A day after we buried her body, I was off to the palace with my sister. Side-by-side we sat in the cart that was pulled by a weary ass. The gray skies did nothing to improve my spirits or give me any reason to lift my head and admire the new scenery before me. Feria tried to encourage me with cheerful banter and talk about what would happen once we arrived, but halfway through the journey she understood my want for silence and respected that wish.

   I barely remember bidding farewell to papa and maman. They did seem to be handling my departure better than they did Feria's. I believe they worried more for my melancholy state than leaving the house. They knew Feria and I would stick together, but they didn't know when my mourning period would end.

   For the most part, my grief masked the regular emotions one would normally feel leaving their home for the first time and going to a new place. I supposed those true feelings would catch up eventually.

   Maman and Feria helped me pack the few essentials I needed, while I thought about the sentiments from home I would bring along. I stared down at them as we jolted along. I clung to a thick volume from Minryn's cottage; she owned so many volumes but I felt this was the most important- a volume regarding the balance between light and dark. The reasoning behind my choosing of that book is a riddle even for me, but it brought me comfort, especially on that long ride to my new home. The gemstone of my rain fairy necklace bounced with every dip in the road.

   We paused to rest on our journey as night fell, the driver finding us a quaint inn to stay in overnight. Feria had fallen asleep a little after dusk since she has risen early that morning. We boarded in one room where she promptly fell back asleep, but not before mutter to me,

   "We'll be there in the morning. Are you excited?"

   I settled beside her in bed, not responding. She soon drifted off, leaving me alone with my mere existence. No thoughts generated in my mind, nothing felt feel, I wasn't truly existing.

   It was the strangest feeling, I wanted to cry but no tears would come even when I summoned them. I gave up crying the moment Minryn told me to be brave. As hard as it was, I would do as I promised her, I would be brave.

We set back out as dawn began creeping up the darkened sky. The beginning part of the journey was like yesterday, nobody spoke a word.

   Feria rested her eyes a bit, especially before the sun could fully light the sky. I laid my head on her shoulder, clutching my book to my side and staring at the cart floorboards. It was a beautiful sunrise, the fiery canvas sky alight. We were traveling under a bough of trees whose branches stuck out wide above us, creating small, broken fractures of rays that splayed on us.

   Feria finally roused a few minutes after the stunning sunrise.

   "Good morning." She smiled sleepily at me.

   Though I still wasn't in the best mood to converse, I knew choosing to break my silence would help me overcome my grief.

   "Morning," I whispered back.

   "It's lovely out here today. Did I miss the sun rising?"

   "Yes."

   She stretched the best she could in the little cart then surveyed the surroundings.

   "We're almost there. Noon is probably the closest time we'll arrive."

   I thought about when we would arrive. There would be people there I'd have to talk to, servants eager to meet me. As much as I craved a lonely place to lie in, I fended off those feelings and focused on how I would present myself. Feria had told them about me, but I wasn't officially taken in yet- I'd have to prove myself.

   Since I had responded to her first few interactions, Feria began to talk more freely with me, chattering on more about the palace and its occupants. She conveyed her slight fears that I wouldn't be accepted but offered me nothing but positive encouragement. I listened- not to my best attentive nature albeit- and nodded along with her one-way talk.

   The first emotion I felt, other than grief, since Minryn's passing, was nervousness. The moment my eyes laid sight on the impressive, towering structure, I felt my throat tighten up and my heart begin to pick up in pace. Feria, on the other hand, appeared giddy at the sight.

   "We're here. Isn't it too magnificent to be described? Didn't I tell you?"

   Her words were nothing more than empty noise to me in the instant as I stared up at the structure. Never in my life had I seen something so grand. The highest I knew a structure could go was merely two stories, but as I tilted my head back to gaze upon it, I couldn't begin to fathom the size. Our house was the space of one tower! The wondrous details amazed me even further, how such cravings on the wooden door were made enraptured my attention, it caused my mind to spin. The tips of the golden towers seemed to pierce the sky.

   As the cart stopped at the doors- which were wider than our house and Minryn's cottage set side-by-side- I felt insufficiently small, creating an even deeper worry in me. Feria guided me out the cart and to the two massive doors where four guards stood. None of them greeted us or glanced our way, they were like statues set staring straight ahead. My thoughts went back to the guardsmen that visit our town every harvest.

   Feria knocked on one of the doors and waited until a scrapping could be heard followed by a small slit, I'd overlooked, opening. A set of eyes looked down at us and a foreboding voice rumbled out,

   "What is your business?"

