"Thank you for the continued support of the Landskyp in these troubled times in Lerwick. I assure you the money and machinery you have sent and are continuing to send are of immeasurable assistance, improving the lives of the citizens every day. The mud is still a treacherous hazard and we urge everyone to stay away for the time being"
---- from a missive sent to the Landskyp from the Lederan of Lerwick
Lunchtime had arrived, Alexandra had brought the meal that Selene helped her prepare up to Arportia's room. Her ladyship eyed the dish with suspicion, then took some tentative nibbles, then ate the whole meal seeming pleased. Removing the now cleaned plate, Alexandra resented every motion her muscles made in serving this girl. She bit her lip though, hundreds of insults just teeming behind her teeth dying to get out. Back-stepping again, never turning her back on her new master, Alexandra shut the doors. She took a deep breath to try to calm herself down; she was just relieved to be out of the room.
Selene was waiting for her outside in the hall, "you're doing just fine; you'll fit in just fine."
"I don't plan to fit in," Alexandra was determined on that point, "I'm not this girl's slave, no one here is."
"If you don't do as you're told you get hurt. The guards enjoy this lifestyle, they won't turn against the Lederan or disobey him."
"I won't let my friends suffer this fate, it's my fault we're here, I'll get them out."
Selene sighed, a flicering remember of her own hopes long since dashed away.
"Don't dream for long, those dreams only turn bitter and make your time here worse. Just try to serve and accept it, you'll at least survive this way."
"We left the slums," muttered Alexandra, "I didn't think we'd end up in an even worse place. Things were looking up for once, and then this..." tears welled up in her eyes.
"Don't," Selene bent over and used her sleeve to wipe Alexandra's face, "don't do that. You're here now, just be happy that the Lederan chose to spare you all. It may not be ideal, but life is better than nothing."
"Anything I think is better than this."
Guilt racked Alexandra's heart, images of her friends never-leaving her mind.
"Now that lunch is done," Selene just continued, "I'll teach you about her ladyship's dinner. Your regular routine will begin tomorrow."
Dusk was settling over Lerwick, dinner time had arrived all too soon. Alexandra had spent the time between lunch and dinner in the kitchen with Selene, reluctantly learning some finer points about cooking and her ladyship's favorite dishes. Alexandra did not want to learn in the slightest, but she did not want to reflect badly on Selene, so she learned without complaining.
Arportia finished her meal and leaned back in her chair with a blissful sigh, "that was excellent. I chose you well puppy."
Alexandra's hands shook. "Is there anything else I can do for you this evening."
It wasn't really a question, Alexandra forced the words out.
Arportia looked her over for a moment before deciding. "No, nothing this evening. I enjoyed my meal so much you can go rest now as a treat. I expect breakfast at half before dawn. Go learn it from Selene asit is your responsibility from now on now that daddy's let me take you out of the room. Oh, be prepared for a full fun day of work, your first real day. I hope you enjoyed your easy warm-up. I tire now," she yawned, "be gone."
With a hand wave, she was dismissed.
Taking the plate back, Alexandra was thankful that nothing else would be required of her and she left the room as quickly as possible without making it look like she was hurrying to do so. Closing the large doors again, she trudged slowly back down the hallway towards the kitchen where she had left Selene. When she arrived back at the kitchen, stepping through the wooden doors, she saw a big smile on Selene's face.
"Did she like it? How did it go?"
"She said it was excellent." Alexandra did not want to please Arportia.
Selene was ecstatic, "that's great! Oh you're doing so good! What does she want us to do now?"
"She said she was tired and I could go rest," Alexandra repeated her instructions, then added under her breath, "spoiled little brat."
"Oh she is feeling so generous today! She must really like you. I am so happy for you, you're going to do great."
Alexandra was getting tired of hearing that. "I told you: won't be here for long."
"Tomorrow," Selene ignored her comment, "the day will start early with breakfast, I'll show you how to prepare that. Then the ladyship usually enjoys brushing her hair, well, will enjoy you brushing her hair. An morning stroll around the residential wing is usually next, followed by lunch. She then tends to read on the veranda, you will be present the entire time. When she has read enough she usually then turns down for an afternoon nap after her bath."
Alexandra's brow knitted, this was a step too far.
"I'm not bathing her."
"You're her maidservant, it is what maidservants do. Anyway, after she awakes, she then maybe strolls the rest of the palace. That is the only time the soldiers will allow you outside this residential wing, when accompanying her. Then dinner, then usually bed. Of course, her ladyship could decide to do anything at any time, nothing is set in stone. You will be with her for the moment you wake up to whenever she falls asleep, only then can you leave her side. You are responsible for her every whim and wish. It's tiring work, but you're bright, you'll survive. Also, I'll always be around if you need anything. Being the head of all the servants in the residential wing, I'm always rushing about."
