Disclaimer: Again, I do not own any of these characters but Nathalie. Please comment, tell me what you think. This chapter is long in coming, due to a combined problem of midterms and my computer crashing. I hope it makes up in part for the wait. No flames, please. Also, statements within the :: are thoughts, as I have yet to learn the HTML required for fanfiction, Thank you again.
Eisheth's Call
Chapter 5: Summons
"Nathalie, do you intend to answer the summons of the Queen before the coming of the New Year?"
A rather colorful string of words followed this question from the other side of the heavily carved wooden door. I had just finished bathing; never would I say I did not enjoy the comforts of the wealthy. A new gown, this one the color of the midnight sky, hung at a haphazard angle on my slight frame, only partially donned.
"It is my intent to do so, but it all depends on the state of the roads in the City of Elua." My reply was dry and was tinged with impatience. One of the serving maids stepped forward to assist in my dressing, drawing the satin over my shoulders and hips, adjusting it so the folds of the skirt fell properly.
An irate feeling rose within me at this, even as I tolerated their fussing. My parents were convinced I still required coddling and special attention from that fated day but two weeks ago- just about as convinced as I was that I was entirely recovered.
My father, the speaker on the other side of the door, sighed loudly and surprise replaced the irritation.
I could hear the nerves in my father's sigh; even as I do not scare easily, my father does not. He has faced the Straits and what lurked beneath; I doubt at times he has known the touch of fear.
Unnerved by this, I didn't attempt to halt or dissuade the helpers flitting about, adorning me with jewels, coaxing my hair into a suitable style, and touched my lips and cheeks with color. Even without the subtle urging of my father they soon finished with me; they, too, sensed the tinge of anxiety in my father's tone, and it did not settle well with them either.
The satin of the dress conformed to my slender form, the design simple a deceptively simply sheath lacking sleeves to better suit the season. It whispered as the attendants swept me out of the room and out to the waiting carriage; my father was already there waiting, along with my mother.
One of the stable lads offered to aid me in reaching my parents in the carriage, but I quickly declined. I felt I was sufficiently recovered from my debut, and, as also, determined to prove it to my parents. I ascended the stairs and seating myself across from my parents, met their guarded and apprehensive gazes.
"I apologize for the lateness of my coming." I murmured, suddenly finding the lush cerulean interior of the carriage highly interesting. Neither of my parents said a word, and I made no further journeys into the realm of attempted conversation. There was a brooding atmosphere to the two of them, and I had lived with them long enough to realize it was an atmosphere best left to blow itself off.
There was a slight lurch as we started forward, and I directed my eyes to the window to view the short passage to the Palace.
As Lady of Marsilikos, my mother could easily have commandeered a suite in the Palace itself for us to reside in during our stay in the City of Elua. 'Twas much more pleasant, however, to stay in one of the surrounding guesthouses than in the Palace itself, with the intrigues and gossip common to the Court.
The building of the Palace soon came into view, pristine marble shimmering in the early summer sunshine. My parents still had uttered nothing, albeit they had exchanged meaningful glances a handful of times. Try as I might, I could not decipher what lay in those glances. The clattering of the carriage and of the creatures that pulled it ceased once we drew in front of the Palace, and the door sprang open, as if on it's own accord.
My mother exited first, followed by my father. Once his broad shoulders had left the shadows of the carriage I rose and stepped out into the sunshine, blinking to shield my blue-gray gaze as it adjusted to the sudden light. It was in vain, for my mother wasted no time in sweeping into the Palace, the entry doors again springing open.
Rousse trailed my mother languidly, his long stride gaining on her rather shorter ones with each step. I followed just behind them, my fingers clasped together in front of me and my chin raised to just the correct angle, neither too humble nor too arrogant to other persons approaching.
The guards all recognized my father and let us pass without comment or question; my parents were here often enough to know their way about.
As I padded along the corridor leading to one of the queen's council rooms, my thoughts wandered yet again to that night of my debut. The memories of that forsaken place had not loosened their grasp on me; every other night since then I had awaken, breathless, the oppressive and revolted feeling still clinging to me, the horrific images still flashing before my eyes. I let my eyelids drop for a moment to cease the litany of thoughts that followed the images if I didn't halt them.
Once I opened my eyes I barely stopped in time before I walked straight into my mother. Still, the stop was not jarring- the graceful movements drilled into my head since I was but a child did not drift away as easily as my thoughts did. The door to the council room was opening quickly to announce our presence.
