Thirrin Freer Strong-in-the-arm Lindenshield, Wild Cat of the North strolled lazily through the castle's rose garden. Smiling she sat down on a stone bench next to the fountain. She picked a rose from a bush, and casually sniffed it while staring into the fountain. She had gone to this very spot many times as a child. It had been her happy place where she could sit and rest when she wasn't busy riding horses, building shield walls, or sleeping through one of Maggiore Totus's lectures about the importance of having her homework done, and handed in on time.

The only thing that had changed in the garden since those days was the fountain. It used to portray a fighting bear, with a sword in it's hand, looking fierce. Now, it showed a smiling child looking up at a ferocious looking wildcat, two vampires, two snow leopards, and a werewolf. Remembering the old fountain made Thirrin remember many things, but mainly sadness. The man who the bear symbolized, to the Kingdom he was a strong man who died to save the land he loved. But to Thirrin this man was so much more. He was her father, the man who wore fuzzy slippers, and loved cats. The man who told jokes so loud that everyone in the castle could hear him, the man who told her monsters couldn't hurt her, the man who had told her that the fat old elf was real.

Turning away from the fountain Thirrin remembered why she had walked down here in the first place, she was scared. Tonight would be her first state dinner, so far she had held them off for three years, saying that the kingdom still needed much work, and that she had no time to discuss politics with old men and women of the court. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if her allies were coming, just the presence of Tharaman, Tharadan, and Grishmark would make her feel so much better. But unfortunately the only ones attending would be Dukes, Duchesses, Lords, Ladies, and other members of the court, as well as influential commoners, such as rich merchants and famous warriors.

Maggie had been preparing her for weeks, but she still didn't feel quite right. Dad's the one who throws Dinners! Not me! She thought to herself over and over again. She was inexplicably frightened, not that she would admit it to anyone else… Great, I can fight wars as a wildcat, but put me in the boots of an entertaining hostess, and I'm reduced to a mouse! She wondered what it would be like to be an average girl her age. She was now seventeen, and would most likely be married already, or at least have a prearranged marriage, set up by her parents, to look forward to. She wouldn't have to worry about much, other than whether or not her embroidery would be done soon, or what to cook for supper. She frowned Actually that would be a problem for me… I'm not exactly what you would call domestic…

She shook her head and stared back to the fountain… Well I'm not doing anything productive here… she thought as she got up and walked back into the castle and headed towards her bedroom. When she arrived in her room, she sat down on her bed and looked around. It was spotless, as usual; the palace chamberlains had already taken care of that. She turned her attention to her sword. It was sheathed in its holster, on her shelf. She walked over, and grabbed it off the shelf. She sat down in a nearby chair and unsheathed it, it was already clean, but shining her sword always made her feel better and calmer. She grabbed an oiled cloth off a bin on the same shelf, and began to rub the sword. Her fingertips ran over the cool metal as she slowly wiped it clean. Her fingers would pause every once and a while over a ruby or sapphire that was encased in the metal.

The sword may have been clean to begin with, but after a half hour of scrubbing, it was shining. Suddenly there was a knock on the door, Thirrin, still spaced out, almost dropped the sword. After she returned it to its leather holster and washed the shock off her face, she put on her royal persona and said, "Come in…" In a tone that said, what do you want! Into her room walked a small girl; she couldn't have been more than twelve or thirteen years old. By the anxious look on her face, Thirrin guessed that she was a new palace worker, most likely a chamberlain or foot maiden. The girl curtsied deeply and waited for Thirrin to nod and allow her to speak.

"I have been sent to make sure you are properly attired for this evenings Dinner, Milady…" her voice trailed off and squeaked, she was really scared; there was no doubting that. Usually Thirrin would've chewed out any woman who tried to dress her, insisting since she was a child that she would dress herself, but today she took pity on the poor girl. She instead frowned and in a firm yet kind tone she questioned, "What's your name girl? Who sent you?" The girl, now looking like a mouse replied, " My name, Milady, is Elizabeth. The Scholar Maggiore Totus sent me. He insisted that it was important I dress you."

Thirrin sighed, "Don't listen to him… really he doesn't know his place, and just so you know, I dress myself! I do not allow people to dress me, no matter what anyone says. Please let Mr. Totus know that, and also tell him that if he pulls something like that, I will personally draw and quarter him with my four favorite horses." Elizabeth who now looked very sick nodded, curtsied, and left Thirrin alone to dress. Now why aren't all the palace workers like that she wondered to herself as she looked in her closet.