Author's Note- Hello everyone! Sorry it took so long to update. When I first started writing I had all of these ideas, and when I went to write this chapter, they all sort of disappeared. I got over my writers block to bring you this masterpiece. Review and tell me if you like it. I'm on a roll now, but another fanfic, The Feline Sisterhood, and school work might slow me down some. Enjoy!
Chapter 6 - Old Faces
Golden rays of light peaked over the horizon. The blue-green ocean reflected the warm colors of the sun. A crisp, morning, sea breeze whipped at my face as I leaned over the railing. It made me feel as though I was a free bird flying over the wild and untamed ocean. I was in awe. As hard as we try, man can not create something as beautiful as the scenes of untouched nature. A rainbow of color glittered in the sky and all thought left my mind. Suddenly, a rough, dark mass rose in the distance. A sailor in the crow's nest yelled, "Land Ho!"
We sailed up the Olorun River, past Port Caynn toward the capital, Corus. Everyone had gathered on the deck to look upon this strange land. Shinko watched with her eyes wide, and Yuki seemed excited. Prince Eitaro, the head of the delegation and heir of the Yamani Islands, stood beside me. I spotted Erik running to me just in time. I lifted him into my arms and kissed him on the cheek. He beamed at me and I ruffled his hair. Eitaro laughed at this lively little boy. "Lad, you have great taste. I'm jealous of you right now," Eitaro chuckled, but his eyes were serious and looked straight at me.
I ducked my head. I face just about was the same shade as my rosy hair. Eitaro was my friend, but he sometimes said stuff like this that made me think that he liked me. "Eitaro, stop that foolishness. I am but a simple warrior here to protect a princess," I muttered softly. Men often flirted with me, but this 24 year old was the future emperor of the Yamani Islands. I avoided further discomfort when someone spotted Corus in the distance. I carried Erik to the front of the ship so he could see the amazing city.
When we docked, Prince Eitaro led Shinko, Yuki and me to a carriage the palace carpenters had built for us. I would have rather rode my horse, but they insisted I attend to Shinko, as a lady-in-waiting should. The four of us took our seats, and I was surprised when Eitaro chose to sit by me. Yuki and Shinko gave each other a suspicious look and I blushed.
The delegation followed us on horse and Erik with them on Yasmine. My stomach was filled with butterflies at the sight of the palace. What did I get myself into?
The carriage stopped suddenly and Eitaro opened the door. He climbed out and helped all of us down. A group of Tortallans stood around us. It consisted of some of the most influential people in Tortall, including the king, queen, the prince, Raoul of Golden Lake and Malorie's Peak, Gareth of Naxen the younger and older, Numair Salmalin, Daine Sarrasri, Baron George Cooper of Pirate's Swoop and Alanna the Lioness of Pirate's Swoop and Olau, who was accompanied by her squire. The king smiled at Eitaro and to Shinko. He welcomed us and invited us inside. Jon took Thayet's arm, George Alanna's, and Numair Daine's. Duke Gareth the older stood there as Raoul, Gary, Prince Roald and the squire moved toward Yuki, Shinko and me. Raoul and Gary looked miserable, as though Jon had ordered them to be polite in such a way, and Roald looked nervous. Shinko looked down as Roald came up to her. "Excuse me fair lady, but may I have the honor of escorting you inside?" Roald squeaked.
He voice changes had not completely stopped and were more likely to happen when he was nervous. The squire grinned and Shinko brought her fan up just in time to hide her smile. "Of course you may, your highness," Shinko answered with her eyes sparkling.
The squire headed in my direction and I saw vivid emerald eyes. I saw no more because Eitaro came into my line of vision to ask me for my arm. I blushed. I seem to be doing that a lot lately. Come on Kel, get a hold of yourself. The green-eyed squire passed us, a crease forming between his eyebrows, as he now went to ask Yuki for her arm. Raoul and Gary seemed to be relieved that they didn't have to escort and flirt with one of us, but Raoul's line of vision lingered on me with a suspicious amused look.
Once inside, we were led to a medium sized room meant for feeding hungry ambassadors. Eitaro pulled out a chair for me to sit in, and then sat down beside me once I was comfortable. I was too busy thinking about the squire to be embarrassed by the extra attention I have been getting from the Yamanis' prince lately.
Could it be? He looked about the right age. Twenty three years old looked like that, right? He resembled the Neal I knew, and his eyes are the same. My heart raced at the thought of being confronted with an old friend so soon. It looked like he was the Lioness's squire, too. That was amazing. The Lioness didn't normally get involved with the realm's future knights, but it must have been Neal's gift for healing that caught her eye. I look up and right across form me is the young man who is consuming my thoughts. He was staring at me, and winks at me when I lift me head. "Well, he's become a little more forward and confident since I've been gone. I'll have to teach him to keep in line," I assessed wickedly.
Pages in red and gold came through a servant's entrance. They brought golden bowls filled with water. The Yamanis reacted just as they should, by dipping their fingertips into the bowls and then drying them on the towel hanging around the page's arm. I glowed with pride to see that my teachings had been a success. Another group of pages came in with the first course. It was a light salad, but the vegetables were arranged in the Yamani's Royal Crest. I was impressed. It takes a lot of attention to detail to think of something like this. Some of the delegation didn't notice and dove right into the first decent food that has been placed before them in weeks. I looked over to see Neal just moving the food around with his fork and not taking a bite. "Eat your vegetable. They're good for you," I admonish. His eyes were wide, but he hastily shoved a rather large piece of cucumber in his mouth, causing him to choke. He quickly regained his composure and this time it was his cheeks that were a bright red.
