Sibyll crouchyed by the door, pressing her ear against the rough wood.
“…you knowq pur situation, Andru. Your genes are inbred. Most of iiii is a distant relative. This will benefit you twofold. You widen the bloodline, and create a new alliance.” Sibyll recognized the voice of her father’s senior advisor and cousin.
“Yes, but fornicating with…King Cyrus will not like it,” King Andru, Sibyll’s father, responded hesitantly. Sibyll pressed her ear close,r starining to hear enough so she could undertsaand what they were saying.
“King Cyrus is smart. He will attempt to twist this in his favor, but I am prepared for that. As his youngest son, Prince Cayden is of little importance. He will never inherit the throne, and thus the Markaws will never have to deal with a Highwolfe queen.” Sibyll froz,e her mind rcing. Andru remained silent.
“Sibyll is my oldest daughter.”
“A small price to pay for allegiance and safe bloodlines. At this rate, whomever she marries, if he is Highwolfe, their children will be sickly and inbred to the point that they won’t be fit to rule. We need this opportunity. The Highwolfes may not survive if we don’t take it.” Sibyll pushed back from the door, her heart pounding heavily.
They want…me…to marry a MARKAW??? Sibyll felt sick, and she hurriedly pushed away from the door, not wishing to hear more. She slipped down the long halls, avoiding the guard posts she knew by heart, until she was standing under a small iron grate set into the wall. Listeninmg for anyone coming, she unlatche dit and slid in.
It was dusty, but by now she was used to it. It had been a few yesars ago when she had realized that the airway system of the castle was completely passed over, even forgotten, yet it led to every room one might want to go to. She had been using it ever since to escape her guardfs when she wanted a small taste oif freedom from he guards. For all they knew, she was still in her room, asleep.
Sibyll pressed her hand firmly against her nose, stoifling a sneeze. She turned a few time sin the vents until she saw a familiar latch with a pink ribbon tied to it, blowing gently in the weak breeze like a tijy flag, marking her room. Sibyll peered through the grate and, not seeing anyone, slipped back into her room. Finally, she sneezed.
“Umare!” calle done of gthe guards. Sibyll quickly got out a pen and paper, sitting at her desk. She would up the small music box she had gotten for her eleventh birthdsay and began writing feverishly.
“Mistress Sibyll, may I enter?” Lecia, Sibyll’s head maid, called from behind the thick wooden door. Sibyll made a few last flourishes, signing th letter hastily, before she quickly stuffed it in a drawer.
“Come in,” she called, and Lecia entered slowly.
“Mistress, how dusty you are? What, have you been playing in the ducts?” Seeing Sibyll’s face pale, Lecia quickly laughed awkwardly and added, “It’s just a joke, dear. How long as it been since this room was last cleaned?” Lecia swipe dher finger on Sibyll’s dresser top and shook her head disapprovingly. Sibyll relaxed.
“What brings yoyu here at this hour, Lecia?” The maid gave her an exhasperated look.
“Why, have you forgotten already, child?! Tonight id the family banquet!” Sibyll smile dsheepishly. She had been too busy eavesdropping to think of much else. Speaking of which…
“Lecia, who is coming?”
“Why, all your relatoives up to second cousins! It will be a very big feast; I don’t envy those kitchen maids at all…” Lecia began rummaging through Sibyll’s ythings, laying each of them out on thre vanity.
“I’ll draw your bath in just a moment, my lady. You need to be ready for dinner at 4.”
“That early?” Sibyll groaned. Lecia gave aher a wry look, trying her best to hide her smile.
“Yes. There will be much conversation and drink before the actual meal. Unfportunately, you may not yet drink, of course!” Lecia let out a hearty chortle, but Sibyll only scowled. You were only given drink if you were married. And, if what Sibyll, heard this morning held any weight, that might just be soon. She remembered snmeaking into the wine cellar multip,e times as a child. She lawya sgot caught, but not before she had inspected countless of the shiny bottles, scattering them on the floor. She had had extra guards for a week.
Lecia hustled into the bathroom, and Sibyll, heard th water start to whoosh into the large, spacious area. The floor had a ten foot rim around it, and the middle dopped into a small pool. Sibyll loved bathing in it; the water was always warm and soapy, and Licia always put lavender and rsemart in the water so it smelled good. It was perfect to trelax after a long day o fprincess duties.
“Shall I invite Lusa?” Licia asked, and Sibyll gave her a look. She did NOT want her youngfer sster interfering with her bath time. “You may enter and undress, Mistress. The water is at a perfect temperature.” Sibyll immeidtsltry did as she was told, slipping off her loose casual clothe as she made her way into the bathroom. It was humid, but not overwhelmingly so. Sibyll slipped the rest of her clthe soff, feelking the dew against her bare skin before dipping herself into the water. Licia was right; it was just warm enough, but not too hot. She sighed in pleasure as Licia entrred behin her, switchoing hre maid’s outfoit for a loose and quick drying coverup. It would be easier if she could be in the water too. Sibyll pushed away from the wall, dipping her head underater, relishing the feel of the heat on her face. She flipped onto her back, still underwater, and her long, raven black hair fanned out arpoundher head. Sibyll surfaced and swam back toward Licia. She settled on the step as Licia started wrapping Sibyll’s hair up. Once that was done, she had Sibyll stand as she gently rubbed her baxkc with a soapy sponge. Sibyll sighed in pleasure. Licia scrubbed, working her way down until Sibyll had to step out of the water enough so Licia could wash her legs without drowning. Then, Sibyll floated on her back and Licia began gently wiping down her front. Sje closed her eyes in ecstasy, the smells of lavender and rosemary filling her mind.
Sibyll let her mind drift, and then she remembered the conversation she had heard earlier. She bit her cheek as she did her bets to recall what was said.
“Any new or important busoiness that you know of happening at thre banquet?” she asked Licia, opening he reyes. Her maid started, but the shook her head.
“Ypiur father doesn’t tell me anything; I’m just a lowly maid. I haven’t heard any gossip yet, but I will let you know if I do. Why?”
“No reason,” Sibyll rep;lied, trying her best to look disinterested. Then, she thought of another question. Sje waited a bit before asking, so itwould seem as if it suddenly just crossed her kind, and not that she was actually curios. Fpr all she knew, what Andru and Godoi had been talking aboiut could have comp;lately nothing to do woth her.
“Licia, canm I ask you another question?”
“My, very curious this evening, dear. Go ahead.”
Sibyll paused.
“What do you know about Cayden Markrow?” Lecia paused and stopped washing. She looked at Sibyll curiosly.
“Why do you want to know?”
“I-I’m just curious. They’ll no doubt talk about the Markrows, and I hardly know anything about Cayden. They hardly teach us anything about him.”
“Well,” Licia began, “the reason we don’t talk much of him is that he is King Cyrus’ youngest son, so chances that he will ever inherit the throne are incredibly slim. In a way, he is the chld that everyone forgets about. I’ve never met him, but I’ve heard gossip among the other maids. Whether this is true or not, I can’t say, so you’ve been warned.” Licia tickled Sibyll affectionately, and she splashed her in return. “From what I’ve heard, he loives moistly in the dshadow of his brothewrs. He has three older brothers, so he has them to compete with. Thus, they say that he is quite popular among the people. It seems he has less duties than his brothers, so he is more free to walk amongst the people. He is well liked.”
“What doews he look like?” Sibyll asked, now genuinely intrigued.
“I’ve seen a picture only once, but from what I remember he had longish blonde hair and dark eye-“
“A blonde Markrow??” Sibyll gasped, interuping Licia.
“Yes,” Licia replied, smilimg and not at all bothered by being cut off. “It is starnmge, I will admit. I’d imaginme he does expericne ome ridicule for that, poor thing. Now, sit down again, so I may do your hair.” Sibyll complied, her mind a million milews away, mulling over the fact that such a thing as a light haired Markrow could exist.
Whe n Sibyll entered te grand hall, trailed by Licia, she found it was already quite packed. Licia disappeared, to find Sibyll’s seat and make sure no one else took it in a drunken stupor. Sibyll was free to socialize, and she mad eher way toward her brother, Lem, six years older than her. He was surrounded by his friends, many boys and an equal number of girls. Sibyll had long givcen up on leanring how everyone was related: it was much too complivcated to remember on the fly. She just focused on learning names. Lem and his best friend Biro were making comical gestures that Sibyll took to be jokes, but as she ot closer she realized they were door a poor rendition of an archery contest the two had held earlier that day. Lem was bragging that he was the best shot, but everyone knew Biro had him beat every time. His ftrend was listenoing to his words sith a knowin grin on his face, and Sibyll couldn’t help skiling in amusaement. Biro saw her, and Immediatelyhid face lit up as she abandoned Lem to stride toward her. He was a squat boy, with dark hair and wide eyes.
“Princess,” he said, bowing. Sibyll blushed at his formality, but he then gave aher a friendly wink and grabbed her elbow, leading her over toward her brother. Lem saw her, and then madea show of groaning in annoyance.
“Biro, of all times, you choose to bring Sibyll into oiur conversation NOW? I don’t think her poor heart can take the sheer awesomeness of my-“
“You missed more than half the times you hit, Lem,” Biro shot back, instantly destroying Lem’s entire story with just a small phrase. Sibyll giggled, and Biro straightened. It wasn;t hard to see he had been infatuated with her from childhood.
“How long has everyone been here already?” she addressed Lem, but her cousin Syphi replied instead.
“It’s only been this crowded since about a half hour ago. I heard some maids talking; apparently there’s going to be some big news!” Syphi turned back to her friends and they dissolved into a small group of whisperers, heads bent close together. Sibyll stiffremed as Lem leaned closer.
“I bet they’re finally talking about marrying you off, sis. Any special requests?” Sibyll face flamed as Lem chortled.
“If you’re not careful, then I’ll say you,” she shot back, and Lem immediately cut off his paughter with a choke.
“Now now…I know that’s what we’ve been doing for centuries, but…” It was Sibyll’s turn to laugh, and the n she realized hiow hushed the room had gotten. Steppig away from Biro, she had just enough time to take a knee before King Andru and his wife, Marron, enetered. They surveyed the bowed, ad Sibyll couldn’t help glancing up. Her father’s ace was lined, and seemed more somber than usual. Remembering the conversation form earlier, Sibyll felt her stomach churn.
“Please, all, be seated! The ooks will breing in the feast soon enough!” There was sudden;y a rush as everyone triued to get to their seats at the same time. Sobyll paused, picking out Licia in the crowd, befor making her way toward her maid and her chair. As princess, Sibyll was seated in between her mother and her little sister Lusa. Licia stood behind her chair, patiently waiting in case Sibyll needed anything. Queen Marron glanced at Sibyll and gave her an almost apologetic smilke, but King Andru didn’t even look at her. His mouth was a tight line. She glanced across thr table at Lem, and he gave a tiny shrug.
First, the cookms brought in great jugs of wine for the women and ale for the men. Non-alcoholic mead was brought for those who were not yet married. Sibyll accepted a cup of mead from Licia, but she didn’t drink any. Se was too nervous. Anmdru had been given a large glass sloshing full of ale, but he hadn’t drunk any. It sat in front of him, and he stred almost dejectedly into it. The gathering went on uproariously around the royal family as the gueats filled with drink and, consequentially, good humor. Sibyll took tiny sips of her mead, the slight tang making her stomach churn more instead of easing it. Her mouth was dry as she watched her father gance around the table, his lips still in a tight, straiught line. Finally, when Sibyll could smell the food outaide of the door, King Andru whispered something to one of his many servants before turning to the table. The servant daahed outside the room, no doubt telling the cooks to hold the food. Sibyll’s heart beat fatser as Andru cleared his throat.
