Disclaimer: Yup, they're mine. All mine. Kidding. Anything you recognize isn't.
Of Cloudless Climes And Starry Skies
When Evelynn was seventy, the head of House Mystic, Lady Galatia came to stay once more. Much to Evelynn's chagrin, her air headed daughter Andreana was there too. One night, Evelynn's mother told her to wear her best to dinner.
"Dear, please try to be polite tonight." Lady Ansalath was already wincing at the thought of her daughter's frequent pranks and outspoken manor. The former had lessened with age, but the latter was just as strong as it had been. "And tell your servant to behave herself as well. This may be important.
At that, Evelynn was forced to wince as well. 'Accidents' were the only way that Ramalad had to take revenge on the overbearing nobles, and so they happened relatively frequently. "I'll try, Mother." She bowed slightly to her mother, and hurried to her room as quickly as was seemly for an elf of her age and status.
She opened her door to a room much changed since Ramalad had first been there. Now, the room was immaculately neat. This, however, was not because of Ramalad, at least not directly. After the first week or so, Ramalad had made a harsh set of laws for the young Evelynn, which she enforced ruthlessly. Evelynn was to clean her own room, mend her own clothes, and dress herself as far as she was able. In return, she would have a good friend, and a big sister who was more a mother than Evelynn's own doting, yet distant Lady Mother.
Now, Ramalad was avidly reading one of the adventure stories that she'd smuggled out of Lord Arlean's study for both of them. This was another unusual thing, as servants weren't taught to read or write for the most part. However, when Ramalad expressed an interest, Evelynn set about to teaching her. She saw no reason not to, though her elders claimed it 'dangerous'.
Ramalad didn't get up when Evelynn entered, as befitted a servant. All the recognition she gave was a muttered "'llo."
Evelynn smiled at her friend's unquenchable spirit. She didn't mind, but couldn't resist the opportunity to tease the older girl. "Come now, what if my mother were here with me? Is that any way to greet your mistress?" Her eyes twinkled mischievously.
Ramalad looked up only enough to glare at the noble. "If you're talking like that, no. The proper way would be a smack on the behind. Which is what'll happen if you interrupt me again." Evelynn had read the book already, and could sympathize. The girls were lucky that their father kept books like that, because otherwise, two women, one a servant no less, wouldn't have access to such things.
"Sorry, I have to. Orders from my Lady Mother. She says no tricks at dinner tonight, it may be important. Do you think that Galatia is going to give me a real position now?"
"I don't know. I guess that means I should start helping you get ready then?"
"Sorry. And please, please try to ignore the other nobles! Do you think Darlana would be able to give you a spell that would make you hear only the good things said to you?" Evelynn started to take off her dress, a feat more difficult than it might sound.
Ramalad's voice was frustrated. "I doubt such a spell exists, and if it did, it'd take a lot more magic than Darlana possesses to block out that much crap." Evelynn didn't even start at her servant's cursing; by now she was used to the older girl's more callus way of speaking. "I will try harder not to pay attention, though. Which color?"
Ramalad's sudden subject change caught Evelynn off guard. "Which color? Oh, the pale pink would be best, I think." Ramalad nodded her approval. For dinner, Evelynn had chosen a gown of palest pink that brought out a slight blush in her cheeks. Not only was it a lovely dress, but it also accented her figure and hid its imperfections without being immodest. Such a dress would show off the wealth of the family without making Evelynn seem too forward.
Evelynn took in a deep singers breath and let it all out so that Ramalad would be able to retighten her corset. She gasped involuntarily as it pulled against her ribs. "Idiot nobles," Ramalad muttered under her breath. "Never occurred to them that the reason so many noble women faint is because they have to wear these absurd deathtraps that prevent them from breathing!" With a final yank, she tied the ribbons holding it together.
Evelynn raised her arms to accept the considerable weight of the gown. "Oh, they're not that bad. Anyway, its just passing fashion." She tried to calm her argumentative servant before someone overheard.
"Yes!" Ramalad cried, heaving the dress over her mistress's head. "Exactly. A passing fashion made by whom? The noble lords. That is to say NOT by the women who have to wear the horrible things. Why should women have to look to men to get even their clothes laid out for them? Its times like this, and like this only, when I'm glad to have been born in House Servitor. At least they don't care what you're wearing, as long as it's simple."
Evelynn shook her head. "I give up. I agree I don't like them, but there's not much I can do about it, especially the night I need to impress the Head of House Cleric." Her sharp tone subtly reminded Ramalad of the task at hand.
"Well, sit down then." It was no use talking to, much less arguing with the servant when she was like this. Evelynn sat down without protest, handing Ramalad her hairbrush. She'd normally do it herself, preferring to have the light blonde locks lay free, but on a night like this, she'd need all of the help she could get to sculpt her hair into one of the elaborate creations that managed to become fashionable.
Several hours later, Evelynn walked into the dining hall, flanked at a proper distance by Ramalad, who held the chair for her. Much to Evelynn's surprise and dismay, it was only her parents, Lady Galacia, and her daughter Andreana at the table, which meant that she'd be forced into too much small talk for comfort, and snatched away any possibility of sneaking out early. With a sigh that blended into that that her dress made, Evelynn sat gracefully.
