Violet's Chamber

[Tim of Raventree]

Lady Violet lives here.

[Tim of Raventree]

Violet summoned the new handmaid, Tya, to her chamber as soon as she learned of the girl's arrival and the post she had been given. She was in a good mood, since having a handmaid to attend her would only add to her consequence during her travels. She would feel much more like a proper lady with an attendant.

[Tya Rivers]

Tya entered after knocking gently on the door.

"Yes, my lady?" She asked.

She wasn't sure where to look, and so her eyes were focused on a spot of mud on the floor.

[Tim of Raventree]

"Good day," Violet said, hiding he surprise at how young the girl was. "Close the door behind you and have a seat."

She seated herself on the bed, indicating that Tya should take the chair. "May I ask your name? Mine is Violet."

[Tya Rivers]

Tya tucked her bright copper hair behind her ear, closed the door then sat. She was perched on the edge of the chair, as if ready to take flight at the slightest noise.

"Thank you Lady Violet." She said. "I am Tya."

[Tim of Raventree]

"I'm told you are related to me in some manner," Violet said. "But I never knew of your existence until today. Have you served as handmaid before?"

[Tya Rivers]

"Never, Lady Violet." She answered. "I worked in a shop and learnt to sew. And I have served in inns, but you are the only one to give me a chance."

[Tim of Raventree]

Violet decided to be blunt. "I need your services as much as you need my protection," she admitted. "I was educated at the motherhouse of the Faith in Bechester but I'm newly raised to the status of a true lady. I have much to learn still. We'll have to learn our roles together. I'm glad you can sew, you will be required to mend my dresses and help me sew new ones when I do not employ the services of a seamstress' establishment. But you'll have to learn to dress my hair too, and many other things."

She paused for a moment, then asked, very seriously "Is there anything else I need to know about your past life? I would prefer not to have secrets between us that may affect your service or our family as a whole. If there is anything...dubious about your past it's best I know now."

[Tya Rivers]

"Oh, my lady." Said Tya. "I am trained to be a seamstress, if I have the materials then I can make you wonderful dresses as you wish them. I promise that I will try and learn my role quickly. I have no secrets my Lady. My mother was a seamstress too, and my father was a knight. The only secrets that I hold is the measurements of my former customers."

[Tim of Raventree]

Violet felt a little rush of relief. After all, she knew nothing of this girl's life and the possibility of some scandal or other had been a genuine concern. It remained to be seen if Tya was honest, but she didn't appear to be sly. So Violet offered the girl a friendly smile.

"I'm glad to hear it. Now, let's test your skills. Would you pour me a glass of wine? And one for yourself. The bottle and glasses are in the cabinet." She gestured. "I hope you have a steady hand. The time may come when I am obliged to offer wine to a highborn lord or lady."

[Tya Rivers]

Tya busied herself with the wine, deftly pouring out the glasses and serving Violet. She was glad that her first task was something that she could actually do.

[Tim of Raventree]

Violet watched and finally nodded her approval. "Excellent. You have a natural grace that is most becoming in a handmaid."

Eyeing Tya somewhat critically, she said "You are very young for the position, but perhaps you will learn more quickly. You'll be responsible for my linens too. And making sure I have water to wash with each morning. And you'll attend me when I go to the bathhouse, of course. And be sure to bathe yourself, too. I insist upon cleanliness."

[Barley]

//////////

Lady Saesha arrived to see her good sister.

"Violet, how are you getting along? I feel like I rarely see you."

[Tim of Raventree]

Violet looked up from her book. It had not been nearly as engrossing as she had hoped.

"Yes, I know. You must be very busy with your duties," she said. "Do you find it strange here? I do. The castle frightens me, a little. I think its the bloody history, you know."

[Barley]

"Most castles have a bloody history, The history of the nobles is a history of blood, Violet, it should put you off no more than any other castle." Saesha replied, pleasantries done she got on to why she had come all the way down to see her.

"I need to see that key you found."