Saga

~Chapter One~

A/N: Hey everyone! First chapter is up:) My plan is to upload a new chapter every weekend, probably Saturday. I have the first few chapters written out, so there should be no problem getting the next few ones out there soon. Just wanted to introduce myself and say welcome to my story:) feel free to comment and vote! Enjoy!!

Chapter One

"Saga? Have you seen Byrne come in yet?" Father called from the living room. I sighed, slinging the nightgown over my shoulder. It was one of those white nightgowns, the type that a girl in my position could only hope to see a few times in their lifetime. Even so, the clean white fabric was already beginning to get dirty from the rain that dripped through the laundry shed. I scowled and padded one of my blankets down on its surface. Hopefully that would protect it, at the very least until I returned for the night.

I heard shuffling up above once more "Saga?"

"No, but it's still early yet!" I called back, trying to keep the annoyed grumble out of my voice. I heard feet stomp down the staircase next to me. I turned around to face my father, who's face had an annoyed frown deepening his wrinkles. My father was still a young, I suppose. Younger than some of the fathers of other girls in Lark Alley. But not young enough for wrinkles to begin to form in his tan, leathery face. I sighed, stacking the layers of parchment back up on the counter.

"Who do we have in today?" He asked. His eyebrows drew together in a frown.

"Um..." I shifted through the parchment, trying to find the files I had set aside for today. Despite the job I had made for myself, I had never been much good at keeping the books.

"One of the building officers stopped by the other day. Allard, I think his name was?" I shook my head. They all started to blend together, after a time. "He put in a request for nails by the end of the month. Said the king wanted a new wing added to the mistress' chambers."

Father dropped the hammer he held in his hands. "A new wing?" We both fought the urge to snigger. The king was rather notorious for his...evening pursuits. Though, his subjects were forbidden to joke or jest on the matter. Still, it was impossible to miss the glint of amusement in father's eye when it was brought up. I'm sure one could say the same about my eyes as well.

"My gods, if Byrne doesn't get here within the next hour, I am going to –"

"Here!" Called a gasping voice. We both whipped around. Sure enough, standing in the doorway, was my father's apprentice. "I'm here!" Byrne was tall, even when we were both children. He eventually grew into his height, though the muscles he gained from swinging an anvil made his frame an awkward proportion.

Father rolled his eyes and took his arms off the desk in which he was leaning on. Byrne was still panting, still catching his breathe. "We can see that well enough. Help me carry in the supplies, will you? A new delivery came in the other day and we ought to get started on these nails."

Byrne's eyes furrowing in confusion. "Nails?"

"A new wing has been ordered to be built by the king," Father replied.

"Wing?" He looked confused for a moment, before realization dawned on him, and his eyes reflected his thoughts. "Ah..."

"Come," father said gruffly. "Allard isn't one to forgive easily if we aren't on time this week. Remember last year?" We all shuttered at the memory. The Kingdom of Aerona was a small kingdom, small at least in comparison to our neighbors. As a consequence, the Aeronian royal family only had a need for one royal blacksmith in Whitestone Castle – my father. Even so, some days there was simply too work to be done – even with the help of an apprentice.