King Baldwin of Jerusalem sighed heavily as he secured the fraying leather straps of the mask behind his head. The cold silver rested on his skin and he shivered uncontrollably for a moment. Sighing once more he lifted the light cotton hood on his head to cover his scalp. 'God why do you torment me? Is this a sign of some higher form? Your twisted stigmata?' He laboriously lifted himself out of his chair and moved across his chambers to the balcony. Looking outside into the palace courtyard he saw slaves carrying crates and boxes here and there, lords laughing over goblets of wine, ladies gossiping and laughing and his beautiful sister Sybilla walking among all of them, like a graceful swan among so many royal geese.

'O, sister if you could see me now' Just then there was a knock on the heavy

lattes' work doors of his chambers and a guard entered stating that Tyberius

was here to see him. He nodded and Tyberius entered with the brisk pace

that could only mean he was her on official business. 'Friend I know you to

well' Tyberius bowed unnecessarily and said "My Lord I have a request if it

pleases." Baldwin nodded still looking out from the balcony, his bandaged

hand resting lightly on the linen curtains. "My nieces, the Lady Alyssa and

the Lady Olivia's, lands are at the brink of war with a neighboring baron my

dear sister, the Lady Thea, begs that you allow them to stay in Jerusalem

while they contemplate possible peace agreements." Finished Tyberius,

looking to the king for a reaction. 'hmmm' "Very well, yes it would be a

pleasure to meet your nieces my dear Tyberius." Said the king, smiling

despite himself at the thought of company, though Tyberius never saw.

Tyberius smiled, relieved, and said "Thank you my lord…………you shall

dine with us then, on the night of there arrival, you shall like them, fine

young ladies indeed." Without waiting for a reply, Tyberius shuffled out of

the room leaving the king to imagine young girls in the courtyard. 'new

faces' Baldwin went to his chessboard, a beautiful peace of work, the red

squares jasper, the black onyx with amber inlets. He idly moved an ivory

knight, moving his gloved thumb over the muscular neck of the horse.

Moving into the open hallway, he greeted Balian warmly with a clasp on the

shoulder. After his wife and son's death a year ago Balian had come to

Jerusalem with his father Godfrey and been knighted, he frequently visited

the palace. Balian bowed. "Lord Balian, Tyberius's nieces Lady Alyssa and

Lady Olivia are traveling to Jerusalem, upon there arrival I shall dine with

them and Tyberius, I would wish for you to join us if it pleases." Baldwin

said, looking him strait in the eye. "Oh of course my lord I would be

honored." said Balian, somewhat confused. He had not a chance to ask for

the reason for the invitation for the king continued past him at a brisk pace.

-Travelers-

"Remember ladies we are very fortunate for the King's generosity

and we are to act as we are such." Said the woman opposite Lady Olivia and

Alyssa in the carriage. Alyssa rolled her eyes, the woman, Rose, had been

there caretaker since they were babies and was very strict yet loving.

Alyssa looked to her sister, Olivia, and observed that her eyes mirrored her

own exactly. Just then Olivia looked at her and they both laughed.

Alyssa and Olivia looked almost exactly alike though Alyssa was eighteen

and Olivia three years older. Apart from that they shared the same fair

complexion, ebony curls, pale blue eyes and slender figure, Olivia was

slightly taller and had darker blue eyes, that was all. She loved her sister

very much and they could always tell what the other was thinking, they

drove there mother to insanity when they were younger finishing each others

sentences and thoughts. Now they were both thinking of Rose's silly

lecture, as if it weren't obvious to be gracious in the presence of the king.

Alyssa looked out the carriage window at the olive orchards and vineyards

and miles of rolling wheat they were leaving behind, soon to turn to desert as

they neared Jerusalem. She sighed slightly but it came out more like rustling

fall leaves. "It will only be for a while my sweet when we have

Hermarode' back from our gates we will send for you." Her mother had

said. From the hundreds of army tents along the side of the road in there

land's color's, green and blue, she guessed solemnly her mother was

mistaken.

-A Knight-

As if his fathers resent death and that of his son and wife was not enough

thought Balian as he walked towards his quarters. Now he would be

expected to make polite conversation with two sure to be stuck up ladies,

drink wine and laugh perhaps he would wear his finest robes.

'haaaaaaaa' He ran his fingers through his hair and breathed deeply.

'ohh Ann if you could see me now'

A/N: Yaa! I hope you enjoyed it I know short but whateva'  Much love if you don't review I'll slit my wrists and write a dying love letter to Ryan Leonards in my blood! So do so and I'll try to update ASAP! Mwa! Luv ya xoxo! O and I deleted the prologue that was in the beginning so ya screw that and this is the beginning now so ya.