The more I see of men,
the more I like dogs.
~Madame de Staël
***
The next morning, the sun kissed the town basking the folks in its warmth. Last night had been one hell of a stormy night, but today, it was bright and warm. It was like the town where she lived.
Her silver hair was tied into a rough bun and her usual demeanor was always carried by the soft wind. She wore a simple, sleeveless wool overdress in a muted brown tone, layered over a pale linen shift with long sleeves, the skirt brushing her ankles and a narrow belt cinched at her waist.
The color complemented her dull skin which was unnoticeable or rather, less vibrant than the shade.
Ravenna stepped out into the crisp morning air, her worn-out shoe stepping off the local carriage and taking her towards the capital.
From afar, its imposing structure loomed ahead, and such carried the power and glory whispered yet feared.
The bustling sound of morning folks filled the air as she walked deeper. Last night… she chose not to remember. But it still hunted her, such that her gaze subconsciously searched for a pair of bright red eyes.
It could've been an imagination but something told her it wasn't. And it was so strong she could see it seep into her bones.
There was a slight commotion from a distance inside the alleys of the markets, getting Ravenna's attention.
The only difference was that the humans went back to what they were doing. But Ravenna's curiosity got the best of her, especially when she heard someone say;
"-found a Dragon's egg at The Wall. I think I heard Wall, but another rumor that it was found near the Witch's Tower." A Lady said, unsure, blowing a fan to her face with an umbrella shielding her figure from the sun.
Ravenna glanced at the spot.
Merchants distributed their goods, crowding the marketplace as people sold the most captivating things to make a few pennies, and some even worth gold.
But those times were rare. However, now seemed different.
Dragon egg?
The last time she had ever seen one was in her dream. Well, that again, was another effect of the ale she consumed at the brothel.
Apart from that, Dragons were history. There were long-lost tales.
If Ravenna did not know the lies people share as stories so others will listen and purchase their product, she would've believed the information this time. But there had been a couple of times were people had been fooled by being given fake things of no purpose. In the beginning, when she was still young, she watched Lady Charlotta, one of the noble women, boast about owning Mermaid's gems and the power they carried within only to realize it was an ordinary rock at the end. And three years ago, the seller had disappeared without a trace, vanishing with her gold.a
A sound blown from the castle horn interrupted her reflections, its deep cry rippling through the capital like a warning cloaked in routine. Ravenna lifted her gaze toward the towering spires above, the echo anchoring her steps as she pressed onward toward the seat of power that watched all beneath it, and its towers soaring high like a god.
Deciding not to proceed due to time, she walked past, holding her gown to avoid the hem pooling on the dirt or mud as she made her way to the castle.
Work in the castle, off to the farthest village as Hannah Maere, and back home was her day-to-day planning. Nineteen years of servitude remained. She was facing her punishment and she could only pray for a better day, and fewer nights.
"M-mornin… Ravioli-na,"
A familiar figure approached her with an unnerving smile which Ravenna was forced to return as she turned.
"Good morning, Ser Johnathan. How are you doing today?"
Ser Johnathan's face lit up when she asked. "I-I'm w-well, t-thank you. Y-you look l-lo-vethly t-today. A-always s-shining as bright as the sun in the c-clawds and t-he f-floy… I-I mean f-lowas in the g-gadinn-" He took exactly half a minute to stammer out those words, that Ravenna had to interrupt politely.
"Thank you, Ser. That's very kind of you," She said and he beamed.
Ravenna was forced not to grimace. His set of incomplete brown teeth was unpleasing to the eyes, and had that smile that anyone who looked at him for more than a second would cringe.
Ser Johnathan had been one of the most successful stonemasons in the village born with the ability to stammer and gifted with the knowledge of an illiterate.
She had only clocked nineteen when he began to court her. Ravenna had refused his proposal, not because of his inability to speak properly or the way he appeared, but the line which she saw in him.
Judging from his looks, Ravenna knew she could be younger than his last daughters, meaning she was old enough to pass the title of being his granddaughter. He was old and could barely stand properly without tripping first. Even with his reputation, Ravenna could not bring herself to judge him. What is worse than being both a whore, thief, and a traitor's daughter?
Rumors were tossed by the wind, that Ser Johnathan beds all his daughters breeding his child. Although, it was never said why he couldn't make out a son, someone to pass his title— and yet chose to spend his life forthing female children rather than remain a bachelor.
It was also said, all the mothers of these daughters, died before their second year. Was this true or was it just a tale? Ravenna never cared, and never wanted to be cared for. She would rather remain a whore for pleasure than marry one man whom she has to live till the second year after birth.
"Ravioli-na…"
"Ravenna." It was the nth time she corrected him yet whenever she did, it only got worse.
"R-raviolina," he pronounced and she compelled a smile. "I-I was w-wondering… would you l-like to j-join mi f-for d-denah at my f-family's inn t-tonight?"
Ravenna acted surprised. "Dinner, if I'm correct?"
"Ah, y-yes. D-dinah." He hesitated, his words tumbling out. "I-I would l-love you to… m-meet my d-daughters, M'wives. T-they have b-been so… e-eager to see y-you."
To kill me.
"I appreciate your invitation, Ser Johnathan, but I have duties at the castle by that hour. Maybe some other time."
May the heavens forbid.
"T-tommorow, it i-is?"
"Work duties, pardon."
"T-the next?"
"Still work."
"A d-day after t-tommorow?"
"Same as the former."
"T-two days b-before… eh," he brought out his fingers and began to count on them. Ravenna looked at him in confusion. What trick was he playing this time?
She looked at the castle wall from afar when the horns blew again. "I'm sorry, Ser Johnathan, but I have to go."
