Land of Verne

by David H. Burton

  “Good hands, boy.” He nodded his head towards the door. “I’ll call on you when I need you.”

  The spider-like creature started to follow Grim.

  “Take her with you,” Master Rickett said. “She’s yours.”

  “Mine?”

  He nodded. “Give her a name, boy.”

  Grim bent over and picked the spider creature up. It was purring. Its red eyes blinked.

  “Scarlet,” he said.

  The spider creature wiggled its pincers and then settled down in Grim’s hands.

  “She likes it.”

  “Thanks,” Grim said and stepped out the door to find Finneas Keltin once more.

  “Last room,” Finneas said, as he led Grim down the hall. He casually glanced at Scarlet perched on Grim’s shoulder.

  Grim stepped inside the final door.

  The room was bereft of any decoration or furniture; just a cold, empty space. It had no window.

  Waiting for him was Aunt Patrice. Her face looked sad and more wrinkled than usual. As the door closed behind him, Grim looked for any other presence in the room.

  They were alone.

  “Hello, Grimwald,” Aunt Patrice greeted. She leaned on her umbrella. “It is good to see you, child.”

  “It’s nice to see you too,” Grim returned. He let Scarlet down to investigate the room.

  “I’m sure you have much to ask since your arrival here, but let’s get down to why I am here first.”

  Grim nodded.

  “I need you to keep your sister’s feet on the ground. Someone needs to keep her in check.”

  “Sure,” he said. “I’ll keep an eye on Ellen.”

  “I’m not referring to Ellen.”

  “Oh,” he said. “You mean Rudy.”

  The old woman nodded. “Rudolpha will be the Lady of Harland Manor one day. She needs to have a level head. And if there is anyone that can keep her rooted to the ground, it’s you.”

  He said nothing.

  “Now, with that said, you will need to work with her; watch over her. Keep her out of mischief. And keep her safe.”

  He rolled his eyes.

  “In addition you will learn from Master Rickett. There are few that are gifted in his art, and he’s not getting any younger. Master Rickett was quite taken with you and Sam. I will have Madam Malkim see to it that you both work with him.”

  He nodded.

  “Ellenova will be working with laundry and kitchen duty. You will work with her from time to time to watch over her as well.”

  “What about the twins?” he asked.

  “Bensworth and Barnsworth will be cleaning. Goodness knows they need to learn how. You and Rudy, both, will join them.”

  Ugh.

  “I’m not finished,” she said, studying the look of surprise on his face. “You did well reading with Master Cobblepot, a little too well. You have much to learn of this world, and he is the only one who can ready you with that information. You will work with him as well.”

  “How am I going to do all that?”

  “It’s not uncommon to be put to multiple uses around here. There are others who will work just as hard. You’ll manage. Your Dad did.” Aunt Patrice studied Grim for a moment before nodding her head. “All right then, child. Now, is there anything else?”

  “Yes,” he said. “The Anniversary. I thought we should tell Dad and Pop. They could come in disguise.”

  “Clever. More than likely they will be attending, in disguise as you put it. I will let you know of their plans as soon as I am able.” She eyed Scarlet poking at the floor boards. “I must go now. Please wait here for Finneas to return.”

  She left Grim in the room, alone with his thoughts and the whirring sound of Scarlet searching through the room. She now seemed fascinated with a painting on the wall.

  A few moments later, Finneas Keltin entered. “Are you ready?” he asked.

  “Yes,” Grim said. “Am I finished?”

  “The others are already waiting.”

  He found them in a rather refined-looking room with an elaborate rug, comfy chairs and a shiny round table that glimmered with one’s reflection.

  Rudy hustled over with Treena behind her. “So, how did it go?”

  He told them, but kept the conversation with Aunt Patrice to himself.

  Rudy nodded during the entire thing while yanking on her pigtails. He could tell she felt as overwhelmed.

  Grim sat down. “So, how did it go for you?” he asked Treena.

