Young Writers Society

The way to his office was a long trek that led him straight past Evrial's room but he decided against another visit. She is probably in the kitchen anyway. He walked briskly through many hallways before he finally made it to his crowded office. He tried to push the door open but it wouldn't budge. He pushed and pushed until he couldn’t keep his growing irritation in and slammed himself against it. It flung open under the pressure which sent him sprawling onto his desk, throwing a pile of scrolls across the floor. Cursing rather creative curses, he stalked over and inspected the door. Damn hinges need to be adjusted and oiled! He added the extra work onto his list of personal things that needed to be done but wouldn't until he had spare time. Which was almost never. The only time he had to himself, he used sleeping or with Evrial, and heavens knew he needed to spend more time with her. If and when he had time, he wouldn't be spending it adjusting doors and cleaning his cluttered work-space.

Still cursing to himself, he entered the adjoined room. A dozen guards stood around, calmly looking his way. Cowan was surprised when his Captain, Ulrich was among them. Ulrich chuckled lightly, "Did you win?"

He sent a scowling glare in his direction but that didn't stop the other men from chuckling with him, "There's my man!" One of them exclaimed, "This morning I was worried that you'd found yourself a lady with the way you were bouncin' about!"

Cowan grinned and retorted, slyly letting them assume he hadn't, "And who is to say that I haven't?" They all burst into laughter and started joking about how impossible it would be for him to keep a girl as his own. Little did they know that only minutes earlier, he had debated whether or not to visit her. Even though he laughed with them, the words spoken put more weight on his already burdened shoulders. He exhaled deeply before clearing his throat loudly to get their attention. Shaking the feeling of growing depression, he got down to business and sent them off in different directions. He dispatched four of his best to be his eyes and ears about the damn magic user that was causing such worry from the King.

Ulrich and he had been sharing the task of being Captain more often than not. A bit more work was added onto his load, to help his Captain a little. Ulrich was getting old and said that he appointed him to be his second above the others because he trusted that he could count on him for help. At the time it seemed like an honor but he sometimes wished he hadn't accepted the offer.

Ulrich lingered around longer than the rest but duty soon called him away. He sat down and spread the layout of the ballroom on his desk. This ball was the first that was in his charge to keep safe, which Evrial so kindly reminded him that morning. He studied the most vulnerable spots in the massive room, which were the windows and balcony. He had requested in the past that there be at least one guard by the King at all times, but Ulrich had just chuckled and waved the precaution away. Cowan hadn't realized when he joined the guard just how much work would be entailed to him. Then again, he never imagined that he would have been promoted to second-in-command in three short years but life had always brought many surprises his way. Good and bad.

*******

Evrial gaped at the letter in her trembling hand. She stared at the red seal closing the envelope off from prying eyes. The bright red was stamped with Princess Viera's personal seal. She took a ragged breath before thanking the courier that had come to her door. He bowed his head and gave a smile in her direction, making her feel instantly uncomfortable in his presence. There are many scandals in the castle and you aren't to get tangled up with them...the words of her guardian, whom she knew as her mother, played in her mind as she shut the door politely behind her. What would Ma think about Cowan if she knew him?

She sat down on her bed and used her cracked fingernail to separate the seal from the envelope. She could hardly believe it as she read the delicate handwriting:

Dear Servant,

I will be riding this afternoon and have no one other than my guards to accompany me. It has come to my attention, though I do not know how, that you enjoy the company of horses as much as I. You will be at the stables after the lunch bell has rung. Bring with you enough food for the afternoon meal.

Viera

Evrial almost burst with excitement. She picked me! Me, out of us all! Her feet started dragging her down towards the room that Havana called her office. She knocked at the door as lightly as she could before letting herself in.

Havana sat behind her old desk, looking through papers. She looked up briefly before demanding, "Miss Evrial...what do you want?" Instead of replying, she stayed silent as she handed her the envelope. Havana eyed her suspiciously before opening and reading what it said. Her eyes went wide with surprise...or jealousy? She couldn't tell before her face went back to its usual sneer.

"I don't understand what this has to do with me." She tossed the letter back into the envelope and then at her. Evrial almost dropped it on the tiled floor as the corner of it cut into her palm.

Instead of voicing the anger singing in her head, she spoke as pleasantly as she could but she knew irritation still found its way into her voice, "I don't see how this does not have something to do with you, Havana. I have to show you to give you reason of my absence in the kitchen.” The head servant ignored her anger and waved her out. Evrial gratefully left the "office" and ran down the hall back to her room. She threw her closet door open and realized that she had no possession of riding slacks. All of her excitement disappeared just as the beautiful clouds had that morning. How was she going to say no to the princess? Do I even dare?

She ignored the feeling as she stood in front of Viera's room. The guard, who she knew as Russ, announced her arrival. She winced as he called her “the servant, Evrial.” She strode in with an apologetic look on her pale face and curtsied, her brown dress folding around her. She tried not to look around in amazement/disgust at the huge room before her and kept her eyes on the floor. The princess shifted in her chair that faced in the opposite direction where her friendly voice could be heard, "Rise."

She obeyed and was about to start explaining her presence, but the princess interrupted her, "We are going to have such fun this afternoon, don't you think!?" She stood and turned towards her, a softer voice following her previous excitement, "So why do I have a feeling that you have something to say that will contradict that?"

Evrial shifted uncomfortably at the princess's kind gaze, "I must apologize with much embarrassment and confess that I am unable to go, for I have no riding garment.” She glanced up at Viera's considerate face and was struck with the beauty that the princess held. Not only were her features stunning, but the elegance that she possessed in that gown was breath taking. She couldn't help but feel like such a commonplace girl in her presence.

