The Gift of Praise

The carriage of gold rolls through the boulevard leading to the side entrance of Malinda’s wing.

Vast buildings of white-marble and various other stone structures can be seen on either side if Xe’Reth or Malinda would peek out, but they’re at the moment tending to his mother so she doesn’t feel uncomfortable.

Females of all ages walks inside this Sanctuary where no man should tread.

It’s as if this place counts as a whole remote town only for adult women, teenagers, and children, because this amazon jungle is where the Tertin servants grows up to become the finest, even reaching the handmaiden status, to serve an Honored One.

Some of the women walks hand in hand with small adolescents that sucks their thumbs in a childlike manner as they’re being guided towards whatever destination. Since recently, kids have been brought in from the various orphanages around the kingdom; children with no parents, children who were abandoned, and some children were put in the orphanage because their parents were sent to prison for the acts that they committed.

All kinds of backgrounds exist here, but when they’ve entered into an Honored household, their lives begin anew. To serve or to be free, the choice are theirs to make when they reach fourteen. Though through their sheltered lives as they grow up, the teenagers rarely, or rather never leaves the Tertin household, because a fourteen-year-old out in the kingdom all alone, who would dare to do such a feat?

None would.

If the Tertin family had raised the bar so the servants can choose at eighteen instead, then it would’ve been a lot different, but it’s all planned out actually like that. To take the oath so the servants can never go back on their promised words. A ploy of servitude to have loyal servants.

The carriage drives onwards; it comes out to a tremendous plaza that lies in the middle of the Sanctuary. And Taryna clearly sees a giant statue of a woman that stands on an elevated thick square pedestal with intricate carvings of a once held battle in the central position of the plaza where servants sit on stone benches beside the glorious statue.

From the total numbers of servants going about with their businesses as usual, Taryna sees that they can’t be more than thirty to forty of them.

The vast plaza’s surroundings have buildings on three sides of its four-sided formation. North, east, and south stands constructions of various sizes. Some with multiple and some with inferior levels. But the certain aspect that this is a place for servants can’t be looked in that kind of a way since it has more of a relaxing atmosphere which can be seen on the carefree women who raises themselves from their seats, and others stops dead in their tracks as they see the carriage of gold driving towards a structure with long and broad staircases coming down from above a huge terrace, which leads up into Malinda’s wing.

All of the servants stops whatever they’re doing, and with around sixty striding feet they form a crowd of women staring at the carriage as it drives past the awed people who ranges from all ages. Children sits on the shoulders of adult servants, for they’re in the way for the little ones to gaze at an Honored One’s carriage.

With their various expressions and stances, they whisper, talk, and questions their teachers about what kind of person who owns that glorious carriage, but the answer simply remains unanswered, for the adult servants stays completely silent. Only the younger servants-in-training chats with one another, totally carefree of whatever lessons they need to get to.

“Woo ish in twat, tweacher?” a child lisps out her question while riding on the shoulders of her caretaker as a pointing finger follows along the moving carriage. The glittering eyes displays fully between the child’s eyelids.

“That my dear, is the Honored Malinda’s carriage. She must’ve returned from her meeting with her so called lover that she has found,” the only teacher said as all the others keeps quiet. With squinting eyes, she also follows the carriage with her gaze while holding firmly onto the child’s dangling legs.

The voices from all of the younger servants resounds as they stare intently at Taryna, an Honored handmaiden with status inside the servants’ circle. And Taryna waves at those she recognizes with a smile on her lips as she steers the horses to the staircase leading to the terrace.

Emptied wagons has been loaded off, and Recina stands there by the last wagon with crossed arms of worry, but with sharp eyes, she relaxes as Malinda’s carriage drives to be by the crack between the wagons and the staircase.

“What postponed your arrival, Taryna?” Recina asked sternly; she walks up to be beside the carriage as her arms moves with a questioning flow while a pair of brows scowls at Taryna’s incapability. But before the glaring Taryna can answer the Battle-Mistress’ question, Malinda steps out of the carriage as that clicking of the door declares. “Honored Miss, I was beginning to worry, what happened?”

