A/N: Merry Christmas ;)
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We spend our first two days at Arabelle's cottage growing familiar with our new surroundings. Vasa learns the best spots in the lake to fish. Kesuk distinguishes which branches make the best firewood. I explore the surrounding woods and make note of where any soldiers may linger across the lake. Arabelle keeps the cottage clean and takes Kesuk into a small town nearby so he can deliver letters to our allies.
For a brief moment, I almost feel that I am a maid living in Esterpool again. It is easy to notice the way Arabelle and I easily fall back into our old duties, especially when she primarily does the dishes, and I take on the task of folding everyone's laundry. Her trips into town with Kesuk even remind me of when the maids would visit Arkford to run errands.
I quietly hope that in the moments Arabelle and I are alone, we can learn more about each other. Though our relationship did not start off on the right footing, I hope that I can consider her a close friend one day, in the same way that Maria was to me. After all, our end goals are the same â we want better lives for ourselves and our families.
However, Arabelle remains just as quiet and reserved as ever. I suppose I foolishly assumed when she agreed to become our ally, she would be willing to let her guard down; however, she seems content merely taking care of the cottage and doing what we ask of her. I realize I will need to be patient with her, though I know our time together will be considerably limited when she returns home to her parents in a few days.
When I wake the morning of our third day at the cottage, I feel surprisingly refreshed. The gentle sound of the waves on the lake's shore lulled me into a pleasant sleep the evening before and kept me feeling calm throughout the night. I glance out my bedroom window, staring at the crystalline water, and look forward to finding the time to go down to the lake later in the day. Amongst all the chaos of my current life, nothing has refreshed me more lately than the quiet moments spent on Cantersard Lake's shore.
Arabelle's bedroom door is still shut as I rise. I find that odd, as normally she is already awake and doing chores, but we have been so busy these past few days that it's possible exhaustion has finally caught up her.
When I enter the kitchen, I find Kesuk and Vasa already awake and seated at the table with the map of the Magnuvian Empire spread out in front of them. "Good morning," I say and find a seat beside them.
They both offer me tired greetings in response, too fixated on the map to speak with much enthusiasm. When Kesuk's gaze meets my own, I see seriousness reflect in his eyes. I know what that expression means â it's time to get back to work.
"When Arabelle wakes, we should start thinking strategically about how we can gain allies during our time in Flumensia," Kesuk says.
I nod. The contentment I felt upon waking quickly vanishes into dread. There was a part of me that wanted to enjoy the peace a while longer. However, I know that each day we linger, the greater chances my mother and sister stand at overtaking us and successfully following through with their plans, including killing Asteria.
"All right, then," I agree.
"Maybe Arabelle knows some Flumensians who would be willing to become our allies," Vasa says.
I nod, but it is hard faking enthusiasm. Arabelle has been more unhelpful than anticipated. I even began to notice yesterday that she was acting more nervous than normal, jumping every time a door opened or a log in the fireplace crackled. I pray her nerves are only anticipatory. Perhaps the more we discuss strategy, the calmer Arabelle will feel.
"We'll have to ask her that, first," I say. "How about breakfast?"
Kesuk and Vasa eagerly nod, and I begin preparing breakfast using some of the eggs Arabelle brought with us to the cottage. Vasa and Kesuk's quiet strategy conversation is quickly muffled by the sizzling of frying eggs.
My mind wanders, thinking of what Arabelle will be able to contribute. Seeing Kesuk and Vasa's enthusiasm over Arabelle's involvement makes me worry about letting them down. I can only hope I did not make a mistake in convincing her to become our ally. Though our allies in Kilneu will no doubt be useful, we stand no chance at taking down the empire without numbers from Flumensia as well. I pray that Arabelle will have some helpful intel that will aid our plan.
As I plate our breakfasts, the door to Arabelle's bedroom creaks open. She enters the kitchen, looking more frazzled than normal. Her hair is tangled and disheveled, far more unkempt than how she kept it in Esterpool, and her eyes droop despite sleeping in later than the rest of us.
"Good morning. You have good timing. I just finished cooking breakfast," I say.
"I am not hungry," Arabelle murmurs.
"Well, if you change your mind, I'll save some for youâ"
"Do not bother," Arabelle says. I remember then that she did not eat much dinner the evening before either.
