Cerise - Cherry.
Hello, it's me again. No, I haven't died, I'm just terribly sick with a flu-like bug, and I hate being ill. Sorry if it affects the chapter. And sorry it took me so long to get this chapter out; I was at my dad's again. The only thing he thinks computers are necessary for are spread sheets. Fun, fun!
I have no idea where I'm going with this story. Confidence inspiring, isn't it?
By the way, does anyone know who actually wrote the story, Beauty and the Beast? 'Cause I don't, but would like to.
Declaimer: Beauty and the Beast does not belong to me, and never will.
CHAPTER FOUR
Fire
"So her horse really sat down during the ride? That's different," said Angeline's voice.
My eyes were closed, and I could feel covers on top of me. I coughed as I regained consciousness; my throat felt dry and scratchy, and it didn't help that I was feeling very confused as to why I was lying down before sunset. Was I sick? Didn't feel like it. Then I remembered the rock and the horse. Stupid animal.
"Hey, welcome back!" Angeline said, smiling down at me.
I mumbled something incoherent and sat up. The other person in the room was… actually, I didn't know who he was. He had short red-blonde hair and gray eyes. The guy looked friendly enough.
"Sophie, this is Alexandre Morrow. You remember him, right?" Angeline said.
"No," I replied, frowning. I didn't remember at all.
Alexandre surprised me and laughed. Extending a hand for me to shake, I shook it as he reminded me that we had met a few weeks ago while helping others to rid the castle ground of a family of boars that had decided to move in. I still didn't remember him.
"How's the patient?" came another voice.
"Fine, Adrien," Angeline said, "I was just reintroducing her to Alex."
"Hey," Adrien greeted Alex with a firm handshake before coming over to me. "Feeling any better?"
"Yeah, now that the rock is out of my arm," I said.
Adrien was about to say something else when a very upset nurse dashed into the room. "Ah, no!" Agnes cried, making everyone in the room jump, "Too many visitors! She is not to be over stressed!" Agnes was a short, slightly plump woman in her early forties, with plain brown hair pulled into a bun at the top of her head.
I began to say that I was fine, but the moment I opened my mouth, Agnes stuck an apricot in it.
"I'm sor…" Adrien started, only to be interrupted.
"Two of you must go! Let her rest for a while," Agnes ordered.
Adrien began to get up, but Angeline stopped him, saying that she and Alexandre had spent more time with her and would be leaving. Adrien nodded and Agnes shooed them out before I had time to say goodbye.
"Don't wear her out," was all Agnes said as she put a glass of water by the bed I was on and then bustled out of the room.
I chewed on my apricot, willing it to go away quickly so I could talk to Adrien. I could think of several other things I'd rather be doing other than having Adrien watch me gnaw on some fruit.
"She's as friendly as when she was a fire poker," Adrien observed conversationally.
Nodding, I cursed the apricot and considered disposing of it, but thought better of it and chewed harder.
"Is there a reason for the apricot?" Adrien asked curiously.
I gave a final chomp to the fruit and swallowed. "Haven't the foggiest," I said.
We sat in silence for a bit before Adrien broke it. "I'm sorry about you getting hurt out there…" he began. I cut him off with a shake of my head.
"Don't be. It was probably a good experience for me, or will be once I get back onto Snowflower," I said thoughtfully.
"Ever the optimist," Adrien said with a smile. Then, almost nervously, "I was wondering if you would you like to go with me to…"
"That's enough visiting time," Agnes scolded as she walked back into the room with more apricots. I groaned at the sight of them, but Agnes, being the dear she was, took it the wrong way and glared at Adrien.
"That's it; you're not good for her right now. Out," Agnes ordered, pushing a confused Adrien out the door before turning back to me. "Now, open up; these are good for you." She held out an apricot.
I took it grudgingly, and ate the next three sullenly, wondering what Adrien had been about to say.
"There's nothing like freedom!" I exulted to Angeline the next day. Agnes had insisted on my remaining bedridden until a few hours ago. When I finally got out, I was thoroughly sick of apricots and Agnes. She had fed me fresh ones, dried ones, mashed, cut, chopped, and every other way someone could possibly prepare the ridiculous fruit. "Thought I'd give you a variety," Agnes had told me. How thoughtful.
