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Katherine de la Poer Part I - Magic Schoolgirl!

Exham Hall
Anchover Isle
Pendleton
Erde
January 1005 NE

Anchover Isle, the furthest isle of all the Pendleton Isles, but though it might seem desolate and windswept from afar, with the tall rocky craig rising high above the surf on the North West side of the island, the isle was in fact green and inviting in far weather. 'Tis true that from the North West any approach would be impossible, as the massive cliffs there seemed to rise a full two hundred feet straight up offering naught but the scantiest foothold, and slippery wet at that, for even the most intrepid climber. On top of this cliff a tall tower stands, ancient and made from stone, long ago it was a watchtower but now it had long since become a light tower warning sailors about a treacherous approach.

Yet approach from the south and you would find a calm harbour sheltered by a part natural and part manmade breakwater, for though the natural breakwater had created a fine harbour the people had over the years quarried rock and carried it out in wicker baskets, or rowing them over in boats, before dropping them at the extreme end of the breakwater. Here in even fine weather the waves would smash against the breakwater sending sprays of salt water into the air, making certain parts of it almost hazy with the fine salt mist.

In the harbour there was a small village of fishermen and farmers, there were cosy houses with thatch roofs, though some had old fashioned roofs where grass grew and the goats might jump up to eat, and others again, belonging to the wealthier farmers or the local shop owner would have shingled roofs. However they were all small one or two story houses painted a bright white since this was the cheaper colour, only the Church tower rose above these houses standing as a landmark wherever you went in the small village, though not that you'd be likely to need one.

The people too were Pendletons through and through, stout and hard working fishermen and farmers, but come storms and bad weather, or any unusual sign, and they'd turn a suspicious eye towards the mansion and make the sign of the cross. 'twas not that they loathed the Big House on the hill on account of the squires wealth, though many envied the fine fields and the stout slaves working them, nor did they resent their obligations to the squire for they were knowledgeable enough to know that a farmer or fisher is ever in debt or in need of renting some land, and the squire is better than any banker.

It was something undefined at first, but if you would listen you should soon hear the rumours, the legends, the stories of evil lords, of lecherous wicked squires, and of murderous ones; not that anything had happened in the past few decades but the legend still went that the de la Poers were not quite right.

So then we go up to Exham Hall, home of the de la Poers, and what to say of it? It was ancient, more ancient than any building on the island, it was said it was first built before the God Wars themselves, though reasonable men scoffed at such ideas. What was certain was that the primary foundation had been built before 400 NE, it had that excessively thick construction with the rounded arches, the kind that gave a dark and heavy look to a building and wasted precious stone. Yet there was much of this original foundation that people thought had been fragments of an earlier building, strange rocks that lacked a counter part on the island suggesting they had been imported from some unknown location.

On top of these ancient structures there had however been erected a more modern building, if that is an appropriate word, the Gothic style construct with its fine arches and large windows giving light to the modern sections of the mansion. Here too were a pair of watchtowers, reminders of more warlike days and a time when the villagers would rush inside the mansion to hide from pirates. The building however had a strange dark aspect to it, as was reflected in the pondersome gargoyles that lined the gutters, and the interior was cool and drafty even in the best of times, something which even the newly installed central heater could remove.

As you drew nearer you might hear an ear splitting cry, an anguished scream from the bottom of a young lady's soul, carried impressively far through the harsh stone architecture. "NOT FAIR!" Lady Katherine de la Poer screamed as she rushed up the stairs, gently lifting her skirt with her right hand like a proper lady, the sound of her laced boots hitting the stone steps echoed up and down the hallway.

Left behind were her father and mother who peered cautiously up to see that their progeny rushed into the section of the mansion where she lived and slammed the door behind her.

"She seems upset," Walter de la Poer, Lord Exham, her father mused as he peered in her direction, then he turned back to his wife and added "You go talk to her when she's calmed down, it's not the end of the world after all."

"Yes dear," Margareth de la Poer, the Lady Exham, her mother replied "Though it is a hard blow to a young girl," as she studied the letter carefully "This is an insult to our household!" she added "They make it sound like our dear daughter has some kind of ..." she sighed, hesitated too as if she couldn't quite make herself say the word "Reputation," she finally got out.

"Hmmmph, if they had been any more obvious it'd be a matter for lawyers," Lord Exham mused, then with a gleam in his eye and a slight snarl "Or perhaps if they were not craven pistols for two, tea for one."

"Now dear," Lady Exham said and quietly placed one of her long elegant hands upon her husbands arm, gently patting the tweed clad arm "Lets now get carried away, I am certain there are several excellent schools that would be delighted to accept our patronage."

Up in Lady Katherine's Room

Lady Katherine lay on top of the silk sheets of her canopy bed and sobbed into a soft down pillow "Not fair! Not fair!" she said in between each heart rendering sob, as she turned the pillow wet with her tears.

She was in a room filled with lovely things, fluffy stuffed animals in various bright colours, and though she was too old to play with them she still had her collection of lovely porcelain dolls in elaborate dresses, the kind that would be the envy of most other girls and which they'd only get to play with briefly once a week if that.

Of furniture there was of course a small table with lots of drawers, including many cunningly hidden away, and a built in oval mirror. It contained writing materials, some perfumes, a few carefully hidden cosmetic items and ointments, the kind decent girls were not supposed to use, and of course her diary into whose leather bound pages she wrote her dreams and heart aches. This of course was supplemented by some lovely chairs with padded backs, and heavy gilding as well as embroideries upon the padded backs. In short she lived in the kind of room that was the dream of most Pendleton girls, the kind that they would imagine a Lady to live in.

Though one of her greatest luxury was soon made apparent as a sweet voice inquired "Mistress? Is something wrong," an observer would soon tilt his head and spot a Maid, not your average housemaid but a Lady's maid but still wearing a uniform black and white with the skirt ending just beneath the knee in a way that would be unacceptable for a free woman. She had been a gift to Lady Katherine on her twelfth birthday, and was most devoted.

That devotion and consideration was however not always returned as Katherine shouted "GO AWAY SARA!" Not really feeling up for talking to her right now.

Sara quietly withdrew from the room, she felt a bit bad for getting yelled at like this, but she chided herself for being so clueless as to not realise her mistresses' predicament. Instead she went into the bathroom and began to fill the tub with warm water, as well as uncovering the various soaps and ointments that she knew Katherine liked.

After maybe ten minutes Katherine began to feel bad, not awful bad, but a bit bad about having yelled at Sara, she lifted her head up from the pillow, even though she still pushed it slightly against her lower face. Finally she turned around and called "Sara?" feeling her voice almost crack from the strain her crying had put on it.

Sara walked out of the bath with a humble smile on her face "Yes mistress?" then looking at Katherine she added in a friendly tone "I've drawn you a bath mistress, I am sure a nice warm bath will make you feel much better."

"Mmmmmm," Katherine said as she held out an arm letting Sara help her out of her bed, the Maid quickly helped her mistress up and guided her to the young Lady's bath.

Naturally Lady Katherine had a bath of her own too, not as fine as her parents of course but still nice with a big white enamel tub with gilded lions feet, though you couldn't see them since the tub itself was covered with a nice polished granite construction that made the tub look like it dipped into a slate of granite. The floors were slightly rough, though this was to prevent you from falling and injuring yourself, and course there was the big mirror against the wall, and a lovely ornate set of shelves with the collection of fine glass and crystal bottles and jars containing the fine soaps and shampoos necessary to maintain Katherines good looks.

Sara gently moved behind Katherine as they entered the room and ran her fingers down Katherine's back gently beginning to remove the dress, meanwhile Katherine simply spread her arms a bit to give Sara room to work. Soon the floor length dress was removed, leaving Katherine only in her underwear, of course even so she was scarcely showing much skin; she still wore her voluminous pantaloons a baggy and multi-layered under garment that concealed her legs quite well, in addition her tight silk and whalebone corset scarcely revealed much more of her body than her dress had.

Sara continued her laborious task of removing her mistresses dress, unhatched the clasps at the back of the corset one by one, it was after all the mark of a rich woman's clothing that they could not be removed or put on without help. Indeed removing a corset was such a task that certain men of dubious repute allegedly carried a small pocket knife to cut through the strings that bound the corset, such things were rumours which Katherine would occasionally talk to her friends about while they all blushed and giggled.

As soon as the corset was removed Katherine took a deep breath, even as she felt that her waist looked abnormally wide without it, expanding almost instantly to a disgusting 22 inches, rather than her corseted normal of 18. Still it felt good to be able to breathe, and even if she knew that a decent girl wasn't even supposed to look at her naked body she blushed a bit as she peeked at the mirror Ooooh I'm so flabby she thought to herself patting her belly gently, that and she felt embarrassed about the hairs growing near certain parts of her body even though Sara and her mother had assured her that it was natural.

Finally though Sara commented "Shall I help you in Mistress?"

"No thank you Sara," Katherine replied as she lowered her body in the delicious warm water, Sara had poured in some sweet scented oils and soaps so the water felt and smelled divine, and almost immediately began to foam softly covering her body from further view.

Sara began to gently help Katherine clean herself, Katherine rejoiced in the feeling of the warm water against her body, and soon the lump in her throat began to go away. She smiled a bit as she felt Sara begin to shampoo her hair, rubbing the mixture of scented oils and liquid soap into Katherine's hair, and gently massaging her scalp too. Indeed she relaxed more than she had done in ages.

After cleaning the hair and having let the shampoo and conditioners do their work Sara rinsed it, pouring on clean water from a large glass pitcher, over and over until the hair was clean of soap.

Finally though Katherine stepped out of the bathtub "Ah this was wonderful," she said as Sara rinsed her body of the remaining soap duds, making sure that nothing remained on Katherine's skin. After drying off she was wrapped in a dressing gown before they proceeded back into the bedroom to begin the laborious work of dressing her anew.

As Katherine stood before the mirror in her bedroom contemplating her various dresses she commented out loud "It's not fair," she said as she gazed into the large mirror set in her wardrobe, it was surrounded by nice floral engravings that normally cheered her up a bit, but not this time.

"No Mistress," Sara said to be safe, but then out of curiosity she added "What's not fair mistress?"

"Oh silly!" Katherine said "The fact that I was refused entrance to St Rachael!" she said with a pout on her mouth, then she added quickly "We will take the green and white Ciano dress, yes!" she said with a smile pleased to have made such a weighty decision.

"It makes you look lovely mistress," Sara said agreeable enough as she began to pick out the various parts of the dress and help Katherine get into it.

"I can't believe they refused me entrance!" Katherine said as she was getting dressed, she sniffed a bit "It's not fair, I had better grades than anyone else, and more talent than any of those SOWS they let in!" she added with an angry look "Some of those ... women... had no more Talent than a house cat!"

"No mistress," Sara agreed "Just a pack of common village hedgewitches the lot of them," she said with a smile trying to support Katherine.

"Yes!" Katherine said breaking a smile herself "With big hooked noses!"

"Yes mistress, and an awful huge wart like a second nose on the end of the first one," Sara said as she began to tighten the corset again.

"Ye-heeees," Katherine said as she exhaled with each painful tug "Witches!" then with an evil mischievous smile "Witches with a big B!" she giggled at her own naughtiness.

"Yes Mistress, why ever did they refuse you?" Sara said, knowing her mistresses moods.

Once more Katherine stopped a bit, remembering those awful hideous days that were only months ago, but seemed like they had been years and years ago... she looked to Sara and whispered "You know Sara... you were there."

Sara's mouth fell open in shock "Mistress! Surely they cannot believe?" the idea that this horrid incident had not been cleared away was too much to believe.

"Yes they do! They do indeed!" Katherine said feeling very distraught "They don't outright say so, but it's the only reason that I can think of!"

Back when St Rachaels college was first suggested they had gone to Bailton, the University city in which St Rachaels and other important colleges were located, and there they had stayed in one of the hotels created to cater to the rich families of students and would be students. The town itself had been boring and sleepy, your typical University town where nothing happened except the occasional semi-riot by drunken students, and of course the odd local scandal.

However there was the railway to nearby Pendleton! Great Pendleton in all her glories! What more exciting place could there be for a young girl from a rich family? Indeed getting a first class compartment aboard the train and heading down to Pendleton was one of Katherine's great joys, she could spend hours and hours shopping in the enormous stores in Pendleton, while being escorted by a veritable army of servants and shop attendants. That of course and getting herself fitted for new dresses, there was nothing like being able to visit the most exclusive dressmakers in the whole of Pendleton and receiving hours of total attention from them.

Indeed everything had seemed to be working out wonderfully, except that some jealous people had spread some nasty rumours about her and Sara, something which she had just scoffed off at the time. However though Katherine didn't understand quite why the de la Poer name was often connected with wickedness and darkness, black rumours, unsubstantiated but there. Still such rumours occasionally arose and did little harm, but it had upset her a bit.

That is when it had struck, her parents had left her behind alone in Bailton while they went to attend important social functions in Pendleton, she was of course too young for a full coming out party and at any rate being somewhat bookish she found it exciting to study at the many libraries in Bailton. Somewhat naively she had studied and made a request to make copies from a certain book of magics, magics that were not entirely wholesome and indeed she had to some degree tricked an inexperienced clerk, who was somewhat infatuated by her, into letting her make her copies; she had not lied to him, but she had not corrected him when he obviously thought the book was not to be lent out because of its value and rarity, rather than because of the contents being too potent for common use.

Of course what Katherine had copied was some rather silly spells for finding out if someone truly loved you, and for making yourself appear a little prettier, in short the typical teenage girl spells and most of them rather more powerful than she could master.

That is when it happened, while her parents were away several stray cats and kittens had been taken by some demented mad woman and sacrificed in a most grizzly and unwholesome fashion! Their remains scattered in strange occult patterns! It just so happened the sacrifice was according to a dark spell that had, surprise of surprises, been included in the book from which she had copied; and lo someone had noticed her making copies from said book. The wicked rumours circulated, and of course she was rather embarrassed to say what she had really copied.

Still even though her buttocks had been turned red due to her fathers reaction, a rather unusually forceful reaction, one that made her sniffle a lot, she had been convinced that surely no one could believe any of these rumours! Alas despite no evidence against her apparently enough of a dark cloud remained that the university saw fit to deny her entrance!

Thus she was now in quite dire straits, feeling very upset and not sure what she would do. "I don't want to end up in some hedge witch school!" she said feeling very sorry for herself and stamping her foot as she said it "It's not FAIR! I didn't DO anything wrong!" Then afterwards she went back and continued to sulk, and despite Sara's best attempts Katherine was just impossible to cheer up.

Days later

After a few days Katherine had stopped sulking, but she still didn't feel too good, still like an obedient daughter she would get up in the morning and have Sara put on her morning dress. Then she tiptoed down the stairs to the breakfast room, she shivered a bit and pulled her morning gown tightly around her and she felt the cool air move around her, but fortunately it was just a few skips over to the breakfast room outside of which a liveried servant stood and opened the door for her as she slid into what appeared to be an oasis of warmth and light in the mansion.

