Notes in Ochre

Chapter 17 - Part 1

The day turned out to be a grueling one. We discovered that we had been charged with maintaining the herb and spice garden. The seemingly small garden was, in actuality, much larger than I had realized, snaking through the surrounding wood in never ending tendrils all the way to the cliffs. Tending to each tentacle of this many headed monster felt never ending. The small forest was dense on this side of the castle, despite the fact there wasn't much actual land for the trees to grow on. Following the wooded paths along the herb garden, I was surprised to find the trees ended abruptly just before the drop off into the sea, with large roots reaching fruitlessly for purchase into the void. Sarah explained that the cliffs on this side were far less steep, and resembled more of a moor, but a cautious peek over the side left me begging to differ.

Though we had been assigned to this garden, my sister and I knew nothing of growing plants, but Sarah was patient. She explained everything carefully and helped guide Briar and I though the tasks we would need to preform each day. The work was arduous and as the day wore on, the slight overcast from the storm the night before burned off and the day grew hot. The air became thick with moisture after lunch, causing my thin ripped shift to stick to my body in all sorts of uncomfortable ways that left me no choice but to simmer in my own squalor. The one good thing about such hard labor was that the day passed quickly and I soon forgot my modesty and discomfort as it was lost to the burdens of digging, pruning, plucking, and watering. Soon, Mrs. Smith had returned for us and we were served our dinner in a large hall which could clearly seat many, but today was only occupied by a few. The sparse crowd glanced in our direction, but nothing more, which I felt grateful for. We were served a hearty stew of potatoes and a strange purple-gray meat that was tough and gamey. Wondering what it was, I resisted the urge to poke at it. Mrs. Smith reminded us with a grunt that we only had ten minutes to eat and I found myself starving, so I did my best to gratefully polish whatever it was off before we were brusquely escorted into Matthias' office once more for our first lesson in magic.

Inside the study, I found Matthias at his desk, stooped over a large, and mostly rotted, manuscript. Though he seemed intently focus, as soon as Briar and I entered, he waved with a cheerful "Hello!", though never actually looking at us. I opened my mouth with the intention of a greeting at the tip of my tongue, but Matthias cut me off.

"You'll find your tutor there," he gestured across the room, his tone dismissive and bored. Once more in the day, I'd found myself silenced, but I did not waste much mental energy on someone who was clearly not to be bothered. In truth, my mind was happy to wander with my my eyes to its true preoccupation, which currently rested on the other side of the room from the Archmage. Uther leaned upon the side of a wingback chair, half sitting on the arm, his upper body curled into a small leather bound tome that was either very small, or simply dwarfed by his large hand. His long, pitch black wavy locks caressed his luminous face, reaching past the broad expanse of his shoulders in luscious tendrils that delicately kissed upon his well defined chest. The light which poured in behind him from the large paned window warmed his skin and it was as if he was bathed in sunlight. I had to stop myself from gasping, which seemed such an odd reaction. He looked up from the book, then, and we locked eyes, holding each other's gaze for what was clearly a moment too long as I began to feel the heat of a different set of eyes upon me. I peeked in the direction from whence the stare came to find Matthias eyeing me curiously.

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Author Note: Fairly happy with this bit of writing, so I hope you enjoy it, too!  I'm sorry I forgot to post on Wednesday!  😫 Honest mistake!  I'll post again on Sunday.  Until then, ta-ta!  Love you all!