A Step Behind

Maeve Fox felt as though the sky was taunting her; as though it knew the kind of day she was about to have and decided to mock her for it. She watched as the hard rain bounced off the muddy ground, the clouds black as night even though it was still early morning. She wondered if the sun would show itself at all today? Then again why would it, perhaps the sun felt as she did and needed to disappear behind the dark rain clouds and take the day for itself. Maeve shook her head from the thought path she went down, the sun wouldn’t think like that, or at all. Maeve sighed at the rain as she stood, looking out the large bay window waiting for the carriage. She had a long journey ahead of her and she was in no mood to take it. To journey away from her family home, Maeve had been happy here, what was her home. Now 42 miles away was to be her home and she held no interest in it. By evenings sun Maeve would be arriving at Nord Beirkshire Court and into her new world. Maeve had only visited court once when she was a young child, her parents had brought her to be presented to the king and queen, a queen who also happened to be Maeve’s aunt. A life at court was never what Maeve’s parents had envisioned for their one and only child; they had purposefully moved just far enough away to give the illusion of being free from court life, yet being close enough should they ever been needed by the royal family but with her parents deceased by the plague that swept through the realm, Maeve has no choice but a life at court. Now at the age of 12, Maeve was to live her life in the eyes of everyone, under the stern gaze of her aunt Queen Ellis Graves.

Queen Ellis married the second son Edmund Graves; she was originally set to marry Edmund ’s eldest brother Bronn, the would be king however fate had taken a twist killing Bronn in the last war against the Kalabaeks. The Kalabaeks were notorious for laying claim to what was not theirs, having taken over the sistering kingdom in the east during the last great war of the realm 20 years prior; most Lords and landowners viewed them as Viking pirates, but the sister kingdom held little to defend themselves with being the farming lands; the east fell into the Kalabaek hands, thousands became slaves while even more lost their lives. Now Nord Beirkshire’s only remaining allies was Aire which laid in the south, who were known as the land of pacifists and were never one to jump at the opportunity for battle. No, Nord Berikshire was a standing realm on their own, their armies vast and strong, only a fool would take them on in this day of age but then the Kalabaeks were bold and sought to rule the entire realm. So when Bronn fell in battle, Ellis did not argue the change in husband as her status of Queen would still stand, either way she would be the next queen of Nord Beirkshire and that was worth marrying any man in Ellis’s mind.

Maeve had little experience with the ins and outs of court life, she would only hope someone would take pity and help her find her way. She was not to travel alone, her governess was to accompany her and continue on in her duties till Maeve was of the legal age of 16.

The rain seemed to fall even harder as Maeve watched the servants load her trunks onto the back of the carriage, she watched as everyone was making it possible for her to leave her home. Maeve was determined not to cry though, she would not show her fear, and she would do what was needed and try to see the lighter side of her situation. Maeve tried to think of the good that would come from living at court, new friends perhaps? Surely there would be other children her age at court, the opportunity to learn more; Maeve had heard through her governess that the library there was the most advanced in the realm; thousands would flock to Nord Beirkshire just to visit the library alone. Maeve so dearly loved to read; she could see reason for her travel, even if it was just the one reason, reason enough.

“Miss. Fox the carriage is ready.”

Maeve bowed her head in sorrow as she prepared to take her leave. She wondered who would live in her home next, what kind of family would run the fields in her stead. Donning her hood on her cloak up, covering her long curly crimson coloured hair, Maeve glanced around her home one last time before taking her leave.

Maeve's governess Ms. Cavell fell to sleep not five minutes into the carriage ride. Maeve tuned out the middle aged woman's soft snores and focused instead on the scenery that passed along the roadside. Maeve made up childish stories as the road grew longer, how there were bandit’s living in the woods following then, planning on stopping the carriage with the intent to rob, only then to change their minds taking the little 12 year old instead, raising her and teaching her the ways of the woods. As the hours droned on Maeve had made up a name for every man and woman for the story she was whispering to herself, running through the great adventures they were bringing her on and the young boy of 14, Belfry who teased her at first for her fine clothes and curly red hair only to now be her dearest friend. Maeve's story entertained herself for the whole 42 miles they rode. The rain was finally easing up and the clouds were starting to part just enough for the sun to peek through. Ms. Cavell awoke an hour outside city walls; giving Maeve a brief history on Nord Beirkshire and court, how to properly address her aunt Queen Ellis and Uncle King Edmund . The more Ms. Cavell spoke the more nervous Maeve became, afraid even that she would upset the royal family, make a mistake and end up in the workhouse. Her active imagination always seemed to get the better of her, spinning her mind into terrible waters.

Tuning out Ms. Cavell once again, Maeve gazed out the side of the carriage taking in the site of the town. The town just outside the castle was full and constant of people bustling around, making deals, shopping, selling, and working. Some sat on the edge of shop doors hoping for a scrap of food to fall while others swept the mud and filth from their front steps. Maeve could see the difference in people, their stations, who had money, who had none and how everyone interacted with each other. Maeve had a small memory from the last time she traveled to the town, passing through up to the great castle. To Maeve the town seemed the same, large and hectic. Up ahead Maeve could see the front of the castle gates, the guards standing by in their posts. One guard moved to pull the large iron gate open as the carriage moved towards it. Ms. Cavell was still rattling off history of when the great castle was built just over a hundred years prior and it has never been breached to this day.

