Disclaimer: Tortall doesn't belong to moi, kk?
I know this is short, but all my introductory chaps are. Also, in this story, Numair is only 24 and Alanna was never a knight, but is still married to George. Don't ask me how it happened, it just DID.
The Court of Tortall was not an especially large one, nor extravagantly populated one. No, Tortall was a simple, sound country and therefore- only needed a simple court.
Not to say, of course, that this court was any less gossipy or mischevious than the other countries. In fact a good many have bet on the Tortallian Court to be the most surprising and sly Court of them all. And a good many have won quite a few crowns.
However, my story is not about the Court in general, neither is it about those who were most mischevious. Instead, it focuses around a sensible court lady named Verildaine Sarrasri and a book loving mage named Numair Samalin. And what takes place around them, about them and between them.
-
Daine gently set her comb down on the top of her dresser, making sure not to break off any of the silver enamal that was painted onto it. She dipped her finger into a small plate that held and very small amount of kohl, and proceded to put it on her eyelids.
Just then, her friend, Lady Alanna came in. Then again, 'just then', is usually used when something surprising happened and there was nothing at all extrodinary about Alanna coming to check on Daine, as they were good friends.
"Daine, I hear there's a new man coming to Court tonight." Alanna slid right up beside Daine and winked at her in the mirror.
"Ah yes. Pesky things, are they not?" Daine emotionlessly flicked some kohl at Alanna.
"I wouldn't say this one is. He's quite a looker, they say"
"Alanna, honestly, your already married"
"Not for me darling, for you. You really need to settle down some day. Soon you'll be an old maid of nineteen"
"Of nineteen"
"Yes, haven't you heard? The new fashion is to marry foriegn prince's at age fifthteen." Alanna raised an eyebrow and Daine laughed.
"Ah yes. I wonder how Kalasin is doing though. I would hate to marry someone so notoriously handsome, kind and rich." "Wouldn't it be a hardship. At least she can buy as much chocolate as she wants to tide her over"
"Chocolate. Now that's a good thing to fall into. Scratch love." "Those words would only come from the mouth of someone who hasn't experienced love"
"What a romantic you are. And I thought you had some common sense." Daine took the shallow plate and dumped the remaining kohl into a disposal basket.
"Common sense? My husbands got enough of that to last me for a life time"
"Marrying a former theif probably was a good move for you then"
"I would say so"
"Oh?" Daine slid onto her bed, making a face at her skirts.
"Yes. I think you would need someone who wasn't resonable. Like mage. A mage who loves books and theories"
"Hm. Yes, that might work. I like the sound of an all powerful mage"
"Like Numair Samalin?" Alanna laughed at Daine's face when realization dawned upon it and rushed out the door.
-
Daine rested against the wall idily, gazing at the coming and goings of the Court. Idily, because she did not in any way, shape or form like social gatherings.
Apparently the new mage didn't either. Diane saw he was tugging at the collar of his robes while being introduced to Commander Buri and the Horse Mistress Onua.
Of course, Alanna saw Daine looking at Numair and spoke up.
"Pesky thing, isn't he?" She asked Daine, smirking.
"I wouldn't know." Daine answered nuetrally.
"Why don't you go find out? In fact, I think it would be hilarious if he takes a liking to you. I'll give you ten gold nobles if he does." "Why not?" Daine sensed an oportunity to buy that bracelet she had been eyeing, and anyways, she was bored enough.
She worked her way through the crowd to where the mage stood. When she got there, she curtsied low.
"Hello. May I ask your name?" He said, obviously out of routine.
"Verilidaine, please though, call me Daine." She looked through her thick lashes at him, eyes half closed.
"Pleasure, Daine. Numair Samalin." He kissed her hand lightly.
"Charmed." Daine also said out of routine.
There was a short silence, where Daine just stood there before Numair cleared his throat. "If you don't mind"
"I have to go." Daine finished for him, nodded and headed back to Alanna, cheeks a rather nice shade of pink.
"That went well, didn't it?" Alanna asked and smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry. You only talked to the man once so far"
"Why should I care?" Daine asked dismissively and waved Alanna off. "I'm going to my rooms. I feel rather ill"
Alanna shook her head in amusement, seeing Daine had resorted to the time old 'ill' excuse. She rather thought that this could be interesting.
Review and tell me me whether I should continue it or if I'm helpless at writing fics, mmmk?