Reaver's Servants

A Job Well Done

Early spring in Brightwall, in a house near the Library

If the town crier didn't wake Barry up, the smell of fresh blueberry pancakes did. Stretching his arms out as far as they'd go, Barry sat up and looked around. After rubbing his eyes, he placed one hand on the side of the bed that usually housed his wife. They had only been married a few months but Barry and Sarah already seemed settled into their new life together. Today was the day Barry was to begin his new job as the clerk of Brightwall, taking over from his brother-in-law, Geoffrey.

Brightwall was a nice enough town. It was certainly more diverse than Millfields. Barry found it refreshing that there were so many hardworking people in this town as opposed to the all the nobles. Their home was also pretty modest compared to Lakeview Manor. Two stories, like most homes in Brightwall, and two bedrooms on the top floor. Barry didn't want to start off his new life in one of the older, ill-designed homes. This house was fairly new, as some of the older houses were being replaced with newer ones. This house in particular had been redesigned and fitted to be more modern.

He could hardly believe this house was theirs. With the bonus money Reaver had given them, Barry and Sarah bought a nice little home overlooking the town square. The lady that sold it to them was more than happy to take any asking price, if not to spite her ex-husband. She probably would have accepted the change Barry had in his pocket, but Sarah made him offer her a fair price.

Getting dressed and fixing his hair, Barry looked around the master bedroom. Barry rubbed his chin and decided he needed to shave soon. He made his way downstairs where the smell of breakfast got stronger. He heard two familiar voices as he emerged into the downstairs living area. Sarah was at the stove flipping another pancake onto a stack and his mother was sitting at the table drinking coffee.

"…personally, I think it's outrageous for them to charge such prices for apples. I mean, I can go outside of town and pick them myself for that price!" Sarah huffed, placing the plate of pancakes on the table. Mother Hatch just nodded and sipped her coffee. "It's not like that man imports them from anywhere, there is literally an apple tree farm outside of town before you get to the valley!"

Mother Hatch perked up when Barry came downstairs. "Ahh! There's my Barry-bear!" Mother Hatch shouted, getting up from her chair. Sarah looked over and smiled at her husband. Mother Hatch walked over and gave Barry a big hug. "You have a big day ahead! I'm so proud of you!"

Barry sat down at the table as Sarah placed a plate of pancakes in front of him. They were fresh, still steaming from the skillet. "It's just a job, Mother. I've had plenty." Barry retorted, watching Sarah place the butter and a cup of coffee next to the plate. "Besides, I've been Geoffrey's assistant for a while now. Taking over for him will be cake."

Mother Hatch waved her hand about. "Oh, now Barry, you didn't get this job because you married the town clerk's sister. It might have helped, but your accountancy skills are second to none! You get it from your father, I suspect. That man could do our taxes so fast he'd start in the morning and be done by lunch! He got us a lovely return every time, too."

Sarah giggled and took the dirty dishes to the sink. "Bertram sounds more and more impressive every time you talk about him, Mother Hatch." Sarah giggled, putting all her dishes in the sink. "Could he leap tall buildings and eat bullets, too?"

While Mother Hatch laughed, Barry just ate his breakfast. Mother Hatch got up and walked over to Sarah. "Sarah, dear, you shouldn't be on your feet. Let me do those nasty dishes."

Before Sarah could protest, Mother Hatch rolled up her sleeves and started doing the dishes. Barry cocked an eyebrow. "What is she talking about?" Barry asked, finishing his pancakes. Mother Hatch looked at her son and then to Sarah. "Are you not feeling well, lovey?" Barry asked softly, placing the napkin to his lips.

"Oh, I'm just a little under the weather, dear. Nothing to worry about, you just hurry along. We wouldn't want you to be late on your first day, now would we?" Sarah reassured Barry as he walked over to kiss her. Mother Hatch smiled as she watched her son and daughter-in-law kiss.

Barry kept his arms around his wife for as long as he could. "Have a good day, Lovey."

Sarah smiled warmly and waved from the doorway as Barry left the house and down toward the town square, where the clerk's office was. She blushed like a school girl and felt just the same. She turned around and saw her mother-in-law smiling slyly at her.

Mother Hatch stopped doing the dishes when Sarah closed the door. "You haven't told him yet?" Mother Hatch asked, putting her fist on her hip.

