Post by Roland Zidane on Jan 17, 2011 22:31:08 GMT -5
Seventh week of spring, year two of Queen Sabrina's reign
I headed north at a steady pace, easy on my mount. The people were generally friendly, and I ignored the stares against my back. It was a sensation I had gotten over years ago. What I hadn't expected was being stopped at the City gates. The walls fair bristled with men, their eyes alert and wary. Immediately I tensed, and my mount danced nervously beneath me. I steadied him with a pat, and tried to enter the capital.
I was turned away.
I took it in stride, turning back to spend the night at an inn just outside the walls. I had learned long ago never to annoy men-at-arms, they would just make your life difficult. When I heard the news in the common room that night, it shocked me. Queen Sabrina was dead, assassinated, and her brother nearly gone as well. No wonder I had been turned away, the colour of my skin marked me as untrustworthy. When I returned the next morning, I had all my paperwork in hand to prove my nationality and my status as a peer. It was scrutinized carefully, superiors were called, but I was eventually granted admittance.
I rode through streets of uneasiness, people speaking quietly and keeping their eyes down. No one wanted to give me directions, but I eventually found my way to the Merliot townhouse. There at least I would find a friendly face, and someone willing to give me the details of this latest Courcel tragedy. But it was not to be, Lessa having already left for Ruskovia and her waiting prince. That news at least brightened my day, for I had heard of how much she loved him. And so it was with a smile that I hopped onto my mount once more to find a boarding house and get my life started here in the City of Elua.
I headed north at a steady pace, easy on my mount. The people were generally friendly, and I ignored the stares against my back. It was a sensation I had gotten over years ago. What I hadn't expected was being stopped at the City gates. The walls fair bristled with men, their eyes alert and wary. Immediately I tensed, and my mount danced nervously beneath me. I steadied him with a pat, and tried to enter the capital.
I was turned away.
I took it in stride, turning back to spend the night at an inn just outside the walls. I had learned long ago never to annoy men-at-arms, they would just make your life difficult. When I heard the news in the common room that night, it shocked me. Queen Sabrina was dead, assassinated, and her brother nearly gone as well. No wonder I had been turned away, the colour of my skin marked me as untrustworthy. When I returned the next morning, I had all my paperwork in hand to prove my nationality and my status as a peer. It was scrutinized carefully, superiors were called, but I was eventually granted admittance.
I rode through streets of uneasiness, people speaking quietly and keeping their eyes down. No one wanted to give me directions, but I eventually found my way to the Merliot townhouse. There at least I would find a friendly face, and someone willing to give me the details of this latest Courcel tragedy. But it was not to be, Lessa having already left for Ruskovia and her waiting prince. That news at least brightened my day, for I had heard of how much she loved him. And so it was with a smile that I hopped onto my mount once more to find a boarding house and get my life started here in the City of Elua.