"Honored Parents, My Lady Galacia, Andreana." Evelynn said in way of greeting. Not giving Andreana a title was a small barb – not large enough to be considered improper, but enough to remind the other elf that the insults past were not forgiven.
Andreana took it in stride, saying "My dear Evelynn, how wonderful to see you again." Her voice was honey-sweet. "And I see you still have that ugly servant of yours. Pity." She smirked. Ramalad quickly walked towards the kitchens under pretence of helping to serve. Her eyes, hidden by the dark hair that swirled around her, burned with hate. Her hands, similarly hidden within her sleeves, were clenched in fists.
Evelynn bit back a scathing reply, knowing that the other girl was deliberately provoking her. She would not take the bait, however. This might be too important a meeting. She satisfied herself with a simple "Well, beauty isn't everything," and smiled graciously.
Andreana smiled back, pleased that the other girl walked into her trap. "As you'd well know. You know, powerful mages could likely fix that for you." She decided to bring Eveylnn's mother into the discussion with the comment about power indicating that Ansalath didn't have that much power.
Galacia cut in, breaking up the girls' verbal sparring before it escalated even more. "Well, Evelynn, I see you've gained maturity since the last time I was here. I don't think I was dry for a week."
Evelynn blushed. "That was when I was a mere child, My Lady. I was foolish then, but hopefully now you will find me otherwise. I'd been hoping that what was in the past was forgotten." Now, she knew she was being tested.
The Lady of House Cleric smiled graciously. "Of course dear. Naturally. I'm sure you've grown considerably since then." Then, Galacia turned the conversation to all types of mundane things, and Evelynn resigned herself to talking about gardens for the rest of the evening.
Finally, around dessert time, Galacia decided that it was time to come to the point. Dinner had gone well, and even Ramalad had behaved herself. Which meant that while replacing used silverware, she made faces over Andreana's head, but so only Evelynn would see. So, as the creations in spun sugar were being placed around the table, Galacia finally revealed the reason for her presence.
"So, Evelynn, have you thought about where you're going to take your future?" Her voice was kind, but stern.
"Well, Ma'am," Evelynn's voice was hesitant, sensing that the true reason for the visit had finally surfaced. "Not really, but I've always assumed I'd become a cleric like my father because I seem to possess no magic." Her answer was completely truthful.
"Have you thought about where you're singing voice could take you?"
Evelynn's patience was starting to wane as she sensed the older woman was beating around the bush on purpose. However, she kept her reply polite. "No, My Lady, I have not."
"You've heard of the Kingpriest?" At Evelynn's exasperated nod of ascent, she continued. "He has his own choir, composed of the best voices among the Clerics of Silvanesti. I have been asked to request that you come to Istar next month to be initiated as a cleric and immediately afterward join the choir. Of course, this next month and you're first month there you'll be scrutinized closely, because rumor of your pranks has gone far. Afterwards however, you'll be a full cleric, with all of the powers. That is if you accept."
The last sentence Galacia spoke was merely formality, and Evelynn knew it. However, so excited by this prospect was she that refusing never entered her mind. "Of course I accept, My Lady. This is such and honor. I can't believe you asked, I mean it's just so ..." Her excited ramblings trailed off after a glare from both her mother and new tutor. Andreana smirked.
Finally, dinner was over and Evelynn fled to her room. When she got there, she was shaking from the combination of the very trying and aggravating small talk, and the excitement of Lady Galacia's proposal.
When she got there, Ramalad was already ensconced in a chair, reading again. It had taken less time for her to clean up from dinner than it had for Evelynn to bid good evening to their guests. She looked up as Evelynn came in, and stood to help the younger elf with her dress.
"So, what happened?" To keep a semblance of propriety, Ramalad had been able to hear very little of the conversation while she was shuttling dishes and silverware back and forth. She heaved the heavy gown over Evelynn's head.
"I was right. She did have something important to say. Assuming I pass a trial period, I'm to be initiated as a cleric! And I'm going to go to Istar, and sing in the Kingpriest's choir. Isn't it wonderful?"
She gave a happy sigh as Ramalad freed her from the corset. "Yes, that's fabulous! Now that you're going to be a full cleric, and of the Kingpriest's choir, no less, you'll have the ear of elven lords everywhere! Perhaps you could get them to rethink the cast system into something fairer!" Ramalad's eyes gleamed from excitement.
Evelynn smiled a bit as she pulled on her nightgown. "I don't think anyone will listen to me for a good long time, but I'll keep that in mind." Evelynn fell asleep quickly after her night of ordeal, and dreamed dreams of the grandeur and splendor of Istar.
Author's Note: Okay, I've only gotten one correct answer in my contest. Strike that. One answer period, and it happens to be correct. I know you can do better than that! So, the contest for chapter two names is still on. I'll give you two hints – 1. Ramalad is the only name actually encoded. The others just need to be identified. 2. All of the names are found in Dalamar the Dark by Nancy Varian Berberick. Good luck!
Jade: Thanks for reviewing. Wow, I haven't updated in a long time if the last time I did was when you asked if I could read some of your stories!
Guan: Thanks. The plot is coming, I promise.
Kenderling: Well, so far you're winning. Kudos for figuring it out. Hmm, about Ramalad. With what I've planned for her, that might be difficult. If that doesn't work, I promise to give her a story in her own right eventually, and a mention in Daughter of Prophesy.