The fireplace was crackling merrily, and the incandescent light bulbs made the room quite bright even in the early morning. The room of course had a simple table with a nice white tablecloth, nothing especially fancy just what you'd expect for an informal family breakfast. Katherine sighed as she curtsied to her parents before sitting down at her place, and then looked at the breakfast.

Today it was devilled kidneys, Avonlean kippers, honey pancakes, kedgeree, coiled wild boar sausage, black pudding, farm-smoked bacon, wholemeal toast, freshly churned butter, fruit preserves, free-range duck and chicken eggs, bubble and squeak, sautéed field mushrooms, grilled tomatoes, grapefruit, ground coffee, South Island tea in a porcelain pot and freshly squeezed orange juice. Nothing special in other words, just your average Pendleton Breakfast, but though it smelled delicious she didn't really have an appetite.

First of course they said their prayers, "Give us grateful hearts, O Father, for all thy mercies, and make us mindful of the needs of others; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." They said in unison before her parents began to load up their plates.

Katherine however just picked at her food with her fork, seeming very upset and sad.

"Katherine dear," her father said to her, giving her a friendly fatherly smile.

"Yes Sir?" She answered politely.

"You seem a bit upset lately, I understand that getting rejected from St Rachaels may have been a disturbing experience for you, but..." he gave her a fatherly look "We have spoken together and we may have some very good news for you, one of the family's old friends have arranged something..."

Katherine blinked a couple of times "What do you mean Sir? An admission to a reputable school?"

"Hmmmmm, we think you should decide for yourself," her father said "They sent a letter, I'll have your maid bring it to you," he then bit into his breakfast and seeing his daughter fidget he commented "Now eat some, do as your father says."

Sighing Katherine realised that her father wouldn't let her rush away to read the letter, instead she said "Yes Sir," trying to seem restrained as she ought to be. Even so she felt her appetite returning and she had soon finished off a rather sizeable breakfast before she was excused.

Naturally she walked away quietly, slowly, as she ought, right up until the moment that the door closed behind her, at that time she ran as fast as she could up the stairs the sound of her boots slamming against the stone floor and echoing through the mansion made it sound like a company of Riflemen were practising their quickstep.

Moments later she entered her rooms and slammed the door shut behind her before she began to pace back and forth waiting for the mail to arrive; she was of course waiting in her parlour, or so she called it though it was more like a dayroom actually, but with its big windows showing the now snow covered garden it was quite nice. The room was a bit sparse though there was a large table with a somewhat peculiar brass covered surface, some nice chairs with lions feet, a large cabinet that happened to be filled with musical instruments, and of course some book shelves ornately engraved and filled with light literature, mostly chivalric romances but there was some "proper" literature too, the difference of course was that the romances were worn and well read, but the proper books were still spotless.

Finally though Sara entered carrying a light silver tray with a letter on top of it, "Mail for you mistress," she said as she bowed slightly and then presented the silver tray before Katherine.

"At last!" Katherine said as she snapped up the envelope and immediately attacked it with her letter opener, in retrospect not the smartest decision since the steel letter opener snapped like a twig when it tried to dig into the letter. There was a loud PING sound as the blade snapped and flew several yards across the room before landing on the floor and skipping a couple of feet.

"Oh my..." Katherine said and looked more closely at the envelope it was made from stiff solid paper, as she touched it she wondered briefly if it was made from silk scraps rather than from cloth scraps, it had a very smooth peculiar texture and when she looked at it she literally could not see the texture marks that you always had on thick high quality paper.

There was however a peculiar wax seal with a very strange symbol on it, "Must be magic," she said half to Sara and half to herself, then as she took the broken letter opener and touched it to the seal the wax seal seemed to melt away and integrate into the envelope "Goodness..." she said out loud blinking twice "It is, it IS magic!" she said as a smile spread across her face.

Then she gently opened it and, with her lithe fingers shaking slightly, she pulled the letter out of the envelope, gently feeling the thickness of the letter and noticing the excellent quality of the paper Must be made magically she mused to herself.

Then she swallowed deeply before she looked at the paper, her beliefs in its magic were confirmed as she saw the strange symbols, looking much as if, well, they didn't really look like any letters she had seen before, but then they morphed silently into English. She read the letter twice before frowning slightly, the contents seemed so bizarre, almost like something out of a Scientific Romance, and yet... her parents would surely never bluff about something like this?

"I don't know, I really don't know, I mean it's too incredible to be true!" Katherine said as she looked at Sara, then she noticed that Sara's mouth was wide open and staring at something.

Katherine turned her head just in time to see the document glow weirdly, before suddenly a figure maybe six inched high leapt out of the letter. Katherine blinked twice before she fainted.

Katherine began to blink as she regained consciousness, she was laying on top of her bed, Sara was there too looking worried at her "I had the strangest dream," she began.

"It's no dream onee-sama!" came the strangely chirpy voice of the six inch tall flying doll that flew up in front of her "You have been chosen!"

Katherine started up making the doll glide backwards in the air "Chosen?"

"Yes onee-sama! Chosen for a once in a lifetime opportunity! A chance to attend the University of Lost Ground!" the doll exclaimed enthusiastically "You'll be the first! You'll be a trendsetter!"

"Well that sounds interesting..." she swallowed a bit "Like a Scientific Romance," she added blushing a bit since good ladies were not supposed to read those, being far too technical for the fair gender.

"Yes! Adventure! Learning! All that you could hope for one-sama!" the doll exclaimed again "A chance to show all the village hags what you're really good for onee-sama"

"I suppose so, but... how can I attend something that's lost? I mean wouldn't a University of Lost Ground be, uh, lost with the rest of it?" Katherine said feeling rather stupid as she did.

"It's a name onee-sama, the name of the place with the finest magic school in the galaxy!" the doll exclaimed as it shimmered in the air.

"Oh," Katherine said "So what about my parents, they'll scarcely let me go to Pendleton alone!"

"Not alone onee-sama! The invitation is for one student, but, I cleared it with your parents and they are fine as long as you bring your maid!" it exclaimed again.

"Hear that Sara?" Katherine said as she got up "You're coming with me to a different planet! Oh it will be exciting! What shall I... oh what shall I wear!"

"Don't worry onee-sama! It's been arranged, your parents friend will handle transportation!" the doll said.

"Oh yes!" Katherine said as she rushed towards her wardrobe "Oh what will I pack, what will I WEAR," she called enthusiastically as she rummaged through her clothes, and then rushed to her books "Oooh books book!" scarcely noticing that whatever magic animated the doll had departed leaving it laying still upon the floor.

Exham Hall
Anchover Isle
Pendleton
Erde
January 1005 NE

Katherine was rifling through her wardrobe looking over the dozens of dresses inside the frankly cavernous room "What should I wear! What oh what should I wear!" she said out loud as she studied the dresses.

"Uhm, Mistress," Sara said with a frown on her face as she held up the weird magic doll "The magic seems to have gone out of it Mistress."

Katherine turned to look "Awwww, that's just," she sighed "Well put it someplace next to all the other dolls," she said pointing to them before she went back to examining her dresses. There were many lovely ones, but she wasn't sure which ones were most suitable, after all who knew what kind of weather they had in this Alter Empire place!

She was not too worried about some magical messenger doll, after all she'd seen her old magic tutor produce effects that were just as impressive, and he wasn't all that powerful as mages went. Still it was a very pretty one she mused as she looked at it.

Then in mid preparation she suddenly spun around "Oh! I nearly forgot! I must surely speak to my parents!" her dainty fingers covered her mouth which was open in shock, then she smiled and pulled the hand away as she rushed towards the door lifting her skirt up a little "Prepare my usual travel kit Sara!" She called absentmindedly as she opened the door and rushed into the hallway running down the stairs as fast as she might.

In the Parlour

The parlour is the room in the room where the family meets for games and light entertainment, the parlour in Exham Hall was no different, it was a large room with a lovely parquet floor combining fine cherry wood and beech, the floor was only partially visible due to the many bright carpets covering it. The silk wallpaper had a beautiful and very simple blue pattern that complimented the roof which had been cleverly painted a light clear blue but with a few whitish areas and a single flock of birds as if seen from the distance, all arranged around the central chandelier that seemed to emulate the sun. On dark and rainy days, or in the winter, this organisation gave you sense of spring and summer, brightening up the room.

Before the crackling red granite fireplace a single concession to the masculine element lay, namely the white fur of some great predator from the polar regions. Otherwise the furniture consisted of several tables, most of them simple ones suitable for everyday use, but there was one slightly odd table namely one with a glass like counter made from a magical and unbreakable material. The chairs too were upholstered in simple blue or green damascene and heavily padded many of them were highly comfortable recliners so soft that a man could almost vanish inside one as he leaned back with a snifter of cognac.

Here sat Lord and Lady Exham quietly playing a simple game of cards, while occasionally discussing the matters of the day in low and gentle voices.

"Goodness, is that an avalanche coming down the stairs?" Lady Exham said with a concerned frown as she heard the tumult down the stairs.

Her father shook his head a bit too "I fear it's our dear daughter," he said with an indulgent smile "Apparently this offer has her quite excited."

"A lady should not run, her behaviour in this area has been deteriorating a lot" Lady Exham said slightly exasperated, then she sighed and added, before her husband could say anything, "Are we doing the right thing? I mean sending her to this school far away from everyone and everything?"

"The High Worshipful Mistress thinks it is a good idea, and assured us that it was safe," he replied, then he smiled sadly "Besides she would be miserable here, and she's a de la Poer, we always excel!"

As she placed a card gently and deliberately on the table Lady Exham shook her head sadly "Yes I know, but still," her eyes were sad and yet resigned "I worry, I would worry even if she were at St Rachaels'."

"SO would I, so would I, but we both agreed and now it is too late to turn back," he said as he heard the footsteps grow mute, sure sign that she had reached the carpets that covered the hall leading to the parlour.

Lady Exham nodded deliberately "I know, dear Lord I know, but why oh why..."

Whatever she was about to say she stopped as she heard the door began to move, and gently slid open on well oiled hinges, their daughter stepped inside and beamed "It's WONDERFUL!" she cried in a delighted voice that at once dispelled any thoughts Lady Exham could have harboured about not sending her.

"Yes I see," Lady Exham said as she watched her rather excited daughter burst into the room, then a smile crossed the noble lady's face "Katherine?" She gave her daughter a slightly reproachful look, that long look mothers excel in giving.

"Oh, sorry Ma'am," Katherine immediately said, calming down a bit, and blushing a little too, but still almost trembling with penned up energy. Still she struggled to keep her face in the appropriate demure folds, and to gently fold her hands over her belly.

Lady Exham sighed "Oh dear, you're such a tomboy, running around and jumping about" she shook her head with mock exasperation "How will you ever make a good impression on your new school."

Lord Exham however seemed more tolerant today, "Come now Margaret, can't you see our daughter is excited," he smiled at her too "So you have decided to accept then?" he asked Katherine.

Controlling herself very much Katherina replied, in a low and controlled voice, "Yes Sir, I should very much like to attend."

"Well then young Lady, I think you had better calm down a bit, remember your departure is not for a week at least," he reproached her a bit, but in a kind fatherly way, then however he added "The dear family friend that arranged this is a Lady of the Greatest Distinction," he said carefully looking at his daughter.

Katherine blinked as she tried to understand what he meant, since it was clearly important, and then realisation dawned, her eyes went wide and her mouth popped open "Oh," she said feeling very silly Oh dear! Yet who else would have the power to arrange this? She swallowed a bit before she said "I see Sir, I..."

"She will be visiting us in a few days, to discuss arrangements," Lord Exham added, he gently held her shoulders, though at arms length of course "I understand you are excited, and we shall talk about this at length, but you should give the matter careful thought even until she arrives and not make a final decision before you've heard all that she has to say."

Katherine nodded obediently "Of course Sir, I should never think to make a decision lightly that you have given me orders to consider and ponder over," she smiled a bit "With your permission I shall forthwith retreat to my quarters and ponder the matter most cautiously Sir," she said politely and bowing slightly.

Inwardly Lord Exham sighed, "Did you take in a single solitary word of what I just said?" he asked feeling quite exasperated himself Young people, goodness me, enthusiasm combined with a total lack of judgement.

"But of course Sir," Katherine said as she looked at him with the biggest most innocent doe eyes you could imagine, innocence questioned, "I should never think to disregard your advice Sir." She almost sniffed, but didn't looking as if she was hurt and about to cry.

Oh no, not this he thought groaning inside, then fortunately his wife stepped in.

"You look sick dear? Are you perhaps coming down with a cold?" Lady Exham asked in that innocently cruel manner that only a child's mother can properly master.

"No Ma'am, just something in my eye," Katherine replied quickly, fully aware of who was and was not susceptible to her daughterly wiles.

"Well now, that's good," her mother continued, and smiled having made her point, "Do take care, you shouldn't run you'll get dust all over" she said and gently daubed some imaginary spec of dust from her daughters dress.

"Yes Ma'am," Katherine said, fighting hard to control her voice "I shall be most prudent."

Looking to her husband first Lady Exham finally sighed, "Very well Katherine, you may walk back to your room," she looked carefully at Katherine "Darling?" she said gently touching Katherine's cheek "Walk like a lady, not running like a tomboy, we will have to have a little talk about that we've been too indulgent, do break this habit."

"Of course Ma'am," Katherine said as she curtsied to her parents "I shall give this all due thought Sir," and then curtsying to her mother "Ma'am." She then quickly left through the door, and within seconds of the heavy door gently sliding shut they could once more hear the sound of footsteps rushing away.

Lady Exham sighed, "Good heavens there she is running again! I think we need to have one of our special mother to daughter talks," she said sounding exasperated.

"I'm supposed to be the harsh one, but..." Lord Exham sat back down into his deep recliner chair "Yes, but perhaps I should handle it," he said thoughtfully as he reached out his hand and accepted a snifter of brandy being offered by a servant who vanished as discretely as he had appeared.

"If this were a matter of her grades I should agree, but please dear husband, I implore you let me handle this, since it is a matter of her ladylike bearing, or," Lady Exham shook her head sadly "We've let it slide too long I fear, she is getting into the habit of running! Quite unseemly!"

"Yes but she is so excited," he said feeling indulgent, "Perhaps she just forgot?" He said sipping the brandy, but then he added "However you are right dear, better nip this problem in the bud."

Exham Hall
Anchover Isle
Pendleton
Erde
January 1005 NE

Lady Katherines Rooms

Katherine was wandering about, fidgeting a bit Oh why did I have to run! she thought to herself, she had not realised what she was doing before she was all the way back to her room Mother will be so cross, and I'm acting like some uncultured country bumpkin.

She was brought out of her reverie by the sound of a set of tea cups clattering softly on a silver tray, she spun around and saw that Sara was entering the room carrying a silver tray with a teapot and a pair of teacups.

"Oh what's the matter with you!" Katherine snapped, immediately feeling bad about it afterwards, but how do you apologise to a slave?

