STORY CONTEST ENTRY: This story was submitted as an entry in the Naked Blades October 2015 Story Contest. To find out more about the Story Contests, visit the Writer's Salon in the Tavern of the Broken Axe.
STORY CONTEST PROMPT: Secret diaries of a stable boy/girl
DESCRIPTION: A young bond-servant stable-hand at the Nobles stable seeks vengeance for an act of cruelty on one of his charges.
WARNING: 1st person, blood, no overt sex PG-13 at most. indirect animal cruelty and violence.
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Moon day, Second Week, Flower Moon, 7th year of our Lord – King Edvard
Keeping this journal to practice my letters. It is officially forbidden for a servant to be taught to read and letter, but everyone also knows the castle couldn’t function if at least some weren’t competent. As I need to track lineages and care I have limited access to blocks of ink and goose quills. I am writing this on the scraps of the notes requesting that mounts be made ready. The Stable Master lives in a room on the side away from the Tack room, I have never seen him sober for any longer than it takes him to get drunk again. Me? I live in the Tack room, sleeping on a pile of straw under the saddle racks. It gets cold in the winter, so I just make sure the drunken sot never sees me using the horse blankets.
Saddled Strider for Lord Harrold. He headed off to the South Orchard with a picnic basket again, same as every Moon day with the snow gone.
Like always, not even a candlemark later Lady Patrice was up sidesaddle on Clover and heading to the South Orchard herself. Just you watch, like always she will be back just as the Angelus sounds and Lord Harrold will arrive barely after she clears the stable. Umm hmm…Called it…
Tyr’s day, Second Week, Flower Moon, 7th year of our Lord – King Edvard
Tyr’s day, always hate those. Combed and washed Strider, Nails and Faraday. Lords Harrold, Darcy and Gerald would be off to the casino like usual. Even a village idiot knew those games were rigged. Still, you just had to count the candlemarks and you would know their luck of the night. Home early and they would be out to take it out on someone, home late and they just might tip you. Hmm, from today’s moon and passed performance I predict 2 cuffs and a tip.
Saddled Clover and Daisy for the Handmaids, Ladies Philippa and Anna, both riding astride. They rode off to the South Orchard together. The scenery there must be truly special, everyone likes it there so much. Kind of odd though, usually it is Lady Philippa and Lady Heather riding off together. I do hope something hasn’t happened to Lady Heather she has a nice smile and kind words.
Ouch, it was three cuffs tonight, all three returned before full dark. I think Lord Harrold’s signet cut my cheek again. Happens almost every week that one of them draws blood. I truly hate Tyr’s days.
It wasn’t until De Profundis that the ladies returned hair all awry and smelling of a sweet musk, both were all smiles.
Thor’s day, Second Week, Flower Moon, 7th year of our Lord – King Edvard
Ladies Riding lessons today. I had to get up before Lauds and saddle 11 ponies for the horde of cackling bitc… err, Little Ladies. By noon I had been cornered and groped at least once each and had heard all the gory details as to their love lives as the gossiped away the morning. So much for their learning to unsaddle and curry their mounts, they noticed the Percheron Titan catching wind of one of the in-season mares and spent the lunch hour watching Titan prance and drip, while they oohed, aahed and giggled. I mean really, he is 18 hands and 3 and 145 stone, impressive, but what’s the big deal?
Surprise! Ladies Philippa and Anna went out riding again. I let them know the workers were in the orchard and suggested the Cascade falls. I wonder if they were ill, they both flushed suddenly about then, but still rode out. I hope they are well. Today they barely beat the De Profundis, they weren’t even close to the Orchard today and still they smelled of that musk, rather pleasant, I wonder what it is…
Last Day, Second Week, Flower Moon, 7th year of our Lord – King Edvard
The Castle is abuzz. Crown Prince Albrecht returned last night with his troops. He also brought back a wagon full of treasure and two wagons of slaves. Two Moor Temptresses will dance and have their Maidenhoods auctioned off tonight in town at Madame Alice’s. Rumor has it they dance in just a veil and bells, scandalous! Wish I could see it… It does mean all the Lords will be heading in to town tonight. Need to wash, curry and saddle Strider, Nails, Faraday, Regis and Gaius. Alaric can sit tonight, Lord Anson lost a Galleon full of silver from his mine and won’t be able to afford the auction I am sure.
