A Room Without Windows

"Just what do you think you are doing " the woman scolded the girl "are you trying to get yourself killed...or worse?

Mara glared at the woman " seems death would be the best thing that could happen" her eyes fixated on the door.

" You are my charge and I will have none of this foolishness " she continued as she hurried the other girls out of the room and down the narrow hallway " go on now hurry they will need all the help they can get in the dining hall"

" But mamma !" protested a petite blonde maiden.The woman pointed a crooked finger " and nothing more from you Nann , daughter or not no special treatment. Now go"

Mara folded her arms about her waist " Did you see them like hungry dogs, strutting about with their swords taking what the want, their horses eating the grains meant for our horses, acting like they own the place" she fussed throwing herself across the settee " Its just not fair Inez this is our home they have no right" Inez sat beside the chair and rubbed the girls back trying to comfort her " There there dear I know you feel all is lost but this will always be your home .Things are going to change as they always do in times such as these but your father did what he had to do for the well being of his people. " Mara sat up her eyes swollen with tears.

Inez smiled light heartedly " We are just going to be ruled over by a different King.

" I thought you were supposed to make me feel better..this is not making me feel better. I want to see my father " she said standing quickly. Inez shook her head "Im afraid that is not going to happen child"

" I am not a child..I will be sixteen on my name-day" the girl pouted.

Inez guided the sulking girl down the hall " Yes,yes and that is an entire year away. Now come on we need to get you somewhere safe somewhere out of sight for now."

Halfway down the corridor they stopped, Inez slid back one of the wooden panels and there a dimly lit passage led to a hidden room.

Mara reluctantly entered the passage way " Im tired of hiding why cant I help with the dining hall I could wear one of Nanthilde's dresses no one will even recognize me"

"We cannot take that chance. You must stay safe until word reaches your betrothed. His father will send his men to our defense. Till then we do as we must" She kissed the girls forehead and put the panel back in place.

Mara entered the room and bolted the door. She lit the remaining lanterns and looked around the room. This would be the third night she spent alone no handmaids, no guards, no need. It was a room that only her father, Inez and now herself knew about . It had been a safe haven for her mother but from whom or what she was not informed. All she knew was it was her mother's sanctuary now a shrine where all of her mother's things waited in a sort of limbo. Gowns, shoes,jewels ,her perfumes and hair brushes, hairpins and bobbles, not to mention boxes of letters she and father had written to one another before and during their marriage. It was her entire life in one small room. A room without windows. Mara hardly remembered her mother, she rememberd as much as a four year old child could . Her laugh, the way she always smelled of fresh soap and lavender and the way she loved her garden filled with tulips and lilies , the hours spent in her mothers garden she loved the most. Where stories about the fae folk and their beautiful Queen Mab, where mother would sing holding her high above to where the stars seemed almost in reach. It was a fever that took her suddenly and without any sign of illness before. She went to sleep and just did not wake. She lay in her silken gown, so peaceful she almost appeared to have a smile cross her lips. Her long auburn hair was a cascade of curls that flowed over her pillow. That is the story told by her ladies who found her. Inez was her most trusted handmaid and confidant, she preferred to believe that her beloved friend had gone to live among the fae.

Regardless she was gone and Mara was raised primarily by Inez. Her father Lord Flynse had little time for a daughter and put most of his attention toward her older brother Baudran. Without being under the watchful eye of her father she was always able to slip away after Inez fell asleep sometimes with Nann sometimes on her own and she was not going to let this sudden change put a damper in her life.

Mara quickly changed out the gown she was wearing, rummaging through her mother's clothes she pulled a dark green dress he mother wore for riding. It fit perfectly. She pulled her hair back into a loose fitting bun and secured it with a few pins. Now all she had to do was bide her time. Mara lay upon the bed and continued to read the letters between her mother and father. Some had messages where only one letter stood for where a name should be. It was like trying to decipher a puzzle of secret codes. But one thing that was perfectly clear is how in love they were. In her fathers letters some she wish she had not read he expressed his desire and longings when he was away from her on some campaign. She wondered if this is how it would be with her betrothed Prince Ulrich They had only met once last summer when his father came to meet with her own and Ulrich came as well. He was a quiet type ,tall with long dirty blonde hair and green eyes. She guessed he liked her cause he smiled and kissed her hand when they left and next thing she knew she was spoken for.

Evening finally came and she could wait no loner. Mara grabbed her cloak and pulled the hood up to conceal her face as best she could then slipped out of the room back into the dim corridor and out into the night.