The Many Adverntures of Lady Jane Fairfax - Chapter One

The Many Adventures of Lady Jane Fairfax

Chapter One

Jane glanced behind her at the castle walls. The walls were a dark grey stone with green ivy climbing up the sides. The tower Jane had just escaped from was 1 of 4 ominously reaching for the blue sky. Oddly, even in the warm sunshine, this castle held no warmth or pleasant aura. It was dark, damp and grey. This cold unfriendly looking building didn't look as though anything would want to grow up it, but then as long as there is moisture, Ivy will grow anywhere.

This castle boasted of no gardens. It didn't bother itself with such frivolities or delights as that. The exterior was menacing, cold and austere.

There was a huge, very heavy drawbridge for crossing a revolting green stagnant moat.

The guards steadied themselves, in the window of the tower from which Jane had just jumped. Took their bows from their shoulders swiftly and took an arrow each from their sheaths, loaded up expertly into the quivers and fired! The arrows showered all around Tiratease and Jane. The Unicorn had anticipated and had already started to swoop into a dive. Further arrows quickly followed as Tiratease's speed and power increased. He swooped low and angled away from danger. Speed was their only weapon.

The unicorn soared effortlessly through the warm morning air. His beautiful cream feathery wings splayed, his mane blowing lightly in the breeze. Jane sat astride his back as he travelled with ease through the air. She gazed with tired eyes in wonder at the beautiful countryside beneath her.

Spread out beneath them like a huge patchwork quilt draped over the hills and lowlands were fields and meadows and various shades of green. Large and small, many square and some oblong. The fields were filled with various crops. Each field and meadow was separated by a hedgerow which in Jane's eyes looked like small thin brown lines. The meadows had cattle and sheep and horses grazing in them. Skirting part of the fields was a dark woodland. Snaking the scenery was a sparkling river. The river wide in places and then narrowing as it followed the hedgerow edges almost hidden by trees and hedgerows. It's position however was given away by the sun shining down. It's rays sparkling on the waters surface glistening tiny diamonds through the hedgerows.

Lovely thought Jane, she adored the countryside. 'Ok chaps' she murmured 'home again, home again, Fairfax Hall here we come!' 'I'm afraid not my lady' replied Tiratease. 'You father has heard of your capture and has insisted that we return you to Beaufort Hall immediately'.

'Excuse me?' cried Jane, her sapphire eyes flashing angrily. 'I will not be summonded by anyone!' Morty flew down and alighted by Jane's side. 'Jane,' he said, lookiing kindly at the irate figure sat beside him. 'You must understand that your Father was incredibly worried by the news of your capture and, naturally, he needs reassurance that you are safe. He loves you dearly and wishes to see you in person'. Jane calmed down immediately. She adored her Father and would do absolutely anything for him. She sighed heavily. 'Oh I suppose so! Very well. Tiratease, Beaufort Hall it is.

Beaufort Hall was many hours flight, so the 3 friends had rather a long journey ahead of them.

'My lady' added Tiretease, 'may I suggest that you get some rest now. We have a long journey ahead of us and you will do well to sleep now. Fear not, Morty will watch over you. You will not fall'. Jane had to admit, she was absolutely exhausted. Morty stood beside her. 'I will not allow anything to happen to you' he said looking down on Jane. 'I know you wouldn't darling Morty'. Jane gave the eagle an adoring smile. She adored her 2 friends will all of her heart.

Sir Mortimer stood proudly guarding Jane like a sentry. Jane felt very sleepy and the warmth of the morning sun touched her skin. Jane snuggled deep into Tiratease's soft, warm, cream feathers. The regular beat of his wings mesmerising. Jane's slender fingers and skin could feel the perfection, warmth and softness of the unicorn as she gradually closed her eyes and relaxed. The warm air played across her copper blonde hair.

The large muscular beast flew with gentle effortlessness over vast expanses of countryside. The friends passed rocky wildernesses filled with desolate rocky, jagged mountains and dark, imposing forests. They crossed deep dark inky lakes, then as they flew on, forests of a warmer nature. Lush intensely fragrant pine forests with herds of deer in the distance. They looked like ants moving slowly across stretches of green but the reality of it was herds of deer thundering across meadows.

Tiretease saw a formation of honking Canada geese to his right. 'Noisy lot!' he thought to himself as he flew passed. The beautiful V shaped formation communicating with one another as they flew.