The way this woman had accepted her new life disgusted Alexandra, but she could at least see where she was coming from.
"I haven't seen any other servants the whole time I've been here." Alexandra realized she had only seen two people other than herself the entire time she had been out of her room.
"Most of the other servants do not come up this far, unless they are cleaning. You see, her ladyship and the Lederan like the halls this close to their rooms quiet. Most of the servants are cleaning, preparing food, and everything else their duties require downstairs, where the Lederan's advisers and most of the guards live. They're all nice people too, you'll love them. Sadly though, your duties won't have you working with them much."
"Selene," Alexandra told her, "you are a very kind person, but for the last time: I won't be staying long. I'll get my friends out, and you."
Selene brushed the statement aside just like earlier, "come on, I've got you a proper bed in your room now. Let's get you tucked in and resting for the night."
She could not deny that the idea of a real bed was certainly appealing.
"Okay." Alexandra decided to not give an attitude and just follow for now.
There was nothing she could tonight anyway, she was still trying to figure this whole palace out. Besides, she was way too tired and sore from consecutive nights sleeping on the stone floor to take any action. Arportia's life was so different than Alexandra's had been, it was almost like they were from different worlds, she had trouble understanding what kind of person Arportia even was the gap was so wide.
She gladly followed Selene back towards her room, the black cell she had been imprisoned in for days. Arriving there, she found the floor now had a throw rug on it, there were candles in holders against the walls, and a wooden bed with several thick and warm blankets was in the center of the room. It almost looked inviting, it almost looked like it could be home.
Stepping inside, she slipped her shoes off, pulled back the covers and laid her weary head down. Selene blew out the candles one by one, and for a moment, Alexandra could pretend she was at home with her mother making sure she was safe for the night.
No.
She was a prisoner.
She was trapped.
It was her fault her friends were here.
It was all her fault.
She could not get angry at Selene though, she was a kind woman, someone Alexandra liked despite the circumstances. She was just someone who was trapped and powerless themselves trying to help her, she could not fault her for that. The blankets did feel warm though, they felt safe, welcoming. She let them wrap around her in a fuzzy cocoon and closed her eyes.
"We'll start early tomorrow"" Selene whispered as she left, "tomorrow is the beginning of an eternity for you, please rest."
Alexandra was already asleep. It was probably the fatigue, probably the stress, but Alexandra slept very soundly that night.
Morning came too soon. A sudden knocking upon her door brought Alexandra out her peaceful sleep and crashing back to the waking world. It was Selene, she was already in the room lighting the candles, trying to rouse her charge. She quickly lit all three candles and pulled the covers back.
Alexandra blinked, it was very early, probably way too early for anyone to be awake. Her body begged for just a few more minutes of sleep, but she knew that would never be a possibility here.
"Wake up, wake up, time to start the day." Selene was a flurry of activity.
Alexandra blearily wiped the sleep from her eyes. "It's too early, even for slaves."
"You need to have her ladyship's breakfast prepared before she wakes, she likes it waiting for her. We need to get you dressed as well."
"Dressed?" Alexandra was confused, she was still wearing the clothes she had arrived in.
"That attire won't do for the maidservant of the Lederan's daughter, no, we have something else that'll look just splendid on you."
Playing dress-up was not something Alexandra wanted to entertain.
"These are fine." it was a sad truth that Alexandra did desperately need new and better clothes, but she did not want to accept anything from these people.
"No, we have something else for you. One of the lower-floor maids whipped it up last night, it's simply beautiful. Now come on, get up, there's lots to do."
Alexandra forced her legs to move and swept her feet out of bed and planted them on the cold floor. Selene had gone to fetch her new clothes; Alexandra just sat on the side of the bed waiting for her. She thought of making a break for it then, but she had no plan, no way to rescue the others.
"Better to observe, look for the best way out," she told herself.
She would have to endure, at least for a little while, playing the part of the dutiful maidservant. As much as she hated it, it was the best way to learn the ins and outs of the little fortress they were now all trapped in. Her eyes were still only half-open, there were no windows nearby but she guessed it was still dark outside.