   "My name is Feria Domshov and I am a servant here, I have returned from leave, my lord."

   The set of eyes disappeared from the slit for a moment before reappearing.

   "Your leave was extended?"

   "Yes, my lord."

   The stoic eyes looked between the two of us then disappeared once more. This time, the heavy sound, like rumbling thunder, could be heard as one of the great doors was cracked open ajar, enough for us to enter.

   Feria entered as though this was indeed her home. I followed behind, staring in amazement at everything we passed.

   The exterior was only the beginning of the grand estate, the inside was robed in elegance as I had never seen. The ceiling in the foyer was made of, seemingly, golden stained glass that stretched high above us. Light poured in, bathing us in the sun's rays. I was slow to follow behind my sister, who kept trying to hurry me along. I wanted to venture up the polished marble staircase, but that wasn't where our destination laid.

   "We can take all the time you wish to explore later, Aelita, but we have to make haste now."

   I drew my gaze away from the spectacular sights that I wished to record and write to papa and maman about.

   It amazed me how my sister could travel these endless hallways with no trouble- if she knew this much, how much more would the others know?

   Our final destination was a spacious room with a desk in the center and numerous trinkets on the shelves and bureaus that lined the walls. Feria knocked, though entered even before permission was given. A man of short stature with a set, stern looking face sat behind the cluttered desk. He was impeccably dressed with nothing out of place on him.

   "My lord," Feria nodded, acknowledging him. "Forgive me for my extended stay home but there were many unfortunate situations occurring. They are over and done with now and I have brought my younger sister in hopes of her obtaining a place here. It would benefit my family a great deal, my lord, but the decision is yours to make."

   The stunted man straightened in his chair, peering over at me. His expression was hard to tell, even more so were his actions. He got up and silently began to inspect me with a deep frown.

   It was at that moment I wished I would have set my belongs down outside the door or worn some better garments, but I didn't realize I would be assessed at that very time.

   I looked to my sister for encouragement or any indication I was doing something wrong, but she appeared as lost as I was.

   After a few more minutes of scrutinizing, he stood in front of his desk and looked up at me- for he was a short man. When he finally spoke, his voice was as undetectable of favor or disdain as much his actions and expressions were.

   "What is your name?"

   "Aelita. Domshov." I chided myself for forgetting to include my family name so absentmindedly.

   "How old are you at this time?"

   "Sixteen."

    He had a faint accent that intrigued me. I was trying to place where it might be from- the southern or eastern region most likely. Uncle Lenord would know, he knew almost all the accents and dialects to be spoken.

    I was letting my thoughts stray from the task of properly answering the questions.

   "Why do you want to work here?"

    The question took me aback. I decided to answer that question with complete honesty.

   "My sister works here and there is no longer any opportunities where I come from."

   He rubbed his chin in a way that reminded me of how Minryn would. I felt the stabbing point of grief sink it.

   "What opportunities does the palace offer you that your home does not?"

   "The opportunity to see more, witness more, understand more."

   The questions were challenging. I came up with answers to each question asked of me.

   "What skills have you?"

   "Some in sewing, more in quilting..." I felt uncomfortable, for some odd reason, listing what skills I possessed. Perhaps it was the pressure to answer or my sister's presence, but I hesitated some. I stole a glance at Feria, who gave me a subtle but encouraging nod to continue. "I know the basics of farming, I understand medicine in some regard-"

   His expression shifted to one I could detect- it was a dubious one.

   "You understand medicines?"

   "Yes...my lord," I added his proper title.

   "Is your mother a herbalist?"

   "No, my lord."

   "Your aunt?"

   "No one in my family deals with medicine or herbs."

   Disbelief crossed his face. "Then how do you understand medicines? Meddling?"

   I don't know why I hesitated at the truth so much, but I did. He expected an answer, though, so I complied.

   "From my studies, my lord."

   "Studies?"

   My brief, unexplained answers were making him impatient. Though an ache still went through me every time I thought or spoke of my late teacher, I knew I would have to bring her name to light.

   "I was taught how to read and write by a woman named Minryn. I read any book I could so I once read a volume on medicine and herbs, healing ointments. We also have a healer in our town who I talked to about such things. He taught me many things as well."

   "You read and write?" The amazement was apparent in his voice.

   "Yes, my lord."

   He looked between my sister and me.

