Authors Note: Yes! New Year's Resolution was to update another chapter by the end of January. Mwhahahaha! My sister left for France a few days ago so maybe I will get more of an insight to French culture rather than off google. By the way, Avignon is not a made up place, it is actually in south of France but I have no idea if it is near Longbourne or not.
Also to LunarLitLover no I am not British. I have never been outside the southern hemisphere for I live in Australia. And no to any of you American readers, I do not have any kangaroos, koalas, dingos or crocodiles in my backyard. Just one enthusiastic dog.
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Dawn Comes With Many Mysteries
One week after our encounter, I was more focused on my duties than ever before. Each morning was a chance to do something good for humanity and Danielle helped me see that every decision is equally important and deserves my complete attention.
Everyone in the palace could see the new light that shone in me. They were no doubt debating what, or indeed who, had initiated it. I had not uttered a single word about the conversation Danielle and I had to anyone and I promised it would remain a secret.
Danielle was my secret. Nothing too mischievous surely. There is no harm in me making conversation with a person… one in particular. There was to be no detrimental consequence that would arise from our meeting, nothing that would affect the state of the nation anyway. I just rather people not know I get my inspiration from her.
Danielle probably doesn't even realise the confidence she sparked in me.
It was around noon on a Tuesday morn. I was just finishing lunch. Six days ago I realised it ridiculous that I continue to starve myself. I mean, no king can fight a battle on an empty stomach!
Laurent came up to me as I was finishing my salad, informing me of the meeting I was late for. I left the table quickly, making my way to the board room.
Five men were gathered around the large table, suddenly silenced by presence. I strode across the room and sat at the large chair at the head of the table.
Remaining eye contact with the people, I nodded my head once. This commenced the start of the meeting.
At once a bulky man on my immediate left began his speech on this week's proposal.
"Good afternoon Your Majesty. It has come to my attention that the administrative counsel has come to a decision on the whereabouts of their recent development. As we all know, they have been debating for many months as to where to construct a large enough prison to suit for nearly half of France's criminals.
Our previous king agreed to this plan and gave his opinion on where it should be built. Somewhere in the central of France, he said, yet not too close to a village so that any escapees can take refuge. As ingenious as these arrangements were, the counsel found it difficult to find such a site. However they have prevailed. It is a remote location, not too far from Avignon yet not too close either. Rough terrain will make it difficult for prisoners to find their way around but if we collapse the building that stands today, we will have place to begin build."
I nodded my head in agreement. It seemed a well thought plan, as every complication were resolved. However, I needed more knowledge before giving my consent.
"How many criminals would the prison be allowed to hold?"
The man looked over the parchment in front of him. "According to the size, the estimate is just over four thousand."
"What security will be taken?" I asked again.
Suddenly another man spoke up, "Your Majesty, my name is Jacque Monde, Head of Security and Police Enforcement. Safety regarding the prison will be as such, one hundred guards throughout the interior, twenty more surrounding the building, fifteen feet tall stone fence and one entrance heavily guarded. The prisoners will be separated due to gender and all activities will be under strict surveillance, as will be visitors."
"What sentence will be given for such crimes?" a man at the far corner of the table asked.
Once again Jacque Monde replied, "Assaulting a member of the royal family or army will be 40 years jail time, plot to harm a member of the royal family or army is naturally, life, theft of an item worth over 100 francs is 35 years whilst theft of an item worth below 100 francs gives sentence to 20 years. Murder will be 50 years, extra time will be given depending on how many dead or the previous status of the deceased. Carrying any sort of weapon on to the castle grounds will be seen as a plot to kill and hence will be sentenced to life.
There are many other minor crimes I have not named, but I am intending to construct a list of them as soon as possible."
Meanwhile I was trying to think of any faults in their plans, however none came to me. I was about to give my approval and conclude the meeting when I remembered something that was not discussed.
"Where will the jail be built?"
"At the ruins at Longbourne, Your Majesty." he replied.
My entire body went numb. My jaw dropped and my hands were shaking underneath the table. Someone else at the table was speaking but no sound reached my ears. Inside my head I was screaming – No! No! No! No! No! No! No!
However the word escaped my lips. Everyone in the room turned to face me, staring in confusion and disbelief. I hastily struggled to get control over myself to ask the dreaded question, "What will happen to the ruins in question?"
"It will be knocked down to accommodate the prison." Jacque Monde replied. He must have noticed my paled expression for he quickly added, "The ruins are just that ruins. The building was torn apart during the war. What is left is basic structure and a bunch of trees. I am certain that it will not be missed."
"Obviously not certain enough." I snapped.
Jacque Monde was momentarily silenced. "If you have any objection to our carefully designed plans, a fault in the size or the amount of military staff, then please offer your opinion and, by all means, we shall make the proper adjustments to our arrangements."
