Eyes of the Deluti Book One: The Price of Compassion Chpt 1

The Price of Compassion Chpt 2

                                       Chapter Two

                                      A Betrothal

Sofia woke with a start as a ray of sunshine discovered a gap in the thick blue drapes covering her bedroom window and playfully danced over her eyelids. Cursing, she escaped from the tangle of blankets on her small four poster bed and pulled her long blond hair out of her face. She padded over to the window on bare feet and jerked open the drapes. Sunlight flooded her small room from a traitorous sun already well above the horizon. Normally the warmth of an early morning sun on a crisp spring day would fill her with joy and comfort. Unfortunately today was not a normal day.

A quick check of the sitting room revealed that no one had disturbed her rooms since last night. By the Eyes, someone was going to pay for this oversight. After a couple of irritated jerks on the servant’s bell rope, she stalked over to her wardrobe and with a grimace pulled out the gown she had made especially for this occasion. She would much rather be riding or sparring with the old arms-master. The Queen required her daughters to appear at court four days out of the year and today was one of those days.

The Princess returned to the sitting room just as Floane, her maidservant, slipped through the door and quickly closed it behind her after a fearful glance up and down the hall.

“Your Highness,” she exclaimed. “Are you still in pain? How may I help you?”

“What are you talking about? Where are the rest of my servants and why do you look like the Eye of Death is lurking out in the hall?”

“Princess Dianna commanded all the servants not to disturb you this morning on fear of dismissal. She told us you were suffering from a terrible head pain and needed to sleep. But when you rang the bell so urgently, I was afraid for you and came as swiftly as I could. I was alone in the servant’s hall when you called so no one knows I am here. Please m’lady, don’t tell Princess Dianna that I disobeyed her.”

“I will deal with my sister later. Right now I need you to help me prepare for this morning’s audience with the Queen.”

Sofia gently brushed a tear from the cheek of her maid then continued, “Fear not Floane. Your loyalty to me is appreciated and will be rewarded. Now, let us remind the Court just who and what I am.”

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In the northern reaches of Dahlian, at a point where the River Susala and the Red River converged, sat MountBarltok. On a promontory that pointed west toward lush farmland, stood a tower of rock that had split away from the mountain like a crystal shard. On the pinnacle of that shard perched an ancient castle named the RosePalace. Built in an earlier age when the Deluti ruled the land, it was so named not only by the pink granite used in its construction but also because it was patterned after the blossom of a wild rose. A large, domed reception hall dominated the center with two story wings in the shape of petals arranged in a circle around it.

With an eye for defense as well as beauty, the palace was connected to the mountain by a single bridge that appeared to be an extension of the very stone itself. Storerooms and a large cistern had been carved out of the rock below to supply the Palace in the event of a siege. The road from the bridge traveled down the gentle slope of the mountain to the capitol city of Kiplar spread out below.

Her Majesty, Queen Oliva Salidoris, was on display in her Crystal Throne at the northern end of the Great Hall. Today was the first day of summer and one of only four days that she required her three daughters, the four Governors and the local nobility to attend her. Dark and curly shoulder length hair, adorned with golden threads containing delicate pink blossoms and tiny green leaves, framed the face of a mature yet strikingly beautiful woman. The intricate Crown of Dahlian, nestled atop the curls, appeared to anchor the golden threads in place. A sleeveless, floor length gown was the color of spring wheat in celebration of the new season. The gown was trimmed with the same profusion of leaves and blossoms at the hem, waistline and neckline which was cut just low enough to hint at the femininity hidden within.