~Default Chapter~
Disclaimer: I do not own Crown Duel, nor any of its characters. So please don't sue me!!!
This story kind of involves the latest short story by Sherwood Smith, called "Beauty". For those who haven't read that one, it might still be on the internet somewhere, but it will come out a book in September some time. For those who have, it's before Elestra has been taken away by Flavic. But the story is about Nee and Bran's 2nd daughter, which I made up, and it starts in Tlanth.
Now, read on…
The wind blew the shutters open, which I had left ajar the night before so that the Hill Folk's music would play me to sleep.
The wind played playfully across my face as I started to stir restlessly in my bed. I could hear Koria, my "nanny" (although I needed one not for my 16 years), as she hastened to close the window.
"Leave it open, please," I mumbled.
"Yes, my lady," she repined humbly as she set my dress on the edge of the bed and turned to leave.
Crawling out of bed I put on my silk robe and walked to the casement. Looking out I could see our wondrous colorwoods, the only ones of their kind in the world.
The air smelled fresh and sharp- it woke me promptly.
I, Clairia Astair, was the second child of Count Branaric and Countess Nimiar of the county of Tlanth, of the Kingdom of Remalna, under the leadership of esteemed King Vindanric and Queen Meliara.
Life, what a mouth full, I thought with a smile. Yet, it still sounded poetic in its own strange way.
I was tall, too tall I always thought. My hair was of a lightish brown color that flowed uncontrollable but thickly down to the middle of my back.
Picking up the ornately decorated gown, I put it back into its truck. As I was planning to go into the mountains today, I pulled out a plain gray-blue dress and a belt that was large enough to hold a small snack that would serve to hold my lunch.
Tying the front part of my hair back, I walked down to the kitchens to snatch my provisions.
The kitchen was busy with three servants, Oria, the steward, and Demnan, our old cook all bustling about.
"Good morning," I said cheerfully.
My response was a hasty hush, which I came out later to find was because mother and father had just appeared in the room adjacent, the morning dining chamber. They were both talking in rapid voices.
Grabbing an apple, I sat down on a stool next to the cutting table as my parent's voices drifted in from the formal dinning room.
"…she needs to go soon, it's almost her flower day!" that was mother.
"Burn it! So soon? Kitten has been there for quite awhile already, but…. Well truly I just don't want her to go," confessed the Count.
"First of all, you still have the twins. And second of all, it doesn't matter what you want. She can't live here forever. She is not our heir, and as such she needs to learn the court ways and eventually find someone to marry."
I had hardly ever heard my mother speak like this. She was usually so prim and proper, especially with her speech. It appeared she only let her true colors show when she was (seemingly) alone with father. Seem right; he always had that effect on people.
I started to drift in my own thoughts all their voices slow drained out of consciousness…. The thought of court life….. Truth to tell it would be fun, but what about the twins? I'd miss dear old Dorran and Serria terribly. And what about the Hill Folk?! Their music would be a tragic loss in my life.
Not being able to take any more at that moment, I walked to the summer parlor and out into the blooming rose garden. Sitting on a bench I resolved to contemplate.
Well, I realized I didn't really have a choice about the matter, so I deftly accepted it.
Then apprehension took over and I realized exactly what court would mean.
Balls…races…concerts…
Was I joking myself? Life would be great!
Dropping my apple, I ran back to the castle. But before I reached the doors, I stopped in my tracks and turned slowly around.
The Hill Folk….
Oh… how much I would miss them. Running quickly so I could be home by lunchtime, I made my way upwards into the mountains to say my farewell as the sound of third white rang longingly behind me.