  “That horrid Madam Adelaide was just cruel,” she said. “She must have thrown that ball at me ten times.” She rubbed her head. “I couldn’t even stand on the pillar, let alone walk across that plank. She said she was surprised I can stand on my own two feet and said she needs help cleaning the sewers. She also said she intends to have me cleaning the tower by the end of the month.”

  Grim shuddered. That was just cruel.

  Rudy put her hand on Treena’s shoulder. “I’ll help you,” she said. “I did pretty good with her.”

  “You impressed that horrible muscle-woman?”

  Both Rudy and Grim nodded.

  Grim turned to his sister. “Ellen, what about you?”

  Ellen frowned while she adjusted her dress. “Dirty laundry stinks.” She looked at the spider creature on Grim’s shoulder. “What’s that?”

  “This is Scarlet. I made her,” he said. The spider inched down his arm and jumped to one of the chairs. Ellen put her hand over to let it crawl up her arm. She giggled. “I like her.”

  “Why don’t you take care of her for now?” Grim suggested.

  Ellen smiled after that.

  The twins were quiet and subdued for a change. Even Scarlet didn’t seem to interest them. “Cleaning,” they muttered.

  The only other one smiling was Sam. “I’m going to fix things,” he said. He reached over to pet Scarlet as the door opened.

  Madam Malkim strode in.

  She casually brushed her eyebrows and adjusted her pristine white gloves. She studied herself in the mirror.

  “You,” she said, pointing to Grim, “come with me.”

  Grim followed her out the door, almost running to keep up. Madam Malkim led him down the hall to a simple room that was like the House of Mirrors at a carnival. He didn’t look in them. He just kept walking, especially after he thought he caught the face of an old man in one.

  With a swift, silent gesture of her hand Madam Malkim directed Grim into the next room where there were two chairs with a large desk separating them. She motioned for Grim to sit. The chair adjusted itself to suit him.

  “Now,” she said. “I have heard interesting things about you. Many of our staff believe you to be quite talented. We need talent here. Running the orphanage takes intelligence.” She handed Grim a piece of parchment. “Your duties.”

  Grim looked it over and nearly groaned. Every hour of the day was filled.

  “By law I must give you a half-day off every two weeks. Other than that, you will work as requested. If you are sick, these forms must be filled out.” She pointed to a stack of them on her shelf. “They cannot be filed while you are scheduled to work.”

  “That’s fine,” Grim said. That meant they’d have to be filed on his time off.

  “As well, these forms,” she said, gesturing towards the remainder of the shelves, “are for your compensation, time tracking, deliveries, substitutions, accidents, and bereavement. All must be filled out off-schedule. And if they are not done in a timely manner, you owe me work in lieu.” Her grin stretched from ear to ear.

  Again Grim nodded. So much for that half-day off.

  “Wonderful,” Madam Malkim said, and patted her face with a lacy kerchief. “Now if there is nothing else, you may go.”

  Grim left the room and ambled through the corridors, wondering how he would manage. He was secretly pleased he would be working with Master Rickett, though.

  As he made his way back through the maze of corridors and struggled to wal
k through some of the more crooked hallways, he found his own door wide open. He poked his head in and found someone standing in the room ― a boy with smooth dark skin, and black wavy hair. He wore a yellow suit with matching top hat and was easily the most prestigious-looking person Grim had ever seen. He fiddled with a platinum cane.

  Grim stepped in. “Hello, I’m ―”

  “Well, it’s about time a servant arrived!” the boy snapped. His face creased as he gazed about the room. “These accommodations are not fit for swine! This is unacceptable! And do you not know how to bow? Really, good help is so hard to find.”

  Oh bother.

  He hoped there was some sort of mix-up and that this boy was simply one of the students that got lost.

  “Uh, hi. I’m Grim. Grim Doyle.” He offered his hand, but the boy stepped back and slapped his hand away with his glove.

  “What kind of hideous name is that ― Grim? You must be from the Southlands.”

  He ignored the comment. “And you are?” Grim asked.

