Private Tales Twist of Fate

[Ennui]

No one had ever touched her in such a way before. It was so soft, and tickled along her flesh as his fingers brushed along her jaw. She felt a shiver run down her spine.

A moment passed before she recovered and she straightened herself, still blushing far more than she would have liked.

The book in his hand was a curiosity, but then again, so was every other book in his library. Being unable to read left her in gloomy place, cut off from much of the world.

Which was precisely why her parents refused to teach her.

With one last quick curtsy, the servant turned and walked out of the room. There was work to be done and she wanted to at least get the windows started before she had to make dinner.

 

[Cynric]

"Oh." Cynric spoke up just as she was walking out the door.

The Nobleman did not look up as he spoke.

There was an absentness to his voice, as if he wasn't entirely present in the room anymore. He was looking down at his book, focused upon the pages as Ennui made her way through the door. His voice however never seemed to dampen.

As though he were still whispering in her ear. "Perhaps if you finish the list quickly enough, we'll have time to teach you to reach."

He turned the page.

 

[Ennui]

Ennui paused in the doorway, glancing over her shoulder at the Nobleman seated by the fire. Her hand came to rest against the doorframe and she felt her breath catch in her throat, heart skipping a single beat.

Would he actually do such a thing for her? She was just a servant. He owned her outright... Why would he make such an offer? Was he making fun of her?

Still, the chance was too good to pass up.

"I would like that, my Lord." She replied with a soft smile.

Ennui turned and hurried out of the room with renewed determination.

 

[Cynric]

Cynric didn't respond a second time, simply continuing with his reading as though it were nothing at all to be concerned about.

The day passed on by quickly.

It had been dawn when Ennui arrived, and it seemed throughout the hours that Cynric rarely moved from his place within the study. Every time the girl passed through she would find her Master in the seat, slowly flipping through the pages of the book.

An observant glance would see that the book changed half-way through the day, the original tome settling on the side table besides the chair.

By the time dusk settled upon the horizon Cynric held a third book, it's paged far more worn and ancient than either of the other two. That was where she would find him when she came looking.

 

[Ennui]

"Lord Azren, dinner is prepared." Ennui spoke softly, trying her best to mitigate the disturbance to Cynric's reading. "Would you like your meal served in here or in the dining room?"

She'd taken time to make herself more presentable, though her clothes were still rather tattered.

Throughout the day, she'd managed to get through only a third of the list he'd given her. As much as she wanted to hurry through the tasks, she knew that she needed to do a good job. It wouldn't matter if she rushed through it and he was displeased with the results.

 

[Cynric]

Cynric glanced up from his book finally, his hand settling on the page of the tome as though he were trying to hide what was upon it. After a few seconds he smiled it to himself, as if remembering, and then drew his palm away.

He considered her question for a moment. "Come here."

The Nobleman said with a gesture, once again with the expectation that she would follow his command without hesitation or pause.

"What was your list?" He seemed genuinely interested.

Cynric wanted to see if she remembered, though why would be impossible for her to tell.

 

[Ennui]

Ennui smiled a little at the question, clasping her hands together in front of herself. There was no fidgeting this time, she seemed more confident now that she'd been working.

"You wanted me to start with the windows, uncover and clean them to let in more light. Then dealing with the dust that's accumulated..." She went on to recite the list to him.

"I managed to finish the windows and the laundry. The dust will take me some time to fully tackle, but I made good progress." She explained her progress in handling the list she'd been given.

If there were more servants residing in the estate, she could have easily managed the situation and gotten every task handled that day. But unfortunately, it was only her. There was only so much she could accomplish in a single day.

 

[Cynric]

The meal came quickly, and the next day even faster.

Dawn struck, and a certain calm silence hung over the entirety of the estate. Though the manor was large and from the outside appeared to be slowly falling to pieces, there was no sign of that in the morning.

Vines still covered old bricks, moss crawled up ancient garden walls, but there were no creaking floorboards. No scratching mice. The Azren Estate was quiet, only the sound of birds chirping outside echoing through whatever windows had been left open.

It was that quiet which Ennui would wake up to.

A silence, and a peace that was more home than any she had ever known before. Wrapped in blankets warmer than those she had ever known, sleeping on a mattress more comfortable than she could have imagined.

All provided and granted to her by a new life she could never have imagined.

 

[Ennui]

As much as she wanted to stay in bed and revel in the comfort of the mattress, she knew that there was work to be done. She rolled onto her back and closed her eyes, a soft sigh slipping from her lips. There would always be work to be done.

