Chapter Text
Savira had never dreamed of being a princess. Had never longed for ball gowns or tiaras or subjects to command. No. She was not like other girls. The only thing she longed for right now was a hot bath. Because she smelled.
Sighing, she picked up the bucket of water from the stream and stared at her reflection. Her green eyes looked exhausted. Bits of her curly red hair stuck out where it had come loose from her braid. Dirt smeared across her face and clothes from a day's worth of chores. She looked a mess.
Glancing back at the stream, she thought of jumping in. Though it would be cold and shallow, it would be enough to wash some of the grime from her person. But the sun would set soon, and Lady Tarnah was not a patient woman. With another sigh, Savira picked up the second bucket and started back to the estate.
There would not be a warm bath there. Not even a full meal. Farm hands were given some bread and cheese, with a portion of meat only at the end of the week with their meager wages. Her stomach growled as if to remind her of this fact.
Still, it was a better situation than most. At least she had a pallet to sleep on and keep her from the elements, even if it was in a barn shared with the other farm hands. Jobs were sparse in this part of the kingdom, as were crops, and joy. Iridia as a whole felt like a shadow had cast over it since King Zorius took the crown.
As the manor came into view, the sound of hoof beats thundered from the trees. Savira looked behind her, just in time to see a rider emerge from the tree line, horse galloping hard in her direction.
"Oh Gods," she whispered. Didn't he see her? Perhaps not, with the green mask covering his face. Apart from the mask, he wore black from head to toe. If she didn't know better, she would have thought the man a demon.
Behind him, five more riders emerged into the clearing. Once they spotted the man escaping, they kicked their heels into their steeds, who charged full speed into her path.
The manor wasn't far. She could make it. She just needed to run.
Savira looked down.
Run… with a pair of heavy buckets.
Unable to lift her skirts, she raced up the hill and tried not to fall. Her breaths came in deep pants. The rider was getting closer, she could feel the echo of the hooves vibrating in her chest. Any moment, he would overtake her. Bracing herself, she dropped the buckets and covered her face with her arms.
In the blur of black, the man and his horse raced passed her, just barely avoiding knocking her over.
Suddenly, a bright light flashed in front of her eyes. Was it lightning? There was no rain. But the horses of the five pursuers pulled back onto their hind legs, then took off back toward the trees from whence they came.
Savira turned back to the man. What sort of magic did this many carry to cause such a light? She should be scared, yet something about the man's presence made her feel safe. He waited at the southern line of the property, his head tilted like a curious puppy.
What? She wanted to shout, but her mouth was frozen. The man reached into a pouch on his belt and pulled something out before flipping it to her. It landed with a ding at her feet.
A golden Caldra coin. It was worth more than her entire week's wages. A gasp escaped her lips as she hurried to hide the coin away in her apron. By the time she looked up, the rider was gone.
When she collected the buckets, Savira lamented that only a quarter of the water remained in each. Lady Tarnah would not be pleased. But the five riders had ridden back into the woods. If she went back now, they were sure to find her and ask questions. Maybe steal her precious Caldra coin. No, the only way was forward to deal with the wrath of the lady of the house.
When she approached the manor, Lady Tarnah waited in front of the door, arms crossed. A frumpy woman, she did not squander her money away on fancy jewelry and clothes. She ran her late husband's farm like a general.
"My lady," Savira set down the buckets and curtsied.
"Where is the water?" Lady Tarnah demanded.
"I-"
"You are late again. No water for the washing. Do you think I pay you and feed you out of the goodness of my heart? I have a farm to manage. Everyone is expected to do their share, otherwise all of us lose." Her voice boomed. She had a point, Savira knew it. But it wasn't her fault.
"I'm sorry, my lady. But I-" she tried to explain.
"This is the third time this week you have been late. Naria has done your share of feeding the animals. Again. I have half a mind to give her some of your wages this week."
"Lady Tarnah, if I could just explain."
The older woman glared at her. "I'm done hearing your excuses, girl. You are more trouble than your worth around here. I'll have Naria bring you your wages tonight, then I want you gone by morning."
Gone? She was being kicked out?
Unfazed by Savira's stunned silence, Lady Tarnah entered her home and slammed the door shut.
No. This couldn't be happening. Where would she go? The market one town over? So many of them knew Lady Tarnah. A word from her and Savira wouldn't even get hired cleaning stables.
Tears threatened to fall, but Savira blinked them back. She would survive. She always survived.
By the time she reached the barn, stomach still growling, she pushed down her worries and put on a fake smile. Another farm hand, Joffee, stood at the entrance with Hadran, the posty. Hadran's eyes lit up when he saw Savira approaching.
"Savy!" he called out. Joffee glared at being interrupted, but the posty didn't seem to notice. "You sure are a ray of sunshine on a gloomy day!"
She smiled. Hadran always made comments like that. A shameless flirt, really. Girls all around town were known for waiting by the road when he came by, or for running up to him to deliver a letter they nearly forgot. She supposed he was quite handsome with his blonde hair and tall frame. Joffee grumbled something and stomped back into the barn.