The sound of footfalls on the carpet told her that Selene had returned with her outfit. Sweeping into the room, Selene proudly held it up for her to see. She had not been lying, it was simply beautiful just like she said. A one-piece dress, made of purple velvet. The short sleeves were just a little puffy, giving them life, so they just did not hang on the arm. The bottom came down to just above her ankles and had a delicate weave pattern of the finest hemming. It came down in a slight 'v' in the front, just a tiny bit of white lace decorating the inside of it. The middle had a piece of purple fabric wrapped around it that formed a large bow in the back. It was one of the most exquisite dresses that Alexandra had ever seen, it even rivaled those that the nobles wore.
She could not believe that this is what they wanted a maidservant to wear. She also could not believe the design and construction of it, someone had worked very hard in a very short amount of time to put this together for her. She was forced to keep her mouth closed and her eyes focused, lest she betray how much she actually loved the dress.
"It's...nice," Alexandra did not want to disappoint Selene and made the words come out as naturally as she possibly could..
"See? I told you it was beautiful. Go on, put it on, we have to hurry and start making breakfast for the Lederan and her ladyship."
Selene closed the door and waited outside as Alexandra put on her new uniform. She unlaced the piece of string on the side of her skirt and let it fall freely to the floor. Pulling on the front of her blouse to loosen it, she slipped one arm out then the other and deposited it on the floor as well.
She paused for a moment looking at the dress. It was beautiful, it was wonderful. It was something she wanted to wear. It was also a symbol now of her captivity, a symbol of her subservience. Alexandra shook her head, there was nothing she could do at the moment, no matter how much she just wanted to fight the guards and get out.
Plucking the dress up off the bed, she slipped it over her head and let it fall down on her. She wiggled her arms through the short sleeves and then finally pushed her head through the top. Adjusting her pendant so that it did not hang center and show, she let the dress settle on her body. It was perfect, it fit her like a glove. She was amazed at just how perfect the sewing was and how good of a fit it was. She was surprised that someone she had never seen before had made this so exact. It was comfortable, it made her feel beautiful, it made her feel sad. With a sigh of resignation, she opened the door and presented herself to Selene.
"You are so beautiful!" the older woman clasped her hands together in front of her, "it is just wonderful for you!"
"I guess," Alexandra decided to try to not give any attitude to Selene, who had been nothing but good to her since she arrived.
"Okay, come quickly now to the kitchen, there is much to prepare."
Arportia's breakfast specifications were much like her others: a small loaf of bread, some jam and crackers, a small bowl of pudding, a half-glass of wine, and a small cup of water. Learning how to prepare it from Selene, Alexandra completed the meal. She took it on a silver platter back up three stories to Arportia's room. She looked at the doors with hatred as she approached, behind them was the giver of her torment, the personification of her misery now.
She gently knocked on the door. No answer.
Alexandra then cautiously opened the door and entered. Standing in the room, she could see Arportia was still asleep on her huge bed, engulfed in volumes of satin sheets. Alexandra had the notion to smother her then and there.
No, that would not do, she was not that person.
She knew she had to come up with a better plan than that. She was about to speak up and attempt to wake her when she remembered Selene words: she liked to have her breakfast prepared before she wakes. So Alexandra waited, and waited. She remained still in the center of the room, holding the tray, waiting for Arportia to wake. It must have been twenty minutes before Arportia began to stir. Alexandra did not want to see or talk to her, but found herself relieved, she could finally put down the tray and get to the rest of the horrible day.
Arportia rubbed her eyes, rolled over once and twice before finally turning her gaze to Alexandra.
"There you are for me when I wake my little doll," she smiled, "and look at you, you look superb. I just want to play with you in a dollhouse."
Alexandra was thoroughly confused and a little freaked out as a shiver ran up her spine. "Breakfast," she murmured.
"Set it next to me on the nightstand."
Alexandra stepped over and placed the tray down as instructed. Arportia took the bread and began nibbling at it.
"You can wait in the corner until I'm done," she was told.
Alexandra retreated as told to a corner near the door. She wanted nothing more than to smack the bread from her hand, but she knew she had to play along and appear to be no threat. Arportia ate most of the crackers and jam, then gulped down the entire glass of wine, barely touching the water. She dabbed her lips with the napkin and got out of bed to begin the day, a day Alexandra dreaded.
Sitting down at her vanity, she coughed to let Alexandra know she was required. Recalling the daily schedule Selene had gone over in meticulous detail repeatedly, Alexandra went over and took up the brush from the vanity. It was had a solid ivory handle embedded with emeralds. For a moment she pictured herself hitting the spoiled princess over the head with it and knocking her head in, but got the better of those feelings and stopped them before they became actions. She gently began to brush Arportia's hair.
