In the Kingdom of Gattis in the year 713...
Madeline Tintern felt, at present, an unusual range of strong emotions as she dashed away the tears welling up in her eyes, blurring her vision. She was perplexed by the mixture of fear and sadness over her present situation. She tried to think, but was unsure of exactly how much time had already passed since her arrival at Thall Castle; a few weeks, perhaps, but no more than a month. Her surroundings were elegant and comfortable. Her expectations, so far, were few.
Madeline never knew what it was like to have parents and a room to herself. She lived her entire life in the large institution known as Herridge House. Herridge House was a lovely place. It was often chaotic and noisy at times, but life within the walls of the orphanage revolved around routine and tradition. Girls were expected to attend their schooling and perform various household chores with the expectation of attracting a suitable master or mistress, for marriage or household servitude. Rare was the occasion that a girl found neither. If that was the case, she'd have to fend for herself in whichever way she could.
When her 18th birthday came, Madeline moved to the dormitory reserved for the older girls on the third floor. There, she shared space with nine other girls who had reached the eligible age for courtship and marriage. And though less than a month had passed since her birthday, Madeline and a few of her fellow inmates (she thought of them as sisters) had already begun the rituals and rites of courtship.
The girl gazed through the glass of a narrow arched window. The serene beauty of the garden and rolling countryside stretched towards the tree line of a dense, dark forest. Madeline contemplated the impenetrable barrier of surrounding vegetation. There could be anything in that forest beyond the garden. The sight was lovely, baffling and a little frightening. It reminded her of her last days at Herridge House, before she came here.
The matron, Miss Heister, sent for Madeline shortly after the evening meal. A housemaid named Endla showed the girl to the matron's sitting room. The room's main purpose was to receive distinguished visitors and parties interested in procuring one, or more, of the girls for whatever suited their needs and wishes. The furnishings within were sensible and plain; the kind of furnishings you'd expect to see in a middling merchant or farmer's house. Miss Heister sat behind a large writing table. Madeline gazed absently while the older woman situated her trailing skirts. "You may take your seat there in front of me." Miss Heister nodded at the lone chair across from her.
Madeline sat and watched while the matron wrote something down in the ledger opened in front of her. A few awkward moments passed and she was finished. Miss Heister closed the book and looked up at her charge. "Madeline Tintern...I trust you recall the events of last week."
"Yes, Miss Heister, I think I do." Madeline said.
Of course she remembered; how could she forget? An afternoon gathering with light refreshments brought Madeline and her companions to entertain the visitors who arrived to meet the girls and decide which ones to take into service and which to take as a wife or lover. The two oldest, Rion and Dioste, were already familiar with this custom. At the age of 19, both girls flaunted considerable beauty and grace. The Duke of Normot was taken instantly with Rion, and Dioste left that evening with his lordship, Count Winblad, who lived in the kingdom of Mays.
"Two days ago, a letter arrived from Thall Castle in Gattis. It was delivered by page with a...very generous gift of gold Trimaar. Enough to sustain Herridge House for a year or more."
Madeline's lips tightened and stretched in a wan smile. "Oh...I guess I'll be going away soon."
"You've guessed correctly." The matron said. "Her ladyship, Maximilla Mardykes, has taken quite a liking to you."
"But we hardly spoke!"
Lady Mardykes...she was an odd bird. She was the only woman among the small cohort of nobles who came to visit that day. Madeline busied herself pouring glasses of sack wine for the guests while the haunting notes of Rion's lyre played on. She heard Miss Heister exchanging witticisms with the dashingly handsome young Captain Bradt. When she turned her head, she thought she felt a pair of eyes staring intently at her from across the room. She was right.
Her ladyship stood tall and very slim. She was old, but not ancient. Madeline guessed the woman was in her late 40's or early 50's. Perhaps she'd come to choose for herself a new lady's maid or housekeeper. The woman's hair, cropped very short, undulated in deep waves the color of light sand. In rushlight, the waves were almost ginger. Ice blue eyes, pale as her skin, pierced through the ovals of wire rimmed glasses. Lady Mardykes looked unusual indeed. She looked positively striking, but that was not the least of it.
The unusual looking woman's features were hard and masculine. She was neither pretty nor feminine, though it was fairly obvious she'd never pass for a man. But Lady Mardykes dressed like one. She wore an elegant doublet, breeches, and hose ensemble with a great, trailing frock coat. Richly embroidered shoes boasted broad ribbon bows of fine silk. Madeline stared at her ladyship for a moment or two, fascinated, but at the same time, put off, by the noblewoman's appearance. She poured another glass of sack and made eye contact with Captain Bradt. Madeline guessed the Captain was not much older than she, maybe a year or two, but no older than 20. He was tall and had a winsome smile that made the other girls giggle and blush.
"A little refreshment, sir?" Madeline grinned and offered the handsome young man the glass she just poured.
"Thank you, dear lady, yes." The Captain drank. "Your Miss Heister is a very gracious hostess. Generous! The last place I visited--"
"Ah, Captain, there you are!" Miss Heister appeared seemingly from nowhere. "I'd like you to meet our little Galene. She came of age just the other day, and this is her first party. I think she'd be a perfect match for you both..." The matron took the man's arm, intending to lead him away, when the glass fell from his hand and broke in a splash of wine and shards. "Never mind that, Captain, do come along!"
The two of them were already gone. Madeline stooped to pick up the broken glass. "Such a terrible mess! Let me help you with that, my dear."
The beautiful blond looked up and stared dumbfounded at the face of the mannish woman with short hair and glasses. Her fair skin was, indeed, as pale as her eyes. A network of fine lines etched into the flesh crinkled around them as the woman's lips stretched to flash a smile. She produced a handkerchief and collected some of the glass before Madeline stopped her. "Thank you kindly, madam, but it isn't necessary--"
