Chapter 1:
The Master of Ravenscraig (PAUSED)
Unfortunately; those days are long past.
The Castle still stands as tall as it used to; but has been mostly forgotten by the people of the capital. Forgotten in it's 100 years in solitude after a deadly disease struck the castle walls; and killed off a majority of staff and family.Nowadays, those who are of the Ravenscraig bloodline prefer a simple life. Those who were healthy enough to leave; left for a common life.
"They're renovating the place now, aren't they?" Questioned the man in the carriage.Tawny nudged her hat back up; leaning back into the comforts of straw. Her head rested on her arms; chewing on a singular straw. "Yeah. An order from the Emperor himself."
The man hummed, calling his horse to a complete stop before the gate. "Musta cost ya a coin and a half."
She heaved herself up; grunting as her back popped. She stretched her arms out above her head. "Yeah; but it's not coming from my pockets so it's not my concern."
He grunts in response. "Ya sure you'll be okay here? I could have one of my boys come out and-""Thank you, but I'll be alright."
She hopped off the back of the carriage; and rounded around. She placed a hand to the horse's flank, and followed it up to it's reigns where she began to pet it."Take care of Frogcast for me, yeah?"
The man tipped his hat with a grin. "She'll be fine. I'll bring her back once you've settled in."
A young stableboy handed her luggage to her. "Here you are, miss." The stableboy mounted the carriage from the back; resting back on the hay.
Tawny turned back to towards the moat of the castle. She held her bag in front of her; her eyes scaling up the building; looking at the beauty of the estate.
She exhales; and then marches across the drawbridge. The smack of her flats on the wood was almost melodious."Master Ravenscraig?" A weary old voice called out.
The lady turned. Her eyes shifted from the castle to an old crone the size of a beer barrel.What a tiny woman!
"Ah; forgive me. My eyes aren't what they used to be." The lady walked up, hugging her fancy scarf tighter around her shoulders. She grabbed Tawny's cheek, and felt around. A smile spread across her lips."You have your grandfather's nose. Oh. Silly me. My name is Annamaria. I've been sent by the duke to be the headmaid; should you approve of me." Annamaria gave a little bow; head lowering.
Tawny furrowed her eyebrows. "The Duke?" She withdrew from the old ladies grasp, rubbing her reddened cheek.Not like I can do anything about that. Tawny bit back a groan.
"Very well. How are the renovations going?" She asked; hoisting her luggage up after losing her grip a little."And what of my guest quarters?" She questions.
Annamaria squinted up at the tower of the castle. "Stable. We managed to repair most of the damage. Her highness will find herself very comfortable there.""What else has been fixed?"
"The Kitchen, The Servants Quarters, The Dining Room, The Living Quarters; and the Stables."Awesome. That means over half of the castle is still lain in ruin.
Horses neigh in the distance as hooves pound on soil.A man walked over the drawbridge; and slammed his cane down.
"Her Majesty, Queen Consort Alienor de Blanchet has arrived."The man stepped aside; and a carriage pulled in. This carriage was silver with the fluorescent blue symbol of the Emperor's Insignia.
It came to a stop before the two.The door opened and a women stepped out.
Tawny stared up at her as she descended the steps of the carriage.
"Master Ravenscraig?" Alienor spoke from behind a waving fan.Tawny bowed. "Your Majesty."
I can smell her perfume from here. Citrus. Is that what I smell?
Tawny took the envelope and looked at it. Fancy.
Alienor blushed and covered the lower half of her face with her fan again, fanning herself. "Do not open it here." She stated; face flushed.Tawny froze; watching as the lady ran her eyes up and down her form. Is she sizing me up? She thought to herself.
"..You're a girl." Alienor stated; shifting her eyes from her shoes and then to her eyes.
Tawny raised a brow. "Yes, ma'am."Alienor snapped her fan closed and approached. She placed a hand to her face, and lifted up her chin. Tawny's lips trembled as she watched Alienor's face twist.
"..Good-" She let go of Tawny and shifted away; grasping the ends of her skirt to move. "Miss Ravenscraig, where are the rest of your staff?"
Tawny shook herself from her enamored fantasies; and placed a hand on elderly ladies shoulder; nudging her closer. She held the envelope close to her chest; holding it.
"This is Miss Annamaria, the head maid."
"I'm aware of Miss Annamaria; but where is everyone else?" She questioned."Miss! We're done for the day. Just a few more nooks and crannies to dust; and you're all set!" Called out one of the workers.
Alienor rolled her eyes and muttered "How rude."The old lady gave a smile. "We have sent flyers to the nearby barons for their daughters and sons interested in serving at Ravenscraig. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to inform Master Ravenscraig or myself."
Tawny picked up the twitch in her eye; raising an eyebrow in amusement. She's not going to like country life, is she?"Well! I certainly cannot stand this heat. Master Ravenscraig, shall we enter our new shared abode?" She placed a hand to her stomach and rubbed slightly. "I'm quite famished."
Tawny shrugged and walked over. She heaved one of the suitcases onto her shoulder and looked at the lady. "C'mon then. I'll whip us up something nice."Alienor squeaked as her smaller suitcase was taken from her; Annamaria holding it and following behind Tawny. "Oh- I can carry that, Miss Annamaria."
"Please, call me Anna." She chimed out.Alienor's face softened and a smile slowly spread across her cheeks. "Anna, Master Ravenscraig."Tawny tilted her head back as she heard her name. "Hm?"
"Thank you for having me." Alienor curtsied. "I would like to prepare a dinner for us tonight; if I'm allowed."Tawny turned with a grin, stepping back up the stairs. "Sure, as long as you call me Tawny."
