Post by Ishtar Palindrake (I) on May 18, 2006 22:05:12 GMT -5
I stared out the window the whole ride over, having previously stared only at my slippers and the frayed hem of my dress. The City was so... big. Living the majority of mt life behind walls, swathed in silk and living among women was nothing like this- life was everywhere.
Once at the Palace I descended the coach regally. I would be the Bas Kadin, her manners and imperial nature. I would not show fear, or be cowed by this place. A footman helped me down from the coach, my spine straight and head high.
"Please inform the Master of th Horse that a gift has arrived for the Princess Regent. Special care will be taken with the animal." He bowed and went to find the head of the stables. An older gentleman came to me and nodded.
"What have you brought and from whom? We won't just accept every nag as a gift for the Crown."
"Sephira is a thoroughbred mare of Akkadian stock. She is a prime mare, three years of age and superbly trained. The Mushir of Tamir Province breeds the finest animals on the sands of Khebbel-im-Akkad. She is a gift from Lord Davion Clavel, nephew of the Mushir. Here are her bloodlines and papers to prove them." I handed him a small, leather bound book with her lineage. Horses were the life blood of the Bedouin, more precious than children and centuries of work went into these lineages. Sephira was a fine horse, not the best, for they were proscribed, and any outlander was forbidden to own one.
The man looked suitably impressed when the mare was brought around. Eagerly, and with the tenderness of a father, he looked the horse over, murmuring appreciatively to himself.
"My apologies, lady. This beauty is no nag. She'll have the best care in my stables. The Crown, and myself, thank you for the gift of her." He bowed respectfully. I gave a shallow salaam and kept my spine straight. Now for the hard part.
Pulling my cloak around me, the missive tucked into my pocket, I entered the Palace and made my way to the Courcel wing.
Once at the Palace I descended the coach regally. I would be the Bas Kadin, her manners and imperial nature. I would not show fear, or be cowed by this place. A footman helped me down from the coach, my spine straight and head high.
"Please inform the Master of th Horse that a gift has arrived for the Princess Regent. Special care will be taken with the animal." He bowed and went to find the head of the stables. An older gentleman came to me and nodded.
"What have you brought and from whom? We won't just accept every nag as a gift for the Crown."
"Sephira is a thoroughbred mare of Akkadian stock. She is a prime mare, three years of age and superbly trained. The Mushir of Tamir Province breeds the finest animals on the sands of Khebbel-im-Akkad. She is a gift from Lord Davion Clavel, nephew of the Mushir. Here are her bloodlines and papers to prove them." I handed him a small, leather bound book with her lineage. Horses were the life blood of the Bedouin, more precious than children and centuries of work went into these lineages. Sephira was a fine horse, not the best, for they were proscribed, and any outlander was forbidden to own one.
The man looked suitably impressed when the mare was brought around. Eagerly, and with the tenderness of a father, he looked the horse over, murmuring appreciatively to himself.
"My apologies, lady. This beauty is no nag. She'll have the best care in my stables. The Crown, and myself, thank you for the gift of her." He bowed respectfully. I gave a shallow salaam and kept my spine straight. Now for the hard part.
Pulling my cloak around me, the missive tucked into my pocket, I entered the Palace and made my way to the Courcel wing.