Ashes

by Lauralana Dunne

  Relieved, Phoenix took a bite of her roll. The bread was fresh, crusty on the outside and warm and soft on the inside. She would have filled her empty stomach on it alone had Rae not deposited a large slice of meat pie on her plate as well.

  “Tessa let me help with the meat, so I know it’s expertly spiced.” With a wink, Rae snagged her own piece before passing the platter down the line.

  Gratitude for the girl threatened to overwhelm her. To distract herself, Phoenix forked a bite of the pie into her mouth and nearly groaned from the taste. Expertly spiced indeed. It was all she could do not to cram the entire wedge into her mouth with her fingers.

  She didn’t have to worry about navigating the rest of her meal. The scullers continued to leave the laden platters with Rae, who served both herself and Phoenix before passing them along.

  After she had stuffed herself, Phoenix sipped her tea and took in her surroundings.

  “The Head Table,” Rae told her, noticing her scrutiny and nodding to the largest table next to the hearth. “That’s where the royal-bloods and their guests eat.

  “The High Table,” she continued, motioning to a second large table, “is for nobles and their guests. Masters’ Table; Servants’ Table; Youth, and Juniors’.” She motioned to each in turn and Phoenix could see that even the children seemed to be assembled by rank. The end of the table where she sat was the farthest down, so Phoenix had to guess that she was sitting with the common-blood - the appropriate place. Farther up the table she could see Runner Alan from earlier. He whispered intently with a well-dressed girl who batted her lashes at him. No wonder he had wanted nothing to do with Phoenix if their ranks were that far apart.

  Another gong sounded, signaling end-of-meal, and workers came from the kitchens and began to clear the tables. Phoenix drained her mug and grabbed her carrysack.

  “Ugh. I have so much dorm work to do,” a boy next to Phoenix complained loudly as they all stood. “Stupid Westy wants all that written work for tomorrow.”

  “Master Weston assigned that a week ago, Randy,” Toby said, rolling his eyes. “How can you not be done yet?”

  “Dunno. I just ain’t.”

  “Well, hurry up, then. Best run to your dorm so the gargoyles don’t get you.”

  “Shut up!”

  “No need to be scared. I’m jus’ saying you’ll have more time to work if you run-”

  “And I said to shut up!”

  “Phoenix,” Rae said, letting the shoving boys go on ahead of them. “I have to see to Tessa before late call. Can you get back to the dorm by yourself?”

  Phoenix looked around. The deepening shadows made everything look the same. It took her a moment to locate the way they came from, but she gave a nod. “I think so.”

  “Great! If you get lost just ask for directions - there’s always somebody walking about. See you soon!” Rae splayed her fingers in parting before running towards the kitchens.

  Phoenix shifted her carrysack over her shoulder. Backtracking the way they had come earlier, Phoenix walked slowly along the corridors. She wondered about going to the stables to check on Muler, or the kennels to visit Kit, but when she saw that the doors to the outside were bolted shut she decided against it and returned to the girls’ dorm instead.

  The common room was surprisingly full. What had been empty and quiet before was now filled with girls who fluttered about noisily. When Phoenix entered the room, they all stopped what they were doing to look at her with surprise.

  An older woman glanced up from where she was stitching in a chair by the fire. “Yes? May I help you?” she asked Phoenix primly. Her salt-and-pepper hair was tied back in a thick bun, adding a severity to her appearance that made Phoenix nervous.

  Phoenix was acutely aware of the stares and swallowed uneasily. All of the girls in the room were dressed so much better than she was, and they were looking at her as if her very presence offended them. “Please, Ma’am. I was told by Master Malcourt t’ report t’ Ruby t’ get settled.”

  There was a pause. One of the girls tittered, but Ruby’s stern eye was unable to catch the culprit. “I take it you are Miss Phoenix, then?”

  “Yes, Ma’am.”

  She nodded and rose. “I am Mistress Ruby.”

  Phoenix winced visibly, berating herself for already forgetting to use the woman’s title.

  “I understand that you’ll be staying with us for a while?” Mistress Ruby asked. She waited for Phoenix’s affirming nod. “Very well, then. I will show you where to put your things.” Flicking a speck of dust from her skirts, she turned to one of the older girls.

