Waverly awoke in her cold narrow chambers- only the bare minimum for Purgatory- to the sound of Stephani Jones, her Lady's Maid, gently calling to her from the fireplace as she sparked it to life. Her mistress dismissed her to the doorway as she began her day. Waverly wished she could just dismiss her completely as the days preceding the anniversary of her father's passing were always difficult no matter how many years had gone by, and only exacerbated by her sister's desertion of her rightful place in their fief.
Once she tore off her nightgown, Waverly pulled out her black and silver dress she had imported from Holland with the box of British brass brooches and faux pearl jewels that were to adorn her clothes. The routine of her base skirt and gown proved to take less time than normal as Waverly summoned Stephani to help her with the rest of her dress and hair before the clock struck eight.
She went through her usual regimen which ended with her going down to dine with her Aunt but was quickly intervened by their butler, Percival Crofte, with a salt-crusted letter. Waverly plucked it from his hands and ripped it open, quickly skimming the words before handing it back to him as she changed course to the main chambers to meet her impending guest.
Her heart pounded in her chest and she began to break out in a light sweat from her layers and nerves. Her finely dressed doormen opened the grand room as she approached them. She entered the hollow chambers, her clicking shoes echoing through the entire room as the servants and noblemen silently watched her. Once she situated herself in her simple throne, Waverly nodded to Nedley, a greying man who was as loyal as a dog but just as opinionated as her aunt, to let in her old friend.
The doors across from her opened to a lone figure standing in the archway where her servants once stood. The young ruler sat back in her chair and watched as the visitor tentatively approached her. Once she was only a few feet away, Waverly took in the view of her guest that she no longer recognized. She looked over the features she once cherished so many years ago that disappeared in the now shockingly masculine attire she wore.
Waverly stood on the platform that raised her chair above the stone floor and began her descent towards her. After a few moments of staring at her, she dismissed her guards and noblemen alike to talk with her long lost friend. As the hallway's doors closed, Waverly walked straight up to her guest, watching as she flinched at her speed, and punched her shoulder.
"WHERE have you been?" she hissed at her. Before she could answer, Waverly quickly pulled her into a tight embrace, "Welcome home, Wynonna."
She felt tentative arms wrap around her as her sister loosely hugged her back and tucked her bare lips against her beaded shoulder. Waverly let her go and gazed upon her rugged appearance. From what she could see, her sister had dawned gentlemen's attire with road worn boots wrapped in a fine cloth to cover their grime. Although her vest was plain in color and pattern, the cloak she had draped around her shoulders was deep emerald with a border of gold stitching that made her seem nobler than her rank allowed. She had a sword sheathed to her hip and dark leather gloves that were untouched by the weather.
"You are alive," Waverly gasped. "You never wrote… well?"
Wynonna only nodded in response before finding her voice for the first time in the archaic castle, "Do you remember the stories Father used to tell us about the homestead? He talked about how this place wasn't meant to house the noble or royal. It was originally a place for people to pass through when they were heading to and from the Phantom River Palace. It had not been until the fifteenth century that the Good Lord Earp established Purgatory as a fief," she rested on her heels and continued, "I am only doing what Father always told us and explored the world. I have seen things and people I would have never thought existed had I not just gone out into the world. My dear sister, I have lived and-"
"And I have been here," her sister interrupted.
"Yes, you have. I do not plan on staying any longer. I was just passing. I'm glad you got my note, I'd hate to catch you by surprise."
"Yes, this morning, actually."
"Mm, I sent it three weeks ago, shame it took that long," Wynonna turned on her heels and began out of the main hallway and to her next journey.
Waverly chased after her older sister through the old hallways of their once-prosperous fief. The banners and coat of arms that were once lit by the chandeliers and candelabras for evening parties now hung against the decrepit walls of their home. They continued further down the palace hallways as the younger woman tried to get her sister's attention. She jogged a bit before tugging on her thick cloak.
"Please, you need to stay here. Your absence has left our home in complete disarray!" Waverly berated her, her tone biting into her sister's consciousness. "Take responsibility for one thing at least once in your life!"
