Chapter Three: A Life of Servitude

Malinda awoke with the sunlight shining upon her face. She had a reasonable night's rest, and was in a much better mood than the day before. As she got out of bed, she could hear several people talking downstairs. Malinda soon proceeded to put on her shoes and make her way down the steps.

Benjamin had woken up almost an hour prior. He had awoke to the sound of Henry arguing with someone below, and presumed it was Malinda. Wanting to prevent further embarrassment for him and his sister, he jumped directly out of bed and practically ran down the hall. When he arrived downstairs, however, he found that Henry was arguing with an unfamiliar woman. Once he became a part of their discussion, he discovered that she was the woman for which he and Malinda were supposed to work for.

When Malinda came down, they were all still conversing. Although she was visible, none of them seemed to notice she was there. Malinda tried to listen in on what they were talking about.

"Look, Henry. I never asked you for help. If this is your way of getting me to come back to you, you can forget it," said the woman. She appeared to be about 30 years old, and was very irritated.

"Oh please, Claudia. This has nothing to do with us. I'm just trying to make things easier for you - as a friend." Malinda then knew who the woman was - Henry's ex-wife.

As they continued to argue, Malinda noticed that Benjamin was seated near by, with a slouched posture and his arms crossed. Benjamin soon realized that Malinda was on the stair case, glancing in his direction. She gave Benjamin a look of pity, and had a smile on her face that signified she was laughing hysterically inside.

"Ahem..." said Malinda, facing Claudia." You must be our employer."

"I'm your master as far as you're concerned." Claudia paced toward Malinda, with her head held high and her eyebrows slightly arched. "Now get your self fixed up - both of you. I expect you to be ready within a few minutes. You are to meet me outside my barn." Claudia then walked away, taking one last look at Henry. "Don't think you're doing me some big favor."

"Never," said Henry, as Claudia slammed the door behind her.

"No wonder you two separated."

x

Once Benjamin and Malinda were ready, they were escorted to the barn by Henry, remaining substantially far behind him. After the spectacle that morning, Malinda had become notably apprehensive. She had seen what kind of women Claudia was, and knew that problems between them would inevitably ensue. Benjamin, on the other hand, was pretty confused.

"So how do you know Claudia again?" asked Benjamin, breaking the silence.

"We were once married," responded Henry, not thinking much of Benjamin's question.

"You were married?"

"Yes, but we have long since separated. What you saw this morning, unfortunately, happens quite often. And my daughters seem to be learning from her..."

"Wait. Now you have daughters?"

"Yes, Benjamin. I have two - April and Emily. Emily is 15, and April will be turning 18 in a few months. But there's no need to worry about them. They're good girls. Well, here we are." Henry stopped several feet from the barn. It was evident he had no intentions of going any further. "I hope you enjoy you're time with her. You'll be returning to my home when you're done. So long."

As Henry left, Benjamin and Malinda reluctantly walked to Claudia's barn door. Once there, Malinda knocked lightly on the barn door, but there was no answer. Having no where else to go, they decided to wait. "Did you know he was married with children?" asked Benjamin, feeling very left out.

"I did. So what?"

"'So what?' You knew and you didn't think to tell me. When did you find out?"

"He told me, last night. I went downstairs to... um... get something to eat, and I saw that he was in the living room. Then we just started talking. I didn't tell you because it wasn't that serious." Malinda lowered herself to the ground, sitting with her back against the wooden door and her arms wrapped around her knees. Benjamin remained standing, leaning on the barn wall.

"Did your buddy tell you anything else?"

"No, he didn't. Why so curious all of a sudden?"

"Well wouldn't anybody be? We sleep in his house, and we barely even know the guy. If it weren't for that argument this morning, I would have been completely clueless. And I bet you wouldn't have told me a damn thing."

"Weren't you the one who said, 'we have to start trusting someone.' What happened?"

"I changed my mind, okay."

From afar, Benjamin and Malinda saw Claudia, staggering. She had several items in her arms, and was in obvious need of assistance. Slowly arising from the ground, Malinda proceeded to walk toward her, Benjamin following behind. "Let me help you with that," said Benjamin, now in front of his sister.