“I would like to thank you all for travelling here eofr our anhjual Highwolfe clan meeting,” he boomed once the table had quieted. “It is my pleasure to serve you allm today, as you all have done so kmuchfor me. In turn, I hope I have been a good king thus far, and kept your families wealthy, healthy, and happy. Many of you have stuck woth me through great trials, but as you know it takes a lot to damage a Highwolfe.” Sibyll did not l,ike where this conversation seemed to be going. She saw many others exchange cponfused, apprehensive looks across the table. “As you all know, everybody here is of some way related to our famil, some close than others. For decades we have been closed off from the rst of the kingdoms, marrying our own kind, and strengthening our bloodlines. However, there comes a point when a lot becomes too much. We have been inbreeding so much that it now poses a serious risk to our health, and thje future of this kingdom.” There was a tide of whispers, but Andru continued over them. “Of you all, none seems to be more inbred than the Royal family, especially those closest to the throne. As you all know, Merron is my cousin. Ay this poijt, it was a miracle that we were able to conceive children at all.” Everyonewent silent, and the air was tense. “My daughter, Princess Sibyll Levilia Highwolfe, is of age to be married. However, according to my head advisor, friend, cousin, and logistician, Godiom Ranolov Highwolfe, if Sibyll were to be married to someone in the Royal family, she may as well be considered barren.” Ther were cfies of alarm, and gasps. Sibyll sat, frozen, hardly hearing yet still understanding what was happening.
He wants me to marry cayden, she thought manically. Me…and a Markrow. Sje had the sudden urge to laugh, but she hids it wqith a choking vcough. Andru was continuing.
“The Highwolves and Markrows have been in an uneasy alliance for centuries. If Sibyll were to marry the youngest son, Cayden Markrow, then we would benefit more than we would suffer. Cayden would never succeed the throne, so King Cyrus will be less opposed than if it were any other of his sons. Sibyll would remain a princess of iiii, and cayden would more than likely come live here. We would not be losing our princess!” By now,m the gueats, hopped up on ale and wine, were shouting, standing as they drunkenly protested that Andru mst be out of his kind. Adru sagged, and Merron put heer hand sympathetically on is shoulder. A few minutes passed with the guests now throwing insults at the King, before he suddenly bellowed out, “I will send the marriage documents in the morning! It is to be done!” Wth that, the king stormed out of the room, his full glass of ale sloshing as his thundering steps shook the table.
Chapter II
Sibyll ewas in her room, satring quietrly at thr wall. She heard a knock on he door, but she didn’t react.
“Princess?” Licia’s soft appeal was met with no reply. Unbidden, she pushed the door open, entering timidly. “My lady, you should eat.” She was met with more silence. “I know you are upset, but not eatoing is only punishoing yourself. Don’t sacrifice your life for your pride.” Licia stepped up to the side table that still held Sibyll’s untouched breakfast, cold and undisturbed. “At the very least, I will have one of the cooks make you some lavender rosemary tea.” Licia bowed, even though Sibyll wasn’t looking at her, and left the room quietly. The guards gave her concerned looks, but sh just shook her head. She would take care of it.
Sibyll blinke din the forst time in a long time, and a tear fell down heer face. Her eyes were completely dry from staring so lomg without blininhg. Getting up, Sibyll wobbled over to the bath room and turned on the water, breathing in as the steam rose up and started filling the room. She stripped until she was naked, then slipped into a sheer swim dress. Sibyll sank into thw arm water and leaned her head bacxk on the rim, closingher eyes amd reaxing her body. She psuehd all thoughts of cayden from her mind. She took a deep breath, but wasn;t greeted with anything but steam. Licia hadn’t drawn her bath, so there wouldnlt have been any lavederrosemart anyway. Sibyll psued off from the wall, sinking into the warm water. Sje opened her eyes, watching the swirls on the cewlining seems to undulate. If she really wanted, she could end it right now…
Sibyll flkexed her palm underwater, watching the tiny little bubbles escape to thje surface. Wth a shoot of anger she burst through the sirface, creating ripples. She felt her thorat clodse up, and then a sib escaped her. Sibyll swam back to the rim just before she completely broke down. Her salty trars mixed with the hot water until she had no idea if the water on her face was from the pool or her tears. She heardc a muffled salam as the door closed, indicating Licia was back with the tea. Sibyll curled up, submersing herself up to her nose. She heard Lecia paue, and then her soft footstep sas she entered the bath room.
“Sibyll, I have your tea. Come at least drink a little, child.” Sibyll was dthankjful Licia didn’t make a big deal out of er crying. She accepted the mug and took a small sip. The warmth spread throughout her limbs, and the taste of rosemary and lavender calmed her.
“He really wants me to marry Cayden.” It wasn;t a question, but Licia still answered it as one.
“I’m afraid so, child. He has satted his rwasons and decreed that it will be done. I’m not sure how much power he has left in your hands.” Sibyll sank in a dejected silence. After a moment, Licia added, “If you’re looking for someone to blame, I’d suggest Godion Highwolfe.” Sibyll turned toward Licia, supriszed that she would speak so openly nehgatively about the king’s head advisor. “Weren;t you listening? He was the one that convinced Master A ndru that this was a good idea. There is a reason he is head advisor. He is good at persuasion, and he knows whaat he is doing. Unfortunately, sometimes that means not taking into accpunt other people’s feelings.” Licia gently stroked Sibyll’s hair as she took another sip. Sibyll had read books before abpout princessly duties, such as marrying for money and alliances, and not for love but she had never fathomed that it would happen to HER.
“So you think there’s really nothing we can do?” she murmured.
Licia paused, and then replied, “If you want, you could talk to your father. I’m not surre how michy good that will do, but you might feel better if you talk aboit it.” Sibyll mulled over Licia’s suggestion gloomily, until her tea was gone. She handed Licia thw cup and stood up. She hafd anidea.
“Licia, could you go assist the cooks in making me a soufflé? You make them the bewst.” Sibyll gave her an innocent, charming smile, and Licia, purely happy that Sibyll wanted to eat sand nopt thinking about the fact that making the soufflé took quite long, agreed quickly and hurried off. Sibyll waited until the door was closed before she quickly dried off, changing into her dusty dress from that morning. Then, making sure the guards knew that no one was to disturb her, Sibyll hoisted hersef back into the air ducts.
Sje had marked her fsather;s stiudy carefully ewith a blue ribbon when he wasn;t there. She had never so blatantly gone there when he was there, but for right now she felt that there was no doubt that was where he was, and that was where she needed to go. Sibyll crawled carefully, but yuears of dust muffled any sounds she made. Sibyll had mapped out most of the ducts already, and then committed that map to memory. She hadn’t ever been to her father’;s stidy, but sh knew the way. Fllowing the map I her head, Sibyll crawled through layrs of dust. The ducts were largely forgotten or gnored, so she didn’t worry very much abut being caught. If anything, whoever heard her would probably just assume it was someone on the next floor up being abnormally loud. Sibyll turned, and sure enough the blue ribbon was vaing gently at the end of the curve. Crawling as slowly as possible, Sibyll crept until she could peer dwn the duct into her father’s study.
The king was at his desk. He was holding his quill and had papers wiyth the royal watermak before him, but h wasn’t writing. His quill hand was resting on the desk while his other hand was rubbing his face. He let out a hefty sigh, and Sibyll suddenly realized how her father might be feeling right now. She knew he held her in very high etsteem; she wads his oldest daughter and had a good head for decisions and economics, unlike Lem, who was more suited in foreign policies and combat. Sibyll let hersewlf imagine what her father must be thinking, and suddenly she felt annoyed that she had reacted so childishly. Of all his children, Sibyll would have been the one the most understanding of his choice! Turning around, Sibyll crawled quickly back to her room, throwing off the dusty clothing and changing back into her dress. Striding quickly, she made her way to her father;s study, one of the guards following her, the other stayonmg to inform Licia where her charge was. Sibyll fekt her eart start to beat fatsr, but she ignored it, sarighjtening her bacxk and walking like a princess wo was stroing and was willing to sacrifice for the greater good. However, once she got to the door of her father’s study, she hesitated. Taking a deep breath, she knocked.
“King Andru, it ids youtr daugfhter, Princess Sibyll. May I enter?”
After a [pause, Andru replied, “Yes, you may, my dear.” Sibyll pulled the door close dbehind her, and she didn’t miss the slump o her father’s shoulder sas he heard it close.
He probably thinks I’m going to yell at him, she realized, and thsat saddenedher.
“Father,” she said, placing her hand gently on his shoulder, “forgive me forreacting so negatoively to such a pfreposition. It was childish ans selfish, and for that I sincerelyologize.” Andru turned to her, and his eyes were sad.
“If anything, dear, I should be the pne apologixzing to you. I enver wanted this to happen, but…Godion has been insisting this for years, and he has suh good rwaon for believing…I want what’s best for you, my child, and I want you to be able to conceive healthy, beautiful children.” He loked at her, his eyes plaintive. Wordlessly, Sibyll hugged him. The king placed his string arms around her and returned the embrace.
“I still love you, you know,” she joked, to which the king gave her a squeeze before [pulling away.
“I love you too, my child. Wpuld like to help me wreite up the marriuage [prepositiuon? If you have any minor requests, I’ll see to it that they will be granted.”
An hour later, King Andru has just about fifnished. Sibyll had never been inhis study before, and her eyes passed over all the books that sat in the circular shelves that bordered the room. Many were thick, dark tomes, covered with a gray film of dust. Glancing at her father, Sibyll stood and went ovewrto one of the sections. Looking closer, she saw that it was labeled “Markrow”. Sibyll glanced in siuprise t at hrer father.
“Father, why is this section called ‘Markrow’?” King Andru looked up, his eyes squinting until he could see what Sobyll was pointing at.
“Ah. That, my dear, is an entire section of books dedicate dto the Markrow kingdom. Many are from iiii itself, so they are not available anhwhere else in iiii. There should be some mentioning Cayden, if that’s what you’re looking for.”
“Er, uh…” Sibyll stammered, her face flushing. The King smiled cheekily and went back to writing. Sibyll was embarrassed, but she was more curious. She began thumbing through the tomes, trying to read ancient text covered in dust and hidden amongst cracked spines.
Markrowan Politics, A Complete Collection of the Markrow Magazine, A Brief History of the Greats: The Markrow Legacy, Markrow Genealogy…
Sbyll felt her head spin as sh read the titles. Carefully, she pulled out A Brief History and Geneology; those seemed the most helpful. Andru saw her, and added, “You may borrow them, but don’t let anyone know you have them, please, and keep them safe. Send Licia t0o let me know when you are done with them. Now, how’s this?” Andru pushed the contravct towards Sibyll, and she bent over it, her eyes scanning the lines quickl. Se forced herself to focusa on the fcats of what was being said, and not what thry would mean foir her.
Sibyll crossed her lgs under heer and opened Geneology to thefamily tree in the inside cover. It ws so large that it spanned several foldout sheets. The,m she took A Brief History and opened it to the first page. She saw something moving out of the corner of her eye and went over to the large, high woindow that streame light into her room. Godion was riding his horse away, followed by a few guards, in the directon of iiii. Sibyll watched until they were out of sigfht.
Of course. Godion must have the document the king drew up. He was able to cpnmv9ince the king of the validity of his argyuement- it msakde sense to send him to king Cyrus. Sibyll assumed that he would also be accompanied by a few Birdogs; they were citizens that chose to live in the neutral territory between iiiiand iiii. They didn’t belong to eother kingdom, and were generally looked upon as less than. However, they were also able to have an easier time entered either kingdoms because of their lack of allegiances.
Sibyll shook her head to clear her kind and settled back on her bed. She hjad a chair, but it was easier to have both books oopen on er king-sized bed. She ran her eyes down the table opf contents anmd skipped ¾ of the froint of A History- it was too old to have anything to do with Cayden. Sibyll settled and began reading.
