A Knock Upon The Door

To call it a knock would be rather polite, it sounded more like a pounding that threatens to knock the door off its hinges.

You and your father are awoken immediately, your sister still lay in her bed mumbling something incoherent.

From outside shouting is heard “By order of her Ladyship Alcina Dimitrescu, open this door!”

Your father hurries to the door, barely taking enough time to make himself decent and you peek out from your room, hoping to overhear their conversation.

“Evening Mr Ambrose, you owe her Ladyship a great deal in taxes, do you have the necessary funds..?” The voice is female and slightly nasally.

“N… no ma’m… I do not…” your fathers voice is low, soft you get the impression he’s fighting back tears.

You look back into your shared room with your sister, seeing her sleep peacefully, you can’t let anything happen to her, your father needs her.

Your plan is crazy, almost comedic were the stakes not so high, you pull open her dresser drawers and start to strip, sliding one of her dresses over your body before looking at yourself in the mirror.

Much to your surprise, you actually look pretty good, the fabric hugs your frame in such a way to give the impression of the female figure and your hair was long enough to pass, to boot. This could work.

With one last look at your sister her words echo in your mind, it’s almost humorous how thing have worked out.

“I’ll be back before you know it..” you whisper, knowing she’ll not hear you but even still you feel the need to say it, if only for yourself.

On shaky legs you step out from your room to approach the door, the tax lady sees you first, her eyes scanning your body slowly before a satisfied smile curls her lips.

“Yes, that will do nicely…”

Your father turns, seeing you his eyes go wide, taking you in and slowly realizing your plan.

You open your arms for a hug and he take you in, leaning do he whispers to you.

“What in the mothers name are you doing boy….?!” His voice is angry but you can sense a great deal of fear in his voice.

You respond with the only thing you can manage before releasing him and stepping outside.

Outside is a massive carriage, pulled by several large stallions that would couldn’t mount even with the help of stirrups.

Your heart pounds in your ears as you climb into the carriage, the door shutting behind you as you take a seat and prepare yourself mentally for what you’ve gotten yourself into.

As your father watch the carriage ascend to the castle your words resonate within his mind, playing over and over again on a loop.

His daughter who had finally climbed out of bed, rubs her eyes as she approaches her father who even still stands at the door where his only son once stood.

“Dad…? Where’s my brother….? What happened…?” Her voice, though groggy still filled with equally parts confusion and concern.

He can only repeat what you had told him as he couldn’t begin to describe it without losing his frail control over his emotions.

“The right thing…”