A/N: You asked for it!
Can't Turn Back
Chapter Two: Devastation
Agatha and Charles ran after the frightened Tatania. Agatha was still shaken over Charles' news, though she still didn't know what about. They hurried to catch up and were soon at the Manor.
Tatania stared at the ruins of her beautiful home. There had been a fire. That was easy to tell. It had consumed almost the whole house. What remained was of no significance. There had been only a few survivors. Those that had been working outside, and a few kitchen maidens. The many who had gone back to try and save others had only made it with a few. Tatania's parents not included.
Tatania didn't cry, she just stood in stony silence glaring at her lost home. Agatha wept next to her charge, while the rest of the household tried to hold back their tears.
Tatania turned to look at her friends and house servants. Every one of them had had a close relative in the house when it had been burned. She counted those that were left. Judy, Fredrick, Sully, Gertrude, Peter, Scott, Daisy, James, Duane, Charles, and Agatha. Only eleven of her 37 house members. A disaster.
"How did this happen?!" She cried out. The servants just shook their heads and murmured quietly. They hadn't any idea.
"Where did it start?" She asked. They all shook their heads once again. Charles came up and said,
"It seemed that...that it appeared out of...well, nowhere." Tatania didn't know what to say she just stood still and stared at the ruins. As she watched she felt her heart drop, and she realized that she couldn't stay here any longer.
Tatania ran to the spot where her room would have been. She rummaged around through the wreckage and came up with a large fireproof chest. Its key hung around Tatania's neck, along with many others. She opened the chest and smiled solemnly. Inside were her most prized possessions. Her favourite books, the necklace her mother had given her for her twelfth birthday, a leather bound map of Frell and it's surrounding kingdom's, given by her father, and a fairy box, passed down though generations of her family. Inside would fit anything to the size of a full-grown ogre, and the box would conform to almost the width of a large walnut.
"Missus what are you doing? Are you sure you should be here?" James, an elderly servant came up to Tatania. He looked at her worriedly.
"I am fine James, just leave me be for a while." He nodded politely and left her alone.
Tatania placed her belongings inside the fairy box then went to find where her parent's room had been. She found it, and a numerous number of fireproof items. She had placed much of it inside her fairy box. There were books on herbs and medicines, survival, cooking, and even eavesdropping. Tatania felt they would come in handy with what she was planning.
Tatania came across some fantastic jewellery. She placed a small amount with her other items in her box. She stopped to stare at one piece. It was an ornate ring, engraved with jewels that made the Kyrrian emblem. She thought it to be a promise ring. One of the five that a king or queen could give to a special friend. In a time of need, one could send it to the monarch for help. Tatania exclaimed over it. Wondering how in the world her parent's had received it. It must have been an heirloom, for the Lady Arielle and Sir George had never been in contact with royalty.
Tatania placed the ring on her necklace and turned to see Agatha behind her. She placed her belongings in a bag, then grabbed another. Tatania filled the second bag up with all of the gold and jewels that had survived. She smiled lovingly at the despondent nurse and hugged her.
"I'll be off." She whispered in her ear. Agatha stepped back in surprise.
"But Missus! You cannot! You have no where to go, and you are now the lady of our household!" Tatania laughed bitterly,
"Dear Agatha! What house is there to be lady of? I want to be away from this place. It holds no joy for me now." She pushed the bag of jewels into Agatha's hands.
"Share it amongst yourselves. There is no written will, but I give it all to you and your fellow servants. It is the least I can do for repayment for their lost family. Agatha stared open mouthed at the riches.
"Tha...Thank you!" She breathed,
She looked again forlornly at the grown woman in front of her. When had she gotten so much older?
"I will miss you." Agatha wept for the second time that day. Tatania gave her a sad smile again,
"And I you." She turned to leave, but Agatha grabbed her arm.
"But what shall I say? They will search for you!"
"Tell them anything that I died in the fire, anything, just don't come looking for me yourself. Don't let anybody come to find me. Goodbye, I love you." Tatania ran, waving to her old friends, heading into the woods.
Special Thanks to my reviewers!
AquariusDragon, zumamoonlight- I love Tatania's personality too...oh wait that's why I made her like that! Don't like cliffhangers? Uh oh, expect more! :D, LaughingGasGirl-checking my e-mail as soon as I post this!, Sharon- Can't help it I'm just a Scrooge when it comes to reviews, kat, cheler- Are you sure? I am not lacking in writing skills? POSITIVE?!, and Niffler68- Ha! As soon as I read your review I went to upload this chap! So feel special. I'm dedicating this chapter to you!
A/N: I know this is short, but I'm not too good at long chapters. I'll do my best for Chapter Three! 5 more reviews or no long chapter at all! Am I really cruel? Anything welcome, praise or flames. Though constructive criticism would be preferred...
ãcopyright 2002 ...if it's in anyway legal though!!