The Thorn and the Rose

Chapter 6: New Heights

I narrow my eyes at Eric, watching him carefully just as he watches me. I sigh quietly as I know what he's really asking: am I going home or taking him up on his offer? It's a big change, no doubt, and before I decide I need more details, so that's the first thing I ask.

"If you want me as an assistant, I need to know what I'm getting myself into," I explain slowly and firmly, making sure he knows I want to know everything before I make a decision.

Eric nods. Though he tries to remain professional, his features virtually beam with hope and excitement. "Of course, it'll be a learning curve, there is so much you don't know about the real world. Firstly, you'll need to get used to the idea that fairy tales and legend are, for the most part, true. Obviously they've been exaggerated over the years but still many of them are real. There's a lot to learn," he begins to explain, making by heart drop a bit. It sounds like I'll be back in school. "But, as my assistant, you'll be helping me with all kinds of research, helping me take notes on various finds, possibly a lot of travelling involved too. Of course, your pay will be better, personal assistant to the owner of such a large company has a lot of benefits. You will also be better staying here, though of course that's your choice." 

He finally stops, giving me a chance to ask some questions. "What kind of research, what do you actually do?" I ask with a little concern.

"For the most part, I'm trying to find out the true history of our world. I gather stories, visit archeological sites, anything that leads to the truth." He looks excited as he explains, obviously passionate about this subject. "I'm just so fascinated about the possibility of the existence of things like dragons and unicorns, even magic, though I am less inclined to believe that one. After all, magic is often just something that can't yet be explained."

I nod my head in response, mulling over his words. It seemed like an interesting hobby for sure and learning more about my own differences was enticing. At the same time, all I have ever wanted is to be normal and accepted. I sigh slightly, struggling with what I should do. 

Eric's voice pulls me out of my thoughts. "Of course, there are other more mundane tasks I would need you to help with. Keeping me more organised would be an essential part of the job as well as being able to take notes in my meetings for the various aspects of the company."

I focus on him again realising that when he said personal assistant, he meant for everything, not just the weird stuff. "How have you managed till this point?" I ask with surprise.

"Oh, I haven't." He looks away, embarrassed. "I've not been running things all that long actually, thought I could do it myself, as well as the history hunting stuff. I was quite wrong. I have been thinking about getting an assistant, then you virtually fall into my lap. Must be fate," he laughs lightly, clearly not actually believing his last words. 

I chuckle with him as I begin to think again. It's going to be hard work but probably rewarding and different each day. It was an amazing opportunity, I'd be climbing the ranks much faster than I could ever have imagined. I'm confident I can do most of what he is asking for, and anything else I can learn. The only thing holding me back is it wasn't going to be ordinary exactly, finding the secrets of the world and all. I know I want to take the offer but… I sigh again, watching the hopefulness in his eyes. Finally, I make up my mind, it is silly to try to have a normal life when I’m just not normal, I have to accept that, and this could turn into an exciting adventure.

I nod at him and he grins, jumping into the air with a fist pump. "Yes!" He looks at my shocked face and settles back down clearing his throat and offering me his hand. "I mean, glad to hear it, welcome on board." 

I giggle at his enthusiasm and shake his hand, butterflies swarm my stomach as I realise how my life has just completely changed and that I will be spending a lot of time with this man. I just hope I'm up to the task.

He leaves the room beckoning me to follow. Taking me to a part of the house I've not seen yet, Eric opens a rich wooden door. "This is the office," he speaks the simple fact before pointing to another door across from the one we were entering. "And that's my room should you ever need me."

I nod as I walk in, then stop at the doorway looking around with my mouth open. It's not so much an office as a library with a desk and chair in it. The room is large and is two stories high, with the bookshelves reaching from floor to ceiling. Though most of it is as you would expect of a rich man's library, filled with large dusty tomes, there are also lots of other books too, some even look like children's picture books. I can't take my eyes away from everything, I've never seen so many books in a private collection before. To be fair, I've not seen all that many private libraries, but the fact remains. 

"Have you collected all these yourself?" I ask as I slowly step into the room still looking up and around me. 

