A centuries-old stalemate of wars between the British and the French. The Fortress of Louisburg has long cast shadows over European power politics. Built over decades by the French military, it seemed to hold the key in the long-running struggle be...
What is loyalty? Is it a strong feeling of support toward someone? So does a significant other count if you stick by them. Or is it an allegiance to another where something binds you to them? A knight can be seen in this way as their allegiance is infinite toward whom they serve and there are consequences.
When I was small, I used to sit in this exact room, in this exact chair. The light green curtains haven't changed a bit since the last 3 years. The same cushion chair hasn't been changed since it was sold from the King's Bastian 10 years ago during an auction my parents participated in. From my seat on the window, the sunrise has already started and the people just start crawling out of their homes for work. The children outside are playing with a deflated ball that is covered in dirt. The ball crosses a badly-drawn white line and they jump on each other in joy. I smile painfully and put my head in my arms to cuddle.
The sage-green cushion on my bed looks crooked, so I sigh and move to stand up from the window seal to fix it, grateful for the distraction. I slip into my mules(1) and straighten my simple, outdoor-lifestyle gown to stand up. Although my gown won't be counted as one if we compare it to the "oh-so-forbidden-français-style", but don't get me started there as I might be prosecuted as a spy for only knowing about them through books and stories told by the soldiers who travel from Britain. Those just warm my heart. The sea beside you, always flowing, its eternal glory stretched out around you from all sides.
I fall onto my bed and take out my most-recent stitching from a nearby drawer. The design is still incomplete but the sage-green scarf has already started showing in its appearance. I lift it up to look at its length and my hopes die...it's barely even a third finished. Outside the window, the kids are already gone, gone to help their parents. My stomach let's out a growl but I haven't even made some food yet.
I switch from my mules to my green, leather damask shoes, and pull on a thin cape. Grabbing an orange hat, I unbolt the door and head outside, locking the door behind me. I cross the street, watching for guards as it's almost curfew hours. I spot the sign reading "Annie's Bakery" and spot a woman in front of her house, watering the flowers. I pick up my gown with three fingers and run quickly before she enters her home for the night.
She notices me and smiling, opens the door for me to enter.
"Morning, Eleanor. You're right at the dot again. You know your luck will run out someday, meeting me before some creeping eyes can see our business."
"How do you do too, Madam Annie. Are you in need of a scarf for your nephew?" I give her a smile and pull out the orange scarf.
She inspects it, "You know this is not how trades happen." I give her a look and she sighs, "Come inside first."
"I knew you'd like it." I take out a cloth and hand it to her. "2 loaves of bread and a carrot should be enough, I wouldn't want to take your portion as well." Madam Annie takes the cloth and heads inside, nodding me inside. The inside of her residence is a lot more practical than mine. The oven was already lit, with pots on the perimeter of the carpet in front of the oven. I notice a chicken being roasted above the flames. The table has two plates, yet only one of them is filled with vegetables. However, some form of excitement was in the air.
"I see you have something planned tonight, am I invited?" I straighten my skirt and sit down on the chair that is already pulled out from the table set.
"Not today though, tomorrow. Don't you remember what's happening?" She gives me a second but I remain blank in my answer. "It's the return of the soldiers from across the sea."
It finally dawns on me, "Your husband is coming back. That's amazing!"
"After 3 months, he's finally coming back." She grabs another plate and places a loaf of bread and a carrot on it and packages one into my basket.
The silence fills the air and a chill goes down my back. "Who's invited to the feast?"
She finishes her food and stands up to wash the plate. "As it's going to be held here in the Engineers' place, most of the settlement won't be able to attend." She pauses, "but you're invited! Here, a letter was dropped off here for you."
I rinse my plate while she marches over to her bedroom. A minute or so passes and she comes back with a white envelope that seems to have a seal imbedded on it.
Taking the envelope, I stuff it into the basket after taking a look at the seal. "Thank you for your kind welcoming of me during this late of the night. I will be heading out now."
"He is eager to see you tomorrow," and when I don't say anything she replies again, "it will make my day, Eleanor."
"I'll see if I'm available. I wish you a good night." I look both ways for any guards, and slip out from the residence.
---
Bolting the door behind me, I change into my night gown and close the curtains for night curfew. The loaf of bread will expire by tomorrow, so I cover it with a cooking napkin. Changing into my night gown, I take the comb and brush my hair until it puffs up and is soft to the touch.
About to curl up on my bed and take a rest, the envelope in the basket peeks out, the red seal making me stare at it. Debating, I frown and decide to see what's it all about. The red seal has a ship embroidered with a gold line surrounding the waves rocking the ship from a storm. Taking a breath, I open the letter and cross and legs.
Dear Eleanor,
You look gorgeous as ever. I know you dislike long letters so I'll keep this short.
To celebrate the harbor returning from sea, I would like to sincerely hope to see you for this party happening at the Engineer's residence. I know you were already invited when visiting Annie's the other day, my mouth is shut. I saw you disregard my previous letter and it stung my heart deeply. It would mean a lot for me to see your face once again after our meeting.
Sincerely,
Cassius Whitmore
I scrunch my paper and turn to the opposite side to look at my window. The first light from the moon emerges, but I'm already asleep before I could see it.
(1)Mules
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(2) Leather damask shoes
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