Machinist of Mana

I had a whole new house, and new place to explore, oh the hours of fun. Well, maybe an hour before mother realized I was missing and sent up an alarm to all staff and everyone else, but some time to look around at least. It was almost like nobody wanted me wandering about on my own, an idea which I could never truly get behind after having been unable to walk for months.

So I moved through the house, it wasn't hard. I could sense people so much more easily, hear their coming and hide. Almost nobody expected me to be able to jump atop banisters and cupboards, or to know when they'd be there.

My progress was slowed by the many people running around, but not by too much. Before long I had made my way through a serving room and out into the main house, popping my head into room after room. Most of them were some derivation of sitting or reading room, but there was also a library full of books. I'd not managed to get much of the written language of this world down yet, but I'd love to explore this one day.

Before long I came upon a room that did indeed make me stop. It looked almost like a training room or gymnasium, with padded floors and a rope divider between the center and the outside. All along the walls were cases filled with trophies and swords. There were even a few sets of gear to one side, kept in pristine condition as if ready to be used at any time.

The blades were all rapier types, long and slender, and looking like they could slice and cut in a flash. I didn't know much about swords myself, other than the passing interest all boys had, but these were clearly dueling blades, not weapons of war.

Then there were the trophies. Dozens of small and large medals and ribbons, along with larger pieces decorated the cases as well. What surprised me was that each and every one depicted a female fencer, not a man. I wondered if mother had a hobby here in her younger days. I'd never seen her so much as pick up a blade, much less fight anyone, but either she, or someone else had done so.

Briefly I considered taking one of the swords out, just to see how it felt in my hand, but that would have been a bit much. Instead I ruefully let my fingers brush the wood on one of the cases and turned back towards the door. Perhaps if I hurried back mother wouldn't even realize I'd left.

I made it all of three steps, fingers running along wooden frames before I stopped. One of these doors was different, solid instead of filled with glass. The style was the same, but there was just something off about it. As I neared it I even felt a breeze, and smelled air that tasted, different, like old wood, hot water, and polishes.

In a fit of curiosity I opened the cabinet door and found that it wasn't a cabinet at all, it was a door. Behind it there was a small dark hallway, undercoated and hidden. I knew that there were a few hidden ways around the country house, back stairs and walkways for the staff to move around. I also knew that I wasn't allowed to explore those, even if I wanted to.

Well if swords called to every young boy, so did secret passages, so I slipped in. Carefully I made my way down the hall, to a connector and a stairwell. There was just enough time to hide in a nook in the stairs as I heard the 'clack, clack, clack' of hurried heels on wood.

“One day, not even one day and the mistress' child is already gone! What'll we do Renton?” came the panicked voice of the Mrs. Rider the housekeeper. Renton was of course the head butler, a man I'd met more than once.

“Don't worry Shelly he won't have gone far. The boy likes to wander, as I've told you, but he seldom tries to leave a building. I'll have a footman go to each door while you get the girls to search the house. Make sure they check the closets and cupboards. He's fast and I've seen the lad jump a man's height.”

“If he's half as strong as the missus what'll we do if he decides he doesn't want to go back to her hmm? None of my girls can make him, that's for sure,” Mrs. Rider continued to tirade.

“In that case keep him distracted while we get his mother or Lutte. I wouldn't worry about it though, he only hurt someone once, and that was a mistake. Boy sat there looking worried the whole time I healed her up,” Mr. Renton assured her as the finally passed my hiding place.

Did Mrs. Rider really think I'd hurt someone? That sort of stung, I'd never try to hurt one of our people. Well at any rate if they were looking for me it might be best to head back. First I was going to find another of the exits though, as I really wanted to know where all these hidden passages went.

As I worked my way along I heard someone approaching from behind. These steps were less rushed, lighter than the housekeepers or butlers had been. I hid once more in a small cranny in the wall, at least until I saw who was coming.

Sinea the scullery maid was making her way down the same hall I was in, one hand carrying a steaming bucket of water. It seemed word hadn't filtered to her yet that I was missing as she seemed determined, but in no real hurry. I considered continuing to hide, but instead quickly came up with a plan that might well help her out, if things went well.

“Hello,” I said, popping out right after she'd passed.

For a moment Sinea seemed very confused, turning in place and looking about before her eyes lowered and she found me. There was a brief look of worry there before she bent down to speak to me. That alone put her a few notches up in my book, most people around here liked to tower, having someone get on my level was nice.

“What're ya doin' back here little sir? Yer not supposed ta be in the servants stairs,” she asked.

“Playing,” I answered lightly.

“Well, here's not the place for it. Where's yer mother, do ya know?”

“Dining room,” it was still good to keep my responses short.

“... not supposed ta go in there... Why don't we go to the servin' room and I'll see if we can find one o' the other maids, shall we?” she asked, giving me a worried smile.

“Okay,” I told her.

Quickly she picked me up with one arm, retrieving her bucket with the other. That alone was a bit of a surprise. Sinea wasn't a large girl, and at her age I didn't expect her to do so with quite that ease. Adding my weight to that of the water didn't seem to bother her in the least though. She carried me resting on her hip, in a way that spoke of long experience dealing with small children.

We popped out of another hidden door and into the serving room I'd passed through earlier. This time there wasn't even a cabinet, just a section of wall I'd ignored. Of course I instantly memorized where it was, there was no way I was going to let a massive maze of hidden doors sit there unknown to me. I was even going to try to find more when we got back to the country house.

Sinea hadn't even closed the concealed passage when my mother come through the door to the kitchen, hissing at one of the women behind her. “Find him!”

“Hello mother,” I said, getting her head to snap around to me.

My angry parent marched up to us, fists settling on her hips as she glared. Then she turned to my escort, her eyes slightly less hard.

“You found my son,” she stated.

“H-he was wandering the servants stairs my lady,” Sinea squeaked out, trying to hide her accent.

“Secret passages!” I enthused in a stage whisper.

“Not for you young man,” mother uttered as she turned her eyes back to me, taking me from the girl and holding me herself. I had no illusions about just how hard it would be to slip away for the next little while so I just laughed maniacally. She was going to punish me regardless, no reason not to go for broke.

Now returning her attention to the servant girl mother fixed her with an iron look before nodding.

“Good job,” she told Sinea, who looked like she was ready to panic again.

As I was carried out I looked over my mother's shoulder and gave Sinea a wink. As she blinked and tilted her head in confusion I nearly laughed again. I'd successfully given her her chance, so long as she didn't royally screw up there was no way mother would sack her now.