Fearless as the Dawn

by Katie Roman

  Aleka opened the door to her new bedroom. A short, squat young woman with freckled, pale skin was seated on one of the beds, brushing out her brown hair.

  “You must be Aleka,” she said. “I’m Amelia Cooper.”

  The room had barely enough room for the two twin-sized pallets that were shoved into it. Aleka moved carefully in between the beds, taking care not to hit Amelia with her things as she maneuvered in the tight space. She dropped her belongings on the empty bed and sat.

  “You play that?” Amelia asked as she tied her hair into a bun, expertly securing it with a few hairpins.

  “I learned a little on the Nareroc Islands and in taverns here in Glenbard, but Lady Ghilian was kind enough to pay for lessons as well.”

  “Hmph,” Amelia made a small disapproving sound. “Well, you won’t find much time to play here.”

  “If it doesn’t disturb anyone, I thought I might play just before bed. I can stand in the garden.”

  Amelia made the same disapproving sound and rose from her bed. “Time’s wasting,” she added, and scuttled out of the room without another word.

  ~*~*~

  It was almost lunch time when the Admiral’s wife, Deana, called for Aleka. As Aleka went into the sitting room, she had an image of the last time she saw her; a tired-looking woman, who was starting to show her baby bump, fanning herself as Lord Fresch read Aleka her fate.

  The pregnant woman was sitting in a plush, cushioned chair when Aleka entered. The sitting room boasted a red and gold carpet and several chairs like the one Deana sat in, all with red velvet cushions and intricately carved arms. There was a virginal in the corner with sheet music scattered across it.

  Deana fit in the room like a hand fit in a glove. Her blue velvet gown billowed out, hiding some of her ever-increasing belly. Her golden curls glistened in the sunlight from the windows, and her alabaster face looked like a sculptor had made her. She turned blue-green eyes to Aleka. She was only five years older, but had more sway and standing than Aleka could ever hope for.

  “It is unfortunate circumstances that bring you here,” Deana said. Her voice held no hint of irony, sarcasm, or malice. She even looked a little sad. “But it is our duty as women to make the best of the cards we are dealt, Aleka.”

  Aleka stood still, her hands clasped behind her back. She waited for the malevolence to pour out, for Deana to show herself as the same breed of monster her husband was.

  “As you have been informed by Bennet, you will assist him in the kitchens. I know from Lady Ghilian that you were often spared hard labor, so use your time here to learn a valuable trade so you might offer your services to other households when you are no longer indentured. Bennet is a fair teacher, and with hard work you will become a fine cook.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Aleka said, deliberately not using Deana’s proper title.

  Deana’s eyes flicked to her at the obvious slight, and her brow furrowed ever so slightly. “I understand you are angry, but you know better than to address me as ‘ma’am.’” Even at Aleka’s insolence, Deana kept a quiet calm about her.

  “My apologies, Lady Ghilian.”

  “Your apology is accepted,” she said with a nod. “We do not allow jewelry among our servants,” she said, indicating the egret Aleka refused to remove.

  Her hand went to the charm, the smooth whale bone cool beneath her fingertips. “Might I tuck it under my clothes, my lady?”

  “It is not really permitted…”

  “It was a gift from my mother. A reminder of our home on Nareroc.”

  Deana nodded slowly. “Very well, but keep it hidden. I understand the importance of such keepsakes, especially given the circumstances, but I cannot have anyone believing I gave you special treatment. Understood?”

  Aleka nodded and tucked the necklace beneath her dress.

  “I also know you are a fine violinist.” She waved a hand at the virginal. “I enjoy music and long for it in this home, though I am no accomplished musician. I would like you to join me each night after dinner. It was important to Halia that you learn the violin; this was obvious in her pride whenever you played at a party. I should very much like to honor her memory, and as such, will allow you to practice in here with me each night.”

  Aleka bristled at the word “allow”, as though her every breath must be approved by this wench. However, she said nothing. Deana was obviously reaching out to Aleka. She didn’t really know Aleka, not like Lady Ghilian had, and yet it was Lady Ghilian who shipped Aleka off and who buried her mother without Aleka present. Deana was at least offering her the chance to continue with something she loved.

