Back at Declan Manor, the servants were doing their daily chores, all while avoiding a certain room containing a certain female. Fearing their master’s displeasure, they had let the girl remain asleep and kept the chores away from her room. Goelik had been in the shadows most of the morning only coming out when needed. He searched and found Matsey. “You, girl.” he looked down his nose at the female. “Leave these chores to the other servants. I wish you to attend the guest master brought home. She has been resting. Meals have been brought, but I’m sure she’s in want of company.” Matsey protested, “I am not a lady’s maid. I don’t know the first thing about taking care of a mistress.” Goelik sneered, “She is not our mistress. She is just a guest of the master’s. You are younger than the staff, you could better serve the lady. You are quite adept at your work and would be the only suitable servant.” Matsey smiled and agreed. Goelik nodded and disappeared down the hallway. Matsey saw the state the woman was brought in. She was soaked through when the master brought her in. The servants that helped him said she was cold to the touch and if it were not for her chest rising and falling they would have thought her dead. It had been more than a day. The poor girl must be beside herself. No one to talk to. Unsure of where she was. Matsey reflected while she made her way to the lady’s rooms. Matsey had come to the manor’s door looking for work at a young age. Count Declan had taken her in and treated her well. Her task now was to take care of the woman brought in last night. She reached the rooms and entered. The person sleeping in the bed looked like a mere child. She could not have been a woman at all. Everyone must have been mistaken. It was late last night so no one must have seen clearly. Matsey began to clean the room and hum quietly to herself. She failed to notice the girl beginning to stir. Elise watched the girl move about, unaware of her scrutiny. She was older than Elise and moved gracefully around the room. Elise made a noise to alert Matsey that she was awake. Matsey startled and squeaked out a quiet “Oh” which brought a smile to Elise’s face. “Oh, you are awake. I am so pleased. Shall I draw you a bath?” Elise nodded. She was hungry, but knew a bath was needed. Matsey looked to be in her twenties with brown eyes and long brown hair pulled up neatly out of her way on top of her head. The girl was cheerful and made Elise feel happy and at ease. She slid out of bed, but was wobbly at first, making her angry. Elise knew she was strong. What could have caused her to become as weak as a newborn babe? She must be catching a cold. When she was finished bathing, she began to question the girl before her. “Where am I? Who are you?” Elise began stacking questions together trying to gather information about what had happened to her. “Well... my lady, I am Matsey, a servant in the Declan house. You are in the lands of Cagarath, on the eastern border of the Noru.” “Count Declan, oh?” questioned Elise, as she tried to think of who that man was and what he looked like. Was it the same man who brought her here? Elise was not taught much of the land from her father. She knew little outside Kegan besides Ira. She was only allowed to go there with her father once. She knew her town was in the lands of Cagarath but did not know anything else beyond that. She had little need for knowing them. Now she wished she paid more attention. “My lady?” Matsey interrupted her thoughts, “If I am not too forward, what is your name and where are you from?” Elise paused in thought. She was just a blacksmith’s daughter and there was little chance these people were working with the Arots, it could not hurt to give her a bit of information. “I am Elise, daughter of Vistar, blacksmith of Kegan. My father sent me away from the house after the Arots paid him several visits. It would appear they want something from him.” Matsey’s eyes grew big. “Well, my lady, you are safe here at Declan Manor. Count Makraim Declan was charged by the king to find Vistar and bring him here. Hopefully he can be of help to your father. Now, my lady, let us eat and I will answer any question you ask of me, provided you do the same.” Matsey winked and Elise laughed and readily agreed, already at ease with her new attendant. Matsey walked to the bed and pulled a rope calling a servant to the rooms. A knock was heard. “My lady, stay here and I’ll get you some food.” Elise walked to a chair that was set near a fireplace and sat down awaiting Matsey to return to her. She stared at the fireplace thinking of her father and what could have befallen him. She sent a quick prayer up for the safety of her father. Matsey touched her arm startling her. “I didn’t mean to startle you. I’m sorry. I just wanted to let you know there will be a spread of fruit and cold meat cuts for lunch. Are you hungry?” Elise looked up at Matsey. “Please call me Elise. I can’t go by a title. I’m just a blacksmith’s daughter.” Matsey smiled and nodded. They ate and passed the rest of the day in compatible chatter while reading books or walking through the grounds of the manor. Matsey knew her Master would be away two days at the least, four days at the most, and wanted to get acquainted with the girl. “Elise, what books do you like best? I want to make sure I’m brining you the correct things from the library.” Elise looked up from her current book and blushed slightly. “It’s so childish, but I love fairytales and folklore. My father told me stories