   "Are you fluent as well?"

   "No, my lord, I am not." Feria had lowered her voice and head slightly at that.

   He looked back at me, the indecipherable expression returning to his face. "Allow me a moment to ponder these things before I give you my final decision."

   He returned to his desk, peering over paperwork.

   "Tarry outside and I will call you back in."

   Feria dipped her head in an acknowledging gesture then hurried to pull me along to wait outside the doors.

   I was still uneasy about the conversation, but she was hopeful- though I noticed a loss of energy in her eyes.

   "Don't worry, Aelita. The headmaster is very sympathetic and generous."

   "I'm not looking for charity," I replied flatly, toying with the fraying ends of my sleeve.

   "You gave good responses."

   Her encouragement was touching but did little to relieve my worry, especially when time began to stretch with us yet to be called back in. Even Feria seemed a bit uneasy about this, but never revealed those worries in her speech.

   My thoughts ranged on the issue. Perhaps he didn't believe I could do all that I claimed I could. I could prove to him I was useful. Maybe it was as simple, yet humiliating, that he forgot all about us sitting outside- too busy to waste his thinking on me. The result of our prolonged wait was my growing anxiety.

   Finally, after what seemed like an hour passed, the door creaked open and the man gestured for us to come in. I followed behind my sister but stood before him once we re-entered.

   His face never revealed his thoughts, so I stood before him, holding my breath.

   "The palace is a wonderful place to work and I know why your sister suggested such a place to you. You'll want for nothing here." He was watching me, I felt, for my reactions to his words but I gave him no indicator to my emotions. "There were many things for me to consider in this situation. It isn't often that this happens, but it does, that some lazy waif comes in and does nothing and, well, that simply won't do. Which is why I see to it that only a selected few who prove themselves worthy are tasked here."

    Though I was stoic, my mind was fidgeting with fright. He came closer and leaned forward a bit.

   "I see something in you and it intrigues me." He leaned back. "Knowing how hardworking and masterful your sister is, I'm naturally inclined to believe the same is true of you, and as of now, you give me reason to believe right."

   His words and the new smile on his face gave me hope for the first time on this journey here.

   "I will allow you to stay and work. Your sister will oversee and teach you our ways for the first week and I will take note of your character and work behavior. I have high faith in you, Miss Domshov, don't disappoint me."

   I allowed a small smile to appear on my face as I gave him a gracious curtsy.

   "Thank, sir, thank you a thousand times over. I will prove myself reliable to you and this palace."

   "I pray you will. Now, your sister will get you settled in the servants' quarters."

   Feria offered her thanks and gratitude to him as well before leading me out into the maze of hallways again. The moment we were alone, she embraced me tightly, crying over how proud and happy she was for me. I was glad, thankful she would be my guide and help for my first few days.

    We walked arm around our shoulders to the servants' quarters which, though not as splendid in stature or appearance as the rest of the palace, was far from the simple, bare living I was accustomed to.

    Feria showed me where we would eat our meals, the bells that would alert us to a need from anywhere in the palace, a few secret doors some of the older servants had disclosed to her, and finally the rooms where we would retire to at night.

    Feria shared a room with seven other girls, none of whom were present at our entering. Unfortunately, there was not an open bed available for me to occupy. Feria thought at first to move her belongs and settle in a new room with me or ask one of the other girls to move out, but I rejected those ideas and stated I would simply choose a room where there was an empty bed. She was mournful to that idea, but let me be with it. Though we had grown up sharing a bed and room together, and even though the first few weeks she had left made me miss her presence in our bed, I had grown comfortable sleeping by myself with no one to talk to. Though she seemed saddened by our separation again, I knew it would do us better that way. It also gave me new people to converse with at night- that was one thing I truly did miss at nights by myself.

    Together, we helped me settle my belongs in my chosen room which had four bed that already appeared occupied. The room had two windows; one facing the west, the other the north, each had a lovely view. There was also a desk to write on. I was amazed by the flooring because it wasn't the bare earthen floor I was used to. There was so much I had to tell papa and maman about in my first letter home, which I immediately got to writing once I was settled. Feria disappeared to attend to some things while I began my letter.

   It was long and detailed as I could make it. I could only express the wondrous sights I beheld and the emotions they evoked. I was so consumed in my writings that I only noticed the time passed when the natural light of day had begun to wan with dusk. Feria had not returned yet so I searched around for a candle so I could continue my writing. Once one was lit, I scribed on until I was interrupted, this time, by a meek voice from behind.

