DiVA
Chapter 1
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Davina (picture at http://www.geocities.com/icebyrd67/diva2.jpg . this picute is really umi from MKR...i didn't draw the pix.) (AN: Da-ViN-a) of Ketara (AN: KI-tar-a) took a deep breath before she stepped into the room, where Lord Wyldon and his pages and squires awaited. She was only a new noble, her father being bestowed Ketara as an award for saving Queen Thayet in the Immortal War.
There had been a centaur and he was coming from behind. The Queen was busy protecting a group of women and only Lord Gawain (AN: pronounced: Gavin) saw the disgusting creature. He leaped before the creature, received a slash to the shoulder that would leave him with a slightly paralyzed arm, and then cut down the beast.
Diva was supposed to be Lord Wyldon's guest for the dinner and there was absolutely nothing she wouldn't do to get out of working. The only good thing about this dinner was that she would see her best friend, Laisrean (AN: Lass-sir-rean) of Elpida (AN: El-PI-da), a first year squire. Even better, was that this was her chance to meet Kelandry of Mindelan, the brave girl page in her second year. Only last year, she saved her friend from a spidren.
Diva looked over the room, allowing her eyes to rest briefly on Kel, Rean, fourth year Prince Roald, and an extremely handsome boy that looked like he was too old to be a page, even if he was in a page's uniform.
Diva carried herself to the platform in front and curtseyed, only deep enough to be respectful, but not an inch more to Wyldon. She turned to face to room of boys and girl and curtseyed to them, her eyes on the Prince. There was a loud clamor as all the boys rushed to rise and bow to her. She hid a smile and looked down, turning to face Wyldon.
"My lord." She curtseyed to him again.
"I suppose your father is on his way, am I not correct, Lady Divina?" He asked, pulling out her chair for her.
"Father is on his way, my lord." She whispered. "He says that we are to start and he will join us shortly."
"Very well. If you will give the blessing, Lady Divina." He stood in front of his chair. She stood and turned to face the room again.
"Bright Mithros, Great Mother, we humbly pray for your guidance and blessing. We thank you for this wonderful meal for which we give thanks."
"So mote it be." The room replied.
"So mote." Diva muttered to herself. She sat, following Wyldon's example. A handsome blonde boy with amazing blue eyes rushed forward to serve them. Suddenly, the door opened and Lord Gawain strolled in, taking wide, brisk steps.
"Wyldon! How are you?" He clasped Wyldon's hand in a hearty handshake. "Hello, Divina." He gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"Hello, Ketara." Wyldon signaled to the blond again. "Another plate, Joren."
"Why don't you go sit with Liasrean, Davina? Would that be good? She would be bored here. Besides, it isn't fair for her not to have seen her best friend in a year." Gawain boomed.
"Of course." Davina smiled, picked up her plate and curtseyed.
"'Lo, Rean! (AN: pronounced 'Ree-an' like Ian only it starts with an R)" She said cheerfully, pushing her loose sapphire curls away from her gray eyes.
"I was starting to think you didn't remember me, Diva." Rean teased, giving her a hug.
"You've been away for so long, Rean! You didn't even come home for the summer!" She slid into the seat next to him, only to find that the other squires came over or scooted closer.
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"Who was that girl?" Neal muttered as he and his friends exited the room from dinner to go to the library to study.
"I don't know but that Rean is one very lucky boy." Merric whistled. "She was pretty! What do you think, Kel?"
"She was niceā¦" Kel whispered, her feelings for Neal turned to heartbreak.
"Glamorous! Elegant! A GODDESS!" Neal retorted unlocking his door so that he could get his books.
"Yeah? Well, seems to me that she's taken by Rean. Did you see her father? That was Lord Gawain! Did you know he saved the Queen from a centaur? Lobbed that creature's head clear off! Did you also know that he was Lord-ed and made Baron of Ketara even though he was just a regular merchant before this? His family is filthy rich! From the purses he received from the Crown for saving the Queen and fighting in all the wars and from his caravans and stores. He's the one that led the three Riders squads to safety in the Battle of Jerek! They were all surrounded on all sides and he led them through a cave that led them to the army's camp! What a surprise it was for the dirty Scandrans!" Owen babbled.
"Actually," A crisp, sure voice rung through the hall. "That was me who led the Riders to safety. My father just convinced them to listen to me."