Wynonna stopped in her tracks and turned around to face her, only cocking her head to the side as she tried to hold back her rage. Carefully, she spat, "God, do you know what I had to go through after… after everything? You think your life was hard running this place with everyone caring for you, preparing you and holding your hand along the way? I was shunned, no one wanted me after Father croaked, not even you. You all thought I was a demon, a witch, some sort of… I don't know, so come back when everyone hates you, then you can act like your life's been hard." She stood back from her sister, waiting for any response she knew would have to be coaxed out of her.
Waverly couldn't look up at her, knowing that any mention of her memories would trigger something not only in her sister but within herself to flee. She also knew that torn look Wynonna got in her eyes of betrayal, and it killed her to remind her about their trauma-even though it was her fault. The older woman only watched her sister, huffing the air from her lungs in annoyance. She tore off her gloves, collecting them in her left hand as she placed the other one on her sister's shoulder. Looking into her large eyes, Wynonna quickly pulled her in for a quick embrace, getting stuck as Waverly clung onto her. She sighed out a shuddering breath and kissed her forehead before her sister finally let go.
"I'm sorry," Waverly apologized.
"No, you're ri[ght]-" she almost comforted.
"Excuse me, Madam," their advisor Nedley interrupted. "Sir Dolls is here to see you."
Wynonna pulled her gloves on again and rested her hand on the hilt of her sword, nodding to the greying man, "Bring him to the main chambers, I'll address him soon," she commanded.
The voice she took on surprised her, after all of her travelings and escaping, she had thought that the tone would be lost to the nomadic gangs and foreign oceans, but it seemed to just be waiting at the edge of the Purgatory woods. She only cleared her throat as he went to their guest and turned to face her sister again.
"When did you stop wearing dresses?" Waverly asked as she looked upon her sister's masculine fashion.
"When I set fire to them and bought a more efficient wardrobe. What have you been doing while I was gone?"
"I have been running our fief ever since Aunt Augustine approved it for me."
Wynonna only shook her head, turning to watch as their advisor finally disappeared behind the door. "Do you know who Sir Dolls is."
"A knight from our Duke's Army. He was sent three fortnights ago."
She shrugged and placed both hands on the hilt of her sword. "Is he attractive?"
"Seriously?"
"What, might I not dream of my knight in shining armor?"
"Ugh, I will leave you to your meeting with him," Waverly said dismissing her sister's comment.
"Wait, where are you going?"
"I'm off, Purgatory is your responsibility now, go visit Aunt Augustine in the dining room," she nodded as she backed away from her.
"Yay, so much fun," Wynonna sarcastically remarked. "I just hope I get unlimited access to the armory."
She smiled at her and left her sister to her own affairs as she walked to shock yet another family member. After Waverly changed into her riding kit, she went to the stables, looking for her blood bay mare. Her horse was a young and spry beast that could have kept up with Wynonna's wild spirit had she been paired with the older sister rather than her. She quickly had her saddled up and set off for her own time alone in the forest.
Waverly sped through the stables and out of the castle gates. Her destination was whatever she could find and as she followed the path from her home and through the glades, Waverly broke off to the barely beaten path that led to a stream. She felt the change of air as the trees burned their scent in her nose and throat. The only sound she heard was the huffing breaths her mare let out before she began to settle and slow down through the trees to avoid the low branches and roots. Waverly heard the sound of scampering critters and fearful does sprint to safety. She began to notice the distinct sound of water running through the pebbles, splashing and spilling onto the large rocks.
She dismounted at the water's edge and went to a petrified oak that had fallen three years earlier. Waverly sat on it and listened as the low stream of crystal clear water rushed below her. It was a peaceful sound that numbed her ears and thoughts from everything else in the world. She felt a calming air rush over her body and begin to relax her muscles. The silence echoed in her head and vibrated through her soul as she lost herself in the pattern the water made on its surface as the stream rushed and trickled over the beautiful river worn rocks.
The only thing that broke her trance was a soft rustling as a horse came galloping through the trail somewhere nearby. She heard the horse's hooves rapidly near her until they finally stumbled to a stop. Waverly slipped back into the low stream and glared up at the young rider. She gritted her teeth as the owner of the blue dun quickly dismounted. They were clad in silver armor that clanked and flexed with ease as they went to help the royal back up.
"You have some nerve scaring me," Waverly muttered as she was helped up.
The knight took off their helmet, revealing a kind face of the young soldier in her padded cream colored coif. "I apologize, ma'am, but have you seen a man in red running around here recently?"
"No," Waverly assured her, surprised at how gently the knight spoke to her.
