Alíenor 31

31
We needed to get to a non-government port, and I had an idea. Mother had left several things in her trunk from her spying days. She had helpfully provided several maps and contact information, for allies.
I  did not have much. Aside from my dress and cape pockets, and the saddlebags, we had naught but the clothes on our backs. I was frightened out of my wits, but I could not show it. Aneira needed me. We had to get to the port city tomorrow-or else.

Alíenor 30

30
As I rode, my mind wandered.
I found myself thinking about the Seer's Tree.
In the Ionian Shift, seers can summon a great Tree. It is silver, with gilded leaves and a glowing orb for every person. The light changes according to the state of the person. At times it will grow brighter, flicker, dim, and eventually, die out. I wondered about mine, what it was doing. I am no seer, but I am ready to bet that mine is pulsing with the frantic pounding of my heart.

Alíenor 29

29
As I feared, people wonder. My truth-lie rolls easily with lords and ladies, but I can tell the Council does not. It is only a matter of time before I am taken for questioning. Tonight I must run, and now.
I slip out of the room, and run immediately into Aneira. She begs to come with to escape torture, and I grudgingly comply.
The gatekeepers lend us horses, naïve of our plans. It is not yet raining, but thundering. The air is muggy.
The calm does not last long- not ten minutes into our ride, the heavens open. We are soaked within seconds.
And still, we press on.

Alíenor 28

28
Too late, I realize something. If I didn't come up with a truthful lie, I could be killed for wearing black.
The date worked perfectly. It was the fourteenth anniversary of my mother's death, and I would not have to risk a lie.
It was raining that night, and thunder echoed through the castle. As I walked towards the Great Hall, lightening flashed through the arrow slits, and cast eerie shadows on the wall. It matched my feelings exactly. I had to desperately hope they gave me the benefit of the doubt. With reasons like those, a coincidence was near impossible for one naïve of the plan.
If I sensed that they had not given me that, and I escaped immediate capture, I would have to flee tonight. This was the reason I had worn leggings and a tunic under, and sewn the skirt to also be a cape, with pockets for supplies. My knife was strapped to my waist, and I wore two daggers- in a boot, and on my arm. Besides the guards, I would be the most heavily armed girl in the room.

What I'm thinking…

What am I thinking? Oh yeah- Lady of Rain will likely be the first two-monther. So far I think it is my best, and I have not skipped one night. Whoa. That should be a Guiness World Record.
Alíenor is the most epic of my characters, which is saying a lot- I try not to have favorites. Sure, Sara and Max delivered messages, but it was too redundant. Amara was okay, but eh. Hazil (Wait- three months ago!?) was kinda boring, and ended to soon. Don't even get me started on Faye!
As you can obviously see, I am so much a perfectionist that I go a little crazy.
Back to Alíenor. Amazing, fun, two-monther. Got it? Good
Katie

Alíenor 27

27
It was a week before it was safe to go out again. By then I was on the edge, knowing what I was to find. Even though I knew it would cause me pain, I welcomed it.
I heard the same people talking.
"My lord. Ragnarôk had seen one hundred thousand prisoners today- a cause to celebrate." I had heard stories or Ragnarôk, the Ionian death camp, and to hear the silky voice speaking about on in a positive light sent shivers down my spine.
"Indeed. We shall have to have a feast for our inhabitants, will we not?"
Plans continued, and I left quickly, but I had made a decision: I would wear black to this feast, for perhaps fifty had made it out of Ragnarôk alive.

Alíenor 26

26
I wanted more than ever to slip out again, but it would have been reckless. There had been a rumor of attack sometime tonight, and a guard had been posted at every door. It would be a death sentence.
Instead, I had the lovely chance to contemplate what to do next. I couldn't very well stay here forever, without putting my research to light- at some point, I'd have to run.

Alíenor 25

25
I could barely eat the next morning. What I had heard would never register to me, as it was so unexpected.
If the other ladies noticed, they did not say anything, which was to be expected. I reported to Aneira, and she was as shocked as I. In the end, we agreed that I had to do it again- and soon.

Alíenor 24

24
That night I slipped out for the first time. The castle was dark and damp, with no light but for a torch ever five yards or so. The hallways were, for the most part, empty, so I had a better chance of surviving the night.
When I heard footsteps and murmured voices, I pressed myself into a corner.
"My lord- how is our little pet?" A silky voice broke free of the gloom.
"Excellent, my child. They have a new Nameless One, even more loyal and patriotic than the last.  He is easy to convince: he will do anything to secure the well-being of his country and his daughter."
"Oh, how sweet. I simply love a good father-daughter relationship! And when he is willing to sacrifice hundreds of acres of good farmland, not to mention the byproduct of those lives lost, it only seasons the meat."
I had heard enough. Iona was ruled by the Nameless One, who was being forced to weaken his own country to save it. I quietly stole away: back to bed.

