Serial Story: Under His Wing, Part 3
This story is presented weekly in draft (unedited) form. Enjoy!
Part 1 | Part 2 |
Dunning Manor, Book 1
Under His Wing
Part 3
Stumbling backwards and praying the door would hold, Katie tripped and landed hard on an uneven stone floor. Peter yelled outside, pounding on the door and she knew she had to run, just in case the wooden bar broke.
Scrambling to her hands and knees, she started to rise, only to freeze when a pair of sandaled feet peeked under the edge of a swinging brown robe directly in front of her. Slowly, she lifted her head, half-expecting a skeleton face and a scythe to seal her fate.
Instead she looked into the face of a pixie...small and heart-shaped with the most delicate features and pure, unblemished skin. Light golden curls framed her features under a simple, oversized brown hood. Brilliant green eyes held compassion and sympathy, though there was a quiet strength there as well. And a serene smile curved the little bow mouth up at each corner.
Katie could still hear Peter trying to get in, but the sound was muted as the robed woman extended a fine-boned hand to help her up. Her grasp was much stronger than it looked, and a sense of well-being and peace flowed through as they touched.
“I am Zariah.” The pixie-monk’s voice was lightly melodic, yet strong. “Come. You are safe here - for a little while.”
Katie got to her feet, and was promptly enveloped in a moss-green robe of considerable weight that settled down over her head. Once she’d fitted her arms in the sleeves, Zariah passed a rope belt around her waist and tied it to keep the length from dragging.
“This way.”
Katie could barely hear the pounding on the door as she followed her strange guide through the expansive, cathedral-like room. Candles flickered and dripped along the walls - there must be hundreds, she thought. Rudimentary stone benches with no backs made two neat rows on either side of the passage where they walked. Directly ahead there was a wide raised platform lit by more candles on ledges at the back wall. In the center stood a wide square pedestal, each corner adorned with tiny gothic winged figures baring sharp teeth, long claws and wide bat-like wings.
Zariah led Katie up the shallow steps to the center of the dais, and motioned for Katie to stand in front of the pedestal while she moved to the back. A well filled with water shimmered in the center of the stone square.
“Katie Watson.”
The sound of her name made Katie look up, and she frowned.
“How did you know my name?”
Zariah didn’t blink. “No one finds Dunning Manor but by fate. Your need has been proven, fulfilling the first requirement of the Manor. As to the second, your sacrifice of personal service begins now.”
Katie held up both hands and began to back away. “Whoa, hold on. I never agreed to any sort of service, personal or otherwise. If you’ll just show me the back door--”
One finely-shaped eyebrow lifted under the brown hood.
“You do not wish our assistance, Katie Watson?”
Katie let her hands drop, looking at Zariah in disbelief.
“I don’t even know where I am, or what kind of assistance you’re offering. How can you expect me to make a decision like that with no information?”
Zariah cocked her head to the side, her expression curious.
“We offer refuge for those in need, and remediation for those who would do others harm. The man outside the door - he will kill you without our intervention. It has been seen.”
Katie wanted to argue, but she’d seen the look in Peter’s eyes. Heard the excitement in his voice. He probably would kill her - if not now, later.
“You said something about personal service. What would I have to do to get this help you’re offering?”
Zariah placed her hands on the stone well. “You will prepare a meal to offer your warrior this evening, and the next two evenings as well. After the third meal, your sacrifice will be complete, and your warrior will be allowed to offer his assistance and protection. You will both leave the manor for a period of one week, at the end of which the warrior will be summoned back to us. After the warrior is returned, you are never to visit the manor or request our assistance again.”
Katie nodded. She must be dreaming. Or going insane. Maybe she was actually roasting over that fire, her mind making up stories in those final moments before death. If that was the case, she was pretty sure she didn’t want to wake up.
Meeting Zariah’s even gaze, Katie crossed her arms over her chest.
“There’s only one problem with your little scenario. I can’t cook.”
Zariah’s little bow lips curved up in an indulgent smile.