"Hm, I'm almost sure I saw him running through here not too long ago." Seemingly giving up and pulling her attention to the woman before her, she untied her coif and tucked it inside of her helmet. The young knight revealed her bright red hair that was tied back in a loose bun. With the loud clanking of her armor, she placed her hand over her heart and introduced, "I am Dame Nicole Haught of the Duke's Royal Army. Again, I dearly apologize for frightening you."
Waverly waved away her apology and went to her mare, "It's fine. I am Lady Waverly Earp of Purgatory."
The young knight sank to her knees, her hand still over her heart, "Lady Earp, I'm so sorry, a thousand apologies, M'Lady. I hope you can forgive me."
"Oh my," she chuckled, "Please stand, I'm not that important I only rule over a fief, or I once did."
Nicole pushed on her knee to stand up and brushed off her armor. "Well, seeing that I've lost the thief I-"
"What is a Duke's knight doing here chasing a lowly thief?" the lady interrupted as she walked back to her.
"Hm, yes that is a fair question," Haught laughed to herself. "Serving his people as always. Say, is there a tavern nearby? I seem to have been turned around a bit and feel the need to relax before I get back to my duties."
"Oh, well, there is a pub near the Purgatory castle actually, it is on the outskirts but… I'm babbling aren't I, yes I am," she chuckled as Haught pulled on the coif again, hiding her fiery red hair.
"No, no, babble on," she joyfully responded.
Waverly blushed a little at her endearing words and looked down at the stream again. "I was planning on going back to the castle. You can follow me if you would like."
"That would be wonderful, your highness," she sincerely nodded before pulling her helmet on again.
"Perfect, then we should be off."
They smiled at each other and mounted their beasts. Haught flicked the face of her helmet down and slid onto her horse. As she waited for the lady to mount her mare, she asked, "You said that you used to rule over the fief, who is it now?"
"My sister, back from her journeys."
"So, what does that mean for you, Madam?" Nicole inquired.
"Ah, well, that means that I can explore my home and the beautiful terrain it has been blessed with," she smiled as she gestured to the forest. "Well, when I'm not being interrupted by knights." Noticing the way she tensed up, Waverly quickly added, "All meant in jest."
They raced back to the castle through the dense trees and shrubberies before breaking through the glades to the dirt road to Purgatory. Nicole caught up to the speedy royal, smiling at her behind the metal helmet. As she studied her through the narrow slots of her mask, the young knight soon found her eyes more than curiously wandering Waverly's figure as she expertly rode her mare. They slowed down once they cleared the glade, seeing the fortress and castle in the distance with the shops and houses that smattered the exterior of Purgatory. Waverly slowed her horse to a trot, wanting to talk to the knight as they neared her home.
"So where do you hail from?" she asked.
"I'm from Phantom River. I was sent here to aid the fiefs around this territory with any ruffians."
"Really? We have another knight from the Lionheart King Carlo, Sir Dolls."
"I have never met him, but there are many soldiers in the Duke and King's armies. He might be apart of his royal highness' personal armies. I'm just a guard."
"Duke Carlo has more than one army?"
"No, but his brother has special forces who watch over him and are by his side every day, there is a section whose duty is to watch the people he deems important and then he and the Duke have my people who help keep order amongst the fiefs and towns."
"How interesting. So you were sent here, why?" she tried again, trying to squeeze out as much information from her as possible.
"Well the fiefs of Purgatory, Derelict, and Haven are to be mine and another knight's territory but to be completely honest, I was glad when I was assigned to this territory because I have always wanted to meet you."
"Me?" Waverly laughed in disbelief.
"Yes, I have heard of your bravery in fighting off our Neighbors to the North. You saved the Duke's most important road and his soldiers. You are seen as a legend… M'Lady," she formally added.
"Oh, um, thank you. How long will you be staying?"
"I have been here for almost a month but I only have a week left on my contract."
"Only that long? I insist that you stay longer, seeing that you are a part of the Duke's Army, you are a special guest to us."
"Oh, thank you, M'Lady," Nicole responded, dipping her head.
"Please, this is the least I can do for a knight, truly," she assured her. "Do you have anything else before we move you here?"
"Nothing that isn't strapped to my steed," Haught noted as she patted the back of her horse.