   "H-how are you doing that?"

   I nearly split my ink, but recovered from the startle, turning in the chair to face who spoke. A young girl, who could pass for either an older child or very young woman, stood holding a pitcher in both hands. She had light red hair that glowed orange in the dying light. Her face was unique to me for I had never seen so many noticeable freckles on a person before. She was a lithe thing but not svelte, taller than most. She was staring, wide eyed, at the pages of my letter.

   "How am I doing what?" I was puzzled by her question. "Writing?"

   She nodded dumbly.

   The amazement in her tone still baffled me. Hadn't she ever seen anyone write before?

   I set the writing tool aside and tidied up my papers. "I just do it, I suppose. I've never been asked such a question."

   "Who are you? Are you a new servant?"

   "Yes. I'm Aelita."

   Her demeanor towards me became suspicious, wary at best.

   "How do you know how to read and write then?"

   "I've been taught."

   "Then why are you a servant?"

    Her questions and behavior confused me and I wished for my sister to return.

   "Because I received a job to be a servant."

   "And you just happen to know how to read and write? Well, what kind of servant are you? Not the cleaning, serving type, no?"

   "I think I am. I'm being taught the roles I'm supposed to be doing by my sister."

   Her eyes opened up in question again.

   "Who's your sister?"

   "Feria Domshov. She's my older sister."

   The girl became quiet in thought, staring out the window in ponderous. I interrupted after a minute or so.

    "Do you sleep in here?"

    She looked at me once more as if remembering my presence. Shifting the pitcher, which was empty, under her arm, she replied.

    "Yes. Do you?"

    "I do now, I suppose."

    She studied me for a moment before setting the pitcher on one of the small side tables then sat down on a bed I assumed was hers. She said no more to me, occupying herself with something else. I watched her, slightly baffled and nervous, for a minute.

   It felt rude of me not to introduce myself, especially since we would be sleeping in the same room together and I found that a rather intimate thing.

   "I'm Aelita."

   "Yes, I heard you the first time." She said, not bothering to look up at me while she spoke. Her manners were not the keenest.

    A brief silence passed before I spoke up tentatively again.

   "Who are you, may I ask?"

   Thankfully, she had the courtesy to look up at me from whatever task she was doing in her lap.

   "Merione."

   Immediately, she resumed her task, ignoring me once more. It took me back a bit. I don't know what I expected, but I didn't expect such an odd, somewhat distant welcome. I excused her rough behavior as weariness of strangers and perhaps a long day. I ignored her as well, going back to my letter.

   As the time drew on, others whose room it was came in, each seeming as distant and unwelcoming as Merione. They whispered to each other periodically, but even around each other they seemed disconnected. It baffled me really. They sleep in the same room yet never exchange more than a few hushed pleasantries with each other. I was grateful just to learn their names before they each entertained themselves separately.

   I was thankful when my sister finally returned to see how I fared. She ushered me out to where a bath had been drawn for me to take and servant's clothes set out for me. The gray dress was plain, but not in as dire condition as the clothes I had arrived in. As simple as they might appear to others, I was genuinely grateful for the warm material and nicely sewn dress. As she helped me prepare for bed, I confided in her all about the cold interactions and greetings of my roommates. She gave me an empathetic expression as she braided my hair.

    "Mine were just the same when I first arrived," She told me. "At least I thought. I thought them quite rude at the time, but I continued to try to know them and get them to warm up to my presence. Surprisingly, I found they weren't rude at all, but rather shy. Because I continued to show my friendliness they trusted me more and became more open to me. It's like that around here, Aelita. It's different than home."

   "Very."

   "As distant as they might appear, they may be lovely to get to know. Be kind to them and they will show their true characters. Some sooner than others."

    Taking her wisdom to heart, I agreed to try. As we parted ways to our rooms, I held her close, a sudden gust of happiness to be near her again going through me.

   "I'm overjoyed you're here." She whispered in my ear, holding me tightly.

   "As am I. I missed you so."

   We pulled back and she smoothed a wisp of hair out of my face.

   "I know. Now get some rest and get dressed on time, there will be much to learn."

    Any talk of learning or knowledge sent a stab of grief through me at the thoughts the words evoked. Still, I gave a small smile and nodded, heading off to my quiet, sleeping room.

   Tomorrow, I would get up and try for the first time since Minryn's death. I would keep my promise to her and be braver than I ever knew I could.