Young Writers Society

James blinked. Setting foot out into an unfamiliar landscape of stone walls and cobblestoned street. Verena stumbled beside him, catching her foot on a stone. He grasped her bicept. Catching her as he gazed around.

This place and time was grey-coated in a layer of water, cloud cover indicating it had rained. There were spots of bright yellow leaves scattered about. Pushed here and there by the wind. It was autumn here. Where ever here was. He recalled the file he'd memorized. Their destination was a manor called Houndsworth Manor. An elegant establishment of stone and stature. Outside the town of Mannington, in a little country named Belacruv.

"We must be in some sort of courtyard,' Verena picked up two leather suitcases. Both of which were already packed and placed beside her," These must be mine."

James reached for his and took one of hers." hey I'm your butler, remember"

I don't think you're my butler exactly, James. Ah, what is your name now?"

"Whatever I am then, " he paused. Then faced her, puffed out his chest, and said thickly, "Chadwick Rodsworth, at your service ma'am. Milady. Whatever."

Verena bit her cheek to keep from bursting out laughing," that's.. fitting."

"Speak for yourself. Vanessa Parker," he turned and Verena followed suit

"That's Miss Parker to you, Chadwick."

"Fine."

A voice echoed from the walls. Both agents turned their attention to an opening in the stone wall. "Miss Parker!, Miss Parker?"

James tilted his head in the direction of the call," I believe that's you Miz Parker?"

He watched Veena gather herself, and assume her character, and she responded, "here!"

Her voice still had its assertive nature but it had softened. Into something almost motherly. In the way of one who was used to being listened to. But kind.

James trailed after her, attempting to look like an attendant as best as he knew how. A teenage boy appeared from the corner. Almost ramming into Verena, James studied him curiously. He looked younger then he probably was. A boy donning a cap and simple brown garments. What James assumed to be the working class uniform for boys.

The boy stumbled into a clumsy bow, "Miss Parker! My apologies," he backed away from Verena," We was looking for you."

James stepped forward with his luggage. Whoever this boy was, he hadn't been mentioned in their file. Not to mention he didn't have a clue what 'We" entailed. Best find out as inconspicuous as possible.

"Where shall I bring Miss Parkers things?"

The boy looked at him now," Oh, you can take them to the foray, where the rest of them are, Marie will tell you where." He started walking off along the wall.

James glanced at Verena, who started after this mysterious boy. He huffed and adjusted his grip on the luggage, trotting along after them. He was gonna have some arm muscles after this mission.

The boy lead them around the wall, to another much larger entryway in the wall, and into another courtyard. This one was right in front of the manor. James presumed that this was the more formal, tidy-looking courtyard. The one they'd landed in was where the stables and carriages were kept.

The Castle was rather impressive. Sporting a dulled yellow colour, with grey stone trimming and detailing. It was small as castles went if a castle could even be considered small in any way. James figured it was not much larger than the manor from their last mission. But far less modern-looking. It wasn't the atypical mediaeval-style castle, it had a more German style to it. With a base of large shape with smaller towers or spiers branching off.

Either way, hopefully, this one didn't go up in flames. He wondered why the other one did, Until the hem of Verena's skirt started ascending. He then realized he'd been staring at the ground, and stood at the base of the steps to the castle

He groaned, steps, wonderful. He watched Verena elegantly ascend them. Glancing back at him when she reached the large wooden double doors, then turned. Expecting him to hurry up. He felt slightly offended that she'd seemingly left him behind. He supposed this was part of their current position difference.

After a treacherous trip up the stairs. James stepped though the wide-open dark wooden doors Verena had disappeared through. Yet Verena was nowhere in sight. Nor was the boy who'd lead them here. James set down the suitcases and stretched his arms. The floor he stood on had gone from stone steps to polished marble floors. He cautiously slid one shoe around, afraid he might slip.

"Don't worry, their only an ice rink in the winter." Heels clacked towards him.

His head shot up. Gaze landed on a rather prime woman heading towards him. Who somehow came from an unknown doorway. He guessed it was hidden in the massize stairccase that took over most of the rear of the room.

"oh um. " He cleared his thouht,"i was just wondering where Miss, ah Miss Parkers new, Quarters where located." He pointed to the suitcases on either side of him,"i ahve her things."

"ah yes ou must be her butler."

Jamess ears perked at the familiar word, recalling it within the ission folder,"yes, that is me. Chadwich Rodsworth. Lolvley to make you aquiantece." HE smiled up at the woman, who had now come to a stop on front of him. She looked to be middle aged. With large glolwing golden eyes. Her Shinging charcoal hair pulled back in a tight simple updo.

The same to you Mr Rodsworth, I am Lauthsly, the head maid of the manor. Miss Parkers chambers are just up here.

James bent and picked up the suitcaes again and she waved her hand towards the staircase. SHe set off at a brisk pace up the stairs. The stride of one whod taken that trip a milllion times. James figured he'd soon be able to set that pae,. But fot eh time being he was practically runninig to catch up with here, nearly tripping on the steps.

James crested the top of the stairs and set the suitcases own, strecthing his back,"oh boy." then realized that Miss Lauthsly was already far down the left hall way. He picked up the suitcases again, scrambeleing to catch up. He hugged the cases in to his body. trying not to bump the narrow hallway walls. Nor he various expensive looking paintinsg or decorations desplayed within it.

" Mr Chadwick, such cuious ccents both you and the Lady have, where are you both from agin."

"ah we are from" he breathlessly gasped," From Dothmire, a small town rather far away."

"hum, i havent heard of it." She swiftly turned a corner.

"yes, well its rather small."

Miss Lauthsly hummed in response. They continued in what was a awkwards scilnce for James, he wasnt ure if it was awkwards for her. He wrinkeled his eyebrows as he caught a wiff of, something. Paistries? he lcked his lips, suddenly wondering if he'd left behind something in his time.

"Do you have, ah, do you have Donuts in this counrty?"

The head maid peered at him over her shouler,"im not familiar ith the word, what are they?"

"thier a pasrty we have in our counrty. a sweet dough thats risen, then shaped into a circle and fried. Commonly covered in chocolate."

He watched her consider this for a moment. finally she replised,"i do not reconzie this, parhaps you shall have to bring some, someday."

He frowned,"parhaps."

James decided he'd have to pay the hosue chef a visit and teach him the art of donut makig. Or possibly the pastery chef. Whoever so made the pasteryie sin this house.

James pulled the suitcases back to avoid hitting Miss Lauthsly. She cae o abrupt stop in front of a pair of intrciatly carved double doors. She rapped on them sharply then quickly stepped back, neary tripped james as he stepped out of her way.

"this is Miss parkers quarters?"

She nodded,"your will be just down at that door there." She pointed to a doorway at the end of a hall that lead left from the double doors. "far enough away its appropreate, but cose enough your avilible if she is in need of your services."

e nodded, he woudlnt have to go up and down the stairs everytime Verena needed him then. Brilliant. He raised an eyebrow. He'dbeen here ten minutes and the lingo was already starting to invate his thoughts. He coudlnt remeber the last time hed though of the word "brilliant, much less said it out loud. "Brilliant." he tasted the word, liking the way it rolled off his touge.

"pardon?" The head maid turned her head to him.

He'd gotton lost in his head," oh, sorry. its just, im very happy with the quarters you given me."

She smiled and rapped on the heavy doors again