Thank you to everyone who has taken the time out to review my story. It is greatly appreciated! Also, sorry if this isn't the most exciting chapter, it is leading up to better things to come. So enjoy and thank you everyone! P.S. I should have one or two more chapters up tonight.

6: Inscription

Sonia jumped on Shannon to wake her up. She knew this was the only way to wake her up because Shannon slept like a boulder. Shannon groggily woke up and looked at Sonia with her eyes half open. "Why am I awake?" Shannon yawned.

"Because we have to get to work. You have to be ready today or Lord Snow will be mad." Sonia replied.

Sonia was a morning person, which is why they most likely put her in the kitchens. She had no problem waking up early and cooking breakfast for the household. Shannon glared at the perky child as she struggled to get out of bed. "Here just sit, let me do your hair this morning. It looks….interesting." Sonia said while grabbing the hairbrush.

Shannon just nodded and dozed off as Sonia brushed her hair. Sonia smacked Shannon awake with the handheld mirror, and motioned for her to take a look. The mirror reflected an image of Shannon with her dark brown locks in a half do. Two braids started in the front and met together in the back and the rest of her hair was left straight down. Shannon gave a groggy thumbs up, and decided to finally get off the bed and change. She caught herself every now and then removing her imaginary bra and underwear and cursed at herself when she realized that those didn't really exist. Everyone pretty much went commando in this world.

She was too tired to care that Sonia was examining her thigh tattoo again and turned her back toward her. "You have more of those markings?! Are you sure it is not a strange disease? Were you branded by a man? What does the one say? The one on your….um…behind?" Sonia was shocked at first but then started to giggle.

Shannon quickly awoke out of her zombie state, and rushed her hands to her backside. She had completely forgotten that she had two on her back; one on her shoulder blades which were small angel wings and a shamrock on her butt that read 'Fuck Off'. "Well..." Shannon laughed nervously, "They aren't branding and no they aren't a disease. And it is best not to worry what that says. So anyway, can you pass me some of your makeup stuff?"

She quickly changed into the gunmetal colored dress that Ramsay had given her yesterday. As she was finishing putting on the lipstick a knock came at the door. Both of them quickly put on their shoes, and answered the door. There stood Ramsay and a taller man with longer black hair. Ramsay came through the doorway toward Shannon. He grabbed her hair in his hand and twirled it around. "I like your hair like this, you should wear it like this more often." He said as he dropped her hair out of his hand.

"Now anyway, before I get started as to why I was here, what was all that jabbering I just heard about?" Ramsay inquired.

"It was nothing my Lord." Ramsay glared at Shannon as she spoke, she quickly shut up because she knew how much he hated liars.

"You know I do not tolerate lying." Ramsay went to take a step toward Shannon, but the taller girl stepped in.

"M'lord like Shannon said it was really nothing. It was simply me trying to wake her up and get her ready for the day. She sleeps like a rock, and is a bear when she awakens. So it is a struggle, and I became frustrated." Sonia spat out.

Ramsay could tell the girl was lying, but he thought it was interesting how Shannon had made a friend so quickly, and one that was so protective over her. He could use that later on. "Well next time keep it down. Anyway, I came here to tell you…" He said while glancing at Shannon. "That I will be going away on business for my father. So, since I will not be here and I don't want you to be lonely without my presence." He gave her a slight wink. "I will be having one of my personal men guard you till I return."

He motioned to the man behind him. Before leaving Ramsay walked over to Shannon and gave her a soft kiss on the forehead. Shannon said at him with such a confused look. Why is he being sweet? In a really creepy psychopathic way? She wondered.

Ramsay smirked as he turned his back toward her. I will make her mine when I come back.

Ramsay walked out of the room and down to the stables to get his horse. His best men were waiting for him there, so that they could be off for their journey. His father didn't let him handle business often, and when he did it was usually to capture someone who owed them money or his father just didn't like and "teach" them a lesson.

