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| ~Adjustments~ Page Two |
| ~Approx 1 week later~ Although it had only been a little while since Kilara had left the relative shelter of the palace grounds, there were days when she missed home terribly. On the move, she didn't have the same pampered existance as she did when she was in court. Although she still had servants at her beck and call, and guards to watch over her, it was "rough living" in comparison to the castle. The terrain was harsh, at this time of year in particular. The heavy winter snows had just struck, and her party often had to dig themselves out in order to continue. The snow betrayed them, displaying their tracks proudly and boasting of their numbers when they wished for secrecy along the road. The bitter wind wrapped itself around them, and chilled them to the bone. The only solace Kilara had was in her egg and the night sky, both which amazed and intrigued her with their myraid of colours and complexity. They had travelled for just less than a week, and Kilara was proud of herself for not complaining. Even the guards quietly commented amongst themselves about the changed ways of the princess, and how well she was holding out and cooperating. They had just paused to make camp for the night, and the whole party was relieved that they'd be able to rest after a days long hike through knee deep snow. Kilara found comfort in her small tent, removing her snow covered cloak, waving away her handmaids, insisting that she didn't need them for such a menial task. "Mistress," pleaded Narania, one of Kilara's handmaids, "you're soaked clean through... you will catch the chills unless you get out of those wet clothes." Kilara recognized the sense in Nara's words, and again, without assistance, removed her soaked clothing and set it next to the fire to dry. "Thank you Nara," she said quietly. She motioned for the two handmaids, Nara and Tawneah, to sit by the warmth as well and offered them the food that they had brought her earlier. The girls eagerly began eating, surprised by their mistress' sudden disregard for rank and protocol. "I'll be outside..." she added quietly as she dressed herself in more appropriate winter attire. "Feel free to help yourself to whatever you wish." She stepped back out into the biting air, and wrapped her cloak tightly against her, sheltering the Clarus egg in the crook of her arm. Without so much as a word, she sat close to the fire that the guards had created outside, trying her utmost to blend in with her surroundings. She let her fingers trace the outline of the egg, and watched as the colours shimmered, even in the dim moonlight. She started, with a jolt, as she felt another figure sit at her side. "That's quite a gift," she heard the voice comment. Curiously, she turned to look at her companion, and recognized him as Blaise, the man her father had appointed to care for the future queen of Comeltum. Most would sulk, and consider it a dull and onerous task in comparison to guarding the palace in general, but Blaise had been honoured to accompany Kilara and her entourage, and head her honour guard at her father's request. He was ruggedly handsome, only a few years older than herself she guessed, which must make him quite the brilliant tactician if her father had entrusted him with her care. Startlingly blue eyes stared back at her, waiting for a response. "It was most generous of him," she replied softly, shyly keeping her eyes downcast. Blaise chuckled and ran and hand idly through his shock of tawny hair before nodding in agreement. "Indeed Milady..." he said softly. She watched him for a moment, noting that he was visibly pausing, and weighing his words. He cleared his throat and blushed slightly, noticing that her own eyes were now focussed on him, much as his had been on her previously. "I... just wanted to say... or...err... I wanted to commend you...for... for..." he said, stumbling for words. Kilara giggled softly, finding his sudden awkwardness quite charming in a sweet sort of way. "For putting aside my court-bred airs?" she offered with a short blunt laugh. "Sometimes, good Sir, situations like these can humble a person. If anything, I'm in your debt... all of you...for opening my eyes a little." The corners of Blaise's mouth twitched in an attempt to keep from grinning and he lifted her hand to his lips, kissing it gently. "Spoken like a true queen," he said with a smile. |
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| Veniam Mactare |