Daphne

Daphne wasn't quite sure what  she felt as she held the note from Deorla. Although she couldn't read much at all, she knew from the expressions of others, and the absence of Deorla, what the contents were. 

“Do we have to wear all these frillies?” Bellindah had asked in a whiny tone. Their Aunt Margaret had given her a sharp look, clearly not approving her dislike of dressing up at the young age of eight years old. “Yes you have put ‘em on.

What an unusual day it had turned out to be! Daphne's mind was everywhere as she packed her belongings once again. Though it wasn't all bad, the day weighed on her. She was weary and longed to collapse into sleep. But she knew despite her exhaustion, her mind was too scattered and energetic to actually rest yet. 

"Lily inherited her mother's graceful features, I am sure she will marry well. Such a beautiful young woman. So gentle too! See how she tends the newborn animals, with such care? She will make such a good wife."  Their eyes would turn toward Daphne after praising her younger sister. Their voices always lowered as they shot glances in her direction, as if she couldn't hear any of their words.

Seeing the emptiness of the Company's headquarters, Daphne's first thought had been that some prank had been played on them all. But judging from the faces of everyone else...it wasn't so. They had been robbed. Their home had been entirely emptied in their brief absence. 

It was surprising that the rest of the Company didn't seem angry with Daphne, though she was the one who had earned them all two hundred push-ups from their aspiring drill sergeant.

Daphne awakened early in the morning feeling pretty refreshed, compared to most nights. This was rather surprising consider she wasn't in her own bed, her own land or with people she knew all that well.
Not that she knew anyone anyway.