Lady Jane looked so peaceful as she slept. He beautiful face relaxed in sleep. Jane's silky copper blonde hair fell untidily in her face, and tumbled across her slender neck and shoulders. Her eyes relaxed and closed. Jane's milky skin so beautifully smooth and soft, her mouth relaxed in a soft smile. Jane wasn't keen on her face to be honest. Her nose, she felt was fairly insignificant but the end of it tilted slightly making it rather pixie like. Jane had freckles on her nose, which incidentally she utterly hated! She wore a velvet dress of emerald green. The V shapes nack embraced Jane's shoulders following her neck. The ample bust of the dress was tightened as was the Medieaval fashion with a lace bodice. A golden belt encapsulated her tiny waist and the long green full skirts billowed down to her toes. Jane slept for hours.

Morty tirelessly and loyally kept constant watch over his beloved lady. Sir Mortimer loved Jane fiercely. They had been friends for many years and had stuck together through thick and thin through many adventures. Tiretease tirelessly flew on and on.

Jane eventually stirred in her sleep. 'ooh.... mmmm. ahh' She could feel the softness of warm downy feathers... She felt a warm breeze on her face and her hair blowing gently in the breeze was tickling her cheek. She opened her eyes. Sir Mortimer Flockhart stood like a senty beside her. Jane stretched her body. 'Ah my lady, you are awake. Did you sleep well? You have been asleep for hours'. Jane smiled. 'Oh Morty', she grinned, 'yes thank you, I slept beautifully.' 'That is splendid news my lady' said Tiretease. We are not too far from Beaufort Hall now.

Jane yawned, rubbed her eyes, stretched and sat up. The afternoon sunshine was warm on her face. Jane gazed at the countryside below her. All of the lands she explored as a child. Familiar, sparkling lakes. Jane had memories of swimming in these lakes with her Father. They had raced to see who could get in first and they would both yell with delight as the cold water splashed their legs as they ran in and plunged head first into the deep icy delicious water. The two could swim very well. Then afterwards would be a massive picnic in the nearby fields or Forests.

In the distance Jane saw a warm beautiful mountain range. Tiratease seemingly tireless for his beloved Lane Jane flew straight and true towards it. As they approached, fragrant pine forests madjestically draped the lower skirts of the moutain sides in a stunning velvety green. Tiretease flew low now and the sound of water thundering down the incredible waterfalls filled their ears. The water cascaded out of a large opening in the moutain side, dropping 150 feet to a beautiful pool below surrounded by moss covered rocks. The spray from which was a delicious icy sensation on Jane's face. Surrounding the waterfalls there were astonishly pretty mountain flowers whose delightful fragrance was intensified by the damp air. Tiratease flew up, up, up, and over the water falls. As he leveled out, another forest lay before them. The sunshine bathed the forest in a warm glow.

Just beyond the forest lay a wonderful friendly happy sight for Jane. The building alwys made her heart leap for joy. It's very walls were a warm comfort to her.

In the front were vast perfectly clipped gardens. Gardens which, as a child Jane had happily run up and down, skipping and giggling happily. Playing into the long warm summer's evenings with not a care in the world. The heavy scent of roses still strong in her memories.

Jane's favourite garden lay to the west of the Hall however. If as a child, you crept out of the house and quietly shut the front door, scampered down the sweeping stone steps and aimed to your right. Skip down the stone pathway between the pink and white fragrant rose trees. You come to a brick wall. It is a tall wall with an oak door set into it. Jane would take a hesitant grasp of the wrought iron circular handle. It always felt so adventurous to the little girl to turn the handle and open this magical door. This was her own private place. Noone else ever went in. It was Jane's. She would furtively sneak in through the narrow opening she had made and peer inside. The was no actual need for her to sneak inside, but it felt far more fun doing it as though it were forbidden. The garden inside was surrounded by a 12ft warm brick wall. Lots of lovely creeper climbed up the wall everywhere. The was a lovely big area of grass covering the main part of the garden, with shrubs and wild flowers surrounding the edges. In one corner madjestically and gracefully stood a weeping willow tree and in another corner stood a tall Oak tree. The Oak tree had a rope swing complete with wooden seat hanging from one of it's lowest boughs.

Jane shook herself. She loved to daydream. So many fabulous childhood memories of Beaufort Hall.

Tiretease was exhausted. He just hadn't mentioned it to anyone. He must reach his destination. Lady Jane must be brought safely home. Beaufort Hall stood magnificently bathed in the evening sunshine. Tiretease flew lower and lower flying level with the gardens easing down low enough for his hooves to skim the gravel drive way . He landed at a gallop and slowing down soon halted.

The front door of Beaufort Hall was thrown open and out strode Lord Beaufort to greet them. Jane slid of Tiretease's back and ran to greet him. 'Thank goodness you are home young lady' Lord Beaufort took his daughter and hugged her tight. 'Hello Daddy', Jane hugged him back.