when I was younger and I remember them as the happiest moments in my lifetime.” Matsey smiled. “Did your mother not read to you?” She regretted her words as soon as she saw Elise’s face darken at the mention of her mother. “My mother passed when I was young. I don’t know if I remember her correctly. There are moments when I feel I get a glimpse of her but these memories slip through my fingers. My father rarely spoke of her and when I would ask he would avoid talking about her. He really loved her and it hurt to relive her memories.” She got up and set the book on a table near the chair. Matsey clucked her tongue. “Well I shall see what other books we have. Count Declan should return today.” Elise’s face brightened. “You’ll want to meet him and I’m sure he wishes to talk with you. It was odd for him to bring a person he doesn’t know into his home.” Elise gave a sheepish grin and the two girls decided it was time for a walk. They were always under the watchful eyes of Goelik, it made Elise uneasy at times. He reminded her of the Arot man who came to see her father. There was something off about him and she didn’t like, nor did she want, to be in his presence. Count Declan returned home around midday, four days after his departure. He was alone, much to the confusion of his household who were preparing for guests who should have been with him. The Count’s thoughts were once again on the beauty in his home. He would question her later. For now, he was tired, and his servants were scarring about, taking care of some miscellaneous task. He took note that one of his servants, Matsey, was missing. He stopped the first person that passed to inquire as to Matsey’s location. “She is with the lady, my Lord.” Came the servant’s reply. “They are probably out taking a walk along the grounds.” This was not so welcome news to Makraim. Matsey was his personal servant. Although he figured Goelik would choose her because of her age. “Very well. Leave word that no one is to disturb me till the morrow. I am in need of sleep, and that girl needs to stay right where she is.” The servant nodded. “Very well, my Lord. No one will disturb you, and I will inform Matsey that the lady is to be kept within the manor.” With that Count Declan nodded and headed off to prepare himself for a rest. Elise and Matsey returned inside and sat on the balcony outside Elise’s room, engaged in conversation. Goelik snuck in to listen to them. Elise’s voice was melodic and drew him in. Her looks trapped his gaze and he found himself drawn to her. During the Second Arots War they were looking for an infant child of power. Surely this was the person, afterall, she had bewitched his master, himself, and, evidently the servants. He wondered if she was the woman the Arots were looking for. She seemed too young but witches possessing black magic could alter their appearance. He snuck to the window to listen further. Matsey was leaning over a table looking at something. Elise shrieked and backed away, leaving Matsey to handle the small mouse that found its way on to the balcony. Matsey began to laugh at Elise, backed up into the corner like she was, until she realized how familiar she had gotten with a guest in her master’s house. She gasped, “Oh I’m so sorry. I have forgotten my place yet again. My master is home and will be cross at me.” Elise looked at her and laughed. “I am just the daughter of a blacksmith. We are of the same station.” Attempting to ease the formality. “Oh no, My Lady. Count Declan brought you here and put you in these specific rooms. You are to be treated as an honored guest.” Matsey got up from the table and looked out to the gardens below. Elise began to wonder why it was he even brought her here. “Matsey, did the Count say anything about me or about the circumstances he met me under? Perhaps how I got here, even?” Matsey turned to her and answered, “No. He brought you here, unconscious and soaking wet from the rain. He left us strict orders to not disturb your sleep, but to make sure you were taken care of when you woke, and then he carried you here to sleep. We were not told of what went on that night, what he was doing there, where he was going, or even who you were. He was on a mission for our King to fetch you and your father. We were preparing rooms for you while he was gone. It was a shock to us to see him back so soon.” Elise watched Matsey. She got up and walked to her friend. “I’m sorry if I’ve caused you trouble. it was unintentional. Come inside. Let me sing for you. It will relax you.” Matsey smiled and walked in the room with Elise. She sat on one of the chairs and listened as Elise began to sing. Her voice was soothing and soon all of problems were forgotten. What language was that? Elise’s voice rose in volume and Matsey’s eyes slid closed. Elise’s voice softened and weaved through the room. Goelik turned and left suddenly remembering that he had much work to do. The servants skirted the room and the hallway all together. It was odd as they were usually in this hallway trying to get a glimpse of the girl. If Matsey were paying attention she would have controlled the situation better, but she was so relaxed. Elise continued to sing and Matsey continued to listen until the song lulled her to sleep. Elise stopped singing and looked at Matsey asleep sitting up in the chair. She turned and walked to the bed and sat down. She shouldn’t have done that, she shouldn’t have sang. Her father always warned her against her singing. Tomorrow would be another day and they could