Brighid of Gauwynn
Brighid had forgotten how noisy, and intrusive the servants of House Gauwynn could be. She was sure they had no ill will, but on several occasions she’d had to redirect their questioning, about her quest, about her mission and about Correl. Brighid could understand their fervor, and at the same time, she needed her space. Their voices, though kind were drowning out anything else around her immediate area. And their eyes, while soft, were beginning to make her self-conscious. Brighid’s paranoia clung to her like a second skin.
When she’d finally managed to break away, and convince her servants to leave her be for a small time until dinner, Brighid found herself confronted with a new and burgeoning silence. Immediately she checked under her bed, checked her drawers and her armoires, as much as she could, Brighid checked around her large, windows, and around the shades that guarded them. Only when she’d done this dance for almost two hours did she stop, having to settle for the moment.
Brighid sat on her bed, shifting every now and then, still not quite comfortable. She’d been sleeping on floors, and under open skies so long, she suddenly felt so odd in her closed off room. Even with its comfy beds, and drawn-back shades letting in the natural sunlight, still there was an edge she couldn’t quite shake.
It had been early morning hours when they’d first arrived to the house. Since then the sun had settled into the sky, signifying midday. Brighid was faced away from the light pouring in through the windows. Not the smartest decision, given the opportunity for a subtle sneak attack, but it was simply too bright. When she was able to have a conversation with her head of house, she’d mentioned that they’d been walking all night to get back home.
All night!? He’d gasped, the words coming out barely as a wheeze, My lord, you must take your rest!
And that had become the subject of most of the conversations amongst and around the servants as she was practically forced into her room. Brighid pulled a tired hand through her hair. They were right. Just as Correl had been right. She needed to sleep, needed to rest longer than two hours at a time. But she wouldn’t. She couldn’t, not with what they’d seen, not with what she already knew was out there. Brighid squeezed her eyes shut as much as possible, feeling a strain build up behind her eyelids. She shook her head, trying to lose her current train of thought.
If Brighid had known everything that would happen, she would have tried to be more prepared. Behave like a proper knight, like Correl would constantly remind her. She would’ve taken her armor, actually worn her sword on her hip, as much as it hurt-
Brighid was pulled out of her thoughts focusing instead by what sounded eerily similar to a rock rolling against glass. Her head snapped to the source, and found the door to her room opening. At first, every nerve in her body tensed, and she rose to her feet unsteadily. But it was only another one of the servants, a young boy, with even-cut, bowled, black hair.
Internally Brighid cursed herself, forcing her heart to slow down and her hands to stop shaking. She walked closer to the boy, “Hello? I didn’t realize anyone would be visiting me in my quarters…” He watched her with blank eyes, Brighid noted he couldn’t have been very old, possibly just starting his teen years. Though if she was being honest, it was hard to tell people’s ages when one is as tall as she unfortunately was. He shied from her for a moment, before holding out his arm for her.
“They’ve fixed you lunch in the hall.” He sort of half-mumbled. There was an effort being made, Brighid noted. She accepted his hand, and let herself be led out of her room. Almost as soon as they began their march down the hall, they were met by one of the older maids, a woman named Erika, “Young sir! I told you about disturbing the lord of the house, didn’t I?” She was frantic, and grabbed the boy’s other free arm, to pull him away from Brighid.
He didn’t move, and made something of a whine when the maid struggled to remove him, “You wanted to get Lord Gauwynn for lunch, so I went to fetch him for you!” His voice was sleepy, like he’d been awaken from a nap suddenly, and with the same cadence of annoyance as well. Brighid couldn’t help but let out a small laugh. The two bickering servants turned to her, Erika immediately taking on a shade of pink most reserved for flower petals and wines.
“My Lord!” She was finally able to pull the boy away from Brighid, “Please forgive us! This young one here misunderstood me and came to bother you!” Brighid watched the boy huff, and look away, in his quiet, sleepy voice, he muttered, “You were the ones who were worried the master wouldn’t sleep or eat… I was just helping…”
“I appreciate your concern,” Brighid mused, holding a hand up between the two to stop their arguing, “I’ll go to the hall with you.” She ignored the shadows dancing at the edges of her vision. Brighid allowed the two servants to accompany her as they continued on their way to the hall, tempering the worst of Erika’s nagging towards the young lad. They’d seem to have completely forgotten they were in the presence of their boss, the lord of this land. And Brighid wouldn’t begrudge them for it. She was the approachable one, the friendly, kind, gentle-giant type. Brighid would always wear a mask in front of those around her…the only exception so far to this rule had been Correl…but Brighid hadn’t rested properly in many days, so she was sure that was the reason. She was always supposed to be confident, always supposed to smile, act with grace, even when giving or receiving critique.
And that is just what she did. And in doing so, she learned that this boy had joined work in the house several days after Brighid had initially left. That he was usually a very quiet, and calm boy, but he was almost always nervous around others. That he went by the name Winston, but not much else, so no formal name or background apparently. Erika had excitedly mentioned that the staff had constantly bragged on about the famous Lord Brighid of Gauwynn in the hopes to give the boy something to look forward to, when Brighid arrived home after all.
Brighid was flattered, truly she was, but she wasn’t interested in taking any more squires on. Even the decision to bring Correl into this was hasty, and not incredibly thought out. She hummed and hawed along, but kept a distance from whatever idea the servants were cooking up. She was more than happy to welcome Winston into Gauwynn house, just not to be his personal inspiration. Luckily she found that Winston more or less thought the same thing. He stuck closer to her, but it seemed to be more of a curiosity than it was admiration.