"So what's your schedule for today?" Angeline asked as we dodged a group of servants chasing after an escaped goat, the bell around her throat clanging loudly in the large hall. By the looks of it the animal was Maggie, my least favorite out of the herd and the one that constantly outwitted her caretakers. That made me worry about the mental strength of some of the goatherds.
"Nothing much; I've got to dust the North Wing, make the beds on the third floor, and clean the chimney in the East Wing," I replied. The worst would be traveling between the places.
"Lucky! I get to be in charge of Mrs. Wesmire today," Angeline said with a shudder.
I pitied her; Mrs. Wesmire was the pickiest, fussiest, and loudest guest staying at the Castle. Despite all of her irritating characteristics, she was one of the most important landholders in the kingdom; her family ran half of the eastern part of the kingdom and did a good job of it. However, that was not enough to make up for Mrs. Wesmire's behavior.
Angeline and I walked silently along for a few minutes, both of us thinking about our respective chores for the day when Angeline turned to me with a smile. "I forgot to tell you!" she started excitedly, "the Master has decided to plan a ball! It's in honor of his engagement to Belle."
I nodded, not seeing why she was so excited since it would mean dish duty for both of us. I was always amazed at the amount of food the guests could tuck away, and horrified at the number of utensils and plates they used. Of course it always had to be a buffet.
When I looked up Angeline was still watching me for my reaction. "That'll be nice for them," I said finally.
"And for us," Angeline said.
"Why?"
"You know the town of Cerise?"
"Yes…"
"Well, they're also having a party to celebrate the Master's engagement and the end of the Curse," Angeline continued, "It's going to be a festival, and anyone that wants to can attend! It's going to be so much fun! I haven't met anybody new for years."
It was true; none of us ever saw any new faces, unless we were sent to the market that week. "So, when is the festival?" I asked, trying not to get too excited.
"Two weeks before the ball, so… next week," Angeline replied.
My excitement deflated quickly. "How can we go anywhere with all the preparations there are to make?" I asked, annoyed at the town.
"That's what I was wondering," Angeline said, "The Master told us we could go if we wished, but Adrien pointed out that we wouldn't be able to take the time off for it with the ball so close. Then the Master said he'd hire extra hands to help get ready faster, and that there would still be many who won't go."
I still wasn't convinced, and neither was Angeline it seemed. "I know he means well," I began slowly, "But he doesn't know what it's like to prepare for something that size. Already there's a possibility that we won't have enough time."
"I know, but if we get the chance, are you going?" Angeline asked.
"Absolutely! But only if things with the ball are going well; I can't see anyone letting us off if we're behind."
"Then we'll just have to work harder and faster," Angeline said determinedly. Then, with a small smile, "You can go with a date, you know."
I nodded, then noticed the look on her face. "Do you have one?"
She nodded. I tried very, very hard not to smile. "Is it Alex?" I asked slyly, trying not to laugh when Angeline blushed. So that was the reason she was willing to hope for time off. "He asked you already?" I questioned, but secretly thought he was smart; Angeline would have no shortage of offers.
"Yes. He asked me right after we visited you," Angeline replied, trying to act casual. It didn't work; I could tell how excited she was. I was also willing to bet that the only reason Alex had come to visit me was because I was Angeline's friend, but it was nice anyway. For her, anyway.
"It's about time he asked you to something," I said laughingly, "You two have been flirting for at least five months." Angeline glared at me, but I ignored her.
"So," Angeline began, "Has anyone asked you yet?"
"No," I said, but thought back to what Adrien had been saying. "I was wondering if you would like to go with me to…" Had he been about to ask me?I quickly shook that idea out of my head. He had probably planned on inviting me to feed the mares, which was what I counted as a safe way to be around a horse so long as you didn't in between the food and their mouths.
"I'm not surprised," said an annoyingly familiar voice. Angeline and I looked up and saw, to our considerable alarm, the approaching figure of Regine Vignat. She was a well known lady's maid to Countess Evadale, who was visiting the Castle, and one of my least favorite people. She looked, to most, to be innocent enough, with her large, pale blue eyes that tilted up just slightly, her perfect button nose, and perfectly wavy dark blonde hair.
