The Manor Part 1

Note from the Author:
I am going to start creating audio versions of my writing for those who prefer that medium. Since I’m still new to all of this, please keep in mind, I am recording with a gaming headset and using free editing software. The audio is not perfect and editing digital materials like video and audio is not something I’d consider myself skilled with.

I am also sick right now so it sounds a little breathier than normal. But I hope you enjoy it regardless! I actually spend a lot of time reading my writing aloud so I can hear it during the editing process.

            Over the beating of his heart in his ears, the echoes of the falling rain surrounded him. Drenched, exhausted, and growing weaker by the moment, Alden kept dredging forward focusing on each agonizing step. He had to believe that each step he made was in the right direction for if he failed, it would cost him not only his life, but his daughters. 

             He knew not how long he walked through the forest in pouring rain. But his heart cried in joy as he laid eyes on his long-awaited destination. Deep in the forest, south of Easton Burrough he had found the manor that lie hidden in the trees. Though his body was weary from the journey, he nearly ran to the iron wrought gate of the manor. On his back, his daughter began to stir from her restless sleep. 

“Emily, we’ve made it,” he called to his daughter. 

“Papa, I’m hungry,” Emily replied sleepily on his back.

He smiled, “I know darling. Just a little while longer.” 

           He adjusted her weight on his back and pushed through the gate, approaching the large oak doors with cast iron hinges and accents. As he reached for the knocker at the center of the door, the heavy door creaked open, spilling out light and warmth into the dark and relentless night. 

A pale woman dressed in servants’ garbs greeted him at the door. 

She curtseyed, “You have a child with you?” 

He nodded, “I do and she is in desperate need of a meal.”

            The woman nodded and Alden got to his knees, untying the fabric he had secured his daughter to his back with. 

“Papa, did we make it?” Emily asked as she wiped the sleep from her eyes.

He pulled her into an embrace, “Yes my dearest daughter, we’ve finally made it.”  

“Come now child, we must get you out of your wet clothes before you catch a cold,” the servant said as she reached her hand out to the child.

Emily looked at the woman then back to her father. 

Alden gave her a warm smile, “Go on now.”

         Emily took the servants hand as she walked her into the manor. Alden watched as his daughter disappeared up the stairs of the grand foyer. Then as soon as his daughter was out of sight, he grabbed a soaked handkerchief from his pocket and coughed heavily into it. His chest ached as he pulled the handkerchief away from his mouth to find the familiar sight of blood.

           He stumbled his way up to his feet and looked up to find a different woman staring at him watchfully. The woman had long black hair that nearly draped the floor. She was dressed in a black corseted gown with long rose laced sleeves that came to a point on the back of her hands. Everything about this woman was extraordinary, even the harsh eyes she watched him with. 

Alden bowed deeply and put his hand to his chest, “You must be the lady of the house.” 

She did not meet his bow as she asked, “I am. And who are you?” 

“I apologize for the intrusion. My name is Alden Cain. I came here with my daughter, Emily Cain,” He stood up and gave her a warm smile before falling into another coughing fit. 

           The woman continued to watch him closely then motioned to the side. Seemingly out of nowhere another woman dressed in servants attire entered the foyer. 

“See him to a room, provide him with dry clothes, a meal, and a warm bath,” she ordered then looked to Alden, “Your daughter will be well taken care of tonight. Rest your weary mind and body. I will summon you once you have rested.” 

            Before Alden could reply the Lady turned and made her way up the grand staircase disappearing down one of the manors many great halls.

The servant bowed to Alden, “Follow me Mister Cain.”

           Weary from his travels Alden paid little mind to his surroundings. He followed his attendee up to a room. He was provided with warm bath and meal. After a night of much needed rest and recouperation, Alden was woken by heavy knocking on door.

          “Mister Cain, the Lady of the House has requested your presence at breakfast,” The same servant who had brought him to his room the night prior entered the room yet again, bearing a folded pile of clothes that she set near the fireplace. She opened the curtains in the room allowing in the warm rays of sun. 

           Before he had time to protest, the servant was pulling off his shirt and beckoning him to stand. Alden felt like he was a doll being dressed up for playtime with the seamless way the servant moved his body for him and both undressed and dressed him. 

“Please have a seat here,” the servant motioned to a green velvet chair sitting next to the fireplace. 

Alden obeyed and the servant proceeded to brush out his hair, and gave him the first proper shave he’d had in weeks. 

           As she finished cleaning his face she said, “Now, follow me. The lady does not like to be kept waiting.” She said plainly as she walked towards the door, waiting for Alden to follow. 

           Alden heeded her command and followed her out of the room. As he trailed behind her he took in his surroundings. He had been too weary from his journey to the manor to notice the opulence it flaunted in every detail. The crown molding that lined the walls had intricate custom linework depicting what seemed to be a series of various events or stories. The floors were a polished marble with dark green carpeting that ran down the center of the hall. There were large paintings and other decorative pieces covering nearly every open space on the walls. Alden thoughtlessly absorbed it all as he followed behind the servant, who opened two large oak doors revealing a great dining hall.

