Hey all!
This is based on and expanded from a short description of Marisa Coulter by John Faa in Northern Lights;
"And your Mother, she was passionate too. Not so well born as him, but a clever woman. A scholar even, and those who saw her said she was very beautiful."
No more is said about Mrs Coulter's past, except that she married for power, so I've invented this past for her.
Hope you enjoy!
Star x
Note: As no indication is ever given in the books of Edward Coulter's dæmon's shape, I've gone ahead and given his the shape of a fox, technically a Falkland Islands Wolf or Arctic Wolf.
The two men talked in low voices, keen not to be overheard. They sat with their backs to the snow falling outside the window, facing the fire in the grand office, sipping Tokay.
"And you're sure she's the one? You're not possibly mistaken?" asked the elder of the two.
"Not at all. The Magesterium have confirmed it."
"The Alethiometer?"
"Naturally, although they did mention their doubts."
"Well, doubts be damned, if she's the one then she must be taught." He placed his glass of Tokay on the low table beside him, the amber liquid swirling around inside the little crystal glass. His dæmon, a large, wolf-like fox with a reddish pelt stood up from her position at the hearth and stretched. The older man looked at her, and sighed resignedly.
"Very well, let's get this thing over with." He stood, and his raven dæmon flew to his shoulder from her perch on the back of his chair.
Both men left the room by way of an oak door that lead onto a richly carpeted corridor. A servant came in to attend to the room as they left.
The men strode swiftly down the corridor, neither saying much to the other, both as keen as the other to reach their destination. Eventually they came to an inconspicuous plain wooden door set a little back into the wall. The younger man would have passed it by without pausing, but the elder stopped and turned the handle. Despite appearances, the door swung open with ease on well oiled hinges, into a darkened room lit only by soft naphtha lamps placed on the sideboard. Rows of beds occupied by child-sized sleeping figures ran down the length of the long room.
"These are they? Your... wards?" asked the younger man, coming in behind his companion.
"Yes, and mighty lucky they are too."
The other said nothing, but his expression, had there been enough light to see it by, suggested that he thought otherwise.
They moved off, picking their way around the beds, and stopped by a non-descript bed, hardly any different from the rest; white, covered in white sheets, with one sleeping figure and dæmon occupying it. A grey skirt and white blouse hung tidily over the end of the bed, and a black pair of shoes was placed neatly at its foot.
"And this is her? The girl all the fuss is being made about?"
"This is her."
And Marisa turned over in her sleep, her currently cat shaped dæmon curled up tight in her protective arms, and Edward Coulter watched over her, looking at the girl who was to become his lover and wife.
Ta da, first chapter! Please review, constructive critisism appreciated, but no utter burns, thanks.
Second chapter coming soon!
:-)