At last the tunnel came to an end. Mirana blinked and tried to sit up.
Hands pushed her back down. Slowly her eyes focused. She was laying in the
grass with Don leaning over her. Sunlight shone into Mirana's eyes.
Groaning, she covered her face with her hands and tried to roll over.
"Mirana, what happened? Do ya need anything?" Don asked anxiously. The girl sat up gingerly. "I need to lean on something. Please help to that tree over there." With Don's help she managed to drag herself till she rested with her back against the trunk. This had again tired her. "What happened?" Don sat crossed leg in front of her. Trying to hide her shame, Mirana rested her head on her hands "I collapsed." "I know that. But why, ya don't look weak!" Mirana laughed harshly "No, I am weak as a leaf. I've always been and always will be!"
There was silence. Than Don dragged her hands away form her face. Looking her directly in the face he asked "Tell me, why?" Mirana could hardly look away from those grey eyes, but she forced herself to shake her head and close her eyes. To her immense shame, a tear ran down her cheek followed by more. Rubbing her eyes furiously she tried to hide her face, but Don had seen. She heard him get up and than he was sitting next to her, his arms rapped around her shoulders trying to comfort her. Mirana buried her head in his shoulder.
Finally the tears stopped coming and Mirana started talking. She told him everything. Being a bastard, found on the street. Having no real friends. Being sick with no cure. Going to die. And having one last dream.
Don listened silently, one arm rapped firmly around her thin shoulders. After the words had run out, Mirana felt better. A load had been lifted of her shoulders. She closed her eyes, blocking out the sunlight. The boy next to her let go of her and moved away. Looking, Mirana didn't see any alarm in his face. Nor shame or embarrassment just simple sympathy. He still meet her gaze and Mirana new that he wasn't her servant: He was her friend. There wasn't any thing to say. Don just asked if she felt well enough to get better. Than he helped the girl to her feet and offered his arm for her to lean on.
Don escorted Mirana to her room, but after making sure that she was safely inside he went to Miss Catherine's door and knocked. After some time Ann opened. "Yes?" She said eying her fellow servant with distrust. "May I speak with 'e lady Catherine, please?" Don knew he had to be polite, even though his teeth hurt to do it towards the old fraud. "Mm," Ann motioned for him to follow her into the room. Miss Catherine was sitting in a chair near the window and was reading. Closing the book but leaving her hand between the pages, Miss Catherine looked at the boy.
Bowing, Don told Miss Catherine that Mirana had collapsed, leaving out the fact that she had told him everything on her mind. Thanking him, Miss Catherine put down her book and went into the girl's room. Ann shooed Don outside.
Mirana was lying on her bed, but her eyes twitched behind the lids. Miss Catherine sat next to her. "How are you feeling?" She asked stroking Mirana's cheek. "If Don told you, I will kill him!" Came the muttered replay. The woman sighed "Yes, he told me. He's a smart boy. Now, lets see what we can do to get rid of the headache and sleepiness." She got up and bustled around the room.
Mirana sat up. "How did you know that my head feels as if someone had pounded it with a bat?" "My dear girl, I have known you now for many years. There are hardly any things you can hide from me." Grinning, Miss Catherine called for Ann to make a bath ready.
That night after dinner, Mirana was sitting at the desk and was looking out the open window, when there came a tentative knock at the door. Sighing deeply, she got up and answered the it. Don stood outside looking uncomfortably the corridor up and down. Mirana invited him inside and got a smile in return. Closing the door, she turned around to see the boy looking at his feet as if there wasn't anything more interesting. Looking up, he said "Please sit, Mirana, ya still look pale." The girl obeyed thankfully and pointed to a second chair.
Don grinned and sat. Than he seemed to remember why he was there and he looked down at his hands. "What is it, Don? Tell me." Mirana watched him closely. "Ya see, miss - " "Call me Mirana, will you?" Mirana interrupted him. Don grinned. "Mirana" he said as if tasting the word on his lips. "I've been thinking. Ya know how you told me about your dream, to see the ocean? I think it's unfair for the mistresses in the orphanage not to let ya. My grandam always said 'Follow yar dream, only it will lead ya to happiness!'"
Don stopped. Looking around the room he spotted the books on the bedside table. They were all about the ocean. He nodded. "If yar life will be over soon, 'scuse me for being so frank, I think ya should take matters into yar own hands. If they wont take ya, take yarself there. No point living if not for a dream!" He watched the girl as the words sank in. Her eyes widened and widened till she finally squeaked "You mean, run away?" "Not precisely. More like, go on a long holiday and, well, not return." "But, Don, I can't! I don't know the way. How will I travel? Where will I stay?" Mirana shock her head sadly. "Hang on, Mirana, I've got a plan. Hear me out!" Don jumped to his feet and started pacing the room.
