After the three girls had returned to Sxeiva to share their decision, things had suddenly felt like it had shifted from their control. Sxeiva had taken full control over the situation, somehow leaving them with fewer answers then they had expected.
Thanrie still could not believe she was wearing this outfit. Matching both Qheria and Mhyl, all three of them were wearing what they could swear were maid outfits, detailed in simple black and white. The colors felt normal for her at least, though it felt less fitting when the others were also wearing the same colors. For her, it felt akin to a uniform.
Sxeiva had quickly established that in order for her to be able to ensure their stay was protected, they would have to be able to fully grasp the role they were being given. What didn't exactly occur to them quick enough was the types of responsibilities that this would entail. Thanrie was sweeping the floors while Qheria was cleaning the mirror and Mhyl was brushing Sxeiva's hair. Thanrie was certain that this was the kind of things she had seen her staff do, back when she lived at the palace. Somehow, she had fallen to such a servile role, simply in order to keep up illusions. At least none of them had been given laundry duty.
Ten days had passed, and in that time, they had learned nothing new. Nothing about Lwyn, nothing they could use about their enemy, nothing even about their memories. Sxeiva had instead insisted that they need to be brought up to speed with their current role, in order for them to remain safe. Thanrie would have preferred patrol duty at this rate herself personally. At least Sxeiva was a very patient woman, their mistakes were easily forgiven. If nothing else, over the following ten days, they had somehow learned their sudden role very quickly.
Thanrie in fact couldn't help but compare her situation to how Lwyn's was when they had first met. It had seemed like this was the lifestyle she had endured in the many years before, while they were held in greater luxury. Qheria might have been exposed to some work as well, but she had an established authority from her job, not something as low in society as this. In fact, Lwyn had still had things worse because, like Qheria, she was highly disrespected in her position and had been treated exceptionally harsh. Sxeiva's forgiveness was a light of radiance compared to how things had gone in the Citadel Inn.
One thing that had been useful was having Mhyl's language lessons resume. According to Sxeiva, staff here were all expected to speak Izhaethyx, even if they were elven. Unlike Lwyn's lessons, the learning was a lot more professional, which made Mhyl feel a bit more stressed. Sxeiva was still forgiving, but left a stronger feeling of expectation that made Mhyl struggle to push ahead. However, since then, Mhyl had started making a lot of progress in her studies. She could better predict the translation of many phrases, and could construct a wide assortment of broken sentences. It's not that she could be considered good at all, but she was still getting better at it impressively quickly. They had all been expected to also try to exclusively use Izhaethyx around her while working. For them, this meant keeping sentences simple, so that the meaning would be a lot more clear for Mhyl. Mhyl in return kept to very simple replies.
Qheria had been expected to pass off the shard she had been given, so that Sxeiva could use that record to build them a case for belonging there. It was a witness who had seen them recruited for the role initially. Because Sxeiva had a fairly high position in the Fortress, there would be no questions raised by anyone else about her choice of staff. Thanrie herself was still questioning however exactly why someone of such high position would be supporting people aiming to tear everything down. To a degree, she wondered if Sxeiva was just that desperate for having staff sweep her floors, brush her hair, provide her outfits, bring her breakfast up the spire.. how in the world did Lwyn do this sort of thing for years without end?
Thanrie felt it especially strange to no longer carry around anything for supplies. Even her weapon and boots were set into storage. She had been told their stuff would be safe there, because only them three were given the responsibility to tend to things in that spire. It seemed that they were in a place called the fourth spire, which according to her book was actually placed in the same spot in a circle that the number would be for an analog clock. There was even twelve spires in total, though she knew very little what each spire was being used for. As far as she could tell, each spire was used for the fortress's upper society, like Lady Sxeiva.
Being left to tend to the spire involved a lot of cleaning across what was the worst flight of stairs she had ever seen. A spiral staircase, that was actually her least preferred task of the role, cleaning the stairwell. It was her job to have cleaned it last, and it would be Qheria's job to clean it next. She felt almost lucky that they didn't need to do any outdoor cleaning. Lwyn's almost mythical story about cleaning outside such structures, how she learned to climb so well, the heights around here would make the task largely unforgiving.
In truth though, she had no idea how things were on the other side of the walls. Ever since they had entered, she had found not a single window sharing natural light. They were completely cut off from the outside, trapped in this steel world, with glowing red lights. She still had no idea how they would return to that world, but she wasn't alone in this either.