"Why, that isn't a problem at all!" Viera said nothing more as she skipped towards the back of her room and further into the adjoined room. She knew her place and didn't follow the princess without permission, making sure to keep her eyes from wandering. Minutes later, Viera re-entered the room with a pair of riding slacks and a matching brown vest slung across her arm.

"Here," Viera shoved the clothes into her arms and grinned, "wear these."

Evrial gaped at the beautiful clothing in her arms and forced the painful words out, "Your Highness, I can't accept this. I am but a servant and I am not worthy to accept your clothes, but I do thank you for your generosity all the same.” She wanted to accept the beautiful outfit but she knew she would never hear the end from Havana if she did. Keeping her gaze to the floor, she waited for her dismissal. She held the garment out with her hand for the princess to take. Maybe I will be flogged for refusing.

The princess's face hardened slightly as she replied, "They are nothing but clothes. It does not matter that they are mine. I do not think that you are unworthy, or anyone for that fact. Evrial, I am but a woman, not a goddess. And you will wear the slacks,” she smirked and added, as if in sync with her thoughts, “I order you to. There, now if you get in trouble, you can tell them that you couldn’t refuse. Hurry though, we will be leaving soon.”

Her face beamed with a smile and Evrial politely curtsied before leaving the princess alone. She could hardly believe the kind manner that Viera had treated her with. The soft, tender smile still lingered in her mind as she entered her own room again.

Excited to get into the slacks, she ignored the shiver that ran down her spine as the cold leather brushed against her bare skin. She sauntered to the full body mirror near her closet and gasped at the sight of herself. The leather clung itself to her small body but not too much that she was uncomfortable. The warm burgundy shirt that she found in her closet was tucked into her pants and hung loosely around her waist. She slipped the vest on which had a beautiful fur lining the collar, buttoned it up and clipped her brown cloak to it. She quickly undid her hair and pulled it into a tight braid that hung down the side of her shoulder. She smirked and boasted to herself, I am a sight to be seen. If only Cowan...she gasped. Would he be there?Consideringit was the princess, there was a good possibility that Ulrich would send him along. Hopefully he will be there, I don't look this good often.

Evrial grabbed the small satchel in the closet drawer and headed for the kitchen. It was as busy as it usually was in the lunch hour, and she was glad that she was exempt from it for a change. She smiled sweetly at Havana, who was standing above them all, gaping at her stunning figure. She felt bad for showing up dressed like this but she savored the envy that settled on the head servant's scowling face. She sauntered around the kitchen until she had some dried meat, a generous piece of fresh bread and two apples in her satchel. One for her and one for whatever horse she would be riding. On her way out, she glanced at Mr. Cander briefly, whose smile warmed her heart. She could see the knowing look in his eyes as she taunted Havana, while having the appearance of sweet innocence. She waved at him before she disappeared from the hustling kitchen.

While passing by a window, she checked the time. Oh! She cursed silently, and broke into a run, which she found easier when she wasn't confined in her gown. She relished the space that the slacks gave and how easy it was to stretch her legs further and further. The castle hallways rushed past her in a blur as she ran but she had to slow down occasionally to appear ladylike when servants or nobles passed by. If she were walking it would have taken two or three times the amount of time it took her to get to the stables.

She thanked the gods that Viera wasn't in sight when she came bursting through the door of the castle like a battering ram and made her way to the entrance of the stable. As she waited for the princess's arrival, she walked down the long row of horses on either side and admired the muscle and grace they possessed. A blue roan stallion caught her eye and she stopped to inspect him further. He stood close to eighteen hands high and held himself with such confidence in his stall that she knew immediately he was a stallion. He must have been well trained because he could have easily escaped the wimpy gate that held him in. A sudden urge to ride the powerful beast tempted her to saddle him but a soft voice interrupted her before she could do anything regrettable, "He is a magnificent horse, isn't he.”

She turned but didn't attempt a curtsy without her skirt. She bowed in acknowledgment that Viera was there and said in reply, "He is.” She reached her hand out, touched his soft muzzle and he breathed in her scent before moving toward her, reaching for her face. She smiled and blew gently into his nostrils, the form of greeting to horses.

He nickered softly and Evrial almost forgot the princess's presence until she said, "He seems to fancy you. I am jealous of the attention he is giving you, he has never liked me," she paused and frowned, "though I do not know why. I have done nothing more than spoil him rotten with treats.” They chuckled quietly as she continued to stroke the horse's neck and face. She was left alone for a moment again while Viera went to get the stable boy in the loft above. As they came back down, she reluctantly pulled away from the beast and helped the stable boy—who was hardly a boy anymore—Dalex, get three horses out of their stalls. She was slightly disappointed when the blue roan wasn't taken out but she understood why he wasn't. By the spirit in his eyes, he would require an experienced rider.

As they saddled and bridled them, she couldn't help but wonder who the third horse was for. It must have been some noble because there was absolutely no sign of them as they worked at the horses. She was surprised that Viera had shown up to help them but was grateful for her presence. She talked very little to Dalex and could tell that he wasn't quite comfortable with the conversation. Though she didn't understand why. He was a rather handsome and muscular man. It was rare to see such a handsome man so shy but she respected him for it. She couldn't stand the men who thought they were everything and it was nice to encounter someone with such a rare personality.

As if in sync with her thoughts, a young voice beamed behind her, "Are we ready to go?" She turned her head and groaned mentally. The Royal Prince Bain stood behind her now, close enough that she could feel his warm breath caressing the back of her neck. How did she not hear him coming? She could feel the grin on his face taunt her as he reached around her waist to take the reins. She would have felt flattered if she didn't know his reputation. She supposed she should give him a chance before judging him but she was quite sure that he was exactly the way she thought. He was, after all, the Royal Prince, Heir to the Throne of Calderon.