"Are you feeling ill?" I ask.
Arabelle stiffens. "No. I'm merely tired," she says.
I plate everyone's dishes and bring them to the table, minus Arabelle's. "Well, if you are feeling alert enough, then I think we should begin discussing strategy. We've had a few days to get adjusted now."
Arabelle nods, though her lack of energy worries me.
"How about you freshen up while we enjoy our breakfast?" Kesuk asks.
"All right," Arabelle agrees. Once she has disappeared back into her bedroom, Kesuk and Vasa face me.
"I'm feeling less hopeful," Vasa admits.
"Her lack of eagerness is...certainly something," Kesuk says.
"Perhaps she is just having a rough day. It happens to all of us," I say. "We'll see what she has to say. For now, eat your breakfast."
I push their plates toward them, and we eat, finishing up just as Arabelle reenters the kitchen. She is dressed in a long-sleeved blouse and flowing skirt, and her previously messy hair is now carefully braided. Though she cleans up well in appearance, there is nothing she can do to hide the bags under her eyes or the way she twitches slightly when the plates clank together as I wash them in the sink.
Once Arabelle joins us the table, I am quick to notice the way her gaze is fixated on the kitchen window. She is quiet, keeping careful focus on the horizon. Kesuk's voice breaks her from her trance.
"Arabelle, now that you have joined us, you must know we are on the search for other allies. Our numbers our steady and growing. Now that I have sent off our new address to our allies, I should be hearing reports soon about how progress has continued while we've been away from Kilneu. Needless to say, we need to focus on expanding our operations in Flumensia. Would you happen to know anyone who would be interested in joining our cause?" Kesuk asks.
Arabelle fidgets with the sleeves of her blouse. "I am afraid not. My family has been nothing but loyal to Magnuvia in recent years. I served the princess herself, so associating myself with anyone who was not a loyalist would have cost me my job."
Disappointment reflects on Kesuk and Vasa's faces. I am sure it comes through on mine as well. I had hoped Arabelle would know at least one other individual who would join our cause.
"It does not have to be someone you were close with," I stress. "Perhaps a schoolmate, or a neighbor?"
Arabelle shakes her head. "You forget that I had been living in Esterpool for the past few years. I do not know enough about past schoolmates to know their political leaning, and I have not gotten to know my neighbors in the few months I have lived in Fehrbridge again."
"How about rumors of rebellion in your community?" Vasa asks.
I nod. "Gossip proved to be most helpful in gathering allies from Kilneu."
"Even if such rebels existed, I would not willingly partake in such conversation," Arabelle answers.
Vasa shoots me a look of annoyance, and I can tell Kesuk is physically restraining himself from showing me the same expression. I glance down at the table, ignoring my comrades' burning stares. Arabelle's gaze once again lingers to the window, and I realize quickly that we are not going to make any progress interrogating her about her personal life. It is clear she has nothing to offer on the subject.
Thankfully, Kesuk seems to notice this, too.
"Then, let's not focus on personal connections right now," Kesuk says. "Perhaps you could tell us about Flumensia and where the most populated settlements in the country are?"
Arabelle is at least compliant on that subject. "My hometown, Fehrbridge, is the nation's capital, and the largest city. To the east, Aldenvale is the second most densely populated town. In fact, the northern part of the country is the most populous."
"Which we just fled from," Vasa grumbles.
"That's for the best," Kesuk argues. "We will be safer with less individuals around. What other towns are worth looking into around here?"
"The largest settlement near here is Kilkwood, on the other side of Cantersard Lake," Arabelle says. She gazes more intensely on the map and traces her finger along it. "Otherwise, your best bet would be to travel southward to Kensington Lake. Olnfield and Torville are also towns worth investing your time into."
"And have any of these towns been sites of unrest before?"
Arabelle nods. "Olnfield and Torville, especially. The north is more controlled by the Magnuvians, so unrest is curbed easily, but southward, near the Landiani and Tabafaga borders, rebellion is more common. I believe that the soldiers do not harvest as much magic from Kensington Lake anymore due to the protests and riots that have occurred there. For now, they source most of their magic from Cantersard and Winderson Lake in the north."
"Then, perhaps keeping south is our best bet for now," Kesuk says. "Why don't we focus our efforts on Kilkwood, since that will have the most people compared to the small community that exists here, on the northern shore of Cantersard Lake? I am sure there must be some that live there who would be willing to join our cause."
