Eyes shut, Ama was oddly lulled by the low rumble of people talking and the scrape of booted feet on the wooden floor. She was so tired, she wished she would have had an extra hour to sleep that morning, but the life of a kitchen maid was one that involved an early to rise and late to fall lifestyle. Was it so different from the way her life had been up on the mountain? No, not really, except here she was treated well, and never once came to any physical harm.<br/><br/>â€œAmaria?â€<br/><br/>Amaâ€™s eyes flew open at the use of her given name, bringing her gaze directly to a green gaze that mirrored her own to perfection. Shock flitted through both, recognition and then.<br/><br/>â€œIt is you!â€<br/><br/>Her brother Peter said in a hiss as he pulled a chair away from her table and plopped into it with none of the show a man of his stature should have used. His eyes were glued to her, searching her for something, perhaps scars, or telling signs of her past. Ama realized suddenly she had yet to speak. Her tongue was thick and hot and her chest ached. She didnâ€™t want him there, she didnâ€™t want him to see her like this.<br/><br/>â€œWhat are you doing here, Peter?â€ She asked as she forced herself not to throw her tiny form at him and hug his neck. She nearly cringed when a look of hurt passed over his face.<br/><br/>â€œLooking for you, why else would I come to a place like this.â€ He answered sharply.<br/><br/>â€œYou are wasting your time, Peter.â€ Ama replied quickly.<br/><br/>â€œAmaria-â€œ<br/><br/>â€œAma, its Ama now, please.â€ She corrected with an undertone of urgency. She didnâ€™t want others to over hear Peter using her all too telling name. Peter looked at her as if she had grown a second nose. He looked ridiculously out of place with his fine black breeches and sapphire coat over his crisp white shirt.<br/><br/>â€œWhatâ€™s happened to you?â€ He asked, as if he didnâ€™t know.<br/><br/>â€œYou know the answer to that, and if you do not, go talk to mother and father, they know all of the horrid details.â€ Ama responded with a bitter note.<br/><br/>Peter sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. â€œCan we just talk a moment?â€ He murmured.<br/><br/>â€œFine.â€ Ama said, clasping her hands tight in her lap as she watched her beautiful brother struggle to contain his anger. â€œHow have you been?â€ She asked. Peter shot her a look that could freeze water, but then nodded, indicating he would play along.<br/><br/>â€œWell, very much so in fact. Bethani is expecting our first child.â€ He answered.<br/><br/>â€œCongratulations.â€ Ama was genuinely happy to hear her brother would soon be a father.<br/><br/>â€œWhy, thank you. Mother and father are doing well-â€œ<br/><br/>â€œI donâ€™t care.â€ Ama interrupted. â€œI donâ€™t want to talk about themâ€¦ever.â€ She added.<br/><br/>â€œRight, okay.â€ Peter said quietly. â€œGavin is returning, finally.â€ Peter said then, bringing Amaâ€™s full attention. Gavin was her eldest brother, who had gone off on adventure before she was taken to the mountain. He likely heard nothing of her return until recently. She missed him madly, and many nights it was his image she saw when she dreamt of being saved from Carl and Carl Jr.  â€œHe didnâ€™t know that you had been found, or returned rather. He has lived this last year still mourning his baby sister.â€<br/><br/>â€œWhat happened?â€ Ama asked.<br/><br/>â€œWell, I assumed that our parents had notified him about your return in their letters, so when I mentioned you having gone off on your own and refused to return home he was livid.â€ Peter explained.<br/><br/>â€œWait. Is that what you think?â€ Ama asked, feeling anger rise in her chest.<br/><br/>â€œWell-â€œ Peter began.<br/><br/>â€œNo, thatâ€™s what THEY are telling everyone isnâ€™t it. They put me out Peter, slammed the door in my face because they couldnâ€™t construct a solid enough story to tell their peers about my disappearance that wouldnâ€™t bring on suspicion about my purity. They told me I should have stayed gone!â€ Ama vented in a low hissing voice, her cheeks red with anger. Peter lowered his gaze to the table.<br/><br/>â€œI know.â€ Peter murmured quietly.<br/><br/>â€œWhat do you want?â€ Ama snapped. â€œHave I not suffered enough at the hands of our family, do you want me to relive it every day of my life? Donâ€™t worry, I donâ€™t need you to remind me about the things that happened. Iâ€™m living it.â€<br/><br/>â€œGavin wants to see you, he demanded that you be returned to the house, he has threatened to cut all ties from the family if you are not.â€ Admitted.<br/><br/>â€œThen you will be an only child.â€ Ama replied dispassionately.<br/><br/>â€œWonâ€™t you even consider it?â€ Peter nearly whined.<br/><br/>â€œNo, I want nothing to do with them.â€ Ama said quickly. â€œI donâ€™t have a place there anymore and wonâ€™t play a role to satisfy anyone.â€<br/><br/>â€œBut-â€œ<br/><br/>â€œNo Peter. Tell Gavin I couldnâ€™t be found, or that I am dead, I donâ€™t care, but I wonâ€™t go back.â€<br/><br/>With that Ama rose, indicating that she was finished with the conversation completely. Peter, being a bred gentleman followed suit, his green eyes speaking volumes as he caught her gaze and held it. â€œIâ€™m sorry Ama, so sorry.â€ He said before turning on his heel and striding out of the tavern. Ama took a deep steadying breath, and forced the pain in her chest lower into her belly until she could scarcely feel it at all. What a day it had been, and it was only half way through.<br/><br/>â€œAma!â€ The call of her name snapped her back to attention and she found Riley, another kitchen maid headed toward her with a white square of parchment fluttering in her outstretched hand. â€œNell needs some supplies, says you best go get them.â€ She explained as she pushed the list into Amaâ€™s hand.<br/><br/>â€œVery well.â€ Ama replied weakly and tucked the list into the pocket of her skirt.<br/><br/>â€œHurry up, we got hungry mouths to feed.â€ Riley warned.<br/><br/>With a deep sigh and a shake of her head Ama pulled her cloak around her tightly and headed for the door.