The Meeting

Jane followed Vince up the stone staircase that lead to the princess's bedroom. The air was cold and it made the woman's cheek redden. Their footsteps on the stone made an echo sound that resonated throughout the entire tower.

About 5 minutes later they got to the door that was her bedroom, Vince approached the door which was a rich mahogany colour and knocked twice. The golden doorknob which had an intricate design of thorns and roses then turned and the door swung open.

Jane was slightly taken back by her beauty, her hair flowed in ringlets just past her shoulders in an autumn leaf colour, her skin was pure and her cheeks had a glow because of the rouge she was wearing, the sun was shining through the balcony behind her giving her an almost angelic look.

"Hello Vince and you are?" She looked at Jane and gave a pearly white smile; her voice was smooth and silky like the sweets that were expensive to buy in their kingdom. It took the dark haired lady a moment to realise she was being spoken to and snapped out of her daze; "erm I'm Jane, the Queen allowed me to find somebody able to remove the curse from you." Maura nodded and stepped out the way to allow them in.

There was something about this Jane that was appealing to the young girl but she couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she was definitely going to figure it out. Stepping out of the way the man and young woman entered her bedroom.

Jane looked around at the furnishings with a slight tang of jealous, she wasn't poor but couldn't afford the amount of luxury that the princess could. It was obvious that the rug and ornaments had come from the mystical realm; various creatures sold things from that realm at the city market but the prices were exorbitant meaning Jane was unable to afford many of the things.

The dark haired woman then looked at the princess and examined her closer, she was wearing a beautiful silver necklace; hanging at the bottom of the chain an amethyst rose. Her dress was shorter than she was expecting, it came just below the knee and was a pastel pink colour- but of course it was covered in so many diamonds it hurt Jane's eyes to look at for too long.

"Your room is just so-" Jane shook her head, she couldn't find the words to say, the knight was in a state of awe. The princess smiled "princess like?" Jane laughed at the comment which in turn made Maura let out a small laugh, she observed the way the dark haired lady smiled and made a mental note to coax her into seeing it again some time.

"Maura, Jane I best be returning to the Queen's side so if you need me I shall be downstairs." Both women nodded at him and watched as he left the room and listened as the stairs echoed his footsteps. The princess walked out onto the balcony and gestured for Jane to follow.

She too made her way out and felt the warm breeze hit her skin and cool her body down, wearing armour meant that it got rather hot but luckily the weather had recently not been very hot. She looked out over the balcony and both were silent as they looked at the view. Jane could see the rush of people in the streets, the smoke coming from fires and it filled her with an odd sense of tranquillity- she then looked over at the princess and a sad thought came over her; so young and her life has already been destined to die without help. She would never get to rule over this kingdom after her mother and the thought of it made her determined to help.

Maura was first to break the silence; "there's been many attempts before you know." Jane looked at her confused; "trying to find a way to break the curse," she then realised what she meant and Maura continued. "I used to get really upset when it didn't work, I would shut myself in my room for days but then I guess I became immune." Tears began to form in her eyes but she continued; "can you truly help me?" Jane hated making promises but she could see how much this meant to her and she absolutely sure she could help her. "Yes I'm sure Miss." Maura smiled.

"Then I shall come with you." Jane looked at Maura and then suddenly it hit her about what she was just told; "come with me? All due respect Miss, I don't think that is such a good idea." It was dangerous the places she would have to go and someone like Maura probably wouldn't do very well out there without the proper training and equipment.

Maura was getting slightly annoyed, just because she was young and a princess didn't mean she was incapable of fighting. "I'm not an invalid Jane, I am educated and know my way around a sword, I have also been learning basic spells so I have decided to go and neither you or my mother can stop me, I only have six months until my birthday and if I can do something to break this curse then I am going to do it, and I trust you Jane."

Jane looked slightly shocked, "well Miss when you put it like that I guess I have no choice." Maura smiled, "but I am discussing this with the Queen first." Maura pouted, but nodded.

Maura went back into the bedroom and Jane followed; "Jane we will speak to her together, come on" she took Jane's hand and lead her out of the bedroom. "And Jane you don't have to call me Miss you can call me Maura."

Jane blushed; "sorry Maura." They shut the door and began to walk down the stairs.