Rachel is a fifteen-year-old girl who works in the bustling kitchens of Norwynne Keep. Born to a family of modest means, Rachel’s parents were servants within the keep—her mother was a laundress and her father a groundskeeper. From a young age, Rachel learned the value of hard work and the importance of maintaining the intricate routines that keep the castle running smoothly.
Rachel’s duties in the kitchen are diverse and demanding. She helps prepare meals for the keep’s inhabitants, from the lord and his family to the other servants and guards. Her tasks range from peeling potatoes and plucking chickens to scrubbing pots and sweeping floors. Despite the often grueling work, Rachel performs her duties with a blend of diligence and flair that sets her apart.
Her natural charisma and infectious laughter have made Rachel a favorite among the other kitchen staff and young servants. She’s quick with a joke and always knows the latest gossip. Her storytelling abilities turn the mundane moments of their labor into entertaining affairs, drawing others to her like moths to a flame. This popularity, however, has inflated Rachel’s sense of self-worth to the point where she sees herself as more important than her station warrants. She believes her charm and wit entitle her to special treatment and, perhaps, greater opportunities.
She looked about as disheveled as the last time he’d seen her in Furthing’s Deep, one of the underground neighborhoods beneath Norwynne Keep. That time, the keep had suffered an earthquake and a series of massive tidal waves. Aaron had braved the flooded underkeep to find Shanna, but he’d rescued many more trapped with her, including Rachel. She never seemed to have anything nice to say to him and hadn’t even thanked him once she and the others were free. It hadn’t bothered Aaron at the time. He was just happy they were all safe. But given her dislike of him, he couldn’t imagine what she wanted.
- THE INVERSION SOLUTION
Rachel’s inflated ego manifests in various ways. She often delegates her less desirable tasks to others, using her popularity to manipulate her peers, and sometimes oversteps her boundaries by speaking out of turn, much to the chagrin of the head cook and other senior staff. Her friends admire her confidence but are increasingly aware of her growing arrogance.
Despite her flaws, Rachel’s potential is undeniable. Her quick mind and resourcefulness are valuable assets in the kitchen, and her dreams of a better life hint at a deeper ambition. She fantasizes about rising above her station, perhaps catching the eye of someone important or discovering a hidden talent that will catapult her to a life of luxury and influence. These dreams, however, often distract her from the reality of her situation and the relationships she could nurture with a bit more humility.
FIRST APPEARANCE
Rachel first appears in Engines of Alchemancy (The Alchemancer Book One).
