A Curse and A Kiss - Volume 1

1

«...are we even sure this is the right place?»

«According to the Alderman, it is.»

The measured footsteps of the two soldiers' boots on the cobblestones seemed to echo the melancholic cry of the autumnal turtledove, the last attempt of the lonely bird to find a destined mate before the cold approached. The three curious rhythms, the only sounds one could hear that morning in the secluded forest clearing... The first man felt they were rather ominous, for some elusive reason.

The small cottage at the end of the path was meant to be the only artificial element of that verdant glade, and yet, covered in creepers and moss and without most of the distinctive features of any dwelling, except for a window and a door, it felt closer to a giant, mouldy boulder than a livable house. The pair approached it with greater haste.

«Do you think she's asleep? Are we allowed to wake her up?!»

«We are but messengers, following directions. If she's anything like the stories tell, we won't have to worry.»

Standing in front of the fusty wooden door, the smaller of the two took a deep breath. Then another. Removed his right glove, and knocked vehemently.

Waiting patiently for a response, the two shared a look. The turtledove didn't skip a beat, continuing relentlessly the apparently inane pursuit of love from the top of those now golden trees. They silently wished it would hold its tongue at once.

A sweet yet alarmed voice from inside queried «Is it urgent?»

The two men stayed, dumbfounded. They surely didn't expect such a direct, careless response. «Very much so, milady.» courageously replied the one who knocked, instinctively straightening his back, even though the owner of that voice couldn't see him.

They heard a heavy suspire, and the door moved inwards with a creak.

On the other side of the entrance, the half-sleeping beauty stood, uncertain, clearly still incapable to decide if life was real and she was part of it. The undignified, yet still effortlessly amazing look of that young woman, whose green, vivid eyes appeared surprised to see the dim sunlight, paired with the endless cry of the lonesome turtledove, created a somewhat comical scene. The taller of the two men tried his best not to laugh.

She glared at them, making her best effort not to close the door to their faces. She sighed a second time, tired yet now awake, and inquired, now faintly annoyed «Since you're not screaming for my immediate help, I can only assume it's not "very much so" urgent...»

Slightly taken aback, the soldier tried to regain composure. «King Kaster of Romiria, if he may be allowed to, would humbly like to request Lady Verina's esteemed services.»

The weary maiden blinked her eyes twice, focusing on that one soldier, and completely disregarding the second, as if he wasn't part of that unusual picture. She briefly glanced at the darkness behind her, undecisive, before replying, waving her fair hand dismissively «He may, he may.»

The door shut.

The two soldiers awaited. While one kept guarding the door, attending for the progression of the mission, the other strolled around the habitation. He would have guessed, due to the clatter coming from inside, that the mysterious woman had decided to have breakfast, instead of hastily getting ready for departure.

Lady Verina revealed herself again not much later, wearing an exquisite lavender dress with spacious sleeves, and an elegant, silk-covered hat, whose large brim and thin veil made it quite difficult to properly discern her countenance.