Crows

TRACE

I watched them circle the nearest tower, their dark bodies looking like an ominous black cloud. There were too many to count, but I suppose crows were a common thing around a dark, dingy, castle. Or was it a mansion. I couldn't tell; either way it was huge, made of stone, and completely intimidating. When I inquired about the job for housekeeping I hadn't expected to get the job right away, but just as the Head Housekeeper, Edward, had requested, I was here; Thursday at 6p.m.

The mansion was secluded quite far from anything. Aside from the quite large courtyard which surrounded it, there was forest for as far as the eyes could see. It had two towers on either side, where the crows were situated; they blended well with the dark gray stone. I walked up the beautifully carved steps to the front door. Inscribed were strange symbols and Latin phrases; giving it an almost mesmerizing feel. I found myself staring at them for a few minutes before snapping myself out of the daze, remembering why I was here. I hastily lugged my suitcase up the steps and knocked on one of the twin large, oak wood doors. I brought with me everything that was essential, as I would be moving in to fill a permanent position, according to Edward. The way this was paying I would be set for life; I didn't mind moving in.

The giant door groaned as it was pulled open. Behind it stood a small woman with dark red hair. She had a wide smile and her small face was covered in freckles. The dark curls of her hair fell to the side of her face rather elegantly and her incredibly white teeth made you almost want to shield your eyes.

She gave me a quick once over and said in an excited voice, "You must be Trace! I'm Gwen."

I extended my hand, which she grasped, and said, "Yes! Nice to meet you."

"Come inside, let's get you all settled in." she said with a smile as she pulled me inside. I nodded and she grabbed my suitcase forcibly. "I'll take this to your room. Edward will want to see you." She lifted her arm and pointed to my left. "Head all the way down this hallway. At the end of it is the kitchen, he should be in there." She smiled and with an ease, I wouldn't have expected from such a small woman, lifted my rather heavy suitcase and swiftly started walking. With a sudden jerk she stopped, looked back at me with her dazzling smile, and added, "Do hurry." With that she was gone.

Feeling slightly out of place, I uneasily made my way down the long hallway. As I neared the end, a seductive smell played in my nose. Whatever was being made, smelled absolutely delicious.

I grasped the brass knob of the thick oak door. It was warm to the touch; in fact the whole door seemed to radiate heat. It numbed me in the most subtle way, relaxing my muscles. With a slow turn, I opened the door and was hit by a wave of deliciousness. Inside was a large silver kitchen where two cooks moved at a speed that would make a hummingbird blush. In the corner stood a short man with white hair. His silver mustache curled upward with his smile, as his wrinkled face turned toward my direction.

"You must be Trace!" he said happily. His voice hummed as if someone sat in the background playing a giant harp.

I nodded with a smile as I moved to shake his hand. He was much faster than me and met me near the door as he grasped my hand.

"Nice to meet you," I said in a loud voice. The noise of the kitchen was drowning out our voices.

"And you too," he said, the smile never leaving his face. "We're just preparing for the Masters' dinner." He motioned around to the kitchen. "Your things will be in your room shortly, I have already laid out your uniform. Oh. My."

I felt a sharp pain in my side before hitting the ground. I sneezed as the glistening spice fell and covered my body. Then the sharp ringing sound of a large pan rang out next to me.