I know I haven't thanked my reviewers yet, so I guess I do it now. THANK YOU to: Saranha de Angelo thank you for the compliment! I hope you find the rest interesting too! Jalla, you are my hero! Thank you for the names and for reviewing all my chapters. I take your opinions seriously, so don't be afraid to speak out!!! Thanks again, you are a life saver! I looked at sff.net and didn't find a short story. Could you maybe tell me an exact URL?KoreaStar thank you! I had a idea and I went with it. At first I thought lots of people would be doing this kind of fic. Blazing-moon I hope you'll keep reading. I tried to make this original from anything I have ever read. Sherwood (Sherwood@sff.net) I was kinda scared when I wrote this! Geez, the characters I write are strange. labryn- I plan to write more.



Silence of the Shadows



Getting into court was one of the difficult things I had to face. The first thing I had to do was find a family: a noble family. I finally wormed my way into the life of a courtier. His name was Jadrien, and he was the second son of a low class baron. When I introduced myself I could feel his eyes on my body, checking me out.

My name is Kyre, I said, drenched in maidenly shyness.

I am Jadrien of Frien Hills.

I looked at his wandering eyes, and I inched closer. I like you Jadrien.

Y-you do? he stuttered.

Oh yes. But I won't be in town for long.

Why not? he asked, childishly pouting.

Because, I have nowhere to stay... I looking at the ground. Take the bait, I thought.


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I realized this would be easy. The King and Queen and Prince didn't hide themselves from court, and I figured it would be easy to disgrace the Prince first. If I played my cards right I could pretend to be raped... No that wouldn't work. Having a relationship with a prostitute... No. What in the world would work? What could make him an unsuitable candidate for kingship? Ah HA!!! Accuse his of trying the kill the hill folk! His mother wouldn't do anything but disown him and... then I could go back home. No I can't. It isn't as if my parents want me there until I get them the throne. They could very well have another child...

I decided to have the Prince sign a letter to a foreign merchant saying he will sell colorwoods. I formulated a plan to get him to trust me. Who wouldn't trust a pretty girl, who acts innocent and ignorant?


The first thing I did was persuade one of servants to my side. I said that she would get much more pay and even be made into a Lady if she helped me. She was as greedy as my mother, so I found it not too difficult, especially when I had a necklace made with a blood-red garnet in the shape of a drop for her to wear.

The day that was more difficult came as a big surprise... the day I was introduced to court.



I walked gracefully down the stairs on Jadrien's arm. I was introduced as the Lady Kyre, and having no title wasn't too awkward because I was a female. The thin slippers I was wearing didn't quite disguise the coldness of the marble steps. At the bottom of the stairs, Jadrien walked me forward to the King and the Queen where I curtsied, as protocol required. I observed the couple from under lowered lashes. They were an attractive couple, dressed in elaborate clothing of expensive velvet. I rose and Jadrien led me onto the dance floor.

We danced the first dance and then he ambled off to talk to friends. He was sore about having to take me to court. He thought I am too pretty to not attract a more suitable husband. Frankly, I agree.

I stood there stranded and for once I must admit I was truly nervous. What if no one noticed me? What about getting into the exclusive social circles? Maybe I'll be ostra-

"Hello, my Lady, would you care to dance?" I whipped around. He was standing there, with a almost sarcastic smirk on his face. Who he was, he looked very very very familiar, but I couldn't remember who. I was nearly going to kick myself because I knew that this was someone important that I had seen recently. I was about to inquire of his name, but his blue eyes intrigued me, and the red-brown of his hair made me want to run my fingers through it, but no he wasn't worth my time. After all, when I left I would be Queen someday and then what? I nodded my head with smooth courtly finesse.

He took my hand and we started to dance. I didn't speak for the longest moment, until he broke in on my thoughts.

"You do not know who I am, do you?" he asked quietly and I twirled.

"No I am very new here, and I do not know anyone except for those who sponsored me." I said, using pretend modesty.

"That is well and good. I think I'd like you to remain ignorant, for a while."

"Why?" I demanded.

He didn't answer, but looked into my eyes. I could feel my cheeks blush out of their own violition. I realized something in that instant: I was attracted to him.

"What is it that you need to go for so urgently for?"

I was utterly speechless, but he seemed to understand my speechlessness, and as the dance ended he leaned down to kiss me.


"I am the Prince Theodric, little flower."
I ran. I wasn't ready for this...