As the carriage pulled them up the long path to the main castle doors, Maeve took in the elaborate grounds, perfectly cut grass, shaped hedges and in the distances Maeve could even see a grove of forest trees. Maeve’s emerald coloured eyes caught sight of a young boy around her age running the tree line and heading towards the castle. She wondered who he was and whether or not he’d be a friend or foe? Maeve had little experience with boys her age, or of boys in general, in her home the only other child was the daughter or the cook, Asylyn. Maeve and Ayslyn would play together when Ayslyn wasn’t too busy helping her mother in the kitchen. Maeve found all together her life was a quiet one, learning the ways of the world through her books and observing the servants, her parents loving affection towards each other. Maeve never minded or thought oddly of her lack of contact with the rest of the world.

Her parents would tell her tales of the Great Wars against the Kalabaeks and how many were changed by it. Civilization had grown harsh and cold from the war, many sought only of their own needs and desires rather than considering those around them; and the royal family allowed it. King Edmund’s father Friedrich II never tried to ease his people back into the civilized manner of living after he won the war. He liked ruling over people in fear, for Friedrich II he found that the people responded more in the fearful time than they ever did in peace; so when the remaining army’s returned from the battlegrounds, he set them to work, posting them throughout the town having them enforce his rule, raising his taxes and ensuring his people praised and gave to no other ruler than him. At one point Friedrich II attempted to ban the church and it’s practice, however like many before him, Friedrich II learnt that shutting down the churches would not stop people from practicing their faith. No matter how hard Friedrich II attempted to rule his realm fully, the action of God’s faith won out each and every time. Friedrich II became known for his cruelty and insane views and values, many viewed him as the power hungry King believing he wheeled more power and purpose than God himself. The people were building forces to overthrow his rule, led by a high Lord seeking the throne for himself. However the high Lord failed to usurp the throne from Friedrich II and was burned alive for his treason to the throne. Though the Graves family wasn’t spared from fate's cruel hand, not a fortnight after the high Lord’s execution, King Friedrich II died from a hunting accident. One of his men shot an arrow missing the dear and striking the King down instead. The servant was beheaded for the accident and Edmund took the throne.

Knowing the history of the realm, Maeve was content to stay in its shadows. She now wondered if she would be able to remain in her shadow living in court, or if her shadowy hiding would be taken from her.

The carriage came to a full stop and the footman opened the door helping first Ms. Cavell out then Maeve herself. Servants were already unloading her possessions and taking them into the castle. Maeve gazed up at the castle in awe. The grand stone build castle was much larger than she remembered, the tall towers with vine crawling up the side and around the curve reaching the very top.

Maeve wasn't given much time to take in the beautiful castle before her; Ms. Cavell guided her through the front and into the main entry. Maeve was to be presented before the royal family before settling into her rooms. Maeve glanced around her surroundings once more, noticing the sky had turned an orange, pink shade as the sun was setting for the day.

As Maeve walked silently behind Ms. Cavell she took in the lavish interior of the castle, candles mounted along the stone walls lighting the way to the throne room. Guards standing their posts at every entrance they passed, tapestries and decisive flower arrangements under the windows. Maeve felt like she had walked into one of the fairy-tale books she so loved to read; amazed that this was to be her new home.

Maeve stepped into the throne room nervously, wanting to make a good impression and to please her aunt and uncle, wishing she could remember anything about her last visit. The room was full of people, standing off to the side while the king and queen sat on their thrones at the head of the room. Maeve silently walked into the center of the room and stopped a couple of feet before the royal family. Giving a simple bow of respect for the royal family and their home, Maeve waited for someone to speak. As Maeve moved her gaze up to the throne and to her aunt, she felt very small and weak in her presence.

Queen Ellis rose from her throne and moved slowly towards Maeve, her stern hatchet-faced features revealing nothing. Maeve dropped her gaze back to the marble flooring as her aunt circled her; she wanted to shrink down as small as humanly possible and hide away. The defining silence was putting her and everyone around on edge, waiting, anticipating how Queen Ellis would appraise her young niece to the court.

“You’re very small aren't you?” Queen Ellis finally said after the painful moments of evaluation. “Mind, your mother was always rather small; I suppose you take after her then.” Queen Ellis’ voice was shrill and harsh, much like her features. The closer the queen stepped towards Maeve, the further away she wanted to run. By first appearances alone, Maeve knew this was not where she wanted to be, not the woman she wanted to be around.

“Are you educated Lady Maeve?” Queen Ellis questioned

“Yes aunt”

“You’re majesty. I am queen am I not?”

“Forgive me, you’re majesty.” Maeve was quiet as a lamb, wanting, wishing for this to all end, to no longer be under the piercing grey eyes of her aunt.

“Hmm, very well as it is your first day in court. Let it not happen again. My daughter, Serena.” Queen Ellis gestures for her daughter to approach.

Serena Graves was only a year younger than Maeve; she wore the most expensive fabrics, draped in fine jewels. A princess in every sense. Her soft blond hair was tied up upon her head, blue eyes that were wide as her mother’s; Maeve could see similar harsh features begin to shape her face even at her young age. A beauty to be sure, the thin frame of a child now but in a few years she would ripen into a well sought out beauty, princess or not. The sneer Serena gave Maeve upon meeting told her everything she needed to know about the young princess, spoiled and obnoxious. Maeve made a mental note to watch out for her in future encounters.

Maeve bowed her head towards Serena and who was holding her head up high, attempting to demonstrate how superior she was to her. Maeve ignored her brat like behaviour and kept quiet, she decided keeping quiet was her best option in her new home; she would not be making friends with Serena anytime soon that was evident.

“Welcome to court.” Serena sneered at Maeve before prancing away out of the great hall. Leaving Maeve feeling very unsettled about her new home.