“Someone who is meek does what? Kneel. Serve. Are humble. Quiet. Forbearing…”
“You said serve,” Elizabeth interrupted, her sister’s gaze turning toward her. “As in servant. A big house like this, the staff are not always as close to the family as they are in a smaller one–at home, we see our staff, but we have hardly seen any but the butler since arriving here.”
Nodding, Mary’s face knit. “True... but what does that have to do with the clue?”
“When you are hungry, who would you turn to in a house like this?”
“The cook.”
“And where does one find them generally?”
“In the kitchen,” Mary grinned, “Where those who serve, such as the cook, are able to prepare something to eat. My one question is, how does the second line come into effect? So far, the items we have found have not been mentioned in the clues; if that rule continues, then is that line a direction for in the kitchen, or something else entirely?”
“And what of the motto?” Shrugging, Elizabeth pointed toward the door. “I fear I do not know either answer, but we may as well journey to the kitchen and see if some answer presents itself.”
Clues and objects in hand, Mary followed her sister as they made their way to the door, Elizabeth inching it open as she peered out.
Signaling that they ought to continue, Elizabeth hastened from the room, her sister close behind. One final look down the hall and the two made their way to the small hallway tucked behind the stairs; the kitchen hopefully beyond.
The passage poorly lit, the long hall could scarcely be seen as unfinished; the stone floor and walls sound and somehow older than the other stone clad areas of the house.
It has the feel of an old castle, Elizabeth thought as they continued past many hearty oak doors; each hinge larger than her hand.With its heavy doors and stones, it would have taken more men than a regiment to do all this!
The hall ending with a large, modestly set dining room, the pair entered it slowly.
Should they even be there?
“May I help you, ladies?” Mr. Lombart asked, the pair starting as they whirled toward him.
Hand clutching her chest, Elizabeth took an uneasy breath. “Our apologies for intruding,” she managed at length. “We were looking for the kitchen, actually.”
“The kitchen,” he grinned, “I understand. It is to your right off this room; I hope you find what you are looking for.”
“Thank you, Mr. Lombart,” Mary replied, Elizabeth chiming in with her thanks before he turned to leave.
He knew what they were after? Of course he did. Lady Charmane would hardly lead eight of her guests to the kitchen without informing her staff.
At least they would be welcome.
With his directions and permission attained, Elizabeth and her sister made their way to the kitchen, the space devoid of people, though filled with pots and vegetables and… a row of four chambersticks with tall candles, laid on a table in the middle of the room, a sealed letter under each.
“Another clue,” Elizabeth nodded. “I wonder how many more of these we have to find?”
“Given it is Lady Charmane who has designed this, I am sorry to say she is capable of making this continue for some time. Our consolation is that we have not been too long on any one of them… I suppose we ought to see if this is the exception?” Mary said, her mien wearied at their host’s game.
Taking up the next clue, Elizabeth broke the seal and began to read.
If knowledge is a thing you seek, you might wish to take a peek.
Words are rare outside of here, but when one has come, they are always near.
Stand close to drive away the cold, a key to those who can be so bold.
A chamberstick in hand, Mary’s lips pursed. “Knowledge… Peek. Books most likely.”
“Perhaps we ought to head to the library,” Elizabeth supplied. “Either the next clue will be in there, or?”
“Or there will be a connection to books,” Mary finished as she turned toward the door, her hands filled with the various items they had collected. “Interesting that this time the clue mentioned the candle… the ones before did not seem to reference their objects.”
