Still in thought, Meia noticed that the woman was slowly left behind by the carriage. The swing of her hips was apparently a hindrance after all. Almost at the same moment, Meia realised that she would end up next to the carriage. Immediately, Meia sat down neatly. She straightened her back and forced herself to smile. The woman must have wanted something from her. That could not be good. Had she noticed the stares? What was Meia to do if she had?

The woman came up to her. "Hey, are you all right?" she asked directly in a friendly manner, turning her face towards her.

Meia already knew her voice was unusual, but combined with her face, it was shocking. While she had mentally prepared herself to speak to this woman, she had expected a normal woman. This one was so unreal that it was intimidating. Anyone who presumed to say beauty was in the eye of the beholder had never seen her. Her hair was black and shiny like graphite. The smile of her full lips had a reassuring warmth, as if one were already in her favour. Her gaze was gentle, but her eyes themselves were deep and determined. They looked like a purple night sky. Under her right eye was a beauty mark. For some women it would be a blemish, but on her it looked like a failed attempt at modesty. Meia did not know anyone to whom the word beauty would fit any better. What surprised her the most was that you could not see the journey on her at all. Meia herself, on the other hand, looked terrible. Deep circles under her eyes, clammy hair and her clothes were crumpled, soaked and musty from top to bottom. Normally she would have been unnerved by now, but the difference between them was so absolutely gigantic that she literally froze in shock.

The woman did not care that she was temporarily unresponsive and instead concentrated on adjusting her hood.

When she lowered her arm again, their bracelets clashed and a melodic ringing arose. It was very soft, but Meia heard it nonetheless. The sound was flattering to the ears and produced a psychic effect on her that woke her from her rigidity again. She felt as if she could see the coins falling in front of her that the bracelets had cost.

"A-A-All fine. Thank you so much for your consideration.", Meia stammered, hoping that this answer would satisfy her.

"You are the third maid." she said. It had something of a question, but it was a statement. It sounded like an insinuation.

"Y-yes, that is correct. My name is Meiandra Arvis. I came into the service of Her Majesty the Queen only a few weeks ago. I thank you again for your concern. Um... You know who I am?"

"Mhm, yes..." The woman's gaze went to the clouds, as if she was looking for something there. "As the leader, I naturally asked who was coming along." It was said to herself. At the end of the sentence, she looked back at Meia and pointed at herself with her left thumb. "Oh, I'm Violet." She stated with confidence.

At that moment, Meia made a connection. Her eyes were purple. Her cloak was purple. Had she got the name because of her eyes and bought the cloak because of her eyes? Maybe the colour was something like her trademark? In any case, Meia hoped she would be gone soon, but surely she wanted something.

"D-do they have a last name I can use?"

"Violet Siobelga, but I want people to call me Violet. Mrs. Siobelga is my mother. I'm not that old yet."

"Miss Siobelga?"

"I'm not that young either. Call me Violet."

~It's seems to be a fine line she's walking.~

"I rarely work for the country, and once I've delivered you all, that's it again, but I hope you will still remember my name, fufu."

The sentence was unnecessary. Did she just want a conversation? If that was the case, how should Meia respond? Hardly anyone had talked to her in the last six months. Her ability to keep a conversation alive was severely underdeveloped. If she had at least asked a question, it would be easier. Meia did not want to offend her. She was undoubtedly a much more important person than herself. It would not be wise to upset her in any way, so she decided to try and get rid of her.

"Mhm." was all Meia did.

"So what do you think of the court? Is it boring?"

It apparently was not that easy. But at least it was a question this time. Meia was still in a quandary. Should she lie or tell the truth that she hated it? Everyone avoided her, her colleagues could not stand her and in all that time she had hardly done anything besides washing dishes - and not even for the queen.

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"I like it very much."

Of course she had decided to lie. Violet was, after all, practically working for the Queen herself.

"Don't worry, I won't bite you. I'm just a little bored and unfortunately I don't have any suitable conversation partners here."

As she spoke, she glanced over her shoulder to the back, where the other woman was probably continuing to walk alongside the wagons.

~You picked the absolute wrong person to have a conversation with. But I can't say that. Best I just ask a question.~

"Um... I had wondered if it made sense to carry the two swords like that? I mean... I had some lessons in the past, but have never seen anyone who carried them like this.... or would do it."

