The Eagle Princess

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

"Why must we wear black to funerals?" Larissa asked, looking at her meager selection of black gowns in the massive room that she used to store her and her sisters' dresses.

Andromeda was sitting to the side, on one of the chests that Larissa used to keep the various sashes that she made stored away. Her baby boy was busy suckling at her breast, his big blue eyes looking around curiously as he ate. Andromeda, wearing dresses with loose necklines that Larissa had designed specifically to allow her to breast feed with ease, had him swaddled in the softest of silk cloths, petting back his inky black hair occasionally.

"It's the traditional sign of respect and mourning," she replied soothingly. Her voice had taken on a very soft tone since having her son. The little boy was startled easily, and so she tried to calm him as often as possible, even when only talking to others.

Larissa groaned. "I so dislike adherence to tradition. What about a very dark blue?"

"I'm surprised you didn't make something special for the occasion," Andromeda said, turning to look at the gowns that had been hung from a large rack before the third princess.

Larissa sighed, touching the sleeve of one of the smaller ones. "I don't really use black all that often, I don't have much fabric made of it. I was thinking about altering one of these on the journey there. It takes a few weeks, so I'll need something to occupy my time."

"But why didn't you make something specifically for this?" Andromeda couldn't help but grin at the way she had deliberately not answered.

Larissa made a face. "I don't even want to go. I'm not expending any more effort than necessary."

"We're leaving this afternoon, Rissa. You have to decide at some point."

Larissa grumbled. She had chosen all of her other clothing already. She had also chosen Andromeda's and Nero's, because she had put herself in charge of everyone's wardrobes a long time ago. It was one of the few things people would allow her to do. No one trusted her to be an intellectual or to hold power, so she designed clothing.

All that was left was to pack the gown she was wearing to the funeral itself. She wanted something that would be fitting for the somber tone of the occasion, but also broadcasted her displeasure at being forced to attend without being rude, and simultaneously promising that, though she was acknowledging that they were at a funeral, she refused to accept that Casimir was dead. It was rather a lot to ask from any single dress, especially since she wasn't making it from scratch.

Andromeda and Nero would be accompanying her on the journey. At least, for the first part of it. They would travel with her until they reached the border of Methone. Afterwards, Nero and Andromeda would head south by themselves to present their son at the temple of the goddess of war so that he could be named. Larissa would continue on into Methone by herself.

Not completely by herself, of course. She would be traveling with an entourage of Ale Santeri, the elite swordsmen from Methone. She had only their word that they wouldn't attempt to harm her and it was a thin promise to her ears.

First, however, she needed to pick the most important dress she would be bringing. By the estimation of the Ale Santeri, who had sent a message ahead promising that they would arrive today, the return trip would take just long enough that they would arrive on the day of the funeral so long as they made brisk time. Which was why they were leaving this afternoon immediately after arriving instead of staying for the night and leaving in the morning. She would have to arrive at the palace in this dress and present herself at the funeral of the prince immediately.

If nothing else, having the ceremony so soon after arriving meant that she would only have to stay there a short while out of politeness before leaving again.