  “Thank you, my lady.”

  At this, Deana smiled. Her dimples lit up the room. “I hope you will find our home to your liking, Aleka. I really do.”

  Oddly enough, Aleka believed her. She felt that Lady Deana was sincere. If the Admiral was gone as often as Bennet said, perhaps life in his home wouldn’t be so terrible.

  Chapter Seven

  Deana could be infuriating. She spoke of Aleka’s mother often, acting as though Halia’s death was an oddity rather than a travesty. Yet she alone offered any true condolences. None of the household servants asked about the murder, though Aleka caught them whispering about it from time to time. When Lady Ghilian stopped by to see her daughter-in-law and inquire about her health and that of her unborn grandchild, she made no mention of Halia.

  Aleka found Lady Ghilian’s mood toward her as warm as it had ever been, but there was a rift between them. Whenever Aleka looked at her former mistress, she felt her betrayal as a knife in her heart. So, despite her often-blundering attempts, Aleka found some solace in Deana’s endeavors to comfort her.

  She encouraged Aleka to visit her mother’s grave almost daily, often providing flowers for Aleka to put upon the grave. Every night she sat before her virginal, making it sound like a cat being bludgeoned with tin bells, while Aleka accompanied her as best she could.

  Aleka fell into an easy rhythm. She apprenticed with Bennet all day, ran his errands, and learned how to pick good produce and meat. She cleaned the kitchen, swept, mopped, and washed the dishes. After Lady Deana ate the evening meal, she joined her in the sitting room to practice the violin while Deana made a series of unfortunate noises from her virginal. Despite the ease at which Aleka fell into her new duties, a cloud followed her around. Whenever she looked down at the leather bracelet that signified her indentured status, a dark mood took her. She made polite conversation with the other servants, but was never truly friendly with them. Two months passed by quickly, none the less.

  On this particular day, it was nearly noon and Bennet had the kitchen door open to let in a breeze. Spring was upon them, bringing the smell of flowers on the breeze. Aleka swept the kitchen, enjoying the warm air that blew in as she worked.

  “I’ll need you to peel some carrots and chop an onion when you’re done,” Bennet said as he rolled out pastry dough.

  Aleka nodded without saying anything, when suddenly, from the hall she heard hurried feet rushing toward the kitchen. Baxton, a wiry, gray-haired man, hurried in. Even in a rush, the butler managed to keep a certain amount of decorum.

  “The Admiral is home,” he said, out of breath. “And he’s fit to be tied.”

  Aleka tightened her grip on the broom she held, and a cold sweat broke out on her forehead. With Deana due to give birth in a month and a half, she knew he’d never stay away from the birth of his first child. Even with the knowledge of his impending arrival hanging over her head the past two months, now that he was here, she still wasn’t ready.

  “What is he raging about today?” Bennet asked, not bothering to stop rolling out the dough.

  When Baxton’s eyes cut to Aleka, Bennet looked over his shoulder at her.

  “Seems there’s a problem with your indentureship,” Baxton continued.

  “He purchased it from Lord and Lady Ghilian,” Aleka said, not understanding what Baxton was getting at.

  “I cou
ldn’t say. But he and Lady Ghilian are arguing about it now. I suggest keeping your head down for a while. It sounded like a terrible row.”

  Aleka assumed she’d be summoned by the Admiral as soon as he arrived home. He was the one who purchased her indentureship, so she didn’t know what kind of issue there would be that would possibly cause he and Deana to argue. More than likely, he didn’t like the amount of time Deana spent with Aleka. However, a summons never came.

  Dinner was served and the Admiral’s valet, Mitchell, joined the servants for their own dinner. Aleka decided not to go up at her normal time to practice with Deana, instead staying in her room. Amelia came down a short while later.

  “Forget your place again, duchess?” Amelia asked snidely, putting all the venom of a snakebite behind the word. She had taken to calling Aleka “duchess” ever since her first practice session with Deana.

