The Dark Sun

Chapter 8: Setbacks

     I faintly heard a door open and close from far away. Footsteps gradually got closer and louder. I felt a hand gently press on my shoulder. I shifted in bed. Slowly opening my eyes, I blinked rapidly and stretched luxuriously.

     "Good morning, ma'am," said the soft voice of Amelia.

     "Good morning, Amelia," I responded. I sat up. "Where are Polis and Julianne?"

     "They are bringing you breakfast ma'am. I just came ahead to wake you."

     She turned away from the bed and walked over to the closed curtains. Grabbing the fabric, she yanked it away from the windows. Bright sunlight illuminated the room. I put my hand up and closed my eyes, turning my head slightly to the right. I heard her pull back more curtains as I slowly opened my eyes. Blinking violently, I glanced out the windows. The city was seemingly alive with activity. I was surprised I could see the city.

     "Wait, you told me good MORNING, did you not?" I asked. Amelia looked at me and nodded. "But it isn't morning, is it? Because it looks as if it's noon."

     "It is, ma'am. Saying 'good morning' is much easier than saying 'good afternoon.'" She replied.

     I took a moment to think. Hmm, I guess she is right. I nodded to her and stretched again. There was a knock on the door. "Come in!" I shouted. The door opened, and in walked Polis and Julianne. They each held platters, and another servant strode behind them, this one carrying a pot of coffee. I smiled at them.

     "Thank you so much!" I exclaimed. The 3 ladies smiled and nodded.

     "We will leave you to eat, but we need to be back in 2 hours to get you ready. The queen of Krephenia is coming here as well. She and Lilith have some sort of arrangement that needs to be adjusted, or so I've heard." spoke Julianne.

     "The Queen of Krephenia? Indra is coming HERE? Today??" I asked. Julianne nodded. I sighed. Great. I thought. Another ruler will postpone my ability to make a deal with Adruvalon. Ignoring the thoughts, I nodded to my ladies. They nodded back, curtsied, and left the chambers. I ate rather quickly. Swinging my legs over the side of the bed, I stood up and walked through a much smaller, less elegant door. The room was non-the-less very large, and

     Time passed quickly, and before I knew it, my ladies were returning. I smiled. They returned it.

     "Help me pick out a dress, would you?" I asked. They grinned even wider and nodded. "What colors respect both Adruvalonian and Krephenian royalty?" I continued. "I was thinking of wearing my dark red, off-the-shoulder gown with matching heels. I could wear the gold crown with the ruby centerpiece and my ruby jewelry?"

     "I don't think that will be a good idea, ma'am," Amelia spoke. "I heard that Queen Indra is wearing a red dress. What about one of the black ones you brought? You have that black crown, and Lexula's signature color is black. We also have lots of black jewelry with us, so that won't be a problem."

     I glanced at all three of them; no one seemed opposed to the idea. I shrugged, "Sounds like a plan!" Amelia smiled and started sifting through dozens of dresses. Polis and Julianne started helping her. While they separated the black gowns from the others, I went over to the chest of jewelry and started picking out the black ones.

     When we had all finished, 11 different black dresses were laid out on the bed. 3 medium-sized coffee tables had been moved up next to the bed, each covered in jewelry. Earrings, bracelets, necklaces, rings, even headpieces. I looked at the dresses. All of them were ankle length, but that was one of the only attributes they all shared. Some of them had several slits, one of them was open back. Two of them were off the shoulder. My eyes locked on a black one.