  “Miss Brianna,” she addressed the dark-haired girl, “please watch the room while I see to Miss Phoenix.”

  The girl was beautiful. She was meticulously dressed; her dark hair was done in perfect plaits, and Phoenix recognized her as the one who was talking to Alan earlier in the dining hall. “Yes, Mistress Ruby,” Brianna replied respectfully, straightening her shoulders. She seemed pleased with the task of being in charge, and she smiled, but as Phoenix was led from the room she noticed the girl measuring her with a smirk.

  “There are more than a dozen girls under my charge,” Mistress Ruby told her as they walked down the corridor, “all with different blood and ranking. However, for the most part, all are equal when they are in my charge. I don’t abide any disrespect in my dorm.” She said the last part firmly, as if daring Phoenix to contradict her. Wisely, Phoenix said nothing.

  At the end of the corridor was a short flight of stairs. “My room is here.” She nodded to a doorway along the corridor at the base of the stairs. “Those students who are fortunate enough to be able to pay,” Mistress Ruby continued as they went up the stairs, “have their own rooms down this way.” She nodded to the right. “Am I to believe that it was Master Malcourt who sponsored you to the castle?”

  Phoenix felt unsure. “He asked me t’ come, if tha’s wha’ you mean... ?”

  “Yes. Exactly so.” They walked along the corridor to the left. “Those whose families cannot afford to pay for their own rooms, or those who work to earn their keep, stay here.”

  Phoenix could see that there were several rooms off the hallway; all with varying numbers of sleeping spaces.

  Mistress Ruby rapped smartly on the door farthest down the hallway, opening it when there was no answer. “You will bunk here,” she announced, entering the farthest room along the little hallway.

  There were four beds in the chamber, each with their own small vanity and woven rug to protect bare feet from the cold stone floor. Each bed was recessed into an alcove with heavy curtains hanging next to it that could be drawn across for comfort and privacy. A spacious hearth stretched along the empty wall closest to the door. “You will take the unoccupied one on the right. There is a shared closet by the door for hanging your finery. The staircase at the end of the hall will lead you down to the cleaning rooms. The bottom floor is for bathing.”

  Phoenix nodded attentively. It wasn’t a lot to remember, but she was already feeling overwhelmed in general.

  “We have a curfew, here in the girls’ hall,” Mistress Ruby continued briskly. “No one is to turn in later than last call. No visitors are to be here later than late call, and absolutely no boys are allowed past the common room - and even then I will be in attendance. Last checks will be done by me, personally.”

  The woman looked at her so sternly for a moment, that Phoenix began to think that she had done something wrong. Then, without warning, her expression softened. “Have you eaten?”

  Relieved, Phoenix nodded. “Yes, Ma’am. Rae showed me t’ th’ hall earlier.”

  Mistress Ruby gave a nod. “Rae’s one of the good ones. She has a smart head on her shoulders. You’d be wise to make a friend in her.” Before she could explain the cryptic remark, another bell sounded and the Mistress nodded. “That’s the late call. All youths should be getting ready for turn in. I have to see to the other girls, but you may as well stay here if you’ve no further
business within the castle?”

  There was a pause, and Phoenix realized that the last part was a question. “No, Ma’am. I ain’t got any business in th’ castle.” Belatedly, she thought of Kit and Muler and instantly regretted her hasty statement.

  “Very well then, Miss Phoenix. Morning’s meal begins promptly at second call, which is five hours before median light.” The Mistress paused and offered Phoenix a small smile. “Pleasant dreaming, Miss Phoenix. You know where to find me if you need me.” Phoenix nodded, and the woman swept from the room and back to the common area to reclaim her duties.

  Phoenix padded to her alcove and set her carrysack down. Left to herself for the first time in nearly two days, Phoenix savoured the silence and sank down into the comfort of her new bed.

  Her head was swimming. She had already met more people than she had ever known, and they all had such different roles at Castle Angor. It was a lot to take in. And then there was Malcourt... She had expected to see him again before evening’s end, but he had been absent from the dining hall. What could the Mastercaller possibly want from her that he couldn’t get from anyone else in the castle?

  Two girls around her age shuffled into the room, their conversation trailing off as they looked at her in surprise.

