Gate Ways

The Cottage In The Woods

The winter ground was already covered in the white powder of snow, as Jane and Lewis trudged through its depths. They had been searching for the cottage lost in the woods for months now and they could now make out the soft orange glow of lights through the windows. Their long journey was finally ending, and they craved the warmth the glow promised.

“What if he says no?” Lewis asked slowing down his pace. “After all this time. I mean he never came looking for us after mother died.”

“He’s our father Lewis and we have journeyed far to find him. Surely, he wouldn’t turn us down.” Jane calmly said sounding more confident than she felt.

“But what if he does?” Lewis pressed tugging on the wool sleeve of her winter cloak.

“Then we’ll figure something out, little brother. Now, come we shouldn’t doddle out here in the winter cold longer than we have to. We’ve fortunate enough to not catch our death thus far and for one don’t wish to press my luck.” She gave him a stern look that urged him to walk faster.

He was but, a child after all and she couldn’t bear for him to have to face the harsher sides of humanity. He was so innocent and charming. She would just have to make their father listen to their story and take them in, there was no other way. She wasn’t about to watch her younger brother freeze to death any more than she wanted to freeze to death. He shouldn’t have had to face these horrors that life brought upon them.

Keeping that in mind she boldly approached the large oak door and gently used the iron knocker. She had caught a glimpse of him reading by the fire when they passed the window and knew he was awake.

“Father.” She called not, considering the fact, that he wouldn’t recognize them after eight years of being gone. “Father, open the door, please. It is frightfully cold out here and we have traveled such a long way to get here. At least let us warm up and eat before you blatantly ignore our presence."

She grabbed the iron knocker and slammed it harder on the door this time, wondering if he was death and just didn’t hear them. Lewis slid behind her and clung to her skirts when they heard shuffling inside that said somebody was approaching the door. Gulping, she took a step back and squared her shoulders. She never felt so nervous in her life, nor did she feel so afraid. Perhaps their father cared not for them, and truly just didn’t want them. Her mind began to speed through possible outcomes of this encounter and her heart raced more, with every thought that entered her fourteen-year-old mind.

“Yes!” An elderly man that seemed more like a giant finally pulled the door open and stepped out onto the porch to greet them. “How may I help you?” He asked. She wasn’t sure if his size or the tone of which he spoke, was more frightening to behold.

“Um… we… we are here to meet our father.” She stammered, gently pushing Lewis further from the sight of the large stranger. “Our… our mother…. She told us……” Her words got caught in her throat as her fear began to coil around her spine. This was like some scene out of a horror novel and the fear was surreal.

“Come now Horace, don’t frighten the poor children. Just let them in and go prepare a meal for them. Father will be wanting to meet his long-lost children, that had been so ruthlessly torn from him, by that harpy he called a mistress.” A young man about sixteen years old charmingly stated as he joined them at the door. “I’m Justin, I assume that I have the pleasure of being your half-brother.”

“Pleasure, sir.” Jane politely stated as the large man stepped aside and motioned them inside. Just as promised the place was warm and inviting for the most part, yet there was a sense of creepy energy that came with all ancient houses. “I’m Jane and this is my brother Lewis.” She quickly introduced herself, not wanting to be rude.

“Father will be back shortly. He took a little trek into town and should be back at any time. Until then please enjoy our hospitality.” Justin bowed dignified manner. “If you will excuse me, I do have more work to attend to, Horace will make sure that you are well treated and show you to your rooms for the night.” Justin excused himself and left them standing in the quaintly, decorated living room. Horace motioned for them to sit and returned a short time later with food.

All their worries faded away as they devoured the freshly baked bread and hearty stew. The meal was the best they had in a while and warmed them up from the inside. Lewis fell asleep in one of the lavish chairs while they waited for their father’s return, but that gave Jane time to examine the room and let her imagination wander to how it must have been growing up here, for Justin. She hated to admit it to herself, but she felt rather jealous of her half-brother.

