[https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/01fedb5f-52f2-4fb2-91e8-872e4dfaf986/ddcpowr-33cefa22-2bdf-4ff7-969d-6009ec6032b6.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzAxZmVkYjVmLTUyZjItNGZiMi05MWU4LTg3MmU0ZGZhZjk4NlwvZGRjcG93ci0zM2NlZmEyMi0yYmRmLTRmZjctOTY5ZC02MDA5ZWM2MDMyYjYuanBnIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.06zzYRiLSURLqe4NGIHcy6-bMMkU-NHZmO8hwctdDuk]
It was early morn on the 159th day when a carriage escorted by knights arrived at Fader manor. The carriage bore Rohakohou’s royal sigil depicting a deer and the Mage alliance’s mark of Hallwoi. The group was granted entry to the manors.
As the carriage parked outside the mansion itself, Symphy alone was prepared to greet the arrival. She was about to open the carriage-door when one of the passengers opened it from inside. A formally dressed man exited.
His tired gaze met Symphy‘s, “I need some tea...”
Without a moment’s hesitation, she turned heel and hurried to meet his request.
The man waved farewells to his fellow passengers as the carriage begun to roll off on a journey further south.
He soon wobbled into the mansion’s kitchen to see if his request was done.
“When did you last rest, sir?“ Symphy asked him as she handed over a cup.
“It’s more appropriate to ask when I last had a good night’s sleep... which was the night before I left. Haven’t had a chance to sleep for longer than one or two hours at a time.“
“Has it really been that hectic?“
“What do you think? My role has not been easy.“
Symphy poured the tea into his cup, “I see. You should probably take a nap then before returning to your usual duties.“
“Yes, I don’t know if I can handle holding a lesson now. Will you tell the Countess?“ he smelled his tea and took a small sip, relaxing as the warmth passed down his throat.
“I will tell her” Symphy said while nodding.
He forced on a smile, “Thank you” then walked off towards his room.
On his way up the stairs to the second floor he was stopped by Tserjil.
“Welcome back Malse” Tserjil said.
He turned to face the boy, “Not going to call me sir?”
Tserjil scratched his neck “I didn’t think it was necessary right now, sorry sir.”
“Well, it doesn’t matter to me personally. But in the future, it’s important that your always address people with their appropriate titles” Malse said as he continued up the stair.
As his tutor left, Tserjil sighed before entering the kitchen. Symphy noticed him.
“Young master, why are you up this early?”
He stood quiet for a few seconds before answering, “I noticed that sir Jorwen arrived.”
“Oh, yes indeed. Did you happen to overhear our conversation?”
He nodded, “We had other plans for today anyway, so there won’t be an issue.”
“Do you now…” Symphy smiled.
“Secret plans” he smiled back.
Symphy straightened herself out, “You’ve heard this many times before, but remember not to venture out too far. Now, do you want breakfast, young master?”
…
[https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/01fedb5f-52f2-4fb2-91e8-872e4dfaf986/ddcpp6m-50b3f708-065f-45c4-9a51-01b043aa1105.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzAxZmVkYjVmLTUyZjItNGZiMi05MWU4LTg3MmU0ZGZhZjk4NlwvZGRjcHA2bS01MGIzZjcwOC0wNjVmLTQ1YzQtOWE1MS0wMWIwNDNhYTExMDUuanBnIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.e0SWTFFIYIK8P6YEU9bFLEMESSDEnMSVyC38-_oP6lQ]
“Fetch!” Jonno shouted as he threw a pen. White and purple hair disappeared into the bushes after it. Many sticks could be heard breaking at the total disregard for what was in her way.
Minutes passed.
“You shouldn’t have thrown it there…” Tserjil said, annoyed.
Jonno shrugged, “She looked like she wanted a challenge…”
The two of them sat on a stone, watching the dense shrubbery for movement.
“Should we look for her?” Jonno asked, worried.
Tserjil stood up, “No, she’s on her way back now.”
Jonno looked up at him, grimaced but said nothing before he too stood up.
A being that could only be described as a shrubbling emerged from the shrubbery, holding a broken and dirty pen up to Jonno. He looked at the pen, then tried to look for the girl’s face under the muddy hair and leaves that had stuck to it.
“Anja…” he sighed, then wiped her hair back to reveal the smile underneath, “You can keep the pen.”
She pouted, then threw the pen back into the shrubbery.