She was shorter than be my about two inches, and yet somehow she managed to look down her nose at me while saying, "I would be shocked if anyone had even considered asking you to anything; at least not if they're in their right mind."
Just as Angeline looked as though she was going to give Regine an earful, Adrien walked up with a smile on his face. "Hey, good to see you up, Sophie," he said by way of greeting.
"And who is this?" Regine asked interestedly, looking Adrien up and down.
"Adrien Blaze, meet Regine Vignat," I said.
"So nice to meet you, Adrien," Regine said, fipping her long hair over her shoulder and holding her hand out palm down. I wondered if she expected him to kiss it.
Adrien hesitated for a moment before shaking Regine's hand lightly. "You too," he said. Then turning to me, "Sophie, I tried to ask you before, but Agnes threw me out; would you consider…"
"What exactly do you do here, Adrien?" Regine butted in, stepping in front of me to face Adrien.
"I'm primarily a blacksmith," he replied, frowning a bit.
"How fascinating! I'm sure you're one of the best; I can just sense these things," Regine continued charmingly, "Would you mind giving me a tour of the castle?"
"I can show you around," Angeline interrupted, a smile pasted on her face.
Regine didn't even glance at Angeline. "Would you start with the ballroom, Adrien?" she asked, flashing him a white toothed smile as she took his arm and practically dragged him with her.
Adrien gently took her hand off of his arm. "Actually, I came here to…"
"It would just be a short one, and I'm not here for very long," Regine pleaded.
"Why don't you take her, Adrien?" I suggested, surprising myself as I said it. I didn't think I wanted her to be with him, but why shouldn't she be? Other than it would be a curse on anyone. But, I thought, she'll finally relent if he does.
Adrien looked at me for a moment without saying anything. Regine continued to practically swoon over him. That annoyed me for some reason, but I battled the feeling down; I was being silly.
"If you have time, of course," I said, trying to recover.
"It won't take long," Regine said.
"But it will be painful," Angeline muttered.
Just then we were interrupted by the arrival of Countess Evadale. She was a tall, thin woman with powdered tresses and a frown permanently etched onto her face. As soon as she came into view Regine quickly took a step away from Adrien.
"Regine, there you are," the countess said, striding toward us purposefully. In a few moments she had reached us.
"You wanted me for something, Madam?" Regine asked.
"Did you press and hang my gowns for the remainder of our stay?" the countess asked sternly.
"Of course, Madam."
"Feed Fifi?"
"Just a few minutes ago."
"And you made sure our rooms were properly prepared?"
"First thing, Madam."
Countess Evadale looked mollified. Turning her gaze on us she asked Regine, "Is there a reason all of you are milling aimlessly about in the hall?"
"Mr. Blaze here was just about to give me a tour of the castle, Madam," Regine replied sweetly.
"Was he?" The countess looked Adrien over with a stern eye. "Hmph."
"It won't take long. I said I wanted to see it, and he is kind enough to gratify my wishes," Regine went on, looking at Adrien.
I felt bad for him; she had him trapped. If he refused it would be taken as an insult to the countess, and if he agreed he would be stuck with her for the rest of the afternoon, putting him behind in chores and being subjected to Regine's company.
"Just make sure to be finished by supper," the countess said.
"We will, won't we Adrien?" Regine asked.
Adrien, knowing that he didn't have a choice, simply nodded. I got the feeling that he would be done with it long before then.
"Have fun," Angeline said with a smile.
Before they left I put a hand on Adrien's arm and said quietly, "I can take care of your chores that don't involve the smithy; that way you won't have as much to do later."
"Sophie, you don't have to…" Adrien started.
"Just have a good time," I cut in. And with a final smile I followed Angeline down the hall.
"Do you think he'll enjoy himself?" I asked her when we were out of earshot.
"About as much as having a limb amputated, I'd guess," Angeline replied.
If I hadn't felt so bad for Adrien I might have laughed.
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
"Sophie, wake up!" an urgent voice shouted in my ear, rousing me from my deep sleep.
