Chapter 3: Settling In

Keladry's mind buzzed with the possibilities that lay ahead. But before she could dive into her training regimen, the first task was to make her new quarters livable. She studied the map carefully, noting the small kitchen and the four bedrooms, each with its own unique character. The map had provided clear directions, but now it was up to Kel to navigate her surroundings with practicality and ingenuity.

The first room she found was tiny—no more than a closet, really—and it seemed to have been designed for an infant. The next room was obviously for the nanny, a small space connected to the nursery. The third and fourth rooms appeared to be for children of older ages, but their differences were striking. The third room was regal, draped in gold, purple, and red. The rich colors adorned the walls, bedspread, and even the pillows. The room was furnished with elegant, sturdy bureaus, a mahogany desk, and a large closet.

Kel had no hesitation in choosing the third room, deciding it was the best fit for her needs. She began the process of moving her belongings from the hallway near the secret door into her new space. The smell of must lingered in the air, but she was determined to make it her own. The mattress and box spring had a faint odor, so she decided to let them air out while she attended to other matters.

First, she found a set of spare sheets in her trunk and made the bed, stripping away the old, stale linens. Once the bed was made, Kel turned her attention to the walk-in closet. Inside, she discovered a range of clothes—breeches, fine tunics, even page uniforms that appeared to have been abandoned long ago. There were sturdy shoes, boots for riding and running, and workout clothes that were well-worn but useful. Toward the back of the closet, she found men's unmentionables, which she promptly decided to discard. She had no need for them, of course.

Satisfied with her exploration of the closet, Kel moved on to the bureau drawers. There, she uncovered a sizable stack of old assignments, neatly stored away. Kel couldn't resist taking them with her to the library, where she could pore over them later. They might serve as valuable learning tools. After all, her training was just beginning, and every bit of knowledge was essential.

As the day wore on, she felt the weight of exhaustion creeping in, but there was still much to be done. Next, she made her way to the small kitchen she had seen on the map. It was a humble room, but it had everything she needed to start her new life. Attached to the kitchen was a closet filled with cleaning supplies—buckets, mops, brooms, and scrub brushes, as well as several different cleaning agents.

Kel knew that before she could focus on training, she needed to ensure her new home was clean and organized. She selected a large bucket and soap and set about finding water. At the kitchen sink, she discovered an old pump system. After several attempts to get it working, she finally found a can of oil and managed to unstick the handle. It took some time for the water to begin flowing clean, but eventually, the pump worked as it should.

Kel filled the bucket and began cleaning, starting from the hallway and moving through each room. She felt a sense of accomplishment as the dust began to clear. It was hard work, but the physical exertion gave her an unexpected sense of satisfaction. It also reminded her of the washerwomen she had seen in the castle—those women with muscles honed from physical labor. Perhaps, she thought, cleaning her quarters would be an excellent way to start building her strength.

It took Kel four passes through each room to get them into a livable state. The floors were finally clean, the dust had been wiped from the light brackets, and the air smelled fresher. Still, she was far from satisfied. There was more work to be done, but for now, she could rest. She had also allowed the mattress and box spring to air out long enough to make the bed with fresh linens. It was a small comfort, but a welcome one.

After finishing her cleaning, Kel ate a small portion of the food sent from home, along with some of the rolls she kept in her trunk for her sparrows. Her stomach grumbled, reminding her that she would need to figure out a more consistent way to obtain food in the future. Her thoughts wandered to practical matters—shelves for storage, supplies for long-term sustenance—and she realized she would have to buy things that had a long shelf life.

As exhaustion set in, Kel made the decision to read one more journal entry before turning in for the night. She washed up as best as she could using the small lavatory in her room and changed into her nightclothes. She trotted up to the library, retrieving the journal she had been reading earlier. Back in her room, she climbed into bed and began to read.

Kingdom of Tortall
HE 438
Journal Entry Two

I awoke when the bell rang, which was unusual since I am typically up before that horrendous sound. Honestly, everyone who stays at the palace learns to hate that bell eventually. I completed my usual morning routine—stretching and washing up—before the realization of the previous night hit me. My breath caught in my throat as I remembered everything. I was so surprised by the intensity of my reaction that I choked, causing a disturbance that caught the attention of my yearmates.

A pounding on my door followed, along with shouts of, "Hey, Alex! You all right in there?"

I reluctantly opened the door. I had wanted a moment to gather my thoughts, but there was no avoiding breakfast with the rest of the boys. I had to endure another day of training and studies, though my mind kept wandering back to the secret rooms I had discovered. The map-making class, which I had once found tedious, now held an air of excitement for me. It was the one class I looked forward to that day.

I spent the rest of the day enduring the usual lessons—more work, more bruises. By the time I returned to my room that evening, I couldn't wait to begin exploring again. But before I could dive in, I had assignments to finish: writing, mathematics, tactics, mapping, and a chapter on etiquette.

For my mapping assignment, I was tasked with creating a map of either a room from my imagination or a real space in the castle. I chose to map my bedroom, as it seemed like the most appropriate choice for practice. Once the map was partially drawn, I decided to lock my door and retreat to the secret rooms, determined to explore them further.

As I made my way through the hallways and rooms, I documented everything carefully in my map—marking walls, furniture, and fixtures. The library was one of the most captivating spaces, and I couldn't resist listing the books I wanted to add to the shelves. It was an oasis of potential, waiting for more.

But time was running out. The bell rang for lights out, and I reluctantly placed the incomplete map on the desk in the office area. I hid the entrance to the secret rooms before completing my nightly routine. My assignments were ready for the next day, my clothes laid out, and I was as prepared as I could be for the challenges ahead.

Kel made the decision to study the map carefully in the morning. She didn't want to miss a single detail about the rooms she now called home. The next few days would be crucial in determining how she would go about establishing herself in this secret world. How would she acquire food? Who would occupy her old page rooms? She couldn't help but wonder what her parents, friends, and animals thought of her sudden disappearance.

As exhaustion finally overtook her, Kel laughed softly into her pillow, amused at the thought that even though she had disappeared, she was still there with them. They just couldn't see her.

She closed her eyes and drifted into a peaceful sleep.