Silver Songbird

Stakes and Snow

One would think I was used to bad sleep, being in the Queensguard and all, but no. Hard floors and the smell of horse shit as I dreamed of better days ahead was normal to me, a soft bed not so much. I didn't even have as nice a bed in my childhood home.

I found myself this morning on the floor, half covered by the thick blanket I must've pulled off the bed with me. My head felt heavy as I stared up at the ceiling, the soft light from the window allowing me enough light to see the grain in the wood. I felt a dim ache in my side still, and I pressed my hand to it, attempting to ease the pain.

I was quickly pulled out of my trance as a knock sounded on the door. I lifted myself onto my arms as a maid walked in with a handful of clean sheets. She glanced at the bed I was currently not occupying, but didn't seem to pay any mind. Before I could speak, she handed me a piece of paper.

I sat up, taking it from her as if it was going to bite me. A small, curt smile formed on her lips before she walked past me to the bed, and began changing the sheets. I ran my thumb over the wax seal on the paper, the stamp made to look like a crown. Hesitation washed over me. The maid began to pick up the blanket that now only lay over my left leg, "May I take this from you, ma'am?"

I grabbed the blanket as she began to pull it up, "Do you know what this note is about?" I stared into her, panic clouding mine. She had no expression on her face, and for a moment I wondered if she even had heard me.

"No ma'am." Was all she said before she pulled the blanket and walked out of the room, shutting the door behind her. Silence once again fell on the room, and I could hear my own heartbeat.

I decided to quickly just rip it open and read it.

Marion,

Your commander awaits you in the throne room.

Best not to keep him waiting.

Your royal highness,

Queen Graelin.

I stood up, my eyes glued to the paper in my hand. I couldn't think, or move, or hell even breathe. I was stuck. Maybe If I just stood here until the end of time, I would never have to face him. The maids could just clean around me, dust me off from time to time.

An eternity passed before I gently laid the paper onto the wooden desk beside me, and I began getting dressed. My hands shook as I grabbed a pair of pants to change into, and I took a moment to relax my body.

I straightened my tunic out, and pulled on my boots. I stared at myself in the mirror, not recognizing the girl looking back. I decided to leave my hair down. My commander was always very stern and certain when it came to how his knights presented themselves. We had to be clean, especially if we were in the presence of royalty or anyone of importance. Women must have their hair up, it didn't matter how. Men must always have their hair short. Leaving my hair down was a simple act of defiance, but I knew today was the last day I would ever be defiant as his subordinate.

The walk to the throne room felt too short, and my hand rested on the throne room door. The coldness of the iron and steel sent a chill down my spine, but it was a welcome feeling, a distraction of my nerves that were eating me alive.

I pushed the door open with nearly all my strength and I entered the throne room. My footsteps echoed as I slowly crept into the throne room, searching for Commander Ulric. I gazed up at the vaulted ceilings, white pristine marble that was currently an array of colors from the pointed stained glass windows was unlike anything I had ever seen. The air was cold and still, and my eyes darted to the tall pillars that lined the room, expecting Commander Ulric to appear any moment.