Reasons for Silence

Agony

Chapter One ~ Amador

Serefina's first words to me were a simple apology; "I'm sorry, I didn't see you there." For a long three weeks I had thought that those words would fly out of my mouth as soon as I saw her, but for some reason she told me that she was sorry. She didn't know that I was at fault for her time spent at that manor.

Patience was never really something that I had. Who needed it anyways? There was never a time when I had to exercise such a muscle. I had people who were paid to make sure that I never had to experience any kind of a wait.

So one day I had decided that I was through with waiting until I could see Serefina. I packed a small bag and made my way down to the slums of the region. The trip down in itself was devastating – to think that she had to live in such a place for so long – the thought was revolting.

I would have done something about it but timing was crucial – at least that's what my parents kept telling me. They liked to be in control – complete control – and the fact that many of the working class were starting to whisper about revolution probably had a great deal to do with my particular predicament.

Unfortunately I wasn't so conscientious as to notice – or care- about such a thing.

I just wanted to marry Serefina.

Truth be told, I had already sent her a summons to the palace but I knew that she had no horse or mule and the expedition to the palace would take at least a week on foot. I planned on meeting up with her – I could delay no longer.

I had only seen her once, two weeks after she had been born, but I felt certain that with the descriptions that my soldiers had given me and my pure devotion to her I would be able to pick her out of a crowd easily.

Also, each year a new painting of her was commissioned, so I had a fairly up-to-date idea of her beauty.

I rode all day and by dusk I began to feel discouraged. Maybe I had missed her. I shook the thought out of my head, if I started thinking like that I would soon find myself looking all over the kingdom for her which would only prolong our separation.

Deciding that all I needed was a little rest to re-gather my composure, I stopped by a local tavern.

Inside the tavern candles were already lit and there was a group of three men who had burst through the door, clearly drunk, despite the early hour. I assumed that they would return before the hour was up.

Taking a seat on a barstool by the counter I looked up at the sign hanging above the barrels of liquor. Instantly I cursed my haste in leaving. Fool, I thought to myself, people this far away from the palace weren't familiar with my face and I forgot to bring money.

"You planning on buying something?" the bartender said gruffly after I had been seated for no more than four minutes.

Placing my hands on the counter top I replied after a long sigh, "No, I suppose not."

"Then find another seat," he said simply.

I ran a hand down my face – I got the message, men were coming in larger and larger groups, the barstools were reserved for those who could keep the cash flowing.

Not that I couldn't have, I just didn't have any with me at the moment.

I rose out of my seat without another word.

I was deep in thoughts as I took my horse's harness in hand. I needed to stretch my legs.

In the center of town people were still a bustle, going on about their business as though darkness wasn't falling all around them.