Chapter II
The Rabbit learns to run
Though her meeting with the man was a little more then pleasant she found herself avoiding him as much as possible. But like every other day she was called to his room, always by the same maid and always 'without the servant.' Of course she went and slowly she found herself liking the man more and more. They had a strange relationship the pair of them.
For one they never spoke during the day, even if they did see each other. They would ignore one another as much as possible. The second strange thing about their relationship was in fact that he listened to her advice. Though she gave it bluntly and without honour, during their meeting he would still take careful notes over what she had said. And the third thing? Well as far as she could tell he had not yet asked her into bed. Which had caused her to be more suspicious around him a perhaps a little less foolish.
She stood on top of the inner walls of the city. Darkness was slowly falling and what she could see of the country was soon disappearing the sun bringing down all light with it. As the sun departed her eyes went down to the slum. The city bustling even in the dark, the smell raw and horrible as usual. The small lamp that sat beside her burnt brightly for a minute the sun finally disappearing leaving them for a minute in utter darkness.
But as her eyes adjusted so did the candle its bright light burning away into the darkness leaving her with a semi light. Tossing her braided head over her shoulder she sighed as she turned towards the center city. The smell and sight so much prettier then the slums of the outside world. But even with the smell she longed to rid herself of her cell.
She was slowly starting to learn that she was not going to leave these walls. The guards had barred her way, more then once. And so she had decided that a different approach was to be used. She was a rabbit caught by a wolf and her only way out was to fight. Shaking her head she sat down on the edge of the wall her legs dangling down into the slums the stonewall slowly cooling her body. Her eyes twinkled as the moon slowly rose like an awkward oval in the sky. With a sigh she turned the awkwardly climb to the safety of the wall. No longer dangling from the edge she picked up her lantern and once again retreated from freedom and into the city.
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The morning's bustle rang heavily into the small courts of the inner city. The huge stone wall proving worthless to the girl and her servant. Like every morning she found her head bent in prayer her hands clasped and her small eyes closed as she waited for the endless mass to end. She longed for fresh air, the summer sun just pushing its way through the stain glass windows of the church.
The smell of breakfast mixed in with the scents of the church slowly pushing its way in. Slowly Rya allows her eyes to flick down into Alan's. Grinning she looks back down her eyes closing once again. "Ask and God will give to you. Search and you will find. Knock and the door will open for you…" The priest says his voice deep and bored as if the day was never going to end. But as if by magic he ended the phrase and then snapped the book shut
The church spilled out into the early morning light, the people not stopping to talk or rest as they hurried away to their chores and duties. She had no chores and duties. And so she lingered her eyes flicking back into Alan's as they slowly made their way over to the dining hall.
Her life style here at the wall has actually pushed her into a semi amount of depression. The days are boring and hot, the summer heat wrinkling her dresses and skin from her sweat. More and more often she finds herself upon the wall, looking down into the slums of the city. Her eyes closed or open it didn't matter to her, but on that wall she felt some sort of freedom.
During the day the only thing that kept her company was Alan, the library and god. She would go to bed late, usually drunk from the wine she was given by Gardious. Late to bed early to rise was her motto around her. For every day at dawn she would leave her bed to join morning mass. Even in Britain God would not fail her. Even if many had said to her that god did not live here.
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The bible spoke other wise. Her chain still held around her neck. Giving her hope and freedom. God would never abandon her. But going late to bed meant that sleep would catch her during the day. Cat naps where often ceremonially held during the day. Often after breakfast and after lunch when she could doze for hours.
But after dinner she never had time to sleep. After her dinner which was usually held alone or with Alan she would leave to take a bath. Her sticky skin and dress happy to part from what her own body had created. And then after the bath the usual would happen. A knock at the door that always seemed loud and annoying to her ears would echo across the room.
She would stand from her writing desk a quill in her hand. And then after only half listening to what the maid had to say she would leave. It was always the same, the small reunions with the man becoming more and more enjoyable as they slowly began to understand each other. They where in fact much alike but she not knowing how he would react to her saying this kept it quiet. Just like a lady should.
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The door creaks as always as she steps inside Gardious's room. He sits behind his desk as usual. Scratching away at a piece of parchment that he quickly covers at her arrival. She stands straight no curtsy coming from her feeble gown. Something that her mother would have smacked her for. But she has done it time and again, and he after realizing that she would do no such thing had given up bowing.
A small smile comes to his lips as she sits down in her usual place. Standing he takes out the wine as usual pour in a glass for her. Slowly she allows her eyes to flick over to him as he offers her the glass. "How was your day?" He asks his voice loud in the windowless room. Smiling Rya allows her eyes to flick up into his. His head cocked forward as he pours himself his own glass of wine. "Good and yours?" He doesn't reply though his eyes flicking into hers a small smile on his face. Something was wrong, his actions where cold, awkward. He didn't return to his desk as usual just stood there perched over her. Like a bird waiting for her to move. His hand slowly come up to push her hair away from her face.
His head moves forward towards her mouth… Realizing what he is doing she gently shoves him back. A frown coming carving itself upon her face as she stands up. "Come to bed with me Rya…" He whispers his eyes looking up into hers in a pleading gesture. "Please…" Turning she lets a small sneer come to her face at his petty argument. She doesn't know what to say to this man. This man that she was only starting to learn how to trust. She had expected better of him, Hoped for better. But alas no one seemed to be better then what she hoped. And with a faint tug of her wrist that he was holding onto so tightly she stepped away. "No."
She returned early to her rooms that evening. Earlier then usual Alan noticed but he took no note of it. She would tell him if she wanted too. Eyes closed as he faked a soft sleep he slowly lets his eyes open to survey her. She comes and goes taking only a lit candle with her as she exits the room.
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The hot orange wax from the candle was slowly dripping onto her skin as she moves. The careless dripping falling over the side to meet her own tender flesh. Tipping the candle she allows the wax to poor down to the marble floor. Leaving it for someone else to clean up. She made her way to the usual spot on the wall. Her back straight like a guard as she steps up into the tower.
Loosening the straps that make her look so skinny she slowly steps back to admire the view. The sun had set a while ago, but in its place the moon had risen bring with it its own light and love. Its strong beams caring over the world gracelessly as it carves a shadow on the mountains behind it. Wordlessly she watches, her eyes cold as she thinks the past over. The moment she had said "no" he had let go.
His back turning to her as she wordlessly made her way out of the room. He was a man of honour for doing that. But either way their relationship had been extremely scarred. Over the past fortnight she had seriously considered marrying the man. He was after all the most decent out of all of them. But it was just a thought, nothing else but a thought that had now fled from her mind. No she would never marry this man.
She would leave disappear from this place. Even Rome was better then this. Shaking her head she sighs. She would find a weapon and take Alan with her. Gardious would spare him no mercy if he stayed behind. No this was for the best, she would disappear from this place. From her mother's life and this mans life… Well at least she would try.
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AN: Wrong thing to say Gardious me boy. xD please review/reply. Merci.
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