Chapter One: The Compromise
Disclaimer: This does not take place in Tortall at any point in the book, but I may talk about some characters by Tamora Pierce. And duh, I didn't invent them! Honestly. Anyways, anything you recognize belongs to Tamora Pierce.
Princess Arianne had never before in her life known a time of peace. For all her sixteen years, her country had been at war with an evil, plotting, and treacherous country: Iybola. The rulers of Iybola had been trying to capture the peaceful land of Serenitatis for years. Now, in the year 595, they were closer than ever. Until, King Gareth of Serenitatis managed to work out a compromise as a last hope.
"My people, the reason I have summoned you here today is to inform you all that, at long last, we have reached a compromise with King Paul of Iybola." There was a great commotion in the Grand Hall of Serentitatis. Servants and nobles alike stomped their hands, clapped their hands, and whistled at this wonderful message. The war had been costly to all parts of society; everyone had lost someone, whether it be a husband, father, son, brother, uncle, grandfather, or friend.
As King Gareth once more stood patiently, ready to speak, his court quieted down and waited in anxiety to hear what the actual compromise was. How much had they sworn to give Iybola?
"Princess Arianne Mary, please step forward." Heads turned from all directions to watch the young princess walk to the throne gracefully. She was dressed in a sweeping sky blue gown, which brought out the color of her eyes. Her thick, golden hair was elegantly tied up in a bun, although one pesky strand had gotten loose and was dangling by her ear. Despite this beauty, her face spoke of something else: simplicity, perhaps, or maybe loneliness. For, you see, Arianne was never meant to be a princess. Hever had she enjoyed a ball or noble gathering. She wanted so much more out of life, rather than spend it in an enclosed bubble where everything seemed perfect. She knew it was truly the exact opposite elsewhere, even in her own kingdom. It seemed like all anyone expected her to do was gossip about fashions and marriages, and be waited on. Yet she knew she had more to offer to the world than that! She felt helpless in this position.
Arianne had now reached her father, King Gareth, and beside him his queen, Her Majesty Joanna. She curtsied before them and stood, waiting to be spoken to. She did not have long to wait.
"Arianne, King Paul and I have spoken at length about this, and it is our desire that you wed Prince Skylar of Iybola as a term of peace. Indeed, the prince has sworn that he will have no one but you."
Disclaimer: This does not take place in Tortall at any point in the book, but I may talk about some characters by Tamora Pierce. And duh, I didn't invent them! Honestly. Anyways, anything you recognize belongs to Tamora Pierce.
Princess Arianne had never before in her life known a time of peace. For all her sixteen years, her country had been at war with an evil, plotting, and treacherous country: Iybola. The rulers of Iybola had been trying to capture the peaceful land of Serenitatis for years. Now, in the year 595, they were closer than ever. Until, King Gareth of Serenitatis managed to work out a compromise as a last hope.
"My people, the reason I have summoned you here today is to inform you all that, at long last, we have reached a compromise with King Paul of Iybola." There was a great commotion in the Grand Hall of Serentitatis. Servants and nobles alike stomped their hands, clapped their hands, and whistled at this wonderful message. The war had been costly to all parts of society; everyone had lost someone, whether it be a husband, father, son, brother, uncle, grandfather, or friend.
As King Gareth once more stood patiently, ready to speak, his court quieted down and waited in anxiety to hear what the actual compromise was. How much had they sworn to give Iybola?
"Princess Arianne Mary, please step forward." Heads turned from all directions to watch the young princess walk to the throne gracefully. She was dressed in a sweeping sky blue gown, which brought out the color of her eyes. Her thick, golden hair was elegantly tied up in a bun, although one pesky strand had gotten loose and was dangling by her ear. Despite this beauty, her face spoke of something else: simplicity, perhaps, or maybe loneliness. For, you see, Arianne was never meant to be a princess. Hever had she enjoyed a ball or noble gathering. She wanted so much more out of life, rather than spend it in an enclosed bubble where everything seemed perfect. She knew it was truly the exact opposite elsewhere, even in her own kingdom. It seemed like all anyone expected her to do was gossip about fashions and marriages, and be waited on. Yet she knew she had more to offer to the world than that! She felt helpless in this position.
Arianne had now reached her father, King Gareth, and beside him his queen, Her Majesty Joanna. She curtsied before them and stood, waiting to be spoken to. She did not have long to wait.
"Arianne, King Paul and I have spoken at length about this, and it is our desire that you wed Prince Skylar of Iybola as a term of peace. Indeed, the prince has sworn that he will have no one but you."