I wanted to reach out and strangle the man but somehow remained in my current position yet mildly satisfied my anger by grinding the back of my teeth.
Monsieur Monde rose from his chair whilst saying, "I am assuming that is a no. If we have nothing further to discuss here gentlemen, I suggest –"
"Despite your assumptions I have many inquiries about the subject in question yet need to further my research. So before I give my authorization, I require time to look over your designs for any… faults." I spoke my last word laced with venom, staring straight into the eyes of the red faced Head of Security.
"If you will excuse me gentlemen, I have much work to do." I said, rising from my own chair and leaving the room with haste.
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It was precisely ten days since I last saw Henry, yet still my thoughts were of him. However I tried my absolute best to rekindle the friendship I had briefly lost with Paulette, Louise, Jacqueline and even Gustave. When I was not working hard to manage the house, I was spending my spare time with them.
Paulette was showing lines of worry, for she was fretting about the amount of income we were receiving from the farm. Since my last encounter with Le Peau, he had learnt to stay away from our market. This put a sudden loss to our profits as we slid ever so reliably further into debt.
Louise was oblivious to our money troubles as she became weaker with anguish as the grief of Maurice continues. The more time past, the harder it was for her to adapt to him not being by her side. My heart broke every time I laid my eyes on her.
Gustave was beginning to wear thin as the strain of working such long hours and meeting with Da Vinci to paint was starting to show. The rare times we met were growing shorter and shorter as exhaustion seeped its way onto his every waking moment. I would offer to help him with his daily work but being the man that Gustave is, he refused saying that he could handle.
Jacqueline was another matter. Once again Captain Laurent had come to visit which ended with them walking towards church together holding hands. She came back ecstatic and immediately pulled me into an empty room and began rambling. It was almost impossible to comprehend her babble but it seemed as though this was a turning point in her relationship with him.
"I think I love him." she said as a smile crept onto her face.
I broke out into a grin and gave her a great hug. I was glad she had finally admitted her feelings towards him. I suspected that she had similar emotions many months ago but waited until she was ready to reveal them.
Somewhere deep inside me I was jealous of her happiness. My life was filled with melancholy. The people I care about were miserable and the fact that I couldn't do anything to help them was killing me. I am almost twenty years old and I still want to my father to hold me and say everything will be okay. The only other person who made me feel that safe is gone from my life yet only miles away.
I have heard whispers from people in the market that the king has snapped out of the trance he was under since his father died. I cannot help but smile at this thought. Perhaps it was I who directed his path. Immediately I scolded myself for thinking such thoughts. Anyone could have set his mind to the task and I must forever remind myself that I no longer hold a place in his heart.
The early hours of day were similar to any other day, however a certain uncomfortable weight was heavy on my heart. The grievances of my friends put an added strain to my work and a damper on my spirit. The darkness of the mass of clouds above was almost threatening yet rain did not fall.
Market congregation was still the same despite the bad weather. Hardly anyone bought from our stock and by the end of the day, the level of food remaining was much the same when we first started. Realising this, Paulette was miserable.
"What are we doing wrong?" she asked while packing the rest of the corn away.
"Nothing! Our crops are just as good as the next person's. People don't cope well to change. Each family has their own particular dealer. The fact that we have a few less doesn't necessarily mean that we are at fault."
"That I know. At least we have few faithful customers to keep our stock alive. Not nearly enough but alive nevertheless." Paulette said whilst folding the shade cloth and gathering up the poles.
"If… if only we did not lose the money Monsieur Le Peau brought in. Conniving snake whose every intention was shrewd and not to trusted. The bare sight of him causes my stomach to turn. But the money we could have used." I thought aloud as regret seeped through me. As desperate as my actions were last year, I should not have been so harsh. Perhaps if I hadn't shoved a sword in his face he would still be buying from us. However, Paulette thought otherwise.
"Do not speak so kindly of that man. I would not wish to sell our food to slime. After all the ill things he has done to us, you in particular, I thank god he has withdrawn himself from our lives otherwise it would take great strength to stop myself from getting rid of him once and for all." she spat with distaste.
I could not help but disagree. However, I remained silent, thankful that Paulette's everlasting depression had briefly ceased to welcome anger.
Just as we were packing the last stray items into baskets, a sharp cry froze my motor functions. Released from paralysis, I discarded my chores in search for the crying child.
A young girl huddled beneath a doorstep, shaking with wet cold for, at that moment it had begun to rain. I rushed towards her, took off my shawl to cover her tiny frame. She looked up at me with dark eyes.
"What is your name?" I asked politely.
"So-Sophie." she said through chattering teeth.
"That is a beautiful name. My name is Danielle. Sophie where are your parents?"
"I – I can't find them." she sobbed.
"Well Fair Sophie we are just going to have to find them." I said picking her up to rest on my hip, "Can you remember where you live?"
