8 years later
(A/N I know the time is a little off, but this seemed a good age for Kel)
It had been years since Chisikami, the imperial princess betrothed to the crown prince of Tortall, had died, but the Yamani Empire was still busy with negotiations for a new bride. Every name brought up had been rejected for some reason or another. Everyday, Kel's parents attended the meetings, but today Kel had been told to come.
"Why would they want me to attend today?" The eighteen-year-old wondered out loud.
"What did you say Kel?" Ilane of Mindelan asked her daughter.
"Oh nothing, mother, I was just wondering why I am needed today at the negotiations," she responded as they prepared for the meeting.
They walked over together, and slowly everyone that was needed entered and took his or her seat. Once all were there, the meeting began.
"You're probably wondering why you were invited today," the emperor smiled warmly. "As you know, for many years we have been looking for an imperial bride for Prince Roald, and as a token of our appreciation and gratitude for your family's deeds, we have chosen you to travel to Tortall as his betrothed."
Kel was in shock. She had no idea what to say. Thankfully, many years of Yamani training took over, and no emotions were shown. "Thank you my lord."
As they walked home after long hours of discussion, Ilane studied her daughter. Kel was dressed in her finest kimono, and was a picture of beauty. Her golden brown hair reached nearly to her trim waist as it slowly swung back and forth with each step. Her kimono of dark green silk with golden embroidery accented her hazel eyes beautifully. She had inherited her mother's tall and graceful build and her father's delicate nose. Her eyes framed by long lashes made her appear a dreamer, and you would never guess that she was a skilled fighter and practiced hours every day. She had grown out of her clumsy awkward figure from childhood, and was quite lovely.
What do you think Kel? You can say your true thoughts," Ilane asked her daughter.
"I-I don't really know. I suppose that it's a great honor, but I'm not sure that I am ready to marry, especially without love. I don't even know him. Still, I know that I must go as the emperor wishes. At least I will see Tortall again, and perhaps I could watch the pages and squires train." While she was thinking this, she couldn't bring herself to admit the fears and doubts hidden in the deep corners of her mind. She still had many questions. Kel was so confused. Why her? She considered that question carefully with many others as she spent weeks being fitted into gowns and relearning the Tortallan etiquette. Time flew by, and she still didn't have answers to her questions by the time she found herself on a ship nearing Tortall.
Roald's sister, the crown princess Kalasin, met Kel at the port. She had hoped to meet her future husband, and was disappointed to find that she wouldn't even see him until the ball that night when she would be introduced. Kalasin talked a mile a minute, and filled her in on what to expect at the ball, managing to dodge all questions involving Roald. Kalasin was quite nice, and the two seemed to form a sort of a sisterly bond during those moments spent there on the dock.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~. ~
Evening saw Kel in a gorgeous dress of present Tortall fashion. It was a scarlet gown with a golden surcoat laced in opals. She also had a matching set of jewelry including opal eardrops, a necklace, and a jeweled tiara. Crimson lip paint showed off full lips, while eye paint and dark mascara accented her long lashes and brought out the color in her eyes. The neckline was far lower than she would have liked, and showed off in her opinion way too much of her bosom. Argue as she may, the maids and ladies accompanying her insisted, and the pattern did flatter her slender figure perfectly. Her honey brown locks were curled and pinned up leaving small tendrils framing her face, a style brought about by Queen Thayet. All in all, she was lovely, a beauty to be admired by all.
"Lady Keladry of Mindelan, betrothed of Sir Roald of Conte, Crown Prince of Tortall," the herald announced as she stepped into view. As she lightly ascended the staircase, all eyes were on her to find if the new lady was worthy of their prince, and to satisfy the curiosity of the Tortallans. Even Roald had to admit she was a beauty. And he wasn't the only one to notice. Whispers were spreading throughout the room saying that she could even rival the queen, herself. His friends, Cleon of Kennan, Nealen of Queenscove, Faleron of Kingsreach, and many others including Owen of Jesslaw were awestruck. Though she didn't realize it, she would soon be the subject of many daydreams and poorly written poetry.
When she reached the bottom of the staircase, she was formally greeted by her future parents-in-law King Jonathon and Queen Thayet, before being led off by Roald. He led Kel over to a group of young knights and introduced. Names flew by her, and only a few stuck. Neal of Queenscove and Cleon of Kennan were especially memorable. She was repeatedly asked to dance, and as custom insisted, she allowed herself to be twirled around the room.
When Neal took his place to dance with her, he asked a question that caught her completely off guard. "Aren't you the one that wanted to be a page, but didn't because the stump, er, Lord Wyldon, wouldn't allow it without probation?"
"Yes, I am. I saw no reason to accept second best. If I could not be treated fairly, I didn't want to come at all. I continued to learn the Yamani warrior ways, as well as the Shang art." She said coolly with a note of contempt in her voice.
Neal saw the anger she had on this topic and quickly changed the subject. The continued to converse politely until the end of the song when she once more found herself in Roald's arms. After the song was over, they left and walked out to one of the balconies to talk. Unfortunately, because of Kel's Yamani training, and Roald's natural shyness, the topics were few and discussed quite formally. Roald was wishing for someone interested in the warrior arts, little did he know he was about to get what he wished for. Finally, after long periods of uncomfortable silence, Roald escorted Kel to her room and left for bed.
Kel lay in bed that night thinking hard. She thought about Roald, and his guarded conversations as well as what Neal had said. How could he have known? She also thought about the very handsome Cleon of Kennan.
"Stop that!" she mentally scolded herself, "You are betrothed to Roald, and besides, you don't want to fall in love. I only wish that Roald would converse more freely. I suppose that is what comes from being the Crown Prince." And as she thought, she slowly drifted off to sleep.
