talk of the valiant young men and graceful woman they would meet in the
city of dreams. They ate the bread, cheese and fruit lunchs the servants had
packed quickly and were soon bored, hungry and tired of sitting in the
carriage all day. Alyssa found herself looking out the window once more
at the little rag children playing with pebbles and sticks in the village they
were passing through. Soon they were running after the carriage banging
sticks on the door. Alyssa laughed but Olivia looked at her sternly and she
looked at her gloved hands.
-A Swan -
Sybilla looked out from the balcony, breathing in the soft, sweet morning air
and sighed. She draped her gold robe higher on her neck and stepped back
into her chamber were a maid was preparing the henna
paste. She took a seat on a pile of red pillows and offered her hand to the
maid's rough ones. She began a pattern at the center of her palm, a swirling
paisley came from the maids old hands and birds and butterflies as delicate
as a spider web reached for her fingertips. She smiled to herself 'only for
company' What an interesting visit of two sisters this would be.
-Arrivals-
The carriage reached the palace gates just as the swallows announced the
arrival of dusk. Alyssa bounded out of the carriage before Rose had a
chance to repeat her lecture and breathed deeply. The air smelled of fresh
linens and spice. Two young soldiers came to escort them to there rooms,
explaining they could freshen up before dining with Tyberius. Olivia caught
up to her and they giggled, looking at the vast palace and courtyards. Alyssa
and Olivia's chambers were across from each other in the east wing of the
palace. As countless servants brought in there bags and trunks they went
into the bathing room and cleaned there faces and necks, helping each other
rub jasmine and rose oil into there skin. Olivia put kohl lightly around her
sister's eye's then rouge on her cheeks and the lightest bit of powder for the
rest of her face. Then Rose came in and they all laughed together as she
twined strips of beaten copper and gold into there braided ebony curls.
Finally they chose there gowns. Olivia chose a plum purple gown with rich
gold brocade that made her lined eyes look even more mysterious and
beautiful. Alyssa chose a peach gown with gold flowers around the bodice,
sleeves and neckline. The Soldiers came again to escort them to the private
courtyard for the dinner. They waited outside the lattes' doors to be
announced giggling nervously and excitedly.
-The Dinner-
"Lady Alyssa and Olivia, my lords." Announced the soldier and Tyberius,
Baldwin and Balian stood as the door was opened by two servants. Olivia
came first, her purple gown rustling the dried leaves on the stones of the
courtyard. She bowed with her head cocked to the side and her eyes down.
As she rose to her feet her eyes meet Baldwin's briefly before going to
Tyberius. "Dearest Uncle!" She exclaimed happily hugging him warmly.
"Ah Olivia how you've grown! Not married yet?" Qustioned Tyberius
jokingly. "Of course" She said, smiling. Then came Alyssa, clasping her
hands and looking down modestly. Balian studied her curiously but she
never saw. She hugged Tyberius. His only comment was "you're a young
lady, Alyssa." With an air of dumbfounded sincerity that brought the room
to silence. After a few moments Olivia delicately coughed and
offered the king her hand. "My lord my sister and I can not find the
words to embody your hospitality." As she rose there eyes meet and she
smiled (as did he). "It is an honor my lady Olivia." He said steadily. The
same greetings and polite remarks were issued around the room until they
were all seated and wine was poured. Encouraged by sweet harp music,
polite and comfortable conversation flourished. After the first course, lentil
soup, more wine was poured. "Lady Alyssa what do you think of the wine?"
Asked Balian. "It is grown in Jerusalem's special vineyards, nobody
knows how the grapes grow in the desert sand, but it gives the wine a
different taste yes?" Added Tyberius. Alyssa raised the goblet to her lips,
the liquid swirled, shining almost violet when it hit the light. They both
watched her intently. "I like it. It's more………….exotic, flavorful."
Tyberius laughed, satisfied. Alyssa uneasily concluded that she had just
condemned herself to an opinion on something more then wine. Balian
smiled at her, not with his mouth but with his deep, warm, chocolate brown
eyes. She blushed a crimson deeper then her rouged cheeks and looked
down at the plate of chicken and dates a servant offered. Olivia caught
everything and gave her a sly look. After two hours the meal was over and
everyone said there goodbyes and Tyberius promised to send hot water and
drink to there chambers and to show them around the city the following day.
Upon leaving the courtyard, Baldwin and Olivia talked alone for a moment
and Alyssa smiled to herself. 'o sister' Alyssa looked around the closed in
courtyard. Spindly trees with white-pink blossoms were everywhere as were
yellow flowered hanging vines, purple branched bushs and pools of still
water with floating laterns to illuminate the space, as it was now late in the
night. An unknown bird called out and cicadas sounded in the trees. 'what
a beautiful place'
Alyssa and Olivia walked back to there chambers, and sat on
Olivia's bed, giggling and gossiping all night.
A/N: I know its short don't hate me! I don't really have anything to say but to please please review! I'm dying here people help a girl out! Review I beg of you! Much Love.
-Tamen Regina