Parallel

Chapter II: The Trap

Auralea

The castle was at least 30 times the size of the orphanage. As we arrived at the entrance of the west wing, the guard at the gate spoke with the coachman and soon after, the gates were lifted. I dug into my trunk and quickly pulled out my identification papers just as the coachman pulled up to the servants' quarters.

"We've arrived ma'am." The carriage came to a stop. I pulled my trunk out of the carriage and stepped down onto the pavement. There were many servants managing the landscape. They merely glanced up at me from their tasks before refocusing. I didn't exactly know where I was going but no one seemed in the proper place to direct me either.

I nudged the door to the quarters in and peeked inside. An older woman's eyes took in my appearance from top to bottom before meeting my own. "You must be the new chambermaid. I am the head maid, Mrs. Inman." I smile warmly at her, though her expression remains stoic. Something about her reminds me of Braxton. "Yes, I am Auralea Webb."

She nods and turns on her heel, starting off down the hall. I scurry after her in an attempt to keep up. "Where are you coming from? Are you familiar with the duties you will be performing?" I can tell from her demeanor that she's a no nonsense kind of woman. She has to be if she holds a position of power.

"I am from the New Dawn Orphanage. It is a few hours north of here. I was one of the older children there so I was put to work often. I know how to clean." Mrs. Inman stops in her tracks and quickly spins to face me. She looks down at me in what seems to be fear. She brings her voice down to a whisper and grabs a hold of my shoulders. "Do not repeat that to anyone else in this castle. From now on, you are from a far off village south of here. Do you understand me, child?"

I am shocked into stillness. I merely nod and mutter a meek, "Yes Mrs." I can not bring myself to understand which part of my statement could make her so fearful and why she wanted to keep that information between us. I wouldn't tell another soul but it didn't rid the burning questions in my mind. We walked in silence from that point on, probably both too caught up in our heads to focus on making conversation. Mrs. Inman leads me to a small and bare room with a bed low to the ground that holds a shabby mattress and a small dresser against the back wall. It reminds me of the orphanage.

"This is where you will be staying. For tonight, get settled in and meet the other chambermaids. Tomorrow morning, I will show you your duties and my expectations of you." She seems to hesitate before leaving. As if there is something else on her mind that she is choosing not to say. Once the door is shut, I lay my trunk on the bed and open it up. I smile when I see a sack with a chunk of bread, cheese and a banana nut muffin. A letter tumbles out of the sack and slides under the bed. I crouch down and reach under to retrieve it.

I blindly pat the floor until I feel something cold brush my fingertips. I slide my upper half under the bed and see a ring of silver connected to the wooden floorboards. Tugging on it slightly, I gasp when the floorboards are lifted from their place. "A trap door? Maybe all of the rooms have them for emergencies?" I mutter to myself as I grab the note and stand upright.

My Dearest Auralea,

You may be missing the orphanage deeply but you are exactly where you belong. You have a duty to all of the children here, to yourself, to me and to the Bishop to succeed. I have raised you like my own and saying goodbye to you was one of the hardest things I have ever done but knowing that everything we have done up until now has had a purpose made it easier. Everything will make more sense as you settle in. I wish you the best, child. Remember, I am only a letter away. If you are ever missing home, recite this lullaby: When myth becomes truth and ignorance is retired to the fruition of knowledge, a true blood will arise. He shall choose the path of light or darkness. The nation will be led to its sanction or its demise.

With love,

Braxton

I smile as a few tears escape my eyes. I am feeling the crushing weight of the sadness of my departure but I am content with the outcome of the situation. I hold the note close to my heart as I wipe the tears away and begin to unpack. It seems I'll be here awhile. According to Braxton, living in the castle is my duty to everyone I love, my purpose even.

Once I am finished unpacking, I start to feel the curiosity of the door under my bed eat away at me. I lock the room door and slowly push my bed to the corner of the room, careful not to be too noisy. I crouch down and lift the panels of the floorboard, pulling it as far back as it will go. Slipping my legs over the edge of the opening, I peer into the darkness. There isn't much light and I have no idea what is down there but I feel a pull. I need to go down there.

I jump down clumsily and blindly make my way through the tunnels. Wandering aimlessly finally shows promise when I see a sliver of light peeking through the tunnel walls. I push at the wall that the light is shining through and it gives way. Another trap door? I find myself standing behind a large stained oak armoire. I peek around it and am speechless by the size and extravagance of the room.

Everything in the room is made of dark stained wood besides the black clawfoot bathtub against the far left wall, partially hidden behind drapes. There is a bed fit for a king with satin black sheets against the far right wall. There are black chairs for lounging and large windows that show the moonlight beaming down into the room.

In awe, I step out from behind the armoire and stumble over to the chairs. As my eyes adjust to the light, I sit down on the chair closest to me and I feel like I'm resting on a cloud. The cushions are so soft, I let out a sigh of relief. My eyes shut on their own accord and I feel completely relaxed until I hear the doorknob jiggle.