((Drabble below the cut for @stalkerelpis ...... this got so out of hand i apologize.))
It was to be Raven’s first Harvest at the manor; a time of year that normally meant stocking up on supplies and settling the roving army down for the cold season. The shift was still something strange for her, but after the past seven months the girl had gotten somewhat used to the goings on of the Baroness’ manor.
Still put off by the guard, Raven did her best to remain unseen and unheard unless she was specifically called on. So of course she thought it odd when the twins came to her wanting to take her with them on their excursion to town.
“Come on, little bird.” Daisy wrapped an arm around the younger girl and hugged her close. Raven didn’t mind so much when they used the nickname she’d somehow acquired. The upper echelon used it to mock her namesake; but the twins took to it with care and compassion.
Her smile, a spite filled reaction to the phrase, was likely seen as a positive sign by the older woman. And as they approached the main gate, the three were beyond relieved to see that the guard on duty was none other than Darren, the twins’ brother.
Delphine put a gentle hand on Raven’s shoulder. “It will be good for you.”
Good…the thought was a bit hard to grasp at this point. Not too much had actually been good since she’d been sold. Raven walked along with the twins toward the cart they were to ride in to town. When polite, she smiled and nodded in conversation, though she tried her hardest to make speaking as rare a thing as possible. Delphine helped the girl up into the cart and settled in beside her; they both knew that Raven had been going through a rough go of things; especially since the Baroness was due to arrive back from her month long journey in just three days’ time.
Their words had been drowned out by the squeak of the cart wheels and the grinding of gravel below, but a repeat of her name had jolted the girl from thought. “Hm?” Raven offered an apologetic smile and shrugged. “I’m sorry, Daisy. What was that?”
“I asked if you were happy that Blue was coming home this week, silly girl.” Daisy’s eyes sparkled with a greater knowing, while Delphine looked on with a more refined curiosity.
It was true that the pair had grown closer, but fear kept all else at bay. Raven had been cornered before, put in undesirable circumstances all thanks to showing some semblance of compassion towards the boy. Only the Baroness seemed to take note at first, calling him to her more frequently and for longer periods of time; something that Raven was ashamed to be even slightly jealous of. So when asked about him, it was hard to control the natural flush of her cheeks.
“Aaw, look at that Del. The girl’s still smitten.”
Raven looked up at the woman a bit sheepishly, trying her hardest not to laugh. “Oh like you have room to talk? How about that gardener, hmm?” A notion which roused a bought of raucous laughter from the three of them.
“I’m going to go ahead and ignore that thought, ladies.” He had been so quiet, that the three almost forgot he was with them. “Instead, why don’t you start figuring out how to best use the limited time we have here. We’re expected back by dinner tomorrow.” A small reprieve, but a welcomed one nonetheless.
As they crested the final hill and the town came into view, Raven actually believed that maybe those two were onto something; bringing her out here very well could have been just the thing to lift her spirits.
The town was bustling at this time of year, with vendors pushing fresh wares and trying to sell off a large portion of stock before the first frost set in some time in the coming months. Raven hadn’t been outside of the castle walls in so long. Spring and summer had come and gone behind the manor walls. As a group, the four made their way down the market street to take note of which vendors had the items all on the Baroness’ list.
As they walked, they gossiped about what the festivities might include this year, what the possible feast would be, and other menial things. All the while, Raven just couldn’t help but imagine seeing Blue again. She had missed their late-night talks and the casual meetings around the grounds. Of everyone in the estate he was the closest to her. She remembered the night before he was to leave; they’d spent the entire time they should have been sleeping laying together on the roof of the stables and stargazing. It was one of the few things keeping her sane in the weeks during his absence.
With Blue gone, she’d been getting much more attention than she wanted from the guards. And Raven was sure that was somehow part of the Baroness’ reasoning.
Through the wandering thoughts, Raven managed to help get everything settled for the day. It was her job to seek out the tailor and haberdasher; special gowns and whatnot had been placed on order that were due to be retrieved. “I will do as Mistress says,” she mumbled to herself as she broke from the group to complete her tasks.
Out of all things, the shopping had taken the least amount of time. Delphine knew how to haggle, and nobody would mess with them when Darren was around. So having everything done in one afternoon was more than acceptable. So when night rolled around and the four of them found themselves at the inn, Darren was more than willing to make sure that there was plenty of room for each of the girls to get a good night’s rest on a real bed for once. It was perhaps the single kindest gesture of the day.
Raven actually slept quite well that night, all things considering. When dawn broke, none of the party wanted to return despite knowing that they had to.
The ride home seemed to pass much slower than anticipated, with nobody really talking and everyone just wishing that they could have stayed as they were for one more day.
But that was not the case. They all had to return to their stations in kind, following orders and growing more and more weary by the day. Darren offered the girls a small smile as they re-entered the estate grounds. He hated not being able to fully protect them.
After depositing the crates and goods they had picked up to the manor’s concierge, Darren saw the girls to their quarters.
“Take care of each other,” he whispered, looking back over his shoulder as he did so. “Unrest is common while the head of house is away.”
Delphine nodded, taking each of the other two by the arm and ushering them back in towards their usual resting spot. Meal preparations would need to begin soon, and they had cleaning up to do.
The entire estate was in a buzz; it was the day of the Baroness’ return, and everything had to be in perfect condition for her. Not a single flower petal was to be out of place. The twins had already been called to other parts of the manor, so it had been no surprise to Raven for her to be summoned as well.
“Girl, you’ve been ordered to help prepare our Lady’s washroom.” The guard had a bit of a grin on his face, but that was more normal than anything. With brisk steps matching his, she followed his lead towards where she knew where the Mistress’ suite was.
But as they rounded the corner, the guard forced her against the wall, gauntlet raised to come down hard across her face. As his body pressed closer, the stench of stale wine practically seeped from his pores. “Not so lucky this time, little bird. No Stalker to keep you hidden now.” And that’s when it dawned on her that this was the very same guard who had given her trouble in her first week.
Raven wanted to scream, but when she opened her mouth to do so the guard took that as an invitation. She froze, completely. Her cheeks were hot with tears; she’d been tricked. There was no summons. No word from the Baroness.
She wouldn’t allow this, not when she’d fought so hard to stay positive through all of the torment and trials of her new life. Raven found her strength, bringing her knee up squarely in the center of the guard’s groin and wriggling out from the trapped position. At a full sprint, she made her way back towards the main foyer where there were sure to be other people. Sparing a glance over her shoulder, she could see that he wasn’t chasing her. Odd, but Raven wouldn’t question it. When another slave came into view, she slowed to a walk to avoid any reprimanding.
What good timing, too. Not ten minutes after she’d caught her breath, the main doors opened with a fanfare announcing the return of the Mistress and her entourage.
Raven’s heart leapt; she scanned the small group as they exited the caravan of carriages with boxes and crates in tow.
Finally, the Baroness herself exited with the few footmen she required at all times on long journeys. Blue.
He looked worn, and Raven wondered how badly the trip had treated him. It was hard but she hung back, not wanting to get in the way or draw any undue attention to herself. But when their eyes met, his slight smile warmed her from the core.
Thankfully, the night sky was to be quite clear that evening.
