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| Chapter one - The Jubilee |
| �And on that note, let the celebrations begin!� Queen Alessa Eringuard raised her goblet, and the people of the kingdom of R�v�lin rejoiced, for they celebrated two years of her peaceful and prosperous reign. Her father�s age had been a dark one, but with her inheritance of the throne, light had been cast across all of R�v�lin and war had been banished from the lands forthwith. Alessa was a young monarch, at just twenty-eight winters old, but she was neither rash nor na�ve and her husband�s counsel always lead her to a sound decision. Prince Elias Eringuard looked upon his wife�s porcelain face, her sweet lips teased into a smile and her fair silken hair cascading in waves around her head. She was radiant with light, beauty and tranquillity, but as Elias gazed into her cerulean eyes he saw they were troubled. �My Queen, my love, what distresses you?� He said, taking her delicate hand lightly in his. �Ah, Elias �tis nothing,� she smiled gently, �do not concern yourself.� �Oh,� he paused, then changing the subject; �seems all of R�v�lin is rejoicing. This is truly the greatest feast our land has seen, of recent years.� �Yes, all are rejoicing, but one.� Alessa was solemn for a moment, her gaze cast downwards. �Ivie?� The Prince asked. �I am sure your sister has�a reason for her absence. I will send a message to her, beseech her to join us.� �I doubt she will come,� she sighed, �for she has been acting rather oddly of late. Always locking herself and her guard in her room, and I have seen a candle burning in her window at all hours. She worries me so.� �Aye,� Elias replied, �she has been in the vaults too. Perhaps she has finally discovered a pursuit which will entertain her for more than a day - reading legend and forgotten lore. I will send a messenger anyhow, and implore her to join us." However, Ivie's actions troubled Elias more than he revealed. "Some fell deed is afoot," he thought, although his countenance displayed no signs of his suspicion. Ivie closed her shutters in a vain effort to stop the sounds of the celebration, taking place in the courtyard below, from disturbing her. The room was gloomy, stuffy and heavily perfumed, which also impaired her concentration. Nevertheless, she would take her task no-where else. "No, that would be too dangerous," she muttered. "Did you speak, my Lady?" Captain Z�ric Marrs asked tentatively, for he had been dozing, whilst on duty, in the sleep-seducing room. "No, no my guard. Do not trouble yourself with my safety," she snapped icily. "Pray, return to your nap and spare my your inadequacy!" "I, I�beg your forgiveness my Lady," he stammered, "I have barely slept these past three days, for when you are awake, I am also - and you have scarcely rested either." "Oh, such a pity," she mocked, "but now is not the time for rest. I doubt though whether you would know the correct time for anything!" Ivie glared at Z�ric angrily and he cowered away. Her gaze softened at this sight, and for all her coldness and hard words she did care for the pitiful being. She would not apologise, it was not in her nature, but she did place a hand gently upon his wild, black hair and looked deeply into his dark eyes. "Come�" She whispered, caressing his sallow cheek. Her fair skin glowed in the candlelight and her green eyes, in their splendour, challenged even the most precious emerald. The Princess' siren-like beauty enchanted Z�ric; he was hers to control, and as she slowly let the lace straps of her slip fall from her shoulders, he trembled with trepidation. She released her raven hair from its plait and it fell about her, trailing upon the floor at its full length. The Princess and her guard drew closer, their lips brushing, when a loud knock at the door interrupted the bewitchment. "Who seeks entrance to my chamber at such an hour?" Ivie thundered. "And when I asked, nay, instructed NOT to be disturbed! What business have you, and I warn you, it better be important!" "'Tis I, Captain Adman Grehad of the Queen's Guard. I bring an urgent message from her majesty Queen Alessa Eringuard!" A muffled voice replied from behind the chamber door. "Go, deal with this disturbance!" Ivie motioned towards the door and retreated to her bedroom. Z�ric opened the door, still reddened and flustered from his encounter with the princess. Captain Adman Grehad stood in the doorway, his