With a smiling chuckle, she responds ecstatically, “Oh nothing special, just Xe’Reth repairing the main gate to the Sanctuary. Hehe, nothing special indeed.” Her mouth tries to hold back her grin but fails miserably as she turns to look inside the carriage, to gaze at Xe’Reth holding onto his fur-clothed mother who’s currently sleeping while sitting on the leathery seats, leaning at him.

“What…? But it functioned when we came through…” Recina said with a wondering gauntleted hand touching her chin.

“Well, after you went by, some snooping children seemed to have tricked two of the three gate-keepers while the other one went to the privy. So as they were playing with the mechanism of the gate, they… damaged it, but Xe’Reth repaired it in less than five minutes. Truly, he’s astonishing,” Malinda said with head turning to look at Recina with a proud smirk on her lips.

“Such incompetents… I hope you served them their punishment accordingly, Honored Miss,” Recina sneered with arms crossed and a deep imbedded frown on her brows. Recina who’s all about following rules can’t overlook such carelessness from someone that’s in the service of the Tertin family, much less delaying her Honored Miss.

“Now, now, don’t be so serious, Recina. I only gave them a harsh lecture to never let their guard down against kids ever again, and that’s that,” Malinda said with a flapping hand directed at her. And with a shaking sigh, her mood changes as those arched eyebrows lowers in severity. “So, onto the task at hand. Have Tanya returned from her errand?”

“She has, Honored Miss,” Recina said with her usual overly curtsy manner of a bow, and she holds that bent upper body while her mouth moves. “Tanya sent a servant saying that she has purchased every merchandise you told her about while buying some improvised products, too. And I’ve sent all of the servants who came with me to carry all of Sir Xe’Reth’s possessions to the quarters where his mother will be staying. That’s all.”

“I certainly do hope that nothing has been opened, because the equipment and herbs can be fragile,” Malinda frowningly said with a glare directing towards Recina while holding onto her own hips. “Go make sure nothing is touched until we arrive. Xe’Reth will take care of his own possessions… He… he’s picky about people putting their hands on his personal effects. So go, now.”

With a bob of Recina’s head, she turns to the stairs, then strides upwards to the terrace as clanking plate against plate sounds out. No words, nothing, only a woman who’s loyal to the core, because Recina was Malinda’s mother’s handmaiden before her former Mistress committed suicide. Now she keeps the eldest daughter safe, yet Recina has not always been a handmaiden of virtue…

As Taryna sees the plated woman disappear up by the edge of the staircase, she plants her feet on the tiled ground of the Sanctuary. And with ten steps around the carriage so all the servants of various ages can see her, she shouts out with a voice that demands utter obedience, “Everyone! Go back to what you were doing! Your Honored Malinda needs complete silence, and no gawking eyes staring at every single move that she makes! Seniors! Remove the younger ones to their lessons, now!”

Most of the servants, especially the younger ones, grimaces in disappointment with muttering mouths, but the older ones do listen obediently as they guide the children away, even forcibly pulling the younglings. The west side of the plaza becomes empty except for Taryna, Malinda, Xe’Reth, and his mother.

Why Taryna yelled out is because she must gain back Malinda’s favor even though it hasn’t vanished, but Malinda still holds onto her slight anger at her for trying to nag and nag into reconsidering many of the ideas that she has taken.

Though right now, Malinda gazes with a nodding head of approval while a smile shows on her lips, being quite pleased by her handmaiden’s sudden change of actions. Because Malinda wants none to stare at Xe’Reth’s mother, nor him since a male being in the Sanctuary can awaken trouble. For the reason that if a younger servant sees a man earlier than she should, it could rouse emotions that shouldn’t be stirred.

The feeling of wanting to love someone can never truly be washed away, no matter how long the person tries. But servants train even though that might be the case. They’ve lessons in love, lessons on how the body works of both man and woman, how a child comes to be, and numerous other important lessons that a servant needs to be fully-fledged in the service of the Tertin family.

