AURORA

XIV

MARCH 1512

THE OLD WORLD

LADY MARISSA

-

The man was rugged, filled with grime. I could barely see his face due to the mud, his was crusted with it too. Staring at him, I could feel the bond between us. He had fainted in such a similar way, that I was so used to, that I just knew he was connected to someone as well.

Two servants were walking around me. One was rinsing dirty water from the clothe, as she wiped it of his face. The man moved, slightly. I got up and advanced toward him.

"Miss, perhaps you should sit, he could be dangerous," the servant said to me. I smiled at her concern.

"It is fine," I said, "thank you."

She nodded and continued to do her task. I crouched in front of him as his eyes opened.

"Good evening," I said, "Perhaps you would like to get up."

He groaned in pain , rubbing his head as he took a moment to remember himself. He then, startled, got to his feet. I moved away; hand folded in front of me.

"My lady," he said and bowed. He looked so dirty and unkept, that his immediate manners did not seem to suit him.

"It is fine," I replied, "What is your name."

"Elmer, Elmer Garfield, My lady," he said quickly. I nodded.

"Why don't you sit down," I asked him, pointing the chair. He looked at me in shock and then started forward.

"No thank you, my lady," he said. I sighed. Some nobles were so uptight and rude to the poor and that made them too careful in our presence. I couldn't blame the though.

"I am Lady Marissa, niece to the Duke of Warwick," I said the commanded, "Sit."

He sat and stared at me, I dropped all my pretence of nobility and looked back at him for a good moment.

"Who is it," I asked. My tone was raw, filled with emotion and tiredness. His eyes creased at the corners and his eyes overflowed with emotion not known to men.

"My sister," he whispered, like if he had said it any louder, he would completely unravel.

"How long," I asked him.

"Two years and six months," he said. A gasp escaped me, and I scrutinised him.

"That long." He nodded. It was such a heart-breaking moment to watch him.

"Have you not found him," I asked softly.

"I have," he said, "that is thing-" He stopped talking like he had remembered who he was talking to.

"What is it, Who was it." He watched me, trying to understand my motives before he spoke again.

"That is the thing," he muttered, "I know exactly who it is, but his mother will not allow me to tell him and if I wait any longer my sister will be nothing more than a pile of bones." Tears came to my eyes as he spoke.

"Who is it?" I asked.

"Edward Merek, Earl of Harrowby," he said a lump in his throat.

"My, she did well," I said trying to make a joke. He nodded.

"His mother is making it a problem for you?" I asked. He nodded.

"Do not worry, no more," I said, "I shall help you."

His eyes brightened for a moment and he laughed in sudden happiness.

"How can you do such a thing" he asked. A warm feeling enclosed me, and I felt happiness to be able to help him.

"My husband is a knight of the King and the earl is a frequent visitor, I will tell my husband to find you a method in which you can directly talk to the earl." He looked at a loss of words, just staring at me.

"As of now, do you have an occupation," I asked.

"No, I am a trader, I sell trinkets," he said.

"Would you like the job of a knight," I asked, "My husband is looking for men, you could be one of his people."

He looked overjoyed and he was stuttering, "My lady, I would be honoured."

"Well, that is made up then, my husband shall return from the north in two days, we shall make it an appointment."

"I shall be forever in your debt," he said and bowed.

"It is no problem at all." A silence set in between us, and he stared at the floor before looking up.

"So, my lady, if you don't mind me asking, who are you looking for."

"For the beloved of a friend," I said thinking of Adalynn. Sweet and calm Adalynn, with her quick mouth and open heart.

"Have you found him, my lady," he asked, his head low as if embarrassed for asking.

"Just now, I have no name, except for the Susurro and that he is India."

"India," he said shocked and then muttered to himself like he had heard something, "Susurro."

"In India," he asked again. I nodded.

"Why, is there something you know."

"The whisperer," he asked. I stared at him.

"Where are you going with this."

"Susurro is whisperer in Latin," he said. I thought of it and nodded.

"Yes," I said, "it is, but what of it."

"The whisperer is a powerful one, one of the powerfullest," he replied, "They transport products to England, they are quite the best, but nobody knows who the person is."

"It is one person," I asked.

"No."

OOMPA LOOMPA