Phrontistery Of Monster Kind - Six Feet Deep

Chapter 29

The castle was nearing completion. I'd have my own room for weeks, though it was bare. The locals weren't going to be down with my bed until next week. Until then, I would continue crashing into my sister's room. I had just finished cleaning myself and was dressed in a fresh smock. It would be the same one I wear tomorrow under my tunic. The water was ready for my sister's use, having been freshly heated by one of the dragons staying with us for the night. I called to inform her. As I walked into her room, I called out for her once more. But she was nowhere. Her bed clothes were still hung up, as were her clothes for tomorrow.

I gathered she may have been in the solar with our guests or maybe even in the lavatory. Through the aperture, I caught the glimpse of a flickering light below. I beamed. Aunty and Uncle Blythee must be early for the celebrations. Though why did they only have one light?

Regardless, I skipped in joy, rushing out of the chambers and towards the stairs.

"No running in the castle," one dragon scolded as I scampered along.

"Auntie and the cousins are here," I crackled back in her mother tongue. She gave me an odd look but shrugged and went about her business, dimming the candles for the night.

I kept moving until I reached the meadow. The light kept blazing. My own in my cable holder. I crossed the meadow and reached the bottom. My sister's belongings were left strewn about. Her woven basket and tunic had been tossed aside.

"Royse!" I called, searching for any signs of life. The candle rested by the dirt, still new, barely burning for an hour, telling by the carvings in the wax.

Despite how strong the single flame was to be spotted from afar, darkness leaked over everything that wasn't in the open. Somewhere in between the wildflowers and the chilling night, she hid her physical presence. The nights were frosty, even when I wasn't just in my undergarments. She'd spent all day out here. Why did she have to be out here any longer?

A head poked out of the water. Spitting out the freshwater from their mouth. When they caught their breath, my sister heaved. "Edith".

"What are you doing in there? It's time for your bath."

"I'm already clean," she said. Albeit true, she still might like the heat of the tub. The stone from the castle heated up perfectly as the dragons scorched it with their fiery tongue.

"We have a big day tomorrow."

"I'll bathe then."

"Nearly nine years old and you can barely care for yourself. Soon you'll be old enough to marry," I exclaimed. It was four years, but there was still time for her to grow. She had the freedom of choice, and as long as the lineage continued, our father couldn't care less.

"There's no one in this place to marry. I'll have to travel abroad. There is no rush."

"I wish I was as free as you are," I sighed. My hands sold at birth. Thank heavens the man was younger than me and allowed me extra time to be single. The honest fact was, I was handed off to the only family that would take tainted blood. The boy Rædwulf would suffice. Royse and I already decided we'd have to change his name upon taking my hand. I was thinking of Ambrose or simply shortened to Wulf or Ræd.

My hand was already sold to him, my fate sealed, but thankfully not much other than marriage was expected of me until my twenties. Perhaps because of his age, and neither of us was fond of the idea of being married together.

If I am lucky, I will find out he cheated, and my father will call off the wedding. Though since the passing of my mother, I doubt that will disrupt the plans.