Shadow of the past – The Carurystal's rain

She woke up.

She slept on a narrow bed under a wool blanket. The room was cool, although Grayskull Castle had heating. They also didn't have to turn off the radiators to save money. She preferred the cold, she had nappijnng better. She slept briefly, at most two or three hours. Not only because her body hardly needed him anymore. When she where closing her eyes, memories of the life she wanted so much to leave behind her returned ...

She washed and changed from a nightgown to her black robe, made in the style recently fashionable on the Seagull Coast. Years have passed since she could afford to think about what is fashionable. It was almost unnatural…. Then she put on a holographic mask and signaled to the maid with a bell that she was ready. Leris, a young and polite Half-Elf with ash-colored hair and a shy smile, entered her chambers.

- Good morning Miss Daisy, I hope you had a good night's sleep. - she asked cheerfully

- As good as always. - "its means horrible," she said, trying to be polite.

- Tea was brewed, can i serve the marmalade cakes? - The maid entered the room looking at her employer with concern. She used to think there were ulterior motives behind a girl's protectiveness, but eventually concluded that Leris genuinely worried about her. It was as surprising as it was unnecessary. She had been through so much that ordinary nightmares could not harm her.

"Oh yeah, I survived ..." she thought and laughed mournfully, but then she said.

-Yes serve the cakes. I will eat them with joy.

She drank tea on a balcony with a tastefully made decorative metal fence. She was protected from the rain by a wooden roof, although she could asked for a force field, but she feel resentment to them... Besides, she liked to watch the rain. For many years she had been deprived of his view. On Caturystal, and especially in Seagull's coast, it rained frequently, though not continuously, as was believed on other worlds. She couldn't get used to the mass media, but she liked the radio, especially when anything other than military reports was broadcast. Then she went to her office, where she took care of replying to letters and e-mails, although fortunately there were not many of them. She still hadn't battled her aversion to computers, and the idea of the Internet, even as simple as on Carurystal, troubled her.

Then breakfast was brought to her: a soft-boiled egg and bread with honey. After more than thirty years of eating nasty food rations and drinking moonshine from the technical department stocks, even the simplest normal food was wonderful. Then a more important documents was brought to her, including those relating to the management of Lady Caly's estate. Her… ward was not in the top ten of the richest landowners, but in the top thirty yes already. Thousands of people lived on hers land, and she also owned fishing vessels, cattle, and even an amber mine. Lady Cala was a very good candidate for marriage as a beautiful, healthy, rich and bright girl. The only hers drawback was that she was adopted. Otherwise, it would be worth thinking about finding her husband or wife whih was expected. But their plans were different. That is why she had always refused all requests, and now she had once again reviewed the letter they had received from the ealrless Karintes of Blackmoor, who offered the hand of one of her twin children: the Son Demestin, or the daughter Demestines. There was something oddly tempting about the idea of arranged marriages. They put order in place of the emotional chaos that always irritated and terrified her. Perhaps a mock engagement could be arranged. This could be a very enlightening lesson for Lady Caly. The ability to conduct courtship was something that would surely come in handy on the upcoming Great Mission, especially since she couldn't give her any advice in that regard… at least useful advice. Unfortunately, she was afraid that with Lady Caly's temperament, it might end in a tragic way.

-Should I ask to saddled horses for the afternoon - Leris asked looking into her office. She thought for a moment, then replied.

- Yes, I'd love to go for a ride. - she said, and the half-elven servant smiled.

After work, she went on a tour of the property. She had known for a long time that the sight of a superior had a positive effect on subordinates. They need to know that someone is keeping an eye on them, but also that someone cares about their work. For years, it was one of her daily duties, until her health made it impossible. She shook her head, trying to chase away her thoughts. "This is not the time. It's the day ... For truth come a time when darkness will come "

People greeted her politely, though avoiding looking her in the face. Not out of fear, as was the case in the old days, but out of common courtesy. Her scars and deformities were no secret. It would be too hard to hide them. So they knew she had an accident involving using a spell that was too powerful, which happened quite often after all, and that was usually the end of the discussion. Few suspected more, and almost no one knew the truth. Even she did not know the full consequenccess of her deed until it was too late.

Residents saw in her the caretaker of the young Lady Cala. Everyone remembers that she was a strange, quiet child who suffered a series of tragedies. Starting with abandonment, ending with the death of most of the family. It was Miss Daisy who made her the life and soul of the society, a lady who personified the ideals of the Carurystal aristocracy. Therefore, most of the residents were positive about the new property manager, despite her undoubted quirks and gruff character. They did not know the truth, and it is better that they never know it.

She stood near the training plaza, where a group of young people of both sexes, or even more than both, trained under the supervision of the famous fencer Therstigos Arandel from Castroval. Although Carurystal was famous for its excellent fencing masters, she decided Lady Cala would need some familiarization with the culture of other planets. Besides, she wanted to learn about the true elven culture, little known where she was born. Therstigos was a good teacher, who taught both court and real fencing, but also the basics of dance, etiquette and elven language. At first, Cala was reluctant to learn fencing because she insisted that she didn't need any weapons, which was true in some way But she could not reveal her full potential without revealing the truth about herself. Besides, it was worth to teach her that death and destruction are not always the best solution.