  “I didn’t think Admiral Ghilian would like me upstairs,” Aleka said. She sat on her bed, tuning her violin.

  “The Admiral’s out, and Lady Deana is waiting for you. So hop to, duchess.”

  Surprised, Aleka made her way upstairs and found Deana sitting before her virginal. When she turned ever so slightly to look at Aleka as she entered, Aleka noticed Deana’s eyes were red-rimmed and puffy. She wanted to ask if she was alright; to throw her arms around Deana and protect her from the Admiral’s wrath, but she was too far beneath the lady to do anything of the sort.

  “My lady, I apologize for my tardiness,” Aleka said, curtsying. “I thought you might spend the evening with Admiral Ghilian.”

  Deana hit a sour key on her virginal. “He has gone to visit his parents.” Aleka noted that Deana didn’t use their proper titles as she normally did. She turned in her chair and shook her head. “I don’t feel like playing tonight.”

  Aleka’s face fell. She looked forward to playing her violin each night. Each time her fingers danced across the strings and the bow was in her hand, everything else melted away. It was the last vestige of her life before coming into the Admiral’s home.

  “Please, you play instead,” Deana said. Her eyes were glassy as she watched Aleka. “I would not rob you of music due to my sour mood.”

  Aleka took her usual spot near the virginal and played the Ballad of Kunegunda, deciding a lively tune didn’t suit the evening’s mood. She pulled her bow across the strings, allowing the song to work through her. The black clouds that followed her around all day retreated from her playing. Aleka closed her eyes. As she played, she imagined Halia was still alive. They lived happily in Dagnian on the Nareroc Islands, poor, but content.

  The heat of the island sun bore down, the rays of light seeming to dance as Aleka played. There were no tears here, only the music. With her eyes closed, Aleka was ever on her island with her mother dancing to the music.

  Her fingers moved along the neck of her violin, each one knowing its place. Aleka swayed to the song, its melancholy rhythm encasing the room. The notes were each a dirge for Aleka’s misery, but she felt lighter and lighter the longer she played. When the last strains of the notes faded away, she didn’t immediately open her eyes.

  “It’s lovely,” Deana said, sounding wistful. “I’ve heard it before, I think. It is a song to the Nareroc Queen, yes?”

  Aleka nodded. “Kunegunda of the clan Lansa. My mother used to tell me stories about her every night when I was little. The charm I wear on my necklace is an egret; her symbol.”

  “And what was she like, this bold Queen of the Islands?” Deana rested her head in her hands, listening with rapt attention.

  “Fearless. No matter what was thrown at her, she would not be denied justice for the wrongs committed against her people.” Aleka realized belatedly that she was probably overstepping her bounds. Even though she had an easy time talking to Deana, the lady was still Cesernan nobility. Aleka forced out a smile and lifted her violin again. This time, she played a lively jig to lift their spirits. She closed her eyes and fell into the music again.

  “I see my mother’s insistence on lessons was not a total waste.”

  Aleka’s eyes snapped open in alarm.

  “Though I still believe it was a waste of good coin; like teaching a cat to walk on its hind legs.”

  The Admiral stood in the doorway. Every impulse in Aleka told her to run, but she stood still. Next to her, Deana went rigid on her bench.

  “Come with me, Aleka,” the Admiral said ominously, turning on his heel.

  Aleka followed him down the hall to his private study. She had never been inside it, as only Baxton was permitted in to clean. She noticed it was rather sparse in its décor. The only furniture included a rosewood desk with two chairs, one on either side. He had some papers scattered about, but nothing else. Aleka looked around and wondered what Baxton found to clean.

  The Admiral took a seat behind his desk, but did not bid Aleka to do the same. She stood, holding her bow and violin to her side.

  “Do you know what this is?” He held up a contract with his personal seal affixed to the bottom in red wax.

  Aleka leaned in, reading the document. “My indentureship papers.” Aleka was made to sign them twice. Once when Lord Fresch ordered her to take over her mother’s spot in Lady Ghilian’s household, and then again when her contract was sold to the Admiral.

  “And this?” He pointed to a signature on the bottom.