Just before Midnight four jovial and drunken lords returned, Faraday, Nails, Regis and Gaius were soon bedded down and bagged. No sigh of Strider, Harrold must have won the auction. Lucky devil.
Sun Day, Third Week, Flower Moon, 7th year of our Lord – King Edvard
Harrold returned with the Lauds, barely able to sit his mount. Mumbling about spraining something he staggered off. Tipping me an entire Silver coin! That would more than double the size of my hidden stash. Someday maybe I would have enough to buy off the family bond and work here as a freeman, drawing an actual wage and allowed to marry.
Following Terce that sunny and warm day it became busy. Each of the Lords and their Lady rode out for an afternoon picnic. It was almost funny, the embarrassed looks shared this First Day as they rode in pairs that would never be seen the rest of the week.
Moon day, Third Week, Flower Moon, 7th year of our Lord – King Edvard
Lord Harrold and Lady Patrice were off to the Orchard again today. These picnics aren’t doing her any good, she is looking thicker in the waist today. I wonder what her husband will think of her weight gain when he gets back from campaign in the fall.
The Ladies Philippa and Anna showed again today. I warned them of the picnic in the Orchard, but that the Cascade was free. As the two ladies rode off today I saw Lady Heather watching them, she looked so sad. Hmmm I wonder if there are any other ladies that ride astride I could arrange for her to meet?
Lord Harrold and Lady Patrice arrived as usual today.
The Ladies however missed Compline entirely and I had to scramble to cover the missing mounts as the Stable master did one of his rare checks, the brewery must have run out of ale.
Tyr’s day, Third Week, Flower Moon, 7th year of our Lord – King Edvard
Three cuffs and a cut cheek again. When will these noble fools learn?
Odin’s day, Third Week, Flower Moon, 7th year of our Lord – King Edvard
Clover went into season today. I have moved her into the high fenced breeding paddock. Will see who matches best as Sire tomorrow.
Thor’s day, Third Week, Flower Moon, 7th year of our Lord – King Edvard
Those bitches! I was saddling the ponies for the Little Ladies lessons when I heard Clover scream, there is something about a horse in pain that rips my heart out. Running out front I saw the sister Ladies Allison and Alice standing there holding open the paddock gate. There behind them was Clover a lady’s Palfrey at 13-2 and maybe 70 stone being covered by Titan. If Titan didn’t kill her in the mating, the foal certainly will. They summoned the Castle Horse Master, who spoke most sternly to the two bitches. But because it is inappropriate to beat the girls he has declared I will take the lashes intended for them. They are coming back in an hour for the event.
Moon day, Fourth Week, Flower Moon, 7th year of our Lord – King Edvard
Forty lashes. They hung me naked from the edge of the stable overhang and went at me with a saltwater soaked Tawse. The normal penalty would be twenty, but there were two of them, so I got both. Then three more, one for each day of work the Physick said I would miss. More scars to join all the others. Still my tunic pulling on the scabs and making them bleed again didn’t make the day any better. It hurt like the blazes to raise my arms to lift down a saddle and then to get it over the selected mount.
Lord Harrold and Lady Patrice rode off as usual without a word. Had to saddle a not even three-year-old Rose for Lady Patrice as Clover is still bleeding.
Ladies Philippa and Anna both gave me tear filled smiles and a kiss on the cheek. As I was helping them mount Lady Philippa pressed a jar of wound salve into my hand, not sure why but I teared up myself as they rode off. Rubbed some of the salve into my tunic and then leaned back into a wall to let it soak in to the scabs.
Odin’s day, Fourth Week, Flower Moon, 7th year of our Lord – King Edvard
The Knackermen came for Clover today. She was shaking and so weak, her hind legs still stained in blood, she didn’t even scream as the spiked mallet hit her right between her gorgeous brown eyes. Clover so gentle she never kicked or bit. Have to stop writing now, something is wrong with my eyes…
Thor’s day, Fourth Week, Flower Moon, 7th year of our Lord – King Edvard
It was so hard today to smile, bow and scrape and pretend like nothing had happened. Every time I looked at them, the Ladies Alice and Allison seemed laughing and unaffected. I could scarcely believe I could hate anyone like I hate these two. I listened carefully and began to form a glimmer of a plan. So Lord Anson was their Father…
Frigg’s day, Fourth Week, Flower Moon, 7th year of our Lord – King Edvard
Lady Heather went out alone today. I recommended she escape the heat in the cooling waters of the Cascade. Just a candlemark later I directed Lady Miriam, daughter of Lord Gerald, to the Cascades so she could be alone. I do so hope I guessed right…
The two Ladies rode back together just as Angelus was sounding. Both gave me odd silent stares. I hope I’m not in trouble, really don’t want more lashes.