  “I’m Phoenix,” she offered into the silence, raising a hand in greeting. She fervently hoped that they were the last new faces of the day.

  “Elise,” the first girl responded softly, raising her hand as well. Twin black braids zigzagged across her scalp before coiling together down one shoulder. She smiled shyly, the action causing her rich brown skin to crinkle at the corners of her dark eyes. It was the first time Phoenix had met someone darker than herself.

  “Sophie,” said the shorter, tan-skinned girl. Her pale brown eyes were wary as she eyed Phoenix, not returning the greeting gesture. Her curtain of dark hair was swept to one side, held in place by a comb that matched her bright, embroidered skirts.

  The three looked at each other awkwardly. Phoenix was unsure how to proceed, as she had never met any youths other than those who had grown up with her on the farm.

  “You’re staying in here, with us?” Elise asked, looking at Phoenix’s little bag of belongings next to her on her bed. “Did you arrive today?”

  “Where is it that you’re from?” Sophie asked before Phoenix could answer Elise. “I didn’t see you in the meal hall.”

  “I was sittin’ with Rae. An’, yeah, I came today.”

  Elise’s eyes widened. “Were you the one who arrived with the Mastercaller?”

  Sophie stiffened and took an involuntary step backwards. Confused, Phoenix drew back from the look that the two were giving her.

  The sound of slapping feet in the corridor interrupted them, and Rae slid into the silent room. “Ha!” She exclaimed, raising her palms in triumph. The girls stared at her, then the other two couldn’t help but grin as the bell for last call rang. The tension in the room disappeared immediately.

  “You’ve got to be more careful, Rae,” Sophie scolded. “You’re going to get in trouble one of these days.”

  “Yeah, probably,” Rae agreed, keeping her arms outstretched and falling backwards onto her bed. “Hey, Phoenix,” she propped herself up on her elbow. “Are you staying in our room?” When she nodded, Rae’s face lit up. “Great! We could use another friendly face around here.” She gave the other two a knowing look, and Phoenix could see their expressions shift from distrust to curiosity as they watched her.

  “Friendly face?” Phoenix asked nervously.

  “Yeah,” Rae said, jumping up to shed her clothing for sleep. “Some of the other girls are too concerned with rank to make friends.”

  “Brianna,” Elise muttered, folding back her covers before getting ready for bed.

  Phoenix followed suit and set her carrysack on the unused vanity next to her. “The girl who was talking with Alan all meal?” Phoenix sat on the edge of her bed, pulling off her boots and wiggling her toes with satisfaction.

  “Oh ho!” Rae laughed. “Was she now?” The other girls looked at each other and Rae erupted into such a loud fit of giggling that she had to clap her hand over her mouth to muffle the sound.

  Sophie sniffed, her pert nose flaring with the action. “It’s not funny, Rae. Poor Alan.”

  “Poor Alan indeed,” Rae snorted, rolling her eyes. “Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.”

  “Don’t be unkind,” Elise chided, but Phoenix wasn’t sure how much the girl meant it. “She probably has him wrapped around her little finger just for fun. You know how she is.”

  Rae shrugged. “You know how they all are.” She gestured widely, and Phoenix was unsure if she meant the dorm or the surrounding castle. “They both know what they’re doing.”

  Seeing Phoenix’s confusion, Rae dropped her hands. “I dunno how it was done back where you came from, Phoenix, but the noble-bloods like to play with each other here at Angor. They’re into the sport of Ranking.”

  “Not only nobles like the sport,” Elise murmured, changing into her sleeping shift.

  “It’s not very sporting if you ask me,” muttered Sophie, climbing into her bed. She pulled the curtain across her alcove, signaling her departure from the conversation.

  “Ranking?” Phoenix asked softly, mindful of the girl’s privacy.

  Rae nodded. “Kingdom rank. Rank in the castle. Everyone loves trying to get to the top.” She rolled her eyes expressively.

  “For wha’ purpose?”

  “The higher up you rank, the more people rank below you,” Elise shrugged. “That means more people have to listen to what you have to say.”

  “Not that what you have to say gets any better,” Rae muttered. “Basically, it means that more people have to do stuff for you if you tell them to... I’m guessing that’s not how it worked where you came from?”

