Disclaimer: Hello? Is anyone there? Can I have some food? The stone floor is so cold in here! Where can I go to sleep? What? I don't see any bed! THAT'S my bed? Are you crazy? How much is my bail again? Wow. I didn't know that I was worth that much!!! COOL!!! But if no one pays that much, how long will I be in here? What? I'll be dead by then! That's the point? What?
Kemain, a large fief in the Copper Isles, was buzzing with news. The Lordship's son was preparing to leave for Tortall to become a suitor for the maiden of the fief Dansburry. Pennants in the colors of Kemain, purple and blue, flew over the litter the son would be riding in. Although Jessee, the heir to the fief, was leaving, there was a joyous feeling about the air. His father, Robert, was a much-loved, kind man with only the best interests of his people in mind. Jessee was hated; the cruelness of his ways with the people of Kemain was always showing through, unless he was with his father. With his father, he was kind and gentle, a perfect son. If chosen by the Duke of Dansburry, he would make a wonderful husband for the maiden of the fief.
"Get out! GET OUT!!!! Never again do I want to see your low and miserable face!!!!! EVER!!!!" Jessee had worked himself into a temper. The small boy carrying the ends of his cloak had accidentally trod on the heel of Jessee's perfect shoe. A black smudge ran down his crimson hose, and onto his white silk slippers. Jessee shoved the boy into a nearby mud puddle with all of his might. The dirty little boy began to cry. Robert, who was nearby checking on Jessee's luggage, ran towards the noise, and found Jessee gingerly picking a little serving boy out of the mud, wiping him off with his own cloak. Robert inwardly smiled. His son was perfect. As soon as his father was out of sight, Jessee pushed the boy into the mud puddle again with a snarl of hatred.
"Hah! You little pig. You live in the pigsties of the village, no? Maybe you will be promoted to pig boy when I inherit this filthy place." Jessee disdainfully pulled a pomander ball out of his sleeve and held it over his delicate nose.
"Ye- Yes! By auh means, ma go' lord suh. Uh, we shou' be a-goin' now, if thee be wantin' t' meet thou missus, luv", Jessee's governess spoke up. Hilgo of Kemain hated to see her son treated as he was by her master. As Jesse got into the carriage, Hilgo described a Magdalene of Dansburry, based on a portrait that they had been sent.
Jessee climbed into the carriage, forgetting all about the little muddy boy, listening intently to Hilgo's description of a beautiful girl.
A/N: I hope you liked it, even though it is pretty short.
A special that you to Lady Crystaline of Jewel Cove for reviewing so nicely. I hope you got my email.
Thank you, Kassi, for doing yet again another great BETAing job on my story.