بوابة روح

I had finally had enough. Enough of my stepbrother's abuse and control. He had always had a temper, but after my mother died and my stepfather’s mind succumbed to old age, it became so much worse.

I came home from the market that evening to find out he had promised me in marriage to Syllabus Arkane, one of my stepbrothers fellow guardsmen. Arkane was at least forty and I don’t think he has ever bathed, not even in summer when most people will take the risk. 

So I packed what little was considered mine and ran away into the night. I didn’t think anyone would bother looking for me. Too much effort involved. 

The farther I got from the hovel we lived, the lighter my steps became. But a little after midnight the air became chilly and I realized I should probably find some shelter to keep me warm till morning. My old and tattered cloak wouldn’t do much good on its own. 

I left the main road in hopes I could find a thicket or a cave to shelter in and perhaps even build a fire. 

I had never been this far from our village, so I had no idea what I would find. At 17 I was rather naive of the dangers that I had possibly put myself in. 

I was not quiet and rustled bushes and snapped twigs all through woods I had now found myself in. The first shiver of fear hit me when I realized I was hopelessly lost and had no clue which way to go to get back on the road. 

I refused to be daunted, so I marched on in my loud fashion head held high until I thought I heard something else snapping twigs behind me. 

I had heard stories of wolves and other creatures devouring people who got lost. So, it was reasonable that my heart started to pound. I moved I little faster. I followed a ravine until it opened up into a valley, all the while the snapping twigs followed me. 

As the valley opened up before me I saw a strange tower, placed like a monolith in the valley's center. Made of sleet gray stone it slightly shimmered in the moonlight. 

It was very late by this time and I was very scared so I headed for the tower in hopes that its occupants were friendly and I could barter for a good night's rest. 

When I came to the tower base there was a large wooden door carved all over with scenes of creatures, and in the very center, a wolf sat as though he was king over it all. 

I knocked loudly on the door, there was no answer but to my dismay, the door swung wide, as though it hadn’t been latched all the way. 

I walked in and found a spiral staircase leading up into the darkness. I shut the door firmly behind me and began to climb. 

I reached the top out of breath and a little bit shaky from the night's ordeals. I came to another carved door and knocked again. This one too opened and I entered a cozy room with a large bed, fireplace, and cooking area. A window let in the moonlight in and I made my way to the fireplace. There were dying embers, so I stoked the fire up and made myself at home. I tried very hard to stay awake and wait for the tower's occupants to return, so I could explain my intrusion but, my eyelids were heavy. 

I went over to the large bed and promised myself I would just rest for a moment...

Gregor:

I followed the loud girl through the woods. I wondered what she could be doing out alone so late at night. 

I needed to hunt, but she was scaring off every possible quarry for miles. She was young and pretty and very alone. I didn’t want anything else to find her. No reason for her to get hurt. So I herded her to my valley. A healthy dose of fear would do her some good. 

I watched her enter my home, and saw the fire spark back to life and send its glow through the window. Satisfied that she would be, I finished my hunt. 

Felicia:

I opened my eyes to find daylight playing upon the covers of the soft, warm bed. I put my hands up to my face and shook my head. I was only supposed to sleep for a moment. 

I heard the clattering of cooking utensils and sat straight up. His back was to me and I had a clear shot at the door and I was about to make a run for it. 

“Do you mind fresh eggs and salt pork?” He asked turning to look at me. He had an amused smile on his handsome face. 

“What?” I blinked in surprise and confusion. 

“For breakfast?” 

“No...I don’t mind...I’m... so sorry.” 

“No need to apologize. Did you sleep well?” 

“Yes...” I smiled I hadn’t slept that well in years. 

“Well, it’s ready. Why don’t you sit down.” 

I sat obediently while he set the table. When he was done he sat across from me. We filled our plates in silence. 

“First of all, I suppose I should introduce myself. I’m Gregor. What’s your name?” His eyes twinkled at me, as though he was amused by some secret. 

“I’m Felicia.” I smiled and politely extended my hand to him. 

He took it gently, still smiling. 

“While we eat, can you explain why you were crashing around in my woods in the middle of the night?” 

I looked into his rugged face. “Were you the one snapping the twigs?” 

“Yes.” 

I felt my face pull into a frown. “Were you trying to scare me to death?” 

“Not to death.” His voice held the shadow of a laugh. “But it’s wise to be afraid when one is alone in the wilderness at night.”

My face relaxed slightly. The smell of breakfast was distracting me from my annoyance, and my stomach growled. I picked up my fork and took a bite of the delicious food. He watched me for a moment. His eyes twinkled mischievously as he watched me shovel the food into my mouth. I had never tasted anything so good in my life. 

“You never answered my question.” He reminded me once my plate was empty. 

“Oh. I’m sorry.” I huffed a nervous laugh realizing I must have looked far from ladylike while scarfing my breakfast like a starving dog. “I’m running away.”

His eyebrows lifted. “Really? From what?”

“My stepbrother and his matrimonial plans for me.”

“Ah.” A flash of understanding crossed his face. “Where are you headed?” 

“I’m...not sure. I was hoping to go to Wolfenshire and hire out as a servant.” I was embarrassed by how little thought I’d put into this. But I had to leave. I wasn’t going to live as Arkane’s wife. 

“I wouldn’t recommend that.” He said sardonically. “Are you sure this marriage is out of the question?” 

“I’d rather die than be Arkane’s wife.” I nearly shouted in my vehemence. 

His eyes narrowed at me. “Syllabus Arkane?” 

“Yes.” I wondered how he knew Arkane, but didn’t ask. 

He contemplated me for a moment. Then sighed heavily. “If service is what you’re bent on, why don’t you stay here and work for me? I could certainly use the help around the house.”

“Really?” I gave him a bright smile. 

He nodded and the amusement flooded his face again. 

“Thank you, Sir.” 

“Call me Gregor. And that’s the first rule of several I’m going to insist on if you stay here.”

“What rules?” I asked suddenly wary. 

He laughed. “All for your good. Trust me.” 

His rules were simple, and I admit, not unreasonable. First, he told me I could never go anywhere alone at night again. Second, I could go anywhere in the valley I chose during the day. Finally, he told me when I needed to go to market that there was a village in the opposite end of the valley from which I came, but while there I must never speak of him or his tower to anyone. 

The last part I thought odd, but considering his choice of dwelling, I just assumed he liked being alone. He explained what my duties would be, and I was surprised they would be no different than they had been at home, so I knew a could carry them out with ease. 

“Do we have a deal then?” He asked. 

“Yes, s... Gregor.” 

“Excellent. Now if you don’t mind, it’s been I long night and I’m tired.” He got up from the breakfast table and went over to the bed and pulled a heavy curtain around it. 

I began clearing away breakfast, eager to start my new duties. I was excited to have a position and more freedom than I’d ever experienced. 

While I was washing the dishes, a thought struck me. “Gregor?” I said his name tentatively. 

“Yes?” 

“Where shall I sleep?” 

A rumble of a laugh came from behind the curtain. “I sleep during the day and am not here at night. So for now you may sleep in this bed. If that makes you uncomfortable, I will get you one of your own as soon as I can.” 

“Oh... I suppose that’s fine. It’s a comfortable bed.” I decided not to ask him why he was nocturnal. At least for now. 

I went about the normal chores of a house as quietly as I could for the rest of the day. My thoughts were absorbed with my new life and my new employer.