Alíenor 23

23
The banquet was not exactly what I had expected. Nothing much happened- no one talked, we only ate and danced a bit. I mostly watched the older ladies as they danced with suitors. Because I was younger, no man asked me to dance. I was glad because of this- I could not get attached to any element of Llyn Idwal, or else.

Alíenor 22

22
At last the day of  my first court appearance arrived. I spent several hours preparing- I had to be perfect.
Aneira (bless her) slipped me a dagger before I left. I had taken my chances, and told her the story of my mother. She was fully on my side, and despite being notorious for gossip, I trusted her with this.
Because I was new, it was custom for me to sit at the table of the Council. I had to remember all they said, to write it down.

Alíenor 21

21
At long last I was allowed out of my apartments. I was now able to join the others at their sewing and gossip. The Coumcil held banquets nearly once a week, I had been told, and I was excited to make an appearence. I was bitterly disapointed to hear that I had just barely missed one.
My life in general was rather dull. I was not even remotely like the others, who were content to embroider and gossip all day. I had to start taking some more risks, if I were to find the imformation I needed.
I had few friends besides Aneira. Most of the ladies shunned me because of my background. Not even the servants understood me, and I was most similer to them. 

Alíenor 20

20
I was confined to my apartment for weeks, studying and studying. Aneira was my only friendly company- all my tutors had an arrogant air about them, and I absolutely despised them.
At last one found me sufficiantly versed in history, then another in manners, and still another in court functions. Each followed another, withdrawing their services, and before long I had one left, yet scheduled to leave in a week.
I was ecstatic. Aneira hurried the seamstress who was building my new wardrobe, and for morst of my free time, I was poked and prodded with needles and pins. I had to sew a bit, yet it did not bother me. I would much rather sew something useful than embroider a decoration.
My apartments were coming together. I knew I couldn't become too attached to the castle and the people here, but it was near impossible. Even if Aneira believed me, there was a slim chance of the others following my lead. 

Alienor 18

18
I was quickly assigned a maidservant- Aneira. We became fast friends, sharing much in common.
Not much went on in court. I rarely met with the other ladies, as my education was continued. Aneira stayed with me as studied, and she was rather nice, but I would have liked to have more companions.
I was forbidden from stepping foot outside my apartments until the dreaded tutoring was over.

Alíenor 17

17
Disappointment. We have had to stop halfway there because of a sudden thunderstorm that has temporarily flooded our path.
The servants started pumping the water out, but it will take us to tomorrow. I shall not see my new home today.
One good thing came out of it: When it started to rain, we stopped at an open rain shelter. I stood at the edge, and watched the rain. The land was beautiful, and though costly to our time, I do not regret stopping.

Alíenor 16

16
The week dragged on, but somehow I made it to our departure day.
For the first three hours of the two-day journey, I sang every song I knew at least a dozen times. My tutor complained several times about the noise, and I was not certain Laird Arisaig was that happy, but I didn't care.
I really was acting for myself. When you know that you are likely going to your death, you must lie to yourself somehow.
I couldn't let them suspect the reasons I was frightened. If they did, well… off to the guillotene with me.
We would arrive the next day- and I would face the danger of Llyn Idwal.

Alíenor 15

15
I really didn't get to do much. My days were spent with the tutor, and I had no idea what to do with my free time, not that I had any. I learned embroidery and needlecraft, and penmanship, and the like.
I wished we would leave Arisaig, and get to Llyn Idwal. Life was dull, and I felt more out-of-place than ever.

Alíenor 14

14
We stopped in Arisaig, a tiny village that Laird Arisaig (hence his name) owned. It consisted of a manor house, and a single street. On one side, you had your houses, and the other was shops.
It was nightfall when we arrived. The air was thick, but I was excited to leave my newfound prison. It was like an oven inside of there, and the muggy night felt like a spring breeze.
I barely remember entering the manor, or the servant who led me to my temporary bedchamber, or even getting into bed. All I knew was sleep.

Alíenor 13

13
We traveled for days- I lost track. I had never been this far from home, and I was restless. I wished to open the curtains on the litter, but Laird Arisaig refused to grant permission. I wanted to see the beauty of Lashar for myself- hearing the same epics and poems about it doesn't suffice- but I could not. I had to content myself with lessons. You would think I had manners enough, from living as a servant, but the tutor from the court was disgusted with my conduct. I had to be taught all sorts of new things: etiquette, languages, history, and the like. Excited I was for this new life, but impatient for it, too.  