“So, you two have come knocking at my door,” A middle-aged man asked bustling into the room and hanging his cloak. She snapped out of the enchantment the old place seemed to have on her and she looked around. This man was not the one she had seen sitting in front of the fire, in passing the window. Come to think of it she hadn’t seen the man since. “I figured this would happen sooner or later. Your poor mother died from the plague I hear.”

“Yes, yes sir.” Jane didn’t deny it. Apparently, he had been keeping tabs on them for some time now.

“And you two are here to ask my permission to live beneath my roof now?” He pressed and she felt her insides, began to coil. (What if he says no?) What would she do then?

“Very well, Horace will show you to your rooms, and I must tell you that after dark we do not leave this house. If you wish to live here then, you will follow this rule, Have I made myself clear?” He coldly stated sitting in the chair where she could have sworn, she had seen someone sitting in before.

“Understood.” She curtsied and gently woke up Lewis, not wanting to linger in the room with him any longer than she had to. They had caught a break, in him allowing them to stay and she didn’t want to ruin that. “We’ll just be off to our rooms then.” She added, looking at the large man, who was waiting to escort them up the stairs to the second floor, where she assumed their room would be.

“Goodnight then.” Their father stated and with that they were heading up the creaky old stairs, leaving him to his peace near the fire.

Jane

“Did he say no sister?” Lewis asked sleepily rubbing his eyes as they approached the landing at the top of the stairs.

“No, he said, we can stay as I told you he would.” She sweetly said pulling him close as she draped her arm over his shoulder. He leaned heavily into her not yet done being tired.

“This is the young master's room,” Horace started coming to a stop near a door, as he leaned forward and opened it up.

“I thought we would be sharing a room,” Jane questioned feeling a bit nervous about letting her younger brother out of her sight.

“That would be unseemly when there is plenty of room.” Horace droned standing up straight.

“Still, perhaps it would be better if we shared a room tonight until we are used to being here.” Jane politely countered, really not liking the idea of her younger brother being in a room by himself. They didn’t know how safe this cottage was or what lurked in the woods outside. Sure, they had traveled along the road that led to the place, but that wasn’t exactly in the middle of the trees.

“That won't be necessary.” Horace stuck to his decision on this, and Jane knew there was no challenging it. “Your room is right next door.” He added and she could have sworn that she caught a glimpse of gentleness in his cold black eyes.

“Very well, then you, won't mind waiting while I put him to bed.” She stated and gently guided her younger brother into the room. It was a nice, charming room, not really too small and not too big. The windows seemed to be in good repair and locked. A small fire danced in the hearth that was positioned across the room from the large four-post bed. Drapes of brown and gold hung down concealing the mattress from sight, but when she pulled them aside, she could see the mattress was splendid. Far more lavish than they had ever had.

She left Lewis standing sleepily in the center of the room, while she investigated it, making sure that there was no potential entry that wasn’t secured except the doorway, that they had entered. Satisfied that the room seemed secure enough to trust leaving her younger brother in it, she looked at the sleepy boy and smiled.

“Come on Lewis, take off those heavy winter clothes and crawl into bed, I shall be back in here in a couple of minutes, to tuck you in and tell you a story.” She promised, motioning towards the screen divider that was standing in a corner, before she turned on her heels and gracefully exited the room, to stand outside the door until he was ready.

“Have you worked here long?” She asked Horace, for the sake of breaking the awkward silence, as she toyed with her fingernails. He was rather large and frightening to look upon, but she had long since learned that you don’t judge a book by its cover, and she was doing the best that she could to keep from doing just that. Well, at least where this odd giant of a fellow was concerned. For all she knew, he might very well be very kind and gentle. Who was she to judge otherwise, without proper evidence to back up her opinion on the matter?

“I’m, ready sister,” Lewis called out and she cleared her throat, the man hadn’t said a word to her this entire time, and she wondered if he disliked her so readily.

“I’m coming.” She called back and then gave a slight curtsy to Horace. “If you’ll excuse me, this shouldn’t take but a few moments. He’s rather exhausted from our travels and should be out in no time.” She politely excused herself and slipped into the room. Still, the man refused to say a word of the conversation.