  “You mean you don’t know? Everyone knows who I am. I am Lord Quinn of Owen Manor.” It appeared he might say more, but he began a fit of coughing.

  “Are you sick?” Grim asked.

  “I have some hideous cough that came upon me just before departure. Our Alchemist gave me an awful elixir that I am to take until it clears up. Bring it to me, I think I feel faint.” He placed the back of his gloved hand to his forehead with the most dramatic flair.

  Grim rolled his eyes. He was about to step forward and grab the yellow bottle from the table when Valeria stepped into the room with Rudy and Treena in tow.

  The Sylph eyed Quinn with a raised eyebrow. “I see you two have met. I will come back shortly to take you on a tour of the grounds.”

  Quinn puffed himself up. “This room, in fact this whole place, is deplorable.”

  Valeria dismissed him with a wave of her hand. “I suggest you get used to it. Madam Malkim’s is your new home now.”

  The boy fingered the red curtains with disdain. “I am Lord Quinn of Owen Manor. I cannot be subjected to the same conditions as the rest of you…,” he paused, “…orphans.”

  The Sylph gave him a stern look. “If I hear correctly, you are the Lord of Nothing Manor at the moment, so you are stuck with the rest of us. Perhaps you do not understand the conditions of being here. Were you not told this?”

  “But you don’t honestly think I can accept being treated the same as someone of … your status.”

  Valeria placed her hands on her hips and Grim stepped back, bracing himself. He didn’t know what to expect if the Sylph turned into a Banshee right in front of him. Best to give her a little space.

  “I would suggest you get your behavior in line with what is expected of you, or you may find yourself shamefully expelled. And there’s nowhere to go but the streets from here. That hasn’t happened for some time now. And considering your current circumstances, I’m sure that’s the last thing you would want, isn’t it my Lord?”

  Quinn lowered his head. “Yes.”

  “Good,” said Valeria. “Now, as I said, I will return shortly to take you on a tour and get you fitted for clothing.” The Sylph departed as Rudy and Treena walked into the room.

  Quinn exhaled. “I guess you’re not going to get me that elixir then?”

  Grim passed it to him.

  “Thank you,” he said. “I’m afraid I don’t remember what you called yourself. You are …?”

  “Grim,” he said again.

  “That’s your name?”

  “Well, it’s actually Grimwald,” he said and then clamped his mouth shut. Rudy glared at him.

  Quinn didn’t seem to notice. “That’s a much better name. Where are you from?”

  “Very, very far away,” he muttered, and then added, “…in the south.”

  “That would explain the strange name.”

  He looked at the others.

  “And your friends?”

  “This is Treena,” Grim said as she stepped forward.

  “Why is that name familiar?” Quinn said, scratching his chin. “What is your Manor?”

  “Octavius,” she said.

  “Great Ancestors! Your father leads the Resistance!” he exclaimed.

  Treena smiled large. “And he’s the best Trapper in the all the Dominions.”

  Quinn harrumphed.

  “Trapper?” Rudy asked.

  Treena nodded. “He catches Changelings. They’re a menace.”

  “Oh,” Rudy replied, but it was obvious she wasn’t entirely sure what that meant.

  “Lord Victor confiscated our lands and our Manor,” Treena said. “We want them back.”

  The boy eyed Rudy. “And you are?”

  She thumbed at Grim. “I’m his older sister. You can call me Rudy.”

  “Another strange name.”

  “Would you like to join us?” Rudy asked, much to the disappointment of the others.

  The boy considered whether to join them or not, and finally nodded. With that, they all departed for the Hearth Room and plunked themselves down in the oversize chairs.

  Quinn took his time to dust off the sofa with a handkerchief before sitting.

  Treena plopped down next to him and dust spewed up, covering him.

  She looked at him and then shrugged. “I can’t believe how much work we have to do. I have to report for kitchen duty every day before the sun rises and then afterwards I have wardrobe repair. After that I have to help Madam Tyne dust the Library and then report to Madam Adelaide to sweep the grounds and unclog the sewers and drains.”

