"Whoa Zoe." She whispered, rubbing the mare's neck. Straining, she listened for the telltale hoofbeats of her pursuers. A sigh of relief escaped her lips. " We're safe."She thought a moment back to the torturous conditions of her homeland. " Well,as safe as a maid and her companion could be out here in the wilds of Tortall."
Her ears pricked at the snap of a twig behind her. She whipped around. " Who's there? Who is it?"
She saw the moonlight glint off a drawn blade. Fear struckher like lightning striking a tree. She dug her heels into Zoe's sides, andagain, they flew away. The wind ruffledher hair, making it billow behind her as a cloud of mahogany.
She looked behind her, convinced that she was still beingfollowed. And she was. A strawberry roan followed her at a gaining pace. " Comeon, Zoe. Soar like I know you can!"
Once more the two ran through the forest. Dodging trees andbushes. The neared the lake which lay on the edge of her family's fief, awelcome site to the weary girl.
She steered Zoe towards a waterfall that fed the river Drellinto the lake, and behind the torrent of water into a secret cavern. Breathingin the cool misty air, she dismounted, and proceeded in rubbing Zoe down.Whispering compliments as she did so.
Once finished, she crept out the cave to look for food. Hersupplies were meager, and would last her 3 or 4 days at most. She only hopedshe could find berries or something this close to the snows. She had no ideahow long it would take to reach Corus.
Near the water's edge she found blackberries, and upondigging, found several carrots and wild onions. She washed them off in the water, and went back inside to feedZoe and herself. After they had eaten, the two fell into a light sleep. Wary ofevery noise that was not the pounding of the waterfall.
When she awoke, she instantly woke her horse and the twofinished off the food from the night before. Within minutes they were on theirway. Away, from Fief Starbrook. Away from the murderous people she calledfamily.
As she settled into the rhythm of the ride, her thoughtswandered. They wandered predominantly to her memories of the recent events. Drew of Naxen had been visiting. Another noble brat her parents were trying tomarry her off to.
" It's just as well I ran away." She told Zoe. " I'd havebeen sent to court anyway. Looking for a husband. Bowing to every idiot there." She smiled grimly, and intoned in a singsong voice " 'Oh yes. I'd love todance with you sir'. Blushing and flirting, and being an all around ninny. Why,I'd rather have work to do as a hostler in the stables or something!" Zoesnorted indignantly. " Oh, I didn't mean it like that. I just wish I could havesomething interesting to so…" She trailed off as a rider came in sight at thebend in the road. " Oh great. A new ninny to act respectable around."
She slowed Zoe until she was practically saunteringbackwards, and sat up straight in the saddle. She was going to try as hard aspossible to appear dignified. Vying her current appearance, she needed as muchassumed dignity as possible. Her hair was hanging around her face in curlystrands and her clothes were wrinkled from riding.
As the rider drew nearer, she could see that he wore a blacktraveling cloak with the royal emblem embroidered on the back. The horse was glorious, and she was moreinterested in it than the rider. It was a Bazhir stallion, as Black as her ownZoe, and like Zoe, had a Star on his forehead.
" Hello!" The rider called. She nodded respectfully, nottrusting her voice. He drew up beside her, and they both halted their horses.She couldn't see his face, but she could see the light glinting off a whitesmile. Seeing her puzzled expression, he removed his cloak. A lock of hair asdark as their mounts fell into his sapphire eyes. " What's a girl like youdoing riding around the countryside alone?" He asked, grinning.
" Going somewhere." She answered pertly, meeting his gazesquarely. By gods, if she had to act like a prideful stuffed-shirt boy, thenshe would do it. His eyes weren't challenging as she had expected either.Oddly, he seemed genuinely interested in her welfare. " Why would a stray riderlike yourself care about someone like me?"
He smiled. " You might be surprised." Offering a hand, heintroduced himself. "I'm Jai. From Corus."