Pushing the thoughts of this odd turn of events out of her mind she, pasted, on a smile and walked over to the bed to pull the soft down blanket up over Lewis, who seemed already at home. Smiling at him she messed up his hair and sat on the edge of his bed.

“What story, would you like to hear tonight?” She softly asked him. The boy mostly liked her stories of fantasy, adventure, magic, and of course long forgotten realms of existence. All fairy tales, but it pleased him to hear them.

“No, story sister.” Lewis smiled and sat back up. “Not tonight.” He added.

“Then what will it be, a song, a poem….” She started handing him suggestions.

“None of them sister, I was curious about the village our half-brother mentioned. We walked along the road for days and never once did I see a village.” Lewis wrinkled his nose in confusion.

“Perhaps, we just missed it. It was snowing rather heavily, and the road is off the more common roads. Perhaps, we simply missed it.” Jane assured. “I don’t think it’s anything to worry about.”

“I am so excited to see what tomorrow may bring.” Lewis grinned as he plopped back down on his bed. Jane could only smile, she was more worried about tonight and now that her little brother mentioned it, she was curious as to where the village had been as well.

“Very well, off to sleep with you then.” She softly said, kissing his forehead and tucking the blankets down around him.

“Good night sister.” He said rolling over onto his side and closing his eyes. He was so innocent and naive, that she truly did fear for him at the moment. Fairy tales were fairy tales and were only meant to teach moral guidance. Although, most fairy tales were rather grim and dark, not fit for a child. That was why she had made them gentler when telling him the tales. Stories didn’t have to be dark and grim to teach a valuable lesson. The bloodshed and details could very well be left out as far as she was concerned. But, was she right to believe that? Should she have told him the tales as they were told to her? Would that have made him more aware of the cruelty in the heart of mankind? Questions she had never asked herself until now. She had hoped to keep him as innocent as possible for as long as possible, but perhaps that wasn’t the right choice.

“Good night.” She softly said and made her way across the carpeted floor towards the door, where Horace waited for her return. She hesitated only briefly before closing the door. Lewis already seemed to have fallen asleep, when she glanced back at him. She truly hoped that living here with their father would grant him the good life he deserved. The life their mother could never give them since she had been branded with the scarlet letter of adultery, thanks to their father who refused to make an honest woman of her.

Only fools fall in love and blindly trust others. Her mother was a fool, a good woman but a fool, nonetheless. She had never married, nor did she pursue their father for support of any kind. Instead, she stayed loyal to him and caught the plague while working two jobs, just to provide them with a roof over their heads and food. Closing the door, she looked up at the giant of a man and squared her shoulders.

“I am ready to be shown to my room now. Thank you for your patience and understanding, given the circumstances, we all find ourselves in.” She politely informed him, and he grunted giving her a nod before turning on his heels to lead her to the next room over. Only it seemed to be quite the little walk. She hadn’t thought that the place was that big. (You are just extremely tired) she mentally told herself as they stopped in front of an old red oak door.

“Here are your quarters.” Horace drawled and opened the door before stepping aside.

“Thank you.” She softly stated and walked through the opened door, quietly shutting it behind her. She knew that it was rude not to wish the man a good night, but she was just too preoccupied with the questions that swirled through her thoughts. She stopped in the middle of the room and listened to the footsteps moving away from her room, to make sure that Horace was well on his way. Then she allowed herself to take in the room.

Like her brother’s room it was a decent size, with a lavish bed; that she was sure would be completely comfortable sleeping in. The curtains that hung around her four-post bed, was designed differently than Lewis’s was. They were made of crushed velvet and were solid colors of red and purple. They did have gold trim and the curtains were pulled open. The blankets were similar to her brother’s as well, except for the design that decorated them. That sort of thing wasn’t the issue though. What kept her mind reeling was what wasn’t in plain sight. This was a cottage in the woods hidden and secure from being found, yet the inside was far larger than she thought possible. Her mind shifted to the only rule her father had placed on them immediately. (We do not leave this house after dark!) He had told her. Why exactly was he so stern on them following that rule, and what was the reason for it?