A signal was given and we were ushered in, three chairs appearing for our comfort. My father bowed as my mother and I curtsied to the queen; as I rose I noticed the three other already in attendance and felt a barely noticeable rushing of warmth to my cheeks.
Comtesse de Montreve, Messire Joscelin Verreuil, and Imriel no Montreve de la Courcel were all seated with the Queen and likewise inclined their head to acknowledge our arrival.
"Roxanne, Quintilus, Nathalie. Please, sit." The Queen Ysandre de la Courcel gestured towards the seats, and all of us seated ourselves, my parents offering smiles to Phedre and Joscelin- returned, of course. Their eyes carefully avoided mine. Imriel simply sat there- there was no better term for it- and took it all in, eye expressionless.
"I asked you all here today because of the events at Nathalie's debut but a few weeks ago." Ysandre said this almost bluntly, coming right to the point and disposing of the sugared courtly phrases that usually graced the words of high-ranking lords and ladies of the realm. "Because of the violent attack that injured quite a few people, and investigation was made."
My eyes widened slightly; my training held enough to keep me from making any other sign of surprise. Because of my unfortunate meeting with the floor, and sequential events, I had been unaware many more had been injured in the course of the evening.
"The instigators of this attack were promptly apprehended and have been...persuaded to speak of who sent them." From her pause, the Queen clearly indicated she had no wish to discuss how they received the information. "The men insisted, time and time again, the name of their employer was unknown to them; all they knew was that they were here to injure someone. Someone rather important."
From the expressions upon the faces of the others, it was not a hard fact to ascertain that the Queen had told no one of this as of yet.
"They were here, solely, to injure the Comtesse de Montreve."
The gazes of five people went instantaneously to Phedre, the smiles that had been present just moments ago faded, replaced by smooth, featureless court masks.
"It was ill-planned; the men had no idea whom she was, and seeing a mark of crimson against mahogany, they attacked. They did not pause to consider that a man with a crimson band of mourning clearly was not the person they were looking for."
Ysandre paused, sipping at a glass of water. Arranged as we were in a semi- circle, with her in the center and Phedre on her right, my father on her left, all attention was focused to her.
"There was one other thing we learned of any merit- where these men came from. They came..." She trailed off for a moment, glancing to Phedre, then to Imriel, and finally, to me. "...from Darsanga."
(Alright, I know, it's a cruel way to end a chapter. BUT. I knew I had to post something, and this is all just to reintroduce everyone, including myself. The next chapter will be coming soon- I promise- and we'll see the story finally starting to move.)
Eisheth's Call
Chapter 5: Summons
"Nathalie, do you intend to answer the summons of the Queen before the coming of the New Year?"
A rather colorful string of words followed this question from the other side of the heavily carved wooden door. I had just finished bathing; never would I say I did not enjoy the comforts of the wealthy. A new gown, this one the color of the midnight sky, hung at a haphazard angle on my slight frame, only partially donned.
"It is my intent to do so, but it all depends on the state of the roads in the City of Elua." My reply was dry and was tinged with impatience. One of the serving maids stepped forward to assist in my dressing, drawing the satin over my shoulders and hips, adjusting it so the folds of the skirt fell properly.
An irate feeling rose within me at this, even as I tolerated their fussing. My parents were convinced I still required coddling and special attention from that fated day but two weeks ago- just about as convinced as I was that I was entirely recovered.
My father, the speaker on the other side of the door, sighed loudly and surprise replaced the irritation.
I could hear the nerves in my father's sigh; even as I do not scare easily, my father does not. He has faced the Straits and what lurked beneath; I doubt at times he has known the touch of fear.
Unnerved by this, I didn't attempt to halt or dissuade the helpers flitting about, adorning me with jewels, coaxing my hair into a suitable style, and touched my lips and cheeks with color. Even without the subtle urging of my father they soon finished with me; they, too, sensed the tinge of anxiety in my father's tone, and it did not settle well with them either.
The satin of the dress conformed to my slender form, the design simple a deceptively simply sheath lacking sleeves to better suit the season. It whispered as the attendants swept me out of the room and out to the waiting carriage; my father was already there waiting, along with my mother.
One of the stable lads offered to aid me in reaching my parents in the carriage, but I quickly declined. I felt I was sufficiently recovered from my debut, and, as also, determined to prove it to my parents. I ascended the stairs and seating myself across from my parents, met their guarded and apprehensive gazes.
"I apologize for the lateness of my coming." I murmured, suddenly finding the lush cerulean interior of the carriage highly interesting. Neither of my parents said a word, and I made no further journeys into the realm of attempted conversation. There was a brooding atmosphere to the two of them, and I had lived with them long enough to realize it was an atmosphere best left to blow itself off.