Eric sat down at his desk and opened his laptop. "Oh, no, this is a family's worth of collecting, my father and grandfather before me had the same fascination with the real history" 

"That makes more sense," I nod as I try to focus my attention on Eric again. 

Eric types out on his PC before a small printer in the corner begins to spit out a few sheets of papers. "I'll get all the details of your contract written down in the next couple of days," Eric begins to explain as I pull up a chair to sit in front of his desk, "but for now if you can fill these out we can get you officially hired. Oh, and I better inform Claire that you quit." He smiles at me as he passes me the paperwork.

I grin back. "She's going to be so pissed, she hates when people up and leave. Not that I'm complaining." My eyes widen as I remember I'm talking about one of his employees, raising a hand to my mouth in embarrassment.

He laughs at my actions. "Don't worry, I completely agree with you. She's good at her job, but not overly likable. Wouldn't have been my choice but she's been with the company longer than I have." 

I feel relieved with his words and get to work on the paperwork. Over the next few hours we fall into comfortable conversation, talking about the more mundane parts of life and the contract Eric was writing, wanting my input to tailor it to me. Once my side is completed and Eric is more than bored with his side we leave the office to get some food, finding the table all set and food on its way out, courtesy of Harold. The rest of the evening goes quickly as we watch a bit of TV after eating and talk about various things of no consequence. As I make my way to bed I find myself thinking how at home I was feeling here. Eric was a really nice guy and made every effort to make me feel welcome and, most of all, accepted. Never have I ever imagined standing next to someone who didn't scream at my differences, yet here I was walking around, often with my wings and tail on full display. I feel happy, comfortable, like I was maybe part of a family at last. I shake my head as I walk into my room, trying to dislodge the thoughts and the butterflies threatening to fill my stomach. I got myself ready for bed and settled down to sleep, a warm happy feeling filling me. 'I like it here, I think this really was the right choice,' I think to myself as my eyes begin to close, 'and I like him too' 

The morning comes all too quickly, the sun waking me from some thankfully more pleasant dreams than what I’ve had the last few nights. Quickly I get cleaned and dressed for the day then move into the dining room where Harold has already put out a range of breakfast items. As he walks in with a jug of milk I can't help but ask, “How do you know when to do all this? You have such perfect timing. 

Harold smiles at me as he places the jug on the table. “Well, miss, for a start, I can hear your movements in the morning, and, secondly, I know what time it is,” his voice full of mirth that makes me feel a little silly.

“That would make sense,” I respond looking at the clock that sits above the door to the kitchen.

A second later, Eric also walks in and sits across from me. “Looking good Harold, perfect timing as always,” he says kindly.

Harold also sits down and we begin to sort ourselves food, Harold chooses cereal, I go for the waffles, and Eric takes the pancakes. We settle into a comfortable silence while we enjoy our food. 

A clattering of metal on a plate breaks the silence as Eric finishes his meal. “Right, well, I better get to the office and get on with some boring stuff,” he states to no one in particular before turning to me. “You are free for today, we’ll get you sorted tomorrow. So enjoy the quiet while it lasts.” He looks apologetic, seeming to have wanted to give me a bit more time to myself. 

“May I suggest a walk through the grounds, miss?” Harold pipes up. “Some fresh air would do you some good now you have recovered.”

I nod while looking hopeful, some fresh air really would be nice. “Are we close to any houses?” I was hoping I wouldn't have to cover up again, I was enjoying keeping my wings loose. “Is it very big?” 

Eric glanced out of the window at the weather, a wistful look on his face. “Much of the grounds are surrounded by trees, so you should be fine. And size wise I own about 10 acres of land so there’s plenty to explore for a few days. Mind the northwestern corner, there’s a nesting site there, and it would be better not to disturb the eagles.” 

I nod as he speaks showing my understanding. I’m a little surprised by the amount of land he has, though, on second thought, it makes some sense. Most big houses like this one seem to come with a lot of land too. I wonder for a moment who looks after it all, I doubt Harold has the time for the grounds and the house. 

“If you would like, I can show you around,” Harold says as he begins to clear up breakfast.