Hesitantly, she took it. " Raine. From…"She paused a moment,battling with herself over whether she should mention her fief or not. "Backthat way. Bordering Naxen." He nodded knowingly, though she could see theconfusion in his eyes. Gods they were expressive. Almost like looking in amirror.
" So…" Jai began.
" Why are you this far from Corus?" Raine asked suddenly.
He laughed, obviously surprised. " I'm delivering a messageto the herald post, about 10 minutes that direction. " He pointed the way shehad come. " It's headed for Fief Starbrook. Luckily I don't have to be aroundto deliver it. Something about marrying off their daughter…or sending her toCorus or something of that sort."
Surprised as she was when he mentioned Starbrook, she showednone of it in her face. Mentally, she thanked her Yamani nurse and mentor,Yoko, and her training. It certainly was a helpful thing to have. Theself-defense was helpful too, though she hoped she wouldn't have to use it. Sherather liked Jai. " I see." She said simply.
" Look, I have to go deliver this. Would you do me the honorof waiting for me, and coming with me to Corus?"
She had half a mind to say no, for fear that they woulddiscover her true identity, but her heart betrayed her, and she heard herselfagreeing, and saying she'd set out a midday meal.
"Excellent!" He said. " I'll be back as soon as I canmanage." He sped off, faster than he had originally approached.
Zoe gave her a look. " How did I get myself into this?" Sheasked. Zoe simply snorted. " I know, I know. But perhaps we can trust him…" Shesaid, leading Zoe to the rocks at the side of the road. On the largest, she setout a linen napkin, and what food she had left. Four apples, two loaves ofbread, a hunk of cheese, and a bit of jerked meat. She pulled cups out of oneof her saddlebags, and filled them from her waterskin. Then she tended to Zoe.
Right as she finished, Jai returned. " Looks good." He said, smiling at her, andeyeing the food. "Shall we?"
" Why not?" She was somewhat wary of his manner. He wasn'tspeaking in any slang whatsoever. As a matter of fact, he seemed to beincredibly scholarly, and educated. Not even normal pages and squires were thisformal. * I hope he loosens up. * She thought grimly. * Otherwise this will bea very long trip. *
Hours later, she found herself laughing, as he told hertales of the palace. He had explained that he was a 1st year squire,so that explained some of his mannerisms. He was at the moment, retelling atale of midwinter when he was serving Sir Myles, and Myles, being drunk as hewas, forced him onto the dance floor. The waltzed around for long moments-toolong in his opinion.
She laughed so hard, tears of mirth sprung to her eyes. "But you survived." She pointed out, laughter dissolving into giggles.
"Barely! I've been teased mercilessly since then, and it wasover a year ago!" He grinned in spite of his vehement statement. "I'm gladyou're finding this so hilarious. Its not often I get someone to nicely shovemy faults in my face."
" Oh, I'm sorry! It's just so funny…" She trailed off. " Iwish I had some good stories to tell you. To be honest, my childhood wasn'tincredibly interesting." * That's SUCH a lie! * She told herself. * Mych9ildhood was interesting all right…just not funny in any way. *
Jai seemed to sense that she was holding something back. "Oh, I bet it was interesting." He said, but didn't pry. " Why are you coming toCorus?" He asked, trying to regain the lighter mood. " What are you intendingto do there?"
"Oh." She seemed surprised at the questions. " I just needsome new surroundings. And as for what I intend to do, I hadn't really thoughtabout it. I guess I'll be a hostler or something in the stables.
" No. Not a chance." Jai said firmly." You don't deservethat. You're obviously a noble. See about being a page or maybe join theriders." He suggested.
She shook her head. " I really have no desire to do that."She confided. " I'll offer my services as a maid to a page or in palace squire,all right?"
" It's not, but it's obviously as much of a compromise asyou'll permit me." He smiled at her and they both burst out laughing for noapparent reason. When the laughter had cleared the air, they were just enteringa village. " We'll stay here." He said, leading her to an inn. Seeing her aboutto protest, he covered her mouth with his hand. " Not a word." She nodded, andthey entered, leaving the horses with a stableboy.
