Anya as he moved ahead with a contingency of his own to discuss entry with the city’s gatekeepers.
Anya knew their entry would not be a concern. Merivic had already informed her that Silktree was an established ally of Decessus, or more importantly, of Merivic’s. After a brief exchange, the guards opened the gates and waved the caravan forward.
Merivic returned to his station near her, but not with her, as they traveled through the city, using side streets through a lightly populated area. Anya was disappointed, hoping to at least view the grand city as they traversed it to their lodgings. But as it was, all she witnessed were empty halls, empty alleyways, and an occasional homestead—though all occupants remained within.
As they approached the west end of the walled settlement, they came upon a small manor with a uniformed man standing at the door. Merivic strode up with a smile, and clapped the man on the back as he greeted him. Anya was too far away to hear what they were saying, but their jovial expressions showed her they were acquaintances, if not friends.
Merivic turned toward Anya and waved her forward, meeting her halfway to take her arm.
“I would like you to meet a friend of mine,” he explained, leading her to the expectant man.
“Drak, this is my Anya.” Merivic’s voice was full of pride, flattering Anya beyond what she thought was possible. But it also embarrassed her just a little for she was never comfortable with being the center of attention.
“Such a beauty indeed.” The blond-haired man took her hand and kissed her knuckle, his short beard and mustache scraping against her skin as he did. “You are a lucky man, Merivic.” Drak’s eyes squinted with his genuine smile.
Anya blushed and smiled cordially, averting her gaze.
“You may release her hand now, Drak.” Merivic commented.
“Hmm? Oh, yes!” He dropped her hand at once, and Anya placed it on Merivic’s arm. “My apologies, My Lord. I was stunned for a moment.” He winked at Anya and turned to Merivic. “Silktree Manor is yours to use for however long you wish.”
“We shall only be staying the night. I assume there is a full staff?”
“Of course, and already instructed to do your bidding.”
“Thank you, Drak.” Merivic clasped a hand on his shoulder.
“You are welcome, my friend.” He nodded to them before backing away a step, and turning to take his leave.
Merivic leaned toward Anya. “I do apologize for his conduct. Drak always did manage to forget his manners around a beautiful woman.”
Anya giggled. “Oh, stop. I cannot bear it from you, too.”
He kissed the side of her head. “You will simply have to get used to being named as beautiful, for the day will never arrive when I do not think it every time I glance in your direction.”
Her face warmed again as he led her into the entrance hall where they were greeted by a line of servants.
“Lord Merivic,” the closest attendant—a sturdy older woman—stated with a bow. “So good to have you stay with us again, My Lord.”
“Thank you, Rya. It is certainly good to be back.” He turned to Anya as he eased her forward. “May I present Lady Anya, my future wife.”
Rya’s face lifted into a smile. “Lady Anya,” she nodded, respectfully. “It is an honor indeed. Might I show you to your quarters so you may wash up before dinner?”
Anya glanced to Merivic.
“Absolutely. Please, Rya, see she has everything she needs. I will have her baggage brought up at once.”
“As you wish, My Lord. The cook is awaiting your choices for the meal.” She looked pointedly at the tall, older man next in line. “Come, Lady Anya. Let me show you the way.”
*****
Anya’s skin smelled of flowers, and her hair the scent of fruit. She had been shocked by the vast array of bathing soaps and could not decide for herself which smelled better. Finally, Rya had to choose for her, or she would have certainly been late to dinner.
Anya fussed over her gown
Anya knew their entry would not be a concern. Merivic had already informed her that Silktree was an established ally of Decessus, or more importantly, of Merivic’s. After a brief exchange, the guards opened the gates and waved the caravan forward.
Merivic returned to his station near her, but not with her, as they traveled through the city, using side streets through a lightly populated area. Anya was disappointed, hoping to at least view the grand city as they traversed it to their lodgings. But as it was, all she witnessed were empty halls, empty alleyways, and an occasional homestead—though all occupants remained within.
As they approached the west end of the walled settlement, they came upon a small manor with a uniformed man standing at the door. Merivic strode up with a smile, and clapped the man on the back as he greeted him. Anya was too far away to hear what they were saying, but their jovial expressions showed her they were acquaintances, if not friends.
Merivic turned toward Anya and waved her forward, meeting her halfway to take her arm.
“I would like you to meet a friend of mine,” he explained, leading her to the expectant man.
“Drak, this is my Anya.” Merivic’s voice was full of pride, flattering Anya beyond what she thought was possible. But it also embarrassed her just a little for she was never comfortable with being the center of attention.
“Such a beauty indeed.” The blond-haired man took her hand and kissed her knuckle, his short beard and mustache scraping against her skin as he did. “You are a lucky man, Merivic.” Drak’s eyes squinted with his genuine smile.
Anya blushed and smiled cordially, averting her gaze.
“You may release her hand now, Drak.” Merivic commented.
“Hmm? Oh, yes!” He dropped her hand at once, and Anya placed it on Merivic’s arm. “My apologies, My Lord. I was stunned for a moment.” He winked at Anya and turned to Merivic. “Silktree Manor is yours to use for however long you wish.”
“We shall only be staying the night. I assume there is a full staff?”
“Of course, and already instructed to do your bidding.”
“Thank you, Drak.” Merivic clasped a hand on his shoulder.
“You are welcome, my friend.” He nodded to them before backing away a step, and turning to take his leave.
Merivic leaned toward Anya. “I do apologize for his conduct. Drak always did manage to forget his manners around a beautiful woman.”
Anya giggled. “Oh, stop. I cannot bear it from you, too.”
He kissed the side of her head. “You will simply have to get used to being named as beautiful, for the day will never arrive when I do not think it every time I glance in your direction.”
Her face warmed again as he led her into the entrance hall where they were greeted by a line of servants.
“Lord Merivic,” the closest attendant—a sturdy older woman—stated with a bow. “So good to have you stay with us again, My Lord.”
“Thank you, Rya. It is certainly good to be back.” He turned to Anya as he eased her forward. “May I present Lady Anya, my future wife.”
Rya’s face lifted into a smile. “Lady Anya,” she nodded, respectfully. “It is an honor indeed. Might I show you to your quarters so you may wash up before dinner?”
Anya glanced to Merivic.
“Absolutely. Please, Rya, see she has everything she needs. I will have her baggage brought up at once.”
“As you wish, My Lord. The cook is awaiting your choices for the meal.” She looked pointedly at the tall, older man next in line. “Come, Lady Anya. Let me show you the way.”
*****
Anya’s skin smelled of flowers, and her hair the scent of fruit. She had been shocked by the vast array of bathing soaps and could not decide for herself which smelled better. Finally, Rya had to choose for her, or she would have certainly been late to dinner.
Anya fussed over her gown
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