"Fufu, So that's what you're interested in. Hmmm, I just didn't want people to know who I was right away. It's just that there aren't many people who have two glowing swords, so I usually cover them up or pretend it's a lantern. With a marker, it's also easier for the others to find me."

"I see."

After all, she could not possibly lead a secret escort with two rare glowing swords on her hip. Perhaps it was foolish to have asked the question in the first place? Still, she had not said anything about whether it would take time if she had to draw the swords? Meia would like to ask the question again in a different way, but was it even appropriate to ask further questions? It would not be good if she complained about her later.

"Why do you always sit outside? Do you like it here?"

~My colleagues don't want to squeeze together.~

"The seats in the car are all taken."

"Is that soo~", during her melodic exclamation, she raised her head again as if she had spotted something in the sky. "Ahh, My helper is coming back.", she stated.

Meia followed her gaze and after a few seconds she could make out something in the darkness. It was a scrap of cloth the size of a milking bucket coming from the sky. Meia was not surprised. She had been able to see this scrap of cloth more often in the last few days. Like now, it always came down to Violet and stayed floating next to her and always at the level of her head.

"Five more minutes to the bridge. Besides, it's about to rain again." a shrill voice explained with a hint of passive aggressiveness.

As Violet heard it, her shoulders slumped and she sighed.

"Whew, rain again..."

Meia had heard that shrill voice many times before, and ever since she had heard it for the first time, she had been puzzling over what kind of creature was under that scrap of cloth. Perhaps it was the perfect moment to finally find out. Meia takes a breath for a question.

"Wha-"

"Okay, I'm afraid I have to get to work." Violet interrupted her. "Nice talking to you, Meiandra Arvis." she added while already quickening her pace.

The scrap of cloth lingered a tiny moment longer, as if it had heard Meia, but then, when she said no more, it floated after her.

"Yuri!" Violet yelled, just before she disappeared behind the carriage together with the scrap of cloth.

Meia was left alone with her questions. It was disappointing not to have learned much, but also relieving that the social pressure had fallen off her. Meia was just about to relax again when she noticed something to her right. As she turned, she saw a horned shadow leaping up to her.

"Aaa!" Meia startled and threw herself back. Then with her back pressed against the bench she realised it was only the other woman standing in front of her.

This woman was hard to describe because there was not much to say about her. She had black hair that she had tied into a ponytail that was cut off. Presumably so she could not be grabbed? She wore pitch-black clothes and a snow-white mask. Each piece was unusual in itself. The mask had horns, like a demon's, but the design was very simple. She was wearing a coat and riding boots. The cloak was a kind of cloth coat with a high stand-up collar. In conjunction with it, she wore a weapon belt with a sword. From a fashion point of view, it was a daring combination. Even Meia recognized that. The belt was apparently for a one-and-a-half-handed sword, but she was using it for a foreign two-handed sword. Meia knew swords like that. It was not even the right way to carry it, because it just was not the right belt for it. It was also unusual that she had tied the scabbard to the belt with a strap. This meant that she could not take the sword off if it got in her way or if she needed to use the scabbard. The false belt also meant that the sword almost reached the ground for her height. All in all, the woman was very strange. She was like a shadow. She had never taken off her mask. She had never eaten anything. She hardly ever spoke. She always just ran alongside the wagons, even though she was clearly having trouble walking. She limped slightly. You could see that. She also had a two-handed sword, but it was not the right weapon for her. She only had one arm. Her left one was missing.

Meia knew this woman from sight. In Kiras, she had met her from time to time in the palace. Each time she wore this mask. Every time she wore such a coat with such a belt and such a sword. Meia did not know what her position was. But since she was used as an escort for the queen, she was probably very capable.

Meia still preferred not to be near her. The woman was frightening. Not a word came from her. She just stared menacingly down at her from the holes in her mask.

Meia attempted to ignore her. She sat up again and put a hand on her chest to calm herself.

Suddenly the woman grabbed her by the arm and pulled her down from the wagon. Meia could not even say anything and her feet already landed on the ground. Cold mud splashed against her boots and she felt her legs cramp. She would like to stretch for a moment, but the woman dragged her behind her without compromise.

"Eh? Wh-what's going on? Where are we going?" stammered Meia as she stumbled forward.

A young but ice-cold female voice echoed from under the mask.

"Follow."

.../ End BP001