“Papa!” a familiar voice called as he felt the embrace of his beloved Emily around his waist.

“Emily my dear, did you sleep well?” he smiled at her as he crouched to meet her. 

“Papa the bed was so warm and cozy and I had a fireplace all to myself! It was scary to sleep all by myself but after they bathed me and fed me it wasn’t so bad because I fell right asleep.” His daughter rambled on telling him every detail of the night before. He smiled at her and responded to her every description. He almost hadn’t noticed the busy dining hall behind her brimming with noise from nearly a hundred children. 

          Long wooden tables lined the dining hall and mountains of delicious food filled platters and plates. Alden stood up, astonished as his daughter grabbed his hand.

“Come on Papa, lets eat!” Emily smiled as she began to pull her father away. But a servant stepped in front of them.

“Emily dear, the Lady of the House has summoned your father. He will find you after breakfast. For now,” she beckoned to the servant who had taken Emily away the night before, “Follow Ms. Emmerson to the table.”

Emily sighed, “Okay, If I must.”

Alden crouched to meet his daughter and gave her a kiss on the forehead, “Be good Emily. I will see you after breakfast.”

             Emily gave him a kiss on the cheek in return, “Okay Papa, I love you!” she smiled as she grabbed ahold of Ms. Emmerson’s hand, who led her to a nearby table. 

               Alden looked to the servant who had been leading him and she beckoned him to follow. She walked him to the back of the dining hall to a doorway. She held open the door and said, “The Lady of the House is awaiting your arrival. Follow the stairs and you will find her.” She bowed deeply as she motioned for him to go through the doorway.   

	Alden gave her a polite nod as he began his climb. Compared to the grandiosity of the rest of the manor, this stairwell was quaint. It spiraled up what appeared to be a tower. Alden tried his best to make haste but had to stop every so often for one of his coughing fits. Eventually, he made it to the top of the staircase where he entered a room with a massive glass domed ceiling. The room was bright and filled to the brim with various fauna and décor. At the center of the room, he found the lady of the manor at a wooden dining table. 

As his eyes met hers, he gave a bow, “Thank you for your hospitality m’lady. It is greatly appreciated.”

“Come, sit, I have little interest in such formalities,” she beckoned.

             He took a seat across from her as requested. Servants made quick work of setting the table and serving him breakfast. Alden looked to the Lady and realized her placemat was empty. 

Noticing his hesitation the Lady motioned for him to begin eating, “Go on, I have already enjoyed my breakfast while awaiting your arrival.”

He nodded and began his meal. He ate in silence for several minutes until the Lady said, “You are ill.”

Alden nodded, “Indeed I am.”

“Have you come in search of a cure?” The Lady asked as she took a sip of her tea.

Alden gave a small defeated laugh, “No m’lady. I fear there is no cure for what ails me.”

The Lady watched him closely, “Then tell me, what brought you to my manor?”

“My daughter.”

The Lady waited and he continued. 

“I haven’t much to my name and her mother passed during childbirth. I have no other family to care for her and well, it seems my days are coming to an end much sooner than I anticipated,” he said as he took another bite of his meal.

“Is it your impression that my manor is an orphanage? Have you come to abandon your child here?”

Alden flinched at her words, “No M’lady. I do not wish to abandon her at all, which is why I sought out your manor.” He finally met her eyes and realized the coldness that lurked within them.

He continued, “In the last month, my fits have worsened. I was running out of time and options to find someone to care for my Emily. As an orphan myself, an orphanage is not the fate I wish for my daughter, so I prayed to whatever gods there may be for another option. Then I heard rumors of a manor far in the woods that was reported to house hundreds of children.”

“So, you’re a fool who wandered into the woods with a small child in hopes of finding a manor?” she asked.

He smiled, “A fool I may be, but I did my best to verify the rumors before making the journey here.”

“And how exactly did you verify these rumors?” She asked with a raised brow while taking a sip of her tea.

“I followed the rumor to its source. A trader in town had set eyes on this place. He provided me the directions to seek it out, though…” Alden trailed off.

The lady raised her brow in expectation, “Go on.”

“Though he warned me this manor held an evil within.”

“Yet you ignored his warning and risked your child’s life regardless?” She accused.

“I place little weight on the conspiracies of humble men. If others did the same, fewer children would be sent so willingly to hellscapes like the orphanages I was raised in. Disregarding his warnings was far less reckless than leaving my daughter to the hands of self-righteous zealots,” Alden firmly replied.

The Lady’s eyes narrowed on his, “You speak so poorly of zealots while having such an unwavering conviction that my manor would be your daughter’s salvation.”

He met her eyes with his own ferocity, “Was I mistaken?”

She let out a laugh, “Would a wolf in sheep’s clothing reveal its intentions when asked so directly? You ought to be more weary of strangers Mister Cain.”

-K.M.