The Wraith

Chapter 2

Raven;

I made my way down to the kitchen just before dawn. The kitchen is buzzing with activity. The servants have been busy these past few days. The local festival happens in 2 days from now. A lot of people from the underground filter through here to get jobs or just come in for the holiday. The festival is all about how the empire got built and how it got to where it is today. This year Ascot is hosting the festival, rumor has it that Emperor Kai will be traveling out here.

I roll my eyes at that rumor. Emperor Kai is a spoiled little kid who never learned what it’s like for everyday people to live, let alone the humans that suffer from the few supernatural beings that still believe in the old ways that humans should be slaves.

I walk up to the counter and grab a quick breakfast. I make my way to the stables to check on Athia. There is a bag hanging on one of the hooks by the stable. I lift it up and can feel the kuza that’s in there. I check around the immediate area to see if he’s still here. There are some days when he will linger to make sure I got it. On those days he’ll ride with me into town to pick up supplies and meet contractors.

I make my way over to Athia and saddle her up. I led her out into the woods for us to relax. We always go to this meadow that’s on the west side of the mountain. It’s a small opening that’s just under an hour away from the Shadow Manor. I first found it when we moved here when I was 10. That’s actually where I found Athia. She was a tiny fowl, just prancing around with no care in the world. She had come right up to me and wanted to play. When I had to return back to my house she followed me all the way there. She’s been with me ever since.

I pull back some vines and look up. There it is. The meadow. If I could choose a place to go and relax and never have a worry in the world. It’s this place. Only Kaz knows this place encase there is an emergency he can reach me, but other than that he knows that when I’m here not to bother me. There’s a small stream that runs around the meadow that Athia will drink from every now and then. I take her saddle off hanging it on a tree. When I sit down I can feel all my muscles relax. I take a deep breath and close my eyes.

Kaz;

I’m up before dawn to sort through the new income of kuza. With the festival just around the corner and more people coming in from the underground our finances are booming. The servants are busy working on cleaning and cooking the prepared meals for the quest. I pull up all the letters of people coming. We have an estimate of 50-60 people coming.

The festival is always a place full of jobs and targets for the underground. When underground people want to follow the festival or work in the city of the underground they have to report what they do to the master of the manor in the city’s territory. It’s how we keep order and make sure we don’t get caught.

As the leader of the Shadow Manor I must know who all is attending the Festival in my territory. That includes everyone from normal citizens, militia, and the underground. They don’t have to send me their files, but they must send me a letter to inform me of when and where they are arriving.

I flip through the letters while writing approval letters to the manager of my servants. As I go through the letters 2 names catch my attention. Rowen Talan and Jesper Ingreen. Rowan and Jesper have been more on the shadow side of the underground in the past few years. We had trained together in the same Guide. They are always welcomed in my manor. We had split ways about 5 years ago. Rowan had job related problems that ended up bringing us to separate plans.

I open Rowan's letter thoroughly reading through it. They will arrive tomorrow, they apartly have important information. I exhale frustrated running my hands through my hair. I look through Jespers letter. Jesper is the joker in our group. Always joking and trying to make us laugh. Jespers letter was much more cheery, but there was a serious note to it that has me still worried.

In the years I’ve worked at the Shadow Manor we have traded letters every few weeks to few months. They know who Raven is. I inform them of everyone who works here. We burn every letter after reading it (unless they revolve around business). That way any personal information can’t get out to our enemies.

Later in the evening I walk to the manager of the servanents. She’s very good at her job. She makes sure everyone is where they need to be and knows what everyone needs to do. If someone isn’t doing their job she makes sure they get it done. “Elain!” I shout from across the room. She looks my way, turns around tells someone something and starts walking over to me, “Yes sir?” I state, “2 close friends of mine will be arriving tomorrow. Give them 2 of the extra rooms up on the top floor next to my room. Also send them straight to my office when they arrive.” She nods, writes something down and walks away to shout more orders at servants.

I chuckle walking back up stairs to get some work done. At noon I travel down to the kitchen to get a quick lunch then head into town. I walk past Athia’s stable seeing it empty. I make a mental note to stop by Raven’s meadow on my way back to the Manor.

