This is my new short story i will try to write and finish, I haven't exactly tried writing a short story before and I will be writing this right into KaW, so it might not be so great. If you see any spelling mistakes or typo's please let me know on my feedback thread. I'll be doing my best to use all the characters that people made, it might take awhile to intro everyone so please be patient. Thankyou. This story is based around Medieval/Victorian era's.(mostly victorian) only a few of the events that might happen in this story are related to actual history. All words in italics are the character's thoughts.(not spoken aloud.) I hope you enjoy reading it! BTW Please DO NOT post on this thread! Feedback Thread ♀♄€ ♍♌♇ ♍♌♓€♈ (The Map Maker) Chapter 1- Trades My eyes carefully watched the black line of ink make it's presence on the paper, my steady hand guiding it. The dim light of many candles help my sight. I finish with a quick signature in the corner and remove my quill. Delia Franco it reads in my perfect handwriting. Standing up I look proudly at my newest map. Each line so carefully made. So much effort, months to be exact. It was at least 2 months worth of food in gold. My hand absentmindedly undos the bun my dark brown hair is in, combing it with my fingers. It's been 3 months since my farther died leaving me and my older brother. I turn towards an old wooden bordered mirror. A tired expression reflects back. My dark orange/green eyes are heavy lidded and red with tiredness. My dress wrinkled, dirty with ink and wax. I start to realize how hungry I am, my thoughts drifting away into dreams. The door opens and slams closed with a bang. I jump out of my thoughts and turn around, only to see my older brother Richard come to my work area. His features are mirror images of my own but he looks more like our mother while I take more from our father. His features are sharper,he's much taller and lean, his eyebrows more curved. My face is softer and rounder, I'm rather short and my eyebrows have little curve but we both have the same eyes. He looks dirty from riding, his hair looks windblown as he approaches. "Hello sister!" He says happily. "Hello brother. You've been riding?" I ask calmly "With Lily." He says a sappy look going across his face. I can't help but smile. He's been visiting a young lady a few years in his junior in the past 5 months. Her name is Lady Lily Tay. She lives in a neighboring village only a few miles away. "Have you finished the map?" Richard asks me "Yes..." I let out a yawn. "I think I'll take a nap now..." I mummer "Very well, but the remember to wake up early tomorrow! The queen has asked for you to go to court on urgent matters." Richard reminded I just nodded and waved him off. The queen had asked me to go to court by letter a week ago. For what reason I did not know. "You aren't going to go to your room are you sister?" Richard asked I shook my head. "Very well...." Richard turns around to go to his room upstairs. He mutters something about me never going to marry. My work room composes of a couch, several chairs, several easels, two desks and a work table. My bedroom is adjoined to my work room. The door that connects my room to my work area seems far away. I flop onto a nearby couch and instantly fall asleep. Chapter 2: Invitation Mhmmmm....flufffy bunnies.............SHARKS! I wake with a start, falling of the couch. A fading image of a shark's jaws still in my mind. I rub my head, making my hair even messier. I had to do something today....go somewhere.... "OH NO!" I yell suddenly remembering. I run to the only window in the room. I pull the curtains open and early morning light floods the room. I relax. My appointment was at noon. Looking around I realize Richard had cleaned the room for me and left my newest map to dry on one of the empty desks. I smile, even though Richard is a Baron;inherited from our farther; we have several servants he still does many things himself. I was given a small plot of land myself in my father's will, making me a Baronetess. Most of the time I have servants do things for me. Just shows how lazy I am. I run into my room after I see I am still wearing my working dress. My room is bathed in pink. Pink walls, pink everything. A maid was already inside freshing up the room. She curtsied as I entered. "Miss Franco, would you like to choose a dress?" She asked I went over to my dresser and chose a plain long sleeved silk peach coloured dress. It had a decent square neckline, and little lace. I wore simple shoes. I dismissed my maid and looked in the mirror. Sitting on my bed, I wondered what the queen would want from me. I was only a map maker. The maid came back in and left a breakfast tray out for me. I ate slowly and shortly after I finished, the maid came in and told me the carriage had arrived. I nodded and got up as she took the tray away, still wrapped up in my own thoughts. Walking outside, ignoring a few of the ladies in the neighbourhood who smirked at me i went into the carriage. I wasn't accepted into society much due to the fact I had taken up a trade even though my brother was a Baron and I am a women. I tend to ignore them. The carriage started moving and my thoughts drifted away to my now deceased parents.
Chapter 3: The Queens Castle I watched from the window of the carriage as it pulled in through the gates that separated the village and the castle, into the luscious gardens and over the moat. The carriage stopped once it passed the inner gate. I carefully stepped out of the dim carriage into board daylight, my best satin shoes landing on the grass of the bailey. It had been a very long ride, 2 hours at least. The castle was tall and sprawling, made of grey stone hauled in by sheer power. It towered over me like a bat, giving me a sense of dread. I felt my nerves starting to bother me, a light fluttering in my stomach. A servant standing near where the carriage had stopped, came up to me and told me he was to lead me to the queen. I followed him of course. I scarcely noticed the elaborate surroundings while trying to keep up with the servant. He was quick on his feet! We soon arrived at closed heavy wooden double doors. He stood aside and motioned for me to open the door and enter. I attempted to pull the door open, but it was much too heavy. The servant helped on the second attempt, but we still couldn't pull it open. "Need help m'lady?" an gruff unknown voice asked from behind. I tuned around to see a short, stocky looking man. His sharp black eyes held a question in them as he stared at me. His face face was harsh and blunt looking displaying little emotion. I wondered who he was. Did he work here? "Yes, if you would be so kind..." I said as boldly as I could. The man nodded and pulled the door open easily. He held it open for me. "Thank-you." I said as I went through the door. He nodded in response. Turning around, I noticed the servant running off. "May I ask what your name is?" I asked quietly, a bit surprised when he went through the doors himself after me. He let the heavy doors slowly close themselves. The man hesitated. "You can call me Sam..." He finally said. Hmmm...Sam was an unusual name and he gave no reference to where he came from. Usually it was short form or nickname for someone.... "Pleased to meet you, I am Lady Delia Franco of Corbrook." Due to the fact that Richard didn't have a wife yet caused me to take up "wifely" duties and taking the title "Lady" instead of "Dame" or "Madam" which was usually used for a baronetess. Sam merely nodded to acknowledged that he heard me speak then strode forward before I could ask any more questions. I suddenly realized how beautifully decorated the room was. There was one more set of wooden doors, but guards stood beside them. When they saw me and Sam they quickly pulled the doors open, motioning for us to go through. "Welcome to Balmoral Castle. The Queen awaits." Was all they said. Sam went right through without hesitation. I took a long breath before entering. My palms sweaty. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Note: Glossary: Bailey=Courtyard Baronetess=Holds the same power as a Baronet. Called "Dame" or "Madam"