"How has things been outside of the fortress anyway? Mhyl has been sharing at least some of the bandit activity outside and the general global news, but I would like to hear from you two as well. I know there are things you are still uncomfortable with sharing, but having been trapped here for years, I've lost touch with most of the world itself. I don't even remember what it feels like to have the sun shine upon my face." Sxeiva had just finished having her hair brushed by Mhyl, while the two of them had been in conversation about the outside world as well.
"Well, we've had a lot of time left without the sun in some of the work we do, but until coming here I've still not really thought about it. The outside sun is only something you seem to miss after having been denied it for too long. If you really haven't seen it for years, I couldn't imagine what that would have been like. But one thing I personally miss is the plants. I've always loved tending to flowers, which is something we really don't see around here very much. However, outside is a plant that has grown in some of the worst conditions and has managed to hold on despite all the odds. It's called an amber-leaf, and while not the prettiest plant I've ever seen, it has proven to be one of the most useful plants I've ever heard of. You should talk to Mhyl about it, she's learned so much about the amber-leaf herself." Thanrie was almost daydreaming while she spoke.
This was something she probably missed the most, tending to flowers. In a structure like this, without any plants at all, she had started to really miss other plants and flowers. Trees even, to be honest, considering that while they have had a lot of work with wood itself, they had not seen actual trees since they crossed the great mountain. Of all things in the outside world, this was one thing she missed the most.
Sxeiva considered Thanrie's words carefully. "Yes, actually, I think some flowers would be really nice to have around my spire. I shall see that it is requested right away." Sxeiva didn't speak of the matter further, but two days later they had a few boxes arrive with an assortment of flowers. Thanrie was assigned right away to having responsibility caring over the little plants in their assortment of pots. This was no garden, but she felt happy enough given an opportunity like this.
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The next day, they got a special request from a messenger, an elf wearing an outfit not similar to the one Thanrie wore. "Lady Yhse has heard that there have been flowers brought into the Fortress, and is requesting having some brought to her. Lord Khaexyn has requested that Lady Sxeiva will submit no fewer than eight flowers for transfer. Please have your expert attendant chose the flowers for this process. Lady Yhse has had a considerable taste for reds and purples, those kinds of flowers would be ideal, but she's insisted that not all eight should be the same color, and that all eight should look distinct." The elf spoke a very fluent Izhaethyx before ending in an elegant curtsy.
Because Thanrie was being considered their expert attendant in flower care, it was her job to pick from her new collection which ones she would hand away. She knew almost nothing about this Lady Yhse, beyond what she was just told, but she had an idea which eight she would pick. She found eight flowers which all were more leafy than most, each with a variable bloom, but of only two species, which were fairly close to roses and violets. She had no idea how well they would be cared for, and she wasn't willing to just sacrifice eight flowers, the ones she picked would be the eight that she felt could endure the worst of care. She was already feeling a growing responsibility for the flowers, even if she doubted they would survive long anyways in these conditions. The lack of natural sunlight was by far the worst offender.
Because this was a trade between the two ladies, Sxeiva would have to go along personally. "So, this would be what you have trained for. Keep in mind that you three are my attendants, and being an attendant of the fortress is actually much less forgiving than I have been treating you so far. Making mistakes in the public of the fortress will be a lot harder to dismiss. Make sure to put all efforts to keeping up the veil of your role, so that there won't be any troubles." Sxeiva it seems would be then travelling with all three of her attendants, because that's generally what attendants do, they... attend their lady.
The three of them were mostly however just carrying the plants. Thanrie and Qheria were sporting four plants each, leaving Mhyl to personally and more directly attend to Lady Sxeiva. It sorta gave her the easy job, but it would also put her the farthest from strange conversation, so it was just the way of things. They would be meeting in one of the central lobbies, for the exchange to occur. It would be Thanrie's responsibility to provide information on the flowers, so that they could be used and cared for properly.
The four of them arrived at their destination, finding two staff waiting for them. One human and one elf, wearing their same uniform. The elf was the same one as from earlier. As she had been directed, Thanrie approached the elf and started to discuss matters of the chosen flowers, while the human started to organize transportation. A number of aethyrnz were also present, appearing to be part of the process. Thanrie felt that this many people were kinda overkill on a task the three of them had covered very well, and she didn't even see Lady Yhse anywhere, so this was just a job for two.
It was then that Khaexyn himself had arrived, a lady in a glowing dress following behind. "Sxeiva, I hope things have been going very well for you, my love. I hope this exchange is not too unfavourable for you. Young lady Yhse here had heard of your sudden interest in flowers and had decided that she herself could also have use of such beauty in her own domain." Khaexyn stepped aside to indicate Yhse, startling a number of people present silently. Thanrie knew she was in no position to do anything about it right now, so just continued with her own responsibility.
