ezra sat out under the peach tree, polishing the steel of his axehead. he glanced up as he heard horse hooves on the gravel of the main house's front. he sat up, resting the axe over his shoulder as he approached the house. "my lord." he bowed as he greeted the young master.

general beauregard dismounted from the horse, passing the reins to one of the maids. "you should take a day off soon, ezra. daphne says you've been working without a break since january." elijah sighed.

he ducked his head. "i will think about this." he said calmly.

elijah sighed, taking off his jacket. it was still cold. the fresh season wasn't usually warm until it was nearly the rainy season. the flowers still decided to bloom, despite the nip of frost. ezra took the coat. "would you like tea, my lord?" he opened the door for the general, trailing after him.

"no, thank you. i'm not here long." elijah waved him off. "where is daphne?" he glanced back at the butler.

he pointed up the stairs. "in her bedroom, sir."

elijah dipped his head as he headed up the staircase, murmuring his brief thanks with a wave of his hand. ezra hurried to hang the coat, remembering that he still had his axe. he shut the closet, heading outside to go and stash it in the cottage where his quarters were. it was a nice little house. he liked it. the beauregards had given it to him when he was a boy, and he was fond of it. it wasn't too small, and they let him do what he wanted with it. they didn't really care what he did, actually. they were kind to him.