WHIP!

The crack of a whip roared out into the evening air.

“Ay, aye!” The sound of a whip thrashed again, and almost immediately; the pounding beat of the metal hooves slowed. “Aye, settle now!” The carriage wheel rumbled and jittered as the carriage driver steadied his reins. He rapidly clicked his tongue and hollered out sounds to his horses.

WHIP!

The stagecoach lashed his whip again as the horses neighed and huffed. Quickly decelerating, the carriage rolled down a hill gliding down towards flatlands speckled with various brightly colored foliage and tall trees. Soaring into the scenery, the stagecoach tugged at his reins directing the horses to the entry of great towering white manor.

As they neared a stone fountain roundabout, the chittering of hooves came to a thundering halt. Adjusting reins with one hand, the stagecoach crawled down from his seat, hurrying to open the carriage doors.

At their arrival, a few servants and a slender broad shoulder woman awaited them at the very top of the main door stairs. Watching as the carriage doors opened, joy increased in her face, clutching her fur coat as she took to hurried sauntering feet. Anxious to keep her long velvet green gown from touching the ground, her servants held tight to the dress tail, moving as she moved.

“Lord Sutherton! Lady Sutherton!” Her silken voice reached to their carriage. She moved gradually, reaching the carriage with a friendly smile that never reached her tapered eyes. “Oh, how wonderful it is to see you, Lord and Lady Sutherton!”

Lord Sutherton eased out from the carriage, Lady Sutherton stepping down after him, the stagecoach leading her out by hand.

“Lady Katrine.” Lord Sutherton nodded his head towards her, greeting her a grimace. “Good to see you.”

“Yes,” Lady Sutherton added, with a smile of her own. “It has been quite so long. I’m happy to see you look so well, Lady Katrine. As always you are dressed very---.” She didn’t finish as examined Katrine’s flashy bedazzled dress, flamboyantly long dress tail, and her bulky black fur coat that still owned bear paws and claws. “---Your way.” She finished speaking with a strained smile.

“Oh, how kind you always are, Lady Sutherton!” Katrine gushed, stepping close to give two light cordial pecks to Anya’s cheeks. “You as well! You are looking absolutely, positively, swell yourself, Lady Anya.”

Lady Sutherton returned the formal kisses. “Ah, sweet of you to say.” She imitated a laugh. “Thank you again for allowing us to stay for a few while we travel to the Tricitidal. I know it was under such short notice. We were expecting to stay elsewhere but since we left earlier than intended, our plans were shifted.”

“Oh no, no, no matrishoka, don’t you concern about it.” She adjusted the weight of her fur coat and dismissively waved. “It would be an honor to be of help to anyone under the Sutherton name. Please, don’t be strangers come along and follow me.” She turned, desperate servants rushing to keep her dress tail off the ground as she carelessly strolled away.

She led them into the house and through various spacious corridors. “How was your journey?” She peaked back at them. “I trust the roads were comfortable?”

“It was fine,” Lady Sutherton replied, lacking warmth. “Thank you for asking.”

“Yes, of course,” Red gleamed on Katrine’s lips. “Are you hungry? Anything you’d like to fill your belly?”

They walked onwards through the halls and corridors of the startling white everything in the manor.

“No, I’m well. Davyid?” Lady Sutherton glanced at her tight-lipped husband.

He shook his head. “Perhaps in a little while.”

“All right, then.” She conceded, with a light scrunching of her red lips. “And, Lord Davyid?” She looked back to him. “My husband has been looking forward to see you. Once you’ve rested a bit, he’d appreciate if you’d join him in his study. Or, if you’re up to it, you can always visit him now if you’d like?”

Lord Sutherton cleared his throat, stiffly replying, “I suppose that won’t be a problem. I will see him before I rest.”

“Wonderful.” She flashed a wide smile before turning to a maid who followed close to her side. “Hazel, help Lord Sutherton find his way to my husband’s study.”

Lord Sutherton paced away, leaving Katrine and Lady Sutherton to themselves.

Slowing her speed, Katrine faced Lady Sutherton, a small gathering of servants still endeavoring to protect the tail of her dress. “Now that the men are away handling business, do you care for little fun, Lady Anya?” She raised her shoulders and the bear’s paw that was slung over her shoulder shifted.

Lady Sutherton lightly exhaled, formulating a tense affable smile. “You know, I’d love to Lady Katrine, but I am a bit lethargic. I should rest. It’s been a long ride, and we still have much more to travel. It’s good for me to remain stable with rest.”

