When Angels Fall

Chapter 15 - The Human Lord

Alina

Alina was still muttering as she walked back to the kitchen, holding the empty tray carelessly by her side. Of all the creatures she had to serve breakfast that morning was a damn dog! All because of her terrible luck, being the first one to return to the kitchen early in the noon and have Abby cheerfully ask her to deliver that tray to Lord Tristan's chamber.

She only took one look at the bloody raw meat and wrinkled her nose, but she didn't dare ask any questions. Or more likely, she didn't care to ask. But for once, she wished she had asked. Then she would have never agreed to go near that chamber knowing there was a dog inside, let alone that she would be serving one!

"My poor girl!" Abby gasped as Alina entered the kitchen with a bloodstained dress. "What in the heavens happened to you?"

The kitchen was now full, as most of the girls had apparently returned for a midday snack, and Alina found herself surrounded by wide eyed stares.

"Did you just kill someone?" Maggie teased and plain blonde Lizzy giggled. "You know, here in the West, they hang killers from their necks until they die, so you won't get a swift beheading like they do in the North."

"Maggie, darling, this is not a joking matter," Abby said before she turned to Alina again, concern all over face. "Alina, sugar, are you hurt?"

"No Miss Abby, I'm totally fine," Alina smiled confidently as she tossed the empty tray unto the table. "Just a warm greeting from Lord Tristan's dog."

Alina didn't think the girls' eyes would get any wider. A long moment of stunned silence followed.

"Lord Tristan... is here?" one girl finally asked.

"Apparently." Alina shrugged as she reached out and grabbed a piece of cookie. But she turned in alarm at the outburst of squeals and cheers that suddenly filled the kitchen.

"Lord Tristan is back!" Maggie hopped excitedly and Lizzy hopped along.

"Did you see him?" A girl hurried at Alina's side, grabbing her arm.

"Did you talk to him?" Another girl appeared at her other side, and soon Alina was surrounded by a flock of desperate girls who ogled at her with awestruck eyes.

"I didn't! He wasn't even in the room," Alina said as she pulled her arms away from the ridiculous girls. "I only met his dog man though."

"His dog what?" Maggie asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I don't know what you call him, the man who looks after his dog." Alina said carelessly as she took a bite off her cookie.

"The only one who looks after Lord Tristan's dog, is Lord Tristan," Maggie said.

"Are you sure it wasn't Lord Tristan himself?" Kat asked calmly.

"No way, that was no Lord! He looked dirtier than the dog itself," Alina said, taking another bite.

"Maybe it was just one of his guards then..." Mira pondered.

The girls were still arguing who could have been in Lord Tristan's chamber, when a missing maid suddenly returned, storming breathlessly into the kitchen.

"I just... I just saw... Lord Tristan!" Pipa said as she caught her breath and held her chest. "He's... He's coming down to the hall... now!"

There was a brief moment of shrill squeals, followed by a sudden outburst of chaotic scurrying, and in an instant, no girl was left in the kitchen. Even Abby had rushed behind the girls out to the great hall. Alina stood alone in the deserted kitchen for a moment, trying to comprehend what was happening. What could be so great about that Lord of theirs?