Post by Lessandrie de Mereliot-Romanov on Jan 30, 2006 2:19:26 GMT -5
Leaving Marsilikos was painful, more than I would have thought it could be. I left the next day after my father requested I go to the City to live. I must admit, as much as I was filled with sorrow and nervousness, I was a little excited to be returning to the City. The last time I’d set foot in the City of Elua, I was twelve. I wondered what the peers of the City would think of me; I was very young compared to most of them and even more so to hold such a prestigious title.
I traveled modestly, convincing my father to allow me only two guards and one maid. The other servants would already be at the townhouse, as they were residents of the City. Our first day of travel passed without much note; I kept myself busy by reading in the shade of my carriage. We stopped to rest in a small town, finding a lovely inn to spend our night. In the morning, I heard a commotion downstairs and rushed down from my room to see what was wrong. A messenger had just arrived at the inn, dressed in royal livery. And, it seemed, looking for me.
“I am the Duchese de Mereliot. What business do you have with me?” I asked, stepped to him, flanked by both my guards.
“Your grace, I have an urgent letter from the Princess Alais de la Courcel.” He answered, handing me a letter.
“How did you know I was here?” I asked, taking the letter.
“I rode to Marsilikos, only to be informed you had left for the City of Elua. I stopped at every town along the way to the City in hopes of finding you.”
“I suppose you were quite lucky then.” I said absently, tearing open the letter and scanning it quickly. If the Sovereign Ducs and Ducheses had been called, it must be something of great importance. I looked up at my two guards, Taran and Édouard, both almost twice as old as me.
“Idouard, find a horse for me.” I turned to my maid as Idouard hurried to obey. “Falia, you’ll be traveling the rest of the way with the carriage. Taran will stay with you.”
“My lady, what’s wrong? Why are you leaving?” Falia asked, looking scared.
“I’m needed at the Palace, and I have to hurry. Don’t worry.” I gave a smile and rushed back up to my room to dress for riding. By the time I came back down, Idouard had a mare waiting for me. I didn’t have time to admire the beautiful golden color of the palomino mare, but she noticed the tension in my body, sidestepping nervously.
“Taran knows his orders?” I asked Idouard.
“He does, my lady. They will go to the Mereliot townhouse and wait for us there.”
“Good. Let’s go.”
We bolted forward, galloping towards the City. I didn’t know what had happened, but I knew I was a long way from the City. And this was something I could not be late for.
I traveled modestly, convincing my father to allow me only two guards and one maid. The other servants would already be at the townhouse, as they were residents of the City. Our first day of travel passed without much note; I kept myself busy by reading in the shade of my carriage. We stopped to rest in a small town, finding a lovely inn to spend our night. In the morning, I heard a commotion downstairs and rushed down from my room to see what was wrong. A messenger had just arrived at the inn, dressed in royal livery. And, it seemed, looking for me.
“I am the Duchese de Mereliot. What business do you have with me?” I asked, stepped to him, flanked by both my guards.
“Your grace, I have an urgent letter from the Princess Alais de la Courcel.” He answered, handing me a letter.
“How did you know I was here?” I asked, taking the letter.
“I rode to Marsilikos, only to be informed you had left for the City of Elua. I stopped at every town along the way to the City in hopes of finding you.”
“I suppose you were quite lucky then.” I said absently, tearing open the letter and scanning it quickly. If the Sovereign Ducs and Ducheses had been called, it must be something of great importance. I looked up at my two guards, Taran and Édouard, both almost twice as old as me.
“Idouard, find a horse for me.” I turned to my maid as Idouard hurried to obey. “Falia, you’ll be traveling the rest of the way with the carriage. Taran will stay with you.”
“My lady, what’s wrong? Why are you leaving?” Falia asked, looking scared.
“I’m needed at the Palace, and I have to hurry. Don’t worry.” I gave a smile and rushed back up to my room to dress for riding. By the time I came back down, Idouard had a mare waiting for me. I didn’t have time to admire the beautiful golden color of the palomino mare, but she noticed the tension in my body, sidestepping nervously.
“Taran knows his orders?” I asked Idouard.
“He does, my lady. They will go to the Mereliot townhouse and wait for us there.”
“Good. Let’s go.”
We bolted forward, galloping towards the City. I didn’t know what had happened, but I knew I was a long way from the City. And this was something I could not be late for.