Dnner that noight was anything less than tense. Sibyll could almost tatste it, and likewise there was very little conversation between the patrons. Nobody wanted to risk te wrath of those who were the most affected by the king’s decision, so they held their tongue. Sibyll could tell the family that stayed after the party was dying to interrogate King Andru, but they msatly kept their ,moiuths shut. Sibyll ate hurriedly, so she wouldn’t be stopped for question she had no answer to. Lem glace dat her multiple times, his eyes concerned. Sibyll gave him her mosyt confident look each time, hoping he wouldn’t interrogate her about how she felt about this arranged marriage. Of course, it wasn;t official yet, but the effect it had had was already very pronounced. Sibyll finished her dinner quickly befire hurryoing back to her room. Sibyll felt her heart sink as she saw Lem push his plate away out the corne of her eye. She hurried down the hall, her guards keeping up behind her with their long strides, but even so Lem called out, “Sibyll! Wait.” Unhappily, she stopped and waited for her brother to catch up. He walked behind her silently as she returned to her room. The guards glance dat each other, but they dutifully took up their posts as she and Lem went into her room. Licia was there, folding and putting away clothes.
“Licia, could you give us some privacy, please?” Licia nodded and immediately went out.
“So, what’s up?” Sibyll tried- and failed- to keepo her voice light. Lem lokked at her hard.
“Whats up? What’s up is my sister is getting married to a man she doesn’t even know from the Markrow kingdom!” Lem was looking at her with anger glowing in his icy silver-blue eyes, but it wasn;t directed at her.
“Lem, calm down,” she warned, sitting on her bed.
“How can I be calm when-“ Lem rubbed his face with his hadn and plopped down on the bed beside her. “My little sister is getting married to a man she doesn’t know. A man she’s never met. Not only that, but he’s a Markrow. How can we trust him? Ow do we know he’s going to treat you right? How you deserve?” Lem’s eyes were concerned now, and Sibyll sighed. Taking his hand, she met his icy eyes with her bright blue ones.
“Lem, it’s okay. I helped father write the marriage offer. I’ve been reading about Cayden. He doesn’t seem like a bad guy. Yes, I’ve never met him. Neither have you, so I donlt think you should judge him too quickly. And just because he’s a Markrow doesn’t automatically make him a bad person. Our societies are different, and that’s what cause smost of the problems. If we can put those aside, and let this marriage gpo through…it will make both kingdoms stronger.”
Lem stared at me.
“Bloody bird feathers, you really believe what you’re doing is right,” he said, pulling his hand away and satnding. “My sister is marrying a Markrow.” He gave a strange, humorless laugh, running his hand through his shaggy black hair. “Well, sister, I hope you enjoy being a Markrow bitch.” Sibyll sat, shocked, as Lem exited. Licia poked her head in a moment after.
“Everything okay, Miss?” Sibyll blinke,d and shook herself.
“Yes, of course. Just…not everyone is happy about this.” Sibyll sood, not looking at Licia, and ordered her bath to be readied. Licia complied without comment.
Chapter III
Sibyll was confined to the castle. The people had heard about the marriage proposal, and they saw it as a weak move and a useless power struggle against the White kingdoms. King Andru thought it safest for Sibyll to remain within the castle grounds, and he double dher guards just in case. Lem was still angry, although he did a good job of hiding it from the king. As for Andru, he was looking older each day, and the queen was often rubbing his back or knuckles to comfort him. Sibyll saw the toll this deal was taking on her father, and she wanted to help. So, a few days after he had given her the books, Sibyll decide dto return them herself. She knocked loudly on the king’s office door, and he himself opened it. Up close, the king’s wrinkles had magnified, and his eyes had a tired, dull look to them. However, when he saw Sibyll, conflictinmg looks of both regret and pride flashed across his face.
“Come in, dear.” Sibyll followed him in, setting the books down on an empty coner of his desk. Papers were scattered, completely unorganized, but Sibyll didn’t comment. “How are you holding up?”
Sibyll glance dat King Andru, anmd she saw that he was bracing himself.
“Father, please don’t be worried about me. I’m okay with this. I dr up the documents with you, remember? I’ve been reading about the Markrow family. They actually don’t seem too bad. Besides, Cayden Markrow seems like a good person. He will kake a good husband.” The words fekt strange on Sibyll’s tongue, but she forced herself to give her father her most conforting smile. King Andru abruptly stood and enveloped her in a hug.
“My dear, you are perhaps the bravest person I know. I’m so proud of you,” he murmured inti her hair. “I know Lem is angry with me, and with you, and Lusa has no idea of what is really happening, but I admire your strength in all this adversity. I was actually just about to call you here,” Andru said, pulling away. “Godion has returned with King Cyrus’ answer.”
Sibyll held her breath as the whole family that reside dinthe castle waited to hear what Godion had to say. He pause dfor effect, waiting until he had everyone’s attention. He didn’t have to wait long; the entire court as dying to hear King Cyrus’ answer. From his oong gray robe, Godion produced a scroll of dark paper, sealed with the Markrw crest. Any murmurs of unease quikly died away as Godion unrolled the parchment. Sibyll’s mouth was dry, but she didn’t dare ask Licia for a glass of water. Not now.
“King Cyrus sends his greetinbgs to all those of thew Highwolfe clan,” Godion boomed, his voice as formal as he could make it. Sibyll noticed Lem was absent, and felt a pang in her heart.
“King Cyrus has reviewed your proposal, King Andru, and he has discussed it with his advisors. He agrees that infertility would be a very bad consequence of generations of inbreeding, and that if the Highwolfe clan were unablke to produce an heir, that would cause problems for both Black Kingdoms. King Cyrus has been impressed with the bravery and..ehem…presumptiosness of your proposal, but he has taken it upon himself to consult with those who would be most affected, maily, Cayden Markrow himself.” There were a few quickly muffled gaspsa around the room. “After much deliberation and questioning, King Cyrus has agreed to the terms that King Andru has set-“ Everyone started talking at once as Sibyll sat, frozen in place. Licia went up and grabbed her hand., ad Sibyll squeezed, greatful. “AND,” Godion added,m trying to heard above the crowd, “FIRST HE WOULD LIKE TO INITIATE A…TRIAL PERIOD of sorts. He would like the final word to be spoken only after Princess Sibyll Highwolfe and Prince Cayden Markrow have met. The king seemed very ingtrigued by this proposal,” Godion said, lowrring the larchmet, “but he is a fathernin addition to a king, and while he understands a king’s duties, he also wants to be a good father to his sons. He would like Cayden to have a say in this, and Princess Sibyll also. He has asked that we meet him on the next full moon in his castle in iiii.” The crowd once again rose to a loud cry, but Godion was done speaking. Sibyll sawher father rub his face with his hands, and her mother gently comfort him. Numb, Sibyll abruptly stood, making her ay toward her room. Licia had to almost run to keep up with her steps.
“Milady, are you all right?” Sibyll didn’t answer; she walked faster, and was almost running once she got to hjer room. She slammed the door shut and locked it, making it to th bathroom before she burst into sobs. Sibyll cried until she had no more tears, and then she lay on the cool stpone floor, letting her mind drift, thinking about everything and nothing at once. She din;t want to think about her future right then. She wnate dto savor the last moment sshe had left.
Sibyll reined her horse intight to keep it still as her guards moved in formation n around her. There was an incrsed number today- it was the day she wou;d be meeting Cayden Markrow for the very fiurst toime, and many of the subjects of iiii were still angered about the deal. Sibyll herself had accepted her fate, and was impatient to get going. Despite her reservation,s she was actually very curious to meet Cayden, and King Cyrus, and it eould be the forst timeshe had ever seen iiii in person before. Sibyll turnedin the saddle as her father rode out, his white hors decked out in black and silver coverings. The official iiii colors. Sibyll’s horse jerked, and she yanked on its reigns again. Her father rode up slowly to her side, his horse perfectly behaved and even prancing. Sibyll bit her cheek in annoyance.
“Let us not delay! We have a long ride ahead of us. My scouts anticipate us to be there by dinner time. Keep a look out and let’s ride!” Sibyll rolled her eyes at her father’s enthusiasm, but she urged her horse into line beside hoim as the party began mobbing outside of the castle grounds. It was early morning, and the sky was still darkish, just starting to lighten. They rode up to the gigantic iron gates that separated the caste from the commoners, and Sibyll heard shoting. Craning her neck, she saw that there was a crowd behind the gates, shouting and riling the guards.
“If they have business with us, let them take it up in normal court,” her fathr commanded. “We have places to be, so let us through!” The gates opene dseamlessly, without even a squeak, and th crowd surged forward. Or, tred to, as a fourth of the cavalry accompanyoing Sibyll and King Andru surged forward tpo keep the commoners away from the center of the group.
“Just keep riding, darling,” her father said, and it was loud enough that only she heard what he saiad. She nodded and focused on keeping her stubborn horse in line. With the guards’ help, the corwd seemed to melt away before Sibyll’s eyes, until they were out of the gate san dpassing along the castle border in the direction of iiii. Sibyll’s horse had calmed down, and she allowed her mind to drift as it followed along without her urging.
She hadn’t spoken to Lem at all since that night in her room. He had been to the meals, but had left as soon as he could and was always busy somewhere else when ever Sibyll tried to inquire about talking to him. She knew he was still angry, but still hoped that he might accept the fact that no one was forcing her into this; it was her own choice. Whenever Sibyll had stated having doubts or felt uneasy about the whole affair, she just cracked open one of the books she had borrowed from her father and started readoing. The Markrows were fascinating, and she was honestly more than excited to meet them and see the dark, sharply defined cities of iiii. Sibyll glance dout at the silvery lands of iiii- the house swere mostly swuat and wide, mad ewith trees and dull gray stone as covering. Some huts were even covered with cracking gray mud as they neared the border. Sibyll watched her kingdom go by in fascination. She didn’t think she had ever been this far out of the castle. At noontime they stopped near a river to eat and rest. Sibyll le dher horse to drink ,a dn it plunged it’s nostrils in all thre way, snorting water at her when it came back up. Sibyll giggle dand attaché dthe feed container onto its mouth. As her horse was chewing, she surveyed the guards accompanying them. She noticed that most of the guards were younger and newer looking; they didn’t have the confident, prepaired swagger yet. But she also recognized some of her father’s senior guards- that was amart. Mixing the old with the new. Se felt safe as she stood, stroking her horseon its soft cheek. It flicked its ears at her and suddenly rammed its head intoher chest, knocking her over. The guards around her froze, not sure what to do as Sibyll sat, silently, bt then she burst out laughing, and they all relaxed. Sibyll patted her horse affectionately on the neck and looked around for her father. He was conversing with some of his senior guards, and despite the sudden giddiness Sibyll was feeling, she felt sobered by her father’s businesslike grace. As enjoyabkle as an early morning exploration was, she still had a duty. Her horse snorted in annoyance as undid the feedbag and stuffed it back into the saddle bags. Everyone moute donce more, and they were off.
By the time they entered the Birdog’s territory, Sibyll’s legs felt sore and she was hungry. They had rations, but she wanted to have an appetrite for theit dinne at iiii. Her horse was getting cranky again, his energy gone, and she had to continually spur him on.
“Almost there, sweet. Once we get through this territory, we’ll be in iiii. Their castle is located nearer to their border than you would expect, so don’t worry. We’ll get there before sundown.”
“I thought you said dinner,” Sibyll whined.
“Sundown is when they eat dinner,” King Andru replied cheekily, smiling even wider as Sibyll groaned. Suddenly, the guards in fornt of them stopped. A few started drawing theoir swords uneasily. King Andru rode up to one of his officers, and Sibyll satrined to listen.
“What is it, Kyngoll?”
“Sir, it’s the Birdogs.” The whole group stilled at that announcement, and then Sibyll heard a sstrange sound. It grew steadily, until suddenly a group of about a hundred people appeared frm the trees. They had dark marks under their eyes, and their hair was lomg and unkempt. The men had beards down to their waists. Their mouths were moving, and Sibyll realized they were singing.
“A young girl, so sweet and so brave
Has come to marry our beloved knave
Come to enforce eras of pleasantry
Destroying the corrupt nobility
Hail Princess Sibyll Highwolfe
And her bethrothed, Prince Cayden Markrow!”
Sibyll looked at her father, shocked. These people, the Birdogs…were singing in honor of her and Cayden’s marriage?