large, muscular frame filling it completely and towering above the slender Z�ric. He looked upon the smaller man with antipathy and mistrust. "The Queen seeks to know why her sister has not thus far attended the celebrations. She wishes Ivie to take her seat there, as the people miss their princess." Adman grudgingly saluted Z�ric. "Err," Z�ric saluted in return, whilst searching his mind for a suitable excuse. "My Lady is�detained through�err, illness. Yes! Her head is ill and she is tired. She sends her apology, but she will not be attending the celebrations today!" With that he closed the door, leaving Adman confused in the passageway. "My Lady," Z�ric nervously entered the bedroom, "your absence from the Jubilee celebrations has been noticed. I have excused you through illness, but the Queen will be most displeased and Elias suspicious. He watches you more closely of late, my Lady. I think it would be best if you attended, if only for a little while." The Princess lay still for a moment, her eyes closed, whilst Z�ric fidgeted uncomfortably. Finally, she spoke, calmly but gravely: "Do not take it upon yourself to dictate to me what I may or may not do, Captain Marrs, for you are not my keeper. Neither is my sister, and I care not if she is pleased or displeased, for I please only myself!" "Sorry, my Lady." Z�ric bowed and left her bedroom. "She truly is a stern woman," he thought, "so fiery and strong-willed. Alas, 'tis why I love her so�even if she treats me as a peasant, when my blood is almost as noble as hers!" Adman carefully picked his way across the crowded courtyard, for it concealed more dangers than unseen swamp. At every turn peasants and off-duty guards, all equally inebriated with a combination of ale and pipeweed, threatened to pull him into the party. He had never much been one for parties, although he did enjoy a quiet ale at the Inn with Captain Thoener Eringuard. As the celebration thronged around him, a dance began and an attractive young woman approached Adman. "Captain Grehad," she smiled, whilst tossing her tawny hair, "will you not join me for a dance?" His will wavered, only for a second, until he remembered his duties. "Alas no, my fair maiden," he replied charmingly, "for I am still on duty. Perhaps later we could retreat to my quarters for an ale?" However, before he had even finished speaking the woman had sauntered away, still intent on finding a dancing partner. "Perhaps not then," he mumbled. Then, remembering his duty, he continued across the courtyard. He did not get far, though, before a rowdy assemblage of off-duty guards blocked his path again. "Adman!" One of them cried. "Come, join the party! There is still ale left, although Thoener seems to have drunken most of it!" Another stoutly clapped Adman on the back and tried to coerce him into joining their table. He resisted, but his shock at the display before him broke his will. Captain Thoener Eringuard, his superior and brother of Prince Elias, was dancing upon the table with two beautiful women! On seeing Adman, Thoener leapt from the table and embraced the disconcerted Captain. "Adman, I thought you would never make it!" Thoener yelled too loudly. He was obviously drunk, for he could hardly stand without swaying about and he periodically leant on Adman for support. "I have not come to celebrate," Adman exclaimed, "I am STILL on duty! Although if I could be left to deliver my message, perhaps I could join you after." Even as he said it, Adman had absolutely no intention of doing such a thing. He pulled away from Thoener and finally reached the platform where the Queen was sitting. Bowing before her, he dutifully delivered his message. "So, she will not come," Alessa sighed. "Does she wilfully set out to grieve me?" "My Lady," Adman offered, "I do not believe that is the case! Who would desire to pain you? I know not one person, noble or peasant who does not believe your reign most fair and just." "That may be your thinking, my loyal guard, but there are always those who are in discontent, no matter their situation." She sighed again. "Yes, it is true. There are some who are only happy when they have some unhappiness to complain about." Elias remarked solemnly. "However, Ivie has darkened your days too long. Give no heed to her and enjoy these prosperous days whilst they last. For all good things must end sometime, Alessa." |
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