A/N: THE SUMMARY HAS CHANGED!!! I'm sorry if this story is now heading in a different direction than you wanted it to, but that idea is now a different story. See my profile The Necklace.
Chapter One
Light from the torches flickered on the stone walls of the cellar. A hooded man stood in the shadows, waiting. A door opened, seemingly far away, and footsteps could be heard on the steps leading to the underground room. Another, somewhat shorter, figure appeared and stood facing the hooded man.
"What news do you bring me, Dumont?" asked the new man.
"News that will greatly satisfy you, Counselor," said the hooded person, "they are dead. The only threat is gone, as well as the secret. There is no one to reveal it now."
"And the chest, has it been found?"
The hooded man shifted slightly, and his next words were shaky and hesitant. "No, Counselor, we haven't found it. I've sent parties looking though."
"That was the other part of our bargain, Dumont. I spared your life, you fulfilled this little task. It is but a chest, and you are an accomplished thief. How hard would it be to find?" the shorter man asked. His tone was icy and threatening.
"I-it will be found," the hooded man stammered. "I will find it myself, Coun—"
"You will, I will make sure of that. One last question, Dumont," the second man said in a quiet, dangerous voice, "were there any kin?" Silence. "Well?"
"N-no, there wasn't." The man lied.
"Well, Dumont, you have done one thing right. That still leaves the matter of this chest. It must be found if you wish to get paid. Remember, I am the reason you are alive today, do not displease me, Dumont," said the shorter man. He turned on his heel and marched up the stairs again, opened the door and was gone. The hooded man shivered, flipped his cloak, and disappeared into the shadows.
Rain poured down onto the forest ground as if great buckets were being emptied constantly overhead. This, however, didn't faze Dumont. He was digging as if his life depended on it (which is funny, because it did). He was almost five feet into the ground when his shovel hit something hard. Dumont used his hands to dig up the earth surrounding a small box, barely as long as his foot.
It was a chest, a simple one, engraved with a seal and the letters LL. Cheering, he pulled it out of the hole and climbed onto firm ground. He piled dirt back into the hole, making sure there was no way to tell someone had been there. Dumont called his horse, strapped the little chest safely to it, and then mounted. Smiling, he galloped away. The Counselor would be pleased.
The eighth anniversary of my parents' deaths was cold and dark (though it was still before sunrise). How ironic, I thought as I pulled a simple gown over my head. Thank goodness Addy kept the fire going all night, I would've frozen without it. I stepped into the hallway and knocked on my brother, Eric's door.
"One minute, Lee," came his voice from the other side of the door. I slumped against the wall, waiting. Nothing had changed since that day except for me and Eric. We had gotten older. My tight curls had turned into loose waves, and Eric had grown taller. I had to admit he was quite handsome with his roguish face and messy dirty-blonde hair. Maybe. "Okay, lets go."
Eric and I slipped quietly from the house and into the stables. I saddled my mare, Dixie, and rode off down the slope into the meadow behind our manor, Eric not far behind on Lance. We did this every year on our parents' death-day. For some reason, being alone to watch the sunrise made everything feel better. Today the meadow was filled with fog making it look eerie and forboding. As usual we stopped at the old willow tree to sit and watch the sun slowly creep up over the hills. It was cold, and despite the blanket Eric and I were sharing my teeth chattered.
"Do you remember them?" Eric asked suddenly.
"Not much," I answered, deep in thought. "Your two years older than me, don't you remember them at all?"
"Of course I do," he answered, somewhat defensively. "I remember Mother the most. You look a lot like her, except her eyes were brown and yours are blue. Dad was never home, so I don't remember him much." I could see the hint of tears in his eyes.
"C'mon, grown men don't cry!" I said, playfully punching his arm. A phantom of a smile played on his lips before he sighed. "I know, I miss them too," I said softly, placing my head on his shoulder. And so we sat there, watching the sun slowly emerge bringing with it the oranges, yellows, purples, and pinks of a beautiful sunrise.
I thought about everything that had happened since our parents had died. Addy was left as our guardian in my father's will, so she watched over us. Eric and I both inherited small fortunes that were enough to get us food and clothes, though many servants had to be dismissed. We had managed, though Addy just barely. She was old; I hate to admit it.
When the sun was fully risen, both Eric and I kneeled in silent prayer for out parents, hoping that they were safe wherever they were now.
It was as we were returning we realized that something was wrong. Smoke was rising in great billowing puffs from our house. Orange flames licked out through the windows. Our manor was on fire.
A/N: I know, it's another short chapter, but I had to post something since it had been such a long time! If you are highly confused, I'm really sorry! Things will explain themselves later. A question for you: am I including enough detail? What should I change?
Thank you to all my reviewers, you are very much appreciated!
amelia