I was bored so I decided to update. Sorry, for taking so long. This chapter is kind of short and not much happens, but it is important. I promise to do the next update sooner than four months. Maybe tomorrow……. I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Chapter Two: Maid Duties
Dressed in a plain black skirt and white top, with my short dark blond hair pinned back in a bun, I walked down the hallway of the ruling lord's house of my small island home. I was cradling my sewing kit in my arms. I strolleddown the drafty hallway, to my mistress's quarters. I wasn't her constant companion (like some other noble's maids), but I was her maid.
I opened the door and saw a girl the same size as me, with honey brown hair, and with her back to me. I knew her eyes were a dark blue. She turned around. I did a curtsy and said, "Mistress, it is a joy to see you again. Was your morning swim enjoyable?" I said all this with a cheery sounding voice and dramatic arm movements.
She giggled, "Artemas, you know you don't have to call me 'mistress', Trisha is just fine. And must you enter so, uh, dramatically?"
"Yes," I replied, impishly. Trisha and I had been friends ever since we were young. I still insisted on calling her "mistress" or "lady". Just to remind her that she was noble. Her family was pretty good for being noble and all; they cared for their people and respected their opinions.
"And I'm just reminding you of your place, and mine," I added, as I bustled around the apartment, picking up.
"Always humble," she murmured (I looked at her, wondering ifshe was being sarcastic), then she added, "And, no, I don't need anything," answering my unasked question.
I nodded, then plopped down on a chair, grabbing my sewing kit, and beginning to mend Trisha's clothes. We gossiped, trading noble news for common. Most nobles didn't talk to their servants so openly, but my lord was an "idealist". He trusted his servants and, in turn, we trusted him. They allowed us to express our opinions without fear of being flogged. But he also made sure we knew when to keep quiet and listen.
Trisha and I chatted for awhile, mending clothes or cleaning swim gear. "Let's go practice," Trisha said a few hours later. I knew what she meant. I grabbed her's and my bows and quivers, and went down to the practice yard. We shot a couple rounds. I hit the middle or near it most of the time. I was feeling prettypleased of myself.
Then I helped Trisha prepare for dinner with Lord Albert and Lady Lanza, her parents. I served my lady at a dinner of turkey, beans, fruit, and wine. Then I went home to my own dinner.
I walked into my cozy house. The sun was just dipping under the horizon. My mom greeted me from the fireplace as mylittlest sistertried to trample me. My mom was wearing her dark blond hair pulledback with a rag and was wearing an apron. "Easy, Leasel," I grunted, as she wrapped her arms around my waist in a death grip.
After she let go, I went over to my mother to help prepare dinner. My little sister, Collena, soon joined me at cutting the meat and vegetables. Finally, the men tramped into the kitchen (after all the food was ready, of course).
First my dad, a muscular, light blond haired man with twinkling gray blues eyes. He was beginig to show his age with a few gray hairs.Then entered my older brother, John, he looked a lot like my father and his voice was beginning to crack. My little brother brought up the rear. He looked like my mom with dark blond hair, but he still had gray blue eyes.
We all have different shades of blond hair and blue eyes thanks to both of my grandparents being from Scanra. They migrated to Tortall because they despised Scanra's unsteady royal families, and saw the promise of Totall's firm monarchy.
My whole family sat around the table, on benches, a little cozy, but completely content. We all ate. Harry was under the table, begging for food. Lily was by the fireplace, purring.
My father was the captain of the men-at-arms at Ruhen. He builds up a lot of stress, and we are kind of his drain. He doesn't burden us with his stress, but if he didn't let some of it out, he would explode. Right now he was talking about the war on the mainland. "-all them immortals are bombardin' Port Legann. I might be called there soon."
"Dad, you won't be sent to Port Legann," I said, the room went silent. Stupid! I thought to myself. I had learned at a young age, that my ability to talk to animals was not normal and to keep quiet it. But sometimes it slips.
"What do you mean?" my brother, John, asked.
"Uh, a friend told me it was over," I muttered, my eyes not meeting anybody else's.
My dad looked hard at me, unconvinced, then said, "If you say so." The chatter eventually returned to its normal noise level, loud. I finished my dinner in silence and went to bed early that night.
I hoped you like it! Review please!
