Legacy

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Lartisme let his finger follow the boot impression, it had been the first hard proof he was on someone's trail since sunset the previous night, after tracking Ashar and Mae, his skills were working on levels he had never previously experienced. Whoever it was, was covering their passing every bit as well as Ashar had, another Dark Elf perhaps?

Slowly he followed what scant evidence there was, and guessed at where whoever it was would likely be headed, and made for the area at his quickest jog. Hopefully his guess would prove correct, and hopefully he'd catch up whoever it was before midday.

Mae woke with a start - her senses ever aware to the presence of others, it was the maid setting down a small tray with her breakfast.

"Oh I'm sorry Milady, I didn't mean to wake you quite like that."

Mae rubbed her eyes of sleep, being careful to keep the thick sheet up to her neck. "Thank you, but my senses have grown accustomed to doing that after sleeping in less desirable places for so long, its not your fault."

The maid smiled at that, "The cook was not sure what to serve you with, so decided to put a little of everything on, and let her know what to prepare."

Mae focused on the tray itself and studied the maids own expression for a moment. "I cannot eat all of that to myself. Have you eaten yet?"

"I, well, no Milady, I haven't as yet." Said the maid, not entirely certain where this conversation was going.

"Would you care to join me?" Mae asked.

The maid's eyes seemed to glaze over for a moment as she concentrated on the question and the various outcomes to various answers.

Mae decided to help her train of thought, "I have not always lived as high-born, indeed, for many years I served in a kitchen myself , a slave."

The maid laughed at that, "You're just teasing me now."

Mae smiled and nodded "It is true, I was once a slave of what became the new Republic of Romaria, employed as a simple servant, doing exactly what you are doing now. I know the feelings of sadness when high-born's look through you as though you are nothing, or having to bite your tongue when a master puts his hands where they're not wanted."

Mae's words cut through any thoughts by the maid that this was some kind of joke. "You're serious, aren't you?"

Mae nodded, "We all do what we must in order to survive."

The maid looked hungrily at the tray, her training as a servant fighting desperately against the needs of her stomach.

The entity that clothed Mae came to life as discreetly as possible, adding a reasonable facsimile of a nightdress she had once worn many years previous. She folded her legs under her and allowed the sheets to drop.

"I could do with the company." Mae said Earnestly.

The maid's stomach won out at that. Quickly she laid the tray on the bed and sat at the far end so that the tray sat between them.

"Thank you." Smiled Mae, "Please, call me Mae. And yours?"

"Alicia, M'... Mae."

The elf smiled and leaned over the tray with her hand extended, which the maid accepted.

Perhaps today would turn out better then she had hoped.

Lartisme waited in the brush, he had been crouched for almost an hour waiting for even the slightest sound that would betray a presence. Constantly shifting his weight and flexing his leg muscles to stop them from cramping, he was ready, he just hoped that he was correct in his guess or he could be waiting a very long time.