Little conversation transpired between them as they finished their journey to the local tavern. It was a centuries-old beaten shack that had been passed down between generations of local Purgatory citizens. The current owner, "Shorty" Seanan, was a trustworthy old man with the heart of an explorer but the knowledge of any other citizen there. He had always been able to learn from those who passed through the bar about the outside world that he dreamed of seeing. In turn, he would inform Waverly of the people he met and the stories they shared with him. It always made her pine for the adventures she dreamed her sister had. They were only dreams though as to the entire town of Purgatory, Waverly was the stable child, the one who survived her sister's insanity.
The two women hitched their horses and walked into the busy bar. At the moment, there seemed to only be locals in their usual spots with Seanan watching his latest patrons walk into his business. He beckoned the Lady over and handed her a cup of ale.
"Good morning, Waverly," he politely greeted. Haught noted his grand smile that broke through the thick grey and white beard. "How goes it?"
"Mm, I was feeling low until I met this lost puppy in the woods," she joked gesturing to Haught. "Perchance, have you seen a man in red tear through town?"
"No one that seemed suspicious," he shrugged. "Would you like anything to drink, lass?"
"Would you happen to have any lägers?"
"I do," he proudly nodded, pouring her a stein full. He shooed away her money, "No need to pay madam, you are a friend of Waverly."
"Thank you, I never caught your name."
"Seanan, but friends just call me Shorty."
"Shorty Seanan, I am Dame Nicole Haught of the Duke's Royal Army."
"A Royal Knight in this area. Well well well, welcome to Purgatory," he nodded.
Waverly found a spot by the window where they could talk and drink. She found Nicole curiously regarding her and the patrons of the tavern.
"Do you have a question for me?" she asked her.
"I just have never heard anyone address a noble so casually. People never addressed a noble like that back home."
"Well, that is not how we do it here. You will find that we are much more independent than where you are from," Waverly explained. "I just wanted to let you know before we got to the castle."
"How did your family gain power? You're not related to royal blood, are you?"
"At first no, but my mother was a Gibson of the Lavelle-Obere family."
"Really, so do you ever visit them in Lyon?"
"I have never met any of them. I barely remember my mother."
"Did she pass away when you were young?" Nicole asked, catching Shorty's protective eye. "I should not pry, nevermind."
"The Earps have been the only ruling family here with a few suitors from other wealthy families here and there. We Earps stick together despite the distance."
"Is that your motto?"
"No, but it should be," she smirked with a quick swig from her cup. "But enough about me. How did you become a knight, what's your backstory?"
Nicole chuckled and shrugged, "I hail from the Kingdom of Ireland, the O'Haught family, specifically, from the Shannon Basin. But, uh, Shannon could never hold me still so I was sent to the academy out here to hopefully put some sense into me."
"Did it work?" Waverly asked.
"I haven't the faintest clue," she flirted in her Irish accent, "did it?"
"Cheeky, I think Purgatory already has you under her spell."
"Mm," she chuckled, "I think the citizens have helped a great deal."
Waverly cleared her throat as she stared at the empty cup in front of her. "I should introduce you in Court if you are going to be a guest here, that is."
"I do not want to be a bother, truly."
"No, I insist. We will be glad to have a guest. It has been a long while since the castle had visitors."
"If you insist-"
"I do. Now, it is," Waverly paused as she looked up at a clock, "only a quarter past four so I would assume everyone is still in the castle…Well, I would assume so. We might want to go soon, I'm not too sure what my tribe's up to as of recent events."
"You mean your sister's return?"
"Yes, exactly," she confirmed as she stood up, pulling on her black pelisse and leaving money on the table for her old friend.
Nicole followed her to their horses, watching as her hostess effortlessly pulled herself onto her mare and waited for her to join her. She followed suit and then went down the street a few strides behind as she was trained until Waverly slowed down to match her pace. Nicole continued to watch her, silently regarding the farms and shops that they passed.
"For a noble, you wear a fair amount of black, seeing that these aren't your colors."
"Only today," she cryptically informed her. "I'm surprised the Duke allows his knights to wear their family's cloaks," she asked back.
Nicole nodded, "My personal touch." She took a moment to fix the silver fox shaped hooks to her black green and purple plaid garment. "It is not a cloak, by the way. This is a traditional piece called a brat. Being the Child Ruler Lady Earp, have you ever traveled outside of Purgatory?"