“Xe’Reth, let’s move your mother now that the servants have cleared away,” Malinda said as she holds onto the carriage door while forwarding a hand towards the stairs with a beaming smile. “It’s just up the stairs, then go straight towards the decorated double doors. Come.”

Theresa who’s sleeping gets picked up by her son carefully, carrying her while bending his body to not bump into the ceiling of the carriage. With a gentle squeeze out the door, he places his first step onto the Sanctuary, holding his mother in a caringly yet secure embrace while her fur clothes and torn pieces of cloth covers her skin to show no scars, nothing.

Her unnourished body feels light in Xe’Reth’s arms, but with striding feet he climbs the marbled staircase, one step after the other, and as he reaches the terrace, Xe’Reth turns around to gaze at the view of the entire vast plaza.

The scurrying servants with their self-made uniforms; the high buildings of brilliance which illustrates the high-standard of living that these servants get, and the statue that depicts Tertania, the founder of the Tertin household; The Maiden of the Shield. A role model to strive for in the arts of battle.

A statue of perfection, even though it has stood there for a millennium with her sword and shield at the ready to battle against her enemy while wearing heavy-armor covering everything except her face, a replica of Malinda’s features to the finest detail, for Malinda is a Tertin, and Tertania is her ancestor.

Xe’Reth turns to look north to catch with his eyes a field of fine grained sand where three dozen women shouts with every swing of their swords and for every block they do with their shields as the training in the arts of weaponry drains the strength from the bodies of the servants who’re being guided by the adults, because those servants wear smaller uniforms than the rest, since they’re only children that’re being taught a lesson on how the Tertins’ fighting style works.

The Sanctuary is a dwelling where the finest servants are made, though other Sanctuaries exists all around the kingdom, though, the Tertin family’s Sanctuary has been given proof by the DLO that they’re the epitome of sophistication, responsibility, and faithfulness, a role model for the various other institutes.

But, the Tertins’ Sanctuary isn’t run by neither the family nor by the handmaidens. The responsibility of the Sanctuary lies in the hands of the former head-handmaiden of Matilda Tertin, Malinda’s mother.

A faction run by a loyal subject of the Tertins’, Malinda’s faction of the citadel.

Because a Tertin woman must always be the head of the family, and not a male. But through the power Celyssa got when Malinda’s parents died, she managed to enforce and change the rules, which made Matilda’s head-handmaiden furious when she had to back down.

Instead of fighting the usurper, the former head-handmaiden took charge of the Sanctuary and has held it together so it wouldn’t be degraded by the new rule of Malinda’s brother and his wife, Celyssa.

Servants are still servants, so even though friction stirs among Malinda’s faction, namely those who worked for Malinda’s parents, and Celyssa’s faction, the more newly instated servants and handmaidens who has been hand plucked from the Sanctuary by Celyssa’s subordinates.

A family in turmoil, but yet not, it’s only between Celyssa and the former head-handmaiden who doesn’t see eye to eye about certain newly instated rules in the citadel. But the former head-handmaiden has gotten quite old, so her years are finally coming upon her. Though, will she just lay there to see her former Mistress’ family be taken over by an outside power?

That can only time tell.

………

“This way, Xe’Reth,” Malinda said with an upper body turned while guiding Xe’Reth happily down a brightly lit corridor with metal-caged torches mounted on the side walls, illuminating the way for them.

A corridor with ashen stone walls and curved ceilings. Stunning paintings of blonde-haired men, women, and children; a carpet going who knows where while pillars have various flower vases placed on top of them. Decorated beautifully to the utter limit of exquisiteness, and Xe’Reth can smell the aroma of the flowers, flowers he recognizes by scent.

A corridor of purity.

Brown wooden doors with shiny metal borders riddles the sides while Xe’Reth moves silently as he carries his slumbering mother behind the guiding Malinda who knows every corner of her reputable wing of the citadel. But no servants have revealed themselves, nobody, and Taryna didn’t follow them since she has to return the carriage to the stable on the west side.