Alíenor 12

12
I had been moved out of my servant quarters for the night, and woke up to a surprise. A friend of mine, Danielle, was lighting the stone fireplace.
"Danielle!" I sat bolt upright. "What in heaven's name-"
"Good morning, my lady. It is nice to see you awake."
I was shocked. She had never spoken to me like this before! Then it it me: it was my new position. My name was Lady Alíenor of Llyn Idwal, and Danielle was under me. To my utter horror, I began to cry. "Please don't say that," I sobbed.
She looked at me, her face a mask of fear. "I am sorry, Alíenor! I have been ordered. We all have been."
"It's not you- I promise. I only am frightened. What awaits me there?" I could not help but weep harder.

Alíenor 11

11
I could not stop myself from sobbing as I packed my few belongings.  As much as I hated working for the duke, this was my home. I had lived here for the majority of my life, and I was leaving to go into a world of uncertainty and danger. I had heard of what I would recieve: expensive clothing, lavish quarters, and an extensive education. Not the worst welcome.
But I was also worried about my entrance to the court. I had come from servanthood, and (no use to lie) had grown beautiful. There were plenty of reasons to shut me out, and I knew not how to act.
I will leave at first light. At that time, servants would be lighting fires, cooking breakfast, feeding animals, dressng nobility- and I will be riding in a jewelled litter to Llyn Idwal, and my new future.

Alíenor 10

10
That night, I once more visited Lady Elvira.
"You were chosen." She spoke plainly, resolved to my fate.
"Yes." At this moment, I decided to take a chance: a gamble that could easily cost my life.
"I think you know- or could guess- what I have thought about lately, and where I stand on things. I only wanted to ask for advice- I am scared, but I need time. I know not what to do."
Elvira stared at the arrow-slits in the wall. "Time. Never regained, longed for, but wasted." She turned to me. "Alíenor, dear. I am neutral on the current events, but I shall give you your advice: Make your own decisions. It is your life that only you must control, and protect if necessary. You must decide on what is best for both you and the good of Lashar. I'm afraid you may be oversimplifying the problem. I do not wish to scare you, but this is worldwide. Iona, Anabru: They have their own problems. Know that the cause is not limited to Ayr, Llyn Idwal, or even Lashar."

Alíenor 9

9
"Alíenor. Good. You are early." Lord Ayr spoke to me with a mocking tone. It was all I could do but restrain myself from strangling the boy.
"My lords," I murmured with my head down.
"This is Laird Arisaig. He is from Llyn Idwal."
"Yes sir." I had not straightened from my curtsy, and I stared at the floor, but I could feel his eyes on me. In the future, that could be a problem.
No one spoke until a few other servants had trickled in.
"Servants- Laird Arisaig is looking for another lady for the court of Llyn Idwal."
So it was true!
"He shall choose one of you to go with him and his wife back, and you shall join the court there. Rags to riches and all that. Line up!"
We hastened to do his bidding, and the Laird walked up and down in front of us. I tried to keep my lip from trembling, but I had a revelation first. What if I learned more, and notified the rebels of Iona? It was a stretch, but it was possible.
I looked up, and smiled. He stopped.
"You are...?"
"Alíenor, my lord."
"Age?"
"Thirteen, nearly fourteen."
He asked several more questions, all of which I answered, before moving to the next person. His eyes were on me, and I knew, but said nothing.
Finally, he turned back to the duke. "I have decided on a girl, but I want you to guess. She is a beautiful girl, yet younger than fifteen."
I held my breath- if I was chosen, my future could easily go both ways.
"And her name is..."
I stiffened.
"Lady Alíenor of Llyn Idwal."

Alíenor 8

8
I knew that something was different when I and a few others were summoned to the Great Hall. We weren't generally kitchen staff, and we would know weeks beforehand if there was to be a dinner. I had no idea what it was.
Perhaps that was the reason that I visited Lady Elvira's apartment a half hour before I had to go.
"I have no idea," she told me while scrubbing my face clean. "It is quite unlike Lord Ayr to do things such as this. There are rumors that he has been speaking to Llyn Idwal, but I cannot be certain whether or not they are true."
Llyn Idwal! My mother's birthplace, and nightmare.
After making sure I wore a clean dress, my hair was clean, and my face had been washed just short of rawness, she sent me on my merry way. I walked quickly to avoid tardiness. I, in fact, was two minutes early.
The duke stood talking with a man, but they turned to face me. I bobbed in a low curtsy.

Alíenor 7

7
As I read, I did begin to understand why. She had been born in Llyn Idwal, the capital and home of the Council, and had heard several secrets I shudder to record here. She was terrified to stay, but faced with an option: come to live at Ayr. She left at the age of twelve (one year younger than me!), and became a lady-in -waiting.
I was shocked at what she had endured, living with that knowledge, but also saddened. She had died with the knowledge that she had failed in her job.
I had to take up her mantle. Maybe it was only to honor her, but I also felt obligated to. 