Tserjil then held out his hand to her, “Anja, can you walk me please.”
From pouting she went back to smiling and grabbed his hand, muddying it. Tserjil didn't mind.
They continued through the forest until they reached a tall hill. Tserjil and Jonno were panting halfway up the hill, while Anja seemed unbothered. They reached the old tree on top of the hill and sat down next to the thick trunk. Jonno unpacked snacks from a satchel and distributed them equally between the three of them. Anja happily began chewing hers down while Tserjil decided to wait.
“There doesn’t seem to be anyone around so can you help me get my earbinds off?” he asked Jonno while brushing his hair up into a ponytail.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
The boy shrugged and responded, “If you think it’s okay, of course“ then got up and walked over to help. Tserjil let go of his hair so his hands wouldn’t be in the way. Jonno untucked the band attached to rings at the tips of Tserjil‘s long ears, then put his hair up with the band.
With his ears free, he moved them around a little, “That’s better, they were starting to hurt since I forgot to take it off before bed yesterday.“
“That sounds uncomfortable...” Jonno said with a grimace. Once again in his life he appreciates not being born with ears like that, far as he knows there are mostly downsides. He’d much rather have antennas like his mother.
Feeling comfortable, Tserjil took a bite of his snacks after having enjoyed their fragrance. Things always seemed to taste best when they sat by the tree, even though there was one last company they lacked, probably for the best. She’s not been the same since last autumn.
Anja had finished her snacks and began removing the now dry mud from her hair and clothes. Jonno gave her a helping hand and together they managed to remove most, leaving only discoloured patterns from the mud that had soaked in.
“Hopefully that can be washed away…” he said, uncertain and weary. Her clothes were much more luxurious than any the servants had and the thought that he might be responsible for destroying them were troubling.
She looked him in the eye, pat his shoulders then jumped happily in place.
Jonno worked his brain, trying to interpret her charades, “You had fun?” and she nodded vigorously. He smiled, happy that he was able to understand for once.
They didn’t stay for much longer on the hill. Just before leaving, Jonno helped Tserjil fasten the earbinds.
As the two younger kids started walking down the hill, Tserjil waited a bit and whispered something when they couldn’t hear. He then followed.
…
A three-legged rodent was struggling through a pile of hay in the stable.
“Where are you going?” a girl wondered out loud while watching the small creature with a concerned expression. She grabbed it just before it disappeared.
“Just let it be, Kellja. It won’t leave the stable anyway” an older boy brushing a young deer said. She listened and let go of the rodent.
“How did it even lose a leg?” she asked him.
He sighed, “How would I know? It probably lost it out in the woods somehow before finding safety here.”
She looked at him as he talked but her mind was absent. Once she snapped back from her thoughts, she walked over to the young deer he was brushing and pat it.
He stopped brushing and looked up at her, “Do you want to try?”
Kellja shook her head.
She was about to leave the stable when he stopped her, “If you see my mom, tell her I’ll stay here until late tonight.”
She agreed to his request and left.
The weather was pleasant. She recalled her brother mentioning taking a walk through the forest, which she used to go along on all the time. Her, Tserjil and freckles. She would always help her brother read his books when he was tired. They spent many good times together until Anja appeared.
She hated how that girl acted, and somehow everyone had changed for the worst since she came into their lives.
Kellja arrived at the mansion and entered. She met Seyi, who was dusting off some decorations by the entrance-hall.
“Hey Seyi” Kellja greeted the maid, who turned around.
“Welcome back young miss Kellja” she bowed.
“Jeph wanted me to tell you that he won’t be back for dinner” she quickly said before turning heel and walking away.
The maid said something, probably her appreciations, but Kellja didn’t bother to listen. She had other things to do. No more distractions.
…
The next day, during midday, the Fader-children and Jonno had gathered in the garden along with Erica, Symphy and Malse. It was their first lesson since the celebrations in Terefyu.
“I see you’ve been studying well” Malse told Kellja, who was smiling proudly.
They were sitting on a blanket, the four kids holding a notebook each. Malse had just read through Kellja’s notes, the third of the group to have her read. Both Jonno and Tserjil hadn’t written much in their books, or well, in Tserjil’s case it was blank.
Jonno felt a bit ashamed about not having studied much, spending the time their teacher was away as a small vacation. He usually worked hard to compete with Kellja for the most praise.
Malse looked at Anja, who was scribbling on in her notebook.