Sara bowed her head slightly "So sorry Mistress, but her ladyship bid you note that she will be joining you shortly for a brief etiquette lesson." She looked at Katherine awaiting her mistresses reaction.

Katherine sniffed the air slightly, she could smell the scent of the green tea, quite lovely actually, but she gave Sara a smile "Well better see to it that everything is in order," Katherine said in a forced cheerful way.

"Yes Mistress," Sara said as she curtsied, and then began to gather up the materials, going to and fro in the lavishly decorated lounge, and into the bedroom too to recover the heavy leather bound copy of "The Pendleton Book of Etiquette," a large and seminal work on the subject.

Then as all was in order Katherine could only sit down and wait, gently sipping her tea, which was kept warm through the cunning construction of the chinaware teapot. She gently studied the intricate blue and white pattern on the teacups and pot, and even the saucers, the pattern depicted oddly enough a tea plantation in some detail, and there always seemed to be something new to see.

Then the door went up and Margaret de la Poer, Lady Exham, entered, Katherine immediately rose up and curtsied politely, "Good afternoon Ma'am," she said in a low demure tone of voice as she looked up through her eyelashes trying to judge her mothers mood.

"First address belongs to the superior child," Lady Exham said "If you are to receive an etiquette lesson then this is not the way to commence it," she added as she walked in looking quite stern.

"No Ma'am," Katherine said, biting her lower lip a little.

"Now then," Lady Exham said as she sat down to the table, nodding softly as Sara poured her some tea "Sit down and we will begin, among the things a lady doesn't do is what?"

"A Lady does not interrupt her mother, or presume to speak first in a formal situation, or run in the hallways," Katherine said and then quickly added "Ma'am," to that.

"So you are aware of what you've done wrong," Lady Exham sighed, she gave Katherine a long sad look "Darling, I want what is best for you, but why do you persist in these errors, especially when you know what you ought to do?"

Katherine hesitated, her lips half moved but nothing came out, "I forget Ma'am," she finally got out, wondering quickly if that was the right answer.

Lady Exham sighed "You keep forgetting dear, and we know that there is only one way to make a recalcitrant student remember," she smiled and squeezed her daughters hand gently "Repetition and correction."

Katherine nodded "Yes Ma'am, I know," she then gave her mother a sweet innocent look "I'm sorry Ma'am, I try my best, but sometimes I slip, I'll try even harder from now on."

Lady Exham smiled and patted her daughters hand again "I am sure you will darling," she said in a comforting tone of voice "However I think we need to go through this again," she said gently patting the "The Pendleton Book of Etiquette". Looking at Katherine she then added "Don't you agree?"

Katherine nodded again, she sighed and gently turned her teacup, it was standing on its saucer, "Yes Ma'am," she said.

"How many steps between the parlour and your rooms?" her mother asked suddenly.

Katherine thought quickly "About sixty," she said after a quick calculation in her head taking into account the distance and the length of her stride.

"About sixty, good, at least your arithmetic isn't suffering," Lady Exham said with a smile "Then again if it were you'd be speaking with your father or your tutor."

As this conversation was going on Sara looked on, even as she slowly moved towards the entrance to the bedroom, once she reached it she looked back with a slightly pained expression as she leaned against the door.

Half an hour later

Lady Exham walked out the door "Now Katherine dearest, I do hope you'll think about this?" she said as she gave Katherine a long look.

Katherine curtsied again "Yes Ma'am, I thank you for taking the time to correct me," she said in a humble obedient voice I certainly won't be running again even if I'm chased by something horrific the thought rushed through her mind.

"Of course Katherine," Lady Exham said "I'm sure you'll remember, just..." she pointed at the etiquette book "You are keeping it someplace where you can always see it and reach it?"

"Yes Ma'am, it's on my best bookshelf, and I remember its lessons most vividly," Katherine said, she had not yet risen up again from her curtsy and now her knees being slightly wobbly added to her embarrassment.

"Good," Lady Exham said as she left, closing the door silently behind her, even though Katherine strained her ears she could scarcely hear anything as her mother walked away.

"Sara!" Katherine called firmly as she walked towards her bathroom, gently hefting her skirt up with her right hand.

"Yes Mistress?" Sara called as she appeared, trying very hard to hide her concern.

Katherine gave her a brief look "Well, pick up the book and clean things up," then as Sara hesitated a moment Katherine added "Do hurry Sara," as she swooped past Sara into her bathroom.

Sara bowed a bit "Yes mistress," and rushed to clean things up, swiftly moving away the tea set, and then placing it carefully into the hidden dumbwaiter before pulling the signalling cord. Immediately there were some creaking sounds but then slowly the dumbwaiter vanished taking the tea set down with it. She swiftly closed the concealed access, and moments later there was no sign of anything other than the nice oak panelling.

Meanwhile in the bathroom Katherines hands shook slightly as she cleaned her face up a bit before drying her hands on the white towel, she looked in the mirror and she didn't look too bad aside from a slight puffiness around the eyes Good, I'll be presentable for dinner she thought as she strolled back into the bedroom.

She got there just in time to see Sara place the still warm etiquette book up in the bookshelf, she looked at it and frowned a bit, but then she slowly shuffled over to the bed. Literally shuffling, the hem of her dress dragging slightly against the floor as she noticed how not having her pantaloons made the dress hang straight down as on some country maid, "Sara, help me take this off and prepare a fitting outfit for dinner, something light," she said.

"Yes Mistress," Sara replied as she helped Katherine remove her outer garments "Shall I prepare the light blue silk dress? The one with the white ribbons?" She asked in her usual soft polite tone.

"Yes Sara, that would be good," Katherine said as she laid down on her belly on top of her bed, gently showing the soft down pillow beneath her head and trying to relax a bit.

Dinnertime

The dining room was as subdued as usual, unlike many of the other family rooms it was dominated by aged oak panelling, especially treated to made the colour darker. The parquet floor was also rather dark, and arranged in peculiar geometric patterns, but of course beneath the dinner table itself there was a carpet to prevent that hideous screeching sound that otherwise occurs when a heavy chair is pushed back or forth. Still the only real colour came from the crackling fireplace, burning merrily with sweet smelling dry woods, and from the people sitting around the table to eat.

Katherine picked at her food and fidgeted slightly, squirming ever so slightly in her chair despite her best efforts to sit still. The food was quite good, it was carefully marinated lamb in a nice wine sauce, with a very nice complementing red wine, not one of the great vintages but still quite fitting. That said though she did eat Katherine felt slightly distracted.

Lady Exham smiled at her though "Your posture is much improved, it's a sign of good breeding not to let ones personal problems show," she said and left it at that.

After a while however the conversation entered the subject of Katherine's education, and of course of their benefactor who would be arriving at some time in the next few days. However discussion of such serious matters naturally had to wait until after dinner when the family retreated to the parlour.

As they entered the parlour her parents sat down while Katherine asked them "Sir, Ma'am, if I might be so bold as to inquire about our guest?"

"Do sit down Katherine," her mother said smiling at her, "It is so exhausting to see you stand up like that."

Katherine sat down and continued to be demure and polite, being much more subdued and quiet now "Yes Ma'am," she said but smiling and acting cheerful nevertheless.

"I suppose you have guessed that this is the High Worshipful Mistress herself," Lord Exham asked.

Katherine nodded gently "Yes Sir, I did guess that," she said and waited for him to continue.

"Well then, as you know no doubt, her identity is kept most secret, so you too must be discrete," he said while looking at her carefully "You do understand that?"

"Of course Sir," Katherine said "I shan't breathe a word of it to anyone Sir."

"That's good dear," Lady Exham said, she gave her daughter a smile and added "No doubt you'll want to be ready to receive the Lady, so we shall have the seamstresses ensure that our appearance is up to fashion, and of course," she smiled a bit "You may wear some of your jewellery, to help show that you are about to be a young woman as well as a young lady."

"Thank you Ma'am," Katherine said with a big smile.

"I've already had the servants begin preparing for the visit," Lady Exham added "So naturally you should also begin to prepare a bit, it would be good training for you to help oversee some of the preparations, and I'll be there to guide you."

Katherine kept her smile up as she fidgeted slightly "Of course Ma'am, I'd be delighted," she said with genuine excitement showing up in her voice, a chance to get some real responsibility for once! Not to mention a chance to act grown up around someone so important, and to be taken into confidence and learn such important secrets!

"I will of course be there to teach and," Lady Exham looked sternly at Katherine "If necessary correct you."

"Yes of course Ma'am," Katherine said, but still she couldn't hide her excitement, and indeed the thought of the events to come were such that she forgot entirely about her discomfort instead picturing what she'd wear, and how to best manage the staff.

Exham Hall
Anchover Isle
Pendleton
Erde
February 1005 NE

The Day Before the Great Day

All around the great Exham Hall the people scurried to and fro in preparation of the great day itself! The enormous archaic stone building seem to be lit up, the electric lights creating a strange effect in a building where torches or the flickering gas lights would seem more natural, but at any rate there was a strange anticipation in the air.

For over a week now the preparations had gone on, the Hall had been thoroughly cleaned with a vigour that seemed to exceed the great spring cleaning, the finest wines had been recovered from the cellar, and a fine select lamb had been prepared to provide a suitable dinner for the occasion.

Finally just before the arrival the regular servants in their black and white uniforms would hurry to and fro to get everything just right, while the footmen preened in their ornate liveries. It was of course a big day indeed when the Worshipful Mistress arrived, though officially of course she came merely as a friend of the family.

Lady Katherines Rooms

Katherine of course was all agog at the thought of this opportunity, and of course she was even now trying on her latest dresses in the privacy of her room. Every time she put on some creation from Monsieur Worth or Monsieur Greco she would turn around in front of the large wardrobe mirrors in her bedroom and eye them critically, before calling out "Sara, do be a dear and help me out of this thing..."

Finally though she found one that suited her perfectly and she looked happily at it slowly turning around, the dress itself was a light sky blue, the colour of a tranquil summer sky, the shoes a lovely black with nice but elegantly understated silver buckles. She smiled and sighed "Oh it's perfect, just perfect," then she turned to Sara and said "Now lets try them all on again!"

In this manner they spent many hours going over everything once more, until finally Katherine was quite certain that everything was just right. Then she gently attached some nice subdued jewellery carefully avoiding the more adult earrings and necklaces and instead seeking to look more young and innocent. As she was being prepped she turned to Sara and casually asked "How do I look Sara?"

Sara looked at Katherine and then said quietly "Mistress you look splendid as usual, everything fits together so splendidly," she carefully helped adjust the hairpins before bowing down slightly and seeing her own and Katherine's reflection in the mirror. The two were so similar and yet so different, both young women of noticeable beauty, both bright, devout and full of hope for the future, yet one the property of the other.

"That's nice Sara," Katherine replied as she casually peered at Sara "When she comes... Put on your nice dress, the one I bought for you, perhaps Milady will want to inspect my college travel kit I'm not sure but you never know."

Sara's expression was one torn between happiness at being allowed to dress up in a nice new dress, and a bit of sadness at being reminded of her place in such a fashion. Oddly enough though Katherine seemed to notice and grabbed her hand adding "Sara."

"Yes Mistress" Sara said.

"I would not want to go to College without you, I appreciate your service very much," Katherine stopped there and went back to the mirror making sure that everything looked well. Behind her however a genuine smile spread across Sara's lips even though she too felt the awkwardness of the moment.

That night...

The night was dark and soft, perhaps a strange word for darkness but the night seemed to have an almost velvety quality to it, and the sky felt like black velvet across which a myriad sparkling gems had been scatted by some antediluvian god. Yet suddenly as if by magic, indeed very much as if by magic, the night seemed to change quality at a time when most people lay asleep in their beds. There was a sudden gush of cool air, if not cold air, and it brought with if a whiff of some unknown quality that made cats jump their fur standing on end, and dogs whimper softly.

Then all of a sudden the strange sensation was gone and the soft night returned, but in her bed high up in the foreboding building Lady Katherine started awake breathing heavily and a strange oppressive sensation in her chest. "Sara, come quick," she cried as she reached out towards the bed stand her lithe hand trembling slightly as she searched in vain for the switch to her nightstand lamp.

Moments later the door to the bedroom opened and Sara rushed in, still dressed in her thick cotton nightgown, her hair a tangled mess, and she was obviously not done wiping the sleep from her eyes. She was carrying a wax candle in a metal candleholder, seeing Katherine's condition she moved over quickly, the wax dripping down into the metal candleholder and little drops of it coming onto her hands though she didn't really notice. "Mistress is there something wrong?" she asked cautiously.

Katherine finally found the switch to the light and clicked it on, but nothing happened The generator must be shut down she thought as she looked at Sara "It's dark, get some light," she said trying to keep the tremble out of her voice.

"Yes Mistress," Sara said, and then she recovered the oil lamps from their storage place, and checked that they had oil and that the wick was of the right length. Meanwhile Katherine felt a peculiar urge, one that rose as she looked out the window, she left her bed and walked out to the window observing how the waning gibbous moon lit up the landscape in a strange silvery light that distorted familiar shapes turning them into weird phantasms.

Turning to Sara Katherine spoke up again "Let us go outside," she said much to Sara's surprise "Come take your lamp, the air in this room is so thick I need to breathe fresh air." Then she turned and moved towards the exit wondering vaguely why she felt this way but the outdoors had some strange attraction now that she would feign try to rationalize.

Even as Katherine walked forward Sara followed closely, not frowning but seeming rather surprised as she held the oil lamp in her hand, it was one of those with a bulb like glass protecting the burning wick from extinction and thus well suited for taking outside. "Mistress," she tried, "Shouldn't we first dress."

Katherine turned and looked at her, then she shook her head "No we must go now, no one will see us but we will drape ourselves in our heavy cloaks so even if someone sees us at a distance modesty will be preserved." She swallowed feeling vaguely light headed, as if in a dream, as her bare feet moved across the soft carpets.

Sara's further objections, if there were any, died away as she felt too awkward in a strange way to make any further comments, and thus in silence she helped her mistress put on her boots and draped the thick waterproof cloak across her. Then she quickly grabbed her own far more modest cloak, wondering vaguely how she'd gotten it but this thought she soon pushed out of her mind as she lit the way for Katherine as they walked through the long dark corridors of Exham Hall, while the shadows of previously mundane objects seemed to stretch and move with a life of their own.

Silently they walked down the stairs not noticing anyone else as they reached the large oaken door leading outside, Katherine removed the latch and looked around for the doormen but not seeing them she and Sara placed their shoulders against the heavy door and pushed it open as it creaked mournfully. Then they stepped outside, though it should be cold there was a warm breeze blowing, gentle and caressing like a soft summer breeze like you might feel if you stand on the beach and the sun is nearly gone and suddenly a whiff of distant flowers and the sea come to you along with a warm delicious breeze.