As he was entering the stables, he passed by the kennel master's daughter who hid behind a wooden column looking at Ramsay with longing eyes. Myranda, was her name, and she longed for Ramsay. Sure he would bed her every now and then, but she wanted him to be hers, and only hers. She looked back to where he came from, the private servers' quarters. He has an odd fascination with that new girl. Ramsay is mine, not hers. I will not let her take him away from me. Myranda's mind was filled of dark thoughts of Shannon.

Meanwhile, Shannon just stared at the guard before her. Sonia was blushing profusely and couldn't meet his gaze. Shannon could feel the sexual tension and coughed awkwardly. "You know that you do not have to escort me? I can go by myself if you'd wish to escort Sonia instead."

The guard broke his gaze from Sonia and squinted at Shannon. "No, that is not happening. I was told to escort you everywhere and not let you out of my sights, and you are not to do anything without my permission. Lord Snow would have my head if I did not follow orders."

Shannon shrugged and grabbed her candle off the floor. "Do you mind if I take my candle? Or will Lord Snow be mad?" Shannon said mockingly.

She didn't need a babysitter. "Shannon don't get mad at him; he is just doing his job." Sonia rebutted in the guard's defense.

Shannon just rolled her eyes. She didn't mean to be mean to the guard, she was just irked by the situation. She hated being hovered over like a small child. Yes, she was small but a child no more. The guard motioned for Shannon to exit the room, and she did so. The pair began walking up toward her work room. "So I assume you are Will?" Shannon inquired while glancing over at him quickly.

The man grunted a yes in reply. They walked in silence for the rest of the way until they got to the room. Will entered the room with her and chose to sit in the corner of the room. Shannon turned to him and sighed, "Look I am sorry I was a bit snappy a bit ago, I just don't like being babysat. I won't leave this room till you come get me. I know your life is at stake, and the girl I live with, whom I have grown quite fond of rather quickly, is smitten with you so I wouldn't endanger her happiness. Also, I would rather not get flayed by Ramsay, because let's be honest I'm in a dress so I wouldn't get very far. So you can go and I will sit here and do my work like a good little girl."

"I accept your apology. I won't sit in here and bother you, but I will remain out in the hall." Will stated as he walked out of the door.

Shannon breathed a sigh of relief. Thank the Lord, that Ramsay gave me the nice guard. Why did he give me the nice guard? Ugh, why do I try to figure him out? I know he is up to something. He thinks he can play the game, well so can I. I just have to wait for the right time.

Shannon began working on the new pile that was to be done today. It was the same mess of stuff like yesterday; torn and bloodied clothes. Apparently the Bolton household didn't know how to properly take care of clothing. Shannon wished there was a way to make the clothes more durable. It was at that moment that she thought about the book that she had left at home. She wished she could have taken the book instead of the candle. She walked over to the candle and inspected it in her hands. It was a normal looking cream colored candle.

As she continued to play with the candle in her hands, she took notice of something very strange. The wick was unburnt. "I know I lit this, so it should be black at the tip." Shannon said as she rose her eyebrows.

As she was feeling the wick, she also ran her hands over the top rim. She ran it over slower this time to get a better feel. There were grooves, and it felt like lettering. Unfortunately, she couldn't make out the letters. I need like a dyed liquid to put in the grooves to make it more visible.

She searched the room for such an ingredient, but came up empty handed. I suppose the only thing I could use is blood. Now where did that needle go.

Shannon crawled across the floor looking through cracks for the needle. Finally, she came upon a shiny object in between the floor boards. She concentrated hard enough and was able to levitate the needle out from underneath the floor boards. "Wow this shit comes in handy!" She said in excitement, but quickly covered her mouth.

She didn't want to alarm Will. She pricked her finger but soon realized that, that would not acquire the amount of blood she needed. So, she took the needle again and jab her wrist toward one of her veins. She let out a tiny cry from the pain. A small trickle came from her wrist and she let it drip onto the rim of the candle until all the grooves were filled. She quickly grabbed a piece of cloth in order to stop the bleeding and cover the minor hole.

Once, the blood had settled into the grooves she grabbed the candle. There were now visible letters, a phrase appeared. "Eiridh tonn air uisge balbh. What the fuck does that mean? Did I even say it right? Ugh, how is this supposed to help when I don't even know what I just said!" She asked quietly in frustration, while shaking her fist.

