Post by Leyna de Somerville on Jan 10, 2006 11:08:20 GMT -5
I was just slipping into bed when there was a sudden loud pounding coming from the front door. I leapt up, grabbing a robe and wrapping it around myself as I rushed out to the top of the stairs. Shylah flew past me, not barking, just a menacing growl coming from deep in her chest. I stopped at the head of the stairs where I had a clear view of the door, Shylah placed herself halfway down the stairs and between me and the door.
The pounding continued as Devon, the very capable head of my security, strode towards the door with his sword in hand. Devon yanked the door open, his sword filling the gap before the door was even halfway open. A servant in royal livery stood with his hand raised as if to continue pounding, a look of shock on his face as he stared at the sword tip.
"I have an urgent message for Princess Leyna de Somerville from Princess Alais de la Courcel," the servant said, hand still hanging in midair.
"Let him in, Devan," I said. I descended the stairs, laying a hand on Shylah as I came even with her. The growling stopped, but she rushed ahead of me, staying between me an the servant.
Devan lowered his sword and let the man in, closing the door behind him. I looked expectantly at the servant once I reached the foyer. "Forgive me, this is for your ears only your grace," he said.
I pointed to a side room and he, Shylah and I went in, closing he door behind us.
"Well?" I asked once we were alone.
"Princess Alais de la Courcel requests your immediate presence at the Palace for a meeting regarding urgent matters. There is a carriage waiting outside," he said in a rush.
I knew that pressing him for more details would be fruitless. The fact that even such a cryptic message had been meant for my ears alone sent a cold wash of fear through me.
"Let me put on some clothes and we can go," I told him. Not waiting for a reply I rushed back upstairs.
Anne was at the top of the stairs, looking scared, confused, and curious. She took one look at my face and asked nothing, just hurried into my room with me and helped me dress. I was thankful for her help, since I wasn't bothering to look at anything long enough to see if what I was putting on actually matched, but with her help I was dressed appropriately an descending the stairs again in no time.
"Your grace," said Devan, "I am coming with you."
I didn't feel the slightest urge to argue, at this moment I very much wanted his solid presence with me. I smiled gratefully and nodded my agreement.
Then I was outside into the night that I had just recently come in from. I stepped up into the carriage, Shylah right behind me. As the door was closing I saw Devan leap up onto his horse. Then we were off to the Palace, the cold liquid fear still running in my veins.
The pounding continued as Devon, the very capable head of my security, strode towards the door with his sword in hand. Devon yanked the door open, his sword filling the gap before the door was even halfway open. A servant in royal livery stood with his hand raised as if to continue pounding, a look of shock on his face as he stared at the sword tip.
"I have an urgent message for Princess Leyna de Somerville from Princess Alais de la Courcel," the servant said, hand still hanging in midair.
"Let him in, Devan," I said. I descended the stairs, laying a hand on Shylah as I came even with her. The growling stopped, but she rushed ahead of me, staying between me an the servant.
Devan lowered his sword and let the man in, closing the door behind him. I looked expectantly at the servant once I reached the foyer. "Forgive me, this is for your ears only your grace," he said.
I pointed to a side room and he, Shylah and I went in, closing he door behind us.
"Well?" I asked once we were alone.
"Princess Alais de la Courcel requests your immediate presence at the Palace for a meeting regarding urgent matters. There is a carriage waiting outside," he said in a rush.
I knew that pressing him for more details would be fruitless. The fact that even such a cryptic message had been meant for my ears alone sent a cold wash of fear through me.
"Let me put on some clothes and we can go," I told him. Not waiting for a reply I rushed back upstairs.
Anne was at the top of the stairs, looking scared, confused, and curious. She took one look at my face and asked nothing, just hurried into my room with me and helped me dress. I was thankful for her help, since I wasn't bothering to look at anything long enough to see if what I was putting on actually matched, but with her help I was dressed appropriately an descending the stairs again in no time.
"Your grace," said Devan, "I am coming with you."
I didn't feel the slightest urge to argue, at this moment I very much wanted his solid presence with me. I smiled gratefully and nodded my agreement.
Then I was outside into the night that I had just recently come in from. I stepped up into the carriage, Shylah right behind me. As the door was closing I saw Devan leap up onto his horse. Then we were off to the Palace, the cold liquid fear still running in my veins.