Sarah, blushing softly, sat down at the kitchen table. "I…I just found out from the doctor yesterday." She giggled, turning her blushing face from her mother-in-law. "Literally an hour before you and I had tea, I went to the doctor and he said I was indeed…" Sarah blushed more and giggled softly. Mother Hatch smiled too and put her hand on Sarah's. "Mother Hatch, I have no idea what I'm going to say!"

"Why not do what I did when I had to tell Bertram the same news?" Mother Hatch smiled and went back to the dishes. "I made him a big dinner and when he was halfway through the main course I sprung the news on him. Ahh, and just to think I almost didn't learn how to do the Heimlich maneuver."

Sarah chuckled and sat down. "I'll tell him tonight. I want to tell him before I tell the others."

Mother Hatch perked up. "You told him you invited the others to come see the new house, right?" she asked, picking up another plate and scrubbing it. "He's going to wonder why everyone is crowding into your home on such short notice."

Sarah waved the worry away. "It was his idea. I sent out the letters the other day. I guess I'll have more to announce when they get here."

"Do you think Willa will bring that father of hers?" Mother Hatch asked, trying not to make her eagerness to see the strongman obvious.

Sarah, giving her mother-in-law a sly look, watched as she scrubbed the same plate over and over. "Mother Hatch, you're going to scrub the flower designs off that plate." She mumbled. Mother Hatch dropped the plate in the soapy water and tried to hide her blush. "I'm sure Olaf will come with Willa. I don't think he'd miss the opportunity to act out any of the scenarios in those dirty letters you two exchange. That reminds me, how sturdy is that new bed of yours?" Sarah let out a small laugh as Mother Hatch tried to distract her with other topics.

As they talked and her mother-in-law blushed and did the dishes, Sarah looked out the window at the bustling village below. She saw Barry making his way through the crowd toward her brother's office. She smiled, still not believing that all this was hers and Barry's. She hoped to receive conformation from her friends soon so she can prepare everything. She had much to do that day, and she had to do her grocery shopping as well.

Mother Hatch, finished with her meddling, told Sarah that she'll meet her at her house so they could do the shopping together. Sarah knew Mother Hatch wouldn't let her out of her sight now, what with news like this. Sarah actually liked it and went to finish getting ready as Mother Hatch left. As Sarah got dressed in more comfortable going-out clothing, she wondered how Barry would take the news. If he took the news like his father did, she'd have to have Mother Hatch teach her the Heimlich maneuver.

Though, in the end, she knew he'd be happy. She looked over at a cabinet with several pictures on it. Beside their wedding photo, the picture of the troupe during their circus days sat proudly, if not somewhat dusty. She reached for her hat and smiled warmly at all the pictures. "I can't wait to see you all again." She murmured, placing her hat on her head. Sarah picked up her basket from beside the door and started to leave. She looked back again and smiled as she slowly closed the door.

At a Vineyard near Brightwood

Spring always seemed hotter in Brightwood than anywhere else. The soil was perfect for planting and the thriving vineyard could be seen from the bridge. The Courier held onto the reigns of his cart's horse and made sure he was reading the envelope right. The hot sun came down hard on him, making him fix his hat in front of his eyes. He had just a few more deliveries to make before he could rest for lunch. As he stopped his horse, he kept wondering how he got stuck with the Brightwood route. The bandits, Hobbes, and other monstrosities weren't a problem in this region anymore. Now the region was mostly out of the way farms and a town of wealthy land owners that blocked the entrance to Silverpines to keep the balverines from returning.

He jumped down from his cart and walked to where a mailbox was supposed to be. What he found was a small hole in the ground where a post would have been and small footprints leading down the dirt and cobblestone path. He shook his head, knowing his mail cart was too wide to fit down the fenced path toward the main house. He sighed, did a quick stretch, and started walking. Luckily, it wasn't too long of a walk for him.

The Courier passed by a cart full of crates and made his way up toward the main house. He assumed the crates were full of wine bottles to be delivered to the cities. This was, after all, a vineyard that made one of the best wines in Albion. The sounds of wood chopping, cows mooing in a nearby field, and chickens clucking by made the courier think about food again. The vineyard was pretty self-sufficient and the inhabitants rarely had to leave the farm for anything.

Before he could knock on the door, it opened to reveal a thin woman in a casual outfit. The bottom hem was a little dirty from helping out in the fields. She wore a pair of glasses and her mousy brown hair in a high bun. She wiped her hands on her apron as she stepped outside.