Turning to Sara Katherine whispered "Dim the light so that we might not be seen, and the moon will bring us enough light anyway" she felt a slight pang of concern and worry as her heartbeat increased but they set forth towards a single naked tree that for some reason grabbed her fancy. The air however was crisp and clean, but it seemed to make her feel slightly drowsy rather than the invigorating effect that the cool night air would normally have. As they reached the tree Katherine touched it, the bark felt cold and rough to the touch, and the spots of moss felt vaguely moist as well.

Turning towards the village she saw only one or two lights, flickering for moments before going out, perhaps lanterns or perhaps the moon reflecting of something shiny. All were asleep, even in the big house there was not a single light to be seen. Then suddenly there was, if not a light then something that reflected the light of the moon, a shape seemingly draped in a long cloak and for some reason Katherine could almost perceive it being bemused. Then as by a whisper she heard a voice "Yeees, very good, now sleep" and suddenly the shape, if it had ever been there, was gone.

It was as if a spell was broken, not entirely but part of the magic gone, and suddenly they both perceived that it was cold, Katherine felt goosebumps across her body and Sara's teeth chattered slightly. "Let's go inside, I've had enough air," she said as they both hurried towards the door quickly re-entering the house and rushing back towards the bedroom but yet an eerie silence seemed to absorb the sound of their footsteps though due to the cold they did not really notice.

As they finally reached the bedroom once more Katherine felt tired, very tired and cold at the same time, after having Sara remove her coat she walked over to the inviting bed and threw herself back first onto it with her arms spread wide. The springs bounced slightly throwing her a couple of inches up before she fell back down rejoicing in the soft warm bed that still seemed warm from her laying down in it.

Sara however peered out the window and suppressed a shudder, she looked back to Katherine who was gently resting her head against the soft down pillow the sheets pulled up her chest, but for a moment their eyes met before Sara turned her glance down and made her obedience before she moved to leave the room.

"Leave the lamp," Katherine said, feeling rather more frightened than she cared to admit, even though she felt so tired, her eyelids like lead and the room seemed to drift slightly as she sought to sleep.

Sara kneeled down next to the bed, placing the lamp on the nightstand, then looking at Katherine she whispered "Shall I stay Mistress?"

Katherine looked at her a bit and then nodded "Yes stay Sara," she said.

Sara gently dimmed the lamp a bit and made sure it stood secure upon the nightstand, she felt a bit nervous about placing it there but there was not much oil left and little in the way of flammable materials. Then she gently crawled into the bed at the foot end, the bed being quite wide enough for her to lie across it and so long that Katherine's feet did not touch her, and there she curled up and soon the both of them were sound asleep.

Exham Hall
Anchover Isle
Pendleton
Erde
February 1005 NE

Dawn, Lady Katherine's Rooms

Lady Exham smiled as she watched her daughter asleep with Sara sleeping at the end of the bed So sweet, even if I though she'd grown out of it. The rays of the morning sun lit up the tableau in a very pleasing fashion, creating something that would no doubt have been considered a masterpiece if immortalised by a painters brush. It was to her mind a lovely lovely, the young innocent Lady asleep in her bed, looking so like an angel, with her loyal servant sleeping at her feet.

She walked quietly over to the bed and leaned over her daughter, gently brushing her lips against Katherine's soft smooth cheeks, and with her hand she caressed Katherine's hair. Katherine let out a soft breath and began to stir gently as her mother whispered "Time to wake up," into her ear.

All of a sudden with a slight start Katherine woke up, looking very confused at her mother "Ma'am?" she said in a groggy voice, and instantly her eyes sought out the clock by her bed "Have I overslept Ma'am?" her voice and expression betrayed her concern.

"No dear," she gently caressed her daughters hair, pushing a lock of golden hair out of Katherine's face, then she smiled "She's come," she said in a low almost conspiratorial voice.

"Oh..." Katherine started up only to be gently pushed back down by her mother.

"So impatient young ladies are these days," Lady Exham said chiding her a bit So much like me when I was younger she thought, but the idea brought scant comfort.

By now Sara had awoken, she looked slightly dazed as she muttered "Mistress?" upon hearing Katherines voice, but then seeing the lady there she lowered herself again "Milady," she said submissively with her eyes downcast. She was not sure if she should jump out of the bed and bow deeply, for this was a rather unfamiliar situation to her.

The problem was solved by Lady Exham's raised eyebrow and quick glance in her direction, now Sara felt a slight sinking feeling in her belly as she jumped up and made a proper bow. Oh no, I just didn't know what to do... she thought but even in such tender years she knew better than to say anything in her own defence, that would only make things worse.

However Lady Exham did not appear to pay Sara any attention whatsoever, beyond her first glance, instead she was already continuing her discussion with her daughter "She arrived tonight by..." now as an educated woman Lady Exham hesitated as she searched for the right word "Her own conveniences, and is too tired to enjoy breakfast with us, but she will be here for dinner and I hope," she relented and smiled a bit "I know that you will do your utmost to cut a good figure."

Katherine nodded herself and tried to seem more secure and happy than she felt, yet still a thought What then happened last night was it... oh I cannot say, surely tis' just my imagination. She did add "I shall as always endeavour to do my best Ma'am," and then seeing Sara stand there Katherine added "Quick Sara, draw me a bath, I need to be prepared."

Sara bowed deeply and replied "Yes Mistress," and then scurried out of the bedroom and into the bath, glad to be away from that rather peculiar situation.

Lady Exham seemed quite pleased with her daughter "I know you will dear, but take special care, we trust you will be an adult lady," then she looked in the direction of the bath before she leaned a bit closer "Katherine dear, you know one of the requirements for being an adult Lady?"

Katherine's heart skipped a few beats as she thought she knew exactly what her mother meant, but now a different worry mixed in with her joyous concern for the day ahead, there was really no other word for how she felt, and she looked at her mothers stern face and muttered "Uhm, I'm so sorry Ma'am but I am not quite certain Ma'am."

Lady Exham seemed almost sad, then she said "Yes dear, you know exactly what I mean," she sighed You're too soft on her, but it is a special day "Ordinarily I would have to chastise you, but... part of being a proper Lady is to have the proper relationship with your servants and to imbue in them respect and discipline." She gently squeezed Katherine's hand "You're big enough to handle such things yourself, even if you don't like it there comes times when you must do things you don't really like."

"Yes Ma'am," Katherine replied, but she felt a lump in her throat, and quite uncomfortable "I shall take things firmly in hand Ma'am!"

"'s good," Lady Exham said and kissed her daughters forehead, gently brushing her hair again "I know you will, but you need to think of these things yourself! Pay a bit more attention." She smiled at Katherine again before she began to rise.

"Yes Ma'am," Katherine feeling too nervous to say anything else as she watched her mother gracefully almost glide out of the room, only stopping briefly to smile and wave to her daughter.

Now Sara returned, in truth she had bided her time till the lady had departed "Mistress, the bath will be ready in ten minutes time," she looked down though gently tugging her simple white cotton night dress to make it seem more presentable.

Katherine now rose out of her bed, carefully arranging her face in stern and adult folds before walking over to Sara across the carpeted floor. As they stood close to one another an outside observer would realise how similar they were in complexion, in hair colour, and appearance. Yet one wore a simple cotton nightdress that reached her knees and she bowed her head, while the other wore a long silk nightdress that reached her ankles.

"Sara," Katherine said in her stern voice, placing a finger under Sara's chin and lifting her face up, she looked at Sara with what she hoped was a very stern expression "You forgot, no you neglected, to rise and bow when my mother entered the room." She didn't feel so stern and disciplinary though She was tired and confused yet her mothers suggestion, or order, took precedence.

Sara winced at the word forgot but she felt ready to cry when Katherine said neglected both because she hated being berated, but also because she worried if she had gotten Katherine into trouble with her mother.

Katherine straightened up a bit and motioned towards her wardrobe "Very well Sara, go fetch it, and then..." Katherine stopped there trying to control her voice and face very hard.

Dejected Sara went to the wardrobe and found it, it didn't take long since it was something that Katherine used almost every day, but normally not to such a purpose. She returned and handed it to Katherine "Here mistress," she said as she offered it up with her eyes downcast.

Katherine picked up the riding crop, feeling faintly ridiculous to hold it while she was wearing only her nightdress, but she pointed to the bed now "Sara kneel before the bend and place your body on top of it." She felt kind of queasy, wondering what she should do next as she followed Sara with her eyes as Sara kneeled down in the ordered position. Katherine's hand trembled a little as she walked over, on one occasion she had to look to make sure she hadn't accidentally dropped the riding crop.

Sara trembled a bit as her body rested against the soft bed and her knees against the carpeted ground, leaving her posterior exposed and in the air. Generally Katherine didn't punish her much, and certainly not in this fashion Her mother put her up to it she guessed but that didn't really make her feel much better right now.

Katherine stopped behind Sara, she gently wet her lips which seemed to have gone parch dry. Trying very hard to remember her mothers instructions on the subject she decided to do it proper "Pull up your nightdress to your waist!" She ordered, knowing full well how her mother mocked those who didn't strike bare skin.

Sara blushed now as she pulled up the nightdress, since Katherine had seen her naked before, and indeed punished her before, she tried to pretend there was nothing wrong. It didn't work though, the situation was different and Katherine's punishments so infrequent that she never got used to the idea.

The punishment was quite brief, twelve times Katherine raised her hand and brought the riding crop down hard upon Sara's backside, twelve times a nasty red line was left behind, and twelve times Sara let out a whimper as her face was buried in Katherine's bedsheets.

Afterwards Katherine watched the result, her stomach felt like a single knot of guilt as she noticed how in one place a tiny drop of blood ran down from one of Sara's cheeks. Sara sobbed quietly a couple of times into the sheets before pulling herself together, the tears and sobs were more of shame than of pain though. In both their minds one thought was crystal for a moment It's all my fault that this happened.

After Sara had gotten up again, Katherine handed the riding crop over to her and told her "Put it away," I didn't mean to, please forgive me she wanted to shout it out but instead she looked stern as she saw Sara's eyes and felt like a knife in her guts each time Sara let out a little sniffle as she walked back with the riding crop.

Katherine then walked towards the bath, her hand ached slightly from having struck so hard and her throat felt all weird and lumpy and so did her chest. As she reached the bath she sat down on a light chair in there and recomposed herself as she waited for Sara to return.

As Sara put the crop away she felt so dejected, she was very unused to being punished by Katherine, usually it was done by the Butler or the Steward, but to have it done by Katherine felt so wrong somehow. She quickly did her best to dry her eyes and compose herself, swallowing deep and determined not to embarrass herself or Katherine even further as she walked back to the bath.

"Good," Katherine said as she stood up, then she looked at the bath and commented "It looks about ready, Sara please attend me," she told Sara. Moments later Sara had helped Katherine out of her nightdress, Sara then gently and quickly folded it together so it would not be damaged.

Meanwhile Katherine moved across the smooth and slightly cool stone floor, before reaching the slightly coarser stones, surrounding the bath, that were designed to prevent you from slipping on soapy water. She leaned down and tested the water with her hand, finding it a bit warm but right now that was what she wanted.

"Shall I help you in Mistress," Sara asked as usual, looking at Katherine and hoping that she could make up for what had happened or at least see if she was forgiven.

Katherine nodded "Yes Sara, please do," she said as she felt Sara support her slightly before she lowered herself down into the warm luxurious water feeling the soothing warmth against her soft skin. From beneath her lashes she looked up at Sara who was preparing the usual shampoos and soaps, already she was pouring a sweet smelling mixture into the bathwater and soon the smell of herbs and flowers filled the room.

"Attend me Sara," Katherine said feeling guilty still, but not wanting to push Sara away for something that wasn't really her fault.

Sara smiled a little "Yes Mistress," she said demurely even as she felt a little better, she quickly pulled away her own nightdress and put it away, before moving over to the large tub once more to begin helping Katherine with her bath.

It wasn't long before both of them were able to pretend that everything was normal, and soon they could talk together in that slightly too familiar tone that they were used to.

During the bath Katherine could close her eyes for the longest time and feel Sara rub her body in with sweet smelling soap, and scrub her back with a brush, and of course gently massaging her scalp with fine smelling shampoos as she always did. Then after the bath was over she rose up and let Sara dry her, pouring cool clean water over her body to wash away all the suds, and gently rubbing her skin with a big soft towel.

Afterwards she looked into the mirror, she smiled a bit as she saw that her own waist was definitely a little thinner than Sara's, but she also felt a slight twinge when she noticed the red rows upon Sara's backside. She pretended not to notice though, and instead they wandered back into the bedroom to get her ready for breakfast.

After quickly going through her dresses Katherine picked a nice, but relatively common one "I think," she said as she looked at Sara "I shall take this one, the teal one, I like that colour and we'll... we'll save this one for dinner."

Sara bowed a bit and replied "Yes Mistress, save the best for later?" she smiled a bit now.

"Exactly Sara," Katherine said "Always save the best for last."

"Yes Mistress, this is so exciting," Sara said even as she prepared the latest corset for Katherine's use a nice white leather, silk and whalebone design far more comfortable than the steel and cotton design most common women had to use.

Even as Sara was putting on the corset Katherine quizzed her intently "You do remember all the things we should get for dinner? Oh the green Greco, the new one from the spring collection, and of course the silver jewellery," she fretted nervously for a while then she let out her breath while admonishing Sara "Tighter."

"Yes Mistress," Sara said, though it was probably good that Katherine could not see the slightly mischievous smile that crossed her lips for a moment as she dug her knee into Katherine's back and tightened hard, very hard.

Katherine let out a gasp of air, though her corset was relatively comfortable being constricted enough to be fashionable was always most annoying. Still when it was all done, and she had finally gotten her entire ensemble on, and moved around a bit to admire her reflection.

Finally after much looking and hmmm'ing and hemm'ing she sighed "Oh well it'll do for breakfast, I'm so... well come along!" She said as she walked towards the door.

"Mistress?" Sara said with some distress in her voice.

"What?" Katherine began and then feeling a twinge of guilt she softened her voice "What is it Sara?" suddenly she noticed that Sara was still naked, she sighed and then smiled "Of course, get dressed I'll see myself to the breakfast room and..." She hesitated for a moment and then offered "Use some of the ointment for the..." she blushed "You know." She felt very stupid as she left, but there really wasn't anything she could say.

Sara however smiled a bit as she heard the door close, she sighed and looked down "Yes Mistress," she said to the empty room, "I know."

Exham Hall
Anchover Isle
Pendleton
Erde
February 1005 NE

Lady Katherine's Rooms shortly before dinnertime

As she prepared for dinner Katherine was desperately worried that she would drop a spoon or a glass or some other thing, spilling soup or wine on the white table cloth and making herself look like a silly bumpkin. This of course was not the only scenario that went through her mind, for hundreds of disasters rummaged through her head What if I say something horrible? Or what if she doesn't like my dress? Not only that but she was running every bit of conversation she had planned through her mind over and over again as she checked her dress and jewellery again wondering desperately if she should discard her current selection and begin searching all over again. If not for the dire consequences of being late she would have done just this, dropping the light sky blue dress and finding another.