"It is not that close. Going on foot would take hours. Travelling by motorcar would be more suitable," Arabelle says.
I frown, but Kesuk remains optimistic.
"Then, we'll find some way of transportation that works, even if it means infrequent trips. I am sure we will relocate closer to Kilkwood once our numbers begin growing and can figure out a new housing situation then."
"So then, what do you propose?" I ask.
"Arabelle, would you be willing to drive us one day?" Kesuk asks.
Arabelle interlaces her fingers together and stares wistfully out the window once more. "Perhaps..."
"Are you planning on leaving sooner?" I ask.
Arabelle looks at me in surprise. "I...no...I do not yet know what my schedule is. Once you know which day you intend to visit Kilkwood, then let me know, and we can discuss further." She twitches and fidgets once more, and my eyes narrow in suspicion. I had begun to trust Arabelle after she brought us to her cottage, but seeing her begin to pull away from us, I am become more cautious of her involvement. I vow then to speak to her alone before the day has concluded.
"What about me?" I ask Kesuk and Vasa. "There is no way I can safely accompany you."
"Then we should stick to just Vasa, myself, and Arabelle. She can give us the lay of the land, and Vasa and I can begin asking around, similar to how we gathered allies in Kilneu," Kesuk says.
I turn to Vasa. "Then you better keep your gun here. It gave us away too easily last time."
"I hear you," he grumbles. "Do you think the soldiers that pursued us in Fehrbridge will pursue us in Kilkwood?" Vasa asks Arabelle.
Arabelle huffs. "I am not kept up to date on what the protocol of the Magnuvian soldiers are!"
"Arabelle, please," I say, urging her to cooperate.
She sighs. "My guess is no, unless those soldiers confirmed Fetia is with you. Although, given you're not Flumensian natives, I would not draw too much attention to yourselves when wandering around Kilkwood."
"Then, all of this sounds like a good start," Kesuk says. "We'll figure out a date that works best to travel to Kilkwood soon."
With some new ideas circulating in our head, we end our discussion and return to tending to ourselves and the cottage. Later in the day, I return to the kitchen for a midday meal and find Arabelle preparing food for herself.
"Hungry now?" I ask.
Arabelle jumps and holds her hand to her chest.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you," I say. "Where are Kesuk and Vasa?"
"They went down to the lake to bathe," Arabelle says.
"Ah. Once they're back, I'll go down, too," I say.
As Arabelle sits at the table, I reach for ingredients in the cupboard and begin preparing myself a sandwich to enjoy.
"Mind if I join you?" I ask.
Arabelle shakes her head, and I sit across from her. We eat in silence a few moments, not daring to say anything to each other. Finally, I gather the courage to speak.
"Thank you for what you shared today. I'm sure it will be helpful to us."
Arabelle picks slightly at her food. "I'm glad I could help."
I take another bite, then stare at Arabelle once more. "There is one more matter you could help me with."
Arabelle eyes me oddly. "And what is that?'
"I would like to know why you have been so frantic lately."
Arabelle's eyes widen in shock. "I haven't the slightest clue what you're talking about!"
My eyes narrow. "If you believe you are hiding it well, try harder. I see you jumping at every noise and acting distracted. What is troubling you? Is it anything I can help with?"
Arabelle sighs. "I am...nervous. Exceedingly so. My parents will be returning home soon, and I will have to leave you all at the cottage. I am worried about keeping everything secretive. My mother always said I was a poor liar."
I feel relief that she is merely dealing with her own internal conflict, but her concerns make me worry simultaneously.
"I understand, but if you do not think you can keep the lie upon returning home, then please be honest and tell me now. We will flee immediately, and you can no longer have any part in this," I urge. I am sure Kesuk and Vasa would be enraged at suggesting we give up our safe house, especially when we have no other options for shelter, but we cannot risk Arabelle revealing our whereabouts either.
Arabelle shakes her head. "No. I will remain strong. I promise."
I exhale in relief. "As I said before, your involvement can be minimal, but at the very least, you must keep it a secret that we are staying at your family's summer home."
"I know. I will do my best. This is hard for me, Fetia. You must know that. But I really am trying.."
