this place to its former glory.
"The townspeople might not adhere to you dressed like that, so I suggest you get yourself changed" he lets out a warm laugh "of course princess, anything else?" I closed the distance between us and rest my hand on his shoulder.
"I don't know if this is the right way to go about it but, Cassius Laswell, I would name you Castellan of Mountcrest, to act in my authority in my absence"
Bewilderment nested on his face, it took him sometime before he finally spoke "By the gods, princess, I'm just a simple man. I don't know what to say to such kindness." my cheeks pulled back into a broad smile,
"I trust you will perform your task dutifully"
"As I said earlier, I will not disappoint you, you have bestowed such honor to a lowly man, I pledge myself to you, and my children after me, we will not fail you" a feeling enveloped my body like a warm hug, I felt I have gained an ally in Cassius.
The sun had set and Cassius had gone inside the castle, I stood in the empty courtyard, the wind kissed my face, a voice buried deep in my soul wonders if my mother would be proud of me, but I set it aside because I will never know, I blew a loud whistle and within seconds, an ear piercing screech was heard, and Ajax landed beside me, I kissed her head lightly and mounted her, I patted her on the side and she took to the skies, leaving Mountcrest behind and facing a three-hour flight back to the high keep.