Post by wilhemiaschleitz on Mar 28, 2008 10:53:03 GMT -6
Willa had found friends among many of the other serving girls, most knew far more of life within a castle then she did.. most knew far more of life period. Willa found herself giggling and blushing through many of the conversations she and the other girls had had. And only once had she brought up Dmitri's name.. for the looks and hushed giggling came to an uneasy halt. One of the girls had go so far as to inform Willa of the man's lost love..
Which made Willa feel rather ackward as she gave a little nod. But all of that was neither here nor there. As she just left the topic alone.. presing for information wasn't going to get her anywhere. At least not among the maids. And the soldiers didn't gossip much... more they talked about prowlness and so forth.
In either case, it had left Willa a bit confused. Then again most males did..after all look at her father. The lass had been in the midst of getting dressed when one of the other maids knocked on the door. The dark doe eyed girl smiled at her before dropping the grin for a nervous look. " Can ye read, Willa?" the girl asked softly. Willa for a moment looked at her a bit confused.
" Aye.. i can read.. I canna talks sae well.. but I can read. " She teased softly as the other girl giggled softly and gave a nod.
" Will ye take a walk wit me? They post da dead .. from the war. " She spoke softly and nervously. Willa had heard about things like this.. Death lists.. as she gave a little nod and slipped on the peasant shoes.
The two girls slipped out of the castle, both girls holding each other's hand for support as they caught the first sounds of mourning. The cries were from mothers.. sisters.. lovers .. as they found their beloveds name on the list. The two girls all but clung to each other's hands as they slipped closer to the broard list that had been posted on the wall. There were some that cried for simply relief.. as one mother realized her son's name wans't on the list and turned to her husband's arms. The relieved smiles seemed to weigh just as heavily as those that had lost. Willa looked at them, their faces.. as hopes were maintained or dashed forever upon some distant field.
For a long moment fear swelled up within her chest, as though her heart threatened to explode right there at that moment. Sarah tugged at her hand as she leaned in. " Is mah James on there? " She asked softly peering at the words on the massive list. Willa swallowed her own fears and stepped forward to read it. The small finger slipped along the outter edge of the name , searching. Her heart skipped a bit as she found Sarah's James name.. as she continued to look.. keeping the maid beside her in suspense. But she had to know if her father's name was on that list. She heard the keening wail of one woman as she fell to the hard stone of the street..her face buried into her hands as she wept. Willa couldn't have halted the tears that swelled within her eyes as they spilled over to glide down her cheeks.
She had come to the last of the list. The last colomn was for the wounded.. which by most accounts could be labled as dead anyway. Willa struggled a bit to finish the list as Sarah continued to tug at her side.. inquiring.. and insisting to know. Odis's name was not on there.. but Dmitri's was. Her heart gave a little lurch in that, she didn't know the gentleman well, but he had smiled and laughed.. and.. She bit her lower lip as she moved away from the list.. taking Sarah with her.
" Wus he on there.. " She demanded as Willa gaver a little nod. The young girl's face paled in an instant as she had hoped Willa hadn't found it.. that her sweet James would be coming back. The young woman broke down into tears as Willa felt so horrible for having to be the one to tell her. She wrapped her arms about the lass as she couldn't help but feel somewhat horrid for being relieved that it was her James and not her Father.
The two girls wept in each other's arms, Willa held her close to her breast while the other girls hands gripped tighter the fabric of her dress. " I'm sae sorra Sarah.. " She whispered , stroking her hair holding her close. Willa glanced to the others that cried, grieved so openly that their hearts made her own tremble
At one point Sarah's legs quivered and dropped from beneath her as she and Willa crashed to the stone. The girl didn't feel the weight of it all, Willa sure did. There was something strange that struck within Willa.. to cry here.. so openly .. she couldn't do it any longer she had to get away from this sight of heartsickness.
There were moments that living on the farm had been helpful.. she glanced at Sarah's tiny frame and gave a nod. " Put yer arms about my neck" SHe stated quietly as she inched about .. and slid a hand beneath the crock of the girl's knees. She wasn't the ligthest thing in the world.. but Willa was fairly determined not to drop her.. or to set her down out here.
Her own cheeks were hot with tears as she made her way back towards the castle. The heartbroken sobs continued as Sarah attempted to figure out what and why.. and all the unanswered questions that came up at such a time. Willa didn't say anything to her , though was grateful for the sight of the castle. One of the guards moved out towards them but the sight of the uniform didn't help matters. The small shake of her head was given as one of the elder maids came out.. her face paled as she saw Sarah being carried so. IT was honestly the worst thing Willa had to do was to set Sarah down.. and tell James' mother.
The woman shook a bit and gave a nod, a touch more prideful then the girl as she took Sarah and lead her off. Though Willa saw the pain and the anguish in the woman's face . Part of Willa loathed herself for being so relieved.. as she followed after the two women back inside,not without whispering a word to the Great Lady.
" keep em safe.. an brin em home.. " she whispered before closing the door behind her.