“We know.”
Enjoy
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Part 1 | Part 2 |
Dunning Manor, Book 1
Under His Wing
Part 3
Stumbling backwards and praying the door would hold, Katie tripped and landed hard on an uneven stone floor. Peter yelled outside, pounding on the door and she knew she had to run, just in case the wooden bar broke.
Scrambling to her hands and knees, she started to rise, only to freeze when a pair of sandaled feet peeked under the edge of a swinging brown robe directly in front of her. Slowly, she lifted her head, half-expecting a skeleton face and a scythe to seal her fate.
Instead she looked into the face of a pixie...small and heart-shaped with the most delicate features and pure, unblemished skin. Light golden curls framed her features under a simple, oversized brown hood. Brilliant green eyes held compassion and sympathy, though there was a quiet strength there as well. And a serene smile curved the little bow mouth up at each corner.
Katie could still hear Peter trying to get in, but the sound was muted as the robed woman extended a fine-boned hand to help her up. Her grasp was much stronger than it looked, and a sense of well-being and peace flowed through as they touched.
“I am Zariah.” The pixie-monk’s voice was lightly melodic, yet strong. “Come. You are safe here - for a little while.”
Katie got to her feet, and was promptly enveloped in a moss-green robe of considerable weight that settled down over her head. Once she’d fitted her arms in the sleeves, Zariah passed a rope belt around her waist and tied it to keep the length from dragging.
“This way.”
Katie could barely hear the pounding on the door as she followed her strange guide through the expansive, cathedral-like room. Candles flickered and dripped along the walls - there must be hundreds, she thought. Rudimentary stone benches with no backs made two neat rows on either side of the passage where they walked. Directly ahead there was a wide raised platform lit by more candles on ledges at the back wall. In the center stood a wide square pedestal, each corner adorned with tiny gothic winged figures baring sharp teeth, long claws and wide bat-like wings.
Zariah led Katie up the shallow steps to the center of the dais, and motioned for Katie to stand in front of the pedestal while she moved to the back. A well filled with water shimmered in the center of the stone square.
“Katie Watson.”
The sound of her name made Katie look up, and she frowned.
“How did you know my name?”
Zariah didn’t blink. “No one finds Dunning Manor but by fate. Your need has been proven, fulfilling the first requirement of the Manor. As to the second, your sacrifice of personal service begins now.”
Katie held up both hands and began to back away. “Whoa, hold on. I never agreed to any sort of service, personal or otherwise. If you’ll just show me the back door--”
One finely-shaped eyebrow lifted under the brown hood.
“You do not wish our assistance, Katie Watson?”
Katie let her hands drop, looking at Zariah in disbelief.
“I don’t even know where I am, or what kind of assistance you’re offering. How can you expect me to make a decision like that with no information?”
Zariah cocked her head to the side, her expression curious.
“We offer refuge for those in need, and remediation for those who would do others harm. The man outside the door - he will kill you without our intervention. It has been seen.”
Katie wanted to argue, but she’d seen the look in Peter’s eyes. Heard the excitement in his voice. He probably would kill her - if not now, later.
“You said something about personal service. What would I have to do to get this help you’re offering?”
Zariah placed her hands on the stone well. “You will prepare a meal to offer your warrior this evening, and the next two evenings as well. After the third meal, your sacrifice will be complete, and your warrior will be allowed to offer his assistance and protection. You will both leave the manor for a period of one week, at the end of which the warrior will be summoned back to us. After the warrior is returned, you are never to visit the manor or request our assistance again.”
Katie nodded. She must be dreaming. Or going insane. Maybe she was actually roasting over that fire, her mind making up stories in those final moments before death. If that was the case, she was pretty sure she didn’t want to wake up.
Meeting Zariah’s even gaze, Katie crossed her arms over her chest.
“There’s only one problem with your little scenario. I can’t cook.”
Zariah’s little bow lips curved up in an indulgent smile.
“We know.”
Enjoy
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