number.”
“Thank you. I hope it doesn’t mean trouble.”
Oran stood, so did Coran. “Be careful,” his father said sincerely.
“I will,” he replied in kind. He sat back down after his father left without a further word.
His thoughts were all jumbled together. With Torvilin, what to expect in Westland, whatever was happening in the East, and his confusion regarding Katelyn, he couldn’t concentrate on one without the others getting mixed up in it. He got to his feet and went to the square shaped window. Pushing the thick curtains out of the way he looked out on the shining city. In the distance he could just make out the sparkling river. The dark shapes of ships glided along the surface. Closer, he watched people as they shuffled through the streets; each of them with their own worries and their own fears; ordinary folk who had hopes and loved ones, who lived their lives as best they could. That was all anyone could do. Somehow that thought made him feel a little better.
Katelyn took long strides as she walked quickly through the palace halls. Servants bowed their heads quickly as she passed them while casting an eye to the sword she carried in one hand. The two stolid men who guarded the wing to the royal family’s apartments also took in her un-tucked shirt. It must have come loose during the mock fight with Coran. She waited until she was past their scrutiny before tucking it back in. She smoothed down her hair while she was at it. It didn’t do much good, but would have to be enough until she found a brush. Satisfied that it was the best she could do, she opened the door to the sitting room she shared with her sister.
Elaborately carved chairs, a couch and solidly crafted tables were arranged around the room’s center. The predominant colors were yellow, favored by Margery, and blue which was Katelyn’s preferred choice. Doorways at each end of the room led to their bedchambers. One of those doors stood open and she could hear her sister’s voice coming from within.
Katelyn entered her own room to find Margery and another young woman taking clothes from drawers and putting them in an ironbound travel chest. They stopped working when they noticed her come in.
“Packing for me?”
“I wasn’t sure when you would be back,” Margery said knowingly. “You are leaving in the morning.”
“I thought it wouldn’t be for a few days yet?” she asked as she looked over the items being packed. She picked out a green dress, “I never liked this one,” and tossed it aside.
“Father changed his mind. He said something about Torvilin, but didn’t explain.” She nodded toward the other girl in the room. “This is Alys. She is from an estate north of Ostis.”
“I am glad to meet you, Alys,” Katelyn greeted her politely. She found it strange that Margery didn’t include her house name, but went along with it for now. She could ask her sister when they were alone.
“And I am honored to be in your service, Your Highness” the girl replied almost fawning at her. Her large eyes were a brown that matched her hair. She was about the same age as Katelyn.
“Service?” Katelyn questioned.
“My parents were able to get me a position here as a Lady Attendant. Your mother said I should accompany you on your journey. It is a great opportunity for me.” The doe eyed girl sounded nervous as she spoke.
“I will be happy for your company.” Katelyn tried to put
“Thank you. I hope it doesn’t mean trouble.”
Oran stood, so did Coran. “Be careful,” his father said sincerely.
“I will,” he replied in kind. He sat back down after his father left without a further word.
His thoughts were all jumbled together. With Torvilin, what to expect in Westland, whatever was happening in the East, and his confusion regarding Katelyn, he couldn’t concentrate on one without the others getting mixed up in it. He got to his feet and went to the square shaped window. Pushing the thick curtains out of the way he looked out on the shining city. In the distance he could just make out the sparkling river. The dark shapes of ships glided along the surface. Closer, he watched people as they shuffled through the streets; each of them with their own worries and their own fears; ordinary folk who had hopes and loved ones, who lived their lives as best they could. That was all anyone could do. Somehow that thought made him feel a little better.
Katelyn took long strides as she walked quickly through the palace halls. Servants bowed their heads quickly as she passed them while casting an eye to the sword she carried in one hand. The two stolid men who guarded the wing to the royal family’s apartments also took in her un-tucked shirt. It must have come loose during the mock fight with Coran. She waited until she was past their scrutiny before tucking it back in. She smoothed down her hair while she was at it. It didn’t do much good, but would have to be enough until she found a brush. Satisfied that it was the best she could do, she opened the door to the sitting room she shared with her sister.
Elaborately carved chairs, a couch and solidly crafted tables were arranged around the room’s center. The predominant colors were yellow, favored by Margery, and blue which was Katelyn’s preferred choice. Doorways at each end of the room led to their bedchambers. One of those doors stood open and she could hear her sister’s voice coming from within.
Katelyn entered her own room to find Margery and another young woman taking clothes from drawers and putting them in an ironbound travel chest. They stopped working when they noticed her come in.
“Packing for me?”
“I wasn’t sure when you would be back,” Margery said knowingly. “You are leaving in the morning.”
“I thought it wouldn’t be for a few days yet?” she asked as she looked over the items being packed. She picked out a green dress, “I never liked this one,” and tossed it aside.
“Father changed his mind. He said something about Torvilin, but didn’t explain.” She nodded toward the other girl in the room. “This is Alys. She is from an estate north of Ostis.”
“I am glad to meet you, Alys,” Katelyn greeted her politely. She found it strange that Margery didn’t include her house name, but went along with it for now. She could ask her sister when they were alone.
“And I am honored to be in your service, Your Highness” the girl replied almost fawning at her. Her large eyes were a brown that matched her hair. She was about the same age as Katelyn.
“Service?” Katelyn questioned.
“My parents were able to get me a position here as a Lady Attendant. Your mother said I should accompany you on your journey. It is a great opportunity for me.” The doe eyed girl sounded nervous as she spoke.
“I will be happy for your company.” Katelyn tried to put
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