Alíenor 6

6
I left soon after, and got ready for bed. I couldn't sleep, though. I couldn't stop thinking about my parents, and why they could have hated the Council so!
I was in a fog for the whole of the next day, but that night my decision was made: I would read my mother's books.
I inherited very little from my mother. Book made up much of it- leather-backed journals, cloth-covered novels- and no money was to be found. I had found a not in the first, when I was eight:
My dear unborn child,
If you are reading this, you are breaking a moral rule: no spying in other's personal things. You are not ready to learn some things, no matter how mature you believe you are. Please wait till you are at least a teenager, and wondering why I did the things I did. If you are, read on!
Your loving mother,
Aenor Ayr
I turned thirteen (nearly) a year ago, but I did not wonder. Now, I open the fragile book, and begin to read.

A(n AWESOME) photo

Guess who!

My good friend Adrian Chiligiris, a rising star in the art world (she's doing art for a new movie and she's my age. Yikes!), did this for me! Isn't it amazing? I have so many art friends...

Alíenor 5

5
"Well, if she was such a wonderful person there must have been a reason- right?"
"Child, never say that! I agree with you, but you will be dismissed if you are heard. Lord Ayr has spies, you know."
I pried them for more information, but they held fast, not even giving me one more bit.
By the time I had to leave, I wanted to wring their necks in frustration. They were my parents! Even as a lowly maidservant, did I not have the right to know?
Lady Elvira had invited me to her quarters that night, and I was rather excited.
I dressed in my best clothing (still worn and filthy), attempted to brush my hair, and walked to her quarters.
"Madame? I am here!"
We sat down in a glass-windowed area, and chatted amiably. I convinced her to give me a last bit of memories, and it was shocking:
"Your father- he was executed for speaking against the Council."

Alíenor 4

4
"No wonder!"
"How did we not know?"
"She's the spitting image of Aenor!"
"Watch your language, Elvira!"
"She is!"
I stepped back. "My ladies! I asked what she was like. Please- I never knew her."
Lady Elvira, the eldest, stood and took my grimy hands in her soft, wrinkled ones. "Alíenor, your mother was the most beautiful in the court-even the other ladies could not deny it. The most striking thing abkut her, however, was not her beauty. No, it was her kindness. She would chat with the servants. She would go out of her way to show the worst of the worst kindness. But there was one peculier thing about her: She opposed the Council wholeheartedly. It was for that reason that she was forced to leave the court. A knight- your father and her future husband- went with her voluntarily, but no one else did. The oldest of us regret that deeply.

Alíenor 3

3
I worked harder then ever in those days, sometimes even serving the ladies of the court.
Being around them gave me opporitunity to learn of gossip. Normally it was dull- who was seeing who, who the duke  would marry- but one day, I learned something.
"Remember Lady Aenor? I wonder where she is."
I stiffened. My mother had been part of the court, before she left to marry my father.
"Oh, yes- the poor sweet child. She died giving birth to her second: didn't you know?"
Second? I did not have an older brother or sister.
"She was my best friend. I do miss her!"
"You knew my mother?" I clapped my hand over my mouth-I could be expelled!
The oldest spoke. "What was that, child? It is fine to talk."
"You-you knew Lady Aenor. My mother. Please tell me about her!"
I was traveling on thin ice- servants were not to ask questions much less give orders!
And meawhile the ladies stared.

A Random Thought

It's nice when you have friends in Germany who pop over every few years with Swiss chocolate...

Wait- make that hazelnut Swiss chocolate! :D

Alíenor 2

2
As the young Duke grew older, I grew older. Soon he didn't need a nanny, and I was needed in other areas, with cleaning.
My dream was to be one of the ladies of the court, and I believe the Duchess was working on that. However, when she and her husband fell gravely ill, and passed away, my dream died too. As earlier mentioned, the new Duke despised me, and I was certain he would put my back a few steps in the caste system.
Somehow that has not happened, and they died two years ago, when I was eleven and he was seven.
My life since then has been a living nightmare. You wouldn't think a nine-year-old could be so cruel, but he is!
I've even heard rumors about him being a candidate for the Council. This is one thing I'm really scared of!

Alíenor 1

1
My name is Alíenor. I was named for my mother, Aenor, for several reasons:
-She died right after I was born.
-They didn't have any creativity (it means 'the other Aenor'!)
-I was going to be named for a parent anyway.
My mother didn't only die from me. Right after she received the news that Father had died, she went into labor. They said she died from grief.
Because I was an orphan, I bounced from relative to relative. I ran out of those when I was six, so in my last  grandmother's will, she sent me to Ayr.
At that time the first Duke and Duchess ruled. I had the job of junior nanny, which put me in charge of watching the sickly, ill-tempered two-year-old while my superior flirted with the knights.
Life wasn't good, but not too bad.