Reflection of Fire

Part II Chapter 2

The trip to Uncle Luke's estate took more than a day. They spent the night in a small inn. Rey was relieved that she and B.B. were accompanied by the coachman, Mr. Bacca, as she would not have liked being in such a place on her own. Still, the night passed without incident and they were on the road again bright and early. B.B. mostly slept in the carriage, leaving Rey to think about Finn's cryptic warning and who Uncle Luke might turn out to be.

It was dusk when they arrived at a large house, bigger than Master Dameron's, though not in the same state of repair. The hedges could use a trimming and the gardens had more weeds than she expected of such a grand place. It was with mixed feelings that she saw the front door open and a man step out. Being welcomed was preferable to waiting around awkwardly, but she wasn't sure she was ready to meet her new host.

"Uncle Luke!" B.B. cried happily, running up the steps.

The man in question hugged her and smiled in a way that made Rey think his face was unused to the expression. "Beatrice, my dear! I'm afraid I did not know you were coming, so things aren't quite prepared."

"That's alright, Uncle. This is my governess, Rey," she added, gesturing.

Master Luke looked her over briefly. "A pleasure, I'm sure," he said formally.

Uncertainly, she settled for inclining her head in response.

Without another word, Master Skywalker turned around and headed back into the house. B.B. followed him and Rey brought up the rear, trying not to crane her neck as she looked around the place. It was old, older than any building she had seen before. Ancient tapestries were on the walls and she had a sinking feeling that they were more than just decoration – that the stone would do little to keep out the draft.

The hallways through which they walked were at least cleaned properly, despite their age. They went up a flight of stairs and down two corridors before arriving at a door. "Your room, as usual," Master Skywalker said, gesturing.

B.B. grinned and went inside excitedly. "A new fishing rod! Oh, thank you, Uncle Luke!"

"We will have to test it out in the morning," he replied, smiling again. "You'd better get some rest, Beatrice."

The child nodded. "Good night, Uncle Luke! Good night, Miss Rey!"

"Good night," Rey replied, pushing away her growing unease to smile at the child.

Master Skywalker shut the door and glanced at her. "Come along." The warmth in his manner had vanished completely and she was not optimistic about the change. Of course, everyone was warmer where B.B. was concerned. But Master Dameron and Finn were still friendly with her. Perhaps a governess was really just a servant, and she had been lucky to be employed by nobility who treated her better than one.

Her room was not to be next to B.B.'s, it would seem. She followed Master Skywalker to what was clearly the servant's wing. The rooms were small and she was surprised to find that they appeared to be empty. "I'm sure you'll be comfortable here," he said shortly, then turned away.

She struggled to suppress the many questions she had and resigned herself to her tiny room. At least it was private. At least she didn't have to share it with anyone else, like she'd done for most of her life. At least it was warmer than the hallway outside. At least she felt reasonably confident that she could find her way back to B.B.'s room if necessary. At least her trunk had already been delivered to the room.

Focusing on the positives, she prepared for bed, and soon sank into a fitful sleep.

The next morning was dreary, threatening rain. Rey woke up feeling much like the weather, and hesitantly headed for B.B.'s room. It was empty. A flutter of panic rushed through her and she took a deep breath. Where to go? The hallway was silent. It hadn't seemed like Master Skywalker employed many servants. And she doubted that he had any family here when B.B. was with her father. The thought concerned her and she hurried down to the front hall.