"Didn't ya tell me that the group that went to the ocean are coming back today? Thought so. Ya will sneak back to the orphanage, grab the tents and other requirements, which they will hopefully hang outside for some fresh air, jump on a horse and ya will be on yar way!" "Don, wait, don't you see, I don't know the way!" "Ya don't, Mirana, but I do!" Don sounded pleased with himself. Mirana couldn't have heard right. "You mean, you will come with me? That's fantastic, but you won't be able to come back. They won't let you work here anymore. And your family, they need the money, remember?" Don shock his head, "I've earned enough money to keep my family alive for some time, plus extra money to keep us feed on the way!" "You're a genius, Don. Lord, when will we leave? When can you be ready?" Mirana got up and started picking up items and throwing everything onto one pile. "Tonight we'll go!"
Don left to make a few arrangements, while Mirana packed a few belongings into a basket. About to leave, Mirana remembered that she probably would never see Miss Catherine again. Just the thought send tears into her eyes. Sitting down, she wrote a note for the woman, leaving out the fact where she was going and with who she was going. She finished the note by writing underneath: "I am following my dream!" The note stayed on the desk and Mirana ran into the garden on stockinged feet.
Don was waiting for her in the glade where Mirana had collapsed. He too, was carrying a basket. When he saw Mirana, he took something out of the basket and gave it to her. "Put that on, it will be easier to ride in." Don commanded. A pair of brown breeched and a white shirt with a brown tunic - men's clothing. Mirana didn't argue. She went behind a tree and stepped out of the skirt and blouse. The new garments were a bit large, but not much.
Joining Don again, Mirana asked "What should I do with this? It will only get in the way and I wont wear it again anyway?" She was holding up the gear she had been wearing previously. "Leave it, I guess." Don was starring at something over the girl's shoulder. Turning, she didn't see anything. "What are you doing?" Mirana turned back to him. "Not looking at ya!" "Why?" Mirana asked perplexed. She looked down at herself. She was decent, except for the fact that she was skin-tight breeches. And than she knew what the problem was: Don had never seen the legs of a girl. She shock her about so much ridiculous behaviour. Standing on her toes, she looked him firmly in the eye "Listen Don, my legs are covered, there's nothing to be ashamed of. Now look at them!" Mirana stepped back a bit. Don blushed scarlet red. But he looked. A swift glance and than away again. But he looked.
"Now that, that is done, how are we going to get of this property. Isn't there a wall surrounding the whole park?" Mirana looked questioning at the boy. "Yeah, that's right. But there is a small side gate for servants a bit to the left from here." Don picked up a basket, but before he could reach out, Mirana had grabbed the other one. "We both carry, you aren't my servant. And don't argue, just lead the way!" With a flourished bow, she pointed ahead.
The forest was dark. A owl called, but otherwise only the wind in the treetops could be heard. Both Mirana and Don jumped at the tiniest of sounds; a branch snapping under foot, leaves rustling overhead. Finally they reached a road. Don rummaged through his basket and produced a water flask. Uncorking it, he gave it to Mirana. Taking a small gulp, she handed it back. After they both had drunk their fair share of water, they continued down the road. They exchanged a few words, but mostly they travelled silently, keeping to the shadows.
They had been walking for about an hour, Don always making sure that Mirana was feeling alright, when they reached the fork in the road, which would lead them to House Ravens Call. Again Don dug up the flask and they drank. Also a small piece of dry bread was eaten. Than Don helped the girl unto her feet and soon after they reached the orphanage. Here, Mirana took the lead.
In the Head Mistress's office light still burned. Mirana and Don sneaked past the open window both not daring to breath. Finally, they reached the Kitchen garden. Like Don had predicted, everything had been hung outside for airing. While Don went through the kitchen garden and picked some ripe vegetables, Mirana choose two bedrolls from the washing line. Also she found a backpack someone had forgotten to empty. Inside were matches, cooking utensils, two plates and bowls and cutlery. About to go and find Don, she spotted breeches, hoses, shirts and tunics on the clothing line. They were a bit moist, but that didn't matter. Picking out those would her and Don best, she crammed them into the bag.
Turning to go, she ran into Don. She remembered not to make too much noise but she couldn't stop herself from making a tiny yelp. Don just placed a finger to his mouth and motioned for them to depart. When they were a good distance down the road, they stopped and compared their finds. Next to some foods, Don had found boots for both of them. Quickly exchanging her leather slippers for the smaller pair, they continued down the road.
