Chapter 7. Meeting with a Knight
A sharp hello came from behind the two. They turned to find themselves facing a tall bazhir man. His skin was tan from years in the desert and his eyes a sparkling shade of what looked like yellow were wide. "So you are the two that are to be brought into the meeting hall?" "Yes sir" the young woman said smiling "Raoul sent us." The man smiled "my name is Halem. I was sent to bring you to the meeting chamber. Come this way." He led them through the front doors and past two more oak doors. Inside the room was a long wooden table laden with silver candle sticks. Gapping in awe the two sat down in two of the cushioned chairs. "Now all we have to do is wait," said Daniel in a relaxed tone. But they didn't have to wait long. Lord Raoul and another stranger soon joined them.
Elizabeth looked long at the new man and finally came to a conclusion; this was Gareth of Naxen the younger of course. "So" said a cheerful Raoul "I suppose you know why you're here." "Actually sir I don't." "You're here to answer a few questions like what are your names?" Elizabeth spoke up very aware that her friend was about to ask a cocky question. "I am Elizabeth of Whitestock sir and this is my friend Daniel of Whitechapel." "Very well, but why are you here if you are from Scanra?" A curious look covered his face taking away the air he always had around him. "Well," said Daniel speaking up. He knew that Elizabeth wanted her dream kept out of this but if anybody would say it he would. Her voice would crack, she would be nervous at the thought of being shunned again. "I was banished," he said with an air. "Kicked out, they said for treason but I didn't do a thing unless you call speaking my mind a treason then I'm a free citizen. And Elizabeth family was killed. The mark of Scanran raiders left only on their chest." A now sad look dawned upon Raoul's face, the girl was an orphan. "One last question" he said "and what do you wish to do in Tortall?" Daniel spoke once more. "I could be a mage sir, and well. Elizabeth wants to be a knight." Daniel had a desperate look on his face, he knew that women were aloud to fight, but only noble people were true knights. "I don't see a problem with that," Raoul said smiling. It would be great to have another Lady knight." "Here" said Gareth of Naxen "stay for the parties and we can see how much you know and maybe teach you a few tricks. It would have been useful to know in our days of page and squiredom." Raoul laughed "yes very useful."
Elizabeth looked up. They had been asked to stay. But the sooner she got to Corus the sooner her dream came true. "I wouldn't want to impose sir" she muttered. He laughed again "impose, in my home there's no such thing as impose." She thought she heard Gareth mutter liar. Daniel grunted his approval so she agreed though unhappy with the decision. "Very good, you will get rooms and clothes, judging by the state of yours you have been through a lot." Daniel laughed out loud "you have no idea." At this moment a cheery woman bustled into the room and started to drag her out. Raoul mouthed "she'll force you to wear dresses." She thought she would laugh but she was tired, too tired.
The woman rushed her through a nicely decorated courtyard as well as a white flagstone hall and into a chamber that overlooked the lake. The woman dragged her away from the view "go take bath now" she said "I'll leave a dress out for you." She left leaving Elizabeth to herself. The prospect of a warm bath raised her spirits quite a bit. Shedding her outer layer she stepped into the steaming water and lay down enjoying the sweet sent of roses. Relax lasted only a few moments for she needed to get the dirt and grim off. She scrubbed herself clean and finally settled in to relax once more. Stepping slowly out of the tub she emerged into the cold of her room. On her bed lay a plain blue dress with a lacy bodice. Goddess save me she thought. She slid her undergarments on followed on by the dress. Combing her messy blonde locks she looked at herself in the mirror. So that's what becomes of travel she thought. Somebody knocked rapidly on the door so she slid on her boots and answered to be pulled into the hall and dragged down to a tailor to get breeches, dresses and skirts. "Goddess save me" she muttered.