Sara was standing behind Katherine who fidgeted slightly in her chair seated before her elaborate vanity table, always Katherine was peering at her reflection wondering if she looked too childish or too gaudy as she tried the silver ear pieces, and the small choker both of which excelled in their elegant simplicity and complimented her dress quite well. Meanwhile Sara was carefully brushing out Katherine's hair with a boar bristle brush, working the brush through Katherines' hair while whispering that "You look most splendid mistress, may I begin applying the hair pins?"

Katherine finally relaxed for a moment, enough to nod quickly to Sara's question even as she noticed that the silver choker with the single light blue gem carved into a cameo seemed to be the best choice for the occasion. Luxuriating in the feeling of having Sara gently but firmly brush her hair, it was such a good enjoyable feeling, and it felt so natural. As she admired the total effect she noticed how Sara gently formed her long soft hair, caringly sliding in the long carved ivory hair pins to ensure that her mistresses hair stayed in that carefully coiffured fashion for the duration of the day.

As Sara finished Katherine looked up at her ladies maid and gently touched Sara's arm "Sara," Katherine said before rising studying the maid "You look good in your new uniform, a credit to the household." Katherine hesitated a bit, she didn't want to be so formal, but she had to keep up appearances.

"Thank you mistress," Sara said and curtsied a little, looking expectantly up at her mistress to see if there was more. Certainly Sara was, in her brand new uniform and her hair a lustrous chestnut shine after her bath, most definitely a credit to any household, and her beauty only supplemented this view.

Katherine tried to find the right words, her dress ruffling slightly as she moved across the carpeted floor, their eyes meeting and for a moment a slightly concerned expression crossed her face "I hope you're not," her lip trembled a bit "Still uncomfortable".

Quietly Sara half kneeled and kissed Katherine's hand, in the submissive fashion of a servant, her soft lips brushing across her mistress' hand before she looked at Katherine who now stood silent "Mistress I adore serving you, and I know your punishments are just." The words I forgive you were unspoken, and could indeed never be spoken.

Sara's gesture made Katherine smile and gently brush her maids cheek "Of course," she said "I'm glad to hear you know your place," she couldn't say anything else though but for a moment Sara was kneeling with Katherine's right hand held up to her lips, while Katherine gently caressed her cheek. Then Katherine blushed, not sure why herself, "We must be off now, attend to me."

"Yes Mistress," Sara said as she rose up, carefully straightening her skirt to ensure that her new uniform would be meticulous when the Grand Worshipful Mistress saw her. Then she followed quickly, but not hurriedly, behind Katherine as they moved towards the dinner.

Dinnertime

Dinner was always a formal affair, the big austere room lending itself to solemnity rather than joyfulness. The aged oak panelling especially treated to made the colour darker, the equally dark and peculiar parquet floor, and the paintings of ancient ancestors staring down at the diners. Indeed only the fireplace crackling merrily with dry wood, or else the company around the table, would lend any brightness or cheer to the dining room.

Now however it was doubly solemn since the guest was such a prominent personage, indeed for their own part the servants, though they hid it well, were walking on eggshells. Mind you they were not terrified in the way that the servants in a bad household are frightened, but threats of sale to the Southern Islands or the lash, but rather they afraid of displeasing the Lord and Lady, and thus bringing disgrace to themselves as well.

The elderly butler for instance, who could ordinarily determine with a single glass if any piece of cutlery or chinaware or glassware was but a sixteenth of an inch out of place, would now not trust his own eyes. Instead he was walking around, his white hair combed back, holding a wooden ruler and wearing white gloves, carefully measuring everything to ensure that it was just so; that the spoons and for were just the right distance apart from the plate and from each other, that the napkin was folded right, and of course that the oyster fork was angled just right into the soup spoon.

There were of course no major problems, for they had done this often, long training and a stout heart means that you can repeat that which you know even under great pressure. Thus the preparations were handled exquisitely and soon the table was set in a fashion fit for the Prime Ministers table.

So now when Katherine entered the dining hall everything was flawless, the light of the fireplace and the candles reflected in the crystal glass and the bright silverware. She carefully walked over to her seat, casually glanced down upon the silverware and was gratified to see that all was as it ought to be four forks, including the oyster fork, two knives and a soup spoon all laid out properly according to the rules of etiquette, and of course the diverse glasses for the various drinks that would be served.

What she was really interested in though was the guest, there would be no formal called introduction to this dinner, making it somewhat awkward to look up and into the eyes of the Grand Worshipful Mistress; or the Lady Angelica de Vincour as was the name most people knew her by. She did not look like the most powerful magic user in the world, indeed her nature was more that of a librarian; nice hair worn in a bun with a pair of hairpins through it, big horn rim glasses obscuring her eyes somewhat but not so much that Katherine could not notice that they looked curiously back at her, a fair complexion and attractive looks too which could no doubt have been greatly improved if she had paid more attention to vanity, and overall somewhat short at 5'2" with the slight build of a noble lady not used to physical exertion.

Lady de Vincour smiled slightly as she noticed Katherine, but neither one of them said anything despite that freemasonry between women that often lets them begin to speak one to the other without the formal introductions that men require. Katherine fought hard not to fidget as she felt herself studied as a naturalist might study a particularly interesting little critter he had found in his backgarden.

The dinner began quite formally with everyone rising up for the hostess, and then of course Lord Exham would as the head of the house offer up the prayer of thanksgiving for the good times that they all received. They all devoutly folded their hands and bowed their heads as the prayer was read.

"O MOST merciful Father, who of thy gracious goodness hast heard the devout prayers of thy Church, and turned our dearth and scarcity into cheapness and plenty; We give thee humble thanks for this thy special bounty; beseeching thee to continue thy loving-kindness unto us, that our land may yield us her fruits of increase, and that we may use them to thy glory and our comfort; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

Only then did they get seated to eat, Katherine tried her best to keep together, but she had to exercise a lot of self control not to have her hands tremble or drop some of the silverware. Fortunately the first dish was oysters, a nice appetizer and one that was easy enough to eat, the oyster sauce made her relax a bit with the strange scent reminding her or recently mowed hay. She quickly picked up the fork from the right side, the only fork that was kept on that side and began to eat at a slow dignified pace.

As she ate the oyster, tasting the pungent spicy sauce that it was dipped in, Katherine thought of Sara, she swiftly moved the smooth nub of flesh from the shell and into her mouth moving it about with her tongue Sara loves seafood she pondered not quite sure except to make sure that Sara would get some of the leftovers.

Then of course followed the soup, which was eaten quietly by all, it was not before after the soup that the first hints of a dinner conversation began as everyone became used to each others presence. Katherine declined to participate except to polite answer questions and make light conversation, as she worried terribly about embarrassing herself in front of the Lady de Vincour.

During the salad course there was a lull in the conversation and Milady de Vincour turned towards Katherine observing her for a moment before asking a few light and inconsequential questions that nevertheless made Katherine feel quite nervous as she cut into the salad greens with the thick left side of the salad fork.

The fish dish now followed, it was a lovingly prepared sturgeon of the kind that was only exceptionally found in this area of Erde, but Katherine was so nervous that she realised she had accidentally slightly bent the silver blade of the knife Stupid soft material she thought Why can't they just use steel? she thought as she heaped on some of the lemon sauce.

"The acid in the lemon affects the steel, it'd taste very poorly Lady Katherine," Lady de Vincour said while looking straight at Katherine "Therefore silver blades."

Katherine tensed a bit, her lips were slightly parted, but she quickly recovered thanks you years of training "I see Milady de Vincour," she replied wondering desperately if other thoughts of hers had been sensed by the Grand Worshipful Mistress. Certainly her anxiety did not improve from the realisation that even her thoughts might be studied in detail.

Fortunately the next dish came in time to spare her the embarrassment of continuing that course of conversation, and indeed Katherine had to admit that the lamb was most excellent; especially as it had been marinated in a light wine sauce which make the meat amazingly succulent and juicy. Even so she still felt a bit nervous and upset, but she put on an agreeable face and sipped some wine hoping to avoid causing a scene.

Oddly enough Lady de Vincour had a slightly bemused expression upon her face, like a stern schoolmarm who had spotted her charges doing something unusual but which they themselves were unaware of. It was not entirely suited for relaxing Katherine, and when the desserts were brought in she felt much better.

The dessert was quite lovely, a light mixture of ice cream and cream served in deep crystal dessert bowls, and flavoured by several different kinds of fruit imported from the Grand Plains or even the Southern Isles. Even as she ate Katherine felt a bit worried though, wondering what would come after the dinner when, at a regular function, the men and women would separate.

Soon the dessert was also over and then the moment came, surprisingly enough for Katherine what happened was that they all retired to the parlour where her mother handled the formal introductions and more light conversation was had by all. However Katherine had a hard time maintaining her façade, dying to ask the questions that no one seemed willing to be asking, but instead of fidgeting or being rude she sat quietly in her high backed chair trying not to show that it was getting somewhat uncomfortable. All the while she felt somewhat odd, not quite like she had the night that the Grand Worshipful Mistress had arrived, but there was something of a similar air to it.

Much to he chagrin the little tête-à-tête broke up after less than an hour, and without anything of any significance being discussed. Slightly confused she politely begged her mothers permission to retire to her room, and upon receiving it she left and began her walk to her room only stopping briefly to speak with one of the servants, ordering that some left over oysters and other delectables be provided for Sara. Overall the dinner felt strangely anti-climactic to her, even with the shocking revelation, or so it had seemed, so now she could only hope that something would happen.

Sara's Room

Sara was delighted when one of the page boys, a charming little rascal of maybe ten wearing a slightly wrinkled uniform, brought her a small basket containing lovely leftovers from the dinner. "Your mistress ordered that you be given some choice left overs," he said politely "Here ya go Miss Sara, hope ya like it."

Sara smiled at the page as she took the basket "Oh how lovely," then picking out a chocolate she held it up "Want a chockie?"

The page boy looked coy for a moment, then he nodded eagerly "Oh yes please Miss Sara," he said with a big wide smile showing his perfect white teeth, he looked at her with big puppy eyes eagerly awaiting his promised morsel.

"There you go then," Sara said giving him one of the chocolates, and smiling as she watched him scamper off with his treat. Then she moved back into her room and began to look through the basket Mmmm, cold lamb, mmmmm chocolate, oooh oysters, and some sauce she thought as she examined the contents.

As she picked out the oysters her thoughts moved to Katherine, who had obviously taken time off to think of her despite this being her big day and all She's such a kind mistress Sara thought as she used her finger and tongue to slurp up the delicious content of the oyster shell all the while thinking about Katherine and the favours that the mistress showed her. Then she licked the shells, her tongue lapping off every drop of the tasty sauce before the casually put away the shells.

At that precise moment the bell in her room, the one connected to Katherine's rooms, began to ring a clear indication that her mistress wished to see her right away. Sara got up and rushed, without running, to attend to her mistress' desires.

Katherine's Rooms

Sara quickly rushed into the room only to see Katherine laying on the bed, repeatedly pulling the bell cord all the while pouting slightly, she was still wearing her full set of clothes and even boots and looked rather upset. Seeing Sara Katherine sniffed as if to fight back tears, and then "Hello Sara," she said in a slightly upset voice.

"Good afternoon mistress," Sara replied and curtsied properly, then she added "What's wrong?"

Katherine sat up slightly in the bed "It's... I mean nothing went wrong, wrong, but it's just that ... I'm not sure," she said feeling very insecure, she brushed her hand against her hair ruffling it slightly and upsetting its earlier perfection even more.

Feeling quite awful for her mistress Sara walked over and half kneeled again before her "I'm so sorry mistress," she said with genuine concern in her voice.

"You got something..." Katherine tapped her own upper lip, and then seeing that Sara didn't understand at once she gently licked her finger and ran it across Sara's upper lip clearing off a tiny smidge of sauce "On your lip I mean." She smiled as Sara blushed a bit, and then Katherine patted the side of the bed.

Somewhat gingerly Sara swung herself up on the side of the bed, half laying down next to her mistress and looking very concerned still, but trying to maintain the proper servile distance despite the situation at hand.

"I don't understand what happened," Katherine began, then she looked up at the roof, and occasionally looking at Sara, while she described in great detail all that had occurred at the dinner.

Sara meanwhile lay very still making occasional comments like "Mmmm, yes" all the while listening very carefully.

Together they went over everything that had been said and done, over and over, till the sun began to go down in the distance and the red glow in the west was the only light in the room.

That was when there was a knock on the door...

OOC: Next post will be her departure, I would have done it in this one but I'm too tired, sorry

Interessssting.

Have a very nice day.
-fgalkin

Exham Hall
Anchover Isle
Pendleton
Erde
February 1005 NE

Katherine's Rooms

The two girls started as they heard the knock on the door, then they both turned to face it as they lay upon the bed, the mattress creaking softly as their weight shifted subtly pushing them slightly closer together as they squirmed to get up. Katherine accidentally pushing her hand against Sara's chest as she nearly flopped out of the bed in her eager rush to get up.

As they both got out of the bed, leaving the sheets tangled and their clothes somewhat disorderly, Katherine began straightening her clothes and brush back her hair a bit before turning to Sara "Sara, go open the door now."

Sara curtsied quickly and said "Yes Mistress," before she walked quickly over to the door and opened it, discretely peering out through the crack to see who it was before opening the door fully.

Outside stood the Grand Worshipful Mistress, Angelica de Vincour herself, a crooked smile played around her lips and she raised an eyebrow as she saw Sara's slightly dishevelled state. She herself was of course immaculate as always, with that cool perfection that only a magic user could attain, her dress was a dark beige, with a white blouse visible beneath the buttoned up top.

"Kindly ask your mistress if I may come in," Lady de Vincour demanded, her dark golden eyes seemed alight with a half mischievous and half protective light as she watched Sara curtsy deeply.

"Yes Milady," Sara replied.

Katherine meanwhile having improved her appearance as much as she could under the circumstances gave her assent "Sara let Lady de Vincour in please," she ordered while trying to ignore the slightly worried feeling in her gut as she strode into the parlour.

Lady de Vincour entered the parlour and looked around a bit, spying the disorderly bed through the still open bedroom door, she raised an eyebrow at this and asked casually "So Lady Katherine, I take it you want your maid to accompany you on your journey?"

"Indeed I do Milady," Katherine replied politely after giving her curtsy "I should not like to be in a foreign location without my faithful servant by my side to help me attend to my toilette and arrange my rooms."

"Yes of course," Lady de Vincour replied in a playful almost bemused tone "I can understand that a skilled servant can be helpful in a great many things Lady Katherine, I take it she is a good one?"

"Oh indeed milady," Katherine was quick to say, glad for a chance to do right by Sara "She is a fine and obedient servant and a credit to the household."

Sara blushed a little at being praised in such fulsome a fashion while she was still present in the room, but though discrete she looked gratefully at her mistress.

Lady de Vincours eyebrow arched a bit at that "Yes, quite, you can rest assured that you will both make the journey to the Alter Empire, but before I decide I think we need to talk a little."

