RavenGuard

Part 10

***** So sorry for my long leave of absence, but I'm back! More updates to come soon! Don't forget to vote it=f you like it, and let me know what you think in the comments. *****

Formal dinners were frequent, at least two or three in a week, and time to rest was scarce. I often sat at the head table, next to Princess Cecily or the Cheif Advisor. I never saw the other noble families, the ones who were supposed to be protecting the Queendom. It was strange. The other Ravenguards looked up at me from the next table down with jealousy and disgust.

Cheif Advisor Odel had taken a particular interest in me. He was a scholarly type, with long greying har pulled back into a tight braid. His robes were always made of the finest materials available, embroidered with gold and silver threads. He wore thick paned spectacles which sat high on the bridge of his long, narrow nose. While the queen's amber gaze stuck fear into the hearts of those around her, he was quite the opposite. His mellow green irises embedded a sense of calm in everyone he met.

One evening, he invited me to join him for dinner in his study. Typically, I would have declined, but it allowed me to spend my time having a conversation with someone who genuinely cared about my interests and well being instead of at a political studies lesson, so naturally I was quite happy to accept his offer. Sortly before dinner, he sent me a note. It said to go to the private gardens and wait for him there.

The Castilla Gardens were peaceful, a luxury reserved only for the Royal Family and thir closest companions. Not even their servants were allowed in, except the most skilled garrdeners in the entire Queendom. While I waited, I noticed something peculiar. There was only one type of flower in the entire paviliion. As the sun began to set, the delicate white petals began to gow a soft orange in the dying light. Just as I reached to touch one, a deep voice startled me.

"I always had quite a fondness for lillies." The Cheif Advisor said, his hands tucked neatly behind him. "Of course, once the queen found out, she designated two seasons out of each year for the garden to be filled entirely with them."

"I like them." I said, staring into one longingly. I could feel his eyes on me, waiting for me to continue. "They remind me of someone."

"Ah, I see." He replied, pressing his clay tobacco pipe between his thin lips. "Younger sisters are a blessing and a curse, aren't they?" I shook my head.

"Not mine. She's. . . She was what kept me going. To make her smile was all I wanted." I managed to pull my attention away from the flowers in front of me.

"I had a younger sister myself, once. She was beautiful, and so happy. Her laugh was like bells, and she was always laughing." He exhaled slowly, a long trail of smoke billowing from his nostrils.

"Well," he continued. "I think it's about time for dinner, don't you say?"

I nodded and we headed up the winding staircase. The halls twisted and turned, not unlike a maze. It seemed as though the palace was meant to confuse you, to trap you somewhere you ought not to be.

The Grand Study was located in a remote part of the building. It was clearly much older than the other wings. The stones were all worn and smooth, while the rest of the walls in the other corridors were still rough to the touch. A heavy wooden door creaked as the iron latch fell open with the chink of old metal and the rusted hinges were forced to turn.

Despite it being quite cold in the hallway, there was already a fire burning in the stone pit in the centre of the room. An abundance of candles of various sizes all lay spread across the three large work tables, which all had messy piles of parchment and inkpots scattered about them. Most of the dripped from their holders and onto the desks, and sometimes even the floor. Odel set about clearing one of the desks so that they may have a place to eat.

"I don't often have visitors, so please pardon the mess. I tend to forget how scattered my mind is." He pulled a chair out for me and another for himself, waiting for her to sit before taking his own place across from me. He picked up a small silver bell that was lying on the desk in front of him and rang it, distinctly left once and right once, and returned it to it's place. Shortly after, a servant ran in through a side door, bowing low as he entered.

"Yes, M'Lord?" He asked eagerly. He was young, no more than my own age, with raven-black hair and deep brown eyes. He was tanned and looked quite strong for his size, which was not particularly tall considering I could have easily stacked up to him.

"Ah, Micah. Tell me boy, what is for dinner this evening?" The Advisor replied quite politely, especially to be addressing a simple servant.

"I believe it is roasted duck, Lord." He eyed me carefully, not staring for too long.

"Is the Syrian Red still available in the wine cellar?" The boy nodded. "Wonderful, bring up a pitcher for myself and the Lady, if you please. And tell the cook that we should have some of his finest duck brought right up." The boy bowed again and hurried out of the room.

"You treat him very nicely for a servant." I remarked once he was gone.

"You think me a cruel master?" Odel replied, a grim look coming over his wrinkled face. My cheeks grew hot as I stumbled to find the words, but he cracked and began to chuckle. "Do not worry child, 'twas a joke. He is more than just my servant, he is my personal squire. His father was a good friend of mine, so I took him in when his family was taken by the Blood Plague."

Just then, the door opened once more and the boy appeared again with a tray bearing four glasses and two pitchers, one with water and the other with a rich red wine. He set the glasses and pitchers on the newly cleared desk "You dinner will be up shortly, Lord. Will there be anything else?"

"Not for myself. My Lady?" Odel replied, redirecting his gaze to me.

"I will be fine, thank you Micah." I smiled, holding his gaze for a few moments. He nodded and backed out of the room. I turned back to the Chief Advisor, eyeing the wine uncertainly.

"Something wrong, My Lady?" He asked, pouring a glass for each of us and taking a sip.

"It's just that, I've never had such fine wine before." I replied, sniffing the sweet liquid cautiously.

"Syrain wine is the finest drink east of the mountains. But if it is not to your liking, we shall find you something else." He assured her. As I took a sip, a sickening mix of sweet and sour flooded across her tongue. I immediately began to cough and nearly fell off my chair. The Advisor immediately poured me a glass of water and urged me to drink. The clear liquid washed the sweetness from my mouth, leaving only a bitter aftertaste behind.

"It's alright dear, you needn't drink it." He smiled and took another sip of his own. "Such a rich drink requires a very specific palette. I did not expect you to be able to stomach it."

Soon enough, their dinner came and we talked about many things, but none of them related to the court or its politics. It was a relief to be able to speak freely with someone, unafraid of quick tempers and lacking senses of humour. He escorted me back to my rooms at the end of the evening.

"I hate to end such a lovely evening on a solemn note but I fear I must." He placed a hand on my shoulder and bent down to speak into my ear. "Be wary, child. Your friends may very well be your enemies in this place, and your enemies may come to be your friends." He smiled and gave a small bow, drifting down the hall before I could ask what he meant.