Francesca's Dream

Glorious Music

Hey guys I just want to apologize for not posting a chapter for the month of October and November, I have been super busy with marching band, and school I hope to make it up soon.  

"Okay everyone, we only have two hours until the queen arrives, is everything in place?" Mr. Ellis shouted throughout the house. Heather, and the twins were up to their elbows prepping food for the queen and her glittering court. Morrghan was beating out curtains ,and rugs; windows allowing the cool fall breeze in. Sarah swept the grounds, and garden of leaves and debris. Eric was sweeping up fire places, and dusting shelves. Francesca was busy vacuuming the second and third floor; while Mr. Ellis was scrubbing the tile entryway. 

At four O'clock everything was done except for some of the baked goods; Heather had sent everyone away shouting that she was sick of everyone and their mother was in her kitchen! Francesca ushered everyone to their rooms to ready themselves for the queens arrival. The girls dressed in their best uniforms. Morghana, with her skilled hands pinned the girls hair into similar but unique hairstyles. Morghana brushed out her long copper hair before pinning it back into a gorgeous braided bun on the back of her head. She had such talent with hair; it was a shame that she didn't get to use her talent more. Back home she would have been a famous hairstylist to the stars, but here she was just a maid. 

The girls ran outside to meet everyone else in preparation for the queen. Declan shouted "I see cars coming up the lane". Several cars were coming up the winding lane. Four black Mercedes and one white, gleamed in the fall sunlight.  They pulled up, drivers in pristine uniforms stepped out, opening the back seat doors; members of the queen's court stepped out. The queen was the last to step out of her car, making the grandest entrance of all. Her striking green face was accentuated by flowing locks of curly, raven hair. Her gown was both militaristic ,and feminine. She wore a tight knee length dress of black lace, with a matching hat , and saddle shoes. 

The whole court and staff bowed in respect; she walked with the utmost confidence. Eric walked down the front steps to greet her; "Mr. Raswood thank you for you hospitality, in housing my court on such short notice." She said sweetly. "It is my pleasure to be able to serve you, my queen." He said his voice smooth as honey. He turned, the staff moving aside allowing them to pass inside the house. The queen's court filled inside, followed by the staff. "Eric lead the into the great room, this is where the court would spend most of their days wining and dining among-est themselves. 

The court stayed at the manor for several days resting, and touring the countryside. The Queen had been growing very attached to Eric, she would sometimes even hold on to his arm as he escorted her around. Little did she know of their  plot to remover her from power.
At dinner that evening, as the plates were being brought out to them, the queen stood rattling her crystal glass with her knife. "I would like to propose a toast to our gracious host this evening, and to thank him for our stay." She said in a bright and cheerful voice. "Why thank you, it has been an honor to serve you in my humble home." Eric replied in his overly sweet voice. Francesca who was standing off to the side of the room, giggled knowing that he was mocking her.

The court cheered and toasted late into the evening. The queen was feeling the effects of the wine that never stopped flowing; she grew louder and cheerier with every sip she took. "Eric dear, do you have any musicians, I would just love to hear some music!" She exclaimed. 

Francesca was in a bit of a shock by how the so called ruler of Oz was so casually tipsy that she would call someone by their first name instead of title. "I'm sorry your majesty, but I do not have any musicians in my house hold." He replied. "Then perhaps I should summon some of my own then!" She shouted angrily. "How in the world does a man who holds such a position not have musicians, you knew of my arrival and didn't plan to have entertainment for me! How dare you!" Green sparks began to  hover around her hands. Fearing that the queen would strike in her drunken rage Francesca spoke up "I can play your majesty!" "You can? What do you play?" She shouted, the sparks of magic beginning to fade. "I play violin, sadly I don't have a violin or sheet music with me." With a snap of her fingers, a violin and sheet music appeared. Francesca grabbed a red velvet chair, and took a seat. She flipped open the book; it was Vaughan Williams, The Lark Ascending. She lifted the bow to the strings, and began to play.

Soft notes rose from the delicate stings, it was poetry in motion. Her hand, steady like the rain that had brought her to this dark, and unique world around her. She faded from the room in a dream like state, where it was just her and the music. 

The dream ended, and she returned to the world of the the war, and the witch. The room was quite; all eyes were on her. 

Eric had never heard music sound so sweet ,and delicate before. How could she make notes fly into your soul, make a sound mean something? Everyday he noticed something new about her; from the sound of her foot steps on the stairs, how she was able to calm him down by just speaking to him, not as a possessor, but as another human being. He was falling for her; but feared that he would hit the ground.