"Any post for me this week, Hay?" He frowned. She knew he didn't like that nickname any more than she liked Savy, but they used them anyways to poke fun at each other.
"Nothing today. I'm sorry." His voice trailed off. Savira's heart sank. It had been six weeks since she last heard from her brother. Twenty-one and unable for find work, he joined the King's army. Though he hated leaving her alone, it was easier than finding two jobs close together. Once they saved up as much as they could, they would buy their own stead. After all, they were all each other had left.
Drawing a sharp breath, she realized that she would be gone long before the next post arrived. If he had any letters here, she would miss them.
"I… I will be leaving here this week," she said slowly. His eyebrows drew together.
"Are you moving in with a young lad?" he asked.
"Of course not!" she swatted his arm. "What do you take me for? A shameless flirt like you?"
He relaxed and let out a laugh.
"I'm just surprised no one here has come to take your hand yet." A flush of red crept up the man's neck. "I mean, is there any lad around here that strikes your fancy?"
Savira thought on this for a moment. No one had made her heart stop. Not since…him. She shook her head, like that would make the memory fall away.
"Oh," he said. "Well, don't ya worry Savy. If I get any letters from Marion for you, I'll bring 'em to wherever you're staying at." He paused for a moment to consider. "Where are you heading to then?"
She didn't want to tell him the truth. She hadn't really dealt with the emotional damage yet herself. So she settled on the next best thing.
"I'm not really sure. Do you know of anyone nearby who is looking for workers?"
"Sacked ya, did she?" He glanced back at the manor. Damn, he was too quick.
Not able to speak, she nodded.
"Well, lucky for you I do know someone. My cousin Addie said to me just last week that they were look looking for maids. Some big to do coming up. Need every hand they can get. Pays not to bad either."
She smiled. Perfect. This was perfect! It felt like a candle of hope flickering in her chest. Savira wrapped her arms around Hadran and squeezed. "Thank you." It came out in a whisper while she tried to keep tears from spilling.
"You know I'd do anything I could to help you. Just head up to the palace and tell 'em that Addie sent you."
Time stopped. Just for a moment. She forgot how to breathe, how to move.
The palace?
She couldn't go back to the palace.
But where else could she go?
"And since they get tons of post up there, I'll be sure to come visit you."
"Thanks, Hay." She let go and wrapped her arms around her stomach. "I should probably get inside. Before I catch a chill. You should probably go too."
Hadran leaned in and kissed her cheek. "It's always lovely to see you, Savira." Then, without looking back, he left.
Inside the barn, Joffee grumbled into his waterskin. A couple of other workers played cards by candlelight. Her pallet sat in the farthest corner with the few possessions to her name. Letters from Marion, a change of clothing and a cloak, a pair of knives that her brother had gifted on her last birthday, and a rucksack that jangled with the silver Starlin coins she'd saved over the months. She stashed the gold Caldra with them. Her hand flew to her final, most precious possession, a necklace. The disc with a sun and a moon hung on a thin strap and settled near her bosom. It was the only thing left from her mother. And now, Savira cherished it.
Five minutes later, someone sank onto the next pallet with a groan.
"Oi. That woman thinks she can feed us like chickens and work us like oxen," Naria said beside her. Though almost the same age, Naria felt like an older sister, always looking out for her on days when Lady Tarnah was in a sour mood. Which was most days.
"Thank you for helping with the chores," Savira said solemnly. Naria reached for her hands.
"I tried to tell her for you. That the time before wasn't your fault. But she would hear it, and threatened to sack me too."
"She can't do that!"
Naria laughed. "I almost left anyway. We're all just wasting away here. I'd love to tell that witch just when she can put her twelve Starlin."
"You know there isn't anywhere you can go. Not until you've saved up a bit more."
"I know. But that doesn't make it any easier working to the bone."
"Better here than Lady Pandra, I suppose." Lady Pandra was known for spending all her coin on frivolities for her spoiled daughters and leaving only scraps for the help. Only the desperate went to work for her.
"What are you going to do?" Naria looked serious. "Where will you go?"
When Savira told her about Hadran, and his cousin, Naria looked appalled. "You can't go back to the palace!"
"I may not have another choice. I'll give myself two days to find something else, anything else. And if I don't, only if there is no other option, then I will go to the palace."
"And your mother?"
Savira gulped. "I doubt they will be asking for a family tree to let me clean rooms. And if they do ask, I will simply make something up."
"You're a terrible liar," Naria laughed.
"Then I guess we better hope I find something else first." Naria didn't look convinced, but set her jaw and dug through her apron. She handed over a piece of bread and a palmful of coins.
Ten. Not twelve.
Enough anger built in her that she wanted to go demand the last two coins. Fists clenched, she stood up to go. Before she could, the boys playing cards yelled out a few curses. The candle burned brighter, then tipped over. One tore off his tunic and used it to smother the flame before it set the whole barn on fire.
The fight drained from Savira. It was not worth it. No matter what she said, Lady Tarnah would not give her more coin. All she could do now was be careful how she spent what she had and pray that she needn't go to palace.
With a final sigh, she laid down to sleep in the barn for one final time.