Her
Chapter 1, Her
It was another gathering of the kings. He sighed and shrank back into the shadows. Why, while his comrades were in action, did he have to sit here and play messenger, spying on these old coots?
He ruffled his brown hair and cracked his neck, settling in, it was going to be a long day. As the Old Ones slowly made their way to their seats, he sat forward a little, making sure he could hear them. At last, a woman strode into the room, her blonde hair in a tight but elaborate bun. She walked with grace and restraint, her beautiful gown flowing behind her. The Queen of Lais had arrived.
“Let us now address the problems at hand.” She announced solemnly. The meeting had begun. King after King debated, argued, whined and informed, one after another. He took out his writing pad, taking notes by the dim light emanating from the chandelier in the center of the ceiling.
The intruder froze suddenly, the room had gone completely silent at the sound of a door slamming open. He heard the click of boots, but couldn’t quite see who it was yet from his balcony perch.
A girl, clad in a soldier’s uniform and seeming to be about the intruder’s age, strode into the room with an air of complete confidence. She looked up, smiling, and his blood ran cold, she wasn’t supposed to be able to see him. Her eyes seemed almost golden in the light, and she winked slightly, turning to the queen. He went white with fear, what if she exposed him!
“Your Majesty,” She nodded slightly, not bothering to curtsy or bow. “I trust it has been going well.”
The Queen bowed her head fractionally, and spoke in her rich, authoritative voice. “What right do you possess to storm into my meeting unannounced?”
The girl shrugged, “I come in peace, do not fear. I merely come asking for the forces of the Old Ones. Be it not too much to ask of them.”
She then turned slowly, no doubt looking each in their eyes. They stood up, much to my surprise. The warm glow of the flames glinted off the golden crowns as one by one, every of the kings dropped to their knees and bowed before her.
He gaped at this strange girl, with raven hair and a soldier’s uniform. Where was her dignity? Didn’t she know she was a woman? He guessed with a complexion like that, she should be married already. She was beautiful, young, but she had a scar across her right eye. Maybe she’d been rejected, or maybe she had something wrong with her.
But there was a more terrifying thought…how had she known he was here?
