Alexandra
12th Day of Summer, 997th Year of Grace
After we joined the True Faithful, we were thrown into training right away to prepare for the work we would soon do.
I was taught etiquette and housework befitting a maid working at a noble's household by a respectful madam known as Mrs. Breanne.
Adam told me he was training to be a mercenary like Pa, the only difference being that he would be working under the commission of the True Faithful.
Being a mercenary also meant that he would be away from home a lot and I would have to endure the nightmares by myself.
He had asked about them.
He had asked if I would be alright without him by my side. I wanted to say I wouldn't be but I didn't want to shackle him to myself either.
So I lied.
Soon, the seasons changed and before we knew it, the cool spring breeze was replaced by warmer gales--heralding the arrival of Summer.
It didn't take long for my first mission to arrive.
According to the briefing given to me by Lisa, I was to work as a maid in the Governor's estate and investigate the recent disappearance of maids in the past few years.
It had been happening quite frequently until a few weeks ago when it stopped completely.
Still, the Governor was troubled by the incidents yet couldn't take any drastic steps, worrying that he might frighten the citizens and cause mass panic.
So, his soldiers investigated the matter in secrecy.
The True Faithful wanted to catch the culprit before them--probably to get a piece of leverage with which they could negotiate with the Governor.
Thus, they pulled some strings within the Domestic Services Guild and I was recommended to the estate as a maid.
It took a few days for the letter of acceptance to arrive but after three weeks of arriving in Belmire, the day of my first task had come.
***
"Are you the new recruits?" The maid in charge of us asked.
It seemed like I wasn't the only one that would be starting work as a maid today.
There were four of us, including me, and we all nodded at the maid-in-charge's question.
"Very well, I'm Betty and I'll be guiding you today. Please follow me," she said.
Coming here, I realized that the Governor's estate spanned the entire hilltop I walked through to reach the gates.
However, most of the estate was mountainous woods with the majority of facilities built within and around the castle.
The most magnificent part of the estate was the castle itself--grand and alluring--that drew the eyes of anyone that entered the city.
Betty gave us a brief tour of the estate and described the duties assigned to us which were simple enough--laundry, cleaning rooms or brooming the courtyard.
As low-ranked housemaids, we weren't allowed to address the nobles unless spoke to first--or so Betty said.
"All servants are required to live within the estate." She glanced at me. "But I suppose you are the only exception."
Indeed, I was.
I had requested to be allowed to live at the rented room above Mr. Bodkins shop. I would've agreed to live here but outsiders were seldom allowed entry and Adam had nowhere else to live.
I didn't want to take away a place for him to get away to after a long time of hardwork.
"That's all for now," Betty said. "I'll give you your assignments for today."
Connin
12th Day of Summer, 997th Year of Grace
The Lord often spoke through silence--like the one found in-between the rustling of tall grass, or in the pause right before a prayer ended, or in the hush between breaths.
I heard Him now too, as we rode through the vast southern plains.
It had taken us around two weeks to travel from the capital and through almost all of the eastern province, to finally reach the the edge of the southern province.
I did not know where we were headed but I just felt the wind guide me west.
The Ostwyn River shimmered in the distance--a silver thread pulled through the lands that carried the sins of the northern highlands, through the warm and sunny south, and into the ocean.
Behind me rode six Inquisitors, handpicked by the Archbishop to protect me and fight for me.
Her face was still fresh in my memories.
Ashvale--I had begun calling her because in the dream, I found her in a place akin to a valley and she reduced everything around her to ashes.
I remembered how her dark tendrils of hair turned into silver strands. I remembered how her warm skin became pale like moon-lit ivory. I also remembered the way she shed crimson tears.
Perhaps, she had lost something or someone precious to her, and the loss hollowed her out until only the flames of wrath remained.
I believed the Lord had chosen me to save her from being consumed in rage and loss. If I could just reach her before she lost control and gave in to the Chaos within her...
We visited every settlement that we passed as the Law guided us. Yet, even after six cities, nine towns and two weeks of travelling, we had not found any sign of her.
Today, we arrived at Loomwick, a humble town nestled near Ostwyn's bend.
It seemed like a quiet and pious place where the Lord's name resounded through the air with every prayer made.
We rode through the town and found people looking at us with reverence and hope in their eyes.
We were not unexpected.
The Church had sent word to each one of its branches across Arcanis to expect our arrival and accommodate us. Perhaps the local church had announced our possible arrival to the townsfolk so that they could welcome us.
The local church--known as St. Darvon's church--was a simple building made of stone with a bell tower crowned by the sunburst emblem carved in bronze.
Its doors opened before we could knock and a gaunt man with kind eyes welcomed us with nervous grace.
