This is the first in a series of three (count 'em, three) shorter chapters. I'll have them up pretty quickly, I promise!!
Chapter Six
An hour later, the day was waning and we stood in front of the Ayorthaian castle. Jerrold refused to let us walk, and didn't want us to ride. He didn't want anyone to think me a wild woman. I finally convinced him to let us ride, myself sidesaddle, because there simply was no other way to get there. He reluctantly agreed.
We dismounted and walked to the gatehouse on the other side of the palace's moat. It was large and made of dark stone, with a portcullis of iron blocking the archway leading to the drawbridge over the moat.
"What business do you have here?" someone called down.
Jerrold and I looked up to see a line of guards standing atop the gatehouse. They looked very intimidating, with their forest green and gold tunics and swords.
"We're messengers of the revolution in Kyrria," Jerrold said.
The man nodded. "Ah, yes. The king and queen are expecting you tomorrow. I'll come down and see you to you rooms," he said, disappearing from sight.
I turned to Jerrold. "A guard and a manservant?" I asked.
"Perhaps in Ayorthia," he replied, equally puzzled.
The man appeared at our side, and the portcullis was raised noisily. He walked briskly under the gatehouse and started across the drawbridge. Jerrold offered me his arm, I took it, and we walked off together.
The palace was beautiful. It was thin, for a palace, and tall, made of white stone. It had turrets and towers sticking up artfully, all capped with royal blue, pointed roofs.
The hall we entered was huge, the largest I'd ever seen, with stairs sweeping upward in the center, to a walkway around the perimeter of the hall, which was extremely high off the ground and held up with large, thin pillars. Tall doors peeked out from in between the pillars. Next to the stairs hung two huge tapestries, the largest I'd ever seen, depicting every race from fairies to elves to humans celebrating. From the ceiling hung banners of different coats of arms, most likely those of Ayorthaian nobles.
Jerrold tugged me along. We ascended the large stairs, and I was thrilled by the intricate architecture of the hall's doorways, pillars, and railings. So thrilled, in fact, that I forgot to look to see what was beyond the staircase. We reached our door almost immediately.
"You've never been to a palace, Lady?" the man asked.
"My wife hasn't, but I've been to the Kyrrian palace frequently," Jerrold said, answering for me.
I looked at him in disbelief. What don't I know about Jerrold? What isn't he telling me?
The man reached for the spindly handle of our door, whisked it open, and held it for us. "This is to be your room for your stay in Ayorthia," he said.
Jerrold nodded. "Thank you sir," he said, bowing.
I followed suit, producing a wobbly curtsey. The man bowed in return and walked away. Jerrold caught the door before it closed and held it open for me. He waved his hand with ridiculous flourish, and I pranced in, equally flaunty.
The room was beautiful and lavish. The room was an attractive sitting room, with a few chairs and a chaise lounge around a low table. Bookshelves lined one wall, two doors lined another, and long, dark curtains lined the other. My curiosity killed me and I ran to the wall, grabbing hold of the thick velvet curtains and thrusting them open. It was a whole wall with three long windows, overlooking the palace's gardens. A long cobblestone path wound through the colorful gardens that small groups of Ayorthaian courtiers wandered. The sun was setting behind the mountainous backdrop of Ayorthia, all purple and pink.
"Oh, Jerrold," I breathed. "Look how beautiful the sunset is!"
Jerrold barely glanced over. "Oh yes, beautiful," he said, distracted. He remained in chair, brows furrowed, deep I thought.
I crossed over to him. "What are you thinking about?" I asked, sitting on the edge of his chair.
Jerrold sighed. "Roan and Iris. He was supposed to present this idea to the king and queen, not me. I don't know what to do," he said.
I felt a pang of sympathy. "Jerrold, this cause means just as much to you as it does to Roan," I said. "You'll do wonderfully. Don't worry."
Jerrold smiled, and moved to speak. A knock at the door interrupted him. He rose and walked to the door. Upon opening it, a manservant whisked into our room and placed a silver tray on the table. On the plate were two china plates full of food and an envelope.
"From King Aubrey and Queen Claudia," he said, bowing and leaving the room.
"Open the letter!" I cried.
Jerrold laughed and unfolded the letter, breaking the royal seal. I read over his shoulder.
Dear Sir Jerrold and Lady Daria,
Welcome to our glorious kingdom. We're terribly sorry we could no receive you tonight, but we were unprepared for your early arrival. We will grant you our presence tomorrow, after breakfast, to speak of your proposal.
By your leave,
King Aubrey and Queen Claudia
"Tomorrow!" I said anxiously.
Jerrold nodded. "Tomorrow."
Short chapter, I know. Please don't throw anything at me. I promise, the next few short chapters will be vary dramatic, but we haven't hit the climax of our story yet! Not even CLOSE! So review!