Around dawn, Mirana couldn't feel her feet and her eyes kept on closing. Even Don had trouble staying awake. Finally he called a halt. Moving of the road, a way into the forest for cover, they pulled out the bedrolls and were asleep instantly.
"Mirana, what happened? Do ya need anything?" Don asked anxiously. The girl sat up gingerly. "I need to lean on something. Please help to that tree over there." With Don's help she managed to drag herself till she rested with her back against the trunk. This had again tired her. "What happened?" Don sat crossed leg in front of her. Trying to hide her shame, Mirana rested her head on her hands "I collapsed." "I know that. But why, ya don't look weak!" Mirana laughed harshly "No, I am weak as a leaf. I've always been and always will be!"
There was silence. Than Don dragged her hands away form her face. Looking her directly in the face he asked "Tell me, why?" Mirana could hardly look away from those grey eyes, but she forced herself to shake her head and close her eyes. To her immense shame, a tear ran down her cheek followed by more. Rubbing her eyes furiously she tried to hide her face, but Don had seen. She heard him get up and than he was sitting next to her, his arms rapped around her shoulders trying to comfort her. Mirana buried her head in his shoulder.
Finally the tears stopped coming and Mirana started talking. She told him everything. Being a bastard, found on the street. Having no real friends. Being sick with no cure. Going to die. And having one last dream.
Don listened silently, one arm rapped firmly around her thin shoulders. After the words had run out, Mirana felt better. A load had been lifted of her shoulders. She closed her eyes, blocking out the sunlight. The boy next to her let go of her and moved away. Looking, Mirana didn't see any alarm in his face. Nor shame or embarrassment just simple sympathy. He still meet her gaze and Mirana new that he wasn't her servant: He was her friend. There wasn't any thing to say. Don just asked if she felt well enough to get better. Than he helped the girl to her feet and offered his arm for her to lean on.
Don escorted Mirana to her room, but after making sure that she was safely inside he went to Miss Catherine's door and knocked. After some time Ann opened. "Yes?" She said eying her fellow servant with distrust. "May I speak with 'e lady Catherine, please?" Don knew he had to be polite, even though his teeth hurt to do it towards the old fraud. "Mm," Ann motioned for him to follow her into the room. Miss Catherine was sitting in a chair near the window and was reading. Closing the book but leaving her hand between the pages, Miss Catherine looked at the boy.
Bowing, Don told Miss Catherine that Mirana had collapsed, leaving out the fact that she had told him everything on her mind. Thanking him, Miss Catherine put down her book and went into the girl's room. Ann shooed Don outside.
Mirana was lying on her bed, but her eyes twitched behind the lids. Miss Catherine sat next to her. "How are you feeling?" She asked stroking Mirana's cheek. "If Don told you, I will kill him!" Came the muttered replay. The woman sighed "Yes, he told me. He's a smart boy. Now, lets see what we can do to get rid of the headache and sleepiness." She got up and bustled around the room.
Mirana sat up. "How did you know that my head feels as if someone had pounded it with a bat?" "My dear girl, I have known you now for many years. There are hardly any things you can hide from me." Grinning, Miss Catherine called for Ann to make a bath ready.
That night after dinner, Mirana was sitting at the desk and was looking out the open window, when there came a tentative knock at the door. Sighing deeply, she got up and answered the it. Don stood outside looking uncomfortably the corridor up and down. Mirana invited him inside and got a smile in return. Closing the door, she turned around to see the boy looking at his feet as if there wasn't anything more interesting. Looking up, he said "Please sit, Mirana, ya still look pale." The girl obeyed thankfully and pointed to a second chair.
Don grinned and sat. Than he seemed to remember why he was there and he looked down at his hands. "What is it, Don? Tell me." Mirana watched him closely. "Ya see, miss - " "Call me Mirana, will you?" Mirana interrupted him. Don grinned. "Mirana" he said as if tasting the word on his lips. "I've been thinking. Ya know how you told me about your dream, to see the ocean? I think it's unfair for the mistresses in the orphanage not to let ya. My grandam always said 'Follow yar dream, only it will lead ya to happiness!'"
Don stopped. Looking around the room he spotted the books on the bedside table. They were all about the ocean. He nodded. "If yar life will be over soon, 'scuse me for being so frank, I think ya should take matters into yar own hands. If they wont take ya, take yarself there. No point living if not for a dream!" He watched the girl as the words sank in. Her eyes widened and widened till she finally squeaked "You mean, run away?" "Not precisely. More like, go on a long holiday and, well, not return." "But, Don, I can't! I don't know the way. How will I travel? Where will I stay?" Mirana shock her head sadly. "Hang on, Mirana, I've got a plan. Hear me out!" Don jumped to his feet and started pacing the room.
