Fantasy Castles

Evelyn walked down a hall, the bits of sunlight coming through the ivy covered windows danced over her crimson dress and laughter from various groups echoed around. Paying no attention to these things she pulled a note from her pocket and re-read it for the 97th time.


Darling Evelyn

I must leave at once. Please try to forgive me for leaving without saying goodbye, it was necessary. Mariette is here, if you need help. There is another also, but as he will only reveal himself if something happens, I hope you don’t meet him for the present.
Your loving mother, Thadrea

P.S. Remember if you ever need me, just call my name and I'll be instantly by your side.


Evelyn screwed up her face at the last line, wondering what it could possibly mean. Did she really just have to yell mother and her mother would appear? Or was it just a comforting last line, meaning that her heart would be here, not her actual presence. Preoccupied by these thoughts, she was startled out of them when someone grasped her by the arm and pushed her through an open doorway.

Evelyn, not used of being pushed hastily through a doorway, tripped over her petticoats and landed on the rough stones paving the yard, cutting her hand.
‘Evelyn! Are you OK?’ A strange man asked, kneeling down beside her, wrapping her hand in his snowy white handkerchief.
‘Who are you?’ Evelyn asked, taking in his appearance, bronzed skin, blue eyes and sandy blonde hair. There was something familiar about him, only she couldn’t place it. ‘Have I met you before?’
‘You have once, as a small child. My name is Laurence, I know your mother and I promised I would watch over you while she is gone in case something happened. Evelyn, can you trust me?’
‘Trust you?’
‘I know, you only just met me, but please Evelyn, you have to. I promised mother, I mean, your mother that I would, so please?’
‘You?’ Evelyn said. ‘You’re the person she was talking about?
‘Yes, I would be.’ He replied. ‘If the person she talked about was someone who was only going to appear if something happened.’
‘Alright then’
‘Thank you. Now come on.’ He got up and held out his hand to help her up.
‘Where are we going?’
‘Somewhere were we can’t be overheard and to clean up your hand.’ He looked at it. ‘And my poor pocket hankie.’

He led her through into the adjoining courtyard. There, he opened a door so carefully concealed in the wall that Evelyn would never have noticed it she had been trying to find it.
‘Come in quick.’ He said beckoning her to come faster. Evelyn hastened, this time making sure to hold her petticoats clear of her feet. He shut the door quickly behind her and handed her a candle.
‘Hold it against the lighted one, you’ll need it, unless you can see in the dark.’
Evelyn lit her candle then looked around her. A dark, rough stone stairway led down into darkness.
‘Do we have to go down there?’ Evelyn said, terrified, her voice coming out in a high squeak.
‘You said you would trust me. It’s really not that far.’
‘But I hate being underground!’
‘Yes, you would.’ He said softly, then louder. ‘It’s really not that far. Promise. Ten seconds tops.’
‘Alright then’ Evelyn answered, braced herself and sped down the stairs, crashed through a partially opened door, into a room of light.