“We would lime to get to iiii by sundown. Please, let us pass!” At King Andru’s cry, the Birdogs disappeared as suddenly into the trees as they had appeared, their voices still rising and falling as new refrains were sung. Sibyll kept close to her father as the group continued forward. “The Birdogs have great respect for this union, as it would untie the two kingdoms and therefore make veryone, technically, a Birdog,” Andru explaine,d falling back beside Sibyll again. “They live with both or no loyalities, however you want to look at it, and you and cayden would just be ecenmting their position as belonging to both kingdoms.” Sibyll nodded, biting her lip. Her marriage…causing that much happiness that they even honored her with a song? Sibyll didn’t know how she felt about that. The voices of the Birdogs fell away behind them, and suddenly, they broke through the trees.
Sibyll gasped.
The sun was on its way down, sitting just right so it looked as if it was perched atop an impossible tall, shiny black spire. Sibyll trace dher eyes down it, her stmach clenching as she saw the balconies that appeared ever so often along the side of the huge tower. It was mor than twice as hjigh as the highest twer in iiii. Sibyll fell in behidnhe rfathe thius time, increasingly aware that she was now venturing in the territory of a tentative ally. Tne city was quiet, and she didn’t see anyone.
How strange.
Trying to keep on a brave face, Sibyll kept her horse close to her father’s/ As if he could sense the unease in the air, her horse behaved himself. Sibyll atted his neck comfortingly, and was rewarded with a gentle snort. Thw whole party froze as a single bell started ringing. Sibyll glance dwildly around, trying to see where the sound was coming from, but her attention ws quickly drwn by a thundering coming up fo the pavement and rattling the group’s heavy gear. Sibyll watched as mounted men in black and gold stremed out of the nearby streets, until a group of blkack and golden warriors stood, facing a group of black and silver ones. King Andru steered his horse forward, anda tall rider with long black hair and a sharp face rode forward to greet him.
“King Andru Highwolfe of iiii.” He bowed, thye smallest formality permissible, and then wheeled his horde around. A sharp whistle came from hi, ad the whole cavalry suddenly split up. The iiii guards jostled closer to me as the iiii guards made a protective- or threstening- circle around us. It didn’t take an officer to see we were greatkly outnumbered. The griup startyed moving, prodde don by the black and gold soldiers, and Sibyll held toght to her horses’ reigns, trying to keep her breathing undr control. To distract herself, she focused on the houses. Where iiii was squat an gray, these house were much taller and were black, oftentimes with shiny sections that looked tobe some sort of polished stone or something of the sort. Those stone plate sreflected the dsying light around, giving the kingdom an eerie yet also somewhat conforting feel. Sibyll turned her reyes back to the huge tower and saa that it was, in fact, the center of the Markrow castle. It ws surrounded by four other towers at each corner, about 3/4s the size of the kiddle one. The whole castle was made of alternating dull brick and shiny satone, Sibyll realized with a touch of awe. It was definitely very luxurious. The Markjrow kingdom gate were shorter than in iiii, and Sibyll wtched at the gates opened and the guardsmen from iiii started filtering through, the iiii guards lining up just outside the wall. Siyll felt a shiver as she passed by, and saw bright honey-brown eyes peering at her when she glance dat a guard. Sibyll forced her eyes back to the front. The gate sclose dnbehind them with a final, ominous clang, and the iiii forces fell back around Sibyll and King Andru, until they were leading. Following he father, Sibyll trotted forward, stopping at the base of great shimmering steps. Andru dismounte,d and swallowing her fear, Sibyll followed suit. She handed her horse off to a guard and followed her father as he mounted the stairs. Her hesart was pounding wildly, but she forced herself to keep calm.
Fakje it till you make it. Easier said than done.
They clomped forewsrd and into the castle. Sibyll kept close as the dark walls rose up aroundher. Then, they entered the main chamber, and Sibyll gasped, forgetting ejr fear for a mment. The main chamber walls were lined ith gold, carved decoratively into birds and trees, winged beings and other creaturs that Sibyll couldn’t name. The gold was interpresed with more of that dark stone, and she gazed in awe around her.
“Welcome, King Andru, Princess Sibyll!” Sibyll jerked her head around to see a tall, slender man approach them, trailed by three older boys. They all had the same sharp complexition, dark hair, and honey colored eyes.
“King Cyrus,” Andru said warmly but stiffly, for the sake of appearances.
“Welcome, King of iiii, and his lovely daughter too, I see.” Cyrus winked at Sibyll, and she it fekt weird. She would have thought a king Markrow would be more severe than this. But he had a lively twinkle in his eye as he turned, leading them through thre main chamber and into a side room.
“This is our private meeting space,” he explained, having thwm all sit on amply cushioned couches. “There is no need for excessive formality here; we are all on the same footing. You don’t have to worry about anybody walking in on us, either. Everything you could need is delivered by these here dumbwaiters,“ -King Cyrus demonstrated- “so, any requests for drink?” He looked around gaily at Sibyll and her father. In a room with so many men, Sibyll felt small and uncomfortable. When Cyrus’ eyes fell on her, she just muttered out a small squeak of “water”.
“Now, Princess, don’t be shy. You are of equal rank here as each one of my boys. If they were to harm you, they could count on immediately loosing any place in this palace, so don’t you worry. My wife has trained them well.” Cyrus winked at her again and settled down after scribbling the orders on a small pad of paper in the dumbwaiter. “Now, shall the introductiosn begin?”
“Pardon the intrusion, but where is Prince Cayden?” Andru broke in. Sibyll swallowed and almost choked.
King Cyrus’ face split into a slow smile. “Well well well, impatient I see. He is currently getting ready with my wife and his servants. The boy takes forever to find these days, yuou know.” Cyrus made a dainty wave with his hand, and Sibyll stifled a giggle. Pretending as if he hadn’t heard, Cyrus plopped down most ungracefully in a chair at back of the room. “Well, as I’m sure you all know now, I am King Cyrus Markrow, of the iiii kingdom.” He looked at the oldest fo the boys, who sighed good naturedly before speaking.
“I am Crown-prince Luc-Andre. A pleasure to make the acquaintance of the current and future rulers of the iiii kingdom.”
The the next. “I’m Sodim. Markrow.” There was an awkward pause, as everyone waited for him to add something. Sodim’s face cpolored a bit after a few moements.
“Arlit.” That was saids by the last boy, the youngest fo those gathered. He looked incredibly bored, as if meeting other royals was a chore. He caught Sibyll watching him, and his eyes immediately dropped down to er chest. “Eh,” he exclaimed, shuffling deeper into the cushions, and Sibyll’s face colored. Cyrus frowned, something it was obvious he normally didn’t do, but was immediately back to his accommodating self.
“Ah, the drinks are here!” He handed them out, and as Sibyll accepted her water he winked at her again.
Is this some weird “future-daughter-in-law thing? She wondered, bewildered and slightly put off.
“Even though we already know who you are, for the sake of fairness pleas introduce yourselves,” King Cyrus announce dafter he sat down again.
“I am King Andru Highwolfe of iiii kingdom. I look forward to our two kingdoms learning something from each other.”
Sibyll swallowed. “I am Princess Sibyll Highwolfe. Pleased to kake your acquaintance.” Once again, they sat awkwardly.
“So what do you like to do, Sibyll? What are your hobbies?”
Sibyll started, not expecting a direct question from King Cyrus.
“Er, um…I like herbs and aromatherapy.”
“Like an apothecary?” Luc-Andre broke in, his face friendly.
“Yeah, but I’m mostly interested in herbs and their different uses, in teas and for consumption. I don’t know much about different medicines.” Cyrus nodded thoughtfully.
“We have gardens here in iiii. Maybe you’d like to take a look sometime.”
“Of course!” In her exciuetement, Sibyll stood up, but then immediately dropped back down in embarrassment.
“Actually. I think Sibyll is right. Cayden should be nearing readiness, and the feast will be starting soon, in any case. Better make sure our seats aren’t stolen by some lowly servants, eh?” Cyrus grinned before standing, followed y his sons. Arlit was the first to exit, followed by Sodim. Luc-Andre held back, and exited last, after Sibyll. King Cyrus saatrted narrating to Andru, and Sibyll felt a tug on her sleeve. She turned to the golden honey eyes of Luc-Andre.
“Pardon me, princess, but I woul like a few words with you out of father’s earshot.” He glance dover toward Cyrus, who was talking completely obliviously, and turned back to Sibyll. They walked slowly after their fathers.
“I do not wish to speak ill of my brother, but I do think it would be beneficial to know a few things about him. He ha three older brothers, so his chance sof inheriting the throne are incredibly slim. He has had less royal training than we have, and he spends much time amongst the subjects, so he can be a little coarse and spirited. However, he is well liked and friendly to those who are not looking to use him.” Luc-Andre paused, looking away as if choosing his words carefiully. “Cayden is very…willful, andI will tell you right now that he is not very happy about this arrangement. It was all we could do just to convince him to allot a trial period. If he is rude to you, please know that he has nothing personal against you.” Luc-Andre gave her a warm look before striding forward walk beside his father. Sibyll’s steps hesitated, then she hurried to catch up. She had always been better at listening than talking.
“Cayden Markrow! Get back here!”
Everyone froze as the voice rang throughout the echoing hallway. Luc-Andre facepalmed, and Cyrus gave an apologetic smile.
“Unfortunately, that cry os not a rare occurance.” He menat it as a joke, but nobody was laughing.
That was because Prince Cayden markrow was descending the stairs in front of them.
He hadn’t noticed them yet, but he suddenly jered his head up, fixing them with a piercing stare.
His eyes met Sibyll’s.
Cayden was decked ut like a royal. He was wearing a tight black suit, adorned with a long golden cape. The cape was lined with a small amount of white speckled fur. He was lean and tall, but what struck Sibyll most was his eyes and hair. His eyes were a bright, piercing golden orange; Sibyll thought they looked like two jaded pieces of amber. His hair was a light golden, like nothing Sibyll has ever seen in the Black Kingdoms. It hung lively down, just convering his ears, and it had that ruffled totally-not-intentional look that was clearly intentional. He satred down at Sibyll, his face expressionless, except for that of blank surprise, but then he quickly righted himself. Sibyll saw his jaw clench as he ascended the rest of the way, His eyes strayinmg from one person to the other.
“Is this King Andru and his daughter?” he said, addressing King Cyrus.
“Why don’t you ask them yourself?” Cyrus cheerfully replied. After a pause, Cayden turne dunahppily to King Andru.
“King Andru and his daughter, I presume?”
“Well, you got the first part right. It would awfullystrnge if I was also my own daughter.” Cyrus chuckled, but Cayden only seemed more annoyed.
“Father, when will the feast be starting?”
“Any time you’re ready, son. But please, remember where you and Princess Sibyll will be sitting.” Cayden gave his father a pained, do-I-really-have-to look. Sibyll glsanced fom face to face, a knot growing in her stomach.
“Um, what do ou mean, your highness?” Cyrus gave Cayden a pointed look before suddenly turning and abruptly striding away. Cayden mumbled something under his breath that Sibyll chose to ignore.
“Come with me,” hestated and started walking. Sibyll hurried to catch up.
“Your, er, kingdom is very nice. It’s amazing how different the architecture is from iiii.” Cuaden gave her a s atrnge look before carrying on. Sibyll decided to keep her mouth shut and follow him. The din and racket of voices grew around them, but instead of leading her through thr large double doors that stood open and led to a grand hall, she assumed, guarded by a pair of bored looking guards, he continued on to a smaller door set on the other side of the hallway. Sibyll glance dat him, but his face was a stiny mask of expressionlessness. Sibyll felt her chets clench as she saw what was in the room before her.
Stairs.
So many, going up into the celining. Sibyll looked up, but cayden didn’t say anything. Without waiting for her, he just closed the door and strated ascending the steps. Sibyll hurriredly followed. The juse of her legs felt good after the day riding,m but her legs were sore before long.
“Where…pant…are we going?” Cauden glanced back at her.