He named himself Hermann and said he was the bishop that overlooked the church.
He also granted us the eastern wing and the gardens for use during our stay in Loomwick.
He offered us a sumptuous meal with wine to wash away the exhaustion from our journey but I denied firmly and asked for plain bread and water instead.
I requested my companions to rest and enjoy themselves with a good meal and wine before excusing myself .
After having my meal in the room given to me, I spent some time in the apse--reading a few scriptures while muttering verses every few breaths.
I took a stroll through the garden in the evening when the sun had begun to set and the sky was painted golden.
The Law caressed my cheeks in the form of a refreshing breeze while I observed the lilies leaning toward the disappearing sun in the garden.
I found Hermann standing near a stone well on my walk, fingers clutched around his rosary and his face grim.
"Father," I called, clasping my hands. "May the Lord bless us."
He turned, startled. "Ah, your grace... Yes, may His light guide us."
"Did you know?" I walked to him, slowly. "Our Lord made men weak alone so that we would learn to rely on each other. And so, when together, through faith and will, no trial is beyond us."
"I apologize but I don't understand what you mean to say..."
"Father, I see that you carry a burden on your shoulders," I said. "Would you be willing to share this burden with me? It could help lessen the weight and I will try my best to offer you my assistance."
He hesitated, so I gave him silence to think it over.
After a few moments, he said, "Three children have vanished... Perhaps, they were taken by someone... Whoever did it, they left no trace and there was no ransom demanded. We... suspect it was the work of a Witch but..."
"But?"
"The local Inquisitors have come up with nothing in their investigations. We have no leads whatsoever." He stopped for a moment. "W-When I got news of your arrival, I-I thought that the Church had sent us aid."
I thought of Ashvale--I needed to find her as soon as possible.
But I could not ignore the situation here either. I could not let this rot fester and grow into something more troublesome, I needed to slice it away before any more lives were threatened.
"I will provide you with aid," I said.
"I can't ask you to do such--"
"I told you, Father. We must stand together." I placed a hand on his shoulder. "Only then will we be able to face trials that are beyond us when alone."
Elijah
12th Day of Summer, 997th Year of Grace
I sat at the long dinner table, struggling to show interest in the idle talks with my father or in the food that was laid before me.
In all honesty, I couldn't think of anything but her.
I couldn't think past those tear-filled eyes, or those inky strands of hair.
My attention drifted out the arched window on my side and through the sunlight, I caught a glimpse of black.
It was black hair tied into a bun.
My gaze followed the curve of the head it belonged to and I saw her fair skin kissed by the sun, her pair of dark brown eyes behind round glasses and her heart-shaped lips grimacing.
She adjusted the glasses on her face and reached into the washbasin she was washing clothes in.
It was her.
She was a maid.
How had I never noticed her before? Or perhaps, she'd joined recently.
I couldn't blink. I couldn't think anymore.
I realized once again how much I wanted her.
I wanted the beads of sweat forming on her forehead. I wanted the droplets of water trickling down her arms as she washed clothes. I wanted her breath hot against my throat as she moaned my name while I devoured her.
She was enchanting. She was perfect.
Everyone stared at me when my chair scraped back and I rose from my seat. "Excuse me, I'm not feeling well."
My father raised a brow while a maid rushed over to me. "Do you need help with anything, my lord? Shall I escort you to your room?"
"No, I'll be fine by myself," I said, rushing out of the room.
I didn't care what they thought about me.
I descended the stairs and strode through the courtyard, toward where the washing stations were located.
Dozens of maids appeared before me--all in identical uniforms with wet sleeves--but I couldn't find her.
Did I imagine it? I thought, scanning the courtyard. No matter, I'll find her soon enough.
Connin
16th Day of Summer, 997th Year of Grace
The Church taught us that Witches were beings of chaotic desires who revelled in the misery of others.
The plan to capture the culprit behind the missing children was based upon that teaching.
I asked Hermann to arrange for a sermon to be held in the town sqaure and to hold prayers to ask for the Lord's guidance and mercy.
I also asked my companions to assist the local Inquisitors while they stood guard.
Soon, night fell over the town of Loomwick like a velvet blanket adorned with stars.
The lanterns burned low as the wind carried the river mist and scent of incense through the streets.
The townsfolk crowded the town square, waiting--mothers held their children close, elders clutched their prayer beads and men stood vigilant.
Standing atop the bell tower, I observed the fear hidden behind their eyes.
Hermann began reading through the verses of Judgement Day:
"The Lord walked through the rebels,
Judgment in His left hand,
And Mercy in His right..."
I closed my eyes and the world faded from my senses.
It was time to hunt the Witch.