A FEW HOURS LATER
Ana and the small girl whose name she had later learned was Gretka, had been brought to a walled village called Crow's was a modest place, situated on the top of a hill surrounded on all sides by a moat of marshy water, its only way of entrance being a long wooden bridge, that did not look entirley safe to cross, but they crossed it. When they entered the village, Ana looked around, it was a bleak place, there were a few stalls, selling bread and vegetables,the people looked so grim, the houses were made of wood with thatched roofs. Then man led them up the hill, through a portcullis gateway, after he explained to the guards why they were there and further up towards the main was made of red bricks and had three floors, with an outside starcaise leeding to the second and that was the way they took. Once they reached the top of the stairs, the man once again explained why they were there. Ana wasn't paying them any attention and was staring out over the landscape. Miles and miles of marshland, what a horrid place. Ana thought to herself. The guards escorted them to a room and told them to sit at the table and wait, while he informed the Baron that they were room was long with a grand fireplace carved from white stone, there was a large brown bearskin rug on the floor, just next to the table at which they sat. There were many small tables spread out across the room and a chandelier hanging from the ceiling ,which appeared to be made from deer antlers with long thin candles lit.A few moments later two women came into the room, their arms laden with food that they then placed on the table in front of the pair. There was a loaf of bread, two bowls of stew, a lump of cheese and two tankards of water. Mmm. Smells delicious. The two hastily dug into their food , when in walked a man whom Ana assumed to be the Baron, he just stood and stared for a few moments, the girls too hungry to care.
The Baron turned to the man who brought them in and shouted.''Just who do you think you've brought me, man ?! That's not my daughter!
''And the little one''? The man asked.
''Neither, dammit! I think i'd know my own child'',
''Well er er … Might not be yours, the older one, but you've gotta admit the 's downright striking! So, any chance for that reward ?
''You'll not see one copper. Get out! Before I set my hounds on you''. The Baron shouted, pointing towards the door, as the man ran Baron turned towards the two. Ana looked him up and down. The Baron was a portly man, he was maybe in his late fifties, with small eyes and thick greying beard. He wore a steel and leather breastplate,a steel collar and steel around the stomach, but leather with studs on the chest. Over that, he wore a scarlet red wool jacket with a large knife strapped across his chest and on his arms he wore steel vambraces.
''Stew any good ?'' He asked them.
''Very...Thank you.''
''Pleased you like it. Had them prepare a bath for you, once you've eaten, And you could do with some in the nook behind the hearth, you have the guest room opposite the kitchen.'' The Baron said.
After they had finished their meals a maid came in and escorted Ana to a room with a large wooden bathtub in the centre of it, with a small table next to it, on which sat soap,a lit candle and some scented oils. In the corner of the room was a chair with a towel draped across its back and just as in the other room, there was a candle lit chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
After the maid had left and closed the door, Ana disrobed and got in. The water was steaming hot and relaxed her aching muscles. After all that running and carrying that heavy sword on my back all day. Ana thought. She reached over towards the table holding the bath oils and chose one, opening the lid and smelling. Mmm… smells , sort of like … roses maybe. I'll use this one then. Ana poured a few drops into the water and replaced the small bottle back onto the table. Ana then slowly sank into the tub , resting her head on the edge and stared up at the ceilling and took a deep calming breath. What is this place ? How did I get here and why do I look like her ? I looked across that landscape and I don't think this place is even England and why is everyone dressed so old fashioned? Maybe i've stumbled across some reenactment of some kind , although I'm seriously starting to doubt that. How can I go to sleep in my own bed and wake up somewhere entirely different ? What is happening?
Ana opened her eyes slowly gaining water in the bath had gone ice cold. I must have fallen asleep. Shivering Ana rose out of the tub , her wet feet creating small puddles as she stepped down onto the frozen floor and reached for the towel from the chair's back and dried her hair, she then wrapped the towel around herself tightly, a knock sounded on the door and in walked the maid from before with clothing in her arms.
'' A change of clothes till yours have been properly laundered'' the woman said as she passed Ana the clothing, which Ana then placed on the chair and examined were a pair of stockings, a chemise and a grey ,long sleeved woolen dress that laced up at the sides and ribbons to tie the stockings.
''Thank you'' she said.
''Do you need held with the lacing? The maid asked.
'' Uh , ,,no thank you, I'll be fine…. Thank you''. Ana hastily mumbled.
The maid turned and left the room,shutting the door behind her. Ana quickly dried herself and then turned towards the chair. Picking up the chemise and pulling it over her head, she put on it on and smoothed it down, the hem reaching to just before her ankles. She then sat on the chair and pulled on the stockings, clumsily tying the ribbons, as they were made of a smooth satin and kept sliding. Now, for the dress,how difficult can it be ? Ana soon found out. Standing and pulling the dress on and she laced it up. A bit messy and the laces are a bit knotted, but it will have to do. Once she was finished, she walked up,opened the door and peeked outside looking for the maid, see her she quietly called. ''Hello? The sound of footsteps could be heard and the maid appeared from around the corner and smiled as soon as she saw Ana. ''You dressed then? At the question Ana nodded. '', The Baron's said you're to stay in one of the spare rooms. Follow me'', The woman answered and Ana followed her past a few doors until they finally stopped and walked into a room. It was fairly large, rectangular in shape and like the rest of the building,had walls of red brick. On the far right hand wall there was a bookcase that many different books, at least I won't be bored, although that depends on how long I stay, I have to get back. Somehow. To the left corner there was an oakwood bed, with a tapestry blanket on top. It had an orange background with people on it and reminded Ana of a Medieval tapestry. If what I am seeing here is true, then I suppose it is. Again just like the other rooms, there was a bearskin rug on the floor, there was also a painting on the wall, it appeared to be off a medieval town or city, with a tall tower in the centre off the scene, the sea in the distance.I wonder where that is supposed to be. ''Miss?The maid called to her, breaking the spell of the room. ''What? Ana asked, dazed. '' I asked if there was anything else that you needed, If not I'll wake you in the morning''. Answered the woman, ''No, there's nothing, thank you, for helping me''.Ana stammered. The nodded and walked out closing the door behind her.
Sighing , Ana walked over to the bookcase and searched for something to read, after awhile she finally settled her hands on one that was strangely titled.'The natural obscurity of curses'. Must be a fantasy story of some kind and waked to the bed , throwing back the covers and sat down, opening the book and turning the first page.