Though Lord Azren, it seemed, had a kind streak within his strange heart.

He'd rewarded Ennui with the morning off, allowing her some time to visit the nearby meadow to collect wildflowers. If she hurried, she would have enough time to make it to the morning market in the village to acquire some provisions for the next few days. The Azren stores were running dangerously low.


There was no sign of Cynric as she made her way to the manor's entrance. She wanted to tell him that she was heading out early to buy some food, but she couldn't find him in the expansive manor and she didn't want to disturb him if he was still sleeping.

If she'd been able to write, she would have happily left a note. Lord Azren was well aware of her circumstances, however, so she was hopeful that he wouldn't be cross with her.

With a basket, gardening sheers, and a pair of gloves, she set out on her first day of errands.


The morning air was cool, but the bright sunlight chased away any gloom that might have settled over her. Birds were singing and the sky was crisp blue. Even Ennui found it difficult not to smile at the pleasant morning.

Serenity. That was the word for it.

She made a private promise to herself to take these morning walks as often as she could. The fresh air would do her good.

By the time she reached the town, the sun had risen enough that the early morning chill had lifted. The market was in full swing. Merchants lined the town square with colorful stalls, all shouting at passerby to sample their wares. Rich scents filled the atmosphere, a mixture of fresh baked bread and tobacco. Most of the locals were human with a few elves sprinkled in the mix.

Being the only purple tiefling in the market made Ennui stand out. She drew stares from children and curious whispers, though she was happy to see there wasn't any open hostility. She was an oddity here, not a threat.

Nevertheless, she didn't dwell long in the market. She was uncomfortable with the attention she was drawing, and didn't want to be gone from the estate for too long. The list of never ending chores still loomed over her head.

With her basket partially filled with wrapped meats and fresh vegetables, she made her way back to the country road that led past the meadow and up to Azren's estate.

 

[Cynric]

Cynric's day did not change much from the one before. He heard the door close when Ennui made her way from the estate, though he did not look up from his book as she went upon her way.

For him there was no concern.

Running wasn't an option for the girl, and if she did not reappear when she was supposed to then more trouble would find her than she could ever imagine. It was a threat that had never been spoken out loud, but they both already knew.

The means of Alven were far beyond what most would think, and the noble families went to great lengths in order to keep the chains of control they had woven. It was a fact that everyone knew, but rarely spoke of.

The rich stayed rich. The poor remained where they were.

Cynric flipped a page within his book, smiling as the sun cast down through the now clean windows.

 

[Ennui]

Running hadn't even crossed Ennui's mind. Sure, the lord of the estate had some... Eccentric tendencies, but so far he'd treated her well and provided a relatively comfortable life for someone like her.

She was just happy to be outside with the freedom to pick as many flowers as she wanted. It was peaceful and something she wanted to do -- such opportunities were rare for her.


What she didn't realize was that she'd attracted more attention than she initially thought back in the market.

Two brothers with avarice in their hearts had followed her to the meadow.

The road was not well traveled, since Lord Azren rarely had visitors and there were no guards or servants to come and go, just the elusive Lord locked away in his tower.

Boots padding against the worn gravel was distinct enough of a sound to draw Ennui's attention. Her brow creased slightly with confusion, unsure as to who else would be all the way out here.

She was knelt down amongst the flourishing flowers, the bright sunlight bathing her in warmth. Despite the beautiful morning, a frightened tremor ran down her spine at the sight of the two men approaching.

They were both cloaked with their hoods pulled low over their features, though that did little to hide to dusky brown of their burly arms. Half-orcs, she realized as they drew closer.

Swallowing her uneasiness, Ennui called out a friendly greeting to them, hoping to assuage her fears. "Good morning! Beautiful day, isn't it?"

The taller of the pair chuckled in response, stopping at the edge of the road in front of her. "Hadn't noticed."
He remarked gruffly, his voice low and gravelly. "Our attention's been... Elsewhere."

As he spoke, the second man stepped off the road and moved towards Ennui directly.

She tensed and quickly scrambled to her feet, snatching up the only defense she had: the garden sheers. Backing away, she held the low against her skirts, hoping to obscure the cutting tool from their view.

The brother who'd yet to speak chuckled as he knelt down and rummaged through the basket. "Hmm... Not nearly enough."

With him so close, Ellnui could see his dark eyes as they turned towards her, a sadistic smirk on his lips. "That's okay, our little lamb here'll make up for it plenty."