Asked the scullery maid Mary to ask the chambermaids for stories of Lord Anson.
Moon Day, First Week, Strawberry Moon, 7th year of our Lord – King Edvard
Lord Harrold and Lady Patrice took the Orchard as usual. Though the fragrant blossoms are mostly gone now from what I hear. Someday I would like to see these places I direct all the others to, but I seldom even get to leave the stables.
Awkward! Ladies Philippa and Anna ran into Heather and Miriam at the same time today, all requesting horses. While I hurried to saddle four they glared at me and talked quietly among themselves. I started to warn them the Orchard was in use I got a curt ‘We Know’. Riding off together. I am in so much trouble…
The scullery maid Mary got back to me today, seems Lord Anson has two great rivals, Lord Darcy who has his own silver mine, and Lord Timotheus who controls what he doesn’t own of the docks and warehouses. Lord Anson was in deep financial trouble and could be in dire straits if the Silver Galleon in 3 weeks failed to arrive. I am still smiling.
I approached Andrew the Library char-boy at the evening meal following Vespers and arranged three sheets of vellum be cut from the back of three of the dusty books. Our King Edvard fancied himself a scholar and we had an actual 22 Great Books and hundreds of scrolls in the library. All forbidden for anyone to touch. Cost me the silver I got from Lord Harrold, but it will be so worth it.
It took all night but as Prime and workday approached I had the letter ready that would start my revenge. I had practiced the words in the dirt floor until I had them all right.
Lord Darcy,
It seems Lord Anson has a Galleon full of Silver scheduled to arrive on Last Day of the Third Week of the Strawberry Moon. If the cargo fails to arrive he will be near to bankrupt.
A Friend
Now if only Darcy proves to be the bastard his people say he is…
Thor’s Day, First Week, Strawberry Moon, 7th year of our Lord – King Edvard
Today the Lady Sisters made my life so much easier. They were bragging about being chosen to study healing under the Apothecary, now I had the last piece of my plan. Then they fueled my hate to new levels as the ordered I take off my tunic top so they could examine the scars and week old scabs.
The Ladies Heather and Miriam left me an Apple pastry today, I had tried apples before, small and hard, we fed them to horses and I could barely stomach their sour tang. Whatever they did to them in the cooking made it a wonder beyond belief, the speckled brown powder a Moorish spice called Cassia.
Frigg’s Day, First Week, Strawberry Moon, 7th year of our Lord – King Edvard
Philippa and Anna went out today and left a Strawberry Tart. So this is what the month is named after? I hid my tears carefully when the last nibble was gone, I wanted that to last but it was gone so fast.
Last Day, First Week, Strawberry Moon, 7th year of our Lord – King Edvard
Another busy day. Madame Alice had acquired blonde twins somehow. Today was their first day with Alice. The traffic was brisk. I have to wonder though, I have seen Black, Brown and Red hair, is Yellow really so special? Cook even has hair like silver metal.
This carries no small risk. Spoke to the scullery maid Mary, who spoke to the Apothecary’s Chambermaid, now I wait. This will cost me most of my remaining copper. I may never buy myself free now, but Clover is worth it.
Moon Day, Fourth Week, Strawberry Moon, 7th year of our Lord – King Edvard
It is all coming together. Lord Anson’s Silver Galleon was taken by Pirates just outside the Harbor. It seemed from reports that Lord Darcy was rather insincere in his sympathies. Darcy was indeed the perfect bastard I was hoping for. The Debt lords were already making noises demanding repayment.
Named the new yearling filly Clover in memory. Two years at least before she can safely be put to saddle. She is colored in the same cream with brown splotches. So pretty.
Pulling out my carefully penned letters, and a small vial of Hemlock extract. Now, that last truly dangerous part.
