The pen slipped from Lirael's hand and then fell as if in slow motion. It fell on the marble tiled floor, accompanied by a series of soft pings. She yelped in surprise, as she had not realized that she had even been holding a pen in the first place. Here in Ancelstierre, everything was strange to Lirael. The different style of dress, the machines, and the amount of noise were all very different from the Clayr's glacier in which she grew up. In fact, it was very different from any place in the Old Kingdom, where machines were nonexistent and there was much less noise.
Lirael couldn't imagine why, of all people, Queen Sabriel and King Touchstone had decided to make her the head ambassador to Ancelstierre. Just the thought of politics made her head spin, especially when her ears were filled with the loud buzz and honking of the cars outside of her estate. She much preferred to sit back and relax in the luscious estate that was bought for her in the capital, Corvere. Sabriel had decided that only the best would do for her half-sister and lead ambassador.
Ancelstierran life was boring to Lirael, as there was no charter magic, no sense of death, and minimal danger, as far as she could tell. She stretched out and walked over to the window. Being on the third story, she could see both the lush, vast gardens of the estate and the surrounding buildings, which included the prime minister's residence and homes of the elite class. All of the scents drifting in the window were overwhelmed by the magnificent scent of all the flowers in the neatly trimmed garden. Lirael stood by the window, her spirit drifting away on the beautiful aroma coming from the window.
"Excuse me, miss," said Lirael's butler, Edwin, sidling in through the half-open doorway. Lirael turned around to face him, her semi-trance broken by his entrance. "There's a telegram... from the Old Kingdom." At the last two words, Lirael's ears perked up, and her attention caught.
"Alright, Edwin," Lirael said, seating herself back down on the chaise lounge. "Send it in, as I wish to read it immediately."
Lirael couldn't imagine why, of all people, Queen Sabriel and King Touchstone had decided to make her the head ambassador to Ancelstierre. Just the thought of politics made her head spin, especially when her ears were filled with the loud buzz and honking of the cars outside of her estate. She much preferred to sit back and relax in the luscious estate that was bought for her in the capital, Corvere. Sabriel had decided that only the best would do for her half-sister and lead ambassador.
Ancelstierran life was boring to Lirael, as there was no charter magic, no sense of death, and minimal danger, as far as she could tell. She stretched out and walked over to the window. Being on the third story, she could see both the lush, vast gardens of the estate and the surrounding buildings, which included the prime minister's residence and homes of the elite class. All of the scents drifting in the window were overwhelmed by the magnificent scent of all the flowers in the neatly trimmed garden. Lirael stood by the window, her spirit drifting away on the beautiful aroma coming from the window.
"Excuse me, miss," said Lirael's butler, Edwin, sidling in through the half-open doorway. Lirael turned around to face him, her semi-trance broken by his entrance. "There's a telegram... from the Old Kingdom." At the last two words, Lirael's ears perked up, and her attention caught.
"Alright, Edwin," Lirael said, seating herself back down on the chaise lounge. "Send it in, as I wish to read it immediately."