While Shannon was complaining, the blood began to seep into the candle and it was gone. Shannon's eyes got wide, and she noticed that something ese was appearing on the side of the candle. Water and moonlight. Burn a flame like once before. "What the hell does that mean?" Shannon was beyond frustrated.

The two sentences disappeared in moments, and she placed the candle on the window sill. Shannon went back to completing her work, but when she tried to use her magic to continue working on the clothes nothing would work. She grew frustrated after several minutes and decided to just continue on her day's work by hand. Occasionally she would glance over at the candle, as if she was expecting something to happen. Nothing did though, and the words that had appeared on the candle plagued her for the rest of the day.

Finally, the day had come to an end, and Will had opened the door to collect Shannon. Shannon grabbed her candle and walked with Will down to kitchen area. She gave Will a confusing look as to why they were there. "You haven't eaten yet, and Lord Snow would be angry if I starved you. Also, I usually escort Sonia back to her room." Will just stared straight ahead into the kitchen.

He wasn't one to show much emotion, but Shannon could tell her cared for Sonia. Sonia came out shortly with a basket of food in her hand, and a smile on her face. "Look I brought you some dinner tonight! I brought you some too Will, please join us in the room!" Sonia beamed at him.

"I cannot. It is not my place, but it was very kind of you." He let a small and quick smile escape from his lips.

Sonia looked down at the ground, but not for long because she didn't want anyone to notice her disappointment. The trio travelled back down to the corridors where their rooms were. Sonia went inside first, but before Will could leave Shannon grabbed him by the arm. "It would mean a lot to Sonia if you stayed."

"It would be frowned upon." Will stated bluntly.

"We are no ladies Will. Just two house maidens, one of whom has taken quite a liking to you. Please, you can keep a better eye on me this way. I will be sure to tell Ramsay how you never left my side. He would most likely appreciate that since he is oh so worried about me plotting my grand escape. Please, you have been nice to me and returned my property. Let me repay you by having you join us for dinner, and enjoying our company." Shannon pleaded with her big green eyes.

Will let out a small chuckle. "I suppose it couldn't hurt. Make sure to tell Lord Snow how well I have taken care of you though, I like being on his good side."

Shannon nodded profusely and ushered him inside, closing the door behind them both. Sonia beamed once again when she took notice of the man in their room. She began removing all the food from her basket, and placing it on the chest similar to a buffet. The trio talked about their day, mostly it was Sonia talking since she heard so much gossip from the kitchen staff. Will was well mannered toward her and lightened up around her. Her childish ways seemed to crack his hard exterior. Both of them had also been drinking some ale that Sonia had hidden away.

Shannon was having a great time conversing with the pair, but the inscription from earlier still plagued her. She had to figure out a way to get out of there, and a body of water. She knew there a body of water near Dreadfort, from what was shown in the show and depicted in the books. An idea suddenly popped into her head. "So I had a quick question." Shannon inquired.

Will and Sonia turned toward Shannon. "Where would a person take a bath around her? You see I haven't had one since I have been here, and I don't want to start to smell." Shannon said.

"You'll be fine for a couple more days." Will stated.

"Well, I do not know about that. I cleaned these wounds but haven't been able to have a proper bath to clean them all the way. I do not want them to get infected and smelly, because what if Lord Bolton comes by to have me fix something and I am all smelly from my wounds. Due to not having a proper bath. Well then that would get back to Lord Snow…." Shannon at this point was just rambling.

"The servants all bathe near a small lake that feeds into the river. I can take you there tomorrow morning, before we must be off to work. That is, if Will would allow it." Sonia pipped in.

Both the girls stared at Will waiting for a reply. He let out a heavy sigh. "That is fine, but I will be accompanying you."

Shannon gave a small smile and nodded. She did indeed begin to smell and want to clean her wounds, but she also wanted to find out how to get to the lake near Dreadfort so she could venture there tomorrow night.

