I opened my eyes and stared at the cabinet across from my seated body. The honey brown orbs as dead and cold as the eyes of the old man whose song still rang in my ears, punctuated by the screams of the poor souls who lost their lives that day. I reach up and wipe the dried tears from my face and lift myself from the floor. Straitening my uniform, I start to clean. I don't always remember things so vividly, but this memory has scarred me for lifetimes.

        I hear the tinkle of a small bell from the study and I gather up my tray once more along with a tea pot steeping fresh leaves. When I enter the room Sir Finley holds his empty cup out to me and I take it after resting my tray back on the small table. His eyes linger on me longer than is usual for him. He seems to be thinking something as master rubs the bridge of his nose. As I place the cup and saucer back in his waiting hands he looks me in the eyes and asks, "What do you know of the Crossing of Aurora? Were you educated on the past?" His eyes seem to dig their own way into my mind as he awaits an answer. "Yes Sir Finley, I was educated very well in history, and I know many of the stories told of The Crossing." He cracks a wide smile and sets his fresh tea to the side. "Tell me, have you heard the story of the slave cart that was overtaken by a sinkhole during the very first shipment to the Meridian?"

        I lace my fingers together at the front of my servants frock and lower my gaze to the floor. "Yes, it was the second cart in the line of ten sent into the unknown lands, now known as Meridian." Sir Finley turns back to master who now looks intently at my face. The first time he ever has no doubt. "What a prize you keep hidden in this dark misery of a home Willy! Why have you never told me of your interesting slave before?" He turns back to me with an even bigger smile. "What is your name slave?" 

        "Meredith Sir." I say, eyes still to the floor. "Hmm, well Meredith. What are your thoughts on rumors of people finding an old slave cart in the ground in an area known to have been part of the bog?" I blink slowly and raise my gaze to meet him. "I could not bother your ears and mind with my worthless thoughts." I say meekly. "Oh but I insist!" says Sir Finley as he gestures to me to speak. "Well I think it might be a good idea to at least look. You never know what you might find, but all that matters is that you looked."

        I turn to look to master and his eyes slide from his cold cup of tea to meet my gaze. I look again to the floor. "Thank you Meredith!" Sir Finley laughs and turns back to master. I take my leave as the men discuss their next move. Who knows, maybe they will finally bring those poor souls back into the light they had been refused for so long now.