“There is a mystery here and I’ll figure it out, mark my words.” She whispered to herself as she headed toward the large window, that seemed to lead out onto a balcony of sorts. “A balcony, on a cottage?” She quietly questioned as she looked through the glass at the white marble railings and pillars. It wasn’t a large balcony, but it looked like what she’d expect to see on a castle. She reached up to unlock the window, so she could stand out on it and get a better look, but hesitated. Her father had said ‘we do not go out of this house after dark.’ his words echoed through her thoughts, causing her hands to pause. She didn’t want to risk his wrath so early in their new situation. It could potentially lead to her, and her brother being kicked back out into the cold.

Swallowing she pushed through that concern and was about to open the window, when a knock sounded on her door, startling her and causing her to jump away from it. Spinning around she clasped her nervous hands behind her back as the door opened to reveal a petite female not much older than her.

“My lady. I am Airella your handmaiden.” The girl softly said bowing slightly to her. She waited for the girl to stand back up, but she remained still as if frozen in place.

“Stand, please.” She calmly told the girl, remembering that in most royal households the servants didn’t make a move without the permission of their mistresses or masters. She thought it was just another one of those incredibly odd encounters, that she seemed prone to experience in the short time she had been here.

“I am here to help you prepare for bed if it pleases you.” The girl timidly explained, when she noticed the look of confusion on Jane’s face. “It's an honor to serve award of his lordship. I never thought there was someone like you here, or that our good lord even knew someone like you.” The girl rambled as she rushed around the room lighting candles and stoking the dying fire in the hearth. Jane followed her with her eyes not sure how to respond to this new development.

“Excuse me,” She finally spoke up, causing the girl to stop fluttering around, “Did you say ward?”

“Oh yes, Lord Justin informed me that you are a lady from the kingdom of New York and should be treated like a princess. I’m not entirely sure how our princess is treated since I’ve never actually met her royal highness, but I will do my best. I can learn quickly if you tell me what you like to be done.” Airella rambled as if she was afraid of being dismissed so soon after starting her new job.

“Lord Justin?” Jane asked unsure if she should reveal that he was her half-brother or not. “And what of his lordship, what did he tell you?”

“I’ve only dealt with the son since the father has made an unexpected journey into the royal city and will be gone for a few days.” Airella bit her lower lip wondering if she was meant to say anything. “He has very important business with the king you know. Lord Justin is in charge while he is away, and I must trust that he is acting on the words of his father.”

“Right of course.” Jane thoughtfully stated New York wasn’t part of any kingdom anymore. They had won their hard-fought freedom and were declared an independent country, just last July. But these people were out in the woods isolated from civilization and may very well not know that. Besides was it all that bad to be treated as royalty given, the fact that they had lived a poor urchin’s life up till now. They had sometimes gone days without eating and rarely got to bathe. With the promise of new life and factories beginning to flourish all over, life was hard. The streets of New York were crowded and bustling with activity, not all of it in the light of the public. People were shot in the streets, fight clubs claimed more than their fair share of lives, children died of illnesses, and women were forced to be street workers for money. Sailors came and went, treating the working girls like punching bags and tools for their twisted pleasures. The streets were overrun with vermin and sewage. She wouldn’t call any of that a good life. She often wondered what it was like to live on the other side of the fence. Was being free truly better than living under the rule of a king or queen. Somehow, she didn’t think so. Sure, it was a different lifestyle, but at least there was law and order when they were part of a kingdom. It wasn’t always fair, but it wasn’t quite as bad as her life was now.

“Miss, are you alright?” Airella asked pulling her out of her thoughts. Jane put a polite smile on her face and headed toward the changing screen.

“Of course, I’m simply tired. It has been a long journey and not always that pleasant to endure.” Jane softly assured the girl as she fumbled with her clothing. She hadn’t realized that her hands had become clumsy with everything that was going on at the moment. “Could you help me get the clasp undone on my dress please?” She asked, playing it off as her right, instead of the fact that she had nearly lost all feeling in her hands. They felt cold and clammy to the touch. She was sure that it would pass, and it was only because of the thoughts and fear she was hiding within.