She nodded slowly, "Mevour Street."
"I know where that is. Don't worry we will be there soon. I'm sure your mere is very worried about you."
To keep Sophie calm I plagued her with many questions like her favourite animal, colour, food, game and book. After I could think of no more I began to hum. No idea what song I was humming to but it seemed to calm her all the same.
It was not long until we reached her street. She recognised it immediately and ran towards her house. When I caught up to her, she was inside arms wrapped tightly around the neck of a woman I assumed was her mother.
As soon as they let go of each other the mother turned her tear stained face towards me. "Thankyou immensely for taking care of my little Sophie." she said as she raced over to hug me. Realising I was still in the rain she welcomed me inside to dry near the fire until the constant pour of water ceased.
We talked a while until Sophie started yawning. Her mother quickly took her to bed. I was left to roam around the room, admiring the simple yet indeed precious items strewn about. The mother came back looking exhausted but still wore a grin that had not left since I arrived.
"I am quite amazed that Sophie warmed up to you so quickly. Usually it takes many meetings until she is brave enough to talk to a person. She must see something she likes in you."
"Sophie was very brave indeed. I, myself, am surprised how calm she was through the entire journey." I replied.
We sat in silence for a moment. I was gazing at the flickering flames of the fire but once I looked up I noticed the woman staring at me intently.
"Forgive me, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Alice."
"Danielle." I replied.
"I apologise but there is something awfully familiar about you. I am certain we have never met but perhaps I have crossed paths with one of your parents. Who are they?" she asked.
"Both of my parents are dead. My father died when I was eight years old, Auguste De Barbarack." I paused to give her time to recollect the name.
"I have heard of Monsieur De Barbarack but never had the pleasure of meeting him."
"My mother, however, I have never laid eyes on for she died in childbirth. My father spoke of her highly, Nicole De Loncre."
At once, a single tear ran down her cheek and she reached out to clutch my hands. "Of course. I cannot believe I hadn't noticed before. You look so much like her. Your features are almost identical except for your eyes. You must have your father's eyes.
When I heard of her passing, some nineteen years ago, I had not realised she was with child. Nicole and my father were business acquaintances. I have known her family since birth. Drought forced my parents into bankruptcy. The De Loncre's kindly offered us shelter. Nicole and I were often mistaken as sisters. But when my father received an opportunity to earn a greater quantity of money for his family in a large town on the other side of the country. Our families lost touch but I have often wondered what happened to Nicole. Now I know." she sobbed.
"Thankyou" I whispered softly, "I had not known of her childhood before this. Understand that I hold you in the highest respect for telling me this."
It was only after several tears had fallen that I realised I was crying. I stood up and tried to shield my face from her eyes. A gentle hand rested on my shoulder. I glanced over to see her concerned expression. Somehow this produced more tears to flow. Deciding I had to get out of there before I completely broke down in front of a woman I hardly know.
Moving towards the exit I said, "The weather is worsening and I must get home before my friends begin to worry."
Stepping into the cold downpour, I heard her cry out, "I hope we shall meet again Danielle."
I nodded in her direction before hovering my hands over my head to prevent rain reaching my eyes as I sped down the road.
Once I had reached the path to the manor, I could see the distant figure of Paulette waiting by the door. She hurried me inside and quickly placed me beside the fireplace where there was a fresh change of clothes.
Once I was dry and the colour returned to my cheeks I explained the returning of Sophie to her mother but refused to mimic the conversation involving my mother. Instead I filled the void with a lie that Alice wanted me to wait to see if the rain would cease before sending me out but when heavy clouds broke loose all their glory, she suggested that I make my way back before all the heavens wept for me.
Paulette nodded her head in acknowledgement and sent me to bed fearing that any longer I strayed from bed, sickness would dawn on me.
I thanked Paulette for her kind thoughts of my wellbeing and went to my room. Safely under thick sheets, I allowed myself sleep but it had other plans. Alice's words were repeating in my head until the rain stopped pounding and through a mast of grey, weak sun reached my window and another day had begun.
Removing myself from the warm cacoon I got ready for another day of work.
Simple chores were smothered with fatigue. Paulette had steered myself away from anything that required concentration for she could clearly see that exhaustion aggravated the accuracy and speed of extensive tasks.
An hour had passed and I was growing ever so slightly worse. Every time I attempted to focus, my mind drifted back onto yesterday's conversation with Alice.
I found myself chopping wood with no idea how I came to be there. I put all my strength into the precision of the cut because I knew that if I let my thoughts wander, one wrong swing could remove a valuable limb from my body.
Moving on to my eleventh stump, I suddenly noticed a silhouette walking towards me. The sun in my eyes prevented me from seeing who it was until they were less than three feet away.
My eyes widened and I drew in a sharp breath of damp air but waited for him to speak and he did, ever so reliably.
"I need your help."
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