A maid's tale

Alabaster stars flickered against the dark sky and a chorus of crickets accompanied the sound of heavy , squelching wheels . Dark and sturdy they dug into the ground while rolling along the muddy trail . Behind them the heavy breathing of tired horses followed . Even further back men clad in heavy , blue armor marched . All of them moved in sync clutching onto the hilts of sharpened swords . They stared , unblinking , at the pumpkin shaped carriage before them .

A small oval window opened and a pale hand emerged making everyone but the general halt . The clothed from head to toe figure tapped its horse and stopped leaning down into the carriage .

" Princess Coventina is tired , we camp out here ! " General Matthias broke the silence .

" Move or else we'll be setting up camp all night ! " The General shouted looking down at all of the men and women standing idly by the carriage wheels , soaking the bottom of their traditional garments in puddles of muck . Their skin was covered in beads of salty sweat and their dark hair stuck to their foreheads and necks .

" Yes your lordship . " Everyone bowed their heads before scattering to prepare the camping grounds . A maid by the name Lyle rushed towards ivory linen perched on top of Coventina's luggage . Her hands dunked under the material and with ease lifted it .

" Give me that ." A deep gravely voice made her petite frame jump. She drew a shaky breath before turning around .

A young man stood before her . He was of higher rank , a lean soldier with a mop of curly hair . It was the colour of golden wheat complementing his dark brown eyes . Her bright orbs followed the pale and long scar marring the right side of his face . It started at his sharp jaw and travelled all the way up to his eyebrow . He raised that eyebrow and scowled .

" You deaf ? " He asked taking a step forward in a threatening manner . Lyle snapped out of the shock that came with the King's nephew speaking to her , a maid with the lowest of positions .

" N-no sir . " She bowed her head . Her lips quivered and she let her gaze fall to the ground . His shoes were as clean as the general's and the smell of horses lingered on his clothes .

She stood , rooted to the marshy soil . The tension between the two was palpable as was the silence . Lyle lowered her head even more whimpering in the process . He was so close she could feel the warmth of his body .

" I said give me that . " He repeated himself reaching out for the folded linen . Lyle nodded her head and handed him the material . Her trembling hands fell at her sides still feeling the weight of the cool and textured fabric .

He inched even closer and leaned forward , his lips millimeters away from Lyle's uncovered ear .

" Next time don't make me repeat myself . " He said in a hollow , emotionless voice . Lyle's lips parted and eyes widened at his words. Everyone knew that Ezra Decore was a dangerous man who took a dislike to disobedience . Whether it was one of his men or maids . He dealt with them in the same painful and humiliating way. He was in charge of the workforce and she was unlucky to fall under his command .

The sound of crackling fire filled the premises . A few pits were dug up littering the campsite . Only a few were up and carrying out the last of chores . Others were already asleep without as much as a blanket covering their bodies. The low ranked maids curled up on the cold ground keeping as close to the fire as they could .

Lyle watched her friends shiver and grimaced before averting her attention to the star filled sky . Her eyes sparkled at the beautiful and calming sight . She sat at the edge of the campsite , her back pressed against a jagged rock . Her muscles screamed in pain that she tried her best to ignore .

Unconsciously her hand slid under her woolen vest tracing the outline of a dagger . She ran her fingers over the swirls etched on the hilt and smiled . Her eyelids closed like heavy curtains and her head fell back . The crickets and the crackling worked like a soothing lullaby making her slip into a half conscious state.

" Lyle ." Someone said shaking her awake . Her hand gripped the hilt . She sighed and relaxed her tense body .

" Yes miss ? " She asked the girl towering over her . She , the woman was dressed in fine silk tinted a bright purple color . The dress covering her body was embroidered in golden patterns cinching at her waist . Her clothes and silver jewelry screamed mistress .

" You're Lyle ? " The girl frowned looking at Lyle with distaste .

" Well , yes . " Lyle stood up yawning . The girl glared at her yet Lyle remained stone faced not one bit bothered by the ladies sharp gaze .

" You're needed at the tent . My master Ezra is having dinner with the prince and the princess . You're to attend to them . " Scrunching up her nose she turned towards Ezra Decore's tent and retraced her steps . Soundlessly and with clenched teeth Lyle followed wondering why the Decore's decided to hold a small feast so late at night . Just like before fear made her blood run cold , flooding her senses . She let out a shaky breath beginning to feel nauseous . Without a doubt she was heading towards her demise .

The two women were fast to arrive at the large tent . Stealthily they climbed over sleeping servants and meandered their way through an obstacle course made up of broken glass bottles and fire pits . Lyle was impressed with how careful the mistress was at making sure she didn't wake anybody . Not many mistresses were as respectful as the one in front of her .

" Walk in and stand by the entrance . Keep your head down and don't speak until you're spoken to . When answering be vague unless they ask you to expand on your answer . Answer respectfully and whatever they want you to do you do it . " Lyle was given a crash course of rules and etiquette she knew all too well .

" Go in then . " The mistress ordered stepping to the side and giving Lyle a tap on the shoulder . Acting uninterested in Lyle's spiraling fate she then began walking away leaving the little , blonde maid shaking like a leaf on a stormy day .

Scraping together whatever courage she had left Lyle took in a deep breath and stepped into the tent realising that its skeleton was covered with the same linen that almost cost her head .