Annamaria opened the front door to the estate; letting the sunlight pour in. They all got their first glimpse inside.Tawny caught a glimpse of a smile on Alienor's face; her own shifting into that of one of disbelief. The many paintings on the walls, the plush of the carpentry on the stairs leading up into both towers; and into many halls.
"Welcome to Ravenscraig Castle, Master Ravenscraig, Miss Alienor."
~
Tawny found herself confused with the different silverware placed in front of her. She picked up a smaller spoon, pressing her tongue in the curve of it. She placed it back down and looked up; meeting gazes with Alienor."I feel terrible putting all that work onto Miss Annamaria. Will she be alright alone?" Alienor gazed back to the kitchen doors; where some steam could be seen coming out the top of it.
Alienor watched her hips as she walked in; her hands clasping tightly in her lap. As soon as Tawny was out of sight; she stands.
This castle paled in comparison to that of the imperial palace. She leaned on her hand; sighing as the night air caressed deep into her frivolous golden locks.
Over the hills, past the rolling fields of farmlands and the towering trees; she spotted a light. Coming; approaching the castle. She squinted; using a hand to block the wind from brushing her hair into her face.
A pebble had struck the framing of the window; descending into the bushes below. She poked her head out; looking around before finally meeting eyes with 3 children.
The little girl pressed a finger to her lips. "Mum is at work! Daddy is..." Her eyes shifted downwards.
Alienor sat up from the frame. "Hold on, it's way too late for you to walk home by yourself."
The girl grumbled and punched her brother in her stomach. "Rude!"
Alienor stared at Tawny's softening face. She tilts her head. The Master of Ravenscraig a commoner?
"Wait- are you going to jump?" Alienor chimed.
"Dodge doesn't like tomatoes. Have Anna leave them out, yeah?" She pushed off the frame; and fell to the ground. She landed; crouched.
Alienor pointed out the window, and looked back at Annamaria who was already placing 3 more plates at the table. "Are they all like this?" She heaved. "She could have died!"
Her eyes shifted to the door where the voices of cheering amazed children drew closer.
"Fools." Annamaria muttered. She squinted across the table at her.
"Why don't you get to know Tawny? That girl has been through a lot. Her tale will be your most interesting tea topic the next time you're in the capital."
After getting the children settled; Tawny went to the head of the table where she sat in her seat. She looked across the table at them.
"So, what were you ladies talking about?" She inquired; grabbing a napkin as she dabbed the corners of her eyes."Crack.. you up?"
"It's a term of phrase. Common Tongue." Annamaria explained; using her hands to point at Tawny. "She uses them quite often."Alienor cleared her throat. "Ehem... Anyways. Tawny, What is your favorite flower?"
Tawny raised a brow. "My favorite flower?" She hummed; scooping some soup into her mouth."I'd have to say Baby's Breath."
"I quite enjoy Mouse Ears." She answered in turn.
~"The Master Ravenscraig! I am Katarin of Caldwall; son of Earl Modwen. I have come as a request to-"
Tawny shrugged off her outer coat and drew it over his shoulders. "Come. Let's discuss the finer details inside. It's far too cold out here."Tawny brought him to her room. "Please sit."
"Ah- yes. Oh." He peeled off the coat; folding it and placing it on his lap. "I will wash this later."Tawny curled her legs under her body. "Thank you. Now. You said your name was Katarin?"Tawny adjusts herself on her seat. She leans over the arm of the loveseat and pulls a blanket from the cushion seat. She drapes it over her legs and slouches against the plush of the loveseat.
"Aye. Tell me about yourself, Sir Katarin.""If I were to appoint you as steward, what would you do first?" Tawny tugged her blanket tighter around her.
Katarin appeared to flail slightly. He sat up; eyes glistening in passion."I would find a money source to help restore the castle to its former glory!""Very well then." She stands up; dragging her blanket with her as she rounded the table between them; holding her hand out to him to shake.
"I'll employ your services here at the castle. You may prove useful yet." Tawny grasped his hand that met hers half-way."Thank you, Master Ravenscraig! I promise to be loyal-"
"Good. Let's head off. I'll show you around." Tawny turned; her blanket swishing behind her much like a cape.Footsteps came tumbling down the corridor. Right as Tawny went to open the door; It burst open.
"Tawny!" Alienor saunted in; her newly appointed Ladies-in-Waiting following behind her.Tawny sighs and backs back up into her room. "I have someone to introduce to you as well."
She plops back down into her chair; crossing her legs under her blankets. Alienor beckoned her entourage into the room from over her shoulder.Alienor held her hand out to the three women behind her.
"This is the Lady Beatrice of Erasmus; daughter of the Witch Janette." A short blonde haired girl stepped up and did a bow.A squeak came from beside her. She turned her head; looking at her newly appointed steward who was fumbling with a nearby vase. "Ah, yes."
Alienor stares at Tawny. She raises her hand. "All of you, out."
The servants left without a word; Katarin stumbling on his way out but surprisingly managing to close the door.As soon as the door shut; Alienor rounded on Tawny. Tawny sunk into the plush of the couch; freezing as breath brushed her ear.
"Keep an eye on my sister tonight. She is not to be trusted." Alienor whispers into her ear."Just-" She sighs into her ear. The coolness of her breath causes shivers to travel down her spine. "Don't tell her anything regarding why I'm here."
"Why would I?" Tawny retorts. "It's my castle."Mumbling could be heard outside the door. "Are- in-" It was barely intelligible.
"Let's just get this over with." Tawny stands straight and moves past Alienor; opening the door to the room once again.
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