10) Responsibilities

After her bath Arwyn dressed in the pants and crème colored cotton blouse that was provided to her. She tied the strings all the way up and managed to put her hair into something better than being down and wild. She knew once she went down to tea with them, she would be reprimanded and issued a punishment. She expected that, and would take whatever they decided to do, after all she worried the whole village and went off galavanting somewhere, where they were forbidden to enter; also, she had left her post on the project. She shrugged at her reflection in the mirror. If that is to be what it is then she would take responsibility for her actions. She was after all, in the wrong. "So be it" Arwyn whispered.

Another sense of dread started to ease into Arwyn's conscience. She managed to breath as she descended the staircase. Her mother's reaction was not what she had expected. Her mother is not someone she needed to fear. There was however something to be afraid of…. She shook that off. No. Fear of something just gives it power. She straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin ever so slightly. 'I will not cower.' Her determination back. Arwyn came back to the main hall that entered to the parlor. She stopped before entering. The conversation they were having sounded pretty serious.

"She entered forbidden territory." Viscount Maylock's voice was almost shrill but stern. "What kind of teaching have you instilled in your children if they cannot follow the rules?!" There was a silence that ensued for a moment.

Arwyn could hear someone stand up walk somewhere, the clacking from their shoes intensified the silence. The person stopped walking. Arwyn's mother's voice rang clear. "I will not allow your insults to go unchecked VISCOUNT Maylock." The command the Marchioness held was impressive. "Do not forget that we let the decay of the town slide with just your excuses. Barely managing to pay the taxes owed to the emperor, yet your village was known for always having an abundance of stones." The marchioness grabbed something off of a surface. Arwyn could hear something clank. 'That must be mother picking up her things.' Arwyn thought. "It makes me wonder if you are doing something behind the doors." Her Mother's voice sounded closer to the door. "We had heard rumors of the villagers of Link being neglected. It has been awhile since my husband and I have been here…A long while. Yet those rumors prove true."

"But I-" The Viscount's voice quavered. The Marchioness cut him off.

"Do not forget that I have the acting power of the Marquess in his absence. The weakened riverbed was one thing, the state of the villager's homes is another thing. My daughter very well might inherit this province. She is free to do what she wants on our land. And if I see your negligence reach this point again, I will remove you from your title and position."

Arwyn was thrown back by her mother's power. 'Just how in the world do I enter after that?'

"KAW" Cheshire speaking at the most perfect of timings.

Arwyn stepped into the parlor. Eyes were on her. She bowed respectfully. "Sorry to make you wait."

"You finished sooner than I expected my dear." Her mother walked over to her.

"It must be due to the fact that I do not have all of the layers to deal with as I would if I were in a dress." She smiled down at her mom who was rather short for such a commanding person.

"Yes well it seems Viscount Maylock and Countess Maylock have everything handled here, were your hopes set on tea?" She was trying to escape. Arwyn caught on quickly.

"No, not really. I am sure we are needed back at the site after all." Arwyn bowed again, but this time she put her right arm across her chest and bent low, in a proper gentlemanly bow. "I thank you for your hospitality, and truly I apologize for the ruckus I had caused." She stood up tall with her back straight yet relaxed. Her eyes met the Viscount's uncertain gaze. "Take care." Arwyn turned at her heels exited the vicinity with grace.

The Marchioness was impressed with how quickly her daughter caught on to the situation. She followed her out of the estate, proud as can be.

The Viscount, however, was stunned. Not sure how to handle the new information and new threat. His wife was of course unaffected. She didn't have the energy to deal with her husband's issues. She happily sipped her tea. Glad that she has her own money.

Arwyn and her mother walked in silence for a good distance They were headed back to the site. It wasn't too long of a walk. "Mother," Arwyn started off, "you noticed the state of the villager's homes, yet stilled bailed out the viscount of this situation…"

"So you heard…" The Marchioness understood the statement. "Of course, because the villagers are our people regardless of who we have in charge. We will not abandon our people."

Arwyn understood the importance of that statement. The heavy responsibility that came with being in charge of a large province. So many viscounts and barons and earls to command. So many people that work and bleed for this province.

In Arwyn's past life, she would have let the people deal with the problem on their own. Since the place she came from was free. Here it wasn't like that. To live on these lands and in the housing on the land, they had to swear an oath of loyalty a contract that wasn't easily broken. Almost like Serfs. Not quite indentured servants. The farmers got a cut of the produce and were able to receive an income. The stone miners got paid and were able to take advantage of the stones. The lumberjacks received an income and were also able to take home some of the wood they cut down. It was a give and take relationship. They had to pay into taxes, so their labor paid for the housing and the taxes owed. The lords provided the people protection and the security of an income and shelter. Which meant that the lords needed to take care that the housing and the people didn't suffer.

"You are a wise leader mother." Arwyn let out a sigh. The importance of being the potential heir rested heavy on her shoulders all of a sudden. "Could I be so wise?"

Her mother's hand rested on her shoulder reassuringly. "I'm sure you can be, in time."

The project would take a few more days to finish, but the first day was the only time Arwyn needed to be there. Her mother would still oversee the progress of it. One of the villagers who could read and do basic math took over the rest of the bookkeeping. Arwyn assisted the villagers in laying the heavy bags of sand down in the designated places. It was coming along nicely. For the short time they have. Arwyn could see where the river started to erode the edges of the original bank. And the other side the river started to ease onto the vegetation. It was thankfully a somewhat slow rise. It gave them some time to prepare at least. When did it start to rise? Arwyn looked over at the person next to her. "When did the water start rising like this?"

The gent paused for a moment, happy for a short reprieve. He wiped the sweat from his forehead. "you know, it started a couple of weeks ago."

"You guys weren't able to prepare then, when it first started to rise?"

"It wasn't noticeable at first." He shrugged, "It was only a few days ago when we took notice, we weren't able reach our normal spots to mine stones, it affected our work."

It's been slowly rising for a few weeks? Why? There were a couple of reasons that crossed her mind. Her waking up in this world, and meeting Emoce potentially could have caused this.

She nodded at the man answering her questions. "Thank you, sir."

He nodded back and continued working. Arwyn followed suit. Glad to be doing something to keep her mind somewhat preoccupied. She paused again. "Has there been people who live in the mountains?"

He scoffed this time. "Are you serious?" His look pierced her gaze.

"When I had gotten lost, I happened to spot a person there. Is that not usual?"

His face grew pallid. "No my Lady, it is not normal." He grabbed her shoulders on impulse but kept a firm hold. "Do not wander further than you already have. There lies dangers that will cause more damage than good. The mountains have slept for hundreds of years, do not wake beasts."

"What are you talking about?" Arwyn had scoured the books in her father's library for any mention of the mountains. But found nothing. "I do not know what you speak of good sir. Please, what happened, what are we keeping away from!?" Arwyn pleaded.

He stared at her for a moment longer before letting her go. Pulling out a small tattered leather-bound book no bigger than her palm. He placed it in her hands. "Since you seem like a good sort, here, I gift this to you. It belonged to my family for a long time. We all used to have this, but it started to fade, and some of us have lost our true history."

Arwyn grasped the book tightly but gently. "I thank you; I will take good care of it. I owe you sir."

He looked at her a little longer. "Just be a good lord, and I will call it even."