“May I?” he asked her, while holding out his hand. She looked up at him and smiled, handing her notes over.
There were no notes, however. Not surprising Malse, all that had been scribbled onto the pages where unintelligible lines that looked like poor attempts at writing. No matter his efforts, she still couldn’t even form the simplest of letters.
Malse often wondered weither she really couldn’t write or if it’s intentional. He is leaning on the former, but the latter would make him more hopeful.
He gave her a weak smile, then handed back the notebook.
“While there is slim to no improvements, your efforts are endearing...” when he said that, Anja looked at him with an expression that was hard to read. She somehow looked disappointed.
Having looked through the four kids notes, Malse cleared his throat, “So, I have an idea of what we can study today. In your case though, Kellja, a few of the things you’ve studied will be repeated. I will try to keep it fresh though.”
The teacher went through a pile of books next to him and picked up a thin one.
“Ninety cycles ago, the new Empress of Helmelidro started her conquest after leaving the Kohou alliances. Though they are still ‘allied’ and wont attack any of the Kohous, there are no expectations to provide military support from either party. What sort of benefits do we share with Helmelidro?” he hadn’t yet opened the book, but provided that short summary and question from memory.
Kellja was quick to answer, ”Ease of trade and travel.”
Malse smiled, “That and-“
“-we share research” Tserjil finished. The teacher nodded.
The lesson went on, Malse going through the differences brought about in the country with the new Empress rise to power and her continued leadership in present day.
While the others were talking, Anja watched as butterflies flew about the garden around them. Erica was looking at the girl from the bench her and Symphy sat on not far from the kids. She recalled how during Anja’s first few lessons, they would try to make her to participate. When they quickly noticed that she struggled with participating, they stopped. Erica had a feeling that the girl was listening anyway, despite looking distracted.
Humla walked out a backdoor leading to the kitchen, carrying a tray of desserts. Anja was the first one to notice her, quickly jumping to her feet and approaching the maid. With a smile, she was handed one of the desserts.
“Enjoy” Humla said. Anja nodded, then walked back to the others. When Kellja and Jonno noticed her holding a dessert, they too hurried over to grab one. With most of the weight now removed from the tray, Humla had an easier time carrying it to Tserjil and Malse, who still sat on the blanket. Unlike the younger three, the latter two thanked the maid for the desserts.
Only one dessert was left on the tray, which Humla brought over to Erica.
“Thank you, but I’ll pass” she said.
“Do you want to save it for later?” Humla asked. Erica did not think long, promptly refusing it.
With that answered, Humla turned her gaze to Symphy and smiled.
The other maid smiled back, then looked at Erica.
“I won't mind” the countess quickly said.
Symphy took the last dessert from the tray, “Thank you honey.”
When the lessons finished, Jonno spoke of the disappointing lack of practical training.
Malse sighed, “There is no need for that every lesson, Jonno. Also, I thought it best to focus on political study now that you have had such a long break.”
The young boy pouted.
…
Summer passed.
Autumn passed.
Late winter, on the 868th day. It was the day of preparation. After the end of the current cycle, the Faders would spend the next one celebrating the coming of age for all three of the kids. Even though Tserjil would have celebrated his much earlier, they decided to wait so that they wouldn’t have to spend two cycles celebrating.
Erica and Jorwen spent the whole day planning while the kids received their first break for winter. Anja was spending the whole day outside, playing around in the snow alone. The other kids were inside, tired of winter and doing their best to pass the time.
The lone girl outside was lying flat on her back in the snow, looking up at the sky with a melancholic expression. The Faders haven’t had the time to visit Terefyu since the celebrations early in the current cycle, so she was looking forward to the 128th day of next cycle. But that was some time off.
In her melancholy Anja watched as the large, purple eye in the sky moved about. It was looking for something. The snow around her was dark and empty, a vast black sea ready to swallow anything it touched.
She floated about in the sea.
A tall human-like figure walked past, not bothered by the sea.
Is this your space? The figure asked Anja. But she couldn’t speak. No words existed.
The tall figure wandered on, the eye in the sky watching until it disappeared.
“Young miss!” someone shouted. Anja sat up and looked towards the mansion, where Symphy stood by the open backdoor. She waved at the maid with a smile.
“You should come inside, it’s almost dinner!” and with that, the girl’s spirit was lifted from whatever state she was in. Running towards Symphy and the warmth of the mansion, the sky above her was white with light snowfall.