  “Your signature.”

  “It would seem as much, but I did not sign this.”

  Aleka’s heart sped up. “I don’t understand.”

  “For whatever reason, my wife and mother have chosen to take pity on your plight. They forged my signature and used my personal seal to buy your contract from my father without Lord Ghilian being made aware of this deception.”

  It was a crime to impersonate a noble, and even more serious to use one’s seal. Since Deana and Lady Ghilian weren’t swinging from a gibbet to act as a feast for crows, obviously the crime had gone unreported. Aleka felt angry and relieved all at once. When she reported a murder, she was arrested for her troubles, while the ladies of House Greyhome merely had arguments with their husbands for forgery and theft. Yet, at the same time, Aleka didn’t want them to suffer the same cruel fate her mother did.

  “I did not know,” Aleka said.

  “No, I suppose you wouldn’t, but the problem of the matter is that you’re trouble, Aleka. The brat of an ill-mannered, indentured servant from Nareroc, who always had ideas above her station.”

  Aleka curled her lip and showed just a flash of her teeth. Halia was a better person than the Admiral would ever be.

  “You are useless to my parents with your lack of skills, but your music lessons with my wife seem to bring her some joy. However, I am now home until the birth of my child. You may continue your sessions with Lady Ghilian, but only when certain stipulations are met.” He paused, but Aleka said nothing. “I will now be the one who assigns you your chores. There will be no more unaccompanied visits out of this house, not to the market and not to Halia’s grave. And you may not keep your violin in your room.”

  Aleka pulled her instrument to her chest. “What?”

  “My mother paid for your lessons, so that violin belongs to me.”

  “This was given to me before I left Nareroc! It belongs to me,” she argued.

  “You came to Glenbard on the coin of my family, which means that everything we paid to transport you and Halia is our rightful property.”

  Aleka held tighter to her violin. That’s not right! her mind screamed. It couldn’t be the law. He had no right to her things.

  “It will be quite safe in this study, but if you don’t hand it over now, I will wrest it from you and turn it into kindling.”

  Aleka thought of Halia’s blood pouring out onto the kitchen floor as he held the bloodied knife. What had she done to call down his ire? Not make his late night snack fast enough? Not addressing him fast enough when he entered the kitchen? In a drunken rage, he killed Halia, so there was no doubt in
Aleka’s mind that a sober Admiral would destroy her violin.

  Slowly she unclenched her fingers. She rubbed the smooth wood and kissed the base of her violin before handing it and her bow over.

  “Follow my instructions and you can continue to play.” He took her precious instrument and laid it gently on his desk. “Bring me your case as well.”

  Tears pricked Aleka’s eyes. She hated to see her beloved violin being handled by him in any capacity.

  “You are dismissed.”

  ~*~*~

  “Get a scolding, duchess?” Amelia asked as soon as Aleka came into their shared room. “I hope he at least called you, ‘Your Grace’ first. Ah, I see he took away your little fiddle.”

  Aleka lay on her bed, covered herself with her blanket, and turned to face the wall. Engaging Amelia would only encourage her.

  “Come on, duchess, I’m only having a bit of fun.”

  Aleka would have liked to give Amelia a good hard smack across the mouth, but the maid far outranked her. An act of aggression would go poorly for her.

  “Look, Aleka,” Amelia’s tone changed. The note of teasing was gone, replaced with a hard one. “You’re better off without that fancy instrument. You might actually learn a real skill now.”

  The faint light from their hanging lantern was extinguished and the room fell dark. Aleka fell asleep to the sounds of Amelia rustling around.

  Chapter Eight

  The next morning, Aleka woke before the rest of the house. She put a blanket around her shoulders, grabbed her boots, and gently snuck out of her bedroom. Once in the kitchen, she slipped her boots on and stepped outside.

  The stars were still shining faintly. Only a sliver of dawn was visible, but the world was still swathed in shadow. A cool breeze blew wisps of hair around her face, tickling her nose until she sneezed.

  “What are you doing out? I won’t pay the healer if you get sick standing in the cold!” a gruff voice admonished.