The Luna's Bain

Chapter Two

The six plus hour drive to Troy from Amory’s hometown of Livingston was mostly bathed in silence, except for the occasional station catching signal on her mother’s AM/FM radio dial. HAmory didn’t mind the quiet, it gave her time to think.

What could be so important that her mom had decided to drive the lengthy haul to Troy? She snuck a glance at her mother in the driver’s seat. Jane Will’s lips were pursed and her eyes were focused straight ahead, forehead lined with tension. This wasn’t going to be a pleasant visit, Amory was sure. Amory had never met her father’s family, never even talked to them on the phone. She’d always just assumed that they were gone, either estranged or maybe even dead. Honestly, it hadn’t ever been something she’d wondered about.

4:42PM. Amory cast her gaze to the vast, darkening sky in front of them. They’d been on the road for five hours at least. Amory felt her stomach rumble.

“Mom, can we stop for food at the next town?” Amory asked.

“No time. I want to get there before darkfall.” Her mother looked around and grimaced. “It’s a long shot but I think we can make it.”

Amory nodded and settled back into her seat, ignoring the hunger gnawing at her insides. This place better have good food, she thought grumpily. The car turned suddenly and Amory looked up to find her mother veering off onto a dirt road.

“This isn’t Troy.”

Her mother chuckled. “No, it’s not. That’s exactly what I said the first time your father brought me here...” She trailed off, caught in her memories.

Amory c****d an eyebrow. “Okay… well, I thought Dad’s family lived in Troy?”

“Almost,” her mother said. “Just outside of Troy, not too far off the main road but tucked a little ways into the Kootenai National Forest.”

Huh, Amory thought. That’s interesting. They must really like their privacy.

Indeed, there really was nothing out here but trees, mountains, more trees, more mountains… Amory had always loved the stunning landscape of Montana, but the northern part of the state was absolutely breathtaking. Here the colors of nature were deep and rich; vibrant juniper green, crimson red, burnt umber and indigo blue. The massive trees perched atop majestic mountains that pierced straight through the clouds into the heavens. It was a painter’s canvas and God was a magnificent artist.

“Here we go,” said her mother, pulling Amory away from her admiration of their surroundings.

Amory gaped at the sight that befell her. A huge cathedral of a home loomed and stretched for what seemed like miles. “You can house an entire town in that thing!” Amory exclaimed, leaning forward for a better look. Her mother’s hands tightened on the steering wheel.

“Yes, you can,” she said.

They pulled up to the front door and Amory’s mother put the car in park. She looked at Amory and grasped her hand. “I love you. This is good for you. Trust me, this is a good thing.”

Before Amory could ask what she meant, her door was opened. “Miss?”

A towering, broad middle aged man in a tailored black suit stood outside her door. Amory stepped out. “Thank you,” she said. The man just nodded and walked around to the driver’s side, helping her mother out of the car, as well. They followed him up the steps to a large, mahogany door as he ushered them inside the building.

It was even more impressive inside that it had been outside. Amory clasped her hands in front of her to stop them from shaking. Her nerves tingled. She’d never seen such lavishness in all her life. Her family hadn’t been poor, but their three bedroom home in Livingston was a cozy 1500 square feet. They could fit 100 of her parent’s home in here, at least, she thought.

A wide, white staircase with ornate dark wood banisters shadowed the floor beneath as they made their way upstairs. Down one hallway and then another until the man stopped in front of a door. “Your room, Miss,” he said to her mother.

Her mother turned the knob and walked inside. Amory started to follow her in when the man intercepted. “Miss, your room is here,” he gestured across the hall. Amory swallowed nervously. “Dinner is in one hour in the dining hall.

Her mother nodded encouragingly. “Go ahead, get settled. Get washed up and ready for dinner. I’ll be over in just a moment.”