Disclaimer: I don't own most of the characters though Kierai is mine so no stealy!

A/N: This is my first fanfic and this is just the intro so the speed will pick up later once everything is sorted outish or something anyway onto the story.

Peasant or Prince, Pawn or Player

Chapter 1: Midsummer Ball

Lady Kierai sat in the carriage that was all she had known for the last few days, she yearned for the riding she could be doing, but couldn't because the maids refused to let her. Her gaze roamed around the carriage and settled on the other noble lady inside, she was a pretty girl called Mirani who was quiet when she spoke and had no opinions of her own. Kierai however had ambitions at court, she wouldn't moderate, not for anyone-lady, gentleman or otherwise.

Kierai stepped from the carriage into the pouring rain, her nose already damp from pressing it to the glass and it-along with the rest of her-was drenched in seconds. She wore a shapeless dress as she had throughout the journey. It was practical and she wore it only on the road-that was the only place anyone allowed her to.

Her steps weren't as hurried as they should have been on the stairs and she knew the maids would harp on it later, she however had no lust to leave behind the life of the road and the only thing that drew her in was the allure of ambition.

Once inside Kierai had to run to catch up and then stand a lecture on manners, not running inside the palace and standing too long in the rain, the like of which she had been hearing all of her life. She didn't bother to listen and waited patiently until the maid stopped lecturing and led her into the suit that was to be hers while she was here.

After entering the room, she dropped to the bed impervious to the water pooling on the fresh sheets. Her maid reminded her of the banquet that was to be held in less than an hour causing her to sit up in surprise; no one had informed her of this before.

The maid heated water as she stripped off her wet clothes. Then she slipped into the tub to scrub off the road's grime and sat for a while before stepping out into the drying cloth. She quickly wiped the water from her body leaving her shivering in the centre on the room. The maid started her attack with a corset binding her already beautiful figure into a perfect one. The dress fit perfectly as it should; it was brand new made especially for her arrival so it wouldn't have to be carted back and forth and wrinkled. The material was a light grey-green silk, appropriate for the time of year. The slender bodice hugged her body and swept out at her hips into swirling skirts. The neckline was modest and drew attention up to her beautifully carved features with copper coloured embroidery of a sword (which was what her name meant) gently curving around her neck. Similar swords were along the hem and sleeves of her under-robe-showing only at the sleeves and bottom it was a bluer colour than the over-robe.

Five minutes before she was due in the banquet hall for dinner she stepped into the hall, her outfit complete with gently curling black locks, a copper pendant reading her name, and simple black shoes. She wore copper earbobs to accent the trim and a small amount of face paint.

She sprinted down the hall despite the disapproving calls of her maid and got lost twice. When she finally reached the banquet hall her skirts were in a disarray and she had to fix them. She made it inside on time but just barely.

Jonathon of Conte, knight of the realm of Tortall and heir to the throne finished his food and went to the ballroom for the midsummer's ball. It was also secretly to welcome two new ladies to court or at least in his opinion. He knew many of his fellow knights would agree. Many of them were eager to meet the new arrivals he agreed with them partially, well he had Delia but she was tiring after a while.

His clothes were simple but elegant, black tunic and hose, a sapphire dress tunic and silver shirt beneath. He new the clothes accented his eyes and he used that. He wasn't as vain as some but any prince should look nice and presentable. He was one of the first to arrive in the ballroom and was lost in thought when he heard the door open; it confused him for a second before he remembered the two new members of court. His handsome blue eyes searched the slowly filling room for his squire Alanna or Alan, as she was known. She would probably be hidden from everyone talking to few people. The only time she came out of hiding was when she was ordered to serve drinks and then she wasn't actually part of the party. He located Gary and Raoul and quizzed them on her wear-abouts.

"Alan? Jon he's probably watching from a corner, isn't that his usual?"

"Yes that is but do you know which corner?" Raoul was cut off from replying by the announcement of the Monarchs entrance. Jon looked at his parents, his mother wore a maroon dress trimmed in gold and Roald's clothes matched Jon's but more intricate and much more delicately designed with a lot more finery.

