Aw, no reviews. Well I'm not surprised…the first chapter was a bit boring but it was it was just an intro to the good stuff (I hope) well here's a bit more which I hope will get someone pushing the little button down there!
Prince Sameth walked the corridors of Belisare castle, feeling utterly depressed. The wind howled bitterly outside, banging tree branches against the window. Only a week ago when he had left Ancelstrierre, it was the end few days of summer. Now back in the Old Kingdom it was the early days of a cold winter. But that wasn't that had the prince so downhearted, instead it was the joyous fact that he was headed to yet another rehearsal for the Bird of Dawning part in the mid winter festival. Sams part was to carry the sprig of spring at the end of the winter procession, behind Snow, Hail and Sleet. His first rehearsal had been a disaster; he had fallen over three times, bent his beak twice and had ruffled more than a few feathers. Sam went downstairs, doubting the next rehearsal would fair much better.
Sam entered the great hall with much less enthusiasm than Ellimere who greeted him with an eager wave. Behind her stood the dancers playing the winter sprites, six men and women dressed in white, blue and silver, looming high above him on silts. Luckily the roof of the hall was higher still so there was plenty of room for the dancers to move. Ellimere rushed towards him holding the dreading costume in her hands,
"Sam, there you are!" she called, "You're late, quickly put this on." She shoved the yellow, feathered outfit into his arms and shoved him in the direction of an off side room to change. In a matter of minutes Sam was stood before the dancers, the band, Ellimere and some other people whose names he didn't remember, each of them trying their best to suppress a laugh. Sam stood, stocked legged, in yellow tights and large leather feet which tripped him when he walked. His upper body was covered in a heavy tabard covered in bright yellow feathers and upon his head he wore yet more yellow feathers arranged so they stuck out to the sky,
"I do not have the legs for this." He muttered, as a couple of the women sniggered at him,
"You look fine Sam" Ellimere said, stifling a giggle, "now let's get a move on."
Ellimere signalled to the band and they started to play, a whimsical tune that floated through the hall. On cue, the dancers began to twirl and move about and Sam trudged in amongst them. The spirits of winter were supposed to try and prolong their season by stealing the bird twig and tripping him up with their silts. However the spirits were supposed to fail at tripping the bird yet even without their help Sam still managed to trip himself up. After picking himself up for the third time that afternoon Sam was decidedly annoyed at himself for his inability and at Ellimere for making him do this.
The music started once more and Sam took his place between the spirits, weaving about them, carrying his twig. Suddenly Sam lost his footing and stumbled forward, flailing his arms to keep balance. He lurched forward and crashed into the woman in front of him, sending her hurtling from her silts and landing on the ground with a heavy thud. A young woman with chestnut hair cried out from the side. She across the hall, wearing a deep red tabard, emblazed with a golden crown and two silver keys, the emblem of their newly rebuilt kingdom. She ran towards the fallen dancer, Ellimere was right behind her, kneeling down,
"Are you alright?" she asked her. Leille nodded and tried to stand only failed to do so because of a searing pain in her leg.
"Try not to move, Leille." The younger woman said, "Dr Shemblis is on his way"
"I'm ok Kailith." Leille said, trying to reassure the young guard.
"No your not." Ellimere said sternly, "There's no way you can carry on now. Where are we to find someone to replace you as Sleet? We'll have to call it off."
Ellimere glared over at Sam, as if daring him to smile. Dr Shemblis arrived moments later, followed by a man who brought over a chair on wheels and carefully helped Leille into it. After a quick inspection the doctor declared, rather loudly, that Leilles leg was badly strained and that she should remain off it. That threw Ellimere into a sudden panic, as to what to do next. Sam, who was feeling awfully guilty about knocking the poor girl down, couldn't help but be the tiniest bit happy about that fact that he wouldn't have to wear his bird costume in public. Kailith, who had remained quiet through most of the Doctors inspection, looked up and noted the prince looking slightly too happy about her sisters accident,
"Excuse me, your highness." She said, "But I've been to every rehearsal and I know the part backwards. I'm sure I could fill in for her."
Ellimere looked as though she could kiss the young woman whereas Sams face fell a good few inches,
"Well of course you could!" Ellimere said happily, "You're a bit smaller than Leille, but I'm sure we can sort out something. Right. No time to waste. Thank you so much Kailith!"
Sam watched as the chestnut haired girl put a hand on Leilles shoulder and picked up the fallen silts. Guiltily Sam made his way over to them,
"Um, I'm sorry bout you leg." He mumbled to Leille. Leille smiled politely, remembering that he was the Prince after all. Kailith, however, glared at him with bright green eyes but said nothing. She put on her silts and strutted away from him. Sam sighed. Suddenly rehearsals had got a whole lot worse.
Well, that's the next bit up. Things will start getting interesting now! Promise!