Katherine nodded with almost every word that the Lady de Vincour said, upon the conclusion of her statement Katherine nodded again before speaking "Of course milady, I'd be honoured."

Lady de Vincour looked at her for a moment, then she nodded and smiled at Katherine "Good," she said "The please hurry and get dressed Lady Katherine, for what I'm about to say and ask is best done outside."

Katherine nodded again, but hesitated a moment "Milady, I'll have to ask for leave," she said as any obedient daughter would.

"It is quite alright," Lady de Vincour said "I have spoken to your parents Lady Katherine, and they don't mind you having a little walk after dinner."

At this Katherine nodded polite, then she spoke "Of course Milady, Sara get my coat and prepare my boots."

As Sara hurried to obey, Lady de Vincour said "Please take your maid with you too Lady Katherine, I should like to observe her too as you will be taking her with you."

A momentary look of surprise crossed Katherine's face, but upon recovering told Sara "Sara get dressed yourself, you are coming along with us."

"Yes Mistress," Sara said bowing again, even as she discretely cast looks at Lady de Vincour, her heart thumped hard now as she desperately wondered what this woman wanted. For some reason Sara felt quite uncomfortable around Lady de Vincour, feeling at times like some defenceless little hatchling being watched by a golden eyed snaked.

Yet they were both fully dressed soon enough, Katherine wearing a thick grey cloak with a fine fur collar, and Sara with her simpler black coat suitable for a servant girl, but a credit to the household, or rather to Katherine's generosity, in that it was brand new and of high quality.

Soon the three women walked slowly through the corridors and hallways of the stately mansion, Lady de Vincour would occasionally eye the two and smile at them and ask some inconsequential question. Then as they reached the door Katherine blinked a bit, for the doorman seemed to be missing How very odd, but he is always on duty when the sun is up, even if it is turning to dusk though oddly she did to some degree get the same strange feeling she had last night as if she was half in a dream.

They walked now together into the gardens surrounding the mansion, and Katherine looked in vain trying to see some of the familiar servants that might be about even as dusk was setting. Seeing none she turned her attention to following the Lady in her wanderings as they advanced across the mansion grounds, across the well tended lawns, and up towards the very same tree that marked the spot that she and Sara had been so drawn to the last night.

"It must be lovely here come spring," Lady de Vincour mused as she gazed upon the flower beds adorning the mansion grounds, they surrounded the mansion itself of course, and each of the decorative statues, but the boundary of the grounds was marked by a low hedge with the occasional carefully spaced openings leading to picturesque paths worn in the grass.

They stood for some time by that same tree that they had approached last night, the slightly moist moss dampening their boots and the moisture seeking to enter, but these were fortunately good leather walking boots impregnated with oil. Katherine felt the rough cold air in her lungs, her chest practically heaved with cold as her breath turned to a fine white mist while she leaned forward and touched the rough bark of the tree. Somehow it reminded her of something, and as she looked at the Lady de Vincour, whose cloak billowed slightly in the wind Something familiar... she thought as she vaguely remembered having seen this before.

"Come now, I have prepared a place where we can speak in some privacy," Lady de Vincour said as she gently led the pair towards one of the picturesque footpaths leading away. These paths were little more than a herdsmans tracks the grass and vegetation worn away by countless generations footsteps, and the dirt packed as hard as rock. The party now followed these windy paths across the more and hills till they reached one less passed by than the others, for here moss and tufts of grass had come to grow in the middle of the path, and the edge of their skirts grew wet as they brushed past the moist yellowish grass of yesteryear.

As they walked the Sun continued its descent in the east, and for a moment the way the sun hit the waters made them look as if they had turned to wine... or blood. Katherine shuddered at that last thought, trying instead to summon up Homers phrase "the wine dark seas". The weather was still too cool for comfort at this time of year, and now a cold wind blew in from the sea, making both Katherine and Sara shudder softly but leaving the Lady de Vincour curiously untouched.

Soon they reached a spot far away from the mansion, it was a curious location for the path went down alongside a steep cliff and as they walked they had on their left side a sheer hillside jutting upwards, and to their right there was an equally sheer side going down into the sea; yet the path was wide at least ten feet wide and went downwards in a gentle slope. Suddenly the path expanded greatly and a shelter, or almost a cave of sorts, appeared on their left side jutting into the hillside so that anyone who sat there would have shelter from the elements and be quite invisible to anyone who was not out by the sea or standing right next to them.

Lady de Vincour smiled at them, and then motioned her hand and suddenly they could see that here within this small hollow in the grey stern rocks someone had carefully built a small fireplace and created several thick inviting piles of green woollen blankets with some canvas sheeting beneath to keep the moisture out. This was not all for there also lay several large wicker hampers covered by white and red chequered cloth, suggesting that something of an outing hand been intended.

"Do make yourself comfortable," the Lady said as she motioned towards the scene "I hope you do not object to this Lady Katherine, but I dearly desired some guarantee of privacy and here we shall have it." A smile played around her lips as she peered at the two girls through her glasses.

"Of course Milady de Vincour," Katherine said "It is most delightsome to watch the sun set in such a splendid location."

"I am glad to hear this, but alas, I fear I must be something of a bad host, for there is one matter of some importance that requires my immediate attention, but it is my fervent hope, nay desire..." Lady de Vincour smiled as she placed her hand on Katherine's arm "That you will make yourself comfortable here and tarry till I return in half hours time, for the sunset..." she looked at the magnificent colours spreading from the setting sun seeming to light the sky on fire "It is worth seeing."

Katherine felt strangely relaxed as Lady de Vincour treated her in such a familiar way, and of course it was but a little favour that she asked which though rather peculiar seemed quite harmless. Thus her reply was simply "Of course Milady de Vincour, I shouldn't think of refusing your request."

Sara was simply standing to the side, her head slightly bowed, but she felt that the appraising eye of the High Worshipful Mistress travelled up and down her frame.

"Be sure now to..." Lady de Vincour turned her attention to Katherine "Please tell your maid to spread out a buffet for us, that it will be ready when I return, oh and," she smiled again at Katherine "I simply insist that you eat some, for you must be hungry."

"Of course Milady," Katherine said feeling a bit surprised, but pleased that she might eat a little even if it would be awkward to do so.

With a flick of her hand the fireplace suddenly came to life, and the Lady de Vincour smiled at them "Do not worry it'll last till I return," and then when Katherine next blinked the Lady was already far on her way up the path.

AS the Lady de Vincour left Sara began to look through the hampers, finding that they were indeed filled with delectable dishes, complete with white porcelain plates and proper silverware. Now then she began to spread out the dishes in a buffet form finding that they were aniseed filled pastries, marzipan, honey glazed bananas, dark chocolate, figs, ginger cakes, a silver bowl filled with chopped liquorice root, several delicate sandwiches with a thick layer of mustard, a collection of oysters, some vanilla pudding, and of course aniseed flavoured wine.

Katherine laid down on her blanket, while Sara kneeled on hers ready to serve Katherine. Feeling the soft ground under them shift slightly, but strangely enough despite their thick clothes and the strange circumstances they soon found themselves as comfortable as if they had been lounging on a couch inside of the mansion itself. Indeed the merrily crackling camp fire, and the splendid setting sun created quite a lovely setting that they almost forgot about the peculiar circumstances and treated it as an odd outing rather early in the year.

Carefully now Sara offered up some of the chocolates to her mistress, holding the silver plate submissively in her hand, Katherine slowly extended her hand and picked up the piece of dark sweet chocolate, gently biting a piece of and then licking her lips discretely. Smiling to Sara she held out the piece in her hand, lifting it to Sara's lips "Try some, it's very good."

Awkwardly Sara moved her lips forward a little, they brushed against Katherine's fingers as she took the morsel in her mouth, and then pulled back a bit delighting in the sweet chocolate flavour that seemed to fill her mouth.

Katherine noticed that her fingers had been lightly daubed with chocolate, and instinctively lifted them to her lips licking them slightly, though immediately she blushed feeling like a bumpkin licking her fingers and instead wiped them clean on one of the napkins carefully provided.

"Thank you mistress," Sara said after she had swallowed, she was still holding the plate in one hand and now gently put it down.

Katherine smiled at her and whispered "You deserve a little extra Sara."

"I... I appreciate it mistress."

"Lady de Vincour won't be back for a while, ah."

They stopped talking and Katherine lay there now, while Sara knelt her hands politely folded over her lap, they were watching the sun slowly slide beneath the horizon, and gently the cover of darkness came upon them till all the light they could see came from their own fire. It was as if they were inside their own world, a world where they lay upon soft ground, surrounded by tasty morsels and covered by a dark velvety cupola.

As they waited they spoke frequently, but only of small light things, and Katherine felt very nervous that this was some sort of test and therefore she made sure not to do anything which her mother would have disapproved of. Sara too felt the solemnity and cautiousness of her mistress and was rather more subdued than her usual self, but often amused her mistress with some cute observation or flattering remark.

Thus when the High Worshipful Mistress returned they were still situated upon their blankets, seeming relaxed, and as she entered into the circle of light created by the fireplace they both rose to greet her, and then Katherine curtsied slightly, while Sara made a full curtsy and bow with her eyes downcast. For a moment the light of the fireplace seemed to reflect eerily of Lady de Vincours face, but then she smiled and walked towards them almost gliding across the ground.

"I hope you were not inconvenienced Lady Katherine," she said as she studied the young women "I had unavoidable affairs to handle, which may affect you too."

"There was no inconvenience at all Milady de Vincour, we found the resting place and the view quite delightful."

"I am so glad to hear that, I hope the chocolates were to your liking, they are imported from Helvetia you see, very special, the beans were from a small farm I own in the southern islands."

"They were quite delightful," Katherine said, feeling a tad awkward now, a bit tingly and a strange sensation in her chest. Sara too seemed to fidget a little, looking discretely to Katherine for guidance.

Lady de Vincour however appeared unaware of this, and as she slid over to her blanket she made to sit down and then said "Please recline yourself again," before she laid down upon the blanket and turned to the side resting her right elbow on the blanket and her head on her right hand, looking quite comfortable thus.

After Lady Katherine had reclined, and Sara kneeled on her blanket waiting for orders from the other two ladies, politely she avoided looking directly at any of them, but nevertheless she always knew if one of them wanted something and was ready to serve it immediately.

For a while the conversation went on simple things, though Lady Katherine was a tad nervous and often hesitated before answering, her mind racing through the possible replies as she desperately struggled to figure out what to say.

"Please my dear," Lady de Vincour said as her golden eyes looked deep into Katherines, as if she could see Katherine's innermost secrets "You must speak up for I am not reading your mind."

Katherine gasped at these words, a worried blush to her cheeks as she remembered the earlier exchange during the dinner, and now the thought came unbidden to her mind Is she reading my mind? Was she? "Yes Lady de Vincour," she said trying to sound unworried.

Lady de Vincour smiled a bit, and then gently reached out her hand to touch Katherine's cheek, "Dearest, did I give you a fright during the dinner?" she said while looking into Katherine's eyes.

"Uhm," Katherine blushed again, though the flickering fireplace light hid that much to her relief "Yes Lady de Vincour, it was somewhat unsettling I fear, please forgive me." She had thought of telling a lie, but somehow she could not bring herself to uttering an untruth. Then suddenly she started a bit, wondering if the Lady had been so close to begin with, but she could not quite remember.

Seeming a bit disappointed in Katherine Lady de Vincour sighed a bit, then broke off her caress of Katherine's cheek, pulling back to her own blanket where she laid back "I'd never do that you know, what I did was simple enough I saw you with the knife, frustrated that the blade had bent, and so I thought 'Ah, there is a young girl that has bent the blade of her knife, she looks upset about this, and on her features there is a thoughtful frown... ah she is eating fish, so perhaps she is thinking that the blade ought to be made from steel rather than silver'".

Katherine stifled a gasp as she heard this revelation Oh no! I was so wrong and... no! Now I've gone and spoiled everything "I ... I am so sorry," was all she could say as she waited for the other shoe to drop.

"Do you really think Lady Katherine that your parents would let me read your mind, and not act in your defence?" Lady de Vincour asked with her eyebrow slightly raised.

Now the young lady turned beet red "No... I mean of course not I..." Lady Katherine wished she could sink down into the ground from embarrassment.

Right now however there was a twinkle of somewhat naughty bemusement in Lady de Vincours eye, a smile crossed her lips "For they wouldn't you know, and you look very cute when you are this embarrassed Lady Katherine, but I apologise for causing you discomfort."

This of course embarrassed her yet more, for if there is one thing that a young Lady straining to be an adult does not want to hear it is that she is cute, for this brings to mind wearing a stuffy childrens dress and having to stand by and smile while some elderly aunt pinches your cheek much too hard and coos "Oooooh what a CUTE child".

"I... was not discomforted at all Lady de Vincour, merely slightly surprised," Katherine let out a little polite chuckle then she said "Why if I may be so bold Milady, you remind me of the stories of Sherlock Holmes."

"Oh my you flatter," Lady de Vincour said "Surely I do not compare to the figures of the Age of Myth."

"I dare say, if you don't mind," Katherine began, "Ah..." she hesitated for a moment.

"I won't be offended I assure you," Lady de Vincour said smiling at Katherine "Go on say what you were thinking."

If Katherine was not already rosy red in her cheeks she would have become so now "Many people think you are a legend Milady de Vincour," she explained "A... mythical figure in your own right, though not your own name."

There was a low amused chuckle from the High Worshipful Mistress at that news "Ah yes, the legendary Sorceress of the Lost Woods, the Mistress of the Castle, the Lady of Bruxelles," she leaned forward conspiratorially "They are all names I was known by," she whispered.

Katherine's eyes widened, she was quite fascinated, but Sara however was utterly stunned for to her mind these figures were naught more than mystical fairy tale figures maybe whispered about in tales of yore; and yet she frowned slightly, quickly hiding it for she remembered some of the older unexpurgated tales told in the kitchens, the kind that weren't fitting for the quality to hear. Least not for delicate female quality at any rate, for there were books collecting such tales with quaint titles of "Nouveau Aquitainian folklore" and other titles.

Now the conversation turned for a while to discuss various interesting things, like the personalities and demeanour or people in that age, and of what she had thought of the various figures; occasionally the political part of it was given a brief mention.

Yet as they spoke Lady de Vincour would be sure to mention "Please do try the various dishes, they are quite delectable."

Katherine politely and carefully ate some of the sandwiches, finding that the light mustard complimented the wheat bread and meat cuttings just right even though the mustard burned slightly in her mouth and made her feel a little warmer. Fortunately there was an ample supply of the aniseed flavoured wine, normally Katherine wouldn't drink so much but the sweet wine didn't feel at all strong and it did delightfully compliment the other dishes.

Lady de Vincour was very nice too insisting that Sara have some wine "After all it is cold and we have a duty to feed our servants and give them something to keep them warm," she said. This was much to the delight of both Katherine and Sara, Sara was particularly glad that she would be allowed to taste the foods a little though no more of course since she had to serve the other two and not munch away by herself.

