For the love of a good book

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

I had just finished a book on the history of the Hellian empire, and I was already hungry for something else to read. I placed the book lovingly back on the shelf and mused over my collection. "I've read them all," I half laughed as I grabbed my cloak and purse from the table next to the door.

I made my way downstairs and called to a house attendant. "I am going out for a while. I shall be back soon." I left before I heard a reply. Most of the attendants would often insist on escorting me to my destinations. While I understood the need for such security, I hated making an escort stand around in the bookstore while I carefully made my selection.

I mounted my horse for the short journey to the bookstore. It was good to feel the wind in my hair. I wonder what type of treasure I might stumble upon this time.

Before I knew it, I had arrived at the bookstore. I left my horse with a near by attendant and ventured inside. I breathed in deeply as I entered the store. The aroma of freshly printed ink filled my nose. I smiled to myself and sighed. This will be relaxing. I began to browse with no particular prize in mind.

[Maël de Pons (I)]

Having grown bored of painting the staff set out to find something more interesting to paint. I wandered around for a while and found nothing that sparked his creativeness. I found himself out of the bookstore and decided to go in. Maybe I would find something of interest to buy.

I walked in and set my art supplies down on a table. Looking around I saw a woman among the rows of books. I casually smiled in her direction.

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

I walked back and forth down the isles of books. I faintly heard another customer enter the store. I was so lost in my thoughts I barely took notice. Well, I thought to myself, I just finished factual, historic information; I need to kick back and read something for pleasure. I contemplated as I made my way to the mystic section. As I turned the corner to head to the next isles I noticed a gentle faced man was smiling at me.

I nodded and returned the smile. "Hello."

[Maël de Pons (I)]

"Hello." I said back as the woman walked to another row of books. I went in the isle she had just come from and looked over the books. Watching her out of the corner of my eye, wishing I could paint her face as she skimmed the books.

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

I ran my fingers lightly over the spines of the books as I walked down the isle. Spells, mystic, myths, ruins, herbs. I knew what I was searching for, but I could not put my finger on exactly what. A title stuck out on a lower shelf. I bent down to browse. A thousand uses for Dragon's Blood. Hmmm I could think of a few. Not what I was looking for. I straightened back up and took out a book entitled Past religions and their Temples. As I thumbed through the book I got the distinct feeling that I was being watched. I glanced around me, but noticed no one.

[Maël de Pons (I)]

I glanced over the books and idly grabbed one and headed back to the table with my art supplies on it.

I sat down, sat the book on the table, and grabbed my sketch book and looked all around the room. I looked at all the details of the tables and the rows of books. Then I pushed back my paints and found a drawing pencil. I sketched out the major lines of the bookstore. Giving me something to go off of when I got home to paint this scene.

The woman was now out of sight so I continued to sketch and waited for her to reappear. Hoping she wouldn't mind me sketching her in my little to scene.

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

As I thumbed through the book I had selected I found my interest growing. I walked over to a table and sat down to glimpse more closely through the book. I noticed out of the corner of my eye the man who had smiled at me earlier. He was sitting at a table near mine and appeared to be sketching on a page.

[Maël de Pons (I)]

Seeing the woman reappear from the rows of books, I set down my sketch book on the table in front of me. I had only just gotten to drawing the tables in the room. If would be perfect if she wouldn't mind me drawing her.

I got up and walked to where she appeared to be reading. Clearing my throat slightly to get her attention, I bowed deepely and straightening I said with a level tone, "Excuse me, my lady, I do not mean to disturb you but my name is Maël de Pons and I am an artist. I am in the process of sketching this bookstore. I would be honored if you would let me sketch you, my lady. You would be quite the flower this dank old bookstore needs."

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

As the gentleman approached me I glanced up from my book. I listened to his request and smiled. "My name is Azabel de Somerville, and I would be delighted to be in your drawing."

[Maël de Pons (I)]

de Somerville?! I should have recognized her but I hadn't an idea. I’d never been very good at such things. Just now recognizing her as a royal cousin I felt heat rise to my cheeks but recovered at her kindness.

I stood a little straighter and said, “Thank you, my lady de Somerville. It surely will be a pleasure.”

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

I could see Mael blush slightly, and I reached out to touch his hand to reassure him. He probably hadn't realized who I am.

"I hope it will. You just have to promise to let me see the work when you are finished." I smiled warmly up to him. "Is there any particular pose you would like for me to assume?"

[Maël de Pons (I)]

"Um," I though for amount. "Not really, just anything natural."

"And I surely will let you see it when it's finished." I said smiling and turning around to walk back to my table.

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

I watched Mael return to his table. Once he was settled back into his seat I took up my book. I lost myself if the description of large ring of stones somewhere in Alba.

[Maël de Pons (I)]

I sat back down at my table and picked up my pad and pencil. I finished the tables all around her and then started in on her and her table. She had a perfect look on her face for my drawing. I took my time on making every line perfect so as not to make her look bad in any way.

Once done I double checked my work. Fully happy with the drawing I drew back my chair and got up to go show her.

I approached her table and cleared my throat again quietly. "Um, I'm finished my lady," I said.

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

I looked up from my book as Mael returned to my table. "Please sit," I said pulling out the chair next to me. "Let me see what you have there."

[Maël de Pons (I)]

I sat down in the chair next to her and laid down the sketh on the table between us. Pushing it closer to her I said, "It's just a rough sketch right now, though fairly detailed. I'll paint it once I get back to my house."

[Princess Azabel de Somerville]

I was blown away by what he called a simple sketch. I would have called it a masterpiece. It was so detailed and absolutely lovely.

"When you paint it out can you make more than one print? I would love a copy."

[Maël de Pons (I)]

"Of cousre I could." I said smiling largely. "I'm really pleased you like it." I really was shocked that she liked it. Not many people saw my true work and it was wonderful to hear it was good.

"Well, it was lovely meeting you." I said, bowing my head in respect and standing up, "But it's about time for me to be going."