“Someplace you do not want to be. Trust me, little wolf.” Sibyll stopped, stiffening. Cauden mounted a few more stairs befire relaixing she had stopped. “What?”
Sibyll forced her lip to not sneer. “You realize you’ve just called me your equivalent of corpse-eating featherless sparrow child?” Cayden started, and Sibyll gained some satisfaction.
“I don’t know if I should be impressdethat you know iiii slang. Be sure my father doesn’t find out about it, oir you can wave this little ‘arrangement’ goodbye.” Although his words werecautionary, aghost of a smile remained on his face as they went up the remaining set of stairs. “Now, prepare yourself.” Cauden stopped just at the top step. Sibyll marveled that he had hardky even broken a sweat. “Especially if you’re afrai of heights.” He abruptly took Soibyll’s hand and pulled her u, inot the- “room” – that the strais led to. Sibyll gasped, gripping Cayden;s hand tighter than she would have like dto admit. The room was shaped in a half circle, and it only hafd a half wall. One wrong move, and Sibyll could go plunging over the edge… Cayden shived her forward, ignoring her squeak of fear. Sddnely, clapping trose from below. Still clinging to Cayden, Sibyll peered down.
Below them was te entire party. Sibyll saw a long, elaborate table, where her father was sitting next to King Cyrus and his other sons. Cyrus piinted, and Andru looked up. He was too facr away to tell his facial expression, but Sibyll guessed it was both proud and anxious at the same time. He was probably having the same thoughts she had. Sibyll glanced at Cayden.
“So…why are we up here?” Sibyll noticed a small table with two chairs around it, and Cayden plopped ungracefully into one.
“This is outr dinner area. We are ‘courting’, as nobles like to call it, so we get this whole dais to ourselves, to ‘get to know each other’ better. So, hobbies?” he asked, not at all looking lime he cared about the answer. Sibyll swallowed, anticipating an awkward evening.
“Um, I like herbs, and gardening, and healing…with herbs, I mean. I could never do surgeries or those sort of things.” Cayden’s eyes drifted lazily onto er, but there was a spark that wasn;t there before.
“What’s your favorite herb?”
“Lavender and rosemary,” she replied without hesitation. He raised his eyebrows, one side of his mouth curlng up.
“I said ONE.” Sibyll bit her lip. That required some thought.
“Well, if I can only choose one herb, then I’d say mint.” Caudn cocked his head.
“What about the two you mentioned earlier?”
“Togteher, they’re amazing. Whether in a tea or a bath. But mint-“
“Hold up, hold up,” Caden interhected. “You put lavender and rosemary in your BATH?”
“Um, yes…?” Sibyll rpolied, not undertsnding why he thought that was so weird.
“Nevermind, nevermind, keep talking,” he said abruptly, waving his hand dismissively of the topic. Sibyll frowned efpre continuing.
“Lavender and rosemary are wonderful together, but for single herbs I like mint best. It has such a sprightly scent anfd flavor, and it itwonderful for the brain. I rcmmned all my father’s advorisrs keep some on them for when they can use the extra thinking power.” Cayden chucked, but ot hadn’t been a joke. Councilman Arfellor’s needed refilling soon. “So what are your hobbies?”
Cayden turned back toward the wall. “You’re really interested in what a batard prince does in his free time?” Sibyll started. There was no way to approach the next question delicately.
“You’re…a bastard?” Cayden gave her a condescending look.
“Of course not, wolf. I may as well be, though, seeing how much piwer I’m given.” He moodily kicked his foot against the wall. “Bloody ravens, where is OUR FOOD???” Sibyll jumped as anther side door opened, early invisible in the wall.
The scents immeditaley mad eher losetrck of anything but the growling of her stomach. Sibyll watched, trying not to drool, as plates of food were brought in, small enough that she could try everything and not be full, but large enough that, by the time the servants were done, there was hardly any room for anything else. As soon as the cart was bare, Sibyll reahed and grabbed a leg of hare. Cyaden stared at her, and one of th servants gasped. Sibyll froze, ad then guiltlily set the leg back down. She had forgotten.
Iiiis are with tools. She pulled her hadn away quickly and wipe dit on a napkin one of the sewrvants was kind enohyg to give her. Caden watched her pointedly as another servant handed her a napkin that held something long and hard. Sibyll set it carefully on the table, if only to save herself from more embarassent in front of mere servants. Caden was jst one person, but Sibyll knew how gossip could- and did- travel between servants.
“…you knowq pur situation, Andru. Your genes are inbred. Most of iiii is a distant relative. This will benefit you twofold. You widen the bloodline, and create a new alliance.” Sibyll recognized the voice of her father’s senior advisor and cousin.
“Yes, but fornicating with…King Cyrus will not like it,” King Andru, Sibyll’s father, responded hesitantly. Sibyll pressed her ear close,r starining to hear enough so she could undertsaand what they were saying.
“King Cyrus is smart. He will attempt to twist this in his favor, but I am prepared for that. As his youngest son, Prince Cayden is of little importance. He will never inherit the throne, and thus the Markaws will never have to deal with a Highwolfe queen.” Sibyll froz,e her mind rcing. Andru remained silent.
“Sibyll is my oldest daughter.”
“A small price to pay for allegiance and safe bloodlines. At this rate, whomever she marries, if he is Highwolfe, their children will be sickly and inbred to the point that they won’t be fit to rule. We need this opportunity. The Highwolfes may not survive if we don’t take it.” Sibyll pushed back from the door, her heart pounding heavily.
They want…me…to marry a MARKAW??? Sibyll felt sick, and she hurriedly pushed away from the door, not wishing to hear more. She slipped down the long halls, avoiding the guard posts she knew by heart, until she was standing under a small iron grate set into the wall. Listeninmg for anyone coming, she unlatche dit and slid in.
It was dusty, but by now she was used to it. It had been a few yesars ago when she had realized that the airway system of the castle was completely passed over, even forgotten, yet it led to every room one might want to go to. She had been using it ever since to escape her guardfs when she wanted a small taste oif freedom from he guards. For all they knew, she was still in her room, asleep.
Sibyll pressed her hand firmly against her nose, stoifling a sneeze. She turned a few time sin the vents until she saw a familiar latch with a pink ribbon tied to it, blowing gently in the weak breeze like a tijy flag, marking her room. Sibyll peered through the grate and, not seeing anyone, slipped back into her room. Finally, she sneezed.
“Umare!” calle done of gthe guards. Sibyll quickly got out a pen and paper, sitting at her desk. She would up the small music box she had gotten for her eleventh birthdsay and began writing feverishly.
“Mistress Sibyll, may I enter?” Lecia, Sibyll’s head maid, called from behind the thick wooden door. Sibyll made a few last flourishes, signing th letter hastily, before she quickly stuffed it in a drawer.
“Come in,” she called, and Lecia entered slowly.
“Mistress, how dusty you are? What, have you been playing in the ducts?” Seeing Sibyll’s face pale, Lecia quickly laughed awkwardly and added, “It’s just a joke, dear. How long as it been since this room was last cleaned?” Lecia swipe dher finger on Sibyll’s dresser top and shook her head disapprovingly. Sibyll relaxed.
“What brings yoyu here at this hour, Lecia?” The maid gave her an exhasperated look.
“Why, have you forgotten already, child?! Tonight id the family banquet!” Sibyll smile dsheepishly. She had been too busy eavesdropping to think of much else. Speaking of which…
“Lecia, who is coming?”
“Why, all your relatoives up to second cousins! It will be a very big feast; I don’t envy those kitchen maids at all…” Lecia began rummaging through Sibyll’s ythings, laying each of them out on thre vanity.
“I’ll draw your bath in just a moment, my lady. You need to be ready for dinner at 4.”
“That early?” Sibyll groaned. Lecia gave aher a wry look, trying her best to hide her smile.
“Yes. There will be much conversation and drink before the actual meal. Unfportunately, you may not yet drink, of course!” Lecia let out a hearty chortle, but Sibyll only scowled. You were only given drink if you were married. And, if what Sibyll, heard this morning held any weight, that might just be soon. She remembered snmeaking into the wine cellar multip,e times as a child. She lawya sgot caught, but not before she had inspected countless of the shiny bottles, scattering them on the floor. She had had extra guards for a week.
Lecia hustled into the bathroom, and Sibyll, heard th water start to whoosh into the large, spacious area. The floor had a ten foot rim around it, and the middle dopped into a small pool. Sibyll loved bathing in it; the water was always warm and soapy, and Licia always put lavender and rsemart in the water so it smelled good. It was perfect to trelax after a long day o fprincess duties.
“Shall I invite Lusa?” Licia asked, and Sibyll gave her a look. She did NOT want her youngfer sster interfering with her bath time. “You may enter and undress, Mistress. The water is at a perfect temperature.” Sibyll immeidtsltry did as she was told, slipping off her loose casual clothe as she made her way into the bathroom. It was humid, but not overwhelmingly so. Sibyll slipped the rest of her clthe soff, feelking the dew against her bare skin before dipping herself into the water. Licia was right; it was just warm enough, but not too hot. She sighed in pleasure as Licia entrred behin her, switchoing hre maid’s outfoit for a loose and quick drying coverup. It would be easier if she could be in the water too. Sibyll pushed away from the wall, dipping her head underater, relishing the feel of the heat on her face. She flipped onto her back, still underwater, and her long, raven black hair fanned out arpoundher head. Sibyll surfaced and swam back toward Licia. She settled on the step as Licia started wrapping Sibyll’s hair up. Once that was done, she had Sibyll stand as she gently rubbed her baxkc with a soapy sponge. Sibyll sighed in pleasure. Licia scrubbed, working her way down until Sibyll had to step out of the water enough so Licia could wash her legs without drowning. Then, Sibyll floated on her back and Licia began gently wiping down her front. Sje closed her eyes in ecstasy, the smells of lavender and rosemary filling her mind.
Sibyll let her mind drift, and then she remembered the conversation she had heard earlier. She bit her cheek as she did her bets to recall what was said.
“Any new or important busoiness that you know of happening at thre banquet?” she asked Licia, opening he reyes. Her maid started, but the shook her head.
“Ypiur father doesn’t tell me anything; I’m just a lowly maid. I haven’t heard any gossip yet, but I will let you know if I do. Why?”
“No reason,” Sibyll rep;lied, trying her best to look disinterested. Then, she thought of another question. Sje waited a bit before asking, so itwould seem as if it suddenly just crossed her kind, and not that she was actually curios. Fpr all she knew, what Andru and Godoi had been talking aboiut could have comp;lately nothing to do woth her.
“Licia, canm I ask you another question?”
“My, very curious this evening, dear. Go ahead.”
Sibyll paused.
“What do you know about Cayden Markrow?” Lecia paused and stopped washing. She looked at Sibyll curiosly.
“Why do you want to know?”
“I-I’m just curious. They’ll no doubt talk about the Markrows, and I hardly know anything about Cayden. They hardly teach us anything about him.”
“Well,” Licia began, “the reason we don’t talk much of him is that he is King Cyrus’ youngest son, so chances that he will ever inherit the throne are incredibly slim. In a way, he is the chld that everyone forgets about. I’ve never met him, but I’ve heard gossip among the other maids. Whether this is true or not, I can’t say, so you’ve been warned.” Licia tickled Sibyll affectionately, and she splashed her in return. “From what I’ve heard, he loives moistly in the dshadow of his brothewrs. He has three older brothers, so he has them to compete with. Thus, they say that he is quite popular among the people. It seems he has less duties than his brothers, so he is more free to walk amongst the people. He is well liked.”
“What doews he look like?” Sibyll asked, now genuinely intrigued.
“I’ve seen a picture only once, but from what I remember he had longish blonde hair and dark eye-“
“A blonde Markrow??” Sibyll gasped, interuping Licia.
“Yes,” Licia replied, smilimg and not at all bothered by being cut off. “It is starnmge, I will admit. I’d imaginme he does expericne ome ridicule for that, poor thing. Now, sit down again, so I may do your hair.” Sibyll complied, her mind a million milews away, mulling over the fact that such a thing as a light haired Markrow could exist.
