The Centaur: A Short Story - Sharp Mere 1

The Castle and Estates of Sharp Mere stand isolated, hemmed in by endless forest. Growing up in a world dominated by oppressive laws and an abusive head cook, a kitchen servant struggles to survive.

Life becomes more dangerous with the arrival of an alluring female servant. The taut atmosphere is stretched to breaking point, for looking at a woman is prohibited under Castle Law, and subject to the heaviest penalty - with one exception. But will that be enough?

This is a short story of approximately 11,000 words, complete in itself.