At last, I couldn't force another bite down if I wanted to. My stomach bulged with all the food that I ate and I groaned. The squire sniggered at this and his eyes searched mine for something. Does he recognize me? No, it is impossible. I don't look anything like I did when I was here except for my eyes. I'm curvier now, and I how rose colored hair for Mithro's sake. I know what it is. Neal was always prone to falling for the court beauties, and he just thought that he had been struck with an arrow from the god of love's quiver.
The handsome Jonathan of Conte stood up gracefully and waited for everyone's attention. "Welcome to Tortall. It is a joy to have you here. We thought it only courteous to give you the rest of the day to rest and unpack, but tomorrow there will be some excitement. We are holding a ball in your honor and for the heir prince's betrothed. There will be some Tortallan entertainment for you. It will be as casual as balls go. I understand that you came prepared to amuse us with a showcase of your ways. There will be another ball to present the ladies at court and you are welcome to show us your skills then. So, go now and relax. I shall see all of you tomorrow night." The king bowed and Thayet took his arm elegantly. They left the room and everyone else stood up and stretched out their sore legs.
Yuki stood beside me looking, sneaking peaks at me, then Eitaro, and then Neal. She stood up on her toes and whispered in my ear, "After that handsome squire, he said his name was Nealan of Queenscove, winked at you, Eitaro shot him dirty looks the rest of the meal."
I could not believe her. It sounded like she was implying both Neal and Eitaro liked me, seriously liked me. This wasn't possible. She was reading signs that were not there. I stepped away from Yuki. Her eyes were mischievous. I bumped into someone by backing up and I turned around to apologize. Emerald eyes engulfed me and my mind went blank. "Ummmmm…"
My voice sort of trailed off, but Yuki stepped in. I would have to remember to thank her for making me not seem like a total moron in front of Neal. "Nealan, this is The Emperor's Rose."
His eyebrow went up from being shocked and impressed. "Most people just call me Rose and I hope you will too," I was able to mumble after regaining some control over my voice. Yuki elbowed me in the ribs and walked away.
I glared at her and then returned my attention to Neal. "I would be honored to escort you to where your rooms will be, Rose. They are on the second floor so you don't get too lost. It is right between the squire's and the Own's rooms. Our walk was pleasant and he told me a little bit about himself. He had gotten his shield about two months ago, but he was still needed to act like a squire to Alanna. Now that the delegation was here, a person who could survive Alanna when she had a lot too do and knew her routine was very valuable, at least until the delegation got settled. We finally reached my room and he let me go inside to rest.
The room had a stone floor, walls and ceiling. Velvet, satin, and silk were draped across portions of the wall to soften it up. A huge king-sized bed was covered in rich plum, red, fuchsia, and crimson colors. A privy was in the corner and there was a little room to get ready in. There was no need for a screen; there were walls to get changed behind. An oak table sat under a gold-framed mirror and was cover with glass pots containing beauty products and crystal bottles of perfume. I went to see where the other two doors led. One went to Shinko's chambers, which were also linked with Yuki's, and the other went to the delegation's common room. Yuki and I helped Shinko to unpack, and then did our own. The other ladies-in-waiting would not be here until tomorrow, in time to get ready for the ball. It felt like a week had gone by, before darkness started to come. I went to bed early, and I fell asleep easily, despite all of my anxiety, because of the thick feather bed. Maybe, it was good to be home after all.
Neal's P.O.V.
Those hazel eyes seem very familiar. Where have I seen them before? Nonsense, she is from the Yamani Islands. You can't possibly know her, and if you did meet her, you would have remembered a gorgeous girl like her.
The door to my room with the Own opened before I even reached it. My friends are not playing the part of patient very well. "So?" they all ask.
I roll my eyes. "They seemed alright. They knew how we did things and tried to respect that. I think this peace thing we have going with the Yamani'e is going to work out."
It was their turn to roll their eyes. "We don't want to know about that. We want to know about Roald's bride-to-be and her ladies in waiting?" Cleon complains.
"Princess Shinkokami is beautiful. Roald's a lucky old dog. She brought to ladies-in-waiting. The ones gorgeous, her name is Yuki. The other one is the Emperor's Rose, although she doesn't appear to be native to the Islands. I think I'm in love with her. There is something I want you guys to check out for me. Look at her and see if she seems familiar to you. I have this nagging feeling that I've seen her before." They are all staring into space imagining the girls.
Eitaro's P.O.V.
"The nerve of him," Eitaro fumed to his assistant Dover. My plan to gain Rose's trust will not work if he gets in the way. I want revenge for her ruining my plan to become the emperor. Make her fall in love with me only to cut her down. It was fool-proof until that dolt came along. I want revenge! A picture of Kel being showered with flowers at the Parade of Roses flashes through my head. I push it back. I have to stick to the plan, I can't let a little bit of attraction blind me from what I really want.