Waverly sighed, trying to hide her eyes as they neared the stables, "No, I haven't. Between lessons and watching my Uncle rule over my future affairs, I did not have time to explore. What about you? How long have you been a bonafide knight?"
"Seven years," she proudly stated. "Seven years and I still forgot to give you this." Nicole reached back into her saddlebag to produce a letter with a gold wax seal imprinted with the Carlo family emblem. "My contract with the Duke's official signature."
"Keep it for now. So, a month and I have never even heard of you."
"I should have been more vigilant but Derelict was more of a handful than I thought."
"Ah, yes. They must either think you are an angel or hate you to send you to Derelict."
"I like to think I'm an angel."
"Your hubris would say otherwise."
"Only when I'm beguiled by a pretty lady," she tested.
"Try not to forget yourself, Haught."
"I apologize, M'Lady," she quickly corrected.
"But I'm glad I have that power over you," Waverly teased.
From behind her helmet, Nicole gawked at her audacious flirting, only recomposing herself when they arrived at the stables, dismounting and unsaddling their horses. Waverly brushed out her mare's mane with care while Nicole watched and smiled at the royal woman's tenderness. Waverly then switched out the mane brush and began brushing out her mare's coat. Nicole gave her blue dun stallion a sugar cube while she waited on the side. Waverly smiled as she peeked over her horse at the knight before she put away the brushes.
"I have never seen noble care for her own horse," Nicole noted as she walked towards Waverly.
"I pride myself in caring for those I depend on," she replied starting towards the castle.
"And what is your trusted steed's name?"
"Ignis. What about your stallion?"
"Lex."
"Law in Latin?"
Nicole shrugged and smiled, "He was given to me when I was far enough along in my training." She took a moment and smiled, "You know Latin?"
"Yes. If I cannot travel, then I should at least keep myself educated."
"Intriguing, a very learned noble. Most of the others I have met are pompous people who know no more than those they preside over."
"Glad I've made a lasting impression on you," Waverly flirted, her back to the knight once more as she took a few short cuts out of the stables. They walked into the castle through a side door for the servants where they found a maid making her way to Waverly. "Please prepare Dame Haught's room. Preferably a guest room in the west wing. Her belongings are on her horse in the stables."
The maid nodded and went to prepare the guest room as Waverly left to make a meeting for Nicole, letting her follow her in silence through the open corridors until they came upon the grand doors to the main chambers. She walked in, seeing her sister sitting on the throne with their Aunt behind her as Sir Dolls knelt in the center of the room. He had been explaining his reason for his assignment in their fief and his confusion of not being informed of Wynonna's return. Waverly stood in the back, watching her sister ogle the knight as he mindlessly recited his speech to her. She curtsied to him as he walked up to stand next to the older Earp sister.
"Wynonna, Dame Nicole Haught of the Duke's Public Army has arrived to watch over our fief."
Waverly sat in the chair next to her sister, Sir Dolls dipping his head to the younger woman. Nicole walked to the center of the room and produced the letter she had tried handing to Waverly earlier, holding it out for Dolls to retrieve. He tore it open and read it aloud:
"'For Lady Earp of Purgatory. I have been informed that you are lacking the proper number of law enforcement in your area. I have sent over one of my finest Dames to aide in replenishing your forces. I hope she is of use to you. ~Duke J.C.'" Dolls regarded the letter for a moment, his eyes darting to Nicole for a moment before turning to his mistress. "It is official, the Duke's stamp is on this." Dolls confirmed handing the paper to Wynonna. "What is your decision?"
"Well, keep her. I would not want to anger Carlo so early. Go get clean and you can discuss your placement with Nedley."
"Thank you, your highnesses," Nicole bowed, standing up as she was whisked away to her chambers.
In a brief moment, she caught Waverly's eyes, winking at her, while the blonde maid led her out of the room. She followed her to the small room that would become her personal chambers for the duration of her stay in Purgatory. It wasn't anything extravagant, but it was better than the farmhouse she was staying in Derelict. As she pondered on her new home, Nicole wrote a letter to be sent to the old mayor of her change in lodging and mission- something she was more than glad to do. In her brief time in Derelict, she had already chased around over twenty thieves, helped behead five murderers and hang nineteen other criminals. In the Shannon Basin- and even in Phantom River- there wasn't as much crime to worry about. On more than one occasion, Nicole had to lock up her horse and belongings to protect them from any thieves. Crime seemed to come in waves with a few days being quiet with the usual bickering amongst the locals to major crimes and brawls which ended in major injury or death.