I mumbled something incomprehensible and turned over. Hands grabbed my arms and shook me hard, jarring my brain against my skull. "What?" I yelled.
"The stables are on fire!"
I stared into the darkness and managed to make out the terrified face of Angeline. Then her words sunk in; the stables were burning, and that meant…"
"It's going to spread to the north servant's wing," I gasped in horror, throwing off my blankets and dashing out of the room with Angeline.
As if she knew the question that was going round in my head, Angeline said, "We don't know how it was started, only that it was began very quickly and with a lot of strength. We're not sure we can put it out."
"Is everyone out of there?" I asked as we flew outside to see the whole of the Castle, or at least the servants, hurriedly pouring water on the raging flames. I could see right away that it was all in vain; the fire had its own life and breath and would not give them up.
I looked up at the windows of the Castle and saw frightened faces staring out at us: the nobles. Would they come and help if they were needed?
"Come out and help!" the cry rose from a number of men and women, beckoning to the nobles to supply the needed man power. With horrified glances at each other and at us, they backed away from the windows until we could only see their shadows lingering to see what would happen.
Of course they had remained inside; why should they endanger their persons for the lives of a few insignificant servants? An anger that I had not previously felt before built up in me, and I did not like it, I was not used to it. Why would anyone hesitate to offer assistance at a moment like this? They are frightened, whispered a voice in my head. "So am I," I murmured.
"BACK!" roared a large man, waving his arms frantically at the surrounding servants, driving them away from the burning building. The fire was out of control, and now the only thing we could do was try to keep it from devouring the entire north servant wing.
"Cut it off!" shouted a familiar voice. I turned quickly and saw Adrien standing on top of a tool shed, his hair flying in the wind, eyes flashing as brightly as the flames. "Dig a trench before it reaches the north wing! Quickly! Pass out shovels, use cutlery, dishes, branches, your hands, anything! Just dig!" He leaped down and grabbed a spade as he took off for the rapidly closing space between the stables and the wing.
Dozens of others followed suit and began to tear at the earth with anything they had while others raced to the kitchen to get whatever they could. I followed and grabbed a large wooden bowl and raced back outside. My heart dropped to my feet. The fire was spreading.
"Someone's in there!" someone yelled.
A sudden ear piercing scream came from the burning stable, making my blood run cold. Who could it be?
"Get them out!"
"Who's going in?"
"It's too late for them!"
"Is it a child?"
The shouts continued in panic as the stables continued to be devoured by the flames. Another scream came from inside of it. I dropped my spoon and took off, not thinking about the hungry fire that would probably consume me, or that I had no protection against the smoke, only that someone needed help. But before I could reach the stables a figure dashed past me and shouted, "Stay here!" before running into the building, a wet rag tied around his nose and mouth, his cloths also wet. With a start I recognized him.
"Adrien!" I screamed after him, starting toward the door. A beam collapsed and blocked off the entrance, and my way to Adrien. "No! Adrien!" I shouted.
The cry went up that Adrien had gone in after the children. The ones in danger were children! The blood drained from my face at that news. "Please be okay, Adrien," I whispered as I watched the flames with the rest of the crowd, "Save them."
After a few heart pounding minutes the building began to moan and shift, and I knew what was coming.
"Get back! It's coming down!" I shrieked at the bystanders. They took off for safety, and before I could do anything else someone grabbed my arm and hauled me after them and out of danger. "No! I have to help him!" I yelled, pulling at the hand on my arm.
"You cannot! It's too late," said my captor. It was a man.
"It isn't! Let me go!" I jerking away from him only to have him take my other arm.
"I cannot let you," he said in a low voice.
It was Antoine. Anger flared within me; he had no right to keep me here. "Adrien needs my help, and yours for that matter! We must…" I began with a passion, but stopped as I heard screams from the surrounding crowd. I whirled around.
The building was falling.
I'm having a hard time with this story... STUPID WRITER'S BLOCK! I'm also very ill with a serious case of that.
Thank you to everyone who reviews and reads my story. Needless to say I'd like you to do both.
Another thank you to my reviewers! Especially BelleEve, Shortstef, and TrudiRose. :)