“That door leads to Recina’s quarters, if you ever need aid or wants to find her,” Malinda said while pointing her hand to a different corridor leading to two massive doors of metal. Fully armored statues also stand by the ashen walls starting from the metal doors, then the statues’ placements are a couple of meters apart, ending at where the corridors’ intersection is. “Someone will always be there working on the training schedules for the servants.”

Xe’Reth gives her a silent bob of his head in acknowledgement as they move on further into Malinda’s estates on the second floor of the citadel. Room after room, statue after statue, painting after painting. Xe’Reth turns his head in fasciation every time he catches something new with his keen eyes. Even the floor’s soft reddened carpets sink slightly from his steps; a comfy sensation of a lavish household.

With a right turn, they tread towards north in the corridor that has the same material of stones, decorations, and furniture; a chair here, a couch there, and animal trophies which’re mounted on the walls or standing to display a beast that has been hunted down.

Curtains of scarlet, too, hangs down from above the walls to pretty up the place. A servant comes out of an opened room door while carrying a basket of laundry all nonchalantly with heaving arms, not even noticing the people walking towards her.

“Oh dear me,” the woman startlingly said with flickering eyes as she bends forward to put down the basket of clothes, but when she rises again, she grimaces in pain while having one hand on her back. “Ah… I’m getting to old for this. Don’t you think so too, Miss?”

“But what do we have here, ah, I guess that’s the man everyone natters about. A pleasure to meet you good Sir…?” the servant questionably asked with raised grayish brows.

“Xe’Reth Quinery is his name. And that’s his mother… But we’re in a hurry for she’s sick at the moment, so you’ll have to excuse us, gran, gran,” Malinda said casually as she walks to support the servant with her hands. “By the way, where is everyone else?”

“It’s Tanya… That silly girl had every single one cleaning the corridors leading to the furnished quarters. All for the arrival of your newly found love and his mother,” the servant sighed with a dismaying shake of her head. “She can be such a diligent young woman when she puts her mind to it, for the floor tiles are shining ever so brightly.”

“Then I shouldn’t keep you from doing your chores,” Malinda said with a bending body to pick up the basket of laundry that the servant just put down. And as she hands it over to the servant, Malinda starts to walk. “Take care, gran, gran.”

“A pleasure meeting you,” Xe’Reth simply said with a bob of his head as he follows Malinda down the corridor.

As the old servant sees them walk away, she heaves the full laundry basket with her whole body, then starts also walking but in another direction, towards the Sanctuary as she says to herself while nodding, “That boy will be quite useful. Indeed, he’ll be valuable to prolong the line of the Tertins. Luckily that snake has only a crippled daughter. Ah, Mistress. Why did you marry off your son to such a greedy family? Sigh… I better go report this, so the serpent can’t manage to coil her tail around that young man.”

She puts down the laundry basket again while groaning as she straightens to stride with her servant’s dress that has a white apron tied around her neck and waist, reaching her knees. The old servant disappears, leaving the basket there with various colored clothes fully exposed…

While Xe’Reth walks calmly beside Malinda who’s happily chatting with him, he responds, “You don’t say…? How many servants do you actually have working under your… faction was it?”

“Yes, that’s what it’s called. It’s a silly thing, but it’s still there. And I don’t really remember how many servants I have under me… thirty maybe?” Malinda wonderingly replied with a head scratch as a lower lip begins to be gnawed on. “Hmm… We’ll need to remove those garments you have and put on some finer ones.”

“Oh really? Well, they’re rather worn-out, so I’ll leave it to you, Malinda,” Xe’Reth replied with a forced smile while he walks on the carpet silently as a ghost. He doesn’t even notice himself walking so quietly. But Malinda does notice his noiseless feet, which makes her more astounding about what secrets he still hides from her. “I’ll be a burden that you’ll have to carry, unfortunately… I am sorry for not being—.”