He lunged towards the tiefling, moving with startling speed. Elluni was only just able to stagger back to avoid his grasp.

She spun around and started to sprint up the hill that led towards the manor. "Get away from me!" She shouted over her shoulder as the two half-orcs charged after her.

The two brothers laughed.

In a matter of seconds, they'd caught her. The larger of the two tackled the woman to the ground and pinned her on her back.

Elluni could see blue skies overhead and the wildflowers dancing in the gentle breeze. The peaceful beauty of the morning stood in stark contrast to what was happening.

She struggled against the man's firm hold on her, unable to get the sheers free to defend herself.

As the half-orc bowed his head, nuzzling his gruff face into the curve of her throat. When he sank his teeth into her soft flesh, Elluni screamed.

 

[Cynric]

It was the scream that pulled his eyes up from the pages of the book.

The Meadow was not too far from the estate, and the small valley that his family had built the Manor in was curved in such a way that sound traveled. It had been made originally to hear coming travelers, but Ennui's desperate plea could be heard just as well.

Cynric stood from his chair.

For a man of leisure he seemed to move surprisingly quick, rushing out the door and snapping up the cane which had been leaning against the wall. The front doors of the Estate rushed open, swinging and slamming against the outside.

An odd wisp surrounded him as he was moving, darting along the road and flickering forward through the meadow. Flowers seemed to shift as he neared them, ebbing away from his path until through them he spotted Ennui and the two men.

A click rang out behind the man as his cane connected against the rock. "Step away."

The nobleman said, his stance regal, authoritative. His family had fallen on hard times, but he was still above these cretins. Far above.

 

[Ennui]

One of the men was sitting on top of Ennui, pinning her to the ground. The other had clearly been in the process of unbuckling his trousers.

Cynric's sudden appearance caught them off guard, but they seemed more annoyed than frightened by the interruption.

Blood oozed from Ennui's neck where she'd been bitten, staining her muted grey dress a deep crimson.

"Can't you see we're in the middle of something?" The one pinning Ennui growled, turning his head to look over his shoulder at the Nobleman.

The distraction was the opening that Ennui needed.

She whipped her head forward, slamming one of her curved horns into the side of the half-orc's temple, knocking him off balance and shoving him off of her.

He howled in startled fury, grabbing at her ankle as she scrambled back to her feet. "You bitch! Get back here!"

 

[Cynric]

There was a loud snap that seemed to echo out in the meadow just behind Ennui.

It was followed by the sound of a body hitting the floor, the man who had been standing landed on the ground with a thump. His head was practically wrenched from his body, twisted far beyond what any form of human strength should have been able to do.

Cynric didn't even give him a second glance.

Instead he moved forward as the now bleeding Half-Orc grasped after Ennui's ankle and tried to drag her backwards. His foot came down upon the mans back, boot kicking into his spine with force enough to break stone. "I said."

The nobleman spoke, peering down at the scum.

"Step. Away." His gaze was burning, eyes holding that strange flicker.

 

[Ennui]

The man wheezed a wet breath as Cynric's boot came down on his spine, and then he slumped into the grass. His grip released Ennui's leg and he didn't move again.

It was all over before the tiefling could fully process what had happened.

Trembling, she hurried to Cynric's side and wrapped her arms around his shoulders in a fierce hug -- forgetting herself for a short moment, too overcome with relief to follow proper etiquette.

"Th-thank you..." She stammered in a soft whisper, burying her face into the nobleman's chest.

Perhaps she should have been frightened of him after the brutal display of strength, but the only sentiment she experienced was sheer gratitude.

 

[Cynric]

Cynric patted Ennui's head gently, allowing her the moment of humanity.

She was a servant, but he was not a monster, not completely.

For a few seconds she would have a moment of peace, the warmth of the sun and a soft breeze running over the meadow as they stood there. Cynric gave her time, at least a few wisps of it, and then pulled back slightly. "Lets get you back to the estate."

He told her, grasping her chin gently and motioning for her to head back down the road.

Over the crest of the hill one could already make out the tower of the Manor, where watchmen had once spent their days. Now it was nothing but storage.

As he guided Ennui to step away the half-orc beneath him groaned, eeking and beginning to crawl away. His boot shifted, there was a loud crack, and then Cynric moved to follow behind Ennui.

 

[Ennui]

Before she left to venture back to the manor, Ennui paused long enough to gather the basket of food and what flowers she'd collected before the brothers had attacked her.