Whe n Sibyll entered te grand hall, trailed by Licia, she found it was already quite packed. Licia disappeared, to find Sibyll’s seat and make sure no one else took it in a drunken stupor. Sibyll was free to socialize, and she mad eher way toward her brother, Lem, six years older than her. He was surrounded by his friends, many boys and an equal number of girls. Sibyll had long givcen up on leanring how everyone was related: it was much too complivcated to remember on the fly. She just focused on learning names. Lem and his best friend Biro were making comical gestures that Sibyll took to be jokes, but as she ot closer she realized they were door a poor rendition of an archery contest the two had held earlier that day. Lem was bragging that he was the best shot, but everyone knew Biro had him beat every time. His ftrend was listenoing to his words sith a knowin grin on his face, and Sibyll couldn’t help skiling in amusaement. Biro saw her, and Immediatelyhid face lit up as she abandoned Lem to stride toward her. He was a squat boy, with dark hair and wide eyes.
“Princess,” he said, bowing. Sibyll blushed at his formality, but he then gave aher a friendly wink and grabbed her elbow, leading her over toward her brother. Lem saw her, and then madea show of groaning in annoyance.
“Biro, of all times, you choose to bring Sibyll into oiur conversation NOW? I don’t think her poor heart can take the sheer awesomeness of my-“
“You missed more than half the times you hit, Lem,” Biro shot back, instantly destroying Lem’s entire story with just a small phrase. Sibyll giggled, and Biro straightened. It wasn;t hard to see he had been infatuated with her from childhood.
“How long has everyone been here already?” she addressed Lem, but her cousin Syphi replied instead.
“It’s only been this crowded since about a half hour ago. I heard some maids talking; apparently there’s going to be some big news!” Syphi turned back to her friends and they dissolved into a small group of whisperers, heads bent close together. Sibyll stiffremed as Lem leaned closer.
“I bet they’re finally talking about marrying you off, sis. Any special requests?” Sibyll face flamed as Lem chortled.
“If you’re not careful, then I’ll say you,” she shot back, and Lem immediately cut off his paughter with a choke.
“Now now…I know that’s what we’ve been doing for centuries, but…” It was Sibyll’s turn to laugh, and the n she realized hiow hushed the room had gotten. Steppig away from Biro, she had just enough time to take a knee before King Andru and his wife, Marron, enetered. They surveyed the bowed, ad Sibyll couldn’t help glancing up. Her father’s ace was lined, and seemed more somber than usual. Remembering the conversation form earlier, Sibyll felt her stomach churn.
“Please, all, be seated! The ooks will breing in the feast soon enough!” There was sudden;y a rush as everyone triued to get to their seats at the same time. Sobyll paused, picking out Licia in the crowd, befor making her way toward her maid and her chair. As princess, Sibyll was seated in between her mother and her little sister Lusa. Licia stood behind her chair, patiently waiting in case Sibyll needed anything. Queen Marron glanced at Sibyll and gave her an almost apologetic smilke, but King Andru didn’t even look at her. His mouth was a tight line. She glanced across thr table at Lem, and he gave a tiny shrug.
First, the cookms brought in great jugs of wine for the women and ale for the men. Non-alcoholic mead was brought for those who were not yet married. Sibyll accepted a cup of mead from Licia, but she didn’t drink any. Se was too nervous. Anmdru had been given a large glass sloshing full of ale, but he hadn’t drunk any. It sat in front of him, and he stred almost dejectedly into it. The gathering went on uproariously around the royal family as the gueats filled with drink and, consequentially, good humor. Sibyll took tiny sips of her mead, the slight tang making her stomach churn more instead of easing it. Her mouth was dry as she watched her father gance around the table, his lips still in a tight, straiught line. Finally, when Sibyll could smell the food outaide of the door, King Andru whispered something to one of his many servants before turning to the table. The servant daahed outside the room, no doubt telling the cooks to hold the food. Sibyll’s heart beat fatser as Andru cleared his throat.
“I would like to thank you all for travelling here eofr our anhjual Highwolfe clan meeting,” he boomed once the table had quieted. “It is my pleasure to serve you allm today, as you all have done so kmuchfor me. In turn, I hope I have been a good king thus far, and kept your families wealthy, healthy, and happy. Many of you have stuck woth me through great trials, but as you know it takes a lot to damage a Highwolfe.” Sibyll did not l,ike where this conversation seemed to be going. She saw many others exchange cponfused, apprehensive looks across the table. “As you all know, everybody here is of some way related to our famil, some close than others. For decades we have been closed off from the rst of the kingdoms, marrying our own kind, and strengthening our bloodlines. However, there comes a point when a lot becomes too much. We have been inbreeding so much that it now poses a serious risk to our health, and thje future of this kingdom.” There was a tide of whispers, but Andru continued over them. “Of you all, none seems to be more inbred than the Royal family, especially those closest to the throne. As you all know, Merron is my cousin. Ay this poijt, it was a miracle that we were able to conceive children at all.” Everyonewent silent, and the air was tense. “My daughter, Princess Sibyll Levilia Highwolfe, is of age to be married. However, according to my head advisor, friend, cousin, and logistician, Godiom Ranolov Highwolfe, if Sibyll were to be married to someone in the Royal family, she may as well be considered barren.” Ther were cfies of alarm, and gasps. Sibyll sat, frozen, hardly hearing yet still understanding what was happening.
He wants me to marry cayden, she thought manically. Me…and a Markrow. Sje had the sudden urge to laugh, but she hids it wqith a choking vcough. Andru was continuing.
“The Highwolves and Markrows have been in an uneasy alliance for centuries. If Sibyll were to marry the youngest son, Cayden Markrow, then we would benefit more than we would suffer. Cayden would never succeed the throne, so King Cyrus will be less opposed than if it were any other of his sons. Sibyll would remain a princess of iiii, and cayden would more than likely come live here. We would not be losing our princess!” By now,m the gueats, hopped up on ale and wine, were shouting, standing as they drunkenly protested that Andru mst be out of his kind. Adru sagged, and Merron put heer hand sympathetically on is shoulder. A few minutes passed with the guests now throwing insults at the King, before he suddenly bellowed out, “I will send the marriage documents in the morning! It is to be done!” Wth that, the king stormed out of the room, his full glass of ale sloshing as his thundering steps shook the table.
Chapter II
Sibyll ewas in her room, satring quietrly at thr wall. She heard a knock on he door, but she didn’t react.
“Princess?” Licia’s soft appeal was met with no reply. Unbidden, she pushed the door open, entering timidly. “My lady, you should eat.” She was met with more silence. “I know you are upset, but not eatoing is only punishoing yourself. Don’t sacrifice your life for your pride.” Licia stepped up to the side table that still held Sibyll’s untouched breakfast, cold and undisturbed. “At the very least, I will have one of the cooks make you some lavender rosemary tea.” Licia bowed, even though Sibyll wasn’t looking at her, and left the room quietly. The guards gave her concerned looks, but sh just shook her head. She would take care of it.
Sibyll blinke din the forst time in a long time, and a tear fell down heer face. Her eyes were completely dry from staring so lomg without blininhg. Getting up, Sibyll wobbled over to the bath room and turned on the water, breathing in as the steam rose up and started filling the room. She stripped until she was naked, then slipped into a sheer swim dress. Sibyll sank into thw arm water and leaned her head bacxk on the rim, closingher eyes amd reaxing her body. She psuehd all thoughts of cayden from her mind. She took a deep breath, but wasn;t greeted with anything but steam. Licia hadn’t drawn her bath, so there wouldnlt have been any lavederrosemart anyway. Sibyll psued off from the wall, sinking into the warm water. Sje opened her eyes, watching the swirls on the cewlining seems to undulate. If she really wanted, she could end it right now…
Sibyll flkexed her palm underwater, watching the tiny little bubbles escape to thje surface. Wth a shoot of anger she burst through the sirface, creating ripples. She felt her thorat clodse up, and then a sib escaped her. Sibyll swam back to the rim just before she completely broke down. Her salty trars mixed with the hot water until she had no idea if the water on her face was from the pool or her tears. She heardc a muffled salam as the door closed, indicating Licia was back with the tea. Sibyll curled up, submersing herself up to her nose. She heard Lecia paue, and then her soft footstep sas she entered the bath room.
“Sibyll, I have your tea. Come at least drink a little, child.” Sibyll was dthankjful Licia didn’t make a big deal out of er crying. She accepted the mug and took a small sip. The warmth spread throughout her limbs, and the taste of rosemary and lavender calmed her.
“He really wants me to marry Cayden.” It wasn;t a question, but Licia still answered it as one.
“I’m afraid so, child. He has satted his rwasons and decreed that it will be done. I’m not sure how much power he has left in your hands.” Sibyll sank in a dejected silence. After a moment, Licia added, “If you’re looking for someone to blame, I’d suggest Godion Highwolfe.” Sibyll turned toward Licia, supriszed that she would speak so openly nehgatively about the king’s head advisor. “Weren;t you listening? He was the one that convinced Master A ndru that this was a good idea. There is a reason he is head advisor. He is good at persuasion, and he knows whaat he is doing. Unfortunately, sometimes that means not taking into accpunt other people’s feelings.” Licia gently stroked Sibyll’s hair as she took another sip. Sibyll had read books before abpout princessly duties, such as marrying for money and alliances, and not for love but she had never fathomed that it would happen to HER.
“So you think there’s really nothing we can do?” she murmured.
Licia paused, and then replied, “If you want, you could talk to your father. I’m not surre how michy good that will do, but you might feel better if you talk aboit it.” Sibyll mulled over Licia’s suggestion gloomily, until her tea was gone. She handed Licia thw cup and stood up. She hafd anidea.
“Licia, could you go assist the cooks in making me a soufflé? You make them the bewst.” Sibyll gave her an innocent, charming smile, and Licia, purely happy that Sibyll wanted to eat sand nopt thinking about the fact that making the soufflé took quite long, agreed quickly and hurried off. Sibyll waited until the door was closed before she quickly dried off, changing into her dusty dress from that morning. Then, making sure the guards knew that no one was to disturb her, Sibyll hoisted hersef back into the air ducts.
Sje had marked her fsather;s stiudy carefully ewith a blue ribbon when he wasn;t there. She had never so blatantly gone there when he was there, but for right now she felt that there was no doubt that was where he was, and that was where she needed to go. Sibyll crawled carefully, but yuears of dust muffled any sounds she made. Sibyll had mapped out most of the ducts already, and then committed that map to memory. She hadn’t ever been to her father’;s stidy, but sh knew the way. Fllowing the map I her head, Sibyll crawled through layrs of dust. The ducts were largely forgotten or gnored, so she didn’t worry very much abut being caught. If anything, whoever heard her would probably just assume it was someone on the next floor up being abnormally loud. Sibyll turned, and sure enough the blue ribbon was vaing gently at the end of the curve. Crawling as slowly as possible, Sibyll crept until she could peer dwn the duct into her father’s study.
The king was at his desk. He was holding his quill and had papers wiyth the royal watermak before him, but h wasn’t writing. His quill hand was resting on the desk while his other hand was rubbing his face. He let out a hefty sigh, and Sibyll suddenly realized how her father might be feeling right now. She knew he held her in very high etsteem; she wads his oldest daughter and had a good head for decisions and economics, unlike Lem, who was more suited in foreign policies and combat. Sibyll let hersewlf imagine what her father must be thinking, and suddenly she felt annoyed that she had reacted so childishly. Of all his children, Sibyll would have been the one the most understanding of his choice! Turning around, Sibyll crawled quickly back to her room, throwing off the dusty clothing and changing back into her dress. Striding quickly, she made her way to her father;s study, one of the guards following her, the other stayonmg to inform Licia where her charge was. Sibyll fekt her eart start to beat fatsr, but she ignored it, sarighjtening her bacxk and walking like a princess wo was stroing and was willing to sacrifice for the greater good. However, once she got to the door of her father’s study, she hesitated. Taking a deep breath, she knocked.