Before he can finish, Malinda hastily turns to gaze into his wide surprised eyes while she scowls deeply as her mouth opens, “Xe’Reth. Like I said before, you’ll get used to me pampering you. There is much to do! And I can’t bear the excitement to wait! But, let’s get your mother settled in first, then you’ll see what I have in store for you… Hehe.”

Xe’Reth sighs in defeat as a smile returns on his mouth to give Malinda a nod. And she nods in return while both of them strides onwards.

When they round a corner, Xe’Reth catches with his eyes, Recina shooing away the remaining servants who paces hurriedly out from the opened double-doors as they carry cleaning supplies, while a young woman stands beside the fully-armored maiden, guiding with her hands towards the other direction which isn’t where Xe’Reth and Malinda comes from.

“Hurry now ladies, Miss will be returning any moment now,” Tanya calmly said with a hand pointing at the corridor leading towards west. “We’ve done all we can for now. So time to return to the pushed up chores. Give them their assignments, and good work today.”

“As you say, Tanya…” the remaining servant responded as she turns to follow the others, moving with quickened legs, and hands placed on her stomach.

“You’ve done a great service today, Tanya,” Recina said with a nod of approval in her regular cross-armed stance as the servants disappears. “I still don’t manage to figure out how you could’ve purchased the furniture so fast.”

“I gave out clear instructions to the servants, which I sent out to the different stores around the city. It’s a combination of a healer’s and an herbalist’s interior, and a regular sleeping quarter. But I hope it’ll be acceptable by Miss,” Tanya said serenely but worriedly as she gazes with an unfazed expression into the spacy room that has a lit fireplace brightening the place up.

“Speaking of the Miss, there she comes with the man in question,” Recina said with eyes staring at the clothed covered woman which Xe’Reth carries. A brow raises in wonder.

Tanya quickly turns away from them as her hands wipes her whole face with a handkerchief in rapid strokes to remove the hardworking sweat that has revealed on her forehead. She also winds her dress as she shakes it so no indication of dust particles shows on the clothes, and with a turn towards her Miss, she displays her tranquil smile while those two relaxed eyes gazes up and down at the young man.

She’s taken aback by the ferocious appearance he has, yet his composed eyes show no fierceness at all, only his mask of overbearing kindness displays on his expression as he carries his mother in his arms, gently. Though, Recina stares with her wondering eyebrow raised. ‘So that is his mother. What was her name again? Ah, yes. Theresa… Quinery. Theresa…? Sigh, if only it were you.’

“Tanya, Recina. Is everything in order?” Malinda asked as they reach them with a cheerful smirk.

“Yes, Miss. Everything has been completed as per your instructions. And I greet you, Sir Xe’Reth Quinery to the citadel of the Tertins’. May you find your stay here hospitable for the years to come,” Tanya welcomingly replied with a deep curtsy towards Xe’Reth while her bun-haired head has lowered forward. “As you wanted nothing to be touched, we’ve put all of your belongings in your mother’s room. Please, follow me, so I can guide you through her quarters.”

“Oh, before you go in,” Recina interrupted with a hand on Tanya’s shoulder while looking at Malinda. “Miss, may I retire for today? I’ve still some business at the Sanctuary’s training field that needs to be taken care of.”

“You’re excused, I’ll speak to you tomorrow then,” Malinda said with a nodding head and a smile.

“Appreciated. Have a pleasant evening both of you, and you too Tanya,” Recina said as she gives a quick bow, then strides away with her plate-legged limbs.

“Now then, follow me and I’ll introduce you to your mother’s quarters,” Tanya said again as Recina left, while her own walking legs treads into the brightly lit room. And the two love birds follow closely behind her.

With a silent step into the room and onto the gigantic scarlet carpet covering the floor, Xe’Reth first stares at the blazing hearth that welcomes them into the spacious chamber as tiny cracks and sparks declares in the fire of endless war.

He moves his head to the left side of the chamber to see bookshelves; plants placed on round tables, and shelves with various beverages. On the upper left stands a long-table with two dozen fabric-covered chairs. With another turn to the right, he sees another level that overlooks this chamber. While on the right side of the room, empty chests with shields of arms painted on the insides of the opened lids are places by the hearth, ready to be filled.