They rose at dawn the next morning, and were leaving thevillage as the first merchants were setting out their wares. Raine was not amorning person, so she didn't talk. Jai obviously wasn't either, so they rodein silence until it was nearly noon. She could see the turrets of a castle faroff.
" Yes, that's Corus." He said, looking at where she gazed."We've made good time."
The rest of the day was pretty much a blur. She and Jai hada jovial time, and before she realized it, they were at the gates of thepalace. She was in a daze. All the things assaulting her senses were a newexperience, and a welcome one. He led her over to the stables, and whistledshrilly. A blonde man approached them.
" Hello Stephan. Could ye be takin' care of these fer me?"He asked, for the first time using an accent.
" Aye, that I could, Jai. Who's yer lady friend?"
"Ahh, I near forgot. This be Raine." He turned to her."Raine, this is Stephan, head hostler."
" Nice to meet ye." Raine said the man, surprising the menwith her city accent.
" She learns fast, I'll give her that." The formal Jai hadreturned. " Thanks a lot Stephan." The man offered them a wave and led thehorses into the stable, Zoe looking curiously back at Raine. " Come now. I haveto get you settled."
She followed like his shadow. He was greeted by nearly everyperson they passed, and she caught weird looks from just as many. Finally, theystopped in front of a tall wooden door. Jai knocked, straightening the tunic hehad donned that morning. Raine futily tried to better her appearance. The dooropened and before them stood a woman who looked both severe and someone youwould trust completely at the same time.
" Good Afternoon, Salma."
" Why, hello, Ja-"
" This is Raine. She would like to offer her services as amaid." He interrupted, giving her a look.
" I see." Salma's gaze shifted to Raine. " What can you dochild?"
" Just about everything." She whispered. "Sew, clean, cook,mend, I can repair tack and weapons, I can do some herbal healing…"
"Magic?"
" None that I know of." Salma gave her a look. " How old are you?
" Fifteen."
"Hmm. Same as our Jai here, eh?" She turned to Jai. " She'llbe an asset to whomever hires her."
" Shall I leave her in your hands then, Salma?" Jai asked,looking uncomfortable.
" Yes, that'll work."
Jai nodded. " Let me speak to her in private a moment?"
" Of course." Salma bustled out the door. Once it was closedbehind her, Jai took Raine's hand.
" Look, Raine, I know this is new, probably somewhatterrifying." He paused, and rummaged in his belt pouch. Pulling out a smallerpurse, he put it in the hand he held, and closed her fingers around it. " Thisis to keep you going for a while. And if you ever need anything, Even if it'sjust someone to talk to, ask Salma where you can find me. If you can't get ahold of her, ask anyone for Jai. You follow me?"
" Yes." She replied, her voice wavering a bit. Suddenly, shewas wrapped in a hug.
" I wish you luck, Raine. I'll see you before or atMidwinter, all right?"
" Okay…" She whispered into his tunic. He was a comfortablethree inches taller than her even six feet. He kissed her forehead, andreleased her. Then he slipped out the door, leaving Raine feeling as though shehad finally found a real family, even though it was only one person.
Salma's kind voice snapped her out of her daze. " Come on,dear. Sit down and let me review who has put in a request for a maid." Salmaevaluated the girl as she sat down. She carried herself like a high noble. Sheobviously wouldn't scare easily, and didn't trust easily. She was a prettylittle thing, even travel worn. Salma rustled through the request papers.Finally, she found the one she was looking for. Buri had placed a request forthe queen. And the girl fit all the requirements to a 't'. " Here we are."
Raine looked up. " Who am I to work for?"
" Well, if she'll hire you, which I'm sure she will, QueenThayet." Salma said, watching the girl's expression carefully. The only signthat she was remotely disturbed, was the slight dilation of her pupils.
" I'd be honored." Raine mumbled.
