The Mage's Familiar

10. A Contract and a Page

After such an arduous journey, Nas and Olwen had slept through most of the night. This proved to be a blessing when they were awoken in mid-morning the following day. Nas quickly shifted into his cat form as Olwen sat up in bed and allowed a maid to enter. The maid was a young woman with fair freckled skin and neatly braided red hair and she brought a cart with her into the room. It was laden with a variety of breakfast foods, tea, and other delicacies that Olwen had never tasted before.

"I am Feli," the maid said, curtsying deeply. "I will be serving you for the duration of your stay in the White Tower."

"Is the White Tower this outbuilding?" Olwen asked, reaching for a pastry from the tray she was given.

"Yes, Miss," Feli replied.

Feli was reserved and cautious with her replies as Olwen asked her several more questions about the building. Though Olwen knew this behavior was appropriate and adhering to imperial etiquette, it felt uncomfortable to be waited on so intently. She was not accustomed to feeling above anyone else. It was an unsettling sensation.

"I have been given orders to bring you garments for your meetings today, Miss," Feli informed her. "When you have finished your meal please ring the bell at your bedside and I will return to help you dress."

"Thank you, Feli," Olwen replied.

The maid curtsied again and backed from the room, closing the door behind her. Olwen ate quietly, setting some aside for Nas to eat with her, and washed her face at a basin Feli had brought with breakfast. There were rose petals floating in the warm water, and a fresh hand towel. These simple pleasures gave Olwen a small bit of confidence as she prepared to meet her recruiter. She rang the bell and Feli returned with a gown in her arms. It was made from blue silk with silver trim and a short train. Olwen had never seen such expensive fabric in her life and could never have imagined that she would be permitted to wear it. The thought of putting it on filled her with dread. The cost of this dress could probably feed her entire village for a month. What if she damaged it? Unable to go against Feli's instructions she allowed herself to be dressed in silence, trying to enjoy the feeling of the fabric against her skin. It was soft and lush, sliding over her body like water as Feli lifted it over her head and let it fall to the floor. It laced up the back and had a modest neckline. The decoration was simple but eye-catching. Silver embellishments fell from the bodice like rain, tracing lines down the skirt to the silver edging at the floor and the sleeves were sheer and gathered at the wrist, creating a bell-like effect. As Olwen was guided to the vanity by Feli to have her hair styled she could not help but be impressed by her own reflection. She had abandoned dreams of becoming a princess when she was a child but this was like her own vision brought to life. She only wished she could have gotten this satisfaction in a different situation.

Feli braided Olwen's hair away from her face, allowing the back section to fall freely, and twisted the braids into a complicated shape on the crown of her head. She slid several pins into place to hold it and added silver decorations with blue gemstones despite Olwen's protests. Feli ignored Olwen's objection to makeup as well before finally setting her free. Nas had been noticeably absent during this process but as Feli curtsied and left again he finally appeared and sat at Olwen's side, wrapping his tail around her wrist.

"You are bewitching, Master," he said softly in her head. Olwen smiled but her expression was conflicted.

"Thank you, Nas," she sighed.

She would soon be called to meet her recruiter and her stress was building, but Nas being close helped to soothe her. No one had explained to her what her meeting would entail or what would be expected of her. Not knowing what was to come was a heavy weight on her heart. She reached down and stroked Nas's head and he purred loudly against her hand. But just as her anxious heartbeat returned to normal there was a knock on her door. Olwen rose to her feet as Feli entered, followed by the page who had escorted her the day before. They curtsied and bowed in unison and Olwen prickled at the sight. She wondered if she would ever become accustomed to being treated with submission.