Two glass windows on both sides of the hearth lusters in the sunshine to give even more light. And above the windows’ sides hangs crimson drapes that’re tied with ropes so it can reveal the sun.

Many hutches, too, stands open with their lids ready to be filled. Cupboards with many shining silverware, porcelain tableware, and various embroidered goblets; a single writing desk with inkwells, quills, and a stack of paper are placed by one of the walls below the bedroom’s overseeing opening with wooden edges where a person can lean at, to witness the chamber beneath.

Though what catches Xe’Reth’s eyes the most is what lies in front of the fireplace, a lain animal pelt where a pair of lovers would be cuddling while feeling the warmth, maybe even doing the forbidden act as the lovers overcomes with arousal.

“It is highly impressive that you furnished this place up before our arrival,” Xe’Reth praised with a head moving in every direction to not miss a single piece of furniture, but his eyes wander to Tanya who gazes at him while giving a pleasing chuckle.

“Ah well, Sir Xe’Reth. This chamber was already furnished long ago, for we keep all of the rooms in our Miss’s wing tidy, but we cleaned this chamber to its last speck of dust. Though up there,” Tanya responded with a hand pointing to the upper level, “is where the newly furnished area is. I tried my best to get it to your liking. So you’ll have to see for yourself, come, it’s up those stairs.”

Tanya thuds onwards to the right side of the room where a wide opening leads to wooden staircases. The steps’ length sideways can be measured to three meters, but the width measures only two fifth of a meter.

Xe’Reth adjusts his mother in his arms before he ventures after the two women who’re treading on the steps, making heel noises as their feet touches the wooden material. When they reach the top staircase, Malinda gazes around the bedroom with critical eyes, not showing anything but sternness while she inspects every piece of furniture. For once, Tanya’s expression turns dire with lowered eyebrows and a down curved mouth while her hands clenches together, awaiting her judgement.

But with a surprisingly startled voice coming from Xe’Reth, her hands spreads apart, “Wow! You said this was newly furnished? Color me surprise, it’s almost as if you furnished this place like a healer’s lodge and a dwelling to practice herbalism. Really, thank you. You’ve eased my heart immensely, and Tanya was it?”

“Y-Yes. Yes! I’m Tanya Orilldera, third daughter of the citadel’s blacksmiths, at your service, Sir Xe’Reth,” Tanya happily replies as she brightens up for being praised, since it was hard work to organize all of this in only a couple of hours. ‘Did… Did he hear what I said to Recina about how I said the interior is like a healer’s and an herbalist store? No, no, of course he couldn’t have heard me.’

“Yes indeed, you’ve preformed excellent Tanya. So take the rest of the day off. Maybe go see the festival out in the city perhaps?” Malinda commended with a smile by following along the lines as Xe’Reth while patting Tanya’s shoulder to give her the go-ahead to spend the evening however she wants.

“Miss, no, I would never do that! There is so much to do yet! I mean… Look at Sir Xe’Reth’s clothes, no offense,” Tanya said with a shaking head to deny Malinda’s offer.

“Heh, none taken. I’ve had these worn-out garments for a year, so I would love to get something else to wear than these,” Xe’Reth said with a smile directed at Tanya while moving to the newly sheeted royal-sized bed, which’s located a couple of meters straight in front of the stairs. He gently puts his mother down. “You don’t mind if I request a couple of things that I need for my mother, which you’ll certainly have in stock?”

“Of course, anything! No need to hold back with Tanya, Xe’Reth. She’ll get whatever you need,” Malinda shockingly said in a spoiling voice with a daring flick of her hand while moving to be beside him.

Xe’Reth gives Tanya a questioning raised brow for confirmation, and she does nod with a beaming smile at this younger man than herself.

“Well, if you insist…”

…………

Within Celyssa’s study, the head-handmaiden rabbles words to Celyssa who leans back in her chair comfortably, but a scowl reveals on her expression the more words that comes out from the paper-clutching woman who stands in front of the desk, getting lowered eyebrows the further she speaks.