Eric laughs a little. “You just like to show off your little garden.” 

Harold puffs up a little and stands straighter. “If the miss would like to see my garden, then yes Master Eric, I am quite proud of my patch and you know it.” 

I giggle quietly and Eric openly laughs in good humour before standing and making his way out of the room. “Have fun, guys, I’ll see you this evening,” he adds with a backwards wave.

After Eric leaves I quickly finish my breakfast so that Harold can clean away properly. I try to offer to help but am turned down as he put the last bits away. I stand a little awkwardly in the doorway waiting, wondering what tomorrow will be like. I assume the boring work Eric referred to was my contract as well as the normal day to day grind of being such a big boss. I am nervous about working with him still, not just because it was such a big world I feel I've just stepped into, but also because I'm going to be working side by side with him every day. The more time I spend with him, the more I find myself wanting to spend more time with him.

Harold clearing his throat snaps me out of my thoughts. "If you are ready, miss, I shall show you around the grounds."

I look up at him with an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Harold, was in my own little world there, I'm ready." I nod and move out of the doorway so that he can take the lead.

Harold shows me out the door and we first walk a little way down the drive before turning onto a side track that leads into a woodland. We walk in silence for the most part, both of us simply enjoying the day. It is warm for the time of year, the sun shining down from a bright blue sky, only a few fluffy clouds littered the sky reminding me of some of my childhood. I would talk to those clouds as I picked out shapes in them, giving them characters and names and stories of their own before the light breeze swept them away or changed their shape forever. Simpler times.

Harold leads the way to a small stream that runs off the hills. "Master Eric played here as a boy. I remember well how he would splash through the water pretending to fight the latest monster his father had told him about. His mother would be cross with both of us when he went back to the house soaked." Harold reminisces happily. "Was worth it to keep him active if you ask me." 

He continued with a small chuckle. 

He stopped at a small bridge over the stream and we both looked over the edge at the water. "It's so clear," I point out with wonder. Most of the small streams I have seen have been muddied with silt and weeds. "Is it drinkable?" I ask curiously, wondering if the crystal water would taste as good as people say such freshwater should. 

Harold thinks for a moment. "Possibly, though if you were to try it, I'd do so from the source rather than here." I nod, making a mental note to do just that at some point, maybe I could convince Eric to come with me for a picnic.

We move on and Harold heads back towards the house, though follows the treeline rather than the path we took to get here. Soon, I look towards the house to find we are now behind it and Harold leads me over to a small walled garden. The wall itself only comes up to my waist and is built in an old dry stone style, not an ounce of cement in sight. The gate is of wrought iron in the shape of a large sunflower, it was very elegant and fitting as the first thing to catch my eye within are the very bright yellow flowers depicted by the gate. 

Harold has a large smile across his features as we walk around, this is obviously the garden they were talking about at breakfast. It was much larger than I had expected with several different flower beds for several different types of flowers. The sections closest to the middle seem to be for little flowers like pansies and viola, the ones on the outside for taller plants like foxglove. It is a beautiful sight as the flowers are all arranged by their colours giving a spiralling rainbow effect. At the very centre was a small water fountain in the shape of a mermaid, the water spilling out of a vase she held. Next to the fountain are  a couple of simple stone benches to which Harold leads us to take a short break.

As we sit down, I beam at him. "You did this all yourself?" I ask with excitement and wonder. "It must be a lot of work."

I see Harold's normally stoic exterior relax a little and colour rise to his cheeks. "Ah, well, it's nothing really, just a bit of weeding here and there," he responds, though obviously being humble while his face clearly shows how proud he is of this area.

"Well, I think it's beautiful and you shouldn't listen to a word of Eric's teasing," I say encouragingly. 

"Thank you young miss, I'm glad at least one person appreciates my talent," he says happily as he leans back a little and surveys his garden. "It's a relaxing hobby, and you are welcome to come and enjoy it out here as much as you like."

I watch him for a moment before smiling. "Thank you, I will." I also sit back and look around me, marvelling at the colour coordination even so late in the year. "I have to ask, do you look after all the grounds?"

