VEILS OF SHADOW

Crimson

    Alana squirmed in her seat, trying to ease her numb buttocks. The soft crimson pillows could only do so much when the dreadful audience went on and on, a never-ending plethora of disputes, feuds, and requests. Hours had passed since the Royal Family started receiving audiences from their subjects. A newlywed couple now stood before them.

   "We seek your blessings, Your Majesties." The young noble executed a bow while his pretty wife curtsied, before receiving the customary wedding gifts. Salt and pepper, a horseshoe and a silver spoon. 

   Alana had been receiving audiences with her parents since she was a child, training to take up the responsibilities of a monarch when her time came. She loved it most of the time, analyzing the problems and solving them in her head. At other times, like now, she couldn't help but let her mind drift off. Her eyes scanned the spacious hall, resting on the servants working on the east end trying to replace the crimson drapes with turquoise ones. Occasionally the turquoise drapes fluttered, caught in the spring breeze. 

    "Alana," a little jab at her waist, brought her back. The Queen's golden eyes were fixed on her, a slight smile gracing her painted lips, "What do you think you are doing?" She asked, her smile still in place. For anyone who watched, it looked like a normal conversation between a mother and her daughter. 

    "Forgive me, mother, I was enjoying the beauty of our throne hall. Magnificent, isn't it? Alana smiled brightly and leaning a little forward, she said to her father, "The turquoise perfectly complements the gold and the ivory, Father." 

The raven-haired King beamed at his daughter," I am delighted to know that you like it," he whispered, winking discreetly at her, " Someone said it was a waste of coin." 

  "I can hear you, Your Majesty." The Queen hissed, "I am sitting right in-between, and I beseech His Majesty and Her Royal Highness to maintain a modicum of decorum." 

  "Very well," the king shared a knowing look with his daughter and cleared his throat, arranging his facial expressions to utmost arrogance. 

   Alana smiled at her father's arrogant front, a shield to his merchant heart. She had inherited that from him, a knack for business. Her fingers drummed along the mermaid carved armrests, identical to the carvings on the ornate teak doors opening into the throne hall. 

  The sight of the liveried servant at the entrance and customary thump of his bronze plated staff on the marble silenced the throne hall. Three thumps resonated through the hall, indicating the arrival of a royal dignitary. Alana's drumming fingers stilled, and her spine straightened, holding her crowned head high, she waited for the visitors to be announced. 

  "His Royal Highness, Prince Aziz of Aeterna, Right Honorable, Lord Nikolai and Lord Oleander," The servant's voice rang loud and clear.

  Gasps of wonder and whispers filled the air as two young men strode toward the dias, trailing behind them was an old man. 

  The metal plates on their chests glinted, fashioned like the fish scales, they would serve well to protect the wearer whilst looking dashing.

"Moon blessed!" A lady sitting in the balustrade gasped. Her jaw, wide open, closed with a click as Alana flashed her eyes at her. How could her courtiers be so uncultured? Embarrassment burned through her. 

  "Moon blessed!" Whispers swept across the room. Awe reflected in their eyes as they looked at Lord Nikolai. His stories were known far and wide. He was the man who could both destroy and heal. His hair, the colour of silver, braided at the sides of his head, ran down to the back of his shoulders, setting him apart. The members of the moon blessed clan usually had a streak or two of silver, but Nikolai had a full head of silver.