Chapitre 1:
I.
(par
Helen, ajouté le 22/02/07 10:15)
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It had been raining for hours. It was still raining hard. It was late. The dark and the rain made it impossible to see the road. Only the dark green shapes of the trees could be guessed. She was soaked. Her woollen cloak and hood were of no use anymore. The humidity was nibbling its way to her bones through her flesh. Her horse snorted a few times. She was lucky she knew the way. She had been riding for a couple of days and now she was near. The muddy path led her out of the forest in a curb. The sky was low and the colour of lead. Drops were falling in her eyes and on her nose. She could distinguish the shape of the castle. Lighter grey against the charcoal of the clouds. She wiped her face. Soon she would be in a hot bath. Her back was aching and she could not wait to soak in warm water and perfumed oils.
The shape of the castle was becoming clearer as she approached. It was also much bigger than it had seemed since it was not hidden by the trees and shrubs anymore. The assemblage of building was made of grey stone, resting on grey rocks, made nearly invisible on the background of the rain.
She stood at the gate. She sneezed and called out to attract someone’s attention. Once she had given her name, mentioned she was expected and waited for her while that they lowered the drawbridge. Once in the main court, they took care of her horse and she was welcomed by the housekeeper.
- We were expecting you a couple of days ago. Your usual room is ready and warm.
- Thank you, I can hardly wait to take a hot bath and wear dry clothes. When could I see Sir Ankeu and Lady Niwalen?
The face of the housekeeper was uneasy for a flickering moment. She smiled, too late.
- They have been kept. The roads are too bad. They should be here in a couple of days. That’s if the weather gets better, of course. But Lord Robur, their son, is here. They feared to leave the castle empty. He arrived about a month or so ago, just before they left. He will see you tonight, if you wish. You can speak to him as you would to his parents, she added, hope shy in her eyes.
The woman in blue sighed and nodded. She was too cold and too tired to say anything. She even wondered whether she would be able to hold a conversation in the evening. She would try to sleep until then.
She followed the housekeeper to her room. Candles had been lit and fresh grass laid the ground. A fire was roaring in the chimney and a bath was steaming in front of it. She dropped her bags.
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