Lord Beaufort called to Morty and Tiretease, 'You must all be tired and hungry, welcome home, come and feast. 'I cannot thank you both enough for bringing my daughter back to me safe and sound. The unicorn and eagle both bowed low and the company headed for the feast awaiting them. A perculiar looking group to an outsider, but nothing was more normal to this family.

The Many Adventures of Lady Jane Fairfax

Written by Heather

INTRODUCTION

The corridor was dark, damp and cold. Flaming lanterns lit the way at regular intervals along it's stone walls, throwing shadows on the curved cold ceiling. Water droplets slowly made their way down the sides of the walls and the torrential rain poured down in the inky darkness of the outside of the medieval castle. The corridor walls were crafted from basic stone and a window opening showed the walls depth. The outside world was briefly lit up as lightning flashed across the night sky, briefly showing the desolate countryside beyond the castle gates.

Thunder crashed down upon the castle breaking the corridor's silence. A commotion at the end of the corridor erupted. 'Let me go!' a voice fumed. 'Do you not know who I am?' she cried incredulously, struggling to no avail with two strong armed guards. 'Oh yes M'Lady, we know who you are right enough' sarcastically mocked one of the guards. 'Then for heavens sake let me go!' cried the woman struggling with the guards and frantically writhing around desperate to free herself, getting more and more aggravated. 'I'm afraid we can't do that M'Lady' the guard laughed as he held Lady Jane Fairfax roughly, one dirty fist gripping her copper hair and the other pushing her forward down the corridor. Jane's hands were bound together behind her back and the guard shoved her roughly towards a flight of spiral stone steps that led to the tower. 'Up you go now lovey! No sense in arguing is there? The guard gave a nasty chuckle.

Jane struggled to avoid slipping on the steep wet stone steps and her feet scraped and scuffed as she was dragged up the steep flight. The lightning lit the way occasionally and the thunder crashed around her ears. 'At least for god sake, tell me what it is i'm supposed to have done? She yelled in the guards face, so furious now! 'Well missy, you certainly seem to have upset someone now, haven't ya? heh heh heh. Ah, 'ere we are. The guard opened a large thick heavy oak studded door. 'In you go, and er, ha ha, night night, sweet dreams!

Jane faced the second, slightly kinder looking guard. 'Well the least you can do, surely, is tell me what I have done and for how long I am to be held? The guard looked into Lady Jane's beautiful face and softened a little. 'I'm sorry love' he said 'I 'ave me orders. Just doin' me job'. In a moment of kindness he swiftly cut the rope typing Janes hands together. 'Oi!, what you doin' that for? queried the more aggressive guard. 'Calm down mate! She aint goin' nowhere is she? retorted his softer, kinder companion. 'Huh' growled the aggressive man. 'Well on your head be it matey!' He then shoved Lady Jane roughly through the door. Jane was so exhausted she was sent sprawling onto the cold hard stone floor. the oak door slammed shut and the guards bolted the door, the noise of the enormous heavy bolt being slammed home echoed around the tiny cell.

Jane lay on the floor stunned and bruised. Everything hurt. She felt cold and hungry and everything hurt so much. Jane's emotions get the better of her for a moment and her eyes welled up. She shook herself angrily. 'Don't you dare!' she told herself sternly. 'Since when did crying ever help?'. However Jane was utterly exhausted and curled herself up in a helpless vulnerable bundle and fell tearfully into a deep exhausted sleep.

The walls of the cell were an almost grey/black with green mould growing up them. rivulets of water trickled down making wet puddles on the floor. The rain continued to come down heavily outside although the storm had now passed. Jane had been in the tower for several hours, it would soon be sunrise. Jane lay on the floor, bruised from fighting the guards and still exhausted. She stirred, flagstones were not nice places to sleep. She opened her eyes. 'eeww, god, oww owww ouchh!' heavy sigh. 'Oh god! not again!' Jail again!' Jane had a habit of getting herself into one scrape or another, it was just her nature. She sat up, her face filthy, her dress torn, her hair utterly unkempt. Huh, Lady Jane Fairfax in Jail again! Oh blimey!

Jane got to her feet. 'Well this is marvellous isn't it?' she muttered to no one in particular. 'How am I going to get out of this one then?' Admittedly there was a lovely big window in the tower wall and she leaned across the 4ft thick wall to set how high up she was 'Whooow! Jane did not like heights, and she was very very high up. The castle was on a cliffs edge and naturally, she was locked in the tallest tower of said castle! Right at the base of the cliffs there ran a raging river with water spray leaping over jagged grey rocks.

