Royal Feuds

Chapter One: Castle Driftwood

A strong wind rattled the dead leaves on the old oaks that surrounded the courtyard, as a figure moved stealthily through the darkness and climbed an ancient staircase that lay hidden in an alcove. The figure in question wore a thin golden ring that sat on the crown of her head. When she reached the top of the staircase she crossed the floor to the side of the archery wall she was currently standing on.

Princess Serena climbed up onto the ledge of the wall, and looked down into the town square. Even though the sun had just set Serena could still she brightly dressed people moving around in the dim light, as well as the faint sound of hushed talking. She sighed slightly at the faint feeling of discomfort she often felt when she looked out from this spot, her spot, a secret only a few new about. The archery wall had been abandoned when she was born and her family had made a pact with their enemies. Serena was born the day the fighting ended; she was the youngest daughter of a great monarchy that ruled the land of Movere.

Sitting here now Serena couldn't shake the uneasy feeling she felt. Her oldest Sister LaRhette was going to be married to a Prince of the neighboring land, this didn't greatly surprise Serena because her sister was what was commonly called a classic beauty; full, curly, blond hair, sparkling blue eyes and no interest what so ever in anything that had to do with work. She was not shallow because she did care about her people a great deal but she refused to get too involved with anything that had to do with the politics beyond the crown.

Although she didn't mind that her sister was getting married, she wasn't looking forward to having to visit the other monarchy of Movere and meet her own intended. Due to the fact that Serena was born the day her family signed a pact with their enemies, Serena's hand had been offered to the youngest heir to that throne and the offer had been accepted. She had never met the young man she was destined to marry before and she wasn't much looking forward to it. Every time her mother , Queen Harriet, had attempted to have them meet she had hidden out or pretended sick. Unfortunately her mother had caught on and she had no escape for the 8th meeting her mother had scheduled.

Serena sat silently as she thought all this through, but she still couldn't find the detail that could make her so uneasy. She had met Prince Adam, LaRhette's fiancé before and he couldn't be what was bothering her. She wasn't that nervous about meeting her prince, and even though she didn't particularly enjoy balls she knew she could always spend the night with her sister Atlanta.

"Maybe that's what bothering me" Serena thought desperately trying to find answer to the strange feeling "I'm nervous about this Prince Corhen Atlanta's supposed to be getting married too".

Although she was nervous about the one sister she felt closest too being shipped off with a Prince she knew nothing about , Serena's thoughts kept slipping else where.

"Or maybe" a small voice in Serena's head cut in "You're taking on Emily's trait. It passes to the next eligible…"

Serena shook her head forcefully, that couldn't be the answer. Serena slipped of the ledge she had been perched on for the last hour and again slipped into the darkness and into the courtyard. Walking past monumental fountains and statues Serena walked to the oldest Oak in the courtyard. Kneeling in front of it she gently brushed off the layer of dirt on a rusted plaque that lay at the base of the tree.

Beloved Grandmother, Former Queen and Seer

Emily Driftwood.

Serena read the plaque for the millionth time in her life. She had sat at this very spot with her Grandmother a week before she had passed away. Emily had told her that the power that both gifted and cursed her were to be passed on when the time was right. That was also the day that she had been given her small crown that used to belong to her grandmother.

The blood of Seers' ran through the Driftwood family tree and showed itself randomly and for seemingly no reason. Each Seer had been a great ruler and had made a major change in Movere's history. Serena desperately wanted to be a help to her kingdom but knew she would never be given the chance for she was not the oldest heir. If she was given the power to see…

"No" Serena said aloud looking at the plaque holding Emily's name "You were a wise Queen and you cared for your people. You wouldn't give the greatest defense we could have to someone who couldn't use it. You wouldn't"

As if to reprimand her, the great clock tower Driftwood Castle proudly displayed clanged the midnight hour. Serena took a deep breath and a last look at the plaque before deftly striding to a discreet doorway hidden by ivy in the wall of the courtyard.

( After receiving some very helpful criticism I have decided to revise this story so as to give a deeper background to the characters! Read and Review, it is much appreciated)

Madusa's Daughter