"Here." Claudia sloppily gave all the items to Benjamin. "You two are late. I had to go to the market all by myself, and then walk nearly a mile back here. Some help you are." Claudia remained standing there, gazing at Malinda, and tracing her up and down. "Well?"

"Well what?" responded Malinda, disliking the way she was being looked at.

"Open the door. The boy is about to collapse, and you're just standing there." As Malinda went to open the door for Benjamin, Claudia continued to look at her, rubbing her hands to show she was still in pain from her hard labor.

Once the door was open, Benjamin quickly placed the items on the nearest flat surface. He was relieved when his arms were free. With a comfortable chair in his sights, Benjamin made his way towards it. "What do think you're doing. I don't recall ever giving you permission to go into my home," said Claudia. With a dispirited sigh, Benjamin walked back outside.

Benjamin and Malinda followed Claudia to barnyard door, where they had been standing just a few minutes ago. Once at the barn, Claudia stopped and turned around. "You..." said Claudia, pointing to Malinda, "When you get inside, I want you to organize the hay and sweep the floors." I have a name you know, thought Malinda.

"As for the boy, I want you to clear out all the equipment and put them in a corner. You are to begin immediately, and I expect you to be done by the end of today. And since you arrived so late, you will not be allowed any breaks. Have I made myself clear?"

"Yes, ma'am," said Benjamin, entering the barn and beginning his task.

xxxxxxx

In the 4th Kingdom Palace, Virginia descended the main staircase, having woken up only a few minutes before. As she made her way towards the Dining Hall, she saw Wolf and King Wendell standing outside the Ballroom. Virginia noticed several decorations being brought in and out.

"What's going on?" asked Virginia as she approached Wolf.

"Oh, Good Morning, my darling Virginia," said Wolf, lightly kissing Virginia's hand. "The Ballroom is being decorated for Prince Gabriel's Birthday."

"But that's not for another 2 weeks."

"Lord Rubert thought it would be best to get a head start. He's been planning this for the last 2 years," said King Wendell, joining in the conversation. "Good to see you're finally up, Virginia. I trust you sleep well."

"Yes, but that's more than I can say for you." Virginia knew that Wendell hadn't been getting much sleep since Gabriel had been sent to the 2nd Kingdom. He was there on a mission of diplomacy, trying to make peace between the North and South. King Wendell worried greatly for Gabriel, that being is first mission by himself.

"There's no need to worry about me," said Wendell with a feigned smile.

"Well, I think I should go upstairs and freshen up." Before Virginia could turn around to go back upstairs, Wendell interrupted her.

"By the way, Virginia, searches for the mirror are improving. We should be able to find it soon." Virginia smiled. She was pleased that Wendell was still looking for the Traveling Mirror. He has spent years searching for it, and never gave up. She was truly fortunate to have such a devoted friend.

xxxxxxx

Malinda and Benjamin had been working for hours. Malinda finished stacking the hay, but was left to clean up after the mess she made in doing her first task. She was surprised at how large the barn actually was. But she held back from complaining, especially since Benjamin had a much harder job than she. He still had several tools and machines to organize. She could see that he was extremely tired.

Benjamin was sweating profusely. Although the items themselves weren't supremely heavy, he had so many to lift and arrange. The only thing that seemed to help him was concentrating about something else. Benjamin wondered about where they were and how to get back, even though he knew that thinking about it was of no use. Still, it was the only thing that helped...

Suddenly, Malinda heard a screech of pain. It came from the other side of the barn - it was Benjamin. She quickly dropped her broom and rushed over to his side. Benjamin was on the floor, in tremendous pain. One of the machines had fallen on his ankle.

Though Benjamin wasn't bleeding, he was still severely injured.

x

Upon getting assistance from Henry and Claudia, Benjamin was taken back to Henry's house, and placed in his room. Malinda remained downstairs, pacing back and forth. Her heart stopped when she heard him cry out.

"There's no need to worry, Malinda. Benjamin is fine. He won't be able to walk for awhile, but he'll be fine. Nothing to worry about," said Henry as she walked down the steps.

