Medice Ceres

Chapter 8

Ceres and Waithe arrived at the large elegant manor that housed the Lord of Moeras and his Lady. Ornately trimmed shrubbery and baskets of brightly colored flowers lined the stone pathway to the front door. Ceres dismounted from her horse and took a moment to admire the plants.

Waithe pounded on the huge oak door, which quickly opened to him. He announced, "Lady Ceres of the Order of Medice to see Lady Sharm."

The attendant bowed slightly and ducked back inside. Within a few minutes, a woman stepped out the door and smiled broadly. Her beauty struck Waithe. Long black hair framed a narrow brown-skinned face with high cheekbones. The woman, Lady Sharm apparently, rushed out and embraced Ceres. Despite her small thin stature, she easily lifted Ceres in her arms. Ceres returned the hug.

"Ceres, it is so good to see you! I have missed you so. Welcome to our house."

"My dear Sharm, I have missed you as well. Our house, be it? Your life has changed, my friend."

"Indeed so, all for the better. You must come inside and meet Eudus. We have so much to speak about. I will have our servants tend to your horses."

Ceres turned toward Waithe. "Sharm, this is my protector, Waithe. He travels with me."

He bowed. "My Lady."

Sharm said, "Welcome, Waithe." She turned back toward Ceres. "What brings you to our door?"

Ceres said, "There be many things to discuss, but for now I am eager to meet the man who took my best friend's heart."

"You will like him, come." Sharm led Ceres inside by the hand, bouncing along as she walked.

Leaving Ceres and Waithe alone in an ornate sitting room with a circle of cushy chairs, Sharm went to fetch her husband.

Waithe smiled. "Your friend has much exuberance."

"Indeed. We shared many adventures at the Order. And she got me in so much trouble."

"You in trouble, my sweet innocent Lady? I would very much like to hear of these tales of mischief..."

They turned as Sharm reentered the room on the arm of a handsome man. He appeared to be about ten years older and a head taller than she, with dark curly hair that flowed down to his shoulders and a broad smile that rivaled that of his wife. He wore a fine white silk shirt, fitting of a Lord.

He took Ceres' hand, bowing to kiss it. "My Lady Ceres, it is an honor to finally meet my wife's best friend. She has told me much of the exploits you two shared. A celebration is in order. Please join us for dinner and music this evening."

Waithe cast Ceres a knowing wink. A reason for a party indeed.

Ceres replied, "It would be my honor, Lord Eudus. Oh, with me is my protector and friend, Waithe Rand."

Waithe bowed, but Eudus would have none of it. He grasped Waithe's hand and shook it vigorously. "Welcome, Waithe. Your name seems familiar. Have we met?"

"I think not. But I was an officer in Lord Girald's army during the wars. We allied with your father's army and I fought side by side with them."

Eudus sat down across from Waithe in one of the finely upholstered chairs and put a hand to his chin. "And I fought side by side with the army of Woest. Perhaps our paths did cross at one point. But no matter. I am concerned, however, why a Lady of the Order would need a protector. No one would dare harm one."

Ceres replied, "My dear friend Waithe has already proven his worth, having saved me from harm during our journey here. There are those who pay no heed to the Order. But there is another thing, I have fled the Order of Medice."