A Taste of Success

Once the grounds go dark it's nice and quiet. Being in the middle of nowhere has its advantages. The stars are more visible than what can be seen in the city. It's relaxing, soothing even. My muscles are still sore but I can still enjoy the moment. There's a slight breeze blowing through the area which reminds me of something. It's been two days of back-breaking work and I haven't showered or bathed since I got here. Madam Odette already mentioned I'm not allowed inside the main house so I'll have to improvise. I have an idea but am not fond of it.

The fountain in the garden. It's the only water that I know of. I haven't seen a water spigot around either. It's not the best idea but I can't find anything else. I found a pair of shorts and a towel I didn't know I had and headed to the fountain. The only real light was from the main house. This left the fountain very dark. I check the water with my paw. The cold is kind of refreshing against my sore paws but I don't know how I'll feel dousing myself in it.

I take one last look around, see no one, and quickly strip to nothing. With one splash I'm able to submerge myself in the cold. I emerge with a deep breath from the sudden shock. I'm glad it's still warm at night. I stand and shake some of the loose water off my fur. The fountain has a few features that shoot water out so I'm able to wash my face. I use one to wash quickly before I relax for a moment. As I wipe the water from my eyes I see a flutter from a window. I freeze in place and see the shadow before it disappears behind the curtain. That shakes me enough to say I'm clean and go!

The night is still warm so I'm able to dry my fur quickly and hang my old clothes. I feel a lot better. Almost lighter without all the dirt on me. But I'm still wondering who was in the window and if they saw me. If it was Madam Odette she would have said something, right? I'm not going to worry about it right now. I still have 13 trees that need to be cut and 12 days to do it. For now, it's bedtime.

I jar myself awake before the sun hits me. I grab a new set of clothes from my bag to get fully dressed. They're pretty ratty so I'm not too worried about tearing them. I stretch as Madam Odette approaches me with the ax in her hand, "Good morning Red."

"Madam Odette."

"Your ax is sharpened. You know what to do."

"Yes, Madam Odette."

"Oh Red, switch paws today."

She leaves me with the ax and the odd task of swinging my left paw. I'm dominant right so this is an odd and difficult request. On the way to the trees, I try to hold the ax backward as it's uncomfortable. I know Madam Odette well enough to know she'll be watching and jump at any chance.

At my work site, I take my first swing into the tree missing the gash I had made. I try again, this time getting close. I spend an hour wildly swinging trying to control the ax. I finally gain enough control allowing me to start making progress on the tree. As I guessed when I showed up I missed lunch but with enough drive, I may be able to work through the hurt and secure my dinner.

I get the tree to fall about the same time as yesterday and get started on the third. By the time it gets dark I can see that I am nowhere as close to where I need to be to finish the next one tomorrow and start catching up. Madam Odette walks up at her usual time, "Red, you are done for the day. Your dinner will be on the table."

"Thank you, Madam Odette. I will be there in a bit."

She walks off but stops at the sound of my ax hitting the tree again. "Red, you are done for the day."

"So the rest of the day is mine to do with, correct Madam Odette?"

"Yes."

"Then I am going to get where I need to be."

She stopped. Not like normal to scold me. "Be sure you get your rest, Red."

"Yes, Madam Odette."

It is a couple of hours before I get to where I need to be so I can leave. The plate on the table is still warm, amazingly. It disappears quickly and Anne comes to clean up. I nod to her carefully, not to say anything as she works. In three days I've adjusted well but am still deeply concerned. I still don't have a reliable source of food or shelter. The overhang is large but comes rain or snow I'm doomed under it. On top of that, how long will I be here?

I was pulled from my family for this. And to do what? I was told to learn some magical talent that I have yet to see. All I've done since I've gotten here is physical labor. I'm beginning to think this is just a load of crap! The only magical thing I've seen since I've come here is how Madame Odette pops up out of nowhere when I screw up but there's plenty of reasonable explanation for that. I'm too tired and too mad to focus right now. I eventually wear myself out and fall asleep.

