" Wouldn't
you like to know." Eriol laughed. With a tip of his hat, he was gone, walking
briskly towards the horse stables.
Inside,
the musky smell of animal sweat, and hay filled his nostrils, and he hurriedly
looked for the proprietor.
" Sir Hartule?
Sir Hartule!"
" He's
not here." Replied a voice from the shadows of one corner," Would you like
to leave him a message?"
" No, actually
I was just going to request a horse for a trip."
" I can
help you there." The occupant of the corner revealed himself to be a boy
of about Eriol's age.
" Can you
really? Alright. How much for a horse?"
" 75 wrens.
If you want one of the stallions its an extra 15."
" No, one
of the mares will do fine. May I choose?"
" Of course,"
Eriol began to look through the pens, and found a slender gray mare frolicking
about. He pulled her out by the reins, and turned to the boy.
" Thank
you..." Eriol paused, what was the boy's name?
" Oh, sorry,
I am Syaoran, Assistant Stable Keeper."
" Well,
it was a pleasure doing business with you, Syaoran." Eriol handed him a
sack of coins.
" You're
welcome. But, you never introduced yourself."
" Oh, beg
your pardon, I am Eriol."
" Well,
safe journey. Oh, and Eriol?"
" Hm?"
" Stay
away from the maid. She's mine."
Eriol laughed.
It was funny to think that he'd have interest in the tender of the bar,
but it was flattering to know someone found him worthy of competition.
" I'll remember
that."
" You'd
do well to. Good luck!"
Eriol spurred
his mount on, and turned her in the direction of Themure Castle, about
15 miles north of the city. Resident to the ruler of the surrounding cities,
and his possible job opportunity.
" Your Majesty!
Introducing, the Duke of Sydentaryn Province of the Western Region." The
announcer read the sheets.
King Trenston
rolled his eyes in boredom. How he would so love going out and hunting
rather then sitting here in this dull place planning the wedding of his
daughter. He may not have been well-educated, but it didn't take an idiot
to see that his daughter wasn't too hot about the idea of marriage.
" She'd
remain chaste if she could, and I'd allow it too." The king had remarked
to the child's governess.
" Oh, no!
A girl must not become an old maid, especially not a Princess. She must
marry. For the safety of her position." Evilla had purred.
That had
been a reasonable assumption. After all, Tomoyo herself certainly couldn't
reign alone, what with her docile nature and character the whole country'd
be in shambles and chaos. Still, he felt awful. The girl refused every
suitor that had come, and finally, after he'd built up enough steam, found
himself roaring as she dismissed yet another worthy suitor.
" THAT IS
ENOUGH! I CAN NO LONGER STAND BY AS YOU TRY TO UNRAVEL ALL THAT I HAVE
PLANNED!"
Even his
royal majesty was shocked at the way he'd addressed his daughter. The shocked
look on her face, as he continued.
" AS YOU
FATHER, AND YOUR KING, I BESEECH YOU TO CHOOSE ONE! IF YOU HAVEN'T MADE
A CHOICE BY THE FESTIVAL HARVEST, I WILL CHOOSE ONE FOR YOU!"
He'd purposely
given her enough time, so that at least she could make a choice. He was
angry, but he wasn't heartless. But, Tomoyo was too dismayed by the proclamation,
and ran to her room, wide-eyed and weeping. Why was her father acting this
way?
" You did
the right thing your majesty..." Those words rang in King Trenston's ears,
Evilla Dae's comfort.
And now,
here he sat, reviewing yet another suitor for Tomoyo's hand. Quickly, he
composed himself, as a tall stringy man paraded into the throne room. The
man bowed low, and over his shoulder, the King noticed someone just arrived.
It was a boy, no older then his Tomoyo, and he must have been new, as his
face was knotted in confusion. The King, finding this the perfect excuse
to escape, er, excuse himself, muttered a pardon then rushed to greet the
new arrival.
" Welcome,
newcomer, to Themure Chateau! As the ruler of the residence, I extend my
fondest greetings to you."
" It's
a pleasure your majesty." The boy, Eriol, bowed. Suddenly he heard a scream.
" What was that?"
" That?
I don't know. I assume its one of the maids."
" If you'll
excuse me..." Eriol bowed again, and ventured further into the castle.
Again, the scream echoed through the halls, but this time, it seemed to
be pleading.
" Please,
no more!"
" Hello?"
Eriol called out into the darkness.
Eriol began
to run faster, and as he did, he practically vaulted up the stairs to the
second story. As he reached the top, someone ran out from the darkness,
and collided with him. They both ended up on the floor, she struggling
to get up, and he trying to calm her down. As he looked closer, he saw
a girl about his age, with disheveled hair, and a beautiful pair of pale
dark blue eyes. She wore a thin nightgown, and her cheeks were stained
with tears.
" Please.
Help me." She muttered fearfully.
" Yes,
of course, but..." Eriol had no time to finish. An old woman came bursting
out, waving in her hand a cane and screaming bloody murder.
" Where
did that little wench go?!!" She stopped dead in her tracks as she saw
Tomoyo hiding behind Eriol.
" Sir,
if you will kindly hand over the maid...she is in my care..."
" Care?
Sounded more like torture to me."
" She is
an insolent little child, and does not learn her lessons well unless she
is punished."
" That
seems rather harsh."
" It is
the only way to drill the teachings into that thick skull of hers." Evilla
reached out to grab the girl, but Eriol grabbed her wrist.
" I shall
speak with the King about this manner of "instruction"." Eriol murmurred,
tightening his grip.
" No you
shall not," the old lady reached her other hand to try to get the girl,
but Eriol barred her way.
" Until
then, she shall remain under my care, and protection."
" Don't
be absurd! The king's daughter lodging with you?"
" Better
then with you..." Eriol retorted calmly.
"......very
well. But, the king shall hear of this."
" Yes,
he shall. From me." With that, Eriol hurried back down to the lower levels,
the girl tagging along.