“King Andru, it ids youtr daugfhter, Princess Sibyll. May I enter?”
After a [pause, Andru replied, “Yes, you may, my dear.” Sibyll pulled the door close dbehind her, and she didn’t miss the slump o her father’s shoulder sas he heard it close.
He probably thinks I’m going to yell at him, she realized, and thsat saddenedher.
“Father,” she said, placing her hand gently on his shoulder, “forgive me forreacting so negatoively to such a pfreposition. It was childish ans selfish, and for that I sincerelyologize.” Andru turned to her, and his eyes were sad.
“If anything, dear, I should be the pne apologixzing to you. I enver wanted this to happen, but…Godion has been insisting this for years, and he has suh good rwaon for believing…I want what’s best for you, my child, and I want you to be able to conceive healthy, beautiful children.” He loked at her, his eyes plaintive. Wordlessly, Sibyll hugged him. The king placed his string arms around her and returned the embrace.
“I still love you, you know,” she joked, to which the king gave her a squeeze before [pulling away.
“I love you too, my child. Wpuld like to help me wreite up the marriuage [prepositiuon? If you have any minor requests, I’ll see to it that they will be granted.”
An hour later, King Andru has just about fifnished. Sibyll had never been inhis study before, and her eyes passed over all the books that sat in the circular shelves that bordered the room. Many were thick, dark tomes, covered with a gray film of dust. Glancing at her father, Sibyll stood and went ovewrto one of the sections. Looking closer, she saw that it was labeled “Markrow”. Sibyll glanced in siuprise t at hrer father.
“Father, why is this section called ‘Markrow’?” King Andru looked up, his eyes squinting until he could see what Sobyll was pointing at.
“Ah. That, my dear, is an entire section of books dedicate dto the Markrow kingdom. Many are from iiii itself, so they are not available anhwhere else in iiii. There should be some mentioning Cayden, if that’s what you’re looking for.”
“Er, uh…” Sibyll stammered, her face flushing. The King smiled cheekily and went back to writing. Sibyll was embarrassed, but she was more curious. She began thumbing through the tomes, trying to read ancient text covered in dust and hidden amongst cracked spines.
Markrowan Politics, A Complete Collection of the Markrow Magazine, A Brief History of the Greats: The Markrow Legacy, Markrow Genealogy…
Sbyll felt her head spin as sh read the titles. Carefully, she pulled out A Brief History and Geneology; those seemed the most helpful. Andru saw her, and added, “You may borrow them, but don’t let anyone know you have them, please, and keep them safe. Send Licia t0o let me know when you are done with them. Now, how’s this?” Andru pushed the contravct towards Sibyll, and she bent over it, her eyes scanning the lines quickl. Se forced herself to focusa on the fcats of what was being said, and not what thry would mean foir her.
Sibyll crossed her lgs under heer and opened Geneology to thefamily tree in the inside cover. It ws so large that it spanned several foldout sheets. The,m she took A Brief History and opened it to the first page. She saw something moving out of the corner of her eye and went over to the large, high woindow that streame light into her room. Godion was riding his horse away, followed by a few guards, in the directon of iiii. Sibyll watched until they were out of sigfht.
Of course. Godion must have the document the king drew up. He was able to cpnmv9ince the king of the validity of his argyuement- it msakde sense to send him to king Cyrus. Sibyll assumed that he would also be accompanied by a few Birdogs; they were citizens that chose to live in the neutral territory between iiiiand iiii. They didn’t belong to eother kingdom, and were generally looked upon as less than. However, they were also able to have an easier time entered either kingdoms because of their lack of allegiances.
Sibyll shook her head to clear her kind and settled back on her bed. She hjad a chair, but it was easier to have both books oopen on er king-sized bed. She ran her eyes down the table opf contents anmd skipped ¾ of the froint of A History- it was too old to have anything to do with Cayden. Sibyll settled and began reading.
Dnner that noight was anything less than tense. Sibyll could almost tatste it, and likewise there was very little conversation between the patrons. Nobody wanted to risk te wrath of those who were the most affected by the king’s decision, so they held their tongue. Sibyll could tell the family that stayed after the party was dying to interrogate King Andru, but they msatly kept their ,moiuths shut. Sibyll ate hurriedly, so she wouldn’t be stopped for question she had no answer to. Lem glace dat her multiple times, his eyes concerned. Sibyll gave him her mosyt confident look each time, hoping he wouldn’t interrogate her about how she felt about this arranged marriage. Of course, it wasn;t official yet, but the effect it had had was already very pronounced. Sibyll finished her dinner quickly befire hurryoing back to her room. Sibyll felt her heart sink as she saw Lem push his plate away out the corne of her eye. She hurried down the hall, her guards keeping up behind her with their long strides, but even so Lem called out, “Sibyll! Wait.” Unhappily, she stopped and waited for her brother to catch up. He walked behind her silently as she returned to her room. The guards glance dat each other, but they dutifully took up their posts as she and Lem went into her room. Licia was there, folding and putting away clothes.
“Licia, could you give us some privacy, please?” Licia nodded and immediately went out.
“So, what’s up?” Sibyll tried- and failed- to keepo her voice light. Lem lokked at her hard.
“Whats up? What’s up is my sister is getting married to a man she doesn’t even know from the Markrow kingdom!” Lem was looking at her with anger glowing in his icy silver-blue eyes, but it wasn;t directed at her.
“Lem, calm down,” she warned, sitting on her bed.
“How can I be calm when-“ Lem rubbed his face with his hadn and plopped down on the bed beside her. “My little sister is getting married to a man she doesn’t know. A man she’s never met. Not only that, but he’s a Markrow. How can we trust him? Ow do we know he’s going to treat you right? How you deserve?” Lem’s eyes were concerned now, and Sibyll sighed. Taking his hand, she met his icy eyes with her bright blue ones.
“Lem, it’s okay. I helped father write the marriage offer. I’ve been reading about Cayden. He doesn’t seem like a bad guy. Yes, I’ve never met him. Neither have you, so I donlt think you should judge him too quickly. And just because he’s a Markrow doesn’t automatically make him a bad person. Our societies are different, and that’s what cause smost of the problems. If we can put those aside, and let this marriage gpo through…it will make both kingdoms stronger.”
Lem stared at me.
“Bloody bird feathers, you really believe what you’re doing is right,” he said, pulling his hand away and satnding. “My sister is marrying a Markrow.” He gave a strange, humorless laugh, running his hand through his shaggy black hair. “Well, sister, I hope you enjoy being a Markrow bitch.” Sibyll sat, shocked, as Lem exited. Licia poked her head in a moment after.
“Everything okay, Miss?” Sibyll blinke,d and shook herself.
“Yes, of course. Just…not everyone is happy about this.” Sibyll sood, not looking at Licia, and ordered her bath to be readied. Licia complied without comment.
Chapter III
Sibyll was confined to the castle. The people had heard about the marriage proposal, and they saw it as a weak move and a useless power struggle against the White kingdoms. King Andru thought it safest for Sibyll to remain within the castle grounds, and he double dher guards just in case. Lem was still angry, although he did a good job of hiding it from the king. As for Andru, he was looking older each day, and the queen was often rubbing his back or knuckles to comfort him. Sibyll saw the toll this deal was taking on her father, and she wanted to help. So, a few days after he had given her the books, Sibyll decide dto return them herself. She knocked loudly on the king’s office door, and he himself opened it. Up close, the king’s wrinkles had magnified, and his eyes had a tired, dull look to them. However, when he saw Sibyll, conflictinmg looks of both regret and pride flashed across his face.
“Come in, dear.” Sibyll followed him in, setting the books down on an empty coner of his desk. Papers were scattered, completely unorganized, but Sibyll didn’t comment. “How are you holding up?”
Sibyll glance dat King Andru, anmd she saw that he was bracing himself.
“Father, please don’t be worried about me. I’m okay with this. I dr up the documents with you, remember? I’ve been reading about the Markrow family. They actually don’t seem too bad. Besides, Cayden Markrow seems like a good person. He will kake a good husband.” The words fekt strange on Sibyll’s tongue, but she forced herself to give her father her most conforting smile. King Andru abruptly stood and enveloped her in a hug.
“My dear, you are perhaps the bravest person I know. I’m so proud of you,” he murmured inti her hair. “I know Lem is angry with me, and with you, and Lusa has no idea of what is really happening, but I admire your strength in all this adversity. I was actually just about to call you here,” Andru said, pulling away. “Godion has returned with King Cyrus’ answer.”
Sibyll held her breath as the whole family that reside dinthe castle waited to hear what Godion had to say. He pause dfor effect, waiting until he had everyone’s attention. He didn’t have to wait long; the entire court as dying to hear King Cyrus’ answer. From his oong gray robe, Godion produced a scroll of dark paper, sealed with the Markrw crest. Any murmurs of unease quikly died away as Godion unrolled the parchment. Sibyll’s mouth was dry, but she didn’t dare ask Licia for a glass of water. Not now.
“King Cyrus sends his greetinbgs to all those of thew Highwolfe clan,” Godion boomed, his voice as formal as he could make it. Sibyll noticed Lem was absent, and felt a pang in her heart.
“King Cyrus has reviewed your proposal, King Andru, and he has discussed it with his advisors. He agrees that infertility would be a very bad consequence of generations of inbreeding, and that if the Highwolfe clan were unablke to produce an heir, that would cause problems for both Black Kingdoms. King Cyrus has been impressed with the bravery and..ehem…presumptiosness of your proposal, but he has taken it upon himself to consult with those who would be most affected, maily, Cayden Markrow himself.” There were a few quickly muffled gaspsa around the room. “After much deliberation and questioning, King Cyrus has agreed to the terms that King Andru has set-“ Everyone started talking at once as Sibyll sat, frozen in place. Licia went up and grabbed her hand., ad Sibyll squeezed, greatful. “AND,” Godion added,m trying to heard above the crowd, “FIRST HE WOULD LIKE TO INITIATE A…TRIAL PERIOD of sorts. He would like the final word to be spoken only after Princess Sibyll Highwolfe and Prince Cayden Markrow have met. The king seemed very ingtrigued by this proposal,” Godion said, lowrring the larchmet, “but he is a fathernin addition to a king, and while he understands a king’s duties, he also wants to be a good father to his sons. He would like Cayden to have a say in this, and Princess Sibyll also. He has asked that we meet him on the next full moon in his castle in iiii.” The crowd once again rose to a loud cry, but Godion was done speaking. Sibyll sawher father rub his face with his hands, and her mother gently comfort him. Numb, Sibyll abruptly stood, making her ay toward her room. Licia had to almost run to keep up with her steps.
“Milady, are you all right?” Sibyll didn’t answer; she walked faster, and was almost running once she got to hjer room. She slammed the door shut and locked it, making it to th bathroom before she burst into sobs. Sibyll cried until she had no more tears, and then she lay on the cool stpone floor, letting her mind drift, thinking about everything and nothing at once. She din;t want to think about her future right then. She wnate dto savor the last moment sshe had left.
Sibyll reined her horse intight to keep it still as her guards moved in formation n around her. There was an incrsed number today- it was the day she wou;d be meeting Cayden Markrow for the very fiurst toime, and many of the subjects of iiii were still angered about the deal. Sibyll herself had accepted her fate, and was impatient to get going. Despite her reservation,s she was actually very curious to meet Cayden, and King Cyrus, and it eould be the forst timeshe had ever seen iiii in person before. Sibyll turnedin the saddle as her father rode out, his white hors decked out in black and silver coverings. The official iiii colors. Sibyll’s horse jerked, and she yanked on its reigns again. Her father rode up slowly to her side, his horse perfectly behaved and even prancing. Sibyll bit her cheek in annoyance.