Qheria took her position into account and found the best way to make a move. She approached and curtsied as per her position. "I hope Lady.. Yhse.. will be pleased about this selection, which has been carefully selected by our most talented floral expert for it's refinement and beauty. It may not be enough to match the young mistress, but I'm sure you will find that all eight of them will hold their own unique measure." Qheria had to catch herself, almost using the wrong name. Thanrie did not envy Qheria, the whole dialog was reminding her of Zyuixqs' worst, and punching things wasn't an option right now.
"Ah, yes, thank you.. uh.. Lady Sxeiva, do you mind if I talk to your attendant for a moment? I would like to.. uh.. learn more about the flowers myself." Yhse directed Qheria into an nearby room, leaving Sxeiva and Khaexyn to their own conversation. Yhse then spoke to Qheria in quiet whispers, using English. "What in the hell are you three doing here?" "Well, we were worried about you after you ran away from home.. and then followed you after you got kidnapped.. and.. actually, I always thought Thanrie was our best actor here, but what is all this about you pretending to be Lady Yhse?" "Ha, well, unlike you, I'm not actually pretending. I've actually found where I really belong, while you three really need to go back home. I have no idea how to get you three out of here, but that's not my problem. Forget about me, forget about Lwyn, and go back your normal you. None of us should have to live lies anymore, go home." Yhse's dismissal was shattering for Qheria, it felt like an overwhelming defeat.
Yhse then shifted to whispering in Izhaethyx. "The Lwyn you know is gone anyway, I'm Yhse. Don't worry, I won't share that I know who you are, but you're on your own. I wish you the best with wherever you find yourself going forward." Yhse then stormed out of the room, leaving Qheria to pick up the shards of her own esteem. Qheria wasn't even given the chance to throw in her own arguments, but she wasn't even certain what she could say anymore.
Mhyl watched as Yhse returned from the hall alone, taking a place back beside Khaexyn. Her wonder on how everything had gone was replaced by despair the moment she saw Qheria's expression. Qheria was quick to replace it moments later, with no one else the wiser, but Mhyl had not missed it. Thanrie had then just finished up with her own task, so Yhse's two attendants quickly set the flowers to transport and resumed their position at Yhse's side. Yhse and Khaexyn then left the area, to return to Yhse's spire and setup the flowers as planned.
Meanwhile, Sxeiva set her own course to her own spire. Keeping to routine, the four of them travelled in silence. Once they arrived in the spire, however, Thanrie wanted information. "So, that was Lwyn, wasn't it? I know that was Lwyn? Do we have a plan then, how are we getting her out of here." "We not, right?" Thanrie was surprised, not just because she was speaking Izhaethyx and got an answer from Mhyl. Her sentence was actually pretty good, too. "What do you mean, we're not? Wasn't that what.." "No, that wasn't Lwyn. She herself made very clear she is Lady Yhse, and that the Lwyn we know, is gone." Thanrie was stunned at Qheria's reply, the clarity lost upon her.
Thanrie let shock pass over her face. She was back to wanting to punch something in frustration. What in the world happened to Lwyn? Why did none of this make sense anymore? What were they going to do now? "What the F~~k is going on?! What do you mean Lwyn is actually really Yhse? What the hell.." Thanrie had fallen into a state of English, even with Sxeiva being present, something she had not done before. She was just incredibly upset at this turn of events.
Sxeiva approached to calm things down a bit. "Ah, so that would be the language you three use to communicate. That makes a bit more sense now. However, it seems that I should in turn provide a bit more.. sense.. in return. I knew Yhse was the fourth of your group, and I'm sorry for not having shared that sooner. I had a feeling that nothing I would have said would have been believed until you had seen it for yourself. This is why I had made sure to find a way to bring you together like this." Sxeiva sighed, pondering what to say next.
"Yhse has also been expected here for quite a long time, Khaexyn has been prepared for her arrival for well over a decade now. It seems Yhse herself might not have known about anything until she had finally arrived, and now she's already been convinced by Khaexyn's claims. It was only in his own advantage to have wield of a past she had probably been denied her entire life, it made everything so convincing. Don't worry, while this changes a lot of things, the one thing this does not change is that Yhse still needs to be rescued. Khaexyn will only continue to manipulate her otherwise." Sxeiva sat down, realizing this discussion might take a while.
She then started to share upon the others a story, one which explained where all this had once begun, and why everything had turned out this way. While ensuring there was opportunities for translations during the story, she started her story at its beginning.