The State Of Druid's Loch

Chapter One

The passing of a midday thunderstorm leaves the lavishly decorated courtyard filled with the scents of various wild roses in the garden, coupled with fresh rain and newly mown grass. The sounds of singing robins, crickets chirping, and children laughing, combine to form a melodious tune. This orchestra drifts and sways across the courtyard past hedge carvings, stone statues, wild rose gardens, and the large central fountain, before crossing the oversized lawn to reach a rather humbly dressed man standing in a side entrance doorway. This large, common featured man, wearing plain breeches, a solid white, short sleeved shirt, and and a large apron is Jacob O'Connell. He is the Count's cook and childhood friend. A kind and gentle man, Jacob has lived on the grounds of Manor Lakehurst since he was born. "Come in to wash, lunch is ready to be served.", he called to the children. He then disappears back into the doorway to finish preparations of the lunch meal for the Manor's family. Jacob has worked here in the kitchen since he was twelve years old, taught by his father to prepare everything from ham and eggs to flambayed duck. He has prepared all the meals of the house himself since his father passed away twenty years ago. Having constructed meals ranging from small lunches for the Count alone to the large buffets for the Count's ballroom, to exquisitely detailed dinners for visits from the Count's cousin, King Raithwall. On more than one occasion, the Count had been complimented for his cook, by the king and many other nobles. Several of the nobles had tried to buy his services from the Count, but Jacob, always the loyal friend, respectfully declined them all. Manor Lakehurst was his home and the Count was his family, he could never leave to serve in another house.

Upstairs, on the far east side of the manor sits a small, round-faced woman sharing tea with the Countess. She is an honest and trustworthy woman with a sweet disposition. She is the Countess' lady in waiting, friend, and confidant. Moira O'Connell, the wife of Jacob, wears a plain satin dress of green, her long red hair is pinned up in the back revealing her freckled round face, and sparkling green eyes. Moira has been married to Jacob for nine years and known him all her life. She grew up in the village outside the south gate to the Lakehurst grounds, where her father was a tailor. She attended school at the small schoolhouse in the village and worked in her father's shop until she was introduced to Jacob and they eventually married. She moved into the servants quarters with Jacob and began helping him with his duties in the kitchen. When the Count married a year later, Moira was asked to attend to the Countess as she transitioned into the home. Countess Lakehurst took an instant liking to Moira and asked that she instead act as her lady in waiting. Moira and the Countess became inseparable as their friendship grew and the Countess came to trust Moira as her confidant more and more. They bonded more during their simultaneous pregnancies and while watching their children grow together. Moira now sits, listening intently as the Countess speaks softly to her of the fears foretold in her lastest dream.

The Countess Kaitlyn Lakehurst is a striking figure. Her long, wavy, strawberry hair, pearl blue eyes, and spotless, snowy complexion on her six foot frame gives her the unmistakable air of nobility and arrogance at first sight. Although that image quickly melts away when she interacts with her people, then her kind, giving, love for them shines through to reveal the real Countess. Born to the noble of a neighboring kingdom, she was meant to be betrothed to King Raithwall, as an assurance of peace between the the two kingdoms. King Raithwall, not caring for traditional views, fell in love with Kaitlyn's younger sister at a ball held by her father and instead chose to marry her. Though Kaitlyn would not be without suitors for long, as she too had fallen in love at that very ball, with Count Lakehurst, and he with her. Ten months later, they married after the Count placed his mother's ring on her left hand. They have a wonderful marriage and love their people like no other noble in the land. Their land was by far the happiest and most content, but as of late, she has been troubled by recurring nightmares. Still sitting in her night garments, the Countess is deliberately speaking low and slowly as not to be misunderstood, or heard by any other than her lady, Moira. "I know it was her," she whispers, "I just have not figured out why she would do such a thing. I cannot see the advantage in it for her. This dream has come to me for five nights in a row," the Countess recalls, "and I am no closer to discovering the true meaning of it." A bell in the room rings, alerting them that Jacob had lunch prepared and instantly cutting their conversation short. "Help me dress my friend," the Countess beckons, "my husband will be expecting us for lunch."