POV Gracelynn Weatherbury

I numbly stitched together the pieces of Violet's new dress, Madam Dowager's blouse, Miss Schuyler's skirt, Sir Dawson's pants, Sir Margrave's coat, Madam Jadeson's socks and clothing for the baby girl she had recently birthed. I did not realize how much time had gone by until I looked out the window and the sun was setting. I vaguely recalled Sawyer checking on me, bringing me food and water and asking if I was alright(I was not). I found my mind wandering like a child through a meadow of wildflowers, visiting memories of my family, both good and bad.

The first time my father had taken me fishing and I had wound up opening my thumb trying to put bait on the hook. My mother teaching me to sew, knit, quilt, and construct articles of clothing. Abigail teaching me the basics of baking. Evellynn teaching me how to defend myself should I wind up at the hands of a man wishing to hurt me. Angelica teaching me to apply makeup and a multitude of hair styles. All 3 of my sister teasing me when I was left blushing after Sawyer gave me a flower he'd picked just for me. My mother drunkenly swearing that Sawyer and I would end up together when she had drank too much on the 3rd year anniversary of father's death. Angelica helping me figure out what colors looked best on me. Abigail informing me on all the different flora in the forest and how to identify them, as well as which wild fruits and vegetables were safe to eat. My father teaching me about the different animals in the forest, and how to identify a species of songbird based on its call and plumage. Evellynn showing me how to hook out an attacker's eyes using just my thumbs, and telling me her whole vocabulary of cuss words. My father teaching me about the night sky and the phases of the moon. My mother teaching me to sing. My sisters helping me get ready for my first ball, where I would share my first dance with Sawyer and then rush home to breathlessly tell them all about it. Gossiping about boys with my sisters, and as we got older, politics. Sharing inside jokes with my father. Learning important life advice from my mother.

My heart had never hurt this much before. I did not know if I could go on like this. I was so utterly alone. What was I meant to do with no family to joke around and bond with? I would reach marrying age soon. And with nothing and no one in his way, Adrian Thatcher, the monster responsible for the deaths of my sisters and mother(and I suspected my father as well), would forcibly take me as his wife. I had no parents or older siblings to object and prevent that beast from sinking his claws and fangs deep into my flesh. At that realization, I began to cry. What had I done to deserve this fate? Was there any way I could possibly get out of it?

POV Zachariah Ubert

My gatekeeper shift at the entrance to the Thatcher estate ended at long last and I packed my uniform into my bag and began to walk back to my home. As I passed the burning stake, my mind wandered to my dear friend Gracelynn Weatherbury. How terribly she must be suffering at this moment. I wondered briefly if I should visit, and as the smell of burnt flesh invaded my nostrils, I made up my mind. I hefted my bag and set off to her house. The usually lively house looked empty and abandoned; not a single light shone through the windows, and no smoke rose from the chimney. I rang the doorbell and stepped back, waiting for Gracelynn to answer. She did not, so I rang once more. Perhaps she was asleep. I turned and began my path back to my home until my attention was caught by the light shining in the windows of the Irving house. Perhaps Gracelynn was asleep, or perhaps she was not at her own house at all. I rapped on the door of the Irving house, and was immediately greeted by sweet little Violet Irving. She was known by all the guards; once a week, she gathered flowers and waited outside the Thatcher estate to deliver them to any guards getting off their shifts. There was nothing any of us would not do for that kind soul.

"Hello, young Violet Irving," I greeted as she opened the door, "I hate to bother you so late, but is your brother here?"

"Um, yes he is, Sir Ubert. Is he in trouble?" She queried, her youthful features contorted with worry.

"Not at all. I simply have a question for him."

"Oh, okay! I shall fetch him. SAWYER! SOMEONE WISHES TO SPEAK WITH YOU!"

As my ears slowly stopped ringing, Violet stepped away from the door and Sawyer stepped into view. He had gotten more handsome since the last time I had seen him.

"Good evening, Sir Ubert! How can I help you?" He queried enthusiastically, blue eyes glittering like stars, pearly white teeth bared in an earnest smile. How he had the energy to dredge up such a greeting, I never knew. I cleared my throat, remembering why I was there. "I hate to bother you, but I would like to know. Have you seen Miss Weatherbury lately?"

"I have, in fact. She has been living here."

"Oh, splendid. Would you be alright if I came in to see her? And do you think she would be alright with me visiting?"

"Yes and yes. Do come in."