Now they could get into the story of how to get to the Alter Empire and their university, Lady de Vincour began to explained "The Alter Empire is governed by the Emperor Lillim, who is the Master of All He Surveys and the heir to the great Atlantean mages, indeed some Atlanteans live in his lands."

"The planet of Lost Ground was cursed and fought over during the Great God Wars, of which you know little and upon which subject I shan't elucidate further. However this great grievous battle cursed the ground so only foul things could grow in large parts, fungi, sludge, and toxic clouds would plague the land continually decreasing where the people might live. Most life within great protected cities, with large wondrous houses with all manner of devices found within."

"However they also have a great magical university where all kinds of things can be learned, and this is well known throughout the old territories. This then is your great opportunity, since alas wicked tongues have prevented you from entering any university in Pendleton, but now you have an opportunity far greater than that... though it comes with risks."

Katherine listened intently to this, nodding softly all the while and going "Mmm, yes" at the relevant bits as she sat half up to pay better attention.

"So then, are you up to it Lady Katherine?" Lady de Vincour asked, peering intently at Katherine.

"Yes Lady de Vincour! I am most assuredly up to this," Katherine ventured a bit bolder than she had originally intended, but she felt much more relaxed and at ease after emptying her third glass of wine. She tried to see very adult as she nonchalantly held out her glass noticing that it was being refilled by Sara, then as she continued to talk she gestured with the hand "I have prepared my whole life fo..." What had to happen happened and her dress sleeve got splattered with red aniseed flavoured wine.

Sara stopped pouring at once, looking up in shock as she realised that she had probably ruined that jacket and the shirt under it, for wine stains are notoriously troublesome to remove and this was a dark wine. Katherine blinked, half smiled as she gave Sara a look, her eyebrow half rising and there was flash of annoyance in her glance. Sara blushed and shivered slightly, looking down, she swallowed nervously, but was momentarily relieved as Katherine turned back to talking to Lady de Vincour.

Fortunately the evening was about to end, but in a very peculiar way, for Lady de Vincour now said "Lady Katherine, I fear I haven't been entirely forthright with you, but there is alas something I need you to do."

"What is that?"

"In order for my spell, an ancient and rather obscure one I fear, to properly function it is necessary that you and Sara be purged of the mystical influences that come from being too close to other people, and so I should like it if you would spend the night here alone with Sara; this way I could prepare to cast the travel spell once you returned to the mansion tomorrow. I know it is sudden, but I had to know you were ready before I said this."

Katherine already felt rather tired, and not really in the mood to go anywhere, so she gave her assent easily enough "Indeed Milady de Vincour, I have heard of such purification and I shan't refuse such a request, but I beg that you tell me parents."

"I asked, they agreed."

"Then I shall stay right..." Katherine made a dramatic pointing gesture down "HERE!"

"Good, I'll depart now and let you handle your own affairs," Lady de Vincour said as she got up and walked away "Adieu and good night," she said half in a whisper and yet both Katherine and Sara heard.

Then as she vanished Katherine stretched her arms over her head and yawned in a somewhat unladylike fashion "I say Sara, I'm tired... so tired..."

"Yes Mistress," Sara said as she began to prepare one of the blankets turning it into a bed, but realising soon that there wouldn't be any covers unless she used one of the bundles of as a, well, blanket.

Sara began to move them about, nudging Katherine slightly to help better arrange the bedsheets, immediately Katherine got up and yelled "WATCH WHAT YOU ARE DOING?!"

"I'm sorry mistress I was just" Sara began stuttering.

"NO BACKTALKING!" Katherine yelled, the thought Sara's earlier faux pas had gnawed at her for some time now and now the dam had burst "YOU STUPID COW! CAN'T YOU DO ANYTHING RIGHT?" With an angry look she wheezed "Down on all fours!"

"Yes Mistress," Sara said trying to keep her voice from choking as she obeyed. The five slaps she got on her rump weren't really painful, her thick skirt and underskirts shielded her from any real hurt, but they were humiliating and frightening nonetheless. Then as Katherine went back to her bunk Sara carefully arranged the blankets around her before going back to the third bundle of blankets, she laid down upon them and huddled together shivering as the winds strangely seemed to get colder and colder.

Katherine meanwhile lay in her own comfortable snug little bundle, her right hand was still stinging from the blows she had landed on Sara's rear. Seeing Sara laying under a single blanket and clearly shivering in the cold Katherine felt so bad, but she was still angry, but this soon passed away and trying to keep her voice steady she called out "Sara, it's cold, come over here and help me stay warm."

Sara perked her ears up as she heard this, she rose quickly and came over "Yes Mistress," she said as she crawled under the layer of blankets protecting Katherine.

They lay there pressed against one another, Katherine's face gently resting against Sara's neck, their bodies pressed against one another and their legs slightly curved. As Sara sniffed a bit Katherine slid her arm across Sara's belly and whispered something to her that neither of them quite heard but which relaxed Sara and they then fell asleep like that pressed one against the other.

[OOC: Okay so I said they would leave in this post, but my last one was supposed to be twice as long sooooo... they will leave in the next post, for sure!]

Anchover Isle
Pendleton
Erde
February 1005 NE

The Cliffside Ledge

They woke up pressed against one another much as they had been when they fell asleep, Katherine mumbled something as she woke up, her head felt horrible like it was filled of little imps with hammers all trying to break out of her skull. She whimpered softly, sobbing against Sara's neck, as she felt perfectly awful and wondered why oh why she had drunk so much the night before when normally she was very moderate.

Sara woke from her mistresses soft moans, she lay still for a moment wondering what was happening then she stirred a bit and turned so that they lay face to face. She could still smell the sweet aniseed flavoured wine of her mistresses breath and from the low moans and pained expression she guessed what was wrong.

"A headache," rather a hangover "mistress?" Sara asked gently, Katherine winced at the sound, a tiny tear rolled down her cheek, and she nodded as she sniffed a bit trying to keep from sobbing.

Movingly gently Sara let Katherine rest on the soft blankets while Sara began to look through the leftovers from last night, strangely enough almost all the food still looked quite pristine despite having been outdoors for an entire night. However Sara was not one to question good fortune and so began to quietly prepare a quick breakfast for her mistress, gathering up on a white porcelain plate a collection of dates and honey glazed bananas hoping that Katherine would be able to eat these nourishing sweet treats.

"My he-head h-hurts," Katherine stuttered out before beginning to weep as she clutched her aching head, her hair was all ruffled and out of order, much like Sara's hair, tangling with little bits of grass and otherwise poking in every direction. In truth the rest of her didn't look too good either, with her dress ruffled and wrinkled, and her eyes slightly bloodshot too. She whimpered as she wondered how she could possible be expected to eat anything, or to do anything other than curl up and cry.

Sara felt quite upset about her mistresses distress, nervously she looked around the remains to see if there was anything she could use to alleviate it, and finding a bottle of wine she remembered that the so called hair of the dog that bit you sometimes did wonders against hangovers. She took one of the crystal wine glasses with her too, then she kneeled down behind Katherine and gently helped her mistress sit up a little, half reclining against Sara with Katherine's head resting against Sara's belly.

"I feel sick," Katherine whispered, wondering idly if she was going to throw up, she sniffed again as she struggled to keep it all down even as she felt Sara's arm move to her side supporting and comforting her.

"There mistress," Sara said in a low voice soothing her mistress as she undid the top four buttons on Katherine's jacket, and then gently moving her hand further inside Katherine's jacket and struggled for a while there her hand lingering as she undid the top buttons of Katherine's shirt as well. Gently Sara moved her hand behind her mistress back, beneath her shirt and tugged slightly at the knots holding her corset together releasing them slightly and giving her stomach more space to move.

"Is that better Mistress?" Sara asked when she was done, the two of them looking into each others eyes.

Katherine nodded "I feel much better now," she said with a light smile on her lips, but she still felt miserable and winced a bit from all the sounds and movements.

"You should drink a bit," Sara whispered as she brought the glass to Katherine's lips, Katherine lifted her hand to help holding it as she sipped the sweet aniseed flavoured wine even though some of it dribbled down from her mouth and the amber drops dripped onto her white shirt.

Drinking the sweet burning fluid did make Katherine's felt a bit better, and so did the fresh cool winds blowing against her face as they watched the ascending sun turning slowly from a reddish hue to golden-white as it rose from the horizon. She looked up from her musings and straight at Sara's concerned face looking into Sara's eyes she commented "It's a wonderful sunrise Sara."

Sara broke the exchange, as was fitting, and looked at the sunrise, it was indeed lovely "Yes Mistress it is, like one of those paintings your father collects."

"Mmmm yes, so it does," Katherine agreed, it reminded her of one of those romantic sunsets or sunrises that the poets wrote about, but of course they never mentioned you being so hung over that you wanted to vomit and even though she maintained a normal conversation it was more a credit to her training as a mage than to her recovery.

As if sensing her mistresses predicament Sara extended her hand a bit and refilled the glass, looking back at Katherine and whispering in a low voice "Please have a little more, and then eat some mistress." As she lifted the glass up to Katherine's lips again.

Katherine gratefully sipped the wine once more, letting Sara feed her fully this time, and only a few drops of the wine spilled this time, one of which gently rested upon her lower lip reflecting the light of the sun like a tiny ruby set upon her rosy lips.

Noticing the drop Sara gently took a linen napkin carefully bent down a little before gently daubing it away before putting the monogrammed napkin down on the ground. Then she extended her arm a bit till her fingers touched the rim of the white porcelain plate she had prepared earlier, and she quickly pulled it over to where they were. Picking up a single date she lifted it up to Katherine's lips and whispered "Please mistress you should eat a little."

"I feel so awful," Katherine whispered, she sniffed again and once more the tears came "I can't."

"Please mistress," Sara pleaded, gently breaking the date and pressing it against Katherine's lips pushing it slightly past her lips too till it met the barrier of a set of slightly closed teeth.

Katherine sighed a bit and then opened her mouth, moving forward a bit as she took the date into her mouth, her lips gently brushing against the tip of Sara's fingers. Then she leaned back against Sara's torso, slowly and somewhat painfully chewing the date.

Seeing that the dates might be a bit much Sara picked up one of the honey glazed bananas, the honey glazing sticking to her fingers but the banana was still quite white and fresh. She gently lifted it up to Katherine's lips, letting the tip of the banana rest against them "please mistress, this is much softer and it's so sweet too," she whispered while smiling at her mistress as she gently pushed the tip of the banana past the lips and against the teeth.

"Uhm, it's," Katherine muttered but seeing Sara's pleading eyes she bit off a small piece and half chewed it, feeling the sweet honey flavour as she swallowed. Sara lovingly fed her about half of the rest of it, gently pushing the cool sweet treat past Katherine's lips as she lay there feeling quite comfortable being tended to.

Afterwards however Katherine still didn't feel too good, though having eaten a bit did make her feel a bit better, but she still sniffed and whimpered a bit from her headache.

"I know something that might make you feel better mistress," Sara said.

"What's that?" Katherine asked, wondering what if anything could make her feel any better now.

Sara felt a bit embarrassed but then said "It's just something they sometimes do when they feel bad downstairs I learned it from one of the other maids Mistress."

"You make it sound like some forbidden spell," Katherine whispered, still keeping some of her humour.

Sara blushed a bit at that "Oh no mistress, just that if you rub and massage just so it feels very good in your circumstance, just an old wives trick."

"Go on Sara, please," Katherine said as she sniffed a bit, she really wanted to be comforted.

Feeling a bit embarrassed Sara gently shifted a bit, gently taking one arm behind Katherine's back and lowering her head till it rested in Sara's lap. Then she slowly brushed away Katherine's tangled hair with her fingers before gently rubbing her finger tips against Katherine's temple, massaging it slowly to release the tension.

A happy smile crossed Katherine's face as she felt the pain and tension vanish Sara's touch was so relaxing, and soon she felt almost as if she could fall asleep once more but every time she opened her eyes she saw Sara look at her questioningly as if wondering what her mistress thought. "Mmmm, it feels so good Sara, please don't stop," she whispered softly as she shifted a bit where she lay.

"I shan't mistress if you don't want me to," Sara replied meekly, pleased that she hadn't embarrassed herself.

They lay thus for some time, until the sun had finally extracted itself entirely from the horizon, by then Katherine was beginning to feel a bit better but she was so relaxed that she was loathe to get up and leave. Finally though she began to stir, her dress ruffling slightly in the wind, and Sara helping her a bit to get half way her head resting against Sara's bosom.

"It's a bit chilly," Katherine commented, noticing for the first time that the brisk cool winds were no longer purely soothing but were making her shiver a bit from the cold.

Sara quickly picked up a nearby blanket and wrapped it around them so that only their heads were visible she smiled at Katherine and asked "Is that better mistress?" she asked as she half cradled Katherine in her arms.

"Yes it is Sara," Katherine said feeling much better indeed as she was once more quite warm and comfortable, but as the sun continued to rise she sighed softly "We have to go back Sara."

"Yes mistress," Sara said but neither of them moved, instead they simply remained as they were looking out over the ocean, the waves were gently rolling against the speech, and the long mournful cries of the seagulls filled the air. For some reason Sara felt a bit melancholy as she watched this scene, wondering if she'd ever see this part of the world again. "You are so good to me mistress, I'm so lucky that you own me," she whispered as she looked at Katherine.

"That's so sweet Sara," Katherine answered as they once more gazed into each others eyes "Of all of my possessions there is nothing I treasure more than you."

"Thank you mistress," Sara said, then feeling a bit worried she added "You have so many beautiful and expensive things mistress."

Katherine frowned a bit then she squirmed and turned till she sat up next to Sara, she placed one hand on Sara's shoulder "dear Sara, you are the most precious thing I own, surely you don't think that I would value my dresses or jewellery over you?" She smiled at Sara then and brushed her hand across her cheek "Sara if I ever had to choose between all of my belongings I would always choose you."

Sara beamed at this, turning her head slightly to kiss Katherine's hand "thank you mistress," a slightly trembling smile crossed her lips as she kissed Katherine's hand again and whispered "you are so kind to me mistress."

Katherine hugged her close for a moment, and Sara returned it, both of them holding the other tight for several minutes while the cool wind blew through their hair making loose strands flow gently in the air. Finally they had to break it off as they both knew that they had to return to the mansion, Katherine went first seeming a bit sad but she quickly cleared her throat and said "We must go now, please... ah... gather our belongings."

"Yes Mistress," Sara said as she rose and quickly assembled their few belongings, and then put aside the remains of the picnic.

"Leave it Sara," Katherine said "Some other servants will come for that."

"Yes mistress," Sara said as she stood up and brushed down her dress.

The two of them now examined their clothing, finding it rather wrinkled and stained in parts, and they straightened it out as best as they could. Finally though Katherine sighed a bit "You'll have to tighten my corset first, after all I can't appear all dishevelled before my parents and the Lady de Vincour."

