As The World Became Dark: Chapter 2 (Part 1)

A few hours passed, with Kethane still wandering about in the garden. She sat down on the stony path and lay there; dozing on and off in the afternoon light, enjoying the fresh air.  Kethane became enamored with the huge stone sculptures that decorated the court garden. They were arranged as if unfolding a tale of the Haddinger family history. They were of strong men in valiant battle formation with fair ladies angled in graces. Such were extremely detailed that Kethane feared gawking too long would bring them to life. She approached the largest sculpture, which was of a tall and well-built man, with curled hair to his shoulders and body wrapped in cloth. A detailed stone necklace was around his neck.  As she looked down she noticed an inscription at its base, which read: ‘His Eminence Ferdos Ersidon Haddinger’. As she continued her walkabout, she felt a draft of warmth fill the garden. She looked up at the sun and saw it had cleared a bit more from that morning, just enough for some rays to break through. Satisfied, she made her way back to the villa.

            When she came inside, a delectable scent caught her nose and made her tummy rumble. The supper’s stew had brewed to completion and was ready to be served. Kethane entered the kitchen to see Edwin cutting up some pears and Delthine slurping at her bowl of stew. Kethane retrieved a bowl out of the cupboard and filled it to the brim with hot stew. “Shall I bring sir Alastir some supper?” Edwin gave her a do-as-you-will gesture and remained at his station. Kethane placed the bowl on the table to fetch a tray and noticed a dark barrel at the back of the kitchen. “What’s that over there?” Kethane pointed to the barrel.

            “Oh, I see you spotted some of my prized mead. Go on, try some. You can pour some for our guest too. I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.” At that Kethane retrieved some mugs out the cupboard and began fixing up the platter. She made sure to get Alastir a big mug to fill with mead and a bowl of sugared fruit that Edwin finished preparing. She hurried upstairs to serve him so she could rejoin the two in their feasting.

             He appeared asleep with his back turned to her as she entered the room. She went in and placed the tray on the side table. Not wanting to disturb his rest, she started to exit out before noticing her black coat on the floor. It quickly struck her that she forgot all about the letter that was written to Edwin. She immediately grabbed the coat and started fumbling around it. “Where is it? Where is it?!” She became distressed and started to tear up. Alastir turned around with a grin on his face, apparently from laughing while his back was turned. “Looking for this, my dear?” He pulled out the letter, which was stashed under his pillow.

            Kethane attempted to snatch the letter from his grasp, but to no avail, for he pulled back making her lose her balance and stumble onto the bed. She found it difficult to get up, as he was intentionally clasping her dress from behind. As she struggled her bonnet loosened off, making her feel ashamed. Realizing he was holding her down, she stopped moving. “Let me go sir.” Ignoring her plea he placed the letter behind him, freeing his other hand. She felt a tug at her head and then a looseness of her hair, for he pulled out the pins that kept her tightly curled black hair in its tight bun. He then released her so she could get on her feet. “You’re a nice girl Kethane. I think we should talk for a moment.” Kethane felt too ashamed to turn to him or even move, so she remained still. “Girl, do you know what this letter says?”

            “Kethane ignored the question. “Why did you do that to me?” Kethane’s voice was soft in her offense.

“I released you, didn’t I?” Alastir shifted his dark voice to a tone of endearment. “I wanted to see you, free from your pinned up placement… I do not wish to harm you. Let us speak as friends, please.” Alastir repositioned himself to sit up in the bed.

Kethane turned to him, her face in livid assortment. “I do not trust you sir!”

“And what is it that you do not trust? That I am not sincere? Or that I know too much…?”

“I do not know what you know, nor do I wish to. The letter you hold is for Edwin, and no one else. So hand it here sir.” Kethane held her ground and stretched out her hand.

“Ha… You think me weak to some unfettered girl like you? You will sit down, or I shall not give what you demand.”

Kethane saw no choice but to give in and promptly sat in the chair next to him, scooting it slightly away from the bed.

“Now tell me about yourself girl. I want to know you.”

            Kethane felt a surge of irritation for Alastir’s lack of propriety. And, his avoidance of the subject gave her much uncertainty. But, she resolved to play into his game of queries. “Very well sir, I shall tell you what you do not know.”

“Wonderful!” Alastir began to glisten with enthusiasm, which added to Kethane’s uneasiness. “Let’s begin with the first and foremost matter of all, that is, your loyalty to his lordship Edwin.”

“What about it?”

“There is an apparent subjugation of you to him. You will no doubt do everything he tells you to do, even if it was to poison my cup.” Kethane followed his eyes as they leaned toward the mug on the table. Kethane began to laugh awkwardly at his jest. To make herself feel better, she grabbed the mug and took a few sips from it. The sweetened bitterness of the brew made her lips perk but she played it off with a forced smile. Alastir jerked the mug from her and began gulping it down. “You misjudge my lord for anything less than a gentleman. He would never conceive of such a thing nor does he constrain me to him. When I serve, I do so out of decent loyalty. Edwin is a good man, who has saved me from a wretched life. I have served in his household since I was a child. He kept all of us well fed in comfort and in good company. I own him my servitude.”

            Alastir’s playful demeanor began to change into a tone of seriousness. “Will you continue on with him like this?”

“I will serve him until he requests me no longer.”

“Do you love him?” Pierced and startling was such a question that Kethane’s heart began to flutter. She was unsure of its context or if that even mattered. She began to shake her head no as a quick response. “I do not know what you mean by that nor do I understand why your prying is relevant to what you are withholding.”

“My dear girl, what I hold may change your very life. Indeed it is not meant for you or me to know. But still, it is a weighty matter. You, the loyal and caring servant girl, may become so much more or so much less upon the receiving of his revelation. The question is, are you ready for such a change?” Alastir reached behind himself a held the letter into view. “Here, take it from me.”

            Kethane began to quiver at the foreshadow of his words. She could not bring herself to take the letter and began to shake her head in refusal. She quickly arose and made an attempt out the room. Before she could make it to the door, Alastir sprung up from the bed, grabbed her arm and shoved her to the wall. “You will not leave here until you know what I know.” Alastir pushed his body against hers, pinning her to the wall. She tried to turn her face from him but grabbed her neck and forced her into view, holding the letter in her face with his other hand. “Read it.”