continue their talks. She would remain in the room this time because she really didn’t want to get Matsey in trouble. She smiled to herself at the thought of Goelik walking away from them. She had known he was there and was hoping that he would turn and find something else to do. Matsey stirred. “Elise?” She got up and looked around finding Elise sitting on the bed. Elise smiled at her. “Im sorry. I didn’t realize I was tired. Well now. I believe I said we would have a conversation, did I not?” Elise nodded. “Well then, let us get down to the real questioning.” She sat down eagerly and looked at Elise. Elise’s eyes brightened and she broke out into a huge smile and giggled at her friend. “Ah, very well. What is it you want to know?” Matsey practically jumped out of her chair. “Well, I know your name. But where are you from? Who is your mother? And what exactly are you?” Elise looked at Matsey with confusion. “I told you my mother has passed and my father is the blacksmith in Kegan. What kind of a question is ‘what are you?’ seems an odd thing to ask someone. My allegiance is to King Bilmarath if that is what you mean.” It was Matsey’s turn to look confused. “You mean you don’t know? Elise, you practically radiate with power. It is an untapped power, but you are of a magic origin.” Elise looked at Matsey as if she was mad. “I have no clue what you are talking about.” Matsey shrugged and looked away. “I am a sorceress. That is part of the reason why I am still here now, as a servant. I am useful to the count.” At Elise’s sharp gasp, Matsey looked up into the eyes of a suddenly very angry Elise. Her eyes widened and she raised her arms as if fending away someone. “Oh no! Don’t be angry with him. He has offered me shelter, a job, and nothing more. I am a servant and I offer him my services as a sorceress and nothing more. Being the sorceress I am, I know where my place is now. If I left here I would leave this place without any protection, aside from the Count. He depends on me for protection, for his people.” Elise watched Matsey and figured she wasn’t lying. Elise felt as if she were being watched and looked back into the room. Matsey watched her and misunderstood her look back into the room. “Don’t fret Elise. We are sisters are we not?” Matsey gently touched Elise’s arm. Elise looked back at her friend, “Yes. Yes we are. I will not trouble you further. Just now.” Her voice dropped off and her eyes took on a faraway look. Matsey attempted to shake her back to reality but Elise remained away. “Elise? Elise? ELISE!” Slowly Elise blinked back to reality and stared into the worried eyes of her friend, declared sister. “Oh, I’m sorry. Just now I had the most peculiar sensation. “ She looked back into the room but still saw nothing. Matsey looked up at the sky. “Oh my! Elise, I should prepare you for bed. You need to rest.” The two girls bustled around the room giggling to each other as Elise was prepared for bed. Matsey had become very familiar with the girl and her power washed over her constantly. It did not oppress her, it comforted her, wrapped her in a blanket of warmth. She guessed it was Elise’s attachment to her. The count had no idea, though, she was suspecting Goelik did. She would have to find that rat. Speaking of rats, the mouse should never have been in here either. She would have to speak to Goelik about that, as well. For now she would have Elise ready and keep watch on her and Makraim at the same time. She was his personal servant for a reason. Her station should never have been that of a servant. If it were not a request of her King she would have never lowered herself. “Good night, Mistress.” Elise tried to protest her new title, but Matsey was already out the door. “Ah well, I guess I am tired and should sleep," said Elise. She turned to the painting of the Count again and spoke, “What is it that you want with me?” Her question unanswered, she surrendered to heavy eyelids and fell into a deep sleep. Matsey wound through a labyrinth of corridors and slipped through a back doorway to the servants’ staircase. She made her way though the maze of servants quarters searching for Goelik. She felt him watching them and suspected Elise felt him as well considering she kept looking into the room. She would confront him. She found him in the servants’ kitchen, looking idly through some papers. She approached him and cleared her throat. Goelik jumped and turned toward her with a scowl. “What is it you want, girl?” Matsey curtseyed and figured she would just be blunt and out with it. “Forgive me, but I noticed your presence inside Elise’s rooms. What is it you were there for?” Goelik narrowed his eyes at her, irritated at having been discovered. “Don’t you forget your place. She is your mistress while in this manor, and should be treated as such. You give her too much familiarity. Now, if you must know, I was there checking on you two, making sure that the Mistress has everything she needs.” Matsey bristled at his tone of voice but kept quiet and bowed again. “I am sorry. She spoke so openly with me I had forgotten. She has everything she needs and is soundly sleeping now. I am retiring as well. Good night.” Matsey turned to leave, distrust seeping through her. Goelik watched her go and sighed. What had he gotten himself into? He turned back to his paperwork, going over schedules for the servants and meal plans for the week. Forgotten and unseen at the bottom of the pile lay a letter signed in green ink bearing Sir Garot’s name.

Next Chapter: Chapter 3