  Phoenix shrugged a shoulder. “I stayed with a woman, Marla. We lived by ourselves, but we had a Speaker who represented us t’ th’ Manor, otherwise we jus’ did stuff fer ourselves.”

  Elise’s soft laughter tumbled out of her, and Rae flashed Phoenix a grin. “I think you’re going to fit in just fine,” Rae told her, her eyes dancing.

  CHAPTER 7

  Phoenix was shaken awake. She gave a soft groan of protest, then felt a moment of panic when she realized she was in unfamiliar surroundings.

  “Phoenix?” It was Rae who was shaking her in the pre-morning light.

  “Mrr?” It had been a long time since Phoenix had slept in a bed, and she was finding her body was protesting the need to be awake.

  “I gotta take you to the kitchens,” Rae’s voice was quiet as she shook her again. “C’mon.”

  With another soft groan, Phoenix rolled out of bed and began to dress.

  “Don’t you have any clean clothes? Oh, never mind. C’mon. Tessa’s waiting.”

  They padded quietly from the room, easing out into the hallway while being careful not to wake the other girls. Once they passed through the doorway, Rae quickened her stride and bolted down the corridor, ignoring Phoenix’s hiss to slow down. She had no choice but to run to keep up.

  They flew down the first set of stairs, all but sliding down the bannister in their haste.

  “Miss Rae. Miss Phoenix. Am I to understand that both of you will be working in the kitchens this morning?” Mistress Ruby had appeared at her doorway, her unbound hair crinkled from sleep, coiling around the edging of her nightgown. Her eyes were narrowed against the lantern lights, and Phoenix felt a pang of guilt for waking her so early.

  The girls skidded to a stop. “Yes, Mistress,” Rae looked as guilty as Phoenix felt. “Kitchenmaster Tessa asked me to collect Phoenix to help with morning’s meal.”

  “Did she now?” Mistress Ruby looked disapprovingly between the two, as if waiting for one of them to confess a more mysterious motive. Finally, she gave a clipped sigh. “Very well. But please make sure that in the future, Tessa discusses the schedule changes of my charges with
me.” Mistress Ruby held Rae’s gaze until she blushed.

  “Yes, Mistress,” Rae said, helplessly.

  Satisfied, Ruby nodded and gestured for them to continue on their way.

  “Ladies do not run!” She instructed after their rapidly-disappearing backs.

  The two were out of breath by the time they reached the lower kitchens.

  A tall woman stood at a large prep table with a serene expression on her face. Even though she barely moved, her actions seemed to dominate the entire room. Others bustled around her and tended to their tasks, yet she was able to keep perfect track of them while expertly kneading and shaping the floured dough in front of her. “Stef,” she called, barely looking up from her work, “flip those eggs, please. They’ll burn if you don’t. Marsha, wipe up that spill by your foot. We don’t need anyone cracking their skull before morning’s meal. I’m sure the Healers wouldn’t mind the luxury of sleeping until a proper hour for once.”

  There was a chuckle from someone nearby as the woman identified as Marsha bent to clean the floor.

  Rae led Phoenix towards the woman. “Ah, Rae. There you are. You’re almost late.” She placed the dough by the hearth to rise, then turned to look at them, wiping her hands in her apron. “Did Ruby give you a hard time about the schedule change?”

  Flour dusted her cheeks and her spiked short black hair. Her face was rosy from the warmth of the kitchens, but her eyes were exceptionally bright and her gaze perceptive, contradicting her look of disarray.

  “So you’re Miss Phoenix? Tall for a girl, aren’t you? Well, come closer, child. Let me get a look at you. I don’t bite.” Phoenix flushed, aware that those immediately around them were staring. She stepped forward to be inspected, feeling self-conscious. “You’re who all the talk is about? Hmm.”

  “Mistress?” Phoenix asked shyly.

  Tessa smiled. “No rank here in the kitchens, Phoenix. ‘Tessa’ will do just fine. And pay no mind to all the curiosity you’ll be getting. Everyone loves a bit of gossip around here - especially about one who arrives in such an... unusual fashion.” She dismissed her own remark with a wave of her hand.