Post by Rebecca Andrews on Nov 14, 2008 7:17:39 GMT -5
A little way off the edge of the riverbank stood an old two-story ancestral house. This house has been witness to the countless times the river has shown its might and rage. And every time the river lashed out its anger, this old manor would defy it and stand still and proud, proving that it was by far greater than the raging water itself.
The house was surrounded on all sides by a metal fence that was painted black and gold. The main entrance of this barricade was nine feet high, thus earning it the title ‘The High Gate’. But this gate was not there to block out the rest of the world. In fact, this gate was seldom locked, for the family who lived there knew every one in the neighborhood and trusted each and every one of them. They were always open to those who were in need and would help whole-heartedly anyone who asked for assistance. The kindness earned them love and respect of the entire commune.
From the gate, a pathway made up of cobblestone was visible. It was as old as the manor itself but it was still elegant due to the fact that it was constantly cleaned and polished. It snaked its way between the numerous trees that dominated the bare soil between the fence and the manor. These trees were fruit bearing, providing the family and the entire community fresh fruits during certain seasons.
On the east side of the manor stood another building—the helpers’ quarters. It was a one-story building made up of old stone and a tiled red roof. It was designed to house 100 helpers employed by the family to assist them in managing the manor and the land. The quarters had two oak doors—one at the front and the other at the back. Blue-curtained windows lined the walls of the said quarters.
The eastern and the northern parts of the helpers’ quarters were used as vegetables gardens. A little further beyond the northern garden there stood a pigpen, housing almost a hundred pigs. Near this pen grazed fifty or so goats and cows. These were all under the family’s ownership.
At the end of the cobblestone pathway was a grand marble staircase, which lead to the double oak doors of the manor. On both doors were carved images of dragons facing each other in battle. The roof was tiled with red bricks, reminiscent of the old Spanish houses still standing up to that day. Mullioned windows decorated either walls of the manor, their velvet curtains visible from outside.
It was here that everything would end.
It was here that everything would begin.
The house was surrounded on all sides by a metal fence that was painted black and gold. The main entrance of this barricade was nine feet high, thus earning it the title ‘The High Gate’. But this gate was not there to block out the rest of the world. In fact, this gate was seldom locked, for the family who lived there knew every one in the neighborhood and trusted each and every one of them. They were always open to those who were in need and would help whole-heartedly anyone who asked for assistance. The kindness earned them love and respect of the entire commune.
From the gate, a pathway made up of cobblestone was visible. It was as old as the manor itself but it was still elegant due to the fact that it was constantly cleaned and polished. It snaked its way between the numerous trees that dominated the bare soil between the fence and the manor. These trees were fruit bearing, providing the family and the entire community fresh fruits during certain seasons.
On the east side of the manor stood another building—the helpers’ quarters. It was a one-story building made up of old stone and a tiled red roof. It was designed to house 100 helpers employed by the family to assist them in managing the manor and the land. The quarters had two oak doors—one at the front and the other at the back. Blue-curtained windows lined the walls of the said quarters.
The eastern and the northern parts of the helpers’ quarters were used as vegetables gardens. A little further beyond the northern garden there stood a pigpen, housing almost a hundred pigs. Near this pen grazed fifty or so goats and cows. These were all under the family’s ownership.
At the end of the cobblestone pathway was a grand marble staircase, which lead to the double oak doors of the manor. On both doors were carved images of dragons facing each other in battle. The roof was tiled with red bricks, reminiscent of the old Spanish houses still standing up to that day. Mullioned windows decorated either walls of the manor, their velvet curtains visible from outside.
It was here that everything would end.
It was here that everything would begin.