Chapter 1 Trials
"I shall be there presently." I called back and decended from the old oak tree.
"How many times have I told you that 'tis not proper for young ladies, such as ourselves, to climb trees?" Lapis scolded me, exasperated.
"And how many times have I told you that you are not our mother, and I shall do as I please. Furthermore, just because you are nine and ten does not give you the authority to dictate what I shall and shan't do." Being three years my senior, Lapis had always tended to act as a second mother toward me, as if the first were not enough. I usually tried to let it be and not let her aggrivate me so. Truthfully, I believe she enjoyed our tifts as much as I.
"Malachite Korin ti'Maynavins! Do not speak up to me such as that ever again!" Lapis exclaimed. I had her flustered, the heat of our argument rose from her bust to her cheeks in a pink flush. 'Twas not uncomely with her long dusky hair and slightly golden skin.
"All right" I conceded with feigned innocence. I knew that I should not have frightened her so, but I did so enjoy to watch her poise wash down the floor drain. It would not have been near so thrilling if she hadn't always tried to be so controlling of her emotions.
"Let us on home, mother will be ill with worry if we are long in returning from our walk." Lapis' sensibility rubbed my nerves. "I do with you would wear decent attire. Truly, Maly, a young lady of the realm going about clothed as you do..."
"What is wrong with the way I dress?" I interrupted heatedly, "Just because I prefer breeches to the flouncy, and fancy, and... and frilly dresses you prance about in, acting as if you belong in the palace." Perhaps I liked the way I dressed, I certainly thought so at the time. Looking back I may have just wanted the attention, or just wanted to be difficult - I was just different. I'd never met anyone else with my wild bright red curls. No one else had my deep green eyes that shifted color throughout the dae, and changed color, I'm told, with my mood.
"Vayton coming to sup tonight?" I asked cautiously, seeking to change the topic of conversation.
"No, he is coming on the morrow." Lapis replied, her blue eyes shining coldly. Her betrothed was forever a delicate
(cont.)