"Haymitch," the King addressed.
"King Daniel," Haymitch bowed his head.
"Your Grace." Katniss' first instinct was to curtsey. Then recalled she did not have to curtsey; she pretending to be a man. She bowed, inclining her head. She had to remind herself to think and act like a man.
Women were too curtsy and were not to look a man in the eyes. As a man, she could freely stare at any man freely. Her mother would have a fit if she had an inkling of the future. Her mother was every bit the Lady. She walked serenely, her voice was as gentle as the whisper of a spring breeze. She smelled like blossoms, and she never had a speck of dirt on her form.
By comparison, Katniss was loud, constantly trekking dirt in the keep, and smelled of the outdoors. Katniss's life was spent being bathed. She hated it but her mother was bent on making her a lady at all costs. Katniss hid her smile as she looked down at her clothing. Her mother would definitely not approve at all. Looking up, the man standing next to King Daniel kept on staring.
Katniss looked down trying to stop him from staring at her.
Haymitch tapped his stick on the ground and the man averted his eyes. Katniss was relieved and she was able to study her environment.
It wasn't a big room but there was something haloed about the room. Like most central rooms of power, it was sparse with a simple heavy tapestry draped in the background depicting the origins of the kingdom. The throne was on a dais. The man who sat on the throne wore a deep blue surcoat and his crown was a simple gold band around his head.
She closed her eyes and she could see something life-altering happened in this room. The lines in the room blurred and she could feel that once more she was in a different dimension. Katniss looked around and she could see shadows of people mulling around the room.
Suddenly the room emptied even the throne disappeared. The only thing present was an open door and she instinctively walked toward it. When she stepped through the door she was instantly transported back to another time. It was winter and the room was colder. The two fireplaces were lit and there were various candles lit in the room. There wasn't a tapestry but a door that led to a room beyond the throne room.
There was another man sitting on the throne. He was older, his blond hair was turning white and he had fine lines around his murky blue eyes. He held a scepter in his hands. He was tired and pale.
Katniss stood beside two men. She turned to examine them closely. One she recognized as the future King Daniel and another she did not know, but she could see the family resemblance. They were blondes with blue eyes, stocky frames, and tall.
"Enough Daniel," the king said, slamming the end of his scepter on the chair.
"Father I do not feel heading the call of Snow prudent," Daniel said crossing his arms across his chest. "The man is dangerous. Why now, why after so many years does he want a truce with us?"
"Daniel we are a peaceful kingdom and we only fight because we must. If Snow is seeking a truce, we must employ diplomacy."
"I for one see this is a ploy, Ryder, brother," Daniel said, turning to face the man standing by him. "You are by far the most cunning of all of us. Tell me you truthfully, you suspect Snow of some evil doing?"
"I do not trust Snow," Ryder said. "However, I am tired of war. I've cut my teeth on the battlefield and I am weary."
At Ryder's response, Daniel jammed his fingers through his hair. "This is unbelievable."
The king stood and descended to come to stand before his sons.
"Daniel, if you do not wish to go, I understand. You have a young family; you have more responsibilities, and you are my heir." He turned to Ryder, "My son, I too am tired of war." The king placed his hand on Ryder's shoulder.
"I long for days of peace father just as much as you." Ryder put his hand on top of his father's.
"Then I suspect the act of goodwill falls on your shoulders and that of Peeta."
"No, we cannot send Peeta, he is too green," Daniel protested.
Katniss wondered who this Peeta was. He most likely was the youngest by the sound of the argument.
"On the contrary," Ryder said. "Peeta is the very heart of diplomacy father. If there is anyone that can discuss peace it is him."
"Father I protest," Daniel ground out his face red.
"I am sorry Daniel, I must do this for the good of the kingdom." The king rubbed his face. "Our kingdoms are at war and if Snow has extended the boon of peace, I will take the chance. For if we can stop the fighting in my lifetime, my grandson Ryker will never know the taste of death."
"This will not end well, Snow is duplicitous in nature and I feel it in my bones that we will regret this decision." Daniel left the room angrily.
Ryder looked back at his brother's retreating form. "We shall make you proud father."
Katniss felt this was the wrong move. There was no peace. What followed was a horrific collapse and Snow's power grew to the extent that he killed his own knights. Katniss was pushed forward into the present through the door. Her eyes landed on King Daniel; he looked sad and lost. She frowned, understanding that he'd lost everything. Taking another look at the room she could see the wear and tear of the ravages of time. She questioned what the throne room would have been like had his brothers lived.
Her eyes once more landed on the man she now knew to be Ryker. His blue eyes did not remove themselves from her. He looked at her suspiciously. Did he know she was an imposter? Could he tell?
"Why have you come to our shores?" King Daniel asked.
"I have come to seek shelter for myself and my ward."
"Your ward," The king leveled his eyes on Katniss. She stood straighter. "Pray tell, who is this young lad?"
"This is Fletcha the child of Eragon of Everdeen," Haymitch announced.
"The child of Everdeen," the king stood from his throne. He stepped down and walked over to her. He grasped her face. Katniss looked up at the king as he stood before her. He was impressive standing in front of her with broad shoulders and massive arms.
"This is but a boy, not a warrior as fortune foretold." The king let go of her face, disgust clear on his face.
"I did say child," Haymitch chuckled.
"How do I know this is the child of Eragon of Everdeen?" The king went back to sit on his throne.
"Allow me to demonstrate." Haymitch withdrew from within his robes a fist full of small nuts. He threw them in the air.
Without much thought Katniss whipped her bow and shot them quickly, in some instances she was able to shoot through two with one arrow.
The King's eyes widened with admiration, but as quick as the emotion came it died. Although he looked dismissive there was something hidden in those eyes. He nodded at his son. "Ryker, find them the best accommodations."
Ryker nodded and led them to a large room. He was as tall as his father, just as broad-shouldered as his father. "Pardon my father, he has been under a great strain."
Katniss raised an eyebrow.
"I understand Snow is amassing an army." Haymitch looked about.
Ryker looked surprised.
"His plans are to lay siege to your father's domain." Haymitch walked around the room and waved at the logs in the fireplace, a fire started immediately heating the room.
"How did you know?" Ryker asked, following Haymitch around the room like a pup.
"I have my sources. Now if you do not mind, your grace." Haymitch opened the door smiling.
Ryker nodded and left.
Katniss closed her eyes. "I thought this was supposed to be a safe haven."
"It is. His father King Daniel is a good man. He better than anyone understands the power that Snow has. His two brothers died at the hands of Snow."
Katniss looked down. "How do you suppose I am going to be able to stop Snow and an entire army? I am just a girl."
Haymitch gave her a mysterious look before muttering. "In the past."
