Post by Khalidah Clavel (I) on Jun 20, 2007 5:12:54 GMT -5
Calandria had been a blessing. She's sent round several of the younger children to help me pack the next morning. Admittedly there wasn't much. But they handled my things with care and chatted among themselves. I couldn't find it in me to speak more than a few words.
My meager belongings were loaded into a carriage and Calandria came to see me off.
"Take care of yourself Khali. If you need aught- send word, and we'll do our best. You are one of us, after all, even though you're a lady now." Unexpectedly she took me into an embrace.
For a moment I just stood there stiffly, then clung to her. She had never been maternal to me- had always demanded excellence, chided and rebuked me. But she had been kind, always kind. With tears glittering on my cheeks, I let her go, entered the carriage and didn't look back. If I looked back, I'd never leave, too afraid to do aught else. But I was brave, I would be brave even though I felt afraid.
We moved across the City along well maintained roads. As we left Mont Nuit, the quality of the houses and shops rose, until it was nothing but walled homes, broken periodically by large gates. The carriage pulled up to one such gate, rolled through into a beautiful courtyard surrounded by plants and manicured lawns. A fountain played quietly in the background.
A footman helped me descend from the carriage. All the servants were lined up outside, in what I assumed was by rank. The housekeeper and butler approached me in unison.
"Lady Celestine, it is an honor and a privilege to have you home. The entire staff grieves with you for the tragic loss of your father and elder brother..." He trailed off, shocked no doubt at my appearance. I had not slept much, and felt haggard. "My Lady, I'm Jean-Paul, the butler. My wife, Katrine is the housekeeper, and..." I forestalled him naming every member of the staff by raising a shaking hand.
"Please, I will meet the rest of the staff anon. Right now, I simply need-" I need... I thought back to my night with Landis, telling him what I wanted. I'd never been allowed to tell anyone what I wanted before. I would start now.
"I want a bath. And to rest. The last few days have been taxing and I do not have the energy to greet everyone as they deserve."
"Of course, my lady. Tomorrow or the next day." He waved to a few of the servants, who hurried over to start unloading the carriage. Katrine clucked like a mother hen as she lead me inside the huge house and up the stairs to the master suit. My father's rooms. Most recently Da'ud's rooms.
They were beautiful, decorated in the Akkadian styles I loved best. I'd only change a few things. But not today, tomorrow. Katrine loosened my stays and left to go find the maids. Buckets of hot water would be arriving soon. Thank Samash.
I stripped to my skin and wrapped a velvet robe around my body. It was too long, but I didn't care. None of my things were unpacked yet, they were still bringing them up.
An ornate chest sat on a dresser and I went over to investigate. A delicate key rested in the lock, and I turned it, hearing the soft click. The lid opened on well oiled hinges and I gasped.
Pearls. Hundreds of pearls, all perfectly matched, of every color imaginable. Strand after strand. It took me a moment to see the folded note inside.
Khali-ma,
Our Father gave these to his bride when she bore him twin sons. No gift was given to our mother for your birth. So these will have to do, even though you are far more dear to me than mere pearls. Wear them with pride little sister.
Blessings upon you
Malik.
I buried my face in my hands and wept. I did not mourn my father, or my elder brother. Only for Malik, and his priceless gift of my mother's pearls.
My meager belongings were loaded into a carriage and Calandria came to see me off.
"Take care of yourself Khali. If you need aught- send word, and we'll do our best. You are one of us, after all, even though you're a lady now." Unexpectedly she took me into an embrace.
For a moment I just stood there stiffly, then clung to her. She had never been maternal to me- had always demanded excellence, chided and rebuked me. But she had been kind, always kind. With tears glittering on my cheeks, I let her go, entered the carriage and didn't look back. If I looked back, I'd never leave, too afraid to do aught else. But I was brave, I would be brave even though I felt afraid.
We moved across the City along well maintained roads. As we left Mont Nuit, the quality of the houses and shops rose, until it was nothing but walled homes, broken periodically by large gates. The carriage pulled up to one such gate, rolled through into a beautiful courtyard surrounded by plants and manicured lawns. A fountain played quietly in the background.
A footman helped me descend from the carriage. All the servants were lined up outside, in what I assumed was by rank. The housekeeper and butler approached me in unison.
"Lady Celestine, it is an honor and a privilege to have you home. The entire staff grieves with you for the tragic loss of your father and elder brother..." He trailed off, shocked no doubt at my appearance. I had not slept much, and felt haggard. "My Lady, I'm Jean-Paul, the butler. My wife, Katrine is the housekeeper, and..." I forestalled him naming every member of the staff by raising a shaking hand.
"Please, I will meet the rest of the staff anon. Right now, I simply need-" I need... I thought back to my night with Landis, telling him what I wanted. I'd never been allowed to tell anyone what I wanted before. I would start now.
"I want a bath. And to rest. The last few days have been taxing and I do not have the energy to greet everyone as they deserve."
"Of course, my lady. Tomorrow or the next day." He waved to a few of the servants, who hurried over to start unloading the carriage. Katrine clucked like a mother hen as she lead me inside the huge house and up the stairs to the master suit. My father's rooms. Most recently Da'ud's rooms.
They were beautiful, decorated in the Akkadian styles I loved best. I'd only change a few things. But not today, tomorrow. Katrine loosened my stays and left to go find the maids. Buckets of hot water would be arriving soon. Thank Samash.
I stripped to my skin and wrapped a velvet robe around my body. It was too long, but I didn't care. None of my things were unpacked yet, they were still bringing them up.
An ornate chest sat on a dresser and I went over to investigate. A delicate key rested in the lock, and I turned it, hearing the soft click. The lid opened on well oiled hinges and I gasped.
Pearls. Hundreds of pearls, all perfectly matched, of every color imaginable. Strand after strand. It took me a moment to see the folded note inside.
Khali-ma,
Our Father gave these to his bride when she bore him twin sons. No gift was given to our mother for your birth. So these will have to do, even though you are far more dear to me than mere pearls. Wear them with pride little sister.
Blessings upon you
Malik.
I buried my face in my hands and wept. I did not mourn my father, or my elder brother. Only for Malik, and his priceless gift of my mother's pearls.