A Slip Of Darkness

Chapter III

I lean over a boiling pot, curling tendrils of thyme scented steam wafting up to my face. I consult my book for the third time before throwing a stalk of dittany in the mixture and sitting back on my heels as I watch the brew turn a dark green. Satisfied, I use a ladle to pour a small amount of the liquid into a cork stoppered bottle and begin to clean up the remainder of my ingredients.

Ever since genevive died, its been harder and harder to sneak out. One, because shes no longer here to cover for me, and two, because father and eleanor have been more overbearing than ever. Hopefully, a couple of drops of this draught in eleanors next drink will make her hazy and forgetful, making my next trip out that much easier.

As i sweep away the remnants of my cut up herbs, aloud knock echos through the herbology room. I quickly tuck the bottle under the folds of my skirt before calling out.

"Come in!"

The doors slowly creak open, revealing a guard standing stoicly in the doorway. He crosses the threshold in a single step before speaking.

"Princess Etharen, the king has requested your presence in the council hall."

I furrow my eyebrows. Father has never included me in his meetings, nor has he ever told me what theyre about. Part of me suspects that this has something to do with Genevives murder, but i dont see how i could be of any help to them. I already told him everything i know.

"Received, thank you. Please tell him that ill be there in a moment." i say

The guard turns to leave, but i stop him before he can leave.

"Wait! Do you..uh..know what they need me for?"

He shakes his head. "No, ma'am. All i know is that they asked you to come, and quickly. He didn't seem very happy though." he adds as an afterthought.

I look off to the side deep in thought. Father is hardly ever angry, so if a meeting has him all riled up, then it must be serious

I notice the guard lingering uncomfortably, and dismiss him before rushing out the door myself.

I make my way towards the council hall, and just as i am about to push open the wide doors, palms planted firmly against the elaborately carved wood, im stopped dead in my tracks by a shriek..

I whirl around, startled. Eleanor stares back at me, a shocked expression on her face. I shake my head at her.

"What?! Why did you scream like that, you nearly scared the living daylights out of me!" i exclaim.

"You were about to go in there looking like that?!" she whisper screeches.

I look down self-conciously at my dress. The skirt is crumpled from being kneeled over and the hem is smudged with brown dirt. Turning to the wall, i catch my reflection on the huge golden mirror hanging from the wall. My white hair is wild and tangled, and my nose is traced with blue and yellow powders.