By the time they’d entered the west hall, also known as the mess hall, for the amount of food eaten and discarded by all patrons of Gauwynn house, Brighid was reminded of another new standout to her home.
Correl stuck to the edges of the table the servants had dragged her to, keeping quiet and listening as the staff regaled their favorite stories of “Lord Brighid”. She listened intently, and jumped with every exclamation. Even from where Brighid stood, she could see the squire’s excitement. While she was hardly concerned with the stories she’d heard several times over, Brighid reacted to whatever Correl’s reaction was. She nearly forgot where she was until she’d run into one of the tables. Forced back into reality, Brighid looked around, as if to check if anyone else had seen her stumble. The only one who had was Winston, and he calmly led her away from the table, as if nothing had happened. Erika had been too busy still talking about random gossip.
Their small group seemed to separate, Brighid offered to keep an eye on Winston, which was more than readily accepted by Erika who’d gone away to talk with others on the furthest side of the hall. This left Brighid and Winston to walk over to Correl.
The Gauwynn House West Hall was a peculiar one. Unlike other halls for dining, there was no separation between the working house servants, and the knights stationed there. This was not a bid in equality, Brighid had discovered during her time as Lord, but simply because the hall was so small, they could not afford to split the space. Which was fine by Brighid, it allowed her and Winston to walk over to the table where Correl sat fairly unbothered. Winston was even able to take a seat there, and urged Brighid to do the same.
Brighid took the opportunity to bump into Correl’s left side before sitting in the empty space beside her. It took everything in her to not laugh out loud when the smaller girl jumped, turning around to face her.
“What are you doing over here?” Correl whispered, taking the chance to hit Brighid’s forearm.
“I would hope I’m here to eat.” Brighid shrugged, stating nonchalantly, motions for her to calm down, unless they wanted to interrupt the story time. Correl snorted, but didn’t say anything else for a moment. Brighid looked around, “This isn’t exactly the best time, but I think we need to talk…” even though she said it smiling, the serious edge was enough to cut through. Correl nodded, standing up from the table and moving away, Brighid started to do the same, but felt something pull her arm.
Winston.
Maybe he had become more clingy in thirties together than she’d thought. Brighid leaned over him to hear him better among the crowds, “Where are you going?” He asked, sleepy eyes seemed to struggle to focus on her face.
“I need to speak with Correl about something regarding my quest.” She answered honestly, though she hoped she wouldn’t have to say more. The subject wasn’t really something to talk about with younger people. He looked on for a moment, quizzically. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough information for him to release her arm. “Can I come?” He asked, before Brighid could protest, he added, “I won’t say anything, I promise.”
Brighid snorted, “Not this time, I’m afraid lad. We’ll only be gone a moment, trust me.” She watched what looked like a pout slowly spread across his face. Not wanting to argue about it, Brighid once again held resolute, “I’ll be back as soon as I can, then we’ll get some food.” She didn’t move away from Winston, not at first, instead holding his gaze before the small boy finally relented. He wasn’t an unreasonable kid after all. Brighid laughed, giving his hair a ruffle before also stepping away from the table, “See if you can’t distract them for me, and I’ll get us a treat.” She called over her shoulder as she joined Correl just outside the hall.
Now that she wasn’t being watched, her mask fell. Tiredness mixed with stress. “What do you think of Gauwynn House so far?” She mused, watching as Correl’s face went through several different phases before settling into her own mixture of tired, confused, and…was it happiness? Maybe stress… Brighid found out a long time ago that sometimes the two can be confused. When her squire spoke, she was calm, “This place is…massive, it’s impressive, and daunting. What I’ve seen of it, anyways.”
“Do you think your monster is still here?” Correl’s voice quieted, and Brighid looked around the near empty hallways just to make sure no straggling servants around them has pricked their ears to listen to their conversation, “…I don’t know. But I- I won’t risk it.” She responded, forcing down the rising doubt and questions with the bile threatening to creep up her throat.
Brighid breathed out steadily, “I just wanted to make sure you’d gotten yourself settled in. It may seem unwise, but I want to rest here a few days while we gather supplies and regroup before heading out again.”
Correl seemed apprehensive, nodding, yet the agreement hadn’t quite reached her eyes. “I… I’ll do my best to adjust. Where are we planning on heading?”
“I would like to make our way towards the sea, back on track, but there are some things I need to take care of first.” Brighid trailed off for a moment before snapping back, “And your room’s okay?”
Correl nodded, this time with more confidence, “Yes. It’s such a big room though, I’ll be honest I mostly spent my time before lunch putting my things away.” she then let out a small laugh, “Ha, at this rate I’ll be stuck in my room for days, never mind looking around the rest of the House.”
Brighid immediately brightened up, “We could probably tour around the house at some point when all of this-“ she gestured around them, “-isn’t so urgent, dire and whatever else.” Correl actually rolled her eyes at that one, so Brighid continued, “The main things to remember about this place are the servants’ hall and rooms are marked with a white diamond somewhere along the doorways. The kitchen and west hall will always be the closest to the sunset, and there is a black door with gold trim…” she looked up as if trying to remember where it was, “…somewhere in these halls, that is my study. I’ve not gotten the time to go there yet for my notes and records regarding my mission, but I soon will. It’s off limits to anyone but myself. So if you need me and I’m in there, well…”
“Ah, those are pretty simple rules” Correl mocked, then adding, “I think I’ll just wait for that guided tour though, just so I don’t get lost.”
“That’s as good an idea as any. Welcome home then, Correl.”
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