Note: I'll add more to this chapter, but I wanted to get something up.
Chapter 4
"No!" shouted Veren, Imperial Prince of Mighty Tolnedra, eighteen-year-old heir to Ran Borune XXIV. "I will not!"
"It's not up for deliberation, Veren," Varana said. The former Tolnedran general was modestly garbed in common wear, instead of the gold mantel the emperors had the right to don. The blocky-looking man's expression was weary, but his tone was firm.
Veren glared at him. "Father, I do not want to spend my entire afternoon pampering a few spoiled half-humans who have no regard for the might of Tolnedra!"
"And what else would you be doing with your afternoon, Veren?" asked the young prince's father.
"Plenty of things," Veren made a broad gesture. "Hunting with my friends, practicing my swordfighting--"
"Gambling with the soldiers," Varana finished. "None of those are nearly as important as this." He held up a hand as Veren opened his mouth. "You will meet the Dryad ambassadors and be their host for the afternoon. This is the command of the royal throne of Tolnedra."
Veren's face went stiff, and he gave his father a formal bow. "As you command, your Imperial Majesty." He turned on his heel and stalked out of the room, fuming. He did not want to have to waste his entire afternoon being the host of the Dryads. He didn't understand why it was even so important. After all, what threat could they possibly give to the might of Tolnedra?
His father was a fool to humor them, Veren thought. If the Dryads were out of the way, they could have access to an unlimited hardwood supply. That alone would cover the cost of whatever it took to remove those uncivilized Dryads.
He shuddered. And now, due to his father, he would have to spend his entire afternoon pampering them. By Nedra, he had better things to do with his time than escort Dryads as they oohed and aahed over ribbons and pretty cloth. Maybe he could shake them off somehow... but then they'd make a terrible fuss and probably go into hysterics.
He shook his head, his mood growing sourer and sourer. There was no way out of it, really. Gloomily, he climbed the steps to the second level of the palace, heading towards the small council chamber where he knew they were waiting.
There were two of them, he knew that much. Xera, Queen of the Dryads, had not come, but she had sent two of the Dryads closest to her. That, evidently, was the only form of rank they had in their society. If they had a society at all. Veren sniffed disdainfully.
True, his aunt was a Dryad-but she was only part Dryad. She'd grown up in a civilized country, as an Imperial Princess. Veren wasn't one of the people who thought it was outrageous for the King of Riva to marry a half-human. After all, she was an Imperial Princess, and that ought to be good enough for those Alorn barbarians.
He stopped before the door of the council chamber, and took a deep breath, looking down at his clothes. The green mantle was acceptable for an informal meeting like this. After all, he was only supposed to show them around. He closed his eyes in one last attempt to gather himself, then opened the door and went in, assuming a polite expression.
The two in the room rose unhurriedly as he entered, and he saw they were both very small, only coming up to his shoulder. The first one was fingering the bow she wore across her back, and her hair was a deep, tawny gold that framed her small, exquisite face. Her eyes were bright green, and they watched him with undisguised curiosity and also a hint of sullenness. She seemed very young, but her limbs were clearly mature.
Veren caught himself staring and quickly tore his eyes from her, looking to the second Dryad. This one had red hair and pale skin with a slight greenish tinge, and she too was watching him with curiousity.
He bowed deeply to them. "Veren, Imperial Prince of Tolnedra, at your service," he said formally, his eyes straying back to the tawny-haired one. "My father sent me to show you around the palace, the city, whatever you would wish."
"Xcora," said the red-haired Dryad. "I'm Xera's cousin." Her eyes twinkled suddenly, and she smiled. "I hope we aren't taking up too much of your time."
Veren looked down, flushing suddenly in embarrassment. It was almost as if she knew what he was thinking. "Of course not," he told her. "It's my duty and pleasure as an Imperial Prince."
"Yeah," said the tawny-haired Dryad suddenly. "I guess you do like to throw your title around a lot."
"Xbell!" protested Xcora. "Veren is our host."
Veren looked squarely into Xbell's sulky eyes, meeting them calmly. "Sometimes, Lady Xbell, I wish I wasn't an Imperial Prince. I wasn't born into this position, you know. My father only became a Borune when I was a little boy."
"Just Xbell," she muttered, lowering her eyes.
Veren looked back at Xcora. "Would you like me to show you around the palace or the city first? Or would you like me to take you to your chambers to recover from the journey."
"Our rooms, if you would," Xcora told him. "We would like to wash and change our clothes, if that's not too much trouble."
"Of course not," Veren told her, bowing again. He stepped back and opened the door, holding it for them. "This way, if you please, ladies."
They followed him down the halls to their rooms, which consisted of two bedchambers connected by a small sitting area. Veren made sure the servants knew to bring basins of warm water for each Dryad, and, on second thought, to bring sprigs of the apple tree with blossoms to scent the rooms. He knew how much his aunt loved growing things, and it might make the Dryads more at home.
Before he left, Xcora drew him aside. "Don't mind Xbell," she told him. "She didn't really want to come, and Xera had to make her. She's be in a bad mood for a little while, but I'm sure it will pass."
"I understand perfectly," Veren said, thinking of how his father had had to order him to play host for the Dryads. "I'll be back for you in an hour or so. Is that enough time?"
"It's fine," Xcora told him with a smile.
"Very well, then." He bowed to her, then departed.