"Didn't ya tell me that the group that went to the ocean are coming back today? Thought so. Ya will sneak back to the orphanage, grab the tents and other requirements, which they will hopefully hang outside for some fresh air, jump on a horse and ya will be on yar way!" "Don, wait, don't you see, I don't know the way!" "Ya don't, Mirana, but I do!" Don sounded pleased with himself. Mirana couldn't have heard right. "You mean, you will come with me? That's fantastic, but you won't be able to come back. They won't let you work here anymore. And your family, they need the money, remember?" Don shock his head, "I've earned enough money to keep my family alive for some time, plus extra money to keep us feed on the way!" "You're a genius, Don. Lord, when will we leave? When can you be ready?" Mirana got up and started picking up items and throwing everything onto one pile. "Tonight we'll go!"
Don left to make a few arrangements, while Mirana packed a few belongings into a basket. About to leave, Mirana remembered that she probably would never see Miss Catherine again. Just the thought send tears into her eyes. Sitting down, she wrote a note for the woman, leaving out the fact where she was going and with who she was going. She finished the note by writing underneath: "I am following my dream!" The note stayed on the desk and Mirana ran into the garden on stockinged feet.
Don was waiting for her in the glade where Mirana had collapsed. He too, was carrying a basket. When he saw Mirana, he took something out of the basket and gave it to her. "Put that on, it will be easier to ride in." Don commanded. A pair of brown breeched and a white shirt with a brown tunic - men's clothing. Mirana didn't argue. She went behind a tree and stepped out of the skirt and blouse. The new garments were a bit large, but not much.
Joining Don again, Mirana asked "What should I do with this? It will only get in the way and I wont wear it again anyway?" She was holding up the gear she had been wearing previously. "Leave it, I guess." Don was starring at something over the girl's shoulder. Turning, she didn't see anything. "What are you doing?" Mirana turned back to him. "Not looking at ya!" "Why?" Mirana asked perplexed. She looked down at herself. She was decent, except for the fact that she was skin-tight breeches. And than she knew what the problem was: Don had never seen the legs of a girl. She shock her about so much ridiculous behaviour. Standing on her toes, she looked him firmly in the eye "Listen Don, my legs are covered, there's nothing to be ashamed of. Now look at them!" Mirana stepped back a bit. Don blushed scarlet red. But he looked. A swift glance and than away again. But he looked.
"Now that, that is done, how are we going to get of this property. Isn't there a wall surrounding the whole park?" Mirana looked questioning at the boy. "Yeah, that's right. But there is a small side gate for servants a bit to the left from here." Don picked up a basket, but before he could reach out, Mirana had grabbed the other one. "We both carry, you aren't my servant. And don't argue, just lead the way!" With a flourished bow, she pointed ahead.
The forest was dark. A owl called, but otherwise only the wind in the treetops could be heard. Both Mirana and Don jumped at the tiniest of sounds; a branch snapping under foot, leaves rustling overhead. Finally they reached a road. Don rummaged through his basket and produced a water flask. Uncorking it, he gave it to Mirana. Taking a small gulp, she handed it back. After they both had drunk their fair share of water, they continued down the road. They exchanged a few words, but mostly they travelled silently, keeping to the shadows.
They had been walking for about an hour, Don always making sure that Mirana was feeling alright, when they reached the fork in the road, which would lead them to House Ravens Call. Again Don dug up the flask and they drank. Also a small piece of dry bread was eaten. Than Don helped the girl unto her feet and soon after they reached the orphanage. Here, Mirana took the lead.
In the Head Mistress's office light still burned. Mirana and Don sneaked past the open window both not daring to breath. Finally, they reached the Kitchen garden. Like Don had predicted, everything had been hung outside for airing. While Don went through the kitchen garden and picked some ripe vegetables, Mirana choose two bedrolls from the washing line. Also she found a backpack someone had forgotten to empty. Inside were matches, cooking utensils, two plates and bowls and cutlery. About to go and find Don, she spotted breeches, hoses, shirts and tunics on the clothing line. They were a bit moist, but that didn't matter. Picking out those would her and Don best, she crammed them into the bag.
Turning to go, she ran into Don. She remembered not to make too much noise but she couldn't stop herself from making a tiny yelp. Don just placed a finger to his mouth and motioned for them to depart. When they were a good distance down the road, they stopped and compared their finds. Next to some foods, Don had found boots for both of them. Quickly exchanging her leather slippers for the smaller pair, they continued down the road.
Around dawn, Mirana couldn't feel her feet and her eyes kept on closing. Even Don had trouble staying awake. Finally he called a halt. Moving of the road, a way into the forest for cover, they pulled out the bedrolls and were asleep instantly.