She walked silently up the hill and into the safety of the estate walls, her head low.

Her mind was still racing, but she didn't know what the do with herself. She couldn't cry, not in front of Lord Azren.

Numbly, she made her way into the kitchen and started to put away the food she'd bought. Maybe if she just stuck to her work and focused on that, she could keep it together.

 

[Cynric]

Cynric paused at the doors of the estate, frowning for a second as he noticed he had nicked the wood in his rush. "Unfortunate."

He said with a shake of his head, he would have to get that fixed.

Ennui likely could not do it, but she wouldn't be blamed for that. Another master might have had her whipped, but Cynric knew better. He followed after her into the house, pausing in his study only long enough to close the book he had been reading and setting it on his side table.

Then he stepped through the room and passed into the kitchen.

"Ahem." Cynric cleared his throat as he moved into the doorway, catching her attention.

 

[Ennui]

She jumped when Cynric cleared his throat behind her, causing her to nearly drop the tray of fresh fruits she'd just put together for his breakfast. With a sigh, she set the tray back down on the counter, worriedly dragging both her hands through her dark hair.

Was she in trouble?

Reluctantly, she turned to face Cynric with a strained smile.

"Sorry, my Lord, you startled me."

It felt odd to see him outside the study. If he was in the kitchen of all places, she couldn't help but think that she was in trouble.

"Is uhm... Is everything alright"

 

[Cynric]

Cynric watched her for a moment, the nerves flickering on her face, the way that she tried to pull herself together a bit more tightly.

It was like she was a hunted animal. "Come here."

The Nobleman wondered how she would have fared with some of the other families. There were some who treated their servants as more friends or even family. Perhaps it would have been a better life, perhaps she might even have made something of herself.

Yet she was not there.

She was here, in the lions den.

 

[Ennui]

She hesitated for a moment at the command, but she followed it nevertheless. Slowly, the traumatized tiefling approached the Lord of the house until she came to a stop just before him.

Blood still seeped from the bite on her neck, as though she didn't even realize it was there.

Her eyes stayed downcast, as if half expecting him to reprimand her for the entire incident.

"Yes, my Lord?" She murmured softly as she stood in front of him, entirely unsure what to expect.

 

[Cynric]

Another day, another few hours spent in the study.

It seemed that Cynric was almost obesessed with what he found there, as if he hadn't been living within the Estate for the last few decades of his life. Fingers flipped through pages as Ennui came to him once more on the evening.

"Ah there you are." He said as he picked up the book and closed it.

This time his attention seemed more forthwith, immediate.

Instead of being distracted or pulled away he was actively looking at her, as if he had been prepared for something. A smile flickered on his lips. "Have you finished your list?"

He asked, genuinely curious if she had even remembered it all after the trauma of the morning. He had even given her permission to gather flowers after, he would be impressed if she had managed it all.

 

[Ennui]

She offered a faint smile as she set the tray of food down next to him, dipping her head in a polite greeting.

"I did, actually. I uh... Well, I decided I didn't want to leave the estate alone so... I just kept myself busy with work." She explained as she went pour the man a drink, making it how he liked.

"The flowers can wait." She added with a half-hearted shrug.

In truth, she knew that the corpses of the two men were still laying in that field. She wasn't entirely comfortable with the idea of casually picking flowers with dead bodies laying around.

 

[Cynric]

"Excellent." Cynric said as he took a sip of his drink, glancing at the food for a moment as he mused.

The idea that she didn't want to leave the estate alone was...troublesome, mostly because he didn't want to accompany her on every errand. That would have to be addressed, but for now he would offer a reprieve.

For a few seconds he considered, glancing around the study for a few seconds. His eyes searched for something, looking passed Ennui he smiled and motioned towards a thin book bound in what appeared to be a black leather.

"Bring me that." He told her. "We'll need it."

When she had first arrived he had mentioned something, and now he intended to follow through.

It would be a benefit to the both of them in the end anyway.

 

[Ennui]

A moment later Ennui returned to Cynric's side with the small book that he'd asked her to bring him. It wasn't so much a request as it was a command, she knew that, but she did as she was told.

She handed him the black book with a small smile, inclining her head.

The fact that he might follow up on his offer to teach her to read didn't even cross her mind. Either he would or he wouldn't, she had no control over the Lord's decisions.

"What's this one about?" She asked, showing a small glimpse of her innate curiosity for the first time.

Normally, she kept such questions to herself, but she felt comfortable enough to ask now.