Tyr’s Day, First Week, Thunder Moon, 7th year of our Lord – King Edvard
Wow. I now know all about that pleasant Sweet Musk. The Lord Anson’s chambermaid Sarah was willing to aid me, but only for a personal favor, not the few copper coins I still had hidden away. She took away the vial of poison and letter to secret away behind the sister’s dressing room mirror. In exchange I must give her a child, a task I am not finding unpleasant at all.
Casino day or not, I spent the entire day in a daze. The horses and dogs have but one way, who could have guessed at the multitude Sarah knew of and was teaching me.
Last Day, Second Week, Thunder Moon, 7th year of our Lord – King Edvard
The last bit is up to the scullery maid Mary. The last letter is rolled up and addressed to Prince Albrecht and tied in a ribbon. If all goes right, it will be tucked in the Prince’s dinner loaf and found by him this very evening. My copper is all gone now, but that is fine, there is no further need for more.
Sun Day, Third Week, Thunder Moon, 7th year of our Lord – King Edvard
A hundred nobles and servants saw the Prince get the letter last night. He stormed out without a word and left his meal uneaten. Mary said the King was livid when the Prince left early.
Celebrated with Sarah last night, she is the only one to know my full plan and laughed at the coming vengeance. The mouth? How could anyone dream that it was for more than speaking, eating and kissing. Now I know the taste of the sweet musk and why the ladies must love it so.
Odin’s Day, First Week, Grain Moon, 7th year of our Lord – King Edvard
Finally! In the middle of the night Royal troops swept down on the estate of Lord Anson, arresting him and his entire family. The word is Treason… Seems they found an offer from some anonymous foreign Lord to pay off all of Lord Anson’s debts in exchanged for having his daughters poison the Crown Prince and select nobles around the castle. All day servants have been racing about spreading word and rumor. I loved the story of the family being made to walk in irons from their estate to the castle dungeons. True or not it left such wonderful images in my head.
When the four dear Ladies commented to me on the Allison and Alice getting what they deserved, I could only smile. My ears filling with thoughts of a shuffle clank as two figures dragged their feet in trailing irons.
Moon Day, Second Week, Grain Moon, 7th year of our Lord – King Edvard
So, Lord Grayson came back this morning. Currently he is sitting on my only chair waiting for Angelus to ring. I told him she always came back at that time. I am sure he will have questions about this coming child of his since he has been away almost a year. I wonder if some offshoot family would suddenly gain a child as Lady Patrice had a mysterious flatulent false pregnancy.
Heather and Miriam’s turn at the Cascade today. I suggested that with winter coming they might want a cabin out there. They looked at me funny and then smiled and said good idea. I did it again I fear.
I made myself scarce as fast as possible as Lady Patrice returned and was then held there until Lord Harrold arrived. Taking their horses out of sight as fast as possible, the words they were using were… enlightening to say the least. I had never heard of most of them, but the choice ones I did understand included trollop, whore, bastard and prostitute. The ones I didn’t were cuckold, mortify and chagrin. I’ll have to ask about those.
Thor’s Day, Second Week, Grain Moon, 7th year of our Lord – King Edvard
No riding lessons today. All the peasants, servants and Nobles were called to the great square today. The verdicts and sentences were read to the crowd. Lord Anson’s house was disbanded, his property seized. Lord Anson and his two sons were beheaded there. The youngest daughter and mother were stripped and branded and sent to Madame Alice’s. The two older daughters Allison and Alice were likewise stripped and branded as slaves, but were then claimed by the Prince they had offended against and turned over for the use of his men. I heard Lord Darcy offer a Galleon full of silver to buy the Anson mines and smelter. Wonder where he got that…
There, it was done! But still Clover deserved better.
My happy mood faded when I found out Sarah had been sold away to some distant lord. I had never had reason to care for another human before, horses were so much easier. But I really think I will miss her, I… I think that is what this hollow and ill feeling in my stomach is all about?
The stalls don’t muck themselves, I grabbed a rake and went to work.
Frigg’s Day, Second Week, Grain Moon, 7th year of our Lord – King Edvard
The Smith and Farrier showed up as Prime sounded. Here to trim the hooves and re-shoe all the mounts. I knew nothing about this and would need to shuffle the horses to accommodate the usual riders. Damn that drunken fool!
Jesu! No one ever tells me anything!
Beneath Their Notice
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