"Lord, I don't see anything that could possibly be good about this, but you know the plan, and you know what's best for me." Keeva prayed, walking over to the tub. Rose petals floated in the clear warm water, and candles lit the room.
Keeva was curled in the rocking chair reading a book when there was a knock at the door.
"Who is it?" Keeva asked from the chair, fully intending to ignore it if it were the king.
"Its Cara, miss, the king insists that you join him for dinner, I have your dinner gown and bed cloths." Keeva got up, setting the book on the desk and opened the door. Cara came in and set the gowns on the bed, one she folded and put under a pillow, the other she picked up and walked to Keeva with. She held it up to check the length.
"It should fit you perfectly!" Cara exclaimed, beaming.
"Well if it doesn't at least I'd have an excuse!" Keeva exclaimed, smiling sheepishly at the older woman.
"I hope you like it." Cara said nervously.
"It's beautiful!" Keeva said, and it was. The dress was burgundy red and had gold embroidery to accent its hem and sleeves. With Cara's help Keeva put the dress on and brushed her hair.
"We have just enough time to get to the dining room." Cara said exiting the room.
"This isn't a party is it?" Keeva asked, doubting she would be permitted, no, required, to wear such finery to a normal dinner, king or no king!
"It's normal, miss, just you and the king." Cara said leading her through a huge set of doors.
Inside, sitting on one side of a large table sat king Galbatorix, smiling evilly.
"Hello Keeva, sit down." He invited, voice low and smooth.
Keeva glared at him but took the seat across from him anyway.
"How is your day going?" he asked as if it was a completely normal day at the castle and he had not, only hours before, taken her from her home.
"How is my day going?!" Keeva asked him in a sarcastic voice. "My day has been the second worst day in my life!" She said through clenched teeth.
"Oh? And what was the first?" Galbatorix said an evil gleam in his eyes.
"You should know, you were there!" Keeva said pointedly. The silence prolonged and as it did Keeva's mind wandered. She was there again, the place she never wanted to go but could never get away from. She was helping her mother and Searsha in the kitchen. Aislinn was still in her mother's womb. Aiman, Keeva's father was in the fields.
"Keeva, go feed Shadow please." Kyna said
"Yes mama." Keeva said. She loved being in the barn with her horse. She quickly took off her apron and walked out the door. She looked towards the field where her father was working in. The sight nearly made her fall.
"Papa!" she screamed. Her father was on his knees, a sward protruding from his chest.
"Mama, help!" Keeva yelled running toward her father. She looked around trying to find the person who did this. Her gaze landed on a huge dragon, on the dragon sat Galbatorix. As soon as he realized he'd been spotted they took off towards the castle.
"Aiman!" Keeva heard her mother scream. Keeva finally got to her father's side.
"Keeva," he said "You must be strong for your mother and sister. The Lord is calling me home baby girl." Aiman said gently.
"No papa, its going to be ok, mama's coming you're going to be ok!" Keeva said, tears flowing down her cheeks.
Something slammed on the table making Keeva jump.
"I asked you a question, woman!" Galbatorix yelled.
"Oh, my apologies your majesty, please excuse me." Keeva said, quickly rising from the table. Without waiting for the king's permission, Keeva ran out the door and back to her room bolting the door behind her.