Spoken

Chapter 1

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Lucas was tired of the rain. Three days he had been riding from Rondrom and still it rained. All Lucas wanted was to be at home in his comfortable bed instead of this hard forest floor. Mother was going to kill him. He was suppose to be home yesterday to greet there new guest but of course got held up. Who could pass a nice long night at the tavern? By morning there was no way he could ride home so the visit was prolonged. Now he could barley see the outline of the castle through the thick rain.

As he approached the gates he found them already opened. He had probably been seen when he first road out of the Grayfoud Forest and there was already a welcoming party. The word had probably already been spread but with there being such rain there was no one along the streets to wave at him. When he reached the castle gates, he immediately ran inside and out of the rain.

"Lucas! You have finally come home," his mother said as soon as she saw him walk in.

"Of course mother, I could not live another moment without you!"

"Oh, I'm sure you could not but no matter how much you flatter, it will not make up for the fact that your late."

"You have my deepest apologies for missing our guests arrival."

"Oh no you did not, for like you, our guest is late. If you had missed her arrival, I'm sure your father would be here yelling himself into a fit at you."

"Yes well, I'm home and there is no need for that." By now Lucas had taken out his soaked coat and replaced it with a towel. " Where is my dear father?"

"Yelling at all the servants I imagine, we just got word that a carriage has been spotted in the distance. Do make yourself a little presentable before it gets here."

"Might I ask who this guessed is?" the prince asked raising an eyebrow.

"I'm afraid that is something your father should probably explain to you but not until for presentable!" said the Queen, ushering the boy out.

So Lucas went up to his bed chamber and changed into his nicer clothing, drying his hair as much as he could. When he got down to the crown room again, the guards were all stationed in a row leading to the thrones.

He was just in time to hear the doors open and in came a women covered in a dark green cloak with the hood still covering her face. She had a long dark green dress that matched her hood on and her hair fell in dark rich brown waves on her collar. She came to kneel in front of the throne and instantly his father spoke with his booming voice.

"We welcome you, Veneda."

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I walked in to the large room without looking around. I had done this so many times that the size and richness of the room was lost on me. As I headed towards the throne where the king sat, two beasts called Grelaten trailed behind me looking menacing. I walked proudly and steadily for someone who had just sat in a carriage for many days. Behind the guards stood many Lord's and Ladies that were drowning in there clothing and jewelry.

When I reached the throne I knelt and put out a hand to calm my beasts. They then sat quietly waiting for a threat.

"We welcome you, Veneda."

I rouse slowly and looked the king straight in the eye without showing anything under my hood, "My king."

The king chuckled, " As much as I may wish I were your king, I know I am not for you have stood in the presence of many kings like me and probably said those very words." I just inclined my head, not agreeing nor disagreeing.

"You are my king as long as I am on your land and in your service."

"That is all I ask for so I am glad to hear it. I welcome you to my kingdom and to my home. You have no idea what is means to us all to have you here," the king said and stood up. "This is my wife, Queen Liana and my son, Prince Lucas."

The women he pointed to had a friendly face and looked more like a motherly women then a Queen. The man he pointed to had dark curly hair and eyes so green they looked like the beautiful circles of forest. He looked nothing like the jolly king or the motherly queen. He looked more serious and a little surprised. He saw me looking and raised an eyebrow so I quickly looked away.

I always hated this part. The king would announce that there was a feast and I would have to eat on golden plates and sit as stiff as a rod as people stared at me. It always happened. They always acted like everything was fine and there was nothing to worry about but just me being here meant there was something wrong. There would be dancing and when the night is done they will lead me to an extravagant room. The next morning I would given breakfast and they would lead me to a private room with the king so we could talk of the problem without the prying eyes of the Lords and Ladies that were scattered around the room.

It was no doubt going to be a long night so I might as well get it over with.