He stopped counting his fingers and looked at her with a fallen face. "Y-you clea-n shits, eh? M-must be the w-werk y-you been t-talkin about."
Ravenna tried not to insult him. All her life, he was one of the people who had looked at her like who she was and not with disgust, so she owed him that respect.
She forced a polite smile and began to walk away.
"T-there's no better h-home with a p-privy pits, my R-aviolina… I'll be wai-ting f-for you. I'll b-be waiting…" Ravenna heard him say when she was a few distances away from his sulking figure.
On her way, she met William Baker, a fisherman who passed the street and hawked his fish. She waved at him with a bright smile. "Good morning, William! May the heavens bless your pocket today."
The man responded with a deadly glare that Ravenna reacted to whilst remaining mute. She chuckled silently as she passed, wishing the heavens would indeed pour fortunes into his pocket she could steal from tonight.
"You're late, servant. Get to your duties." The castle's gatekeeper scowled, signaling the others to let her pass.
"Aye, sir," and Ravenna curtsied, making her way inside the castle, its towering stone walls and soaring turrets blocking any glimpse beyond its shadowed courtyards.
***
The hour was forty minutes away before the royal family members of Ashwraithe would be having breakfast in the dining room.
The maids and the servants hurried with their work so their lowly presence wouldn't spoil the mood of the royal family. And after breakfast, they returned to tidy up the place. Among them was Ravenna with two other maids who cleaned the table after the dishes were cleared.
"I heard Lord Devon is going to visit the palace soon, especially with the upcoming festival. I was told he's a good-looking man, and has a taste for servants with a sense of humor," There was excitement in her voice when she spoke, and Ravenna looked up at the fellow maid named Bridget.
A thin tall girl spoke next, squeezing water off the rag. "Those are mere death traps set to lure one early to your graves, and if not carefully, will catch an ankle before the trap is even set,"
Scoffing, Bridget pressed on, mopping the floors. "Don't be silly, Amanda. I have a feeling that maybe… maybe I might stand a chance of winning my mate for the festival. I had my card reading last night and it foresaw my future in the arms of someone wealthy," There was a dreamy look in her eyes when she expressed.
"Those aren't real," Amanda sounded exasperated, arranging the silverware properly.
"Just because your reading didn't predict something good out of it, doesn't mean the same for others." Bridget glared. "Perhaps, Jacob might be your destined mate. After all, I've caught you both exchanging looks once or twice today,"
Once every year, Vladoryn celebrated the birth of Kaeroth'Zaiun, the Ember-Wreathed Sovereign, god of fire and rain. It was an annual celebration practised strictly, one believed mates were destined to be found and marked. It was a practice of the birth of Dragons and tribes. All these were born of histories, when Dragons reigned, and built the sovereignty in Vladoryn. Centuries ago, the continent was divided into seven kingdoms and each Kingdom possessed a vast ability from banished creatures. Vladoryn happens to fall under the abilities of Dragons.
In summary, people ate, offered gifts, and danced to their satisfaction. Most people, however, believed their soulmates were found and brought by the god of fire and rain, blessed and fortunate. And so far, the festival showered endorsements and proved things to be true.
Ravenna quickly rounded up and was grateful she did, grabbing a bucket as she descended into the familiar dark, foul-smelling tunnels, the air welcoming her arrival. Ravenna scrunched her face at the overwhelming smell. "I wonder how this place gets worse each day I clean."
She fanned her face, blowing the air that infected her nostrils.
Dropping the bucket on the floor, she inspected the place before she began. As the day inched by and she scrubbed the privy pits, a figure approached her.
"Ravenna," someone called, siphoning her name. "I thought you wouldn't make it today. Tough day, eh?"
Ravenna looked up to see a man with a rough face and a grumpy voice she acknowledged.
"Nothing worse, Nicolas," She replied, getting back to scrubbing. "What are you doing here? I thought you had shifts at midday," and she returned to her duty.
"Aye, I do," he responded with a small nod. "But man has bodies to deliver, a new batch of lime for the pits."
She paused midway, "Who's the unfortunate fellow?" There was concern and pity in her tone when she inquired, proceeding after.
"Just a six-year-old boy caught stealing at one of the Lord's manors," He said and she released a breath. "Lord Alexander requests the body be burnt and dropped at the entrance of the walls, a warning for the stupid who would dare cross his hatch.
Ravenna stopped scrubbing and looked at him. "And the king?"
"He refuses, asks him to decorate his home instead," He sounded exasperated and Ravenna looked at him with pity. Sometimes, it was difficult not to, deeming he had to pass through an extremely strenuous phase of picking and burying dead bodies.
"Here I am, back from dump-n-droll hunt. Those crocodiles get hungrier each day and I fear I would be next." He was talking about graveyards and released a soft chuckle at the end.
Ravenna forced one too. "The people are getting hungry. Stealing becomes an occupation for the unfed. I wonder what the king says about this,"
"What every king would say," he responded. "What every knight would swear."
Ravenna didn't respond to this and kept cleaning. "He's still the king. And every king would do what he's doing. Or maybe not," she muttered the last sentence to herself.
"Aye," he approved. "I bet every king would choose to sacrifice his daughter for power. Heard Second Princess Olenna would be getting married soon. Not sure when. But you know rumors,"
Oh, Ravenna thought. That was unexpected. Kingdom, power, and politics. It always seemed to revolve around stateliness. "Wasn't it just last week Princess Anastasia got married?" She was curious. Do royalties wed this fast?
Nicolas shrugged, something heavy in his tone when he uttered, "Heard this one was special,"
***