Looking in the mirror of the vanity, she hated herself, she hated seeing her serve this person. It was bad enough she had to do it, but in front of this tell-all mirror, she had to watch herself do it. After half an hour, Arportia motioned for her to step back, which she gladly did. Her ladyship then dressed in a satin pink gown and was ready to properly begin this day that Alexandra dreaded. She followed Arportia as she crossed the corridor and went up to the top flight of stairs.
Alexandra stayed back as Arportia greeted her father, the Lederan, the only person Alexandra hated more at the moment than Arportia. The daughter spoke briefly with her father, the vile Lederan seemed pleased that his daughter was having fun with the new toy he had gotten her. After a brief talk, in which they hugged, the Lederan breezed past them on his way downstairs to go rule, to inflict more pain on his town. Alexandra memorized the fastest way to the Lederan's room, in case she would need it later. Arportia then walked the halls as exercise Alexandra supposed.
By the time they were finished, it was lunchtime. Arportia retreated to her room while Alexandra walked alone back to the kitchen to make the meal. She was thankful though that as a maidservant she did not have guards following her every step, it was nice to be able to walk around unhindered. Of course, that was only as long as she did not leave the residential wing.
Selene was not in the kitchen, she was probably in the main hall attending to the Lederan himself. Alexandra remembered her lesson from the previous day and made Arportia's lunch. Placing the dish on yet another silver platter, she made her way back up to spoiled brat's room. The Lederan's daughter ate at her vanity, admiring herself while Alexandra stood quietly in the corner again like a proper servant.
The lunch was followed by Arportia sitting on a beautiful gold half-couch on a veranda that was near the top floor. It looked out over the town far below, a brown spot of despair, surrounded by a sea of mud. Up here though the air was clean and the sun was shining.
Under the shade of an umbrella that opened itself with the touch of a button on its golden base, Arportia laid herself down on the couch and began reading. Alexandra glimpsed a look at the cover: it was a romance book. Alexandra knew how to read because her mother had tried very hard to teach her the best she could before she passed. Of course, being Oonskat in the slums, they had never owned any books. Once in a while in the Market District, Alexandra had stolen a short read of a book at one of the stalls when no one was looking.
She felt a twinge in her chest. She wanted to read a book, she wanted to be taken away to a different world, if only for a little while. She was not sure what kind of books she would like though. Drama? History? Comedy? Mystery? Tragedy? Romance? So many different types of books she longed to read and discover, if only she ever could.
They stayed up there for several hours past lunch, Arportia getting at least a quarter through the book. She seemed to be enjoying the story as far as Alexandra could tell. When her ladyship had had enough of reading for the day they returned to her room.
This was the part of the day that Alexandra had been dreading the most: Arportia's bath. She did not want to bathe someone else, let alone her captor. She was aware that it was still custom in some of the older or snobbier Noble Houses, but she thought it was just weird. Drawing the warm bath by turning the ivory handles on the steam pipes that ran up through the floor, Alexandra followed Arportia's instructions on how she liked the tub. She was instructed to take a jar of what looked like small pebbles from the nearby wooden shelf and dump some in. When she did they bubbled up and made a foam on the surface of the water! It was one of the most peculiar things she had ever seen. Did all the rich people take such extravagant baths?
The look of surprise and wonderment must have been evident on her face because Arportia laughed a little. "It's called a bubble bath silly."
"It's... it's just, I've never seen it before," she stammered, before realizing she had just spoken friendly to the object of her hatred, she regretted it instantly. She screwed her mputh shut even tighter, grinding her teeth.
Arportia undressed and settled herself in the tub. Alexandra tried to not look as much as possible as she scrubbed her down. She had to sit at the head of the bath and lather shampoo on Arportia's hair and massage her scalp. She hated it. She felt disgusting. She felt weird. Arportia loved it for her part. When she felt relaxed and clean enough, her ladyship decreed the bath over and changed into a new pink satin dress. She then settled in for her afternoon nap and Alexandra could have a moment of peace to herself.
Trudging down the hall, she found her room and plopped herself down on the bed, her feet aching from all the standing she had to do. It felt as though a rain cloud was hanging over her head and it would not move on. It just followed above her, absorbing light, absorbing hope. She must have stayed sitting on the bed, just staring at the floor for an hour or more. Heaviness was weighing more and more on her heart, she still had not seen or come up with a good way to escape.
The shrill steam whistle at the top of the door broke her from her thoughts. She was wanted; her torment would begin again. Alexandra was angry, angry at herself. She had taken everyone on this journey, her selfish desire to find out about her father had placed her friends in danger and brought them to this horrible place. Life was terrible in the slums but at least they were together and could survive. Here, there was no guarantee of that now, life had only gotten worse it seemed. They had only been in Lerwick now for about a week and already it seemed like an eternity.
