The Flight of the Eagle (Editing)

Lothigaar

One month till winter: Lothigaar. It was a holiday for us, but it also meant only 20 more days of growing crops and harvesting food before the harsh winter set in and food became much harder to get. 

The Storm's had invited everyone to a gathering in the castle, to celebrate. I'd been here only five days but my actions had got Lyanna closer and closer to the High Lord. I'd won every challenge and was confident that I'd keep winning. 

It was also getting a little easier to be Lyanna... at least I was good enough for the beatings to stop. My father was in such a good mood from my actions that he'd even said I could go to the gathering at the castle.

Lyanna lent me one of her more plain dresses, but even that didn't bother me. They'd all been in a better mood lately. Since I had won every challenge for them, Lyanna had been spending more time with the High Lord. The last challenge had even won her a private walk through the castle with him.

Hopefully, he was on his way to choosing her, and I could stop this game. Maybe I could finally be free.

My face stared back at me in the mirror on Lyanna's vanity. I twisted little pieces of silver to the braids on the wig, making it look as nice as I could. It was finally like we'd settled into a delicate pattern, if I kept this up maybe they'd finally leave me alone.

I passed Amannah on the way out. Still, I'd not had the chance to speak to her alone. Maybe I'd get to tonight, mother said I could sleep with her in the servants section instead of outside in the forest.

Night had just fallen as we climbed the steps into the stone castle. I'd been dying to see. I didn't even try to stop the smile that graced my lips. Torches lit the hallways, lighting up the dark stone, making it feel like the sun was shinning bright inside the walls. There were many weapons and banners from past High Lords, history coming to life right in front of me. 

I wished Herald could see this. He'd told me so many stories about each High Lord that I knew he'd have been even more excited than I was. 

My family had left me, past the hallways, into what I assumed was the main room, where the gathering was taking place. They still treated me more like a servant than a daughter but that didn't bother me as much as it used to. 

I heard her footsteps but didn't move from my spot, looking up to see the long sword of the only High Lord from clan Raine. He'd ruled over 100 years ago and had no relation to me but it was... something else to see someone from my clan. 

He was a private Lord. Had married a woman from his own clan even though it would only make his rule weaker. I touched the hilt of the sword. What must have it been like?

"Impressed?" a harsh feminine voice whispered into my ear. The High Lady.

"Yes." I answered honestly. "I couldn't imagine living in a place like this. It's amazing. So much history."

"And you've only seen the front hall." She motioned for me to follow her. 

I looked at her, words failed me, a dress? Who had forced her into it?

"Don't say a word." She warned and pulled by the dress a little to show just how loose it was. She could easily move in it. Kill if needed. 

Okay then. I followed her up a hidden staircase, darkness swallowed this alcove. The walls close together, clearly this wasn't meant for just anyone to use. 

Eria's eyes kept glancing at me as we entered another hallway. Since that moment in the forest she'd been keeping tabs on me. She didn't trust me. Very smart of her. I admired her fierce loyalty to her family.