There was a slight lurch as we started forward, and I directed my eyes to the window to view the short passage to the Palace.
As Lady of Marsilikos, my mother could easily have commandeered a suite in the Palace itself for us to reside in during our stay in the City of Elua. 'Twas much more pleasant, however, to stay in one of the surrounding guesthouses than in the Palace itself, with the intrigues and gossip common to the Court.
The building of the Palace soon came into view, pristine marble shimmering in the early summer sunshine. My parents still had uttered nothing, albeit they had exchanged meaningful glances a handful of times. Try as I might, I could not decipher what lay in those glances. The clattering of the carriage and of the creatures that pulled it ceased once we drew in front of the Palace, and the door sprang open, as if on it's own accord.
My mother exited first, followed by my father. Once his broad shoulders had left the shadows of the carriage I rose and stepped out into the sunshine, blinking to shield my blue-gray gaze as it adjusted to the sudden light. It was in vain, for my mother wasted no time in sweeping into the Palace, the entry doors again springing open.
Rousse trailed my mother languidly, his long stride gaining on her rather shorter ones with each step. I followed just behind them, my fingers clasped together in front of me and my chin raised to just the correct angle, neither too humble nor too arrogant to other persons approaching.
The guards all recognized my father and let us pass without comment or question; my parents were here often enough to know their way about.
As I padded along the corridor leading to one of the queen's council rooms, my thoughts wandered yet again to that night of my debut. The memories of that forsaken place had not loosened their grasp on me; every other night since then I had awaken, breathless, the oppressive and revolted feeling still clinging to me, the horrific images still flashing before my eyes. I let my eyelids drop for a moment to cease the litany of thoughts that followed the images if I didn't halt them.
Once I opened my eyes I barely stopped in time before I walked straight into my mother. Still, the stop was not jarring- the graceful movements drilled into my head since I was but a child did not drift away as easily as my thoughts did. The door to the council room was opening quickly to announce our presence.
A signal was given and we were ushered in, three chairs appearing for our comfort. My father bowed as my mother and I curtsied to the queen; as I rose I noticed the three other already in attendance and felt a barely noticeable rushing of warmth to my cheeks.
Comtesse de Montreve, Messire Joscelin Verreuil, and Imriel no Montreve de la Courcel were all seated with the Queen and likewise inclined their head to acknowledge our arrival.
"Roxanne, Quintilus, Nathalie. Please, sit." The Queen Ysandre de la Courcel gestured towards the seats, and all of us seated ourselves, my parents offering smiles to Phedre and Joscelin- returned, of course. Their eyes carefully avoided mine. Imriel simply sat there- there was no better term for it- and took it all in, eye expressionless.
"I asked you all here today because of the events at Nathalie's debut but a few weeks ago." Ysandre said this almost bluntly, coming right to the point and disposing of the sugared courtly phrases that usually graced the words of high-ranking lords and ladies of the realm. "Because of the violent attack that injured quite a few people, and investigation was made."
My eyes widened slightly; my training held enough to keep me from making any other sign of surprise. Because of my unfortunate meeting with the floor, and sequential events, I had been unaware many more had been injured in the course of the evening.
"The instigators of this attack were promptly apprehended and have been...persuaded to speak of who sent them." From her pause, the Queen clearly indicated she had no wish to discuss how they received the information. "The men insisted, time and time again, the name of their employer was unknown to them; all they knew was that they were here to injure someone. Someone rather important."
From the expressions upon the faces of the others, it was not a hard fact to ascertain that the Queen had told no one of this as of yet.
"They were here, solely, to injure the Comtesse de Montreve."
The gazes of five people went instantaneously to Phedre, the smiles that had been present just moments ago faded, replaced by smooth, featureless court masks.
"It was ill-planned; the men had no idea whom she was, and seeing a mark of crimson against mahogany, they attacked. They did not pause to consider that a man with a crimson band of mourning clearly was not the person they were looking for."
Ysandre paused, sipping at a glass of water. Arranged as we were in a semi- circle, with her in the center and Phedre on her right, my father on her left, all attention was focused to her.
"There was one other thing we learned of any merit- where these men came from. They came..." She trailed off for a moment, glancing to Phedre, then to Imriel, and finally, to me. "...from Darsanga."
(Alright, I know, it's a cruel way to end a chapter. BUT. I knew I had to post something, and this is all just to reintroduce everyone, including myself. The next chapter will be coming soon- I promise- and we'll see the story finally starting to move.)