"They must hate me," she thought, "how could they not after what I've done."
Picking herself up again, she wearily and unhappily ascended back up to Arportia's room. Her ladyship had awoken from her afternoon nap and was ready to resume the day. This part Alexandra was actually looking forward to: she would be able to leave the residential wing. Without saying a word, she fell into step behind Arportia as they descended the flight of stairs all the way down to the main hall.
The doors were opened for them, and the guards nodded in respect to the Lederan's daughter as they entered the hall. The last time she was here, Alexandra had still been with her friends; this is where she had been parted from them. The Lederan was on his throne, flanked by guards. Before him was a peasant apparently begging for relief from the conditions in town; the Lederan was laughing at him and had the soldiers throw him out.
They crossed the hall at the midway point and entered the other side of the building. Alexandra did not know where they were going, but she was just thankful for different surroundings at least. The other wing of the former town hall was not as nice as where the Lederan and his daughter lived, but it was still thousands of times better than the townspeople of Lerwick were forced to live in, trapped by their sadistic leader.
Ascending another flight of stairs, they came to another veranda, one that looked out onto the same courtyard Arportia had showed her the day before.
"We're just in time!" Arportia was giddy. "This balcony has a much better view than mine."
Alexandra looked below and her heart nearly stopped with what she saw. A guard was leading a manacled Zooey out into the middle of the open courtyard. She looked pretty bruised and banged up, fresh cuts over her arms and legs.
They reached the center of the courtyard and the soldier shackled her right leg by a small chain to a solid metal ring bolted into the ground. Unbinding her hands, the guard handed her a wooden sword...which she promptly swung at him and hit him hard on the shoulder. The other guards that were leaning up against the stone walls of the courtyard laughed and chastised their fellow. Zooey looked around the courtyard, it was hard for her to see; the walls and floor were a white stone, it reflected the sunlight in her eyes. She looked up to give her eyes a momentary break from the bright white, and that's when she saw Alexandra.
Alexandra started, she was terrified to look her friend in the eye. It was her fault that Zooey was suffering this. It was her fault she was being hurt. But the look in Zooey's eyes was not that of anger or condemnation, it was relief. It was a relief that her friend Alexandra was still alive and okay.
A small smile now her face, Zooey brought her gaze back level and readied for the inevitable onslaught. One soldier came running at her, sword raised, feet moving at top speed. Zooey side-stepped his downward blow and used his own momentum to push him over, causing him to hit and roll painfully on the stone. The next soldier tried to jab her at a distance with his own wooden practice sword, but she twisted her body and avoided the attack. Bringing her own sword down with all her might, she snapped the piece of wood out of the man's hand an sent him scampering away to the laughs of his friends. The third fared no better, Zooey got the first swipe in an sent him to the ground with a mighty hit. The fourth though deflected her swipe and got a solid hit on her sword, causing her to sweep it awkwardly and then trip because of her shackled foot. The guard saw this and brought his weapon into an upswing, catching Zooey's thigh and sending her twirling to the ground.
Alexandra wanted to call out to her friend, to jump down there and help her, but she knew any action she took would probably make it worse right now. She was also ashamed. She did not think she could face Zooey, it was her fault that Zooey was suffering as she was. She would not have any words to apologize with, how could she? Alexandra just looked at the ground, unable to bring her eyes up to see Zooey.
Captain Ousterborth appeared and called the practice session to an end. This was a kind of entertainment for the guards Alexandra would later learn by talking to Selene. The guards would place bets on who would be the first one to get a hit on their prey. As soon as one did, they threw Zooey back in a cell and the lucky guard who did manage to connect his sword with her collected his winnings. Two guards unshackled her leg and dragged a kicking and cursing Zooey away.
Alexandra could not move, she was stuck in a moment, tears freely falling down her cheeks. She suddenly felt a finger on her face. It was Arportia, she had caught a tear with her finger and put it in her mouth. Alexandra jumped back, startled out of her thoughts. This girl she was now forced to serve was strange, and equally was cruel.
"I thought that was great fun," Arportia said nonchalantly. "I guess though you're too much of a spoiled-sport to enjoy any of that; you look a bit sad. Whew, enough sport! I'm getting tired already. Time for dinner in a little bit."
Silently, Alexandra followed behind back down the stairs, through the main hall, and back to the residential wing. Alexandra was dropped off at the kitchen so she could start preparing dinner while her ladyship went back to her room, still happy from watching her father's guards practice on their live target.