“If that pleases you,” Airella stated, placing the match she had been using on the mantle. She quickly moved to help Jane with the clasp and then made haste in leaving her alone behind the screen to undress. “Would you like your nightgown miss?” She asked opening the old wardrobe cabinet that Jane hadn’t had time to go through.

“Nightgown.” Jane breathed, “I don’t have any clothing.” She muttered.

“Sorry miss, I didn’t quite catch that.” Airella awkwardly admitted, and Jane had to think quickly. Surely if there were clothes in the cabinet, they weren’t so bad, were they?

“Yes, that will be fine.” She heard herself answer Airella as if it was the most natural answer she could have given. “I would also like some books, from the library once you are done helping me.”

“Of course, My Lady, is there any in particular that you would prefer?” Airella asked draping a white cotton nightgown over the edge of the screen.

“Surprise me.” Jane sighed; she didn’t know what kind of books were there. “And I’ll be needing more candles to read by.” She added pulling the gown on over her head, before returning to the main part of the room.

“Yes, my lady.” The girl curtsied and quickly left the room to do as she was asked.

“This is odd.” Jane softly said to herself as she looked around now that she was alone in the room once again. “How long can I keep this up, and how will I find the answers I seek, with a maid on my tail at all times?” She puzzled out as she let her raven curls out of their binds, letting them tumble down her back. What she would like was a bath, but she supposed that would have to wait until morning.

It was two hours before Airella returned carrying several books in her arms and a bag of candles that could light. Jane watched her as she carefully placed the leather-bound documents on a small table near the door and hung the bag of candles on the wall.

“I wasn’t sure what you would like, so I asked the keeper for suggestions that would please a lady of your age and stature. He assures me that you might find these interesting.” Airella casually stated as she curtsied and pulled back the blankets on the bed.

“I am sure that they will be fine.” Jane carefully said and patiently waited for the girl to finish her duties and leave. “What sort of books are they?” She asked, her gaze shifting toward the books. She hadn’t seen books that old before. Yet they looked fairly new, she rubbed her eyes and pushed it off as being tired. Why would the hell books made like that look so new?

“I’m not sure my lady. I can’t read.” The girl humbly admitted.

“Well, we’ll have to fix that, but not tonight. I am dreadfully tired, and I don’t think your services are needed for the rest of the night. I am just going to retire, and we’ll meet again tomorrow.” Jane casually said not paying attention to the conversation. “Your dismissed, Airella. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Yes, my lady.” Airella curtsied and quickly exited the room, quietly closing the door behind her.

“Tonight, I must sleep, and tomorrow my discoveries will begin, starting with those books,” Jane told herself as she crawled into bed and laid down, pulling the blankets up to her chin. She was right, after all, the bed was incredibly comfortable and she quickly drifted off to sleep.

Justin

“Did you make friends with my dear half-sister?” Justin asked Airella once she finished closing the door to Jane’s chambers.

“My Lord, you startled me.” Airella quietly gasped as she turned to see him leaning against the wall with his foot propped up against it. He looked at her in that lazy nonchalant way of his keeping his arms crossed. “We seem to be making some headway.” Airella softly informed him, “If it pleases you, I must ask that you excuse me. I’m sure she’ll be wanting her breakfast early in the morning.”

“Don’t forget who hired you and why you were hired.” Justin darkly warned her. He had to know if these two were truly his father’s children or if they were underhandedly trying to pull one over on his father. It seemed strange that they would come from the side of the gateway, that lead into a dull realm that was nothing like their world.

“Of course, my lord.” Airella deepened her curtsy as she waited to be dismissed. “I would never…” She gasped again when he moved so swiftly that she hadn’t seen it coming before he firmly slammed her against the wall his hand on her throat. Not enough to do serious harm of course, but enough to get his point across, as he kissed her trembling lips.