Ascot’s main market is flooded with all types of people. From bakers to bladesmith and human to Fae. I look around walking over to the small bookshop on the corner. The bell rings as I enter, a cheery man walks through a double door behind the counter, “How can I help ya?” He asks, “I’m just browsing.” I say lying. I know what I’m here for and I know where it is.

I make my way over to the government section of the store. I pull off the book labeled maps. Flipping through it I find an old map of Ascot. The date at the top is when Ascot was first being built. I pull out my map of Ascot, comparing it to the old map in the book.

On the old map you can see underground tunnels that the builders used incase of explosions throughout the city. On my map I can see them as well, but there is something different about the map in the book. I quickly rip out the map, putting both in my pocket. “You’ve been back there for a bit. Find what ya want?” The old man yells at me. I sigh, shoving the book back into the self, grabbing a random book off the self and walking to the counter.

Putting a smile on my face I say, “Yes I found what I needed.” I old grubby man nods and writes down the book and price, “So, what project ya working on.” I pause for a moment looking at the title of the book. It reads How To Build For Dummies, “Just a small bench.” I state slightly annoyed with the old man. He nods slowly, handing back the book, “Have fun!” He yells as I walk out of the store.

I turn the corner hopping back on Red. riding back into the forest. I passed by Raven’s meadow on the way back to the Manor. She was sitting against a tree sketching something. Athia was rowling in the dirt and grass. I softly led Red away from the meadow making sure not to make any sound as we left.

After giving Red hay and water I walk to my office to compare maps. Opening the door I am greeted by 2 shitheads drinking my wine and sitting on my desk, “What do you think you're doing?” Jesper falls off the desk. Rowan just chuckles downing the rest of the glass.

Shaking himself Jesper gets up walking to me, “Took you long enough bróðir.” Chuckling, I pull him into a short hug, “It’s been too long since we last saw each other.” Rowan states from across the room. Pushing Rowan off my desk I sit down pulling out the maps, “true Rowan. It has been too long. When did you arrive?” I say while pouring my own glass of wine, “Not long.” Rowan states sighting down on my chaise. Jesper flops down stretching out like the cat that he is.

Leaning back I relax my muscles, “I take it your here for the festival?” I ask, “No, actually we need to talk.” Jesper says all joking aside. I focus my attention entirely on them, forgetting all about the maps, “Does it have anything to do with this letter?” I say pulling out the letter Raven had received last night. I had it over to Rowan, because of Rowan benign Fae he’s fluent in the old language.

Jesper starts reading over Rowan’s shoulder. I don’t know if Jesper can read it. He has never had a talent for languages like Rowan has. Glancing up Rowan says, “Yes actually. When did you get this?” I replied, “One of my spiders got that for me. I have mentioned her in past letters. Raven.” Jesper looks at me, “Raven? I remember you mentioning her. From what you said she’s very good at her job right?” Pulling out her file I hand it to him. Rowan speaks, “This letter basically confirms what we wanted to tell you.” He pauses looking at Raven’s file, then turning back to me. “Well…?” I ask, getting slightly annoyed.

There’s a knock at my door. Sighing, I say, “Yes?” in an annoyed voice. Raven pooks her head in. Looking around not sure if she should enter, “Come in Raven. These are Rowan and Jesper.” Jesper waves flapping his hand around like it’s broken, while smiling like a goofball. Rowan just sits there. You could see the tension running through his body as he tenses. Raven walks up to my desk handing me a letter and a audio recorder.

I look at her confused, as she had not been paid to get me this nor did she have any jobs. I gesture for her to sit, but she shakes her head walking out the door. Looking at the camera feed I see her head to her room. I look outside seeing it’s pitch black, “Let me show you to your rooms and we can talk tomorrow.” I say. Jesper says, “THAT’S Raven?” He seems shocked. I look over my shoulder at him nodding. He seems stunned for a bit then says, “wow!.” Rowan just keeps walking, not uttering a word.

I point out their rooms and tell them where mine is right next to there’s. Walking into my room is always calming and relaxing. I slip under my covers and quickly fall asleep.