Marra laughed softly to herself as she left the dinning hall. She jumped back in surprise at Nadi who was leaning against the wall just outside the doorway.
"He sure is handsome," said Nadi who had obviously been sneaking glances at Kael. "How is it you two are journeying together?"
Marra smiled knowing the full intent behind the question. "He's my brother. He has business with Sir Belron and decided to take me along so I could get a chance to see Craneir."
Nadi's face brightened. "Ah, I see." She started to giggle but stopped suddenly, "Oh I shouldn't think such silly things! I'm only the help!"
Marra face grew warm at that remark. Only the help. If the rest of the world only knew how the lower classes lived, they would appreciate what they had more when they had it.
Nadi continued, "And besides, I'm sure he has plenty of ladies lined up back at his estate fighting for a sight of him."
Marra stifled a laugh. "Oh yes, many."
"Well let's put aside all this foolish talk. I wanted to show you the portraits in the library. They're of the late king and queen, God rest their souls. And since you're not sure how long your stay will be, I figure you might like a good book to ward off boredom."
Nadi continued to talk while she led Marra to the study. "Sir Belron, my employer, was great friends with the late king when he was alive. The portraits, along with all the books, were given to him as gifts for his loyal service after the king and queen's passing."
Nadi opened two great oak doors revealing a room lined with bookshelves, each with an impressive stock of colorful books. Beautiful tapestries were hung along the walls depicting scenes from all over the kingdom. One in particular caught Marra's eye. It appeared to be one of the Eastern Ocean. She'd had never seen the coast before. But she'd heard plenty of stories about it. If the coast looked anything like this tapestry, she was sure she would love to see it one day.
Marra continued to glance around the room until her eyes fell on what she thought, much to her shock, was a portrait of Kael. Intrigued, she walked up to the large painting for further examination. The late king had the same dark locks as Kael. However, his eyes were a deep brown, not at all like Kael's bright blue ones. Marra hoped Nadi hadn't also noticed the likeness.
"That was painted shortly after the King and Queen married. They were quite young then. About our age, I should think. That one over there is the Queen." Nadi pointed to the portrait hanging on the opposite end of the room.
Now Marra knew where Kael inherited his eyes. Queen Renasia blue eyes sparkled with an inner joy only a woman truly beautiful on the inside and out could possess. Her lips were a deep crimson and her hair was a brilliant golden veil falling in ringlets all around her. Marra was sure she'd never seen a woman with such incomparable beauty.
"I wasn't old enough to know anything about her when she was queen. But from what everyone tells me, she was a regal and kindhearted woman. Many women looked up to her for her compassionate and gentle nature. When she died in childbirth, they say the entire city mourned the loss for days and days. The king took it very hard as well and eventually fell ill himself in heartache. It is a very tragic story. You've heard it before I'm sure. There are many ballads written about it. You hear them quite often in a place like this." Nadi said matter-of-factly.
"Yes." Marra took a seat by the fireplace. If the people loved their king and queen as much as Nadi said, they would certainly want justice for their king's murderer. They only needed to know the truth. Then again, would they believe Kael's story? He had proof. But what was proof when King Soren had an even stronger hold over the people.
Fear.
Marra gazed into the fire and watched as the flames devour the wood. The site brought back horrible memories of her past, memories of the night King Soren's army set fire to her town. She'd never told anyone of it, not wanting to relive the anguish. Each time she thought of that night, it was like ripping open a healed wound. The memories haunted her and often kept her awake at night. She could see the fear in her parents faces as they begged the soldiers for their lives. The screams of the frightened women and children, piercing the night like a knife through her heart, still rang clear in her ears. She remembered the scent of smoke and burning flesh filling her nostrils, suffocating her. The feeling of intense heat from the fires blazing all around her, slowly boxing her in. Marra swallowed hard trying to hold back her tears and hoped Nadi hadn't seen her lips quivering.
Marra clenched her fists until her knuckles turned white. She would have revenge. King Soren would pay for what He had done to her family.
"Are you cold?" asked Nadi looking down at Marra in concern.
Marra shook her head. She hadn't realized she'd been shaking; although it did not suprise her. "No, perhaps I'm just a little chilled."
Nadi looked relieved and her shoulders eased, "Well you were beginning to worry me. You were so quiet and looked so deep in your thoughts."
Marra forced a smile. Something she'd learned to perfection. "I'm sorry. I suppose I just have a lot on my mind."
Nadi nodded then turned to go, "Well, if you don't need anything, I need to get back to work before I'm missed. You'll notice we have quite a wide selection of books. Just feel free to look around."
Marra gave an appreciative smile and watched Nadi shut the door behind her. She glanced up to the clock. It was almost dinnertime and she'd probably need to find Kael. She dreaded talking to him again after getting so angry with him over a silly thing such as a bath. Kael just had a way of getting under her skin, even in the small things.
She made her way back to the noisy dining hall. The place was practically filled up now with guests and travelers. A large group of men sat at a table in a corner drinking and shouting out some old song about ale. Kael sat at the same table he'd been at before. Only now, he was cleaned up and in a crisp white shirt.
Kael motioned at Marra as she walked toward him. He could see a mischievous grin pulling at her lips as she approached.