"I really wish you would stop saying that," said Malinda, who was unmistakably angry.

"Stop saying what?" Henry was a bit confused.

"Stop saying 'there's nothing to worry about.' Ever since we've gotten here, that's all you've ever said. It's getting really annoying." Malinda sat down, with her hands folded and back slouched. Henry followed her, and tried to comfort her. Malinda then turned to face him.

"Who are you? You take us out of jail, you give a place to sleep... but we don't anything about you. Then you make us work for a woman who obviously hates you. Why? Because you're trying to be her friend?" Malinda paused, and got out of her seat and continued to pace.

"I took you out of jail because I trying to help you two. And my motives are really none of your business..."

"Yeah, they are. They are our business. My brother is seriously injured because of your motives. We have so many things on our minds. We don't even no where the hell we are, and you have the nerve to say that we have nothing to worry about?" Malinda was fed up. All she wanted to do was go home. But now she would have to wait until Benjamin got better to go back to Manhattan.

Just then, Claudia came down the stairs, still with her head held high. Though she was concerned for Benjamin's health, she was more bothered over the fact that she lost a worker. She could come up with only one other solution for her problem.

"Girl..." called out Claudia. "Due to your brother's unfortunate accident, it appears I have no choice but to give his choirs to you."

"What?"

"Well I can't just have all his work undone. Somebody has to do them. And it'll only be until the boy gets well enough. So I suggest that you get moving. There's still much work to be finished." Malinda couldn't believe she was still expected to work. Not only that, but her work was being doubled. But Malinda would do the work, and only hoped that her brother would get better.

Right when Malinda was about to walk out the door, she turned to Henry. "Just take care of Benjamin. I'd like to think he's in good hands."

"He is."

"He better be." With a cold look in her eyes, Malinda left.

xxxxxxx

The sun was beginning to set. A man walked through the town undetected. His cloths were tethered and old, and he had an unwashed appearance. As he scurried between houses, he finally reached his destination - a large barn. With a key in his hand, the man opened the back door. Inside there were hay stacks, and farming equipment scattered everywhere. Tired, the man found a secure hiding place behind some rusty tools, and fell asleep.

xxxxxxx

Claudia noticed it was getting dark. She has hoped that Malinda and Benjamin would have finished cleaning the barn before nightfall, but it was too late. The barn would have to remain the way it was. Malinda, however, was still bent on completing what she and her brother had started.

"Don't go in there." Claudia spoke in a loud tone. Malinda was confused. Claudia had instructed her to clean up the barn only moments ago. Now in a softer voice, Claudia continued, "The barn is clean enough. You can start working on my house. Now come along." Malinda did as she was instructed.

As she entered Claudia's home, Malinda saw two girls sitting down by the fireplace in the living room. She presumed that they were Henry's daughters - April and Emily.

"Girls, meet our guest. Your father picked her up and she is to work for us." Malinda could see the delight in April and Emily's faces. She noted that there was something different about them. Unlike the others villagers Malinda had seen, April and Emily were dressed as if they were going a fancy ball. Their hairstyles were elegant and proper, although their surroundings did not reflect those same qualities.

"Why is she so dirty? Is she always like that?" asked Emily, sounding slightly disturbed.

"She just finished working in the barn." Claudia turned around, taking Malinda with her. "Go take a bath. I will not have my daughters deal with unclean people." Without a word, Malinda did as she was told.

"It's getting rather late. I think you two lovely ladies should go to bed."

"Yes, mother," answered the girls in unison.

Malinda marched up the stairs, with April and Emily not too far behind. Once she reached the second floor, Malinda stood there, unsure of where she was supposed to go.

"The bathroom is on the left." said April, shoving Malinda out of her way. "I guess you can sleep in my dad's old room. Make sure to get all that grime off your face. And I had better not find anything missing when I wake up. You look like the kind of person who's stole a couple of things just to get by."

Malinda was tempted to respond to their rudeness and unnecessary remarks. But she was tired from all the day's work. All she wanted to talk a shower and go to sleep. She found it ironic that just 24 hours ago she thought this would turn for the better, when in fact they had gotten much worse.