“And the last missive from the City-Commander says: Honored Madam Celyssa Tertin, I hereby report the recent happenings in your city.”

“One victim of murder found at the east gate’s river. Currently investigating.”

“The prepared festival is running smoothly for now. We’ll see when night comes. Sending another report at dusk.”

“DLO activity, high. Sources say that they’re trying to find someone. And they had arrested one of our gate captains, but was set free, but then again thrown in jail. Currently investigating.”

“No signs of the escaped criminal. Continuing with the search of the city.”

“The remaining business of the city is calm for now. End of report.”

“City-Commander Terorn Orchar,” the head-handmaiden finished with a sigh as she lowers the paper, but raises it again. “He really needs to work on his signature. It is truly ghastly to read… Thankfully, he only writes his name and not the whole report.”

“And?” Celyssa asked as her left eyebrow ascends with a questioning swipe of her hand through the air.

“Oh, yes of cour—Wait look, there is Malinda’s carriage with Taryna,” the head-handmaiden hollered with a raised hand, pointing at the large window overlooking the courtyard and the innermost gate. “Ah, Madam, you missed her.”

“Well…? Which direction did she drive to? Towards the Sanctuary or the stables?” Celyssa frowningly demanded as she flaps open her fan to begin waving it, so it blows frisky air onto her face, cooling it down from the hearth that spews out heat. “Dear Divine Queens, it’s burning hot in here. And it isn’t bloody winter yet, so douse that fire, will you?”

“Ah… Well… She was driving towards the stables,” she responded calmly with heeled shoes clacking on the wooden surface as she bends forward to reach to a hearth poker to spread apart the pitch black blocks of wood in the scorching fireplace. “It would seem; Malinda has already returned. For Taryna came from the Sanctuary, and not from the innermost gate.”

“And why haven’t you seen her or been told about it, until now? Linadra, tell me why?” Celyssa asked with a tone of annoyance while her eyes squints sourly at her head-handmaiden who shows a lowered head with hands placed on her stomach. An older woman being totally at her Mistress’ mercy.

“I… I didn’t think she would return so soon…” Linadra answered while lowering her head further. “I thought she would be at his house longer. When I got word that the Battle-Mistress returned, none said anything about Malinda coming with her. Hence the lack of reports from our servants.”

*Knock, knock*

“Come in!” Celyssa shouted with a harsh tone as her eyelids narrows to show two globes of light brown staring intently at Linadra whose head has twisted to the knocking door.

With a silent click, the door opens as a servant peeks inside to see the Madam of the house gazing at her dangerously, which transforms the servant’s expression into something else.

“I… I… I bring word that… that Honored Malinda has entered her wing of the citadel, H-H-Honored M-Madam,” the servant stutteringly said with a bent upper body, not showing the grief-stricken wide mouth and eyes.

“Leave…” Celyssa hissed with deadly intent directed at the startled servants who shuts the door with a quick curtsy without saying anything.

Celyssa raises herself from her cushioned seat, to pace back and forth between either side of the large window as a fan lashes fiercely at her face. While Linadra silently stands straightened with her regular lowered head and hands placed on her stomach. To wait for her Mistress’ words.

“I think… it would be proper to invite him to dine with the family, wouldn’t you think so too, Linadra?”

Thanks for reading! And Happy New Year!

Phew... Been pretty hard to write at the moment, but hopefully it'll calm down as school starts. And I've been thinking of fixing up the past chapters a little bit, nothing story-wise I assure you, but simply changing the grammar and thingies. Though I'll have to see, because that'll slow down my progress on upcoming chapters. None has really said anything about this, but I think it's kinda good to keep the writing style similar as every other chapter.

BUT! That'll only take a few days to fix, so I'll have a chapter up next week, or if I go on a writing spree, maybe two, who knows?! :D

Anyways, voice your thoughts so I know if I'm doing anything wrong! :P

Until... next time.

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