“Let us not delay! We have a long ride ahead of us. My scouts anticipate us to be there by dinner time. Keep a look out and let’s ride!” Sibyll rolled her eyes at her father’s enthusiasm, but she urged her horse into line beside hoim as the party began mobbing outside of the castle grounds. It was early morning, and the sky was still darkish, just starting to lighten. They rode up to the gigantic iron gates that separated the caste from the commoners, and Sibyll heard shoting. Craning her neck, she saw that there was a crowd behind the gates, shouting and riling the guards.
“If they have business with us, let them take it up in normal court,” her fathr commanded. “We have places to be, so let us through!” The gates opene dseamlessly, without even a squeak, and th crowd surged forward. Or, tred to, as a fourth of the cavalry accompanyoing Sibyll and King Andru surged forward tpo keep the commoners away from the center of the group.
“Just keep riding, darling,” her father said, and it was loud enough that only she heard what he saiad. She nodded and focused on keeping her stubborn horse in line. With the guards’ help, the corwd seemed to melt away before Sibyll’s eyes, until they were out of the gate san dpassing along the castle border in the direction of iiii. Sibyll’s horse had calmed down, and she allowed her mind to drift as it followed along without her urging.
She hadn’t spoken to Lem at all since that night in her room. He had been to the meals, but had left as soon as he could and was always busy somewhere else when ever Sibyll tried to inquire about talking to him. She knew he was still angry, but still hoped that he might accept the fact that no one was forcing her into this; it was her own choice. Whenever Sibyll had stated having doubts or felt uneasy about the whole affair, she just cracked open one of the books she had borrowed from her father and started readoing. The Markrows were fascinating, and she was honestly more than excited to meet them and see the dark, sharply defined cities of iiii. Sibyll glance dout at the silvery lands of iiii- the house swere mostly swuat and wide, mad ewith trees and dull gray stone as covering. Some huts were even covered with cracking gray mud as they neared the border. Sibyll watched her kingdom go by in fascination. She didn’t think she had ever been this far out of the castle. At noontime they stopped near a river to eat and rest. Sibyll le dher horse to drink ,a dn it plunged it’s nostrils in all thre way, snorting water at her when it came back up. Sibyll giggle dand attaché dthe feed container onto its mouth. As her horse was chewing, she surveyed the guards accompanying them. She noticed that most of the guards were younger and newer looking; they didn’t have the confident, prepaired swagger yet. But she also recognized some of her father’s senior guards- that was amart. Mixing the old with the new. Se felt safe as she stood, stroking her horseon its soft cheek. It flicked its ears at her and suddenly rammed its head intoher chest, knocking her over. The guards around her froze, not sure what to do as Sibyll sat, silently, bt then she burst out laughing, and they all relaxed. Sibyll patted her horse affectionately on the neck and looked around for her father. He was conversing with some of his senior guards, and despite the sudden giddiness Sibyll was feeling, she felt sobered by her father’s businesslike grace. As enjoyabkle as an early morning exploration was, she still had a duty. Her horse snorted in annoyance as undid the feedbag and stuffed it back into the saddle bags. Everyone moute donce more, and they were off.
By the time they entered the Birdog’s territory, Sibyll’s legs felt sore and she was hungry. They had rations, but she wanted to have an appetrite for theit dinne at iiii. Her horse was getting cranky again, his energy gone, and she had to continually spur him on.
“Almost there, sweet. Once we get through this territory, we’ll be in iiii. Their castle is located nearer to their border than you would expect, so don’t worry. We’ll get there before sundown.”
“I thought you said dinner,” Sibyll whined.
“Sundown is when they eat dinner,” King Andru replied cheekily, smiling even wider as Sibyll groaned. Suddenly, the guards in fornt of them stopped. A few started drawing theoir swords uneasily. King Andru rode up to one of his officers, and Sibyll satrined to listen.
“What is it, Kyngoll?”
“Sir, it’s the Birdogs.” The whole group stilled at that announcement, and then Sibyll heard a sstrange sound. It grew steadily, until suddenly a group of about a hundred people appeared frm the trees. They had dark marks under their eyes, and their hair was lomg and unkempt. The men had beards down to their waists. Their mouths were moving, and Sibyll realized they were singing.
“A young girl, so sweet and so brave
Has come to marry our beloved knave
Come to enforce eras of pleasantry
Destroying the corrupt nobility
Hail Princess Sibyll Highwolfe
And her bethrothed, Prince Cayden Markrow!”
Sibyll looked at her father, shocked. These people, the Birdogs…were singing in honor of her and Cayden’s marriage?
“We would lime to get to iiii by sundown. Please, let us pass!” At King Andru’s cry, the Birdogs disappeared as suddenly into the trees as they had appeared, their voices still rising and falling as new refrains were sung. Sibyll kept close to her father as the group continued forward. “The Birdogs have great respect for this union, as it would untie the two kingdoms and therefore make veryone, technically, a Birdog,” Andru explaine,d falling back beside Sibyll again. “They live with both or no loyalities, however you want to look at it, and you and cayden would just be ecenmting their position as belonging to both kingdoms.” Sibyll nodded, biting her lip. Her marriage…causing that much happiness that they even honored her with a song? Sibyll didn’t know how she felt about that. The voices of the Birdogs fell away behind them, and suddenly, they broke through the trees.
Sibyll gasped.
The sun was on its way down, sitting just right so it looked as if it was perched atop an impossible tall, shiny black spire. Sibyll trace dher eyes down it, her stmach clenching as she saw the balconies that appeared ever so often along the side of the huge tower. It was mor than twice as hjigh as the highest twer in iiii. Sibyll fell in behidnhe rfathe thius time, increasingly aware that she was now venturing in the territory of a tentative ally. Tne city was quiet, and she didn’t see anyone.
How strange.
Trying to keep on a brave face, Sibyll kept her horse close to her father’s/ As if he could sense the unease in the air, her horse behaved himself. Sibyll atted his neck comfortingly, and was rewarded with a gentle snort. Thw whole party froze as a single bell started ringing. Sibyll glance dwildly around, trying to see where the sound was coming from, but her attention ws quickly drwn by a thundering coming up fo the pavement and rattling the group’s heavy gear. Sibyll watched as mounted men in black and gold stremed out of the nearby streets, until a group of blkack and golden warriors stood, facing a group of black and silver ones. King Andru steered his horse forward, anda tall rider with long black hair and a sharp face rode forward to greet him.
“King Andru Highwolfe of iiii.” He bowed, thye smallest formality permissible, and then wheeled his horde around. A sharp whistle came from hi, ad the whole cavalry suddenly split up. The iiii guards jostled closer to me as the iiii guards made a protective- or threstening- circle around us. It didn’t take an officer to see we were greatkly outnumbered. The griup startyed moving, prodde don by the black and gold soldiers, and Sibyll held toght to her horses’ reigns, trying to keep her breathing undr control. To distract herself, she focused on the houses. Where iiii was squat an gray, these house were much taller and were black, oftentimes with shiny sections that looked tobe some sort of polished stone or something of the sort. Those stone plate sreflected the dsying light around, giving the kingdom an eerie yet also somewhat conforting feel. Sibyll turned her reyes back to the huge tower and saa that it was, in fact, the center of the Markrow castle. It ws surrounded by four other towers at each corner, about 3/4s the size of the kiddle one. The whole castle was made of alternating dull brick and shiny satone, Sibyll realized with a touch of awe. It was definitely very luxurious. The Markjrow kingdom gate were shorter than in iiii, and Sibyll wtched at the gates opened and the guardsmen from iiii started filtering through, the iiii guards lining up just outside the wall. Siyll felt a shiver as she passed by, and saw bright honey-brown eyes peering at her when she glance dat a guard. Sibyll forced her eyes back to the front. The gate sclose dnbehind them with a final, ominous clang, and the iiii forces fell back around Sibyll and King Andru, until they were leading. Following he father, Sibyll trotted forward, stopping at the base of great shimmering steps. Andru dismounte,d and swallowing her fear, Sibyll followed suit. She handed her horse off to a guard and followed her father as he mounted the stairs. Her hesart was pounding wildly, but she forced herself to keep calm.
Fakje it till you make it. Easier said than done.
They clomped forewsrd and into the castle. Sibyll kept close as the dark walls rose up aroundher. Then, they entered the main chamber, and Sibyll gasped, forgetting ejr fear for a mment. The main chamber walls were lined ith gold, carved decoratively into birds and trees, winged beings and other creaturs that Sibyll couldn’t name. The gold was interpresed with more of that dark stone, and she gazed in awe around her.
“Welcome, King Andru, Princess Sibyll!” Sibyll jerked her head around to see a tall, slender man approach them, trailed by three older boys. They all had the same sharp complexition, dark hair, and honey colored eyes.
“King Cyrus,” Andru said warmly but stiffly, for the sake of appearances.
“Welcome, King of iiii, and his lovely daughter too, I see.” Cyrus winked at Sibyll, and she it fekt weird. She would have thought a king Markrow would be more severe than this. But he had a lively twinkle in his eye as he turned, leading them through thre main chamber and into a side room.
“This is our private meeting space,” he explained, having thwm all sit on amply cushioned couches. “There is no need for excessive formality here; we are all on the same footing. You don’t have to worry about anybody walking in on us, either. Everything you could need is delivered by these here dumbwaiters,“ -King Cyrus demonstrated- “so, any requests for drink?” He looked around gaily at Sibyll and her father. In a room with so many men, Sibyll felt small and uncomfortable. When Cyrus’ eyes fell on her, she just muttered out a small squeak of “water”.
“Now, Princess, don’t be shy. You are of equal rank here as each one of my boys. If they were to harm you, they could count on immediately loosing any place in this palace, so don’t you worry. My wife has trained them well.” Cyrus winked at her again and settled down after scribbling the orders on a small pad of paper in the dumbwaiter. “Now, shall the introductiosn begin?”
“Pardon the intrusion, but where is Prince Cayden?” Andru broke in. Sibyll swallowed and almost choked.
King Cyrus’ face split into a slow smile. “Well well well, impatient I see. He is currently getting ready with my wife and his servants. The boy takes forever to find these days, yuou know.” Cyrus made a dainty wave with his hand, and Sibyll stifled a giggle. Pretending as if he hadn’t heard, Cyrus plopped down most ungracefully in a chair at back of the room. “Well, as I’m sure you all know now, I am King Cyrus Markrow, of the iiii kingdom.” He looked at the oldest fo the boys, who sighed good naturedly before speaking.
“I am Crown-prince Luc-Andre. A pleasure to make the acquaintance of the current and future rulers of the iiii kingdom.”
The the next. “I’m Sodim. Markrow.” There was an awkward pause, as everyone waited for him to add something. Sodim’s face cpolored a bit after a few moements.
“Arlit.” That was saids by the last boy, the youngest fo those gathered. He looked incredibly bored, as if meeting other royals was a chore. He caught Sibyll watching him, and his eyes immediately dropped down to er chest. “Eh,” he exclaimed, shuffling deeper into the cushions, and Sibyll’s face colored. Cyrus frowned, something it was obvious he normally didn’t do, but was immediately back to his accommodating self.
“Ah, the drinks are here!” He handed them out, and as Sibyll accepted her water he winked at her again.
Is this some weird “future-daughter-in-law thing? She wondered, bewildered and slightly put off.
“Even though we already know who you are, for the sake of fairness pleas introduce yourselves,” King Cyrus announce dafter he sat down again.
“I am King Andru Highwolfe of iiii kingdom. I look forward to our two kingdoms learning something from each other.”
Sibyll swallowed. “I am Princess Sibyll Highwolfe. Pleased to kake your acquaintance.” Once again, they sat awkwardly.
“So what do you like to do, Sibyll? What are your hobbies?”
Sibyll started, not expecting a direct question from King Cyrus.
“Er, um…I like herbs and aromatherapy.”
“Like an apothecary?” Luc-Andre broke in, his face friendly.
“Yeah, but I’m mostly interested in herbs and their different uses, in teas and for consumption. I don’t know much about different medicines.” Cyrus nodded thoughtfully.
“We have gardens here in iiii. Maybe you’d like to take a look sometime.”
“Of course!” In her exciuetement, Sibyll stood up, but then