"Looks like someone took my advice and took a bath," mocked Marra taking a seat.
"Yes, do I look dashing?" He asked tossing a floppy curl from his forehead.
Marra rolled her eyes, "If that's what you want to call it."
Kael ignored her little jab and noted there was a hint of sadness supressed in her green eyes. "I ordered food already. It should be here soon. I didn't know what you wanted so I had to guess." He leaned into the table resting his elbows.
"So did you find the library interesting?" He asked. He mainly wanted to know what caused that look in her eyes. Perhaps something happened while she was with the serving girl.
"It's very nice. Nadi wanted me to see some portraits of the late King and Queen," answered Marra picking at the food a kitchen maid had just placed in front of her. She didn't seem to notice Kael's fidgeting.
"And?" drawled Kael. He felt his pulse quickening. Portraits of his parents? He'd never seen what they looked like before.
"The queen was magnificently beautiful as a queen should be. And the King was quite handsome himself. I can only wonder what happened to those good looks when they had you." Marra sighed playfully.
Kael just shrugged. If she didn't want to tell him what was on her mind, He wouldn't pressure her. Besides, his thoughts were on the paintings of his parents. He'd have to sneak away later and see them for himself.
Suddenly a lively fiddle sang out across the room. Marra's head jerked up scanning the room for the fiddler. A man, maybe in his late fifties, sat on a stool across the far end of the room swaying back and forth to the music as he played. Marra instinctively began tapping her foot to the beat. Perhaps it was true that music healed the soul. For all her troubles seemed to lessen as she listened to the fiddler's tune. Slowly, several people from a few different tables began dancing. Marra watched in amusement. Nella never allowed her out of the inn for any of the festival days. Therefore, she'd never really learned how to dance. And she wished she'd learned now more than ever.
"May I have the pleasure?" Kael asked, already standing and extending a hand to her.
Marra stared up into Kael's face embarrassed. She motioned to the dancers. "I don't know how."
Kael stared at Marra unbelievingly. Didn't know how to dance? And she ought to know this one! After all, it was very well known. But he'd forgotten she was practically a prisoner where she'd worked previously.
"It's easy. I'll teach you!" Kael pulled her onto the floor.
"Really Kael, I think you better find Nadi and ask her." Marra pleaded. She really didn't feel like making a fool of herself, especially in front of Kael.
"Nonsense! You have to learn sometime. Of course, this means you'll actually have to listen to me for once." Kael grinned at Marra's scowl and uncertainty as he led her into the group of dancers.
He took her hand and placed it on his shoulder. Then he took her other hand in his own and began explaining.
"You see, this is a fast dance. It's just a bunch of spins and the footwork is fairly simple. I lead. All you need to do is remember one thing and you'll be fine. Where I go, you go."
Marra looked up into his blue eyes and nodded. She could do that.
She started out following Kael as he stepped to the left, then to the right. Back and forth. He spun her around to face him. As his eyes met hers, she stumbled over his feet.
"Sorry, I'm not very good at this." she apologized her cheeks steadily growing hotter.
Kael encouraged her. "You're doing fine and you're a fast learner at that. Ah, this dance is much easier. You'll catch on quickly." The music slowed ever so slightly and the teacher continued to teach his student.
When the fiddler finally tired out, Marra was relieved. Her body was now longing for the soft plush bed awaiting her back in her chambers. She made her way to the table and plopped down on her chair opposite Kael.
"It's not so hard now, is it?" He asked sitting down still breathless from the last dance.
Marra felt a smile creeping across her face. She'd never danced like that before in her life. It was the most fun she'd had in a very long time. However, she didn't want Kael to know that.
"It was kind of nice," was all she said.
Kael knew better. She had had a lovely time. He could tell by the way her eyes were sparkling. The sadness he'd seen there earlier had since diminished. He wanted to ask her about it but decided to keep quiet lest he start another argument and ruin a nice evening. For he knew she'd just deny the emotion being there in the first place.
Marra yawned. It had been a very long day and her fatigue was beginning to catch up with her. Not only was she physically tired, but emotionally as well.
"I must be off to bed. I had no idea dancing was so wearisome." said Marra standing and shaking out her skirt.
"Back home, we had balls that lasted very late into the night, sometimes unto early morning. Now that was wearisome." Kael shook his head at the memory of it.
"Oh, did the cook say around what time Sir Belron might be back tomorrow?" Marra asked just turning to leave. She'd been so annoyed earlier she'd forgotten to ask.
"She did not." Kael took a sip of his ale. "The sooner the better though. We have a lot to discuss."
Marra groaned.
Kael laughed, "Patience, my lady, is a virtue. Ponder that as you sleep."
"I'll ponder nothing of the sort, milord. This body is beyond even the lightest of dreams tonight. It'll be straight to a deep sleep for me. You've worn me completely out with all this romping in the woods and your dancing." Marra countered before walking away.
With a soft chuckle, Kael folded his arms across his chest and reclined back in his chair, watching her as she left the room with her head held high.
A/N: This chapter has been a pain in my side for a while now. Here it is even though I'm still not very happy with it. Chapter 7 is coming along and will be up soon. It'll be a longer chapter; I promise.