Alexandra prepared dinner in a daze, she could not shake the images of Zooey getting beaten down out of her thoughts, Zooey's eyes haunting her. She finished preparing dinner, waited until it was time, and brought it on another silver platter up to her master's room. Arportia enjoyed dinner, then turned in for the night, telling her maidservant again that she thought she did wonderfully, and that she was born to be a servant.
With her ladyship quietly asleep, Alexandra had to resist the urge again to smother her with one of her many fluffy pink pillows. The idea of murdering someone distasteful to her, Alexandra had nothing left to do but return to her room and get ready for another equally-terrible day. Her bed was not so inviting tonight, the pressures of the day and what had happened to Zooey were getting to her. She slipped under the covers, her purple dress neatly arranged on a chair to the side. Alexandra closed her eyes and told herself she had to sleep, she had to rest for tomorrow's work: the work of being a slave and trying to devise a way out of there.
The next day went the same as the previous. Wake up, prepare breakfast, brush hair, walk around, prepare lunch, stand while Arportia reads, bathe her ladyship, rest, stand on the balcony and watch the guards practice on Zooey until they finally knock her down, prepare dinner. The same horrible day just repeated itself.
The worst part was watching Zooey be forced to be entertainment. She was tough, and fought hard every time, but trapped in the middle of the courtyard, she always lost. One guard would always find a way through her furious defense and get a good hit in. Every day, the bruises were worse than the last. Alexandra could no nothing but watch, being forced to be there as Arportia had a giddy time.
Selene told Alexandra what a wonderful job she was doing, how proud she was of her newest charge. She said that Alexandra was working out better than any other maidservant they had tried. But, she hated the compliments, she burned inside. She wanted nothing more than to walk out the doors with her friends, then turn around and burn this place down. She wondered if Luca and Sophia were still okay. She wondered if Haespethis, Berule and little Burule were okay in town. Life was miserable there, but at least they did not have to watch what Alexandra saw every day.
Living in luxury at the Lederan's hall made her captivity even worse, it reminded Alexandra every second of the misery in the town of Lerwick below. At night she took off her beautiful purple dress, set it nicely on the chair, and got into bed. The bed was comfortable and warm, and Alexandra hated it for it. She did not want to be comfortable, she wanted out, she wanted to just get away as far as possible. Eventually sleep overtook her again and for awhile at least she was able to leave her troubles behind.
The next day went the same as the previous two. Wake up, prepare breakfast, brush hair, walk around, prepare lunch, stand while Arportia reads, bath her ladyship, rest, stand on the balcony and watch the guards practice on Zooey until they finally knock her down, prepare dinner. The same horrible day just repeated itself again. Alexandra had to work harder to contain her tears as once again she was forced to watch Zooey fight. Her friend still was fighting hard, her fiery temperament shining through as faced down her attackers, but she was tiring, her moves were slower.
This time, the third soldier was the one to bring her down, not the fourth like the day before. He caught her with an unexpected side swing and cart-wheeled her over to the ground. Alexandra could no nothing but watch, being forced to watch as Arportia had a grand time, laughing with each move.
Selene told Alexandra what a wonderful job she was doing, how proud she was of the her newest charge. She said that Alexandra was working out better than any other maidservant they had tried, better than most of the servants in the building in fact. She hated the compliments, she burned deeply inside. She wanted nothing more than to walk out the doors with her friends, then turn around and burn the place down and watch everyone inside turned to dust. She wondered if Luca and Sophia were still okay. She wondered if Haespethis, Berule and little Burule were okay down in the mud-choked town below. At night she took off her beautiful purple dress, set it nicely on the chair, and got into bed. She pulled back the covers and sadly got in. She was angry at how comfortable she actually was, she could only imagine how Zooey, Sophia, and Luca must be for sleeping accommodations. Her eyes closed and in a moment she was fast asleep.
It seemed the cycle would repeat itself again and again.
"Wake up!"
Alexandra jumped, someone was shaking her shoulder. It was dark, she could not see, but someone was standing over the bed.
"Wake up sleepy!" It was Arportia's voice.
"What? What is it?" Alexandra was groggy.
What could she want at this time of night? The fact that her new master had come to a servants quarters was unsettling, this girl who had someone else do everything for her.
"Hurry up!" Arportia threw the dress on the bed and waited impatiently for her to put it on.