Nicole sat back in a cheap chair in the corner. Hearing it creak loudly under her weight, she instantly sat back up, looking down at the old wooden seat with the worn and dusty velvet cushion which now had an impression of her rear. She closed her eyes and moved the chair to the open window, feeling it loosely shake in her hands. Nicole restlessly huffed as she sat back in the chair, now feeling it shake under her. It wasn't the worst situation she was in, but she expected Purgatory to be at least a bit nicer. She couldn't completely remember how it looked when she was last here, but when she was eleven she had followed her parents to this casual town with its charismatic rulers. In her time alone, the young knight reflected on her old memories as she regarded the beautiful mountain range that guarded the small town within the valley below.
Waverly escaped the main hall after their guest's departure but was swift as she left the room, her sister joined her in the hallway with her old mischievous smile. She stood in her tracks even as her sister tugged her towards the stables.
"Whatever you have in mind is going to have to wait until tomorrow," she evenly told her.
"Not even an adventure?" Wynonna playfully whined.
"Not tonight, it is too early for you to get into trouble and skimp out on your duties."
"You mean like you did this afternoon?"
"Yes," she proudly admitted, "But I was not getting into trouble. How are you acclimating to power?"
"It is pretty nice, but I'm surprised I have not been confronted by any old flames from town."
"I think once all of them know that you are here, every one of your past mistakes will come creeping out of the woodwork, I can assure you of that."
Wynonna comically threw up her hands and asked, "Well what do you do for fun around here?"
"I'm almost sure that what I find fun, you will think is boring as can be," Waverly submissively stated. "I do know that there is a plentiful stash of booze in the basement from our old parties."
"Mm, and you would not happen to have to key?"
"Our key master has them all, but I know that Uncle Curtis had one in his office, you remember where that is, right?"
"Yeah," she nodded heading down the hallway. "Aren't you gonna join me?"
"No, I'm going to check on our guests."
"Hm, okay. Want me to bring anything from my plunders?"
"Mm… no, thank you."
Waverly left her sister to her own devices as she meandered through the open corridors of her home. It wasn't anything grand but it was the only place Waverly knew. Kept behind closed doors and inside the basin that entrapped Purgatory, she rarely ever made it past the forest and mountain passages to explore before being called back home. The only place she had visited outside of the fief was the grand palace in Phantom River which housed the Duke of their fiefdom. It was a grand manor with Gothic architecture that was popular at the time it had been constructed with grand windows that flooded the large rooms with light for any occasion that was hosted there including one for herself. The party held thereafter she aided the King's Army through Purgatory while fighting off their Nordic foes was a grand affair with the Duke's extended family, even his brother attended to celebrate her achievement.
Once she entered the North Wing, Waverly quietly rapped on the wooden door to Dolls' room. He answered instantly, still clad in his tabard and trousers, but his belt sitting on the bedside table. Standing closer to him, Waverly noted his gentle features. She had never seen someone that looked like him in person. His skin was so perfectly dark with little to no imperfections. He was a very kind spirit with a polite demeanor and proper grammar Waverly thought not quite possible for knights. Dolls bowed and kept his distance as he was taught, the untouchable guardian for Purgatory he had been assigned to be.
Waverly returned to the West Wing, attending to Nicole before retiring to her quarters until supper. In the long corridor of rooms, the young Lady went to her guest's chamber, rapping on her door and patiently waiting for her to open it. Nicole stood before her in a very different outfit. She had ditched her heavy armor and chainmail for a long green and white jerkin that buckled in the middle and up fairly high on her neck. She stood before her with her hands behind her back in attention while she waited to be addressed.
"How are your lodgings?"
"Not too bad especially with the view of the mountains," she gestured to the window. "Thank you for being so kind as to let me stay here."
"I'm glad you are enjoying your room," Waverly smiled.
"How are you, M'Lady?"
"I'm quite well, actually. I'm, uh, glad our paths crossed," she confided in her. "There has been a lot happening, but I know that you will do great things to help us and Nedley. I do hope you do not feel too cramped here."
Nicole waved her hand, "I think I'll fare perfectly well while I'm here and at this point, I'm glad I'm somewhere else. Would you like to come in?"
