The Firebird and the Gray Wolf (On Hold)

The One Where She Discovers Coffee

(Please feel free to comment. I always enjoy reading critiques, suggestions, and/or such)

Chapter One  

"That blasted bird!" my father exclaimed as he jumped to his feet sending his golden plate clattering to floor, the food splattering across the floor and on the edge of the table.

The guard who had delivered the news stepped back away from my father as his face turned to a shade of red I had come to know over the years whenever he was angry. A hasty kitchen maid hurried to clean of my father's mess. Mother shook her head and went about eating her breakfast of bread and some dried fruits.

"I want that bird captured!" Father declared and slammed his fist down on to the table in emphasis, shaking my water glass.

"Dear," Mother said gently while tearing a bit of her bread. "Please sit; you know what the physician said about your temper and your health."

Father turned to Mother. "Frances," he said while sitting down, "that beast has continued to steal my golden pears! It must be stopped! These past thirty days it has continued to pester me!"

I glanced up at my father. His face returning to its normal color and he seemed to be calming down.

"This cannot persist," Father said while a kitchen maid brought him a new breakfast and plate. "The guards have deemed it impossible to catch."

"Then it must be," Mother said her voice neutral and calming as always.

"Or, they are not motivated enough," Father amended pointing at her for emphasis.

"I am sure they are motivated enough," Mother said then turned to look at me. "How is your breakfast Ilona?"

"It is fine," I said and pushed my egg around my plate with a piece of bread. It was hard to eat, though, when all I could think about was Jakys, Prince Jakys. Pronounced as if with an h rather than a j. Just his name sounded like I was hacking up some food when sick. But, his name was not the only thing. Some special perfume for men that he had obtained from somewhere in Asia made him smell downright awful. Prince Jakys, though, happened to be my betrothed. I was doomed to marry the smelly buffoon.

"Where are John and Godfrey?" Father asked suddenly, referring to my two older brothers.

"I believe they are still in bed," Mother said then continued talking with me. "You do not look well Ilona? Do feel alright, dear?"

I wanted to tell her about how my engagement with Prince Jakys made me ill whenever I thought of it and that I would rather become a peasant than ever marry him. But, I knew the response that such a statement would receive. My father would claim that such a union between Prince Jakys and I was vital to the kingdom; that our alliance would end years of hatred and war. Mother would say something about how well I would live by being Prince Jakys's wife. I would be lavished with beautiful stones, delicious foods, and stunning gowns.

What they never mentioned, however, was that I would no longer reside in Irondell, the captal of the Kingdom of Baennon, I had lived in since birth. That no longer in our castle would I live, but in some strangers. No doubt the castle would smell of Jakys's ghastly perfume.

"I am fine mother," I lied.

"Are you certain? I could call in the physician," she suggest while finishing up her breakfast and with a fleeting glance at father to see if he might also need the physician.

"No, Mother, I am fine," I repeated and took a few more bites of my egg and bread to prove it.

"I have a proposal!" Father shouted startling everyone at the table, including the kitchen maid who had just come to take Mother's plate.