Harold looks at me in surprise, then laughs a little. "I will take it as a compliment, young miss, that you think I have such energy. But no, for the most part it is left to grow wild and as nature would want it. We do have a nature preservation society come in twice a year to maintain it, but that's all. You will find plenty of wildlife in these grounds as so few people come here." 

"That makes sense," I nod as I reply, feeling that it was right to have at least a small sanctuary for the animals, even the park right next to us could get crowded with tourists and the like some times.

After a few moments more Harold and I stand and leave the beautiful garden to continue my tour. We walk further behind the house and begin to go uphill, the incline getting steeper as we walk. Once again we enter the treeline and follow a small path through the tall trunks of various types of trees, reminding me of a school trip where we had to identify all the different types. As we reach what I judge is about halfway up the hill, we step into a large clearing and grass meadow. As my foot breaks a large twig, several deer who are grazing in the middle look up at us, their ears twitching as they try to decide what to do. Harold and I attempt to stay still in an effort not to scare them further. However, as soon as one decides we are not worth the risk the rest follow, bouncing away from us into the woods. Harold and I both sigh at the same time with disappointment before making our own way into the middle. 

"I keep meaning to ask master Eric to have a hide built up here, there are so many animals living in these parts it's always a surprise what you might find in this clearing," Harold states as we stand close to the centre.

I look around at the area and nod my head. "It is definitely a lovely spot," I agree, feeling the peace and tranquillity of the small meadow. 

Harold turns to me with a thoughtful look in his eyes, "I don't know where you were able to do so before but I also thought this might be a good place for you to fly should you wish to do so. It is a good way from the houses and there are no public footpaths nearby, giving you full privacy."

My eyes widened at his suggestion, his words catching me a little off guard. I have forgotten that on seeing my wings others would think I can fly. "Well… err… I…" I struggle with what to say.

Harold patted my shoulder in a friendly manner. "Don't worry, young miss, I will leave you to it." And in saying he turns round and heads back towards the house.

I stand watching him feeling stunned, my mind working hard to process what he had said. I think back to the night when all of this started, how I had almost managed to fly to get out of the werewolf's reach. I look around me again wondering if it was about time to give it a real go. I stretch my wings experimentally, uncoil my tail from my waist giving myself a small shake. I look up at the sky, feeling really nervous and then a bit silly, as I stand there doing nothing else. I flop to the ground feeling a bit useless, I could do it on instinct, but doing it on purpose seemed like a whole different matter. 

I lay on my back staring at the sky, watching as a couple of birds chase each other across the stunning blue above me, making me want to join them. I slap the ground in frustration and sit up. "Come on girl, everyone wonders what it would be like to fly and you probably can, so go and find out," I attempt to convince myself out loud.

Standing up, I again stretch my wings and tail, trying to feel the way the air is moving around me. I flap a couple of times, feeling the way my wings work and how much I would need to do to lift me up. Surprisingly, just the few casual flaps make me feel much lighter and it dawns on me that I am very much built for this very action. However, I also realise it's not going to be a simple duck to water situation, it's going to be like learning to walk if I'd never walked before, I would have to learn the hard way with plenty of bumps and bruises.

I take a deep breath and begin pumping my wings, jumping into the air in the hopes the little extra height will help. I begin to rise up, my wings lifting me quickly. It's exhilarating and I let out a yell of victory and joy at the feeling of being in the air. Slowly, I lean forwards, attempting to do more than just go up but it rapidly goes wrong. Going up was simple enough for the most part, using my wings only, but trying to go in a different direction simply causes me to lose my balance, my body and tail flailing in the air, unsure how to keep me up. I stretch out my wings hoping to catch the air like a kite, but I am heavier than metal rods and fabric and with no wind to speak of I find myself falling face first into the dirt. Ouch. 

Standing up and dusting myself off I realise that simply launching myself into the air and hoping was going to be of little help. I needed a way to train my muscles what to do so that it would come as naturally as walking did, I need an aid like those learning to walk have. I did know one thing for sure, I wanted to do this, I wanted to fly. In that moment of weightlessness, everything felt right, like I was finally complete. I had denied my heritage and what I am for far too long.