The Baker's Boy by J. V. Jones

had told her, in his
condescending manner, that the betrothal was a great honor for their family, a
great advancement, a chance to acquire more land and more prestige. Not one
word about her. He'd just droned on about his future, his increased prospects,
his expectations. She was nothing to him, merely a means to bring greater power
and glory to himself. The same was true of her father. The very fact that he
had sent Kedrac to break the news instead of coming himself showed how little
he thought of her.
    Melli took a deep
breath. She was going to leave the castle. No longer would she be beholden to
her father and brothers, no longer would she be a chattel, a pawn in their
games of power. They had misjudged her if they thought she would quietly submit
to their plans.
    Pacing the room,
she tried to hold onto her anger. It strengthened her, made her want to take
charge of her own life. She moved to the window, wanting to look upon the
outside world, a world that she would make herself part of. It was dark and
quiet, a light rain was falling and the chill of night caressed her cheek.
Instead of feeling exhilarated, she found herself afraid: the world outside
beckoned ... ambivalent and unfamiliar. Melli shuddered and pulled the heavy
brocade curtains together.
    She would go ahead
with her plan. She would leave the castle tonight.
    Her thoughts were
interrupted by the entrance of her maid. The sly-eyed Lynni busied herself
laying out a dress for the evening. "You'd better hurry, my lady, or
you'll be late for dinner."
    "I am not
feeling well, Lynni. I will take a cold supper in my room."
    "You look
well enough to me. You must go down. There are visitors from Lanholt and your
presence will be expected."
    "Do as I
say," said Melli sharply. The girl left the room, swinging her hips with
studied insolence.
    Melli began
sorting through her things, deciding what she would take with her. She had no
money of her own, but was allowed to keep a modest amount of jewelry in her
room, and these she placed in a small cloth bag. She scanned her chamber. She
now possessed a mirror of her own, and her reflection caught her eye; she
looked small and frightened.
    She caught hold of
her straight, dark hair and pulled it back with a leather thong, thinking it
suited her a lot better than some of the overelaborate court styles. Next Melli
put on her plainest woollen dress, tied the cloth bag containing her jewels
securely around her waist, and then selected her thickest riding cloak. All she
had to do was wait for Lynni to return with her supper and she would be off,
stealing out of the castle under the cover of darkness. Never for a moment did
she consider leaving without her supper-that would be foolish.
    Melli slipped
beneath the bedclothes to wait, and thought of where she would go. Her mother,
before she'd died, had spoken of relatives in Annis. She would head there.
    Lord Maybor was
having a very good day. The queen had approved the match between Kylock and his
daughter. He had supped well this night.
    As he dined, he
looked around the hall. The huge tapestries caught his eye. They showed the
story of how the Four Kingdoms had been ripped asunder during the terrible Wars
of Faith. They went on to depict the one man who, over a hundred years later,
was responsible for reuniting the four glorious territories in defiance of the
Church. The Four Kingdoms boasted the most fertile soil in the north. It was
well placed for farm land and timber, its people were plump and prosperous, its
armies well trained and well fed. Harvell the Fierce had been the driving force
behind the Wars of Reunification. Thanks to him, the green and vibrant country
was made whole once again.
    Maybor fancied
there was a little of Harvell's nature in himself, and certainly before the
year was out he would form part of the great tradition that was the lineage of
kings. He would be father to a queen! He could barely contain his excitement.
    He noticed that
many of the lords