(A/N I know the time is a little off, but this seemed a good age for Kel)
It had been years since Chisikami, the imperial princess betrothed to the crown prince of Tortall, had died, but the Yamani Empire was still busy with negotiations for a new bride. Every name brought up had been rejected for some reason or another. Everyday, Kel's parents attended the meetings, but today Kel had been told to come.
"Why would they want me to attend today?" The eighteen-year-old wondered out loud.
"What did you say Kel?" Ilane of Mindelan asked her daughter.
"Oh nothing, mother, I was just wondering why I am needed today at the negotiations," she responded as they prepared for the meeting.
They walked over together, and slowly everyone that was needed entered and took his or her seat. Once all were there, the meeting began.
"You're probably wondering why you were invited today," the emperor smiled warmly. "As you know, for many years we have been looking for an imperial bride for Prince Roald, and as a token of our appreciation and gratitude for your family's deeds, we have chosen you to travel to Tortall as his betrothed."
Kel was in shock. She had no idea what to say. Thankfully, many years of Yamani training took over, and no emotions were shown. "Thank you my lord."
As they walked home after long hours of discussion, Ilane studied her daughter. Kel was dressed in her finest kimono, and was a picture of beauty. Her golden brown hair reached nearly to her trim waist as it slowly swung back and forth with each step. Her kimono of dark green silk with golden embroidery accented her hazel eyes beautifully. She had inherited her mother's tall and graceful build and her father's delicate nose. Her eyes framed by long lashes made her appear a dreamer, and you would never guess that she was a skilled fighter and practiced hours every day. She had grown out of her clumsy awkward figure from childhood, and was quite lovely.
What do you think Kel? You can say your true thoughts," Ilane asked her daughter.
"I-I don't really know. I suppose that it's a great honor, but I'm not sure that I am ready to marry, especially without love. I don't even know him. Still, I know that I must go as the emperor wishes. At least I will see Tortall again, and perhaps I could watch the pages and squires train." While she was thinking this, she couldn't bring herself to admit the fears and doubts hidden in the deep corners of her mind. She still had many questions. Kel was so confused. Why her? She considered that question carefully with many others as she spent weeks being fitted into gowns and relearning the Tortallan etiquette. Time flew by, and she still didn't have answers to her questions by the time she found herself on a ship nearing Tortall.
Roald's sister, the crown princess Kalasin, met Kel at the port. She had hoped to meet her future husband, and was disappointed to find that she wouldn't even see him until the ball that night when she would be introduced. Kalasin talked a mile a minute, and filled her in on what to expect at the ball, managing to dodge all questions involving Roald. Kalasin was quite nice, and the two seemed to form a sort of a sisterly bond during those moments spent there on the dock.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~. ~
Evening saw Kel in a gorgeous dress of present Tortall fashion. It was a scarlet gown with a golden surcoat laced in opals. She also had a matching set of jewelry including opal eardrops, a necklace, and a jeweled tiara. Crimson lip paint showed off full lips, while eye paint and dark mascara accented her long lashes and brought out the color in her eyes. The neckline was far lower than she would have liked, and showed off in her opinion way too much of her bosom. Argue as she may, the maids and ladies accompanying her insisted, and the pattern did flatter her slender figure perfectly. Her honey brown locks were curled and pinned up leaving small tendrils framing her face, a style brought about by Queen Thayet. All in all, she was lovely, a beauty to be admired by all.
"Lady Keladry of Mindelan, betrothed of Sir Roald of Conte, Crown Prince of Tortall," the herald announced as she stepped into view. As she lightly ascended the staircase, all eyes were on her to find if the new lady was worthy of their prince, and to satisfy the curiosity of the Tortallans. Even Roald had to admit she was a beauty. And he wasn't the only one to notice. Whispers were spreading throughout the room saying that she could even rival the queen, herself. His friends, Cleon of Kennan, Nealen of Queenscove, Faleron of Kingsreach, and many others including Owen of Jesslaw were awestruck. Though she didn't realize it, she would soon be the subject of many daydreams and poorly written poetry.
When she reached the bottom of the staircase, she was formally greeted by her future parents-in-law King Jonathon and Queen Thayet, before being led off by Roald. He led Kel over to a group of young knights and introduced. Names flew by her, and only a few stuck. Neal of Queenscove and Cleon of Kennan were especially memorable. She was repeatedly asked to dance, and as custom insisted, she allowed herself to be twirled around the room.
When Neal took his place to dance with her, he asked a question that caught her completely off guard. "Aren't you the one that wanted to be a page, but didn't because the stump, er, Lord Wyldon, wouldn't allow it without probation?"
"Yes, I am. I saw no reason to accept second best. If I could not be treated fairly, I didn't want to come at all. I continued to learn the Yamani warrior ways, as well as the Shang art." She said coolly with a note of contempt in her voice.
Neal saw the anger she had on this topic and quickly changed the subject. The continued to converse politely until the end of the song when she once more found herself in Roald's arms. After the song was over, they left and walked out to one of the balconies to talk. Unfortunately, because of Kel's Yamani training, and Roald's natural shyness, the topics were few and discussed quite formally. Roald was wishing for someone interested in the warrior arts, little did he know he was about to get what he wished for. Finally, after long periods of uncomfortable silence, Roald escorted Kel to her room and left for bed.
Kel lay in bed that night thinking hard. She thought about Roald, and his guarded conversations as well as what Neal had said. How could he have known? She also thought about the very handsome Cleon of Kennan.
"Stop that!" she mentally scolded herself, "You are betrothed to Roald, and besides, you don't want to fall in love. I only wish that Roald would converse more freely. I suppose that is what comes from being the Crown Prince." And as she thought, she slowly drifted off to sleep.