" All Right then. I shall take your credentials to hertomorrow. For now, you'll stay in a vacant squire's room. None of the Pagerooms are available; otherwise I'd have you there. Are you hungry, dear?"
At Raine's mute nod, she rang a bell over her head, andmoments later, a knock on the door announced another servant. " Come in." Salmacalled.
It was a girl about Raine's age. "Yes Salma?" She asked,brushing her strawberry blonde hair out of her blue-black eyes.
" Would you escort Raine to the servant's hall? She needssome good food. She'll be in Keladry's old Squire quarters when she's ready."
" Yes Ma'am." Said the girl. Motioning to Raine, " Come on."She said.
Raine stood, and did a half curtsey. " Thank you, Salma."Salma simply nodded.
Once the girl was in the hallway with her, she beganchattering. Finally, she introduced herself.
" I'm Paige." She grinned at her. " Ironic name, isn't it?"Raine smiled hesitantly and nodded.
Once she had eaten, Raine decided to ask Paige if she knewJai. " Do you, perchance, know Jai?"
" Know him?" Paige giggled. " I'm his maid." She giggledsome more at Raine's expression. " Let me guess, You wanted to speak to him?"
" No! Actually, I just wanted to know if you knew where hisroom is, in case I do want to speak to him."
" Oh, well, It's the room right next to the one you'restaying in tonight. Speaking of which, we better get back so Salma can get yournew uniform."
" Uniform?" Raine asked, munching on an apple as they walkedtoward a completely alien part of the palace. Paige gestured at her own attire.
" Dark Gray skirt or breeches, white shirt, light bluetunic."
" Oh." They had reached the dormitory. They walked halfwaydown the hall, and Paige pointed at a door.
" That's you." She pointed the door next door; about 4 yardsdown the hall. " My room. And Jai's. See the slate on the front that says Jai,then in smaller letters, Paige?" Raine nodded the affirmative. " That's how youfind me."
" All right."
She walked tentatively into her temporary room. It was nice.There wasn't much more to take in than that it was nice because Salma waswaiting for her. Sitting on the bed. She held up some clothes. Her uniform.
" Put these on, the others are in the wardrobe." She pointedtoward the wardrobe. " They also brought you your saddlebags." She stood toleave. " I'll return at third bell tomorrow to collect you for your interviewwith Queen Thayet." She nodded at Raine, then swept out the door.
Surveying the room, she saw that the window showed her someGardens. * I wonder if I could visit them tonight… Then again, I think I'drather talk with Paige. * She changed into her new uniform, which looked betteron her than some of the fitted contraptions her mother made her wear back home.She figured she would have to alter them a bit, but just to make them fittighter in some places, so she looked at least somewhat feminine. She pulledout a mending kit from her traveling skirt pocket, and fixed the places thatwere in question. Overall pleased, she exited, pocketing the key that was lefton her bed, and knocking on Paige's door. A moment later it opened. In front ofher stood Jai. She had pulled her hair back in a bun, and applied somecosmetics, so he didn't recognize her.
" Yes?" He asked.
" Is Paige here?" She said, grinning at him.
" Raine?" He looked astonished. She nodded. " Yes, Paige ishere. PAIGE!" He called into the room. Then turned back towards Raine. " Do youlike it here so far?"
" Yes. Really, I do. I think I'll like it here. I may beworking as one of Queen Thayet's maids." She smiled happily.
Jai's face blanched as she said that. He looked as white aspaper. " Q-Q-Queen Thayet? That's going to be a tough job."
" I know. But I like to work." Just then, Paige bounced out.
" What do you say we go to the gardens?" She asked Raine,who nodded. " Seeya Jai!"
" Bye Jai!" Raine added as Paige pulled her down the hall,leaving Jai standing at the door, seriously thinking.
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Like it? Hate it? Either way tell me in that little blue box down there. Number one, that's what it's for, number too, I wanna know what y'all think.
~Cass