Men & Monsters

Day of Games

With their agreement certified with a quick handshake, Eira had returned to the servant chambers after her meeting with Bernard. She got less than one hour of sleep that night, as the mixture of fear from her strange surroundings, the close proximity in which the maids slept together, and excitement over their plan all worked together to keep her mind running. Huddled in bunks going up to five or six beds up in what could have been a closet, with mere inches separating the different columns, Eira was flanked by loud snoring and the occasional slumbering twitch, which made her jump every time.

Madam Martin slammed the door open especially early that morning, even for the maids, and ordered them to get dressed and ready. Everyone but Eira was slow and clumsy to do so, groaning out loud but never uttering a complaint, mostly out of fear of Martin's sharp tongue. Eira was the first to get dressed and to report before Martin in the main servant chambers, which prompted what one could only guess was the elderly woman's best crack of a smile.

"Very good child. Perhaps you won't be such a burden on us for this big day." Eira blinked at her words.

"If I may, Madam Martin?"

"Yes dear?"

"What is today?"

"How could Her Highness not remind you? Today is the Day of Games. A carnival which is set up in the towns with all sorts of entertainment. Tis a reminder of the Royal Wedding that quickly approaches. But mostly, it's an excuse for both commoners and royalty to drink to excess and forget their problems for awhile."

"Oh, yes, of course."

"Which reminds me. You and a few others had better head off to Her Majesty's bedchambers and prepare her for today." Eira bowed as other maids appeared her side.

"Yes Madam Martin." Coupled with three maids, Eira led the way to Susan's room, where the more experienced servants quickly set about on their chores. One began to prepare the princess's tea and biscuits while another readied her gown and makeup for the day, the last one pulled open the curtains and cast the room in a blinding white light. Everyone was dumbstruck for a moment as their eyes adjusted, while Susan simply grumbled softly and rolled over. A soft breeze blew through the room as the maid pushed the windows open and exposed the blue sky above.

With no other job for her that she knew of, Eira simply walked toward the edge of Susan's bed with her hands clasped before her. While the others kept busy, the Green Folk took a moment to look at the princess and how human she looked in her slumber, what without the eccentric dresses or makeup concealing her natural features. It was as if she was approachable now, an equal with Eira and the other maids. Alas, she knew that thought to be too good to be true. Clearing her throat, she leaned forward.

"Um...Susan? It's time to wake up Susan." She was given several brief but piercing glances by the other maids for using the princess's casual name, free of any titles, but they hardly fazed her. She was given permission to use it after all. With half of her face concealed by her great big pillow, Susan opened one deep blue eye. Eira smiled warmly at her as she sat up and stretched.

"Good morning, Eira." She yawned and smiled back at her, unable, or more likely, unwilling, to acknowledge the maids doing everything for her. With ladylike grace she slowly pulled the covers from her and slid to the ground, perfectly into her pink soft-felt slippers. The maid who opened the curtains and windows quickly pounced on the bed after Susan left it, making her bed as perfectly as it was the day before.

Eira quickly pulled Susan's chair out for her at her small table and pushed it in after. Her biscuits had been perfectly laden with marmalade and her piping-hot tea was served not a moment too soon. She took but the tiniest bite from her breakfast and dabbed at her mouth with a napkin beside the plate.