The servant woman stood up straight, hands clasped in front of her, and eyed A’nallia. From the way she lingered on her dress and boots, A’nallia imagined the other witch girls didn’t arrive in new attire. She hadn’t even made it into the house and was already giving off such an impression. 

When the examination was finished, the woman's unsmiling gaze returned to her master. Stepping to the side, she extended an arm toward an open door off the main hall.

“Your dinner is ready in the dining room. The girls saw you coming out of the forest, so they have warmed it for you.” After another quick glance at A’nallia, she lowered her eyes and added, “I will take the girl to her chambers. I am sure she is weary from the trip.”

Her master nodded his approval and without a look back, headed through the entry and into the far room. The old woman clasped her hands again, gently dipping her chin, a subtle motion instructing A’nallia to follow her.

Is everyone in this household so sparse with words?

A'nallia trailed behind her, up a wide, central staircase, left down a long hallway, then up a second set of narrow, spiraling stairs at its end. The stairs led to an attic space, where the ceiling slanted and gave barely enough space to stand. There were two rooms, one on each side of a short hallway, and the woman directed her into the room on the left. It was sparsely furnished, with two small beds and a writing desk between. The desk sat under a tiny window carved into the sloping roof. Leaning over, A’nallia pulled the curtains open to look out at the back lawn. A large vegetable garden sat along the wall of the manor and she could barely make out two figures, crouched and mostly hidden between the rows of plants. Further out, a line of fruit trees ran along the lawn's edge, like a wall separating them from the thick forest. Turning, she saw only a pair of identical wardrobes set on either side of the door. Everything else was bare.

Letting out an almost silent sigh, A'nallia sat on one of the beds and reached down to rub a sore ankle through her boot.

“It doesn’t look like much, I know.” The old servant sat next to her and put a hand on her shoulder. Now that the two were alone, a small amount of warmth came from her. “This is where new girls stay until we know what duties will be assigned. What magic do you have, child?”

“Some healing magic.”

“No basic elemental?”

“No, nothing.” A’nallia shifted and placed her palms behind her, leaning her aching body back onto the bed. “Not much help to you.”

“No one in this house is here without a purpose.” The woman's eyes scanned over her again. “He does have many old injuries that could use a healer. And you are certainly a beauty.”

A’nallia could guess the meaning behind those words and changed the subject.

“What is your name, ma’am?”

“You can call me I’liara, if you like. Most of the girls just call me Granny or Nana Ara.”

Her eyes grew wide in shock, thinking she could never call this woman by such names. Wasn’t she in charge of the house? She seemed kind, but in a stern and serious way.

“It started decades ago as an insult, then turned into a joke.” A hint of a smile crossed I’liara’s face. “But it has since stuck, and if it makes the girls more comfortable, I don’t mind.”

A'nallia nodded slowly, unsure whether she would ever be able to use such a casual nickname.

I guess this is my home now, for who knows how long. Maybe forever. Everyone becomes more comfortable with each other in time.

The image of her master strolling past her into his home, not making a sound or glancing in her direction, entered her mind.

Perhaps not everyone.

“Anyway, you’ve had a long day. I’m sure you are hungry and tired.” I’liara pushed herself up off the bed and headed toward the doorway. “There are clean clothes in the wardrobe, and there is a washroom just at the bottom of the stairs with hot water for a bath. I will have one of the girls bring up a warm meal and some tea.”

Suddenly, A’nallia was left on her own in the tiny bedroom. She collapsed onto the stiff bed, finally free from proprieties, and stared at the ceiling. There had been plenty of silence all day but no real peace. Morning to now ran through her mind and she was overwhelmed by a feeling of complete exhaustion. It wasn’t just her body that ached. She thought about what I’liara had said and tears began to roll down her cheeks.

Certainly a beauty.

Was she really that useless? Nothing to offer but her round eyes, her smooth skin, and her delicate waist?

You aren’t a bad healer.

That had been a compliment. From what she experienced during the day, her new master didn’t say things for no reason. He barely said things when there was a reason.

No one in this house is here without a purpose.

The tears slowed and A’nallia closed her eyes, wondering what her purpose would turn out to be.