(17) A Royal Summons
"It's really coming along," Nadine smiled as she entered the room.
Morgana was working on her self portrait, had been for weeks, and was now shading and adding highlights. The portrait resembled her but she didn't believe it was a perfect one. But most artists never found their work perfect.
Maybe it's the jawline?
"Where are you going to put this?" Morgana asked, taking her smudged hands away from the canvas.
"More than likely down stairs," she answered.
"Where clients can see it?" Morgana asked, surprised. "Won't that hurt your business?"
"Oh sweetie," Nadine sighed. "You're letting those gossip rumors get to you."
"Have you heard what they're saying?" Morgana nearly laughed.
Nadine smirked, "That the most radiant woman in all of the Alliance has successfully seduced the Prince of Stormwind?"
"Mother!" Morgana gasped, dropping her hands and shoulders.
She snickered then, "I hope a man finds your flustered blush just as adorable as I do one day."
Morgana turned from her then feeling her face get even hotter.
"You are impossible," Morgana said, trying not to laugh or smile.
"Not really," Nadine responded. "I'm just thinking ahead."
As if on queue, a knock was heard at the front door.
Morgana glanced up, "Who would be knocking at this hour?"
"More than likely someone picking up a dress for tonight," Nadine replied, getting up and walking down to the door.
"Tonight?" Morgana questioned.
Morgana turned her head to the floor staring a hole through it trying to think.
Am I on duty tonight? Is the Keep having another lavish gathering?
"It's no one's birthday," Morgana thought out loud. "And we haven't won any battles or wars."
Morgana called out to her mother as she heard her footsteps on the stairs, "What's happening tonight?"
Nadine stopped before her daughter with two small letters in either hand, "The good news and the bad news."
Morgana sank, "Bad news first."
Nadine handed Morgana the letter. She opened it quickly trying not to smudge the writing.
Morgana sighed, "Father wants me to do overnight training in the forest tonight."
She held the letter delicately in between two fingers still attempting not to smudge it. Overnight training was survival training. Camping with little resources other than what the forest had and fasting unless she was able to hunt something challenging. She didn't like it, but it had been a while since she'd done any overnight training.
Nadine was beaming, "And now for the good news."
"Oh, right," Morgana snapped back to reality.
She placed her father's letter down before opening the next. Morgana took the letter from her mother not recognizing the handwriting on the front.
"Addressed to Morgana Farron," she read out loud. "But no one knows I live here, they all mail me things to my father's address."
She turned it over and nearly gasped. Morgana covered her mouth, stopping the gasp as she looked up to her mother.
"It's…" she stammered looking up at her mother. "It's his seal."
The blue wax seal belonged to royalty. In the shape of a fierce lion with a large main was the wax sealing the letter. With the initials A and W above the lion's head. Morgana stared long enough at the letter her hands were starting to tremble.
What did I do?
"Honey, you okay?" Nadine asked.
"I must've offended him," Morgana thought out loud. "Why else would he be writing to me?"
Nadine whispered, "Open it."
Morgana nodded as she gently picked at the wax seal opening the letter. It was much larger than her father's letter and the calligraphy was much more legible. Morgana read it over slowly feeling her heart rate increase as she did. She looked up occasionally at her mother but continued reading silently.
"No," Morgana breathed as she finished.
"I can't," she muttered as she stood and handed it off to her mother.
Morgana went to the window and leaned over feeling light headed. She re-read the letter over and over in her head, unable to believe what was written to her. Her breathing was staggered now and panic began to set in. Morgana's mouth was dry and her palms sweaty and she glanced up seeing the Keep.
"Mother, help me," Morgana begged. "How do I get out of it?"
The letter was for tonight, a grand occasion, so to speak, on behalf of Anduin's agreement to find a new lady to court. All of Stormwind's eligible ladies would attend of course, but Anduin himself invited Morgana.
Something must've happened between him and Amalia.
Don't you remember? You name dropped her as the person that started this rumor!
"Oh no," Morgana breathed. "I did."
"This isn't a request," Nadine said, popping up an eyebrow as she looked up from the parchment. "You, my dear, have been summoned."
"I can't!" Morgana nearly cried. "I can't be seen with him again, all of Stormwind thinks I'm his whore!"
"Well… you could always refuse," Nadine said with a sly tone. "But refusing a summons from royalty will tarnish your reputation."
"Why do you have to say it like that?" Morgana asked, turning inwards to see her mother.
"Realistically," Nadine started rising from her chair with the letter still in hand. "What's stopping you from going?"
"Uh," Morgana stammered frantically, coming up with all the reasons in her head. "Father's training, I have nothing to wear, I'd have to go to the bath house first, and all of Stormwind would be at my throat seeing me in his arms."
Nadine reached down and stroked her daughter's cheek lovingly, "I know someone that can help you with all of it."
"I can't," Morgana repeated. "I'd have to be in two places at once."
"Morgana," Nadine spoke softly. "Life is giving you a gift right now and you need to take it. You can and you deserve happiness."
"Where's this coming from?" Morgana asked, taking a step back.
Nadine smiled kindly at her daughter excited for tonight but knew Morgana would be scared off easily.
"Take this letter to the mage tower," Nadine explained, handing it back to Morgana. "I have an old friend that can help you, let him read it, and he'll know exactly how to help."
"Okay," Morgana said in defeat. "Who should I ask for?"
Nadine smiled, "They're expecting you."
"Fine, keep your secrets," Morgana sighed, rolling her eyes. "I guess I'll just walk in and hope someone finds me."
Morgana strode out to the mage tower, which was only a short walk, and climbed the ramp to the center. She entered the tower unable to see any doors to knock on but another spiral to walk up. Reaching the top she noticed a room filled with books; a study of sorts. One giant portal was before her but her mother didn't say anything about portals.
"Hello?" Morgana called out timidly, slowly turning afraid to see someone. "I don't mean to intrude but… I'm Nadine's dau-"
"Good evening, Morgana."
Morgana tensed up suddenly as she turned to see who recently appeared. Archmage Khadgar stood before her. He was dressed in his signature blue robes with the raven staff she'd seen him with before. Her mother was friends with him but rarely spoke with him. Morgana never really spoke to Khadgar before but knew of him.
He laughed, "Didn't mean to frighten you, but I have been expecting you."
"I was told to give you this, Archmage," Morgana spoke, handing him the letter.
"No need for formalities, Morgana," he replied softly. "Your mother and I are friends and hopefully you and I will be too."
Morgana gasped, "I'm sorry, it's smudged!"
She glanced down at her hands realizing then she didn't wash them off before arriving.
"Oh, it's still legible," Khadgar shrugged.
Morgana felt a string of embarrassment flush over her as Khadgar read the letter. It didn't hold anything Morgana should feel ashamed of; but the fact that someone she didn't know closely was reading her mail made her uncomfortable.
"Hm," he said. "Let's take this upstairs. A bit more private."
Khadgar offered her his arm, "Make it easier to teleport."
Morgana took it but looked up out of curiosity, "Upstairs?"
The tower wasn't that big, and if there was an upstairs it must've been extremely small.
With a whoosh Morgana found herself in another room. She immediately let go of Khadgar and hunched over putting one hand over her stomach. A sudden queasiness came over her with the arcane magic Khadgar used. Morgana dropped to the ground as her vision went in and out breathing heavily.
"Seems you're a bit sensitive to magic," Khadgar noticed with a smile.