Webs

3

Rennold sat in the bumpy carriage, eyes looking out the window as his surroundings shifted. Buildings became smaller, roads began to thin, and suddenly green fields and hordes of trees surrounded him. He looked at the open sky, less smog coating the sun. He forgot how bright the world could be. English oak and ash trees created a broad canopy over the road, hawthorn shrubs flourishing to the side as the plants began to produce red berries, signifying the beginning of autumn.

He got out of the carriage as it stopped in front of a small tavern. Fast-growing sycamores grew beside it, distinctive palmate leaves and winged seeds falling to the ground.

Rennold took off his hat as he entered the tavern, scanning the damp atmosphere where he saw a familiar face at a table in the corner of the lounge. The man had a long nose and silver hair, a bony face with strained eyes.

Rennold had still been young when he met Stewart Hanley; still bundled with energy and ambition, their personalities morphed well together and they kept in touch as they grew older.

"Roger Rennold!" Hanley exclaimed as his friend gripped his hand. "You look good, old friend. I got an invitation to your party and I apologize I could not make it."

"Not to worry," said Rennold.

"I will admit I was surprised to get your message. I did not know you were looking to leave Sycamore Court after so many years. You're getting a little old to be going through such strenuous events as moving," laughed Hanley.

"It's time for a change."

"Well, you're in luck because there happens to be an estate a few miles north of here that has become available."

Rennold got in Hanley's carriage and they traveled through the lands of leaves beginning to yellow in the cool air.

The doors of the estate opened to the front hall, walls far apart, and the high ceiling made Rennold feel small in his above-average height. Beyond the hall was the parlor and sitting room with a dining room to the left, and a kitchen behind it with 2 large pantries. On the second floor were 3 chamber rooms, a bathroom, a sewing room, and a dressing room with a black-painted hall. The floors were a deep cherry oak and dark purple wallpaper covered the ground floor.

Rennold stood on the back porch, looking out at the wide scope of land. There were flower beds by the porch, the soil pale and the surfaces mostly occupied by weeds. The house contained no furniture, and things were clean but not exactly swept, as he noticed many patches of dust.

Rennold turned behind him where Hanley stood in the parlor. "I thought you said this place just went up on the market."

"It did."

"Why does it seem like no one has lived here for years?"

"Because no one has lived in it for years. For decades it belonged to a high-class family, but the bloodline ended and after the owner passed without naming a successor, the place has been put up for purchase. However, though this house contained an owner, he kept it vacant, the reason I do not know." Tension began to crease Rennold's features and Hanley let out a laugh. "Don't worry, there's nothing wrong with the place. I have had it checked out. It's in fine condition. And the surrounding five acres come with it."

Rennold looked out at the empty land, hills curving the surface and yellowing grass twisted in the air currents gusting across the ground. In the distance was another estate, dark and tall along the horizon.

"Who lives there?" Rennold asked, eyes on the horizon.

Hanley stood next to Rennold, following his gaze. "Oh, I believe that belongs to the Field family. Hector Field is an engineer; a brilliant man and obesely wealthy, and he's purchased estates for many members of his family through the years. That one belongs to his daughter Alysia Field."

"She's not married?"

"Not as far as I know."

Rennold stared at the house, then back at the land that could be his. It was dry and unkept, forgotten and abandoned, but he could see the place as if it was in its prime, something that could be revived. For the first time in a while, Rennold thought some other things could be revived as well.