"Mornin', Ma'am!" the Courier greeted, taking off his hat.

Beryl nodded back to him. "Good morning." Beryl sounded a little distracted, but her eyes were on him. "Sorry about the mail box, those boys from a few farms down took it again. I was hoping they'd come up with better pranks."

The Courier cleared his throat and handed the letter to Beryl. "Special mail, straight from Brightwall. Postage has been paid in advance. Must be something big!" The Courier put his hat back on and started the walk down the path toward his anxious horse and cart.

Beryl looked at the letter, ignoring whoever was ringing the bell to announce it was time for lunch. In her time at the vineyard, Beryl had made it into something quite successful. While she didn't see herself becoming the biggest wine seller in Albion, her farm was well known and she had heard rumors that her wine had even been served to the Queen during a visit to Brightwood recently. Business was booming, and she even had to hire other farmhands when the farm expanded a bit. Of course, she couldn't have done any of it without her original farmhands.

Gordon, Willa, and Olaf made their way to the main house, hopping the fence and passing by the Courier as he left. Gordon was in charge of making sure the plants were tended to properly while Willa and Olaf were in charge of any heavy lifting and construction. Beryl, whose thin frame was not built for much labor, mostly kept the books but she helped out around the farm as much as she could.

Beryl held up the envelope and saw it was from Brightwall. "It's from Brightwall." She announced, though everyone already knew that.

"It's not another dirty letter to Olaf from Mrs. Hatch, is it?" asked Gordon.

Olaf grumbled and turned to Gordon. The others laughed as Beryl opened the letter. "According to the address line, it's for all of us." said Beryl, taking the letter out. She read the letter aloud to the others and shared their smiles. "Miss Sarah and Mr. Hatch are inviting us to come visit them!" she announced, holding the letter up. "They wanted to wait until Mr. Hatch had fully taken over for Geoffrey and now that he has, she wants us to see their home!"

Everyone smiled and looked to Beryl, who finished reading the letter. "I'll write back and tell her we'll be on our way soon. The letter should get there before we do." Beryl folded the letter back up and placed it in the envelope.

Gordon sat on a stump nearby and looked up at the sky. "It'll be nice to see Miss Sarah again. Or should I say Mrs. Hatch?" he chuckled. He took out a handkerchief and dabbed his forehead a bit to get rid of the sweat. It was then he had a thought. "Do you think she also invited Rosie?"

Willa looked surprised at that statement. "Why wouldn't she?" she asked, indignantly. "Rosie was, and will always be, a big part of our group. In our family, she's like the weird aunt: a little freaky and possibly crazy, but she's still loving and fun to be around."

Olaf looked at Gordon and sighed softly. "Girls, let me talk to Gordon, man to man. You go finish letter and start packing." Olaf sat on the ground next to Gordon as the girls scampered off. When he was sure they were alone, Olaf put his arm around Gordon's shoulder. "Tell me what problem is." He said, plainly.

"I don't think I can face them." Gordon admitted. "I never got a chance to tell Rosie that…" Gordon didn't want to finish that sentence. "…that I had strong feelings for her."

Olaf laughed and saw back, leaning his back against a pile of wood behind him. "Gordon, life is not about 'ifs'. If you spend life wondering what could have happened, you never see what can happen. Rosie is smart woman, she make her own decisions. But Rosie is not guided by 'what's' and 'ifs' like we are. Rosie guided by something else. She see things we cannot. I wouldn't say soon she will see error of ways as I have too much respect for you to lie, Gordo. Rosie has made her choice and from what letters say, she is happy. And you forget, Rosie is no liar. If Gordon love Rosie, he will let her be happy. If you chase after foolish 'what if', then you will never be happy. Let Rosie live life, and you live yours. She probably drive you crazy, anyway."

Gordon laughed and felt better. "Yeah, you're right. Maybe I just felt it had to be a certain way because all promised to stay together. That wouldn't be fair to either of us. Rosie is a tough woman to get close to, but somehow we all became friends with her. She cares about us. But you can't build a working relationship on a promise we made years ago. I guess even we all knew we'd eventually go our separate ways. I guess Mr. Reaver and Rosie are perfect for each other. From what her letters say, they are each other's foil. She might just be able to keep him grounded."

"Giant rock chained to ankle couldn't keep Reaver grounded." Olaf laughed. "But if Rosie is up to challenge, it will be fun to watch."

