Part 2- The Dawning
Chapter 3
Humans come. Humans go. Some leave a word or deed to remember them by. Other's don't.
“Almost there,” said Clark in a voice that was all smiles. He was right. As they got closer to the shape in the distance the grandeur of the house was slowly revealed.
“A fountain?” exclaimed Anna. “Mr. Caleb W. Hart must be doing even better than when I last saw
him,” she said with a trace of envy in her voice. The house was painted beige, with two visible floors and multitudes of windows. The sun was gone, and the lit fires danced merrily.
“What is your job in the Hart Estate?” asked Anna of Clark.
“I help Mr. Fin with the horses,” he replied promptly. “I actually need to return to the stables. told Mr. Fin I would be back directly, and I'm ‘fraid to say I’ve been taking to much time. Oh, I do hope he won't be cross.” his brow wrinkled in an expression of abject worry.
Tim clapped a hand on this innocent boy’s shoulders. “If he gives you trouble I’ll tell him how you were helping us. I don't know this man’s temperament, but let's hope it's a genial one.” Clark smiled at Tim, between whom a bond had evidently been made.
“Mr. Fin is a kind man. Awf’ly strong too. I’ll see you again will I?” he asked.
Tim turned toward Anna, “I can’t answer that I'm afraid to say. I honestly have no idea what I’m doing here. But I’ll come to say goodbye if it turns out that I'm not staying here long. I'll walk you to where you need to go alright?” Tim looked at Anna. "I'll be back promptly.”
Clark nodded. And then they were gone. It was Maia and Anna. The road to Darling's house seemed to be the longest Anna did see. She had not spoken to Darling since Mary’s wedding day, and then both of their goat-headedness and arrogance had prevented them from creating a real friendship. Anna steeled herself and began walking down the cobblestone path, she knew that Tim and Maia would follow. And so they did. When they reached the polished brown door, Anna once again set herself to knock. They waited there and no one answered.
“It’s not even nine o’clock!” exclaimed Anna. “They can’t be sleeping? Can they?”
Maia’s lips were set in a thin line. Truth was around the corner. Anna knocked again. Anna sighed, “Rich folk,” she muttered. “Too pretentious to answer the door after eight. Alright, Darling is asking for it.” she turned to face Maia. “Among the Elemental Hands we have a code to alert the attention of a fellow member when we need help. Four sharp bursts of whatever Element you control. I'm going to do Water… this is going to be fun.” Anna stepped off of the steps and pointed ten fingers towards the clouds above. Four quick, sharp bursts of rain fell in rapid succession. From inside of the house came a loud cry,
“What was that?” it was a man’s voice. “The last time that happened was at the Battle of Trenton. We won them, but that freak rain scared us, men, half to death! I do hope nothing as dreadful as the battle will happen again!”
"Ha! I did that on purpose. I knew it would spark that memory. At the Battle of Trenton, it was old Salmon McFee who did that code. He was fighting a bunch of Teresa's and needed backup."
“It won’t dear,” came a woman's voice.
Anna’s eyes narrowed,
“Darling.” she said. Maia knocked. No answer. So Anna made the house
shake four times. Finally, the door was flung open and a young lady opened the door. She was beautiful. She wore a wine-colored, muslin dress with a laced up front. Her blond hair was loose. They had evidently knocked at a time in which everyone was winding down and preparing for the night. It fell in soft waves until her collarbone, going from blond to light brown. Her green eyes sparkled with life and vibrancy. More beautiful features Maia had never seen. They were those of fairies- small and delicate. Her lips were a light pink.
“Hello! Mother told me to answer the door. She sounded a wee annoyed, so you better watch out.”she winked and motioned them inside. “My name is Phoebe. I'm fifteen.” she turned to Maia, “And you are…?”
“Maia. Maia Stevens. This is Anna, my mother's friend. I have a brother Tim, but he's walking the little boy that works here -Clark- back to the stables." Maia was shocked all those words came out. But there was something about Phoebe that made Maia want to get to know her. And she wanted Phoebe to know her too. Maia's heart was starved for friendship, and in a rather prophetic way, Maia decided that Phoebe would be her lifelong friend. And she was right.
"Stevens? Why... you can't be the Stevens family as in Mother’s sister’s children can you?" Phoebe's voice was full of suppressed excitement.
"That is us," said Maia calmly.
"Wow! This is so-!" at that moment Tim, and a tall regal woman who's raven black hair was done up in the latest fashion walked in through opposite doors.
"What's your name?" asked Phoebe of Tim.
"I'm Tim. What's yours?"
"Phoebe."
"She's my daughter," said Darling pointedly.
"Adopted daughter." clarified Phoebe in a frank voice.
"Why Phoebe! Since the tender age of 1 month, you've been my daughter. Why the sudden change?"
"Well, as Tim and Maia are my recently found cousins, I think they should know we don't have the same blood." Then she gave Darling a look that was interpreted by Anna as bear with me- I'll elaborate later. Which prompted Anna to think Ah! To be young again!
"So you're my sister Mary's children. And Anna, if you're with them I assume my sister has passed on?"
"Yes,"
Darling struggled to keep her emotions in place. Darling was a tough woman, but that didn't mean she didn't care.. She held a hand of Maia and a hand of Tim and squeezed tightly.
"She was a good woman. A good mother. A good sister. A good daughter. A good wife. She loved you both very dearly you know."
"We know," answered Tim for both of them.
Darling nodded. "Well, come into the parlor. I can guess what you're here for. No Phoebe you stay here."
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