Hunters of Priya

Andrea

Holy cow...this is a nice long chapter! And I made my deadline ♥ Now, enjoy!

The light struck my eyes as dawn breaking in the east. Sarah was already in her Acquisition dress. It was a simple scarlet dress with gold lacing her waist, neckline and cuffs. “What should I do with my hair, Drew?” She stared at herself in the vanity mirror, brushing out her curls.

“Think of something.” I grumbled as I forced myself out of bed. I stared into my own vanity, looking at my snarled hair. I picked up the comb and began to pull through my hair, picking the elflocks apart.

Sarah came over to me as sighed in shame. “I’ll do your hair.” She decided, taking the comb from my hand. She pulled a bit as she twisted and combed my hair. When she’d finished, she applauded herself. “Perfect.” She gushed. I was quite impressed with her work. My hair was in a bun, with a two braid running down the sides of my head. I stood and went to the closet, where my dress was.

The emerald dress was breathtaking. The bodice had golden designs all about it, and it’s sleeves were topped with the same scrawling design. The skirt blew out, and just imagining myself in it I look like the High Donna Matrion herself.

“Can you help me get this on?” I carried out the dress, and Sarah’s jaw hit the floor.

“H...how did you...” She kept staring at the dress.

The thing was, I didn’t. Someone else paid for it. The women had to pay for their Acquisition dress, but a generous benefactor paid for the most beautiful dress in Don Louis’s realm. I told her that, but she seemed suspicious.

“Are you gonna help, or not?” Sarah tried to say no, but she couldn’t. Sarah laced up the back, making it tight enough to hug my figure.

Taking a couple steps back, my best friend stared at me. “Who are you, and what did you do to Andrea of Don Louis?” We started laughing. Neither of us really looked like us, and I had to behave. Knighthood depended on it.

We heard the marching from the others in the hall and we filed out into the travelling groups. All the women stared at me, like I was threatening them. The men looked like they were staring at a Donna.

We halted outside the Great Hall. “Good morning, peasants.” A short fat man said in a loud voice. “As you know today is the Acquisition, where you will be judge on a series of events based on what you want to be. We have some rules to go over, so please pay attention.” Sarah stared with eyes glazed over. I couldn’t help but listen.

“Rule one, you will show respect to the General, Guardian, Diplomat and Magican. They spent almost a fortnight travelling from Delgos to get here.

“Rule two, speak only when asked to.

“Rule three, if there is a particular area that you’d like into without a representative, please inform the council.

“Rule four, the final rule. Wherever you are placed, you cannot change. Only a representative can change your position.

“Please remember that the Acquisition keeps Priya safe and protected. Thank you.”

He slid through the door, and the people began to chatter about their skills. “I can’t do this!” Sarah whispered in a panicky voice. “I’m gonna mess up, I know it!”

“Relax,” I whispered back, “you’re going to be a Diplomat, and I’m going to be a Guardian. There’s no question of that.”

The gentleman came back. I could see his bald head. “They’re ready. When your name is called, enter.” He looked down at his list. “Zephira, of Don Louis.”