"Of course Mistress," Sara said, then she helped Katherine remove her jacket and then her shirt exposing her corset. Katherine shivered a bit as the wind blew across her exposed arms and shoulders, but fortunately Sara worked quickly and effectively to retighten the corset to an acceptable degree before once more helping Katherine back into her shirt and jacket.

The two of them now walked back up the narrow pathway that they had descended the evening before, the moment they got out of their protected little pocket they felt a gush of cold, bitter, salt tinged air hit their faces and both of them shivered. At the same time it truly woke them up as both of them wondered how peculiar it was that the spot they'd been sleeping in had been so protected from the elements.

For a moment Katherine shuddered a bit as she pulled her jacket closer around her, blinking as the last sleep left her eyes, then she sighed and walked briskly up the pathway calling out "Come along now Sara."

"Yes mistress," Sara replied as she too hurried, hoping that they'd get away from the cool wind and back inside the mansion.

Moments later they reached the top of the path and began to navigate their way through the intersecting footpaths going through the hilly ground surrounding the mansion. It was not altogether simple and despite having made the trip last night they found that it wasn't that simple to backtrack before they could see the mansion. Finally though Sara pointed and cried "There it is," and true enough the roof of the mansion was visible where she pointed.

Exham Hall

Ten minutes later they were once more at home and, though their skirts had gotten quite wet from running through the tall grass, they felt much better now even though Katherine was greatly worried that her mouth reeked of wine. Turning towards Sara she whispered "Can you smell wine on my breath," and gently breathed into Sara's face.

"No mistress, not at all," Sara assured her.

Even as they stood and fretted they suddenly heard a familiar voice "Ah you've made it and," the Lady de Vincour now dressed in a more formal dark grey dress approached them "you've been purified." A smile played around her lips as she looked first from Katherine to Sara and then back. Then apparently taking pity on them she moved her hand through the air, at once there was a tingling sensation and all of a sudden the stains and wetness was gone from their clothes leaving them perfectly clean though a tad wrinkled. "There now, isn't that much better Lady Katherine?" Lady de Vincour asked.

"Yes Lady de Vincour," Katherine said, and then blushing in embarrassment over having forgotten her manners she quickly added "Thank you, it is much appreciated Milady."

"You are welcome Lady Katherine, but now I must bid you to say adieu to your parents and then to come to the basement wherein I have prepared the magical circle for your transportation!" Lady de Vincour announced in a grave tone of voice "But do not tarry in your adieus Lady Katherine, for if you do then you may gain such influences as will bind you to this spot and force us to wait six months for the next chance!"

"I shan't tarry Milady," Katherine said as she curtsied before walking very quickly inside the mansion, being followed closely by Sara who gave a deep curtsy to the High Worshipful Mistress before following closely behind her own mistress.

Exham Hall was as always a bit murky at this time of the day, even though in truth the downstairs household had already been up for many hours now stoking the ovens, bringing out the linen, preparing the breakfast and otherwise preparing for the day long before his and her Lordship awoke. However there was of course a strict separation between the upstairs and downstairs household, so now all that Katherine saw was their trusty old doorman opening the door wide open for her and bowing deeply "Welcome home Lady Katherine," he said as he bowed to her.

"Hello Bentley," Katherine said a smile on her lips as she studied his whitening hair and wizened, yet still sturdy, features, here then was a credit to any household "I shall be departing today, but..." she pulled out a single guinea and offered "for the servants, you know yourself where it would be best spent."

"You are a kind mistress Lady Katherine," Bentley said as he accepted the coin into his old hands "I shan't lie but to say that there'll be many of the staff that will be sore to hear you've left Milady."

Katherine suddenly realised that it might be the last time that she saw old Bentley, and impulsively she placed her hand on his shoulder "Oh good old Bentley, God bless you as a good and faithful servant." He bowed his head in thanks, and since she felt quite tear choked right then she picked up her skirt in her left hand and continued her brisk walk into the mansion.

Though she had not been told precisely where her parents were at there was some instinct that told her that they would be in the parlour, and thus she made a beeline for that part of the house. As she walked she studied the hallways through which she walked, hanging on the walls were many paintings, some of them of landscapes, others of boar hunts, some of battles both naval and land, but many of them were of the ancestors of the de la Poers men and women in strange clothes and in the oldest paintings standing in strange backgrounds. As always she pondered why they were, what they had done, what their thoughts had been, for much of this knowledge was now lost in the mists of time.

As she walked through the hallways of her ancestral home she felt as if everything was new to her, of course Katherine had seen these hallways many times before, but now she noticed the slightest details the way that a stone was slightly cracked, the way the oak panelling was dark and worn smooth, the way the paint on the pictures was slightly cracked from old age, all of these things suddenly gained more importance to her thinking that she would leave them for who knew how long.

As she reached the door to the parlour Katherine hesitated for a moment with her hand above the door wondering if she should knock or simply enter, then she chided herself for being so silly and opened the door walking inside. Sara followed closely behind, keeping her eyes downcast.

Lord and Lady Exham sat around one of the tables in the parlour, keenly absorbed in their own conversation, but when they heard the door opening the conversation stopped and they both turned to face it. Seeing their daughter they smiled, and Lady Exham looked expectantly at Katherine.

"Sir, Ma'am," Katherine said as she curtsied politely to her parents, "a word with you if I may," she added in a very polite tone of voice. By her side Sara also curtsied far deeper and unlike Katherine she kept her eyes down as she did so.

"Of course dear," Lady Exham replied as she rose from her chair "you must be so terribly excited about leaving," she said even as she walked towards Katherine with her hands partly extended.

"Indeed Ma'am, I am very much looking forward to it, so this is adieu," Katherine said swallowing deeply even as she clasped her mothers hands.

"Yes Katherine, till we see again," Lady Exham said before she leaned forward and gave Katherine a chaste hug "I hope that you will do well and bring naught but honour to the family name," she added simply as she released Katherine from her light embrace.

Her father had also risen and walked towards her, he too seemed touched by the gravity of the moment "Dearest Katherine, you are all grown up," he didn't embrace her but instead he just let out a long breath "good luck dear, and I know that you will do well, all your luggage is arranged for and I believe you cannot tarry around us for too long least you break the mystical energies." Finally he relented and embraced her briefly "Do take care."

"I shall Sir," Katherine replied as she felt her eyes moisten, a raw clump was forming in her heart as she thought about leaving, but still destiny beckoned.

"Katherine," her mother said as she grabbed Katherine's wrist briefly "remember your duty and your station," and then looking briefly at Sara before her glance returned to Katherine "not to mention your duty to maintain discipline."

"Of course Ma'am, I shan't be negligent," Katherine said in a calm balanced voice.

Lady Exham smiled and gently caressed her cheek for a moment, before pulling her hand away again "Promise me Katherine, promise me that you will do this and I shall sleep better at nights."

Lord Exham raised an eyebrow at this peculiar request, but did not see fit to interrupt.

"I promise I shall do as you say," Katherine answered even as another knot formed, a knot from making a commitment without quite being sure of what was being agreed.

"Do this as I would have you do it, promise?" Lady Exham continued.

"To the best of her ability of course," Lord Exham interjected "We cannot ask more than that after all," he said while giving his daughter a long kind look. Katherine returned it, grateful for this moral support and clarification.

"Yes of course," Lady Exham said with a smile "Of course Katherine, to the best of your ability you will do this as I would have you do it, and promise it as a gentlewoman?"

"I promise Ma'am, as a gentlewoman Ma'am, I shan't be negligent in my duties or my education," Katherine replied and now she had committed knowing full well that her mothers strings would affect her now even if Lady Exham was a hundred Great Leagues away.

"Then go now quick, before you break the spell as your father says," Lady Exham said sighing and looking rather sad, for once seeming the loving mother.

Before Katherine could turn to leave her father held up his hand and moved it in a blessing "You go with my blessings daughter mine," he said with great solemnity as he muttered the Latin prayer.

Katherine curtsied deeply bowing a bit as well "By your leave Madam and Sire I ask permission to depart."

"You have it child," Lord Exham said watching sadly as his daughter walked backwards out of the room formally bowed all the while, with Sara discretely opening the door just before Katherine reached it. It was the manner in which you left royalty, or in which a child would leave his or her parents or liege lord on the most solemn of occasions, a custom almost never practised in these evil days but one they had always implanted in her.

As soon as Katherine left the room she straightened herself and brushed down her clothes, a couple of new tears rolled down her cheek but she quickly wiped them with her white cotton handkerchief. Sara quietly stood by her side and gently leaned into her a bit holding her briefly, then Katherine swallowed "Come lets go," she said and began to walk towards the stairway to the cellar.

The doorway leading to the staircase was slightly open, it was a very old and very thick door, made from oak perhaps with black iron hinges and an enormous old fashioned lock of the sort that had not been manufactured in centuries. Katherine had to push it quite hard, even though it was already slightly ajar, to open it fully. Looking down the staircase she could see the flickering of lights far, far down, but twenty or so feet down the long staircase and until those lights it was totally dark.

"I think they keep some lights nearby mistress," Sara whispered as she fumbled along the top of the doorjamb, here there was a small compartment where you might place a few candles and the odd box of matches. Pulling down one of both she lit a tallow candle and held it up, she looked at her mistress and then began to slowly walk down the stairs lighting the way for Katherine.

Further and further down they went, the initial wooden steps did not creak at all but roughly a third of the way down they struck upon stone steps parts of the original foundation. These steps were exceedingly solid and surprisingly well fitted but their surface was left slightly rough for some reason. Walking down these stairs their tiny candle let them perceive the solid and oh so ancient stone structures with their round arches and barrel vaults, the stones and mortar still as solid as ever though even after eight hundred years or more. Their shadows danced across these stone surfaces, moving almost obscenely and more than once it seemed that their shadows were acting differently from how the two girls were.

Finally though they reached the bottom of the stairs, now they were inside the deep cellar, a section that was used occasionally for storing cheeses, wines and liquors for the temperature and humidity was very constant. As they walked into the cellar proper they saw endless rows of wine shelves stretching as far as the eye could see and ending in pure darkness. There were also huge shelves filled with cheeses, and long lines of large wine barrels with vintages stretching back for decades or even the better part of a century. In the area immediately adjacent to the staircase a large area had been cleared, it was always kept open as it'd be used as a mustering ground for when large cheeses or barrels of wine were to be brought up for some grand feast.

None of this disconcerted Katherine or Sara for both of them had visited the cellars before and knew how large they were. What was disconcerting was that in this area previously sparse and barren several braziers had been set up, the merry fires burning in them lit up the cellar, and in the centre of the floor a large circle surrounded by astrological symbols had been drawn. Within this circle lay a dozen or so suitcases which Katherine immediately recognised as her own, she took a breath of relief that at least her luggage was here.

Standing by the side of this magical circle was the High Worshipful Mistress, she was still wearing the same stern grey dress and perched on her nose was a pair of gold rimmed spectacles. In her hands she held a surprisingly large and cumbersome leather bound tome so heavy that it seemed impossible that someone so small could hold it so easily. Yet at the same time when she read out loud from the book her voice was filled with enormous power and dignity.

Then when she noticed that she had company she closed the book and smiled at her two guests "Good morning, how delightful that you could make it Lady Katherine, and your maid too," as she spoke the book seemed to remain in the air by its own accord for a moment before she took it and closed it tucking it under her arm.

Curtsying to Lady de Vincour Katherine said "Yes Milady de Vincour I am pleased to be here."

"Of course you are Lady Katherine..." Lady de Vincour moved her lips softly and her voice whispered into Katherines ear even though they were several feet apart "there is a small box on that suitcase over there, I believe it is of interest" then in a regular voice she said "Perhaps you could make certain that all your luggage is present Lady Katherine?"

Feeling curious Lady Katherine rose from her curtsy "Of course Lady de Vincour, I should be delighted." She walked over to the suitcases and examined them briefly finding that all the suitcases she had selected were indeed there with little tags on them announcing contents like "assorted books," or "dresses one months worth", or "assorted hygienic items." What really interested her though was the box on one of the suitcases, and she recognised it at once oh how excellent, now I can give it to her right away Katherine thought as she scooped it up.

Seeing that the Lady was going back to her chants Katherine approached Sara, a smile on her lips "Sara I have a gift for you."

Sara seemed quite befuddled but she curtsied politely even as she seemed quite excited "For me mistress?"

"Yes silly are there any other Sara's," Katherine said while smiling widely as she held up the box "Come here Sara."

"Yes mistress," Sara said as she picked up her skirts with her left hand and rushed over eager to see what gift she was receiving.

Katherine opened the box revealing a beautiful silver bracelet, the chains of the bracelet were formed like vines linking together and the body of the bracelet itself was decorated with a lovely floral pattern. Engraved in the centre of it stood the words "Sara Jones, Property of Lady Katherine de la Poer" engraved in beautiful discrete lettering.

"For me mistress? It is..." Sara looked at it, read the text and smiled it has to cost a fortune she thought to herself realising that this was the prettiest and most expensive thing she had ever received.

Katherine gently took Sara's right wrist, holding it and slowly pushing away the sleeve as she placed the bracelet around Sara's wrists before attaching it carefully making sure it did not hurt the wrist. "There you are Sara, I..." she hesitated about showing this much intimacy to a servant when there was a stranger watching but she continued anyway "I wouldn't want to lose you, you are after all my most valuable and valued possession."

"I..." Sara's voice sounded a bit choked but she smiled "I know mistress I will never take it off," she said firmly.

Katherine was about to say something more when all of a sudden Lady de Vincour called "Lady Katherine you must enter the circle now, the very centre, you and your maid and you must stand there closely together."

"Quite so Lady de Vincour," Katherine replied, then she turned to Sara "Come Sara we must hurry."

"Yes Mistress."

The two of them rushed over to the centre of the magical circle, lifting their skirts so to avoid stumbling and there in the very centre of the circle, surrounded by luggage they stood and looked nervously at each other.

"Please stand closer still Lady Katherine," Lady de Vincour cried "It is important for the ritual that you are as close as you can be."

At this the two of them moved yet closer till finally they pressed against one another, awkwardly not looking quite at one another as they waited for the spell to occur.

"Now gaze into each others eyes to create the mystical bond," Lady de Vincour said "and you shall be transported to the other world."

Nervously they looked into each others eyes, breaths were shaky and then suddenly it happened. It was not like teleportation it was something quite different the ground, the air, their own bodies, everything shifted and twisted like wax in a hurricane. One moment they were standing on secure ground in a dark basement, and suddenly they found each other falling into each others arms, grasping each other firmly they trembled for a moment till they realised that they were once more standing upon firm ground with the suitcases around them, as they looked around they found that they were in a rather different place indeed...

Lost Ground

They were in a largish room with most peculiar furniture, there were several chairs and tables in the room but all of them had spindly impossibly thin legs, and the room itself seemed to be lined not with wood or stone but rather it was made out of metal. An enormous window up in the roof let in some sunlight but also revealed a dark cloudy sky. In short it was a very strange place indeed.

"Now then," a voice came from behind one of the tables, it was a smallish man in a colourful uniform of sorts "I take it you are here to enrol?"