“Don’t cross me Airella.” He darkly stated and abruptly dropped his hand before, spinning on his heels, and silently stalked down the dark corridor that led to his wing of the family hold. She remained pressed against the wall and tried to get her heart to slow down. Most people would have been afraid of something like that happening to her, but it did quite the opposite for her, and she wished that he would have continued to have his way with her. He didn’t know that of course, and if she wanted to keep having these encounters with him, she figured that she would keep it to herself. A sly smile crossed her lips as she lifted her hand to press it against her throat where his hands had just been.

“I wouldn’t dream of it, my lord.” She purred and then quickly headed in the opposite direction. She would have him as her own someday, for now, she just needed to keep him happy and buy time. “She is, definitely your long-lost sister.” she mused to herself, remembering the birthmark that she had caught glimpse of on the girl’s back. Lady Jane was in all reality, the lady Janelliana who was sported off in the dead of night and taken into hiding, upon her birth. She would never forget that mark since it was on the back of the girl's mother, whom Airella had lived with for years before her death. There was more to Miss, Jane than even Justin knew.

Justin, stalked through the dark hallways until he reached his chambers. Ducking inside he walked over to the hearth where the fire danced and pulled one of the handle holders, that was built into it. The fireplace slid across the stone floor and then into the wall revealing the entrance into the escape tunnels, that he had found in his youth. He used it often to sneak out of the house after dark to visit his favorite haunts. One of which was in the Lunar section of town, down on the lower-class areas. He may be human, but most of his friends were not. Right now, he had too many questions to get a good night's sleep, and he thought that just maybe their alpha would have some answers that he would help with. If not, then he at least gets to enjoy a night out without the weight of responsibility weighing him down.

He came out of the tunnel near the secluded section of the town and carefully closed the hidden door after making sure that nobody had seen him emerge into the dark alleyway. The tavern he usually hung out in was just a block or two over and he could blend easily enough. Stuffing his hands in his pocket he cautiously turned the corner and casually walked toward the building with laughter and music coming out of it. ‘The White Wolf Tavern’ seemed to be the preferred location of bards these days. The other establishments weren’t quite as welcoming to their musical friends that came to them with tales of other places. Justin on the other hand loved hearing the tales and often thought about venturing out on his, own adventures someday. He found that even harder to imagine now that they had two new responsibilities showing up out of nowhere. Responsibilities that fell to him, when his father was away.

Scoffing at the thought he pushed open the swinging doors and casually walked inside. Some of the people looked in his direction but didn’t think much of him. He was a regular after all and if his father ever found out he would be in trouble. That was why he kept his nighttime activities to himself and even his friends here didn’t know exactly who he was. They simply thought that he lived in the castle as a staff member, that the Lord of the hold trusted. That gave him respect to a certain extent, not as much as he would get if they knew the truth about him, though. He was fine with that since the respect would be fake if they knew and that just wasn’t the type of respect that he wanted. He often wished that he was just a normal person, instead of, nobility.

“I didn’t expect to see you in here again so soon.” Stephen, his best friend, and the barkeeper of the tavern greeted him as he sat in one of the stools.

“Strange turn of events occurred, and it has my mind reeling,” Justin admitted as his friend put a wooden mug of ale down in front of him.

“It’s on the house.” Stephen smiled and continued washing the dishes while they talked. “You looked perplexed my friend. Perhaps my father can help you unravel whatever it is that troubles your mind.”

“I’m hoping so.” Justin sighed running his hand through his hair. “Do you think you can set up a meeting with him for me? The questions I have are best asked in the privacy of the night. It wouldn’t, due for some unsavory characters to overhear them.” Justin carefully explained.

“I will set up a meeting and send you word as to where it is and what time to be there. Remember my friend, you must not be late for the audience with my father, his temper makes a monster of him, and I would hate to have to bury my best friend because my father got angry.” Stephen quietly said leaning toward Justin slightly as his eyes darted around at the patrons. “We can never be too careful these days.”

“I understand.” Justin agreed and downed his drink before, getting up and leaving the establishment to return to his chambers. He knew better than to linger too long after a meeting had been negotiated.