The Dark Side of Forever

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

**Dran’s POV**

The more I spoke to Saffurie the odder she seemed, but in a way that I like. It was hard to explain. I wanted to continue speaking to her just to hear that soft lilting voice again, but I knew she needed to rest.

I spotted the maid who had brought in Saffurie’s breakfast and asked her to find some clothes for the girl. I also told her to bring some fresh towels and soaps for her to shower with. The maid scurried off to do as I asked.

I then went on to find my father. I checked the throne room first hoping he wasn’t in audience with a noble or some complaintive townsfolk. Father was very much the diplomat, always able to make both sides see reason and agree to compromise. I strolled past the throne room and saw that his chair was empty. So I turned for the stairwell and headed to his office.

I found my father seated behind his great oaken desk with the country’s crest of the elk in front of the mountain and a falcon roosting in its antlers engraved into the front of it. Father was busy going over paper and signing off on documents with his secretary, Brakston. His chestnut colored hair, with touches of gray, cropped short and his gray eyes fervently reading the document placed in front of him.

I cleared my throat and got my father’s attention. He looked up for a moment, then quickly signed and put the royal seal on the document, before he greeted me with a smile.

‘Father may we speak alone?’

‘Certainly son. You’re dismissed, Brakston.’

 His secretary quickly gathered all the documents to go file them away and left the room.

‘What is it you wish to discuss? Though I assume it’s the girl you found in the woods last night. What have you found out about her so far?’

‘Yes it is. Her name is Saffurie. She says she comes from the other side of the mountains in Churkis. She also said she has lived in the woods by herself since her mother died and merely got lost. I did see her jump from the cliff to escape the beast.’

‘That seems like a difficult journey for a lone girl. We all know how harsh the mountains are, and you say the beast was chasing her?’

‘Well, father, I believe her that she came from the woods and that she lived there all her life. Her journey seems a bit far-fetched, but I think I believe her. As for the beast I saw it with my own eyes.’

‘Alright son, as soon as she feels up to it I wish to meet this girl from the woods. Perhaps you and Andrek should take another look at where the girl jumped into the water. I don’t like the sounds of this beast being so close to the villagers.’

‘Yes, father. I’ll take Andrek and go immediately.’

I left father’s office and started my search for Andrek, who was probably in the practice courts. I passed through the stables on my way and had a stable hand get our horses ready. Surely enough I found Andrek on the far end practice courts at the bottom terrace of the hill where the castle sat.

I was always astounded by the craftsmanship that went into making my ancestral home. The way the hill was terraced into three levels. The castle at the top carved out of gleaming white marble, with its gleaming copper roof, all surrounded by gardens and court yards, followed by the terrace that held the stables, practice courts, and barracks for the soldiers and royal guard. The final terrace held the start of the town that grew up around the castle, starting with the nobles’ ornate houses, then the merchants’ homes, and then finally the artisans and other workers and farmers spread across the plain towards the forest and eventually the mountains. It was truly beautiful in my eyes.

Sure enough I found Andrek at the far end of the practice courts in a bout with another guard member. I waved to get his attention and he quickly dispatched his opponent and trotted to me. I quickly explained to him what father wanted us to do and we headed off to the stables to collect our horses and ride out.

**Saffurie’s POV**

After Dran left I got up to look around his room. It was wonderfully decorated with very masculine furniture yet it had a soft side to it that made it very comfortable. There was a fire place at one end carved out of a dark green marble with milky streaks through it. Several chairs and a couch were clustered around it including the one that Dran had slept in last night. I felt a little guilty for taking his bed from him.

At that moment a maid walked in with a basket full of fabrics. She set it down by a door on the other side of the room.

‘The wash room is through this door, miss. I’ve brought some cloths I hope they fit proper. If you need anything just let me know, miss.’

With that she was back out the door and down the hall.

I took the basket into the washroom and was astounded by the sight I beheld. The whole room was creamy marble top to bottom with ornate silver fixtures and faucets. There as what I believe is called a shower at the far end, id only heard of them and they seemed like magic. How could hot water fall from a fixture in the ceiling? I worked the knobs till the water falling like rain was a good temperature for me.

I rummaged through the basket and found the soaps, stripped off my dirty linen dress and climbed into the shower. It truly felt like heaven, all my muscles started to loosen and relax in the heat. I took my time and scrubbed every inch with the lavender soap the maid had left.

When I was done I stepped out and wrapped myself with the fluffy green towel that was in the basket. I gently combed all the tangles from my dark hair and rummaged through the clothes in the basket. There was a pair of underclothes and a blue dress with half sleeves. I slipped the clothes on and the dress fell to mid-calf. I also found a pair of matching slipper shoes that had a hard sole and slipped them on. I ran the comb through my hair one last time and left the washroom.

When I entered into the main chamber I saw that a platter of sandwiches and fruit had been left with a note on the coffee table. I walked over and sat down to eat my lunch and read the note.

It was from the king, he wished to meet me today if I was up to it. He would send a servant to fetch me at two if I was feeling well enough. I thought I was feeling pretty well considering all that had happened. I just hoped he wouldn’t see through my lies. If he knew who my mother was it would surely be the end of me.