"I just don't get it. Why do we have to be invisible? It doesn't make any sense. What good does it do? None. Especially since we can see each other and only the occasional guest doesn't see us." Ivy raved to Brian while following him into the kitchen.
"Is she on anther tirade?" Alana the lovely young cooking apprentice asked while kneading that night's bread.
"Yup" Brian replied with a smile grabbing an apple off the table a taking a huge bite out of it. "She never gets tired of it."
" I just want to know why. That's all." Ivy said trying to defend herself.
"Should we get her going on the rose complaint next?" Brian asked with a wink at Alana. It was a well-known joke among the servants of the 'beasts' house. Ivy Sullivan was always complaining about being invisible and the stupidity of their master having to have the owner of a rose fall in love with him.
"Ha ha" Ivy said walking over to rinse of her dirt stained hands. She worked in the gardens, alongside her parents. Next year on her 19th birthday her parents had promised to let her fully take over the gardens. She practically ran them now anyway but her parents felt she was still to young to take over the entire operation. She never bothered to remind them that most girls her age were already married and tending their own gardens. She knew they just didn't want to let her go. "Just don't tell me you don't wonder Brian Matthews" she spat and with that she boldly walked out of the kitchen.
"You really should stop picking on her Brian." Alana said now putting the dough into bread pans.
"Awe, but Lan it's so much fun." Brian said pretending to pout. Alana just laughed and threw a towel at him.
"If you're gonna stay in my kitchen you better get to work" she said smiling.
"Yes mam" Brian soluted and grabbed a knife to help her prepare the nights meal.
"Very good Lady Sophia and Lord Duncan" Maria signed to the lord and lady sitting in front of her.
I'm mute Maria not deaf Lady Sophia signed back with irritation You don't have to sign everything!
"I know my lady but you'll never learn if people don't use it" Maria reminded. Lady Sophia scoffed. Maria had been hired to teach her husband and herself sign language. After years of avoiding the fact that they could barely communicate they both had given in. Now three times a week they sat in their study while Maria tried to teach them sign language. "I think I better go now. I'll see you in two days then." Maria said standing up and exiting through the door.
Why do we put up with this? Lady Sophia asked her husband.
So we can get our son back. Lord Duncan replied standing up. And so we can talk again.
Yes but what good is talking if we only say the same thing again and again? Lady Sophia complained. No matter what we say, how much we complain that witch of a lady still wont return our son. She's hidden him and surrounded him by magic. She signed back angrily, her eyes turning stormy,
I know but don't worry dear We will get our son back and we will get revenge. Lord Duncan replied giving his wife a hug. No matter what it takes.
Rose carried the tray of lemonade into her family's cozy living room. "Here we go." She said placing the tray on a small table and pouring glasses for her sisters and herself.
"Thank you." Summer, Rose's older sister, replied taking her glass from Rose with a smile.
"Here let me help!" Ruby, Rose's ten-year-old sister cried jumping up. She rushed over to help but on her way her gangly legs got in the way and she tripped only to smash onto the tray and sending lemonade every which way. Her sisters groaned inwardly, Ruby always wanted to help but she always seemed to get in the way. Rose looked down at the mess on the floor.
"Its times like this I really miss our old house with the servants." She said heading toward the kitchen to grab something to clean the mess up with.
"No you sit down Rose. I'll take care of it." Ruby cried racing into the kitchen ahead of her.
"It's been eight years Rose. Isn't it time for you to move on." Summer said looking with sad eyes on Rose.
"Yes it is and I have. I love it here. It's so beautiful and peaceful. I just don't like working hard all day everyday just to survive." Rose said with compassion in her voice. She and her family had once been one of the wealthiest family's in their old town but when her father had lost all his ships at sea they had lost everything but this old country cottage.
Ruby had returned to the living room and had begun cleaning up the mess when their father came strolling through the door. He looked around, surveyed the mess, and quickly guessed what had happened. Then his eyes fell on his oldest daughter.
"Summer!" he cried, "it's good to see you." He said giving her a huge hug. "How are you." Summer smiled returning her fathers hug.
"Getting more pregnant by the day." she replied with a smile and putting a hand on her large stomach.
"Well I'm glad you're here. I have great news for us. Do you remember Lord Duncan?" he asked his daughters.
" The nice man who lost his son and his voice a few years back." Rose replied trying to recall the name.
"Yes him. But that's not the nicest description dear." Her father scolded " anyway he sent me a message. Apparently one of my ships came into port a week ago. We'll be saved." He smiled.
"Oh father that's wonderful." All the girls cried running to give him hugs.
Some where far away the sorceress sat with a smile on her face for the time had finally come to release the magic.
A/N: So there's the first real chapter. I know it's a lot of characters at once but I thought exposing them all now would make the story a little faster and funner. I hope you liked it.