“Morning.” I replied, a little warily. Lucy bowed and then left.
“You can sit where you like.” said Sennen, even though only the place opposite him was set.
“Are we to expect anyone else at some time?” I enquired, sliding into the chair.
“Not this morning.” Sennen answered. “Tea or coffee?”
“Tea please.”
He took up the silver pot before him and set about pouring two cups.
“Help yourself to anything you like.” Sennen indicated the covered dishes before him.
Feeling self conscious, I lifted the nearest cover to find scrambled eggs. My favourite. I uncovered a small rack of toast too, and then a platter of crispy bacon. All my favourite things, placed nearest to me.
Sennen slid a sup of tea towards me. Exactly how I liked it. Strong tea, not too much milk, without sugar.
“There's, so much to choose from.” I said, as Sennen uncovered a platter of sausages.
“You don't have to eat it all?” he smiled slightly.
“It seems, strange.” I said, spooning eggs onto my plate. “From outside, last night, I saw that this is a huge castle. Yet, all these rooms, they're so small, so modest.”
“That's because this is a sort of annexe to the larger part of the castle. Six bedrooms, a lounge, this room and two studies, plus the staff area. Intended for guests who want more privacy.” Sennen explained as I buttered some toast.
“Is that why you're in this part? You want more privacy?”
“Not exactly.” Sennen put bacon alongside his sausages. “When I arrived, I wasn't really...well, after all that happened, it was clear some peace was needed. But the people here didn't trust me, so they restricted my access.”
“And, me? Am I restricted?”
“I was told that if I found any others to ask they keep to the same restrictions. Until the Board can make their own decision.”
“Board?”
“The official Board of Governors for Delarna.”
“Where?” I was totally lost, my fork suspended above my plate.
“Didn't I tell you that's what it's called?” Sennen looked up from his food. I shook my head. “Sorry. Terribly neglectful. But yes. This place, this world, this reality, is called Delarna. The land is anyway. The castle is known as the House of Peace.”
“And, this Board?”
“It's effectively the government here.” Sennen glanced at my plate. “Aren't you going to eat that?”
He stared at me for a few moments, and it occurred to me he wasn't going to continue until I ate something. So I took a mouthful of eggs and a bite of toast. The eggs were the best I'd ever tasted, fluffy and buttery. The bread must have been freshly baked and was toasted to perfection.
“Is there a royal a family?” I pressed, before taking another mouthful.
“There is currently a queen, yes. She is part of the Board.”
“Are they all...human?”
“No.” Sennen's tone was careful. “The Queen is the only one who is. The others are varying...species.”
“You mean creatures.”
“In a sense. Yes. Elves. Faeries. Dwarves. There are also Naiads and Dryads to represent the land itself.”
“You're kidding.” I gaped.
“No. They are a mix. Some of them live here.”
“How many are there?”
“Twelve of the main Board, including the queen.”
I tried to process all this new information as I scooped more food into my mouth and sipped my tea. It was the best tea I'd ever tasted. Rich and smoky.
“Earlier, Lucy called you Lord Sennen.” I said.
“A silly title.” Sennen sipped his own tea. “Merely provided so as to give me a little more standing. It doesn't really mean anything.”
“Lord though.” I said. “That's normally a big deal.”
“Different world, Cassia.” Sennen shrugged. “Different meanings.”
I couldn't help but feel he was skirting around the subject and not answering me properly, withholding information. I chose not to push it, yet, just shovelled more delicious food into my mouth. It had been a while since I'd enjoyed my food this much.
Sennen was mysterious. My first encounter with him, he presented himself as being dangerous. He quickly switched as soon as we arrived in Delarna, becoming somewhat moody. Then he changed again and seemed genuinely concerned and caring when I had a panic attack.
Before I pushed him, on anything, I had to learn more about him, get to know his nature and when he should and shouldn't be pressed for answers.
“What exactly am I meant to do here?” I asked.
“What is it you want to do?” Sennen replied.
In answer, I blinked. It had been a while since anyone had really asked me that. It was always what everyone thought I should do, never about what I wanted to do.
“I...”
“What do you do at home?”
“I read.”
“Perhaps then, you would like to see the library.”
I perked up.
“Could I do that? I mean, is it allowed?”
“There is more than one. A smaller one at this end of the castle that we're allowed into. The main library is enormous. If we'd like anything from it, we'd need to ask a member of staff.” Sennen smiled a little. “Before you lose yourself in books, I think we should try and figure out your magic first.”
“You really think I have magic?”
“I'm certain of it.”
“Then, what do I do with it?”
“Once you've eaten enough, I suggest we go for a walk in the grounds and discuss it.”
First of all, if you haven't, read the other chapters that I put on here because a lot of questions being asked are explained.
In short, she doesn't have an eating disorder. Her life, before going to Delarna, was effectively largely based on mine. Except for her it was worse and the ins and outs of it are explained later.
The first few chapters cover the fact that Cassia is unemployed and has been for a while. She's become very isolated because everyone has their own lives, her parents work all day. Cassia's got to a point where she's basically stopped caring. No one's looking after her, or just making sure she's looking after herself. She lacks confidence and she's put down a lot. The general gist is that she's suffering from a form of depression.
I admit that it was a mistake to have her eating so much. Earlier I was going on personal experience that the anxieties of life can sometimes cause a lack of appetite. The aim here was that Cassia was presented with her favourite food and was more keen on getting information than whether or not she was eating...but yeah, that was a mistake.
More will be uploaded as soon as I typed it up! (original planning draft is handwritten)
I’m wondering, at first I thought the protagonist was suffering from an eating disorder... from experience this doesn’t change overnight. Perhaps this could be a scene where Cassia’s relationship with food is explored more.
For most people the sulfuric smell of eggs are a strong flavor, perhaps shes so nervous meeting Sennen she finds them noxious and nauseating. Maybe the butter is too rich so she nibbles dry toast, totally self conscious.
If Lord sennan has or will have control over her, the last sentence is a good starter for that. “We can do X, when you’ve eaten Y”. Subtle.
Looking forward to seeing what comes next.
up to now, it's about going before the governers of Delarna. so, how about "the magic board of Delarna"