Noble Beginnings by D.W. Jackson Page A

been answered the only
thing that had been accomplished by his tagging along was that more
questions had reared their ugly head within his mind.

Chapter X
    Dorran had a great deal on his mind when he
returned to the castle. After ducking into a room to change out of
the cloak and dress, he had given them to Myriel to avoid looking
strange walking down the halls with them. The two of them had
parted ways shortly after and he had to admit it was a relief to be
alone.
    He wasn't sure what exactly to make of what
he had heard from Alice, but honestly he was just surprised at how
much his mother appeared to trust Myriel. The servant was so quiet
and hardworking that Dorran had never figured she was in charge of
so much. Well, Addie did tell me how trustworthy she was, he
reflected. And I've seen her discretion myself. So it was no wonder
that she was used for such sensitive tasks.
    His reverie was interrupted by footsteps
coming around the corner. Straightening, his eyes met a surprised
Lyrre's. The expression of shock was only on her face for a split
second before a smiled sprung upon her face. "Lord Dorran! What a
pleasure to see you."
    It took a force of effort not to glance down
and double-check that he was no longer in women's garb, and he felt
himself flush slightly at the mere reminder of what he'd been
wearing just a short time before. "Lyrre," he said, doing his best
to smile in return. "Good evening. And please, call me Dorran." It
wasn't the first time he had offered, though he knew that for
politeness's sake she was most likely to refuse the offer.
    "Dorran, then," she said, and her smile
became less automatic and now held a soft warmth to it. She settled
back onto her heels, and one of her hands rose to twist at a loose
curl of her hair that hung slightly over her ear. "What are you up
to?"
    "Ah...my mother sent me on an errand outside
the castle," he said, then silently congratulated himself on the
quick answer. "I just got back and was headed back to my own
chambers."
    "I see."
    "So, what about you?" he asked, knowing it
was his job to keep the conversation going.
    "Oh, I was just talking with Mama. It's
getting late and she wanted to retire, but I didn't feel like
sleeping just yet, so I was decided on wandering the castle." Her
expression turned slightly dreamy as her eyes drifted over the dim
hallway. "This place is so beautiful, and so old! Mama's estate is
nowhere near as interesting."
    "Is that so?" he said, grinning. He'd been
nervous moments ago, but the new topic combined with Lyrre's inborn
charm brought a casual smile to his face. "Now let me see...would
you like a tour of some of the lesser-known corners?"
    Her eyes sparkled. "Yes, please."
    "Are you sure?" he asked, feigning innocence.
"It's getting dark, my lady. You never know what might be lurking
in the shadows."
    "But you would, wouldn't you?" she asked,
pretending to be shrewd as she squinted at him. “And with such a
fine warrior as my escort I doubt I shall find myself in any
danger.”
    "Well, perhaps..." He shrugged. "But in all
seriousness, I can show you around, if you like. It's not as big or
as interesting as you probably think, and the area I know best is
the old barracks, which don't have much of interest unless you're
interested in fighting..." He trailed off. "Are you?" he asked
suddenly.
    She blinked. "Am I what?" she asked.
    "Interested in fighting. Some women train in
the barracks downstairs, and I was thinking, if you wanted to join
us sometime..." His throat felt dry as he considered the picture it
would make, Lyrre with her hair tied back and a knife in her hand,
watching him with the same attentive expression she did now, but
poised and ready to strike. For some reason, he found it a very
agreeable image.
    She shook her head, smiling and blushing.
"Oh, no, I couldn't. I'm too clumsy."
    "I can't believe that," he demurred. "If
you're worried about it, I…"
    "No, no!" She assured him. "I'm sure you'd be
a perfect gentleman. It's