Gordon sat up and watched the fields. The lunch bell started ringing again and Olaf stood up. He asked Gordon if he was coming, and Gordon only waved to him, saying he'd be along in a minute. As Olaf walked away, Gordon began thinking about everything that had happened up until that point.

Their time with Reaver seemed to strengthen them, make them tougher, more outgoing. Before, the troupe kept themselves walled up from the rest of the world, believing that they could only depend on each other, especially after what happened on their final night at the circus. When all seemed lost, there on the Bowerstone Market bulletin board sat their salvation. Maybe they were better people now, and he wanted to think so was Reaver, but he knew that was a far-fetched idea.

Gordon was happy, though. Even without Rosie and Miss Sarah with them, the others were doing well. Beryl was surprisingly good at running the vineyard and business was so good, she was considering buy up more land for more produce. Willa and Olaf made up for lost time and Olaf had no plans to leave anytime soon. Gordon could have sworn Willa had grown at least another inch since leaving Lakeview Manor, but that might have been wishful thinking on all their parts.

"Gordon! Come one before Daddy eats it all!" Willa shouted, from the long table.

Laughing, Gordon got up and stared out at the fields. Even if the troupe wasn't wholly together, they were happy with their lives. Gordon watched Beryl run to catch the courier before he left so she can give him the letter she wrote in haste. He then got up and stretched, hearing his stomach growl as well. He decided to head to the long wooden table that lunch was normally served at. As he reflected on his life and the lives of his friends, he hoped that all was going well and that Olaf hadn't eaten all the rolls yet.

A Lakeview Manor

"Yes, may I help you?" asked the maid that answered the large doors.

The courier tipped his hat to the maid and handed the letter to her. "Special mail for Mr. Reaver and Miss Rosie. Straight from Brightwall." He said, tipping his hat again and leaving.

The maid shut the door and took the letter inside. She walked toward the stairs and almost bumped into someone when she reached the top step. The woman the maid nearly bumped into was a tall woman who was actually not as scary as she looked. She wore a wine colored dress with black buttons in front with her long black hair down her back. Rosie was the lady of Lakeview Manor, seeing to its general upkeep and making sure everything ran according to schedule.

"Oh, forgive me, M'lady!" shouted the maid. "The postman just came by with a special letter for you and Mr. Reaver!"

Rosie took the letter and recognized the handwriting right away. She smiled softly and nodded to maid. "Thank you, Fiona." She murmured, holding the letter close. "Have you and Fiore finished cleaning the study? Mr. Reaver wants the study prepared for his business associates coming in this afternoon."

The maid, Fiona, chuckled nervously and ran to find her twin, another maid named Fiore. Rosie shook her head and made her way through the dining room while reading the letter. Life at Lakeview Manor was pretty routine, which was not a problem for its master. The halls were busy with servants scurrying about, as spring cleaning season was well underway. It took a long time for Lakeview Manor to return to what counted as a sense for normality there, but it seemed to be nestling in quite well. Rosie would be lying if she said she didn't miss the craziness that a group of ex-circus performers brought about, but it was nice to have peace and quiet just the same.

Rosie made her way down the hallway, past the closed doors, nodding to Reaver's new personal assistant. She smiled at him, he nodded and rushed by her. Rosie often told Reaver that she didn't care too much for his new assistant, as he wasn't as talkative as Barry Hatch was. She wondered if he missed his old assistant. She knocked on the door of the office and waited for Reaver to respond. When he shouted through the door that it had better be important, Rosie smiled with a nod and let herself in.

Reaver looked up from his paperwork and smiled when Rosie came in. Since their impromptu wedding aboard his ship, Reaver and Rosie have been the talk to the Bowerstone-Millfields area. No one ever expected Reaver to ever marry. In fact, there was a pool going around to see how long it would last. Reaver thought he wanted things to stay the same, but he found himself welcoming change. He had seen it many times in his life, but for once, he was happy for it.

To some, Rosie was Reaver's foil. She didn't respond much to his antics, and her stoic look didn't give him the satisfaction of knowing he flustered her. She kept the house going and made sure everything was done in the time it was supposed to be. To some, she would be the perfect wife. Reaver often told Rosie that the wife of the great Reaver needed to put on certain airs. He called her taste in fashion bland as she didn't care for the flashy reds and golds that Reaver liked to surround himself in. Whenever he'd insult her taste in fashion, she would happily tell him she'll fix it. A few days later, he'd get a large bill from the priciest boutique in Bowerstone. The insults would stop for a while but they'd continue again and the circle would continue.