The day comes and so does Madam Odette. "Good morning Red. You may use your right paw if you choose."

I'm still a bit sore about yesterday, "Thank you, Madam Odette." I begin walking off.

"Is something the matter Red?"

I'm stunned. I'm shocked she asked that with what sounded like concern. But even so… "No, I'm fine Madam Odette."

"Red." Her face says I screwed up again, "It should go without saying that you're not allowed to lie to me. You also don't seem to have the ability to lie either. So tell me, what's wrong? What's bothering you?"

She caught me, "I just… I don't know…"

"Do you miss your family?"

"That's part of it but it's still just…"

Madam Odette shook her head, "Follow me." She turns to the main house with me behind her right up to the stairs. I freeze before the bottom step. "C'mon." That was her okay to follow. Two badgers open the doors. The house opens up before me to a wide corridor bustling with life. Maid and butlers are everywhere moving from place to place. Everything inside is made of what I can guess is marble with the gold outlay and red cloth. It's overwhelming.

Madam Odette goes to a door on the right side that was opened by one of the butlers. Inside is a luxurious office layout filled with elegant furniture and sleek electronics. I'm speechless as I look around the room at all the framed paper with I have no idea what is on them. I don't have time to read them. Madam Odette snaps me back to reality, "Red, take a seat."

"Yes, Madam Odette." I go to sit at one of the chairs across the desk.

"No, take the seat behind the desk"

I am now thoroughly confused. I take the seat in the pleather red chair. The seat sinks shaping itself into the most comfortable thing I have ever sat on. Madam Odette sits across the desk from me crossing her legs. It's very distracting though. She's wearing one of those dresses where there's a slit up to the hip. With the way she's sitting, she kind of exposed. "Ok Red, what's wrong?"

"Madam Odette, I…"

"For now, just Odette."

"Ok, I'm just not certain about this I guess."

"Do you want to go home?

I stuttered at first, "Well, yes, but what I meant was told that I was being brought here to do something with magic."

"You are. But you need a base and I'm having you work to do it. You have to earn it."

"By working, that makes some sense but I'm still…"

"Here, give me your hand."

I extend my hand to her which she takes in hers. My hand begins to feel warmer than a small orb of light forms in my hand much like what my dad showed me before I left for here. Odette removes her hand but the ball stays glowing. I feel it in my hand. It's warm. I panic slightly causing it to shake and disappear. "See Red? You do have it in you. But you don't 'have' it yet." I'm lost but I kind of get it now. "Once you have it, you can do whatever you want, including sitting in a big chair in your own office. How does that sound, Sir Red?"

"Sir Red. That sounds weird."

"But it would be a well-respected title if you earn it. But for now, we just want you to survive."

"Survive?"

"This isn't a storybook. There is no stunning revelation about a strange hidden power. You have to make it strong. There is no magic fantasy school to learn at. You need someone willing to teach you, for you, there's me, but I'm not going to just hand it to you. You have to earn it."

"I think I get it."

"Good! Because let me tell you, there are forces out there that will come after you!"

"So while it may seem cruel…"

"… Will be necessary! So Red, I'm going to give you a choice since it is your life to live. Are you going to stay and learn or do you want to go into the world as you are?"

"I pause before my answer, "I will… I will stay."

"Glad to hear it. Now, the rules are back in place. Follow me."

We stand together to head to the door, to the corridor, and the garden. She stops me putting her mouth very close to my ear, "Red, in my office, did you see?" That question confuses me. See what exactly? She whispers quieter with greater breath, "Light blue." For a split second, I'm lost before it clicks. In her office, when she crossed her legs, I remember seeing light blue. My body locks up waiting for her to act but she doesn't. She turns me to her with a seductive smile on her face, "That was for seeing you in the fountain last night. If you want more, go earn it." With a heavy push, she turns me and shoves me away from her. When I turn Madam Odette is gone as the large doors close. I am… I don't know. I have no idea what happened but I'm going to have to be more careful.