The next morning, Sonia had to wake Shannon as usual. Sonia grabbed Shannon's shoulder and began to shake her awake. "Come on! You must get up; we must go now before anyone else gets down there." Sonia continued to shake Shannon awake.

Shannon eventually awoke from her slumber and swatted Sonia away. Shannon changed into her same dress as the previous days. Will came into the room, with a scarf in his hands. He threw it at Shannon. It hit her in the face and fell to the ground. She just stared at the piece of fabric for a couple minutes. "Wrap yourself in it, and shield your face. You are not supposed to exit these walls. So you must not be seen, or I will surely lose my head. I am going out on a limb for you here, so do not fuck it up." Will explained.

Sonia grabbed the scarf off the ground and began wrapping it around Shannon's head. She was thankful, because she was way too tired to accomplish that herself. Sonia pulled out two simple cloaks from her chest; one charcoal and the other was a beige color. Sonia wrapped herself in the beige and handed Shannon the charcoal cloak. "Wear this it will help shield you from the Northern weather. Winter isn't here yet, but it still is not as warm outside as the South." Sonia stated.

Shannon strapped the cloak on, and looked toward Will and Sonia. They both nodded in approval. You could barely make out who Shannon was underneath all of the fabric. The trio then made their way out of the castle, being sure to avoid corridors with people in them. Finally, they made it outside. Shannon took a deep breath in. She loved the outdoors, and even though her work room had a window it wasn't the same as being outside the castle walls.

Sonia led the way to where the servants usually bathed. It wasn't too terribly far of a walk, and Shannon was making mental notes of how to get there. They finally reached the lake, it was a deep blue surrounded by thick bushes and trees. Dreadfort could be a scary place to live, but having a lake this made it all better. The scene calmed Shannon's mind, and everything that had happened the last few days seemed to disappear. Shannon's brief moments of clarity were interrupted by Sonia and Will's chatter. "I'll stand over here, behind the tree. Hurry though, you should not be out for very long or word will get around." Will stated.

Sonia and Shannon nodded. Once he had gone out of sight the girls began to undress. "Now, the lake might be a bit cold since summer is ending. SO we must be quick, we wouldn't want to catch a cold." Sonia explained as she walked into the blue waters.

Shannon could see her shiver, and expected the worst when she entered the lake. Before entering she quickly took off her ring, so that it wouldn't get lost in the waters. Shannon prepared herself for the frigid waters, but when she entered the water was at a nice temperature. "Sonia what are you talking about? The waters are fine!" Shannon laughed as she ran in and dove head first.

While she was under water, images of her childhood flooded her mind like never before. Images of her swimming and having fun in the water, spending hours in the lake near her house, and playing with the water in her hands. The water had seemed to move at her touch. She was used to having brief memories, but none ever so vivid before. She rose from the surface and saw Sonia tilting her head at her. "You are out of your mind! This water is so cold right now, and you just dive in like you are a fish." Sonia said with a laugh.

"The water feels fine; I do not know how to explain it or why. I use to swim a lot as a child. I suppose I was just born for the water." Shannon beamed as she sunk into the water to clean herself off.

"Okay. Well just hurry up I am freezing and you heard what Will, we should not be gone long." Sonia said as she began making her way to the shore.

Shannon took one last dive underneath the water, before going to the shore. Sonia was almost completely dressed by the time Shannon got back to the embankment. Shannon attempted to "Your wounds have healed up very well, and quickly too." Sonia remarked after glancing at Shannon's bare chest.

Shannon was embarrassed and attempted to cover her breast, but she glanced down and noticed that the wounds that Ramsay had inflicted on her were almost completely gone. That is weird, they were still there this morning. Maybe they just needed to be cleaned is all. "I guess I am just a fast healer." She just shrugged it off, and continued to get dressed.

Once both the girls were dressed they made their way to where Will was stationed. Sonia traipsed along in front of Shannon, while she slowly followed. Something called to her and forced her to turn around at the lake. The waters were still, and there was no breeze at the moment. I must be going mad. She thought to herself, and continued following Sonia. I sure hope I am not, but we shall see tonight.