  Quinn cleared his throat. He looked a little pale. “And you, Grimwald?”

  “Master Cobblepot wants some help and I have equipment maintenance, and then kitchen duty.”

  Quinn shifted in his seat, yet before he could say anything, Valeria clomped in with a girl who was close to Grim’s height, with wild, orange hair. Her nose looked like that of a pig. She didn’t have whites around her one good eye, just a beady black marble that stared right through them. Her huge pointed ears jutted out of her head like hairy antennae.

  “This is Eevenellin.” Valeria was prompt with her introduction. “Quinn, I have come to take you on a tour.”

  “A Grundel,” Quinn said, “how interesting. I’ve never met one. Is it true you eat earwax for breakfast and pig brains for dinner?”

  “Where did you ever hear such awful things?” asked Valeria.

  “I heard it from my former Tutor. Is it true?”

  “No, it is not,” said the Grundel with a thick, rasping voice.

  Valeria’s thin eyebrows narrowed and there was a red glow about her. Grim inched back.

  “Quinn, it is time for your tour and we will have a talk about good manners.” Valeria seized the boy by the arm and escorted him down the corridor.

  Eevenellin marched down the hallway to her own room, next door to Valeria’s, and slammed the door.

  “Where is she from?” Grim asked.

  “Valeria?” Treena said. “She’s from the Rowanwood, where the Sylphs live.”

  “No, I meant the other girl — Eevenellin.”

  “Oh, the Grundels live in Underknoll — in the Hawshorn Mountains. You really need to get a map. You don’t know anything.”

  Where would they get a map?

  And as they turned to leave Grim noticed Valeria Bellow watching them from down the hallway once more.

  The following morning, Finneas Keltin rapped on each of their doors. He turned up the lights in the corridor as they stepped out.

  “Madam Phoebe is waiting for you,” he said. “She needs help polishing.” He led them through the corridors to a grand room with an arched entrance. The woman who greeted them was reed slim with a face that was smooth and flawless, to the point she had almost no features at all. Her hair was long and golden and constantly shifted. Similarly, her long yellow dress was made of a material that shimmered with her.

  “Good morning, Finneas.�
�� Her voice was slow, and as she finished speaking her appearance dwindled, so much so that she almost faded from sight. Only her one sinth hand remained solidly visible.

  Grim squinted, studying the faded parts of her.

  “Cool,” he muttered.

  Then the woman faded back in again.

  “Come along,” said Madam Phoebe as she floated through the room. “Please put your goggles on. I find it quite challenging to remain visible to the human eye.”

  Grim put them on, but her appearance didn’t really change from what he could already see.

  They followed clumsily after her to a giant, wooden wardrobe that she unlocked with a skeleton key.

  “Please take a conductor to clean, but be careful with them.”

  They each took a different item — Grim a rod, Rudy a cane, and Treena a tall staff. He wasn’t particularly impressed. They all looked fairly old and had scratches on the surface.

  Grim blew the dust off it. He sneezed.

  “Conductors come in different classes. For instance, this one here,” said Madam Phoebe as she took Grim’s rod, “is marked with the symbol for earth. It is used for the following.” She pulled one of the switches on it. “Speaking with animals,” she said as she pointed it at a mouse that scampered across the ground. It stopped to look at her. “Be gone,” she said, and it slipped out the door. “Growing plants,” she said as she pointed at another switch, “and ground shakes.” Thankfully she didn’t demonstrate the latter. “There is a locking mechanism on each.” She flipped a lever near the bottom that caused the other switches to disappear. “Please ensure the conductors are locked before you begin cleaning. We can’t have you summoning winds, or casting ice pellets at each other.”

  Grim slid his fingers along the device. “How are these made?”

  “They’re made in the south...” She paused. “Aren’t you from the Southlands?”

  Rudy butted in. “Well, they don’t really teach us things like that.”

  The woman had that condescending look that adults get when they think they know better. “Perhaps they think it’s too complex for children.”

  Grim pursed his lips and said nothing, but the first chance he had he’d take one of these apart to study it.