Sawyer closed the door behind me and I deposited my bag on the ground by the door. Sawyer motioned for me to follow him up the stairs. He led me into a bedroom where Gracelynn sat in bed, surrounded by thread, needles, papers, and bolts of cloth. Her brow was deeply furrowed in concentration as she expertly sewed the arm of a coat to the bodice. She looked up as Sawyer closed the door behind us.

"You have a visitor, Gracelynn." He announced. I walked to her bedside and opened my arms, trying to figure out if she would accept a hug. She smiled sadly and leaned forward. I leaned down and wrapped my arms around her tightly.

"Gracelynn, my friend, I am so endlessly sorry for your loss. Were it not for the laws of this land, I would take the sword given to me by Adrian Thatcher and run him through with it. I cannot explain how, but I know your mother was innocent," I muttered in her ear. I heard her inhale shakily and she pulled away, tears in her eyes.

"Thank you, Zachariah. It is so good to see you," she sniffled, wiping her eyes, "what brings you here?"

"You do, my sweet. I wanted to see how you were doing."

"Oh. Well, thank you. I truly appreciate it. But surely you have something else you wish to discuss with me."

Damn, she is perceptive, scarily so.

"Ah, I have been caught." I admitted. Behind me, I heard Sawyer open the door to leave and I hastily spun to stop him, grabbing his bicep.

"Wait! You should hear this, too!" I cried. Sawyer closed the door and then looked at my hand, still on his bicep. His impressively muscled bicep...get a hold of yourself, Zachariah! These two were meant for each other! And besides, you have a lover waiting for you! I released Sawyer and turned back to Gracelynn, who met my eyes with a blank stare.

"I have heard...rumors." I began.

"Rumors?" Gracelynn echoed, green eyes wide, and I thought that if I were attracted to women, I would be as besotted with Gracelynn as Sawyer was.

"Yes. Some fellow guardsmen that are also loyal to Matthew Thatcher informed me that there is a rumor flying about the maid's chambers. Apparently, some theorize that Adrian poisoned Matthew and that your mother is innocent."

Sawyer's mouth fell open with shock, eyes widening in surprise. If this woman did not make a move on this beautiful specimen of a man soon, I was going to interfere.

"I am not surprised. My mother would never hurt a mouse, so much as a human. I suspect Adrian framed my mother as well," she sighed.

"You truly believe Adrian would murder his own brother?" Sawyer questioned.

"I believe he would do anything to have full power over our state, which would mean getting his brother out of the way. So yes."

"Framing someone for a crime he committed is something I could easily envision him doing. And you are right Grace; it is no secret that he has wanted the title of mayor all to himself since his father died. He has been known to stoop dangerously low to get what he wants, so I suppose it is not out of the question."

"Exactly my point."

"But even if it is true, we need proof," I chimed in.

"And how would we get that? The only living person that could possibly know the truth is Adrian, and he spins lies as easily as a spider spins a web. Besides, anyone that dares oppose him gets put to death for a crime they never committed," Sawyer pointed out.

"A fair argument. But I have friends that are still loyal to Matthew and despise Adrian. If I can convince them to help me find the truth...well, if we publicly accuse him, he cannot kill all of us without seeming suspicious to the village."

"I am quite fond of this idea. Zachariah, but if you are found out, you would be turned in by the bastards loyal to Adrian and put to death. Are you absolutely sure you are willing to risk your life to do this?" Gracelynn questioned.

"If it means getting the chance to squirm free of that tyrant's iron grasp on our community or eradicate the inequality and oppression of this state, I am more than willing to lay down my life."

Sawyer clapped a hand on my shoulder affectionately and I swooned, just a bit.

"You are one hell of a patriot, Zachariah," he chuckled.

"I will forever blame myself should anything bad happen to you, Zachariah. But if there is a chance we can bring the victims of that murderer's evil schemes to justice, I think we should go for it. On another note, you would make a great leader," Gracelynn mused.

I smiled and bowed to her.

"I should be on my way. While you should take all the time you need to heal, I wish you a swift recovery, Gracelynn," I took her hand and lightly kissed it.

"Aye, you have my thanks. It was wonderful to see you, Zachariah. Tell William I say hello next time you see him," she instructed.

"Tell him the same from me. Get home safely, Zachariah. You are welcome back here any time," Sawyer once again affectionately squeezed my shoulder.

"I shall pass on the message. Good night, my friends."

As I walked back to my home, I felt a surge of confidence. We could do this.