"I appreciate it," I say, suddenly feeling guilt for placing so much pressure on her. "You know, you are welcome to share your thoughts and feelings with us. You do not have to act so reserved all the time. This is not the maid's quarters in Esterpool. None of us are trying to compete with each other."
Arabelle's cheeks flush in embarrassment. "I-I know! I do not need you telling me that though, since you so clearly won that competition."
Now my cheeks grow warm. As frustrating as her comment is, it is nice to hear her sounding more like herself again.
"Well, it is obvious I am now ranked last on the princess's list of favorite maids, so there's no need to hold onto that grudge anymore. Just...do your best to cooperate with us for the time being. We'll find a way for you to help us once you return to Fehrbridge."
"Sorry. I appreciate you saying all that. And I will strive to do better," Arabelle says.
"Good. It would be nice if you could join Kesuk and Vasa in Kilkwood before you leave. And we'll be sure to have a discussion about your involvement before you head home. Hopefully you'll feel more confident once you leave the cottage."
Arabelle nods, but I still sense hesitation on her part. I sigh, wanting to pry some more as to what else could be troubling her, but then the door opens, and Kesuk and Vasa re-enter with wet hair and towels around their torsos.
Arabelle lets out a slight squeal. "Have some modesty!"
I roll my eyes and speak up. "How was the lake temperature?" I ask.
"Slightly warmer than freezing, so all in all, a nice bath. I would find some water in the sun to bathe in," Vasa says.
"I'll plan to do that, then," I say.
As they leave to get dressed, Arabelle lowers her voice. "You really should urge your companions to dress more appropriately among us women."
"Why? They're not doing anything scandalous," I say.
Arabelle's eyes narrow, and her lips curl into a smirk. "Perhaps you are unbothered because there is something going on between you and one of them. The maids and I always did say you were writing an awful lot back home. Is it Vasa, the handsome one? He is from your hometown in Landiani, is he not?"
My eyes widen. "Absolutely not! And I have no interest in Kesuk either," I hiss. I stand defiantly and shove my chair quickly back in. "I'm going to bathe now and pretend we never had this discussion."
As aggravated as Arabelle's comment makes me, I can't help but chuckle to myself as I head to my room to fetch my bathing supplies. I am sure she would not be laughing or mocking me if she knew the extent of my romantic history.
I exit the cottage, and a chill immediately runs through me. Though winter in Flumensia is cold, the sun is bright and shining today. The dappled bits of sunlight that shine through the trees provide warmth on my skin as I walk down to the shore. I walk along its edge for a bit, finally finding some water engulfed in sunlight. I strip down and enter the water slowly, shivering as it laps at my body. I suddenly long for the baths I took in the Landiani River again, where the water, though less calm, was at least warm.
Regardless, I still find myself enjoying my bath. I savor the afternoon view. The sunlight reflects beautifully on the water, making me miss home more than ever. The peace and quiet bring me comfort after a tense morning. As I glance out at the water, I hope that my words of encouragement reached Arabelle. I pray that she finds the courage to continue serving as our ally, even when she returns to Fehrbridge.
After my bath, I feel refreshed once more. I wrap my towel around my body and head back up towards the cottage. Arabelle chats inside with Vasa and Kesuk, clearly not upset with them over their improper appearance from earlier in the afternoon. Their chatter makes me hopeful that my conversation with Arabelle was more productive than I thought. It appears she already is beginning to act normal once more,
Once dressed, I open my widow and listen to the birds chirp in the distance. Their sweet songs fill the air and cause a smile to form on my face. I brush a comb through my wet strands, and for the first time since leaving Kesuk's cabin, my mouth naturally opens in song. I choose to sing a happier tune today, one that promises a sweet tomorrow. I find myself not caring if the others can hear me through the walls. I allow the words to flow through me as easily as my emotions, finding that they calm me and encourage me at the same time, despite not knowing the exact translation from the ancient Landiani language.
As I continue to gaze out my window and sing, I fail to hear scuffling in the distance. I lower my voice, confused, as rising voices echo from inside the cottage. Loud footsteps approach my bedroom, and I immediately halt singing. The door to my bedroom opens loudly, slamming against the wall.
"Fe."
I freeze at the sound of her breathless voice and turn my body slowly.
Princess Asteria is standing in my doorway.