The Herald announced the first lady and she descended, she was pretty, but quiet. Her hair was blonde; her eyes blue. The dress she wore was stitched from blue cloth with purple sleeves and trim and had superb shape and a rather obvious corset gave her figure shape. She gave a small smile but walked rather shyly. Her name as the Herald announced was Mirani of Stone Mountain eldest daughter of Lord Mason of Stone Mountain and his Lady Miashe.

The Herald announced the second lady's name, but few heard it (Jon was one of those few). She was Lady Kierai, youngest daughter of Lord Revak of Hollyrose and his Lady Inia. Jon looked to the girl to see her measure and heard nothing beyond her name. Kierai was beautiful. Her eyes were pale, paler than anything he had ever seen but they sparkled with a hidden flame in every colour imaginable and some that didn't even exist outside her eyes. Her face was slightly more tanned than normal but that made her eyes stand out all the more, the copper trimming on the blue-green-green dress accented her lips as did the earbobs that were barely visible, her features all looked perfectly carved as did her figure. She looked like a goddess and indeed (though Jon did not know) the only differentiating things were her eyes and her slightly tanned skin. His eyes were drawn next to her hair; it was black, nearly as black as his but for the two red streaks in the front. He noticed that she wasn't tall nor short, her height rested at the perfect height of 5'7".

Kierai noticed eyes on her; most female and all male eyes were staring, boring holes into her. Inwardly she sighed, though being pretty would help further her plans she wished people didn't stare so. She sighed again but kept her dignity, walking down the steps and merging with the crowd.

She made her way over to the wall and was ambushed no less than three times by eager knights, she didn't wish to disappoint them so she gave each one dance and was starting to get slightly rosy in the cheeks by the time she escaped from the crowd.

Sitting down she chatted with anyone who came by and danced with anyone who asked. She flirted a little with youths who preferred not to dance and eventually had some punch. She had always enjoyed balls; at least once all formal introductions were done. She was talking to another young woman, a Delia, when the prince himself came over. He looked as interested in her eyes as every other young or unmarried man in the whole place but he talked about her hair wondering about the red bits. She smiled at him and said it was natural, which it was all and completely, the red bits in the black hair. He asked her to dance and she accepted politely. The lady Delia looked very furious and shot glares at her when Jon's back was turned.

Jon left after the dance and Delia followed him with a glare at Kierai every once in a while. A short time later Duke Roger came by and for the first time in her life Kierai was the one staring, well Roger stared too. He said he saw some magic in her eyes. She blushed as she smiled and lied saying that she had the sight though not very strong. She saw his Gift before shutting her Sight off. Roger bore her off to dance and she found herself walking with regained grace, maybe she could do both plan and have fun with it.

Roger sat in his study thinking for once he wasn't plotting, or at least not directly. The Hollyrose girl was on his mind. She was a better tool than Delia, she was more directive and didn't seem as impulsive. She had all the same skills and more: she was prettier, smarter, more pleasant to be around, and she had the Sight. The Sight was sometimes a better asset then the gift, more rare, and though it didn't affect things, it could See what needed to be affected and allow the bearer, or the bearer's accomplices affect things. Kierai was a good investment he decided. There was only one thing he wasn't sure about, she was possibly too smart for her own good, or his, she knew how to manipulate anyone, in fact she already had nearly all the men at court twisted around her fingers. She knew that and would use it and her assets to win everyone. Then her plot would come into play he hoped, for her sake that it didn't affect his. Two other things about her bothered him one was she could obviously lie, he could always See lies, and the other was he couldn't tell if her Sight was strong though she had said it wasn't, he didn't trust that, not a bit.

A/N: Roger is really fun to write because he muses and writing musings is fun. Also, now you know at least partially where Merric's Red hair comes from. Lastly, thanks to Rebbe for Beta-ing. I did do some after editing so all mistakes are mine.

P.S. Chapter 2 is coming.

Meglin