“No, I insist. Join me for just a cup and a chat.” She placed a hand on Lady Sutherton’s shoulder.

“Lady Katrine,” she said, looking to the sharp claws that stuck out from the bear paw. “I appreciate the sentiment. But I must turn your offer down.” She eased off Katrine’s grasp.

“But Lady Anya, don’t you know I beg of you?” Her voice elevated as she plead with vigor. “If I could be so entitled to take a moment of your time, I’d love to catch up with you just for a bit.”

“Lady Katrine.” An uncomfortable look pinched the corner of Lady Sutherton’s lips. “I really am quite tired.”

“Oh, but your departure will approach too soon! Surely, there will not be time for chit chat then. Can you not spar me just a few minutes?” She urged with a pout.

Sighing, Lady Sutherton avoided Katrine’s compulsive stare. “Well?” She sighed again. “Alright if it is just for a bit.” She conceded with a weary smile.

“Oh, thank you, Lady Anya. I couldn’t be any happier that you’ve changed your mind.” She returned Lady Sutherton weak smile with a toothy beam. “Please come with me to the tea room. We recently had it remodeled.” She started walking in the opposite direction, servants still carrying the weight of her dress tail.

“Really?” Lady Sutherton questioned, faking interest. Her lagged movements were like molasses as she followed a little behind Katrine’s entourage of servants delaying her proximity.

“It’s nothing too special compared to what I remember of your stunning manor, but do I hope you find it at least acceptable.” She stopped at a large ivory inlaid white door.

Carved into the door was a deeply intricate wooden sculpture of woman resembling Katrine and a man atop a muscular stallion. The woman was carved with intense detail, her beauty portrayed to a nearly exaggerated degree. The man drawn next to her, likewise, was carved in excessive detail, and various jewels and glittering stones were inlaid into the wood with the ivory. The colorful jewels made a rectangular border around the wood carvings. Even the arched gold door handles were personalized with sophisticated brass flowers coiled around it.

“Lovely door.” Lady Sutherton created a taught smile as she observed the tailored door. “But are we going to go in?” she asked, staring puzzled as Katrine stood awkwardly on the side of the door, allowing ample room for the door to be seen in its entirety.

“Yes of course.” She returned a bright smile to Lady Sutherton. “Let us go in.” She glanced at one of her many servants, expectingly waiting for one of them to open the door.

One of her attendants caught on quickly and hurried to open the door.

Katrine entered the room first, looking back to Lady Sutherton as she walked in. “I know it’s a little shabby but please, do try to get comfortable.” She pressed her lips together, her carmen red lipstick briefly concealed.

Lady Sutherton surveyed her surroundings. The ceilings of the room were nearly higher than most ballroom ceilings. Hundreds of glass chandeliers hanged from the ceilings causing the white marble floors to reflect its opulent sparkle. On the walls, massive paintings of Lady Katrine and Lord Sven hanged. Any free space was occupied by stuffed furs and heads, their collection ranging from bears to mountain cats. Furniture was not spared of extravagance, several chairs and tea tables were made of solid marble, sliver, ivory, or gold.

Slightly blinded by all the sparkle that surrounded her, Lady Sutherton squinted. “It’s quite, uh…decadent, Lady Katrine.”

“No need to sugar it, Lady Anya,” she replied, dismissive with her words, but delight never off her tongue. “I know it’s humbly modest and not anything compared to the beauty of your home. But please, let us sit.” She gestured towards a two lounging couches with a tea table placed between. “Now, what would you like to drink?” she asked, sliding off her coat and shoving it into the arms of an unassuming nearby maid. “We have a wide variety of exotic spices and herbs.” She sat down with the assistance of servants adjusting her dress and patting her seat. “Anything you want. I can get for you.” She gleefully watched Lady Sutherton take a seat across from her.

“Oh, well, uh?” She looked at Katrine before her attention was caught looking to the maids who were struggling not to injure themselves with the coat’s bear claws as they hauled the fur away. She looked back to Katrine, the struggling maids in her periphery. “I could go for some wine.”

“Wine? Yes, of course.” She turned her attention to a random maid. “Hazel, please get us some wine and---.” She paused, lowering her voice, emphasizing her words. “---my special drink.”

The maid nodded, departing quickly.

“Hazel?” Lady Sutherton looked to the maid leaving. “Wasn’t the other one called Hazel?”

“They’re all called Hazel. Easier to remember.”

“Well, what about the men?”

“Hazel,” she confirmed. “It’s my favorite color.”

“Oh.”