Jane slumped back onto the floor. 'Oh bother! So what do I do now?' Think think think... mmmm.. Now I don't know if you have ever heard of Lady Jane Fairfax. Jane is a rather unusual lady. Full of surprises. Jane started to whistle a soft sweet whistle and within 5 minutes her whistle was joined by another similarly tiny soft sweet whistle. More of a chirp really. A tiny blue tit flew in through the window opening and nervously flew into the room. It gained confidence though as it was greated by Jane's hand. The tiny bird alighted onto her hand and looked Jane in the face. Jane smiled at her feathered friend and continued to whistle very softly to the bird and he suddenly took flight and flew straight out of the window opening and was gone (but a mere memory). Jane rested once more her head against the cell wall and closed her eyes and waited patiently. The sun started to rise sending beautiful colours of pink and orange around the horizon. Jane stood up and gazed in wonder at the beautiful view. Ever mindful of her predicament, but still unable to drag her sapphire eyes from the beautiful view before her. The horizon was stunning. A range of snow capped moutains rose in the distance with mysterious forests and several deep lakes. The stunning sunrise set rays of pink and orange which danced over the moutain range and the forests. The morning mist hung in the air making the scene even more mysterious. Jane patiently waited taking in the beautiful view. She adored that sort of view.

An Eagle's cry in the distance made Jane's mouth turn to a grin. On the horizon in the sunshine she could see a tiny black dot. The longer she watched the dot, it changed shape. As it got nearer a second dot appeared. The first shape was turning rather equine but strangely so. The stunningly magically silhouette of a Unicorn against the sunrise was a sight for sore eyes to Jane. 'Ah Tiratease' she sighed, I knew you'd come. She could now also see the second dot had turned into a majestic silhouette of a Golden Eagle. 'and Morty too!, my two best friends'.

The wam golden sun now started to light up the countryside surrounding the castle. Showing the deep cold river directly beneath.

Again an Eagles cry sounded but this time closer, much closer.... Then suddenly a huge feathered bird filled the window opening. Jane calmly looked up. She smiled lovingly at her beloved companion. 'Hello Morty' she said and gently stroked his feathered chest. The Golden Eagle nodded 'My Lady' he said gravely and bowing 'we came as soon as we heard. Jane looked lovingly into the Eagles eyes 'Oh my darling Morty, I knew I could count on you two'. Sir Mortimer Flockhart, to give him his full title, flew into the room. 'We must be swift My Lady as the guards will be up to check on you very soon.' 'I fear you are correct as always Morty. In fact I think we may have company arriving now!' The noise of heavy boots marching up the stone stairway could be heard. Time was running out and fast. Sir Mortimer looked at Jane's attire quizzically 'er you are hardly dressed for scrambling through windows!'

Lady Jane looked at herself in the reflection of a puddle lit by the sunshine. mmm. Long forest green dresses weren't really what adventurers who crawl through windows normally wore, but it couldn't be helped. 'No time for that now Morty darling! We must fly! Jane giggled at her rather silly joke and Morty rolled his eyes and shook his head. The guards boots were getting noisier and voices could be heard outside. the sound of a metal key in the lock turning.....

Lady Jane scrambled back onto the ledge as best she could, skirts getting torn in the process. She stood up and walked to the windows ledge . 'Tiratease my darling, how jolly good to see you!' Tiratease bowed his head 'It is, as always, good to see you too my lady'. The Unicorn was large and muscular with a creamy white coat and a silver spiralled horn. His white mane blowing in the soft morning breeze and his stunning wings sprerad wide beating quietly. 'Hurry now My Lady the guards will be upon us' snorted Tiratease, eager for everyone to leave the tower. 'There is no time to waste, we must make haste!' Your father is so worried about you. 'Don't look down, just jump on my back. I will catch you should you fall. You are perfectly safe. ' Tiratease knew very well of Jane's fear of heights. Once she was on his back she would be fine. It was the tower she didn't like.

The cell door opened and the guards stomped into the room, just in time to see Jane on the window lege. 'Hey you!' They shouted.

Jane gathered her skirts in her hands, took a deep breath and leapt straight from the ledge onto the Unicorns back. Phew that was a bit tricky! She settled happily onto the Unicorn's soft feathery warm back. All in the knick of time as the Golden Eagle flew from the window ledge the guards rushed to it. 'Oi, what the hell!' they shouted angrily! Tiratease dove swiftly away from the windows edge his wings arching in the air catching currents and swooping with speed and ease avoiding the guards deftly fired arrows.

The three companions free once more headed towards the mountains.......

Hi, I am hoping that this little bit of script will be able to be read by my friends on Twitter. These guys are very patient with me and I am hoping that, once I'm a little more at ease with this blog site, that I may give a little back.

I do hope this works.