"Sure."
Nicole took the other chair from the desk and placed it by the old velvet one by the window. "I'm quite glad you came by. I wanted to apologize again for overstepping my boundaries. I hope I did not offend you, M'Lady." Waverly sat in the chair, lounging in the creaking chair as she listened to her. "I hope my mistake has not set us back."
"I'm sure it hasn't," she assured her. "Tell me a bit more about yourself. If you are going to stay here, I would like to know at least a bit about my guest." Waverly relaxed into the chair as she regarded the graceful mountain range. "For instance, why do you cover up your accent?"
"I try to sound less conspicuous when I'm not home. You Brits haven't always been the kindest to my people, so I just try to blend in."
"So why do you not fake it around me?"
"I guess I just trusted that you would not judge me based on where I grew up."
"Mm, you are right, I try not to judge based solely on appearances," Waverly shyly agreed. "Now, tell me, you do a fair amount of traveling, where have you been?"
"Ah, many places," she began, placing her hands on her knees and standing before her hostess. "I have been all over the Fief and England."
"Have you been to London?"
"Only for a short while when I was young. Duke Carlo sent me and a few others out there to shadow Royal Guards and Constables before we were sent back to implement their policies."
"Sounds amazing," Waverly smiled, "How was the city?"
"Cramped, in all honesty, and we were stationed in the Royal Barracks alongside the other Guards. The city was dark and there were people everywhere, shoulder to shoulder, no matter the time of day," she chuckled. "It was a fun way to explore the city."
"So did you drink your way through London?"
"No, not entirely, but I did gamble my way through Wembley."
"Oh my."
"Well, I learned that I don't have great luck, but I at least got the chance to immerse myself in the city while I was there."
"How much money did you lose?"
"More than I'm willing to admit," she laughed. "With your sister in power, you might have time to explore outside of Purgatory."
"Maybe, but I would not mind a guide to take me on my adventure. Where else have you been?"
"One of the first places I was stationed was Leeds back in 1619. It was a fairly quiet town when I was last there. Not much to do but the people were kind, so I was able to make some connections while I was there."
"With whom?"
"Some of the cloth traders, but I ended up spending the most time with the Darnley family and their tribe in Harewood." Nicole took a moment to watch her hostess' reaction, smiling as she elicited a longing gaze from her. "I'm sure they would love the company of such an intriguing person like yourself."
"Oh, I think you might have mistaken me with someone else, I am not that interesting," she dismissed. "But I would love to travel to Leeds someday. Anywhere else you have been?"
"Only random deployments around England and Scotland. I never got the chance to ask you, but what have you always dreamed of doing?"
"I… nothing interesting, I just want to explore the world."
"You must have read something in your books. Something that sparked your desires more than anything else?" Nicole meandered around the room as she waited for her to respond. She spent the silence gazing at the old novels on the shelf, dust resting upon them undisturbed for years. She plucked out a fictional book from the highest shelf. "Have you read the books in here?"
"No, especially not those," she joked.
"Ah, yes. I can see why not," she noted as she looked at the surprisingly clean book in her hands. "Hm, but not this one. It's not in English, do you know what this says?" she asked handing Waverly the dark maroon book.
She brushed her thumb over the silver lettering pressed into the cover as she read it out loud, "Phaedrus, it's a dialogue piece from ancient Greece."
"A dialogue, of what?"
"Of persuasion, death, and… humanity," she explained.
"Interesting never heard of it." Nicole flipped through the book, stopping fairly early on as a few words caught her eye. "Humanity, what do you consider a topic of humanity?" she asked, folding down the corner of the page.
"Well, um… I-" Waverly cut herself off as Nicole walked to the balcony, "I consider it… what are you doing?"
"I think I hear someone," she whispered as she looked over the edge. "Dolls and your sister are talking down there."
"Where?" she asked as she joined Nicole by the wall.
"I think they're bickering."
"Why?" she wondered as she peered over the edge.
Nicole pulled her from the edge as Wynonna looked up at them. "Hm… I'm not quite sure." They silently tried to listen in to the conversation, failing as they only heard the inflections in their voices as the two argued below. Nicole clasped her hands nervously against her chest and turned to face her hostess. "I wonder if supper's ready."
