The Rugged Edge

Grey Dragons - Chapter 4: Precious Responsibilities

May 11, 745

(46 years ago)

.. .. ..

Bessy walked away from her lifelong home with her chin in the air.

This was not because she was at all pleased to go. No, it wasn't that at all.

It was because she was so resolved to go and she knew she couldn't look back or even sulk on her way off... if she did that, she might find herself turning around and walking back.

Today, she was going to be a castle cook. What glory, to work for the the great monarchs of Rokenmeine, feeding them fit for their standards! She knew she could never miss hunting, not now. But she was afraid she'd miss her home; her Ma and Pa and siblings. Of course, she would come and visit sometimes, but now she had a job that any woman should be proud of. A castle cook!

A couple of days ago, Bessy had gone to the castle to ask for the job, just to see if it were possible. It had been her dream for many years now, and to her surprise, she had been accepted. She hadn't met the king or queen yet, only the head cook, but she thought she must someday. How marvelous that would be! How magnificent!

No one saw the king or queen; never, unless they worked in the castle. Even on journeys to other castles, like that of Shermanel, the monarchs were hidden inside of a majestic carriage.

Lavinia, the young queen, was said to be breathtakingly lovely, although of course nobody knew. Bessy had heard that she had glittering chains of black hair, and her skin was as white as snow. Bessy was impatient to see for herself.

King Edwin was said to throw enchanting parties every other week, to which the castle servants were invited, and Bessy dearly hoped this was true. There were plenty of parties in Runa, but oh, imagine a real live ball, complete with sparkling chandeliers and jokers and violinists! Bessy could barely breathe as she imagined twirling silk gowns, spinning around and around a gold-trimmed room; young ladies in the arms of dozens of silver-trimming cloaked men.

Yes, she would know glory when she lived in Rokenfort. Someday, she thought, she would be a renowned chef, famous for her extraordinary delicacies that were fit only for royalty.

The young woman carried her bundle, comprised of all of her things, down Runa's cobbled streets, her mind full to the brim with ambitious - and naive - dreams.

.. .. ..

May 16, 745

.. .. ..

Bessy dipped the huge ladle into the steaming stew and brought up an enticingly scented scoop. She poured it into the waiting silver bowl next to her, and another cook swiftly took it away.

She dipped the ladle in again, and brought it back. Back and forth it went, in and out and in and out, pouring bowl after bowl of stew.

Bessy found that being a cook wasn't all it had been cut out to be. She was only a kitchen maid, and there were many of these, so for now all she did was pour what was already cooked onto platters to be served to the king and queen. She also helped with the dishes, but so far, she hadn't cooked a single thing at all. She had only been here for four days, but she had long since learned that servants were not allowed to any of the king's parties, besides to serve the dinner, so she wouldn't see any twirling dresses anytime soon. She could only hear the music if someone opened the door, and then it was muffled so that it was hard to hear. And she hadn't seen the king or the queen!