Even though it was pitch black in the room, Alexandra did her best to put the dress on while still in bed, conscious of Arportia watching her. Once she was dressed, she slipped her shoes on and stood up. Arportia grasped her hand and hauled her out the door. Alexandra was very confused and could just do her best to keep pace with Arportia as they flew down the hallway and then the stairs. Coming out into the main hall, the guards quickly bowed as she passed. She dragged Alexandra across the hall and they entered the opposite wing and began ascending the stairs there.
"The guards!" Arportia could barely speak as they ran, excitement filling her voice, "they decided to have a night game!"
Alexandra's heart sank.
A night practice. A practice. That meant Zooey would be subjected to more humiliation and pain that day. She did not think she could stand to see anymore, this time it would break her heart completely. Seeing it once in a day was enough to give her nightmares, twice might break her down inside completely.
Arriving on the balcony, Alexandra could already here the impact sounds of wooden swords on each other as they burst outside. The moon was bright, all hope was gone of them not being able to see the morbid spectacle below. Arportia reached the end of the balcony and leaned on the stone handrail, Alexandra reluctantly took her place at her side. The urge to push her off was stronger than ever, but Alexandea clenched her hands and kept them at her sides.
Far below, Zooey was already fighting the guards as they came at her one by one. Manacled once more to the center of the courtyard by a heavy chain, Zooey was doing her best to avoid their jabs and slashes while delivering thundering blows of her own, sending her attackers reeling back. Zooey was tired, she was hurt, but she was determined to not let these monsters get the better of her. Alexandra bit her lower lip hard, she had to do something to keep herself from screaming.
Her fault.
"Because of me," her own voice condemned her in her thoughts.
It was strange though, Alexandra could not see any bruises on her friend now. She had many previously in the day, but now there was no evidence of them. Alexandra frowned, it was strange, Zooey looked as good as new even though she knew she had been put through many beatings. Her clothes did looked worn though, they still bore the impact marks and cuts of countless wooden swords connecting with it. Her blouse was torn, it was not even modestly covering her anymore.
The soldiers were laughing, drinking ale; they were having a great fight and getting a free peep show at the same time. Zooey sent another one to the ground with a downward swing that him the man in the neck and sent him flying.
"Come on!" she raged, hitting another one in the gut, "come on you cowards!"
Alexandra smiled, she was proud. Zooey was putting up a fearsome fight; she looked healthy and her fighting spirit was in full-force. She was fighting very well too, better than Alexandra had ever seen her do so before. She was expertly dodging attacks while delivering well-placed ones herself. Alexandra stood next to Arportia and watched as she took down close to a dozen half-drunk guards. Finally one guard managed to get by her swing and swung at her arm. His wooden sword cut her skin, sending blood spattering to the ground below.
"Zooey!" Alexandra could not hold it inside any longer.
Looking up to see her friend, Zooey rallied and lunged at the guard. Her sword caught him square in the chest and knocked the wind right out of him. He wheezed before falling back unconscious on the ground.
"Enough," Ousterborth appeared on the scene, "it's late. I'm tired of this racket. Take her back inside and everyone hit the bunks!"
Zooey was once again dragged out of the courtyard by two guards. Even her insults and curses seemed livelier this time as they hauled her away. Alexandra was worried about her friend, there was not a lot of blood on the ground, but the fact it was there at all turned Alexandra's stomach.
Arportia was disappointed the fight was over and told Alexandra they were going back to the residential wing.
Alexandra had to make sure Arportia was comfortably in bed before she could head for hers. Finally her ladyship settled down and was asleep and Alexandra was free to return to her own bed. Each step hurt, she was tired, and she knew she had to wake up in only a few hours to begin preparing breakfast. She also hurt, hurt from seeing Zooey out through what she had just seen, knowing that it was all because of her. She entered her room and just fell down on her bed. Not bothering to take her dress off, she was out in a moment, a fitful sleep overtaking her.
The next day came too soon, the same horrible day just repeated itself all over again before her eyes. She had actually been eager for the afternoon on the balcony, she was dying to see how Zooey was doing, especially the extra fight she was forced through the night before. When they brought Zooey out though, Alexandra was perplexed: she could see no cut or scar where Zooey had been cut only hours before! Zooey looked invigorated one more, ready to teach the guards a lesson.
They apparently had become bored attacking a stationary target, they did not shackle her to the ground this time. She managed to take down several guards before they ganged up on her and brought her down. Ousterborth announced they would split the pot among the group of guards that had finally gotten through Zooey's defense. Upon returning to the residential wing, they were met by Selene.
"Your ladyship," she bowed, "your father the Lederan has decreed that you shall dine with him tonight in his private dining chamber. I will prepare the meal."