Today Cala was not in the square, so she did not stay longer. Her ward was now in the capital, Lynortis, where she had „Their Affairs" to attend to. She didn't like the phrase very much, but she couldn't help it. Dr. Rephan, Lady Cala's personal physician, was also present in the square, and the only person in the castle who was sure to serve the same principal as Doctor was short, bald and always cheerful. He had lived here from Cali's earliest childhood and cared for her health. Or rather, he made sure that no one got to know her… unique anatomy. She didn't like him, with muallty, but they tried not to get in each other's way ...

She walked through numerous chambers and corridors of the castle until she came to the stable. There were many horses here. Some of them reacted nervously to her presence. Fortunately, horses from ancient Geb, where the undead ruled ,were bred on Caryrustal, and the cursed elf was no big deal to them. Her own mare. Shade was saddled. She was small, gray, very gentle. Most of her life she hadn't kept animals, not for company anyway, but for much darker purposes. But in Carurystal she fell in love with horses and horse riding. It took her several months to study, but she was always a learned student. She looked at the lonely stall of the corner of the stable, separate from the others. It was the Black Wind stall. Lady Caly's horse. At first she thought the coincidence of names was amusing or proving the petty jealousy of her ward, until she found out whose name it was, and since then she could not be around the huge black stallion without feeling quite justified anxiety.

She had changed into horse riding clothes and now she is wearing a raincoat. The weather in the coast of Seagulls was changeable. She was waiting for her mount to be saddled, when Leris entered the stables.

- May I go for a ride with you, Miss Daisy. The girl asked timidly. She shrugged.

- Why not? If you have time - she answered her.

They left Grayskull Castle through the main gate. She looked back, examining the massive body of the ancient fortress. The structure was as majestic as it was devoid of any defensive qualities, even when was built centuries ago, during the last wave of colonization. Another thing could be said about the cavernous vaults that stretched under the entire peninsula on which the castle was built. When she thought about it, she wished she had been able to visit a certain place in the old days…. It is in the basement of Lady Cal's castle that the evidence of her origin ... She snorted and chased the horse, and Leris followed. The Carz Peninsula was famous for its high cliffs, stretching majestically over the blue-gray sea. It was quite a risky ride for an untrained rider like her. In Carurystal, riding skill was common, even when it came to mechanical mounts, so Leris probably had more experience than she did, at least in this regard.

She stopped and began to look around her. The sea was slightly rough to the north and east, and to the south and west there were green pastures and groves. Here and there, she saw single buildings. There was a solid, lead-gray cloud layer overhead. The wind blew her hair. "I really like this life." She thought and felt tears welling up in her eyes.

-Is something wrong, Miss Daisy? - Leris asked.

- Oh, life happened ... Just life. - she replied, wiping her eyes.

She ate leek soup and some roast for dinner, then looked into her garden and took care of the management of the castle. And then dusk began to get closer, and she felt the weight on her shoulders growing. Finally she went to her retreat and had a fire lit in the fireplace and order to brought a bottle of brandy. She could see the concern in Leris's eyes as she handed her the bottle and glass, but she wasn't about to change her mind. She spent the next few hours sitting in an armchair, staring at the flames and thinking. In the red sparks she saw the advancing columns of troops, the flashes of explosions and the fear in the eyes of those who stood in her way. In the sound of burning wood, she heard the roar of working machines, the screams of the dying and the crying of children. The smell of smoke smelled of oil and spilled blood… They were painful and terrible memories, but she had no intention of running away from them. Though it meant little, of course ...

There was the sound of a heavy hardwood double door swinging open, and she heard footsteps. Delicate as the sound of a spider treading. Full of hidden strength worthy of a predator waiting for an opportunity. Lady Cala sat on the armchair next to him.

-I like to look at the flames - said the girl with a gentle smile.

- I don't doubt it - she told her. "What is nightmare for one, is ddream for another"

There was a tense silence like there was so often when they were left alone.

- I received a letter today proposing an engagement ... - she finally said to Lady Cali.

- It might actually be quite funny. -she said, and giggled

- And that's why I refused - She said firmly.

They were silent for a moment again.

- There comes a moment when we will have to leave Carurystal - when the girl said this, her teacher felt a cold sweat pour over her - A philosopher said that life is an eternal homecoming - she continued - Another said that being determinnes consciousness. The few years you spent here have had an impact on you. You're used to this life. A life as comfortable as it is false. If people knew the truth ... though probably many might not believe it. Lady Cala smiled at her. Few saw that this beautiful, delicate face and lovely eyes blue like mountain lakes concealed an eminently alien mind.

- How much time do I have. - she asked resignedly.

- A bit. A couple of months, at least. An independent expedition is being organized to reach a mysterious planet that the inhabitants were to use weapon against the known worlds. Admiral Antares volunteered to lead the expedition. I have to meet this man and get us into this venture somehow ... Maybe it will be better this way. It was very difficult for us to assemble a fleet of sufficient strength without arousing suspicion.

- You are sure that your training is over?/ - she asked, processing the words of her pupil.

Lady Cala laughed out loud.

- I am stronger, smarter, and better educated than anything else I can meet at my destination, and besides, there are forces as old as the universe behind me.

She smiled at the girl's words.

- Such thinking can easily lead to loss. I know something about this.

Lady Cal looked at her thoughtfully for a moment. Then she got up and put her hand on her tutor's shoulder.

- You know ... We are in many ways like mother and daughter. And like all offspring, I want to be in every way a more perfect version of my parent - she kissed her on the cheek. The holographic mask blurred for a moment. Then Lady Cala left the room to go about her own affairs .. Her tutor took the bottle and went to the balcony. That night, he will not sleep anymore. He will listen to the Carurystal's rain.