Of course, Reaver was also Rosie's foil. He knew she would never stand for him being unfaithful, but he often teased her about it. Whenever he felt she was being too stuffy or stiff, he'd tease her about the ladies at his favorite Gentleman's Club. He'd describe what they used to do for him in great detail and he enjoyed watching her cheeks turn red. He'd find himself sleeping in one of the stiff beds in one of the guest rooms on those nights, but he'd often tell himself it was worth it. He dared not take the jokes too far when it came to his faithfulness. Rosie's wrath was one thing, but there was a constant shadow looming around Lakeview Manor. He dared not trifle with it. The Shadow Court had nothing on this foreboding figure.

"Ah, hello dear wife." Reaver said, somewhat distracted. "I'll be done in a moment." Reaver didn't see Rosie holding up the letter. He glanced up at her just standing there and cocked an eyebrow. "Rosie, if you're going to stand there, at least wear something more fetching! You're the wife of the great Reaver! People will talk!"

Rolling her eyes, Rosie sat in the chair across from the desk. "The first time I've seen you since breakfast, and that's the first thing you say?" she asked, quite plainly.

"Now, I know I give you enough of a weekly allowance for you to do some shopping. It's a lovely day, take one of the maids to town with you and get some nice summer dresses." Reaver stretched his arms out and popped his back, finally finished with his work. He reclined in his office chair and looked out the window. It was indeed a clear day. He could see residents walking along the lake shore and children running up and down the paths.

Rosie handed Reaver the letter and let him read it. He smiled jovially and set the letter down. "I suppose we can fit in a visit. I'll have the help pack our things at once." He stood up and popped his back again before making his way to the window. His eyes stayed on the gate, which was open for some unknown reason. He decided to punish whoever left it open later. He smiled, remembering each time he'd watch his former servants walk through it to enjoy their Wednesday night off.

Reaver left the window and joined Rosie by his desk. He offered his arm and they started to leave the office together. Reaver stopped and patted her arm, telling her he'd meet her in the foyer so they can go into town and buy gifts to take to Brightwall. Rosie stopped just short of the door and watched Reaver pick up a picture from his desk. When she first started working for him, his desk was bare, save for unfinished paperwork and some ledgers. Now, it was neat with pens in their proper places, ledgers put away in their drawers, and now pictures adorned the edges.

"Are you alright?" she asked softly.

Reaver looked up, forgetting that she was there. He smiled, telling her he'll be down in a moment. She left him to his thoughts and went to their bedroom to change into something more comfortable for the hot weather. He put the picture of himself and the servants back in its place next to the picture of him and Rosie taken right after they were married. Reaver made a mental note to have a proper wedding. Rosie had told him it wasn't necessary, but Reaver refused to have his vows outdone by Barry and Sarah's. Reaver let his office and was met by Reavie, who mewed happily.

"I need to get you a new carrier." He cooed, picking the cat up. Reavie mewed curiously. He carried the cat toward the foyer, where Rosie was waiting. She had on a shorter blue dress with white gloves. Reaver smiled, seeing her smile no longer frightened him. He put Reavie down on the piano stool and scratched her head. A servant came by with his hat and walking stick, which he took. Rosie took it upon herself to straighten his cravat and stood back, smiled satisfyingly. She nodded, placing her own hat on and left the house just before Reaver.

"It will be nice to see them." She murmured, as they stepped into the sun toward the gate. Her eyes unfocused then refocused. "I think we're in for some big news."

Reaver only chuckled. From the day he hired his beloved Circus Rejects to the day they all left to get on with their lives, Reaver's heart felt heavy. As they walked along the path toward Bowerstone, he wondered if this heavy feeling was what they felt when they walked toward his house for the first time. Reaver just smiled, deciding to leave those questions for another time.

The air was sweet this day. Spring was in full bloom. As the couple walked the path many had walked before them, a sense of calm came over them. Reaver looked up at the birds flying through the trees and the leaves swaying in the wind. He had a good feeling about everything now. Nothing was impossible to him, but this was the first time he actually felt that way.

"It will be nice." He said, after a long silence. The trees rustled a bit as they passed by. "It's always nice to visit family."

"Reaver's Servants" by Luna Peachie

I hope you all enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Read, Review, and Be Merry.

Reaver and Barry Hatch belong to Lionhead