Waverly escaped from the dining hall to her chambers where she began to undress. She slipped into her light nightgown and scanned her library for any books she wanted to read again, but knew that she would have to go back to Nicole's chambers to find her favorites. Her head sank as she rolled out the small kinks in her neck, pressing her hand to her back to hopefully relieve some of the pain from her corset. After her usual routine, she watched the setting sun from her bed and shielded her eyes from the rays that reflected off of her vanity. She blew out the remaining candles by her bed and slid under the covers, feeling the warm pan of coals underneath her protect her from the cold nights.
A sudden knock broke her lucid mid-slumber. Using the remaining light from just between the Cloody Pass, Waverly walked to the door, opening it to spot Nicole in her brat and jerkin, her sword strapped to her hip.
"Dame Haught, what are you doing here?"
"Dolls sent me to watch over you."
"Why?"
"Something he and Wynonna spoke about," she explained, "What we thought was their disagreement."
"Well, you can tell them both that I am perfectly capable of watching over myself, I have gotten by just as well without her for the past seven years, thank you, madam."
"I understand, but I-"
Waverly waved her hand to silence her before placing it on Nicole's shoulder, "Try not to worry yourself, I will talk with Wynonna about this." Nicole quickly nodded and stepped out of her way as she awaited her next order. "Go back to your room, if I lose I will retrieve you."
"Yes, Ma'am."
Waverly began her trek through the ever dimming castle to the old Southern Wing where she and her sisters once played and created trouble. She silently passed by their old playroom and the chamber their Governess lived in. Beyond that were their rooms that had been refurbished by Aunt Augustine only a year after the disappearance of her elder nieces. Waverly couldn't stand this wing, nor the Eastern side where her parents' and Aunt's rooms were, and spent her time avoiding the hallways as often as she could in the cramped fiefdom. She sighed as she locked eyes with Wynonna's door before finally knocking on it, only a moment passing before her sister opened it.
"I have no need for your protection, I have gotten by just well without it. I know your gesture was out of love, but I find it rude to use a guard to protect me from night terrors."
"Night terrors? I-"
"I sent her back to her room-" Wynonna only rolled her eyes and pulled her into her room. "What are you doing?"
"I'm trying to protect you and this town from… Them."
"You will have to be more specific," she huffed, regarding the room she was in.
"The Revenants, I saw them on my way, er, their banners. They were making their way back over Lover's Pass like last time."
"Last time? You mean the last time when…-"
"When everything went to hell, yes," she confirmed, her eyes worriedly glancing at her sister then down at her necklace. "Just like last time,"
"We are not prepared to fend them off again, there are far too many of them and I doubt the Guerilla tactics you learned from your hiatus will be of use."
"We need to prepare then. You remember how to spar?"
"Of course I do. I had nothing better to do with my time."
"I know you don't want a guard, but will you humor me and keep each other safe? I have Dolls with Aunt Augustine, so you aren't alone in being watched over."
"What about you?"
"No one knows I'm here except for us and the servants."
"What about when they do find out, because they will, Robert will."
"Well, if I die then I die and I guess you'll have another go as the ruler."
"Don't joke about that, Wynonna," she huffed, "I'll let her guard my room, just… if you go after them bring us along."
Waverly stepped out of the unfamiliar room and started towards her chambers before her sister could protest. She took the same route back to Nicole's room this time and knocked on her door, not wanting to spend any more time awake as the night finally settled in the valley. Nicole stood before her with her hair down and only in her black trousers and white button-up, having removed her outer clothes for her slumber. Waverly took a step so she stood under the doorway.
"Did you win?"
"I'm only humoring my sister. May I come in?"
"Wouldn't you rather stay in your room, if you don't mind me asking."
"I'm far too tired to care," she huffed, finding her spot on the love seat by the fireplace.
"Please, take my bed, I'll stay by the fire," Nicole offered. "It's the least I could do for you."
"No, I'd rather stay by the warm fire tonight."
"I insist, please, sleep in my bed, your maid placed a bed warmer underneath so I would not freeze," Nicole almost commanded. She stood and neared her hostess, placing her hands in the same spot her belt would have been. "My duty is to protect those who inhabit Purgatory, and that includes you."
"And they say yours is a dying breed," she joked defeatedly as she went to Nicole's bed. "At least find your spot in here once the fire dies."
Nicole closed her eyes and shook her head, "I'll have to decline your offer, M'Lady, thank you."