"If I must," Arportia sighed.
Alexandra followed Selene back to the kitchen to help prepare a meal for the Lederan and his daughter. Selene was a whirlwind of activity, having to make a meal to please not only the Lederan but now Arportia as well. Alexandra helped as best she could, but Selene was preparing a detailed meal that Alexandra did not know. She cut up greens and threw them into a large bowl to make an exquisite salad, then pulled choice cuts of meat out of the steam-powered stove and began squeezing lemons delicately over them.
"Only speak when spoken to," Selene was instructing her as she finished the preparation. "Do not look the Lederan in the eye. Please do not do anything to draw attention to yourself and this night will pass without incident."
Alexandra, large platters balancing on each arm, followed Selene all the way up to the top floor, which was the Lederan's floor. She was led into a large dining room with a stained-glass ceiling with golden statues lining the walls. In the center of the oval room was a large wooden dining table, smooth and polished, intricate knot patterns laid in with turquoise stone decorating the flawless top.
Selene took the platters from Alexandra and laid them out before the Lederan and Arportia. She laid out the utensils and poured the wine, then unfolded the napkins and stood back behind the Lederan. Trying to blend in, Alexandra guessed her place was behind Arportia and quietly moved over behind her chair. She kept her head bowed, trying to look the part of the innocent and domesticated servant.
While her head was lowered however, she was looking around the room as much as she could though, the image of the Lederan burning with hate into her mind. Arportia and her father made small talk, talked ill of the townspeople, talked about how to get them to work harder. Alexandra thought about killing them, the knives were on the table. It would be easy: Arportia first, then the smug Lederan.
"No," she told herself and dismissed the thoughts.
Despite all the hatred and guilt she was feeling, she was no murderer. Rash action without a follow-up plan would likely just make their situation worse.
A half hour or so into the dinner, the Lederan leaned back in his large chair. "My I am bored. My little princess, does your little toy do any tricks? I know my old Selene here is too old to provide us any sort of fun, bless her cooking though I just can't bear to get rid of her. Probably not enough meat on those bones for the dogs anyway."
Alexandra suddenly realized that she had bee brought up in the conversation. Glancing up she saw a worried expression on Selene's face.
"It's quiet usually," Arportia was playing with her food with her spoon, "but it's a good little servant."
She was talking as if she wasn't even a person.
"I bet it knows some tricks." The Lederan was looking squarely at Alexandra, "you there."
"Uh, yes?" Alexandra knew to not upset this man. "Sir?" she quickly added.
"Dance"
"I... I do not really know any dances," she had never properly learned any, dancing was not a requirement in the slums.
Selene was imploring her with her eyes from across the table.
"Everyone can dance," he laughed, "even the miserable little people in the town. Now dance."
It was not a request that could be turned down.
She did know some dances vaugely, but they were rowdy pub dances, ones she had seen growing up in the slums. Those sort were not typically appropriate for a fancy dinner, "I really don't know any."
"Dance now or I kill someone in the town, maybe that traveling family they found you with."
Without a moment's pause, Alexandra pulled her dress up a few inches so she could move her feet freely and began trying to imitate one of the dances she had remembered seeing once. She was awkward, trying to find her balance while switching her steps trying to keep up with the memory.
She twirled and almost hit a chair. Arportia laughed, glee in her eyes. Alexandra swept her hands upwards then bent down and swept them near the floor, finally finding her footing. She threw herself into the routine, lest the Lederan be not entertained and someone else pay for it. She finished the dance, ending in a bow, like she had seen in the pubs so long ago.
The Lederan was laughing loudly. "Ah! Most entertaining! Not a stuffy dance at all! Very lively! Very entertaining!"
Selene looked pleased, she was proud of Alexandra. She was showing relief in equal measure as well.
"Perhaps," the Lederan began eating again, "I could spend some time with your toy dear."
Alexandra's nostrils flared and she clenched her hands even tighter than before, a coldness crawling up her back.
"She's mine," Arportia told him, "you gave her to me, no take-backs."
"As you wish dear."
They resumed eating, the dinner taking another hour to get over. Alexandra had resumed her place behind Arportia, trying to keep her heavy breathing in check. She was sweating but did not dare to move to brush it away, afraid of drawing more unwanted attention to herself.
After what seemed like an eternity, the Lederan announced he was full and left the room, an escort of heavily armed guards following him.
That night, Alexandra's mind raced, chasing sleep away.
"Maybe I deserve this," the thought burned in her mind as she thought about her friends, "maybe this is my punishment for causing so much trouble for them."
The thought haunted her every waking moment.