A/N: Thank you for the reviews! They mean a lot to me, really! I hope this chapter is to your liking... This chapter is dedicated to the reviewers and Megan for reminding me to update, I don't really like AP classes that much. Well, I hope it's okay. Please give me your feedback in a review!!!

Isn't it strange how one person's influence can change the entire course of your life? What if that certain stranger had stayed a mere face on the street, and had never noticed you or spoken to you; would your way of life be completely and utterly altered? How many things would differ?

I had read about this in one of my philosophical books once when I was eight. I never thought that it would apply to me. But it would, and I would soon find out how.

I was working in the kitchen with Citali when it happened. A mouse had gotten into a Lady's soup, judging from her noble accent. We could hear her screaming like a banshee out in the bar for the cook to explain the "rodent in her daily nourishment". When Avea, the sought-after chef, fled the premises in fear of the wrath of a noblewoman, we were left to deal with her mess. And what an entanglement it turned out to be.

As soon as I heard shouted protestations from the barkeep, I knew she was headed for the kitchens. Looking nervously at Citali, who gave me an encouraging smile and a shove to the door, I braced myself for the storm that was to come.

"WHERE IS THE CHEF? I DEMAND TO KNOW! I MUST! AS A PAYING CUSTOMER I HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO COMPLAIN!" At the last word, she erupted into the kitchen. I took a rapid step backwards; I did not fancy conversing with angry women. Especially with noble women who were used to getting anything and everything if so desired.

Citali, who had noticed my reticence, mercifully approached the ranting woman.

"Is there something that be not to yer liking, Miss?"

"Yes! Yes there is. And it's Lady Crise, not this Miss."

"Lady Crise, what be the problem, eh?"

The refined lady rolled her eyes at Citali's loose grasp of grammatical skills. I inwardly scoffed. She was a mere servant! One who didn't know how to read or write! How was she to know that she was not using proper grammar?

"There was a MOUSE in my soup. What kind of establishment is this to have that happen? Well, 'twill be never on our minds, I will not speak of this indiscretion to anyone if you oblige me in a little favor."

Something was wrong. Her change in tone and attitude was too quick. I did not like where this conversation was going.

Citali looked at the woman with a newfound respect. I had found out something in the last week about the server-woman. She revered people who could gamble and barter their way through the village. That so, her abhorrence now turned to a slight deference towards Lady Crise; and I shuddered to think of what the "favor" was. Whatever it turned out to be, Citali would accept it. I knew she thought those who turned down opportunities lost out on the best thing in life: the surprise.

It was this despicable yet oddly admirable quality that would severely amend my life forevermore.

Lady Crise circled the room, inspected every single dust particle under her pointy, sharp nose. "I have reason to believe that the staff here is quite substantial. I know that my daughter is in need of another handmaiden." She smiled at Citali. I thought that her grin looked wicked; the kind of smile one would see in a fairy-tale witch.

"If you, "she continued, "give me what my daughter wants, I will not let the word out that the conditions in this tavern are less than satisfactory. You would not want the king's inspectors to come here now would you?"

Citali, with a gleam in her eye, nodded and asked, "You may pick whichever worker here that you be wantin'."

Lady Crise nodded and exclaimed, "I am awfully tired and I feel no want of prancing about examining all the young lasses here." For the first time that she had been in the kitchen, she noted me and roughly said, "Well, wench, you'll do. Pack your bags and be ready to move into the apartments in ten minutes. My daughter is heavily putout with that maid of hers. Can't get anything done, that girl." She sniffed dramatically and walked out as soon as she had come in.

I closed my eyes, comprehending what had just occurred. "Zuleika" I heard Citali faintly trying to apologize for what had happened. She knew of my desire to be employed, but not by that woman. Anyone I would have been willing, but not that insufferable family! Was I too going to be yelled at for breathing or sneezing too loudly?

My eyes began to itch and my face became hot; traits that followed me when I was extremely upset. I was sure that with my red face, white- blonde hair, and blue eyes I looked like the damned flag of Ayortha.

I saw Citali regarding me with something akin to fear and worry. I did not know that such foolish brazen people could care for a timid little mouse like me! She opened her mouth, most likely to utter a useless apology but I stopped her with a wave of my hand.

"I don't want to- I can't- Please." I finally said. My eloquence around people was even worse when I was emotional. Suddenly it was too much to be around the turncoat. I turned and fled the kitchen, heading towards my former room to pack my clothes and kiss goodbye to my former freedom.

All too soon, I found myself knocking on the Crise's family apartments. There was a shuffling inside as I heard someone rushing to answer the door. "How I wish they wouldn't hurry!" I silently thought, as I relished my last moment of non-servitude to an inane brat.

Lev's brother opened the door, and I immediately flushed remembering my inarticulate state the last time I had conversed with him. "Hello. Wha-"

I cut him off saying quickly, "If you don't mind sir, I must converse with Lady Crise about my recent employment for her daughter." He frowned at my prettily delivered speech, but showed me to what I presumed to be the daughter's room.

"Greshni." I said quietly, which caused him to look at me queerly. "Are you from-"

But before he could finish, the door opened and I felt an arm pull me in. I faintly heard the door close and a muffled exclamation, most likely Lev's brother trying to figure out what had become of me.

"Good, you're here." An abused-looking girl said to me. "My name's Chanda. You're the new servant aren't you? That fake mouse works like a charm every time." I stood agape. It was a trick? How could someone do that? Chanda not noticing my incredulity at the Lady's morals said,"I would advise you take a deep breath and then step into the little monster's chambers." I nodded and took a hesitant breath. "Good. Alright, in you go then." Chanda pushed me into the adjoining chamber.

I muttered an Ellorei prayer to the creator under my breath. I think I would need it.

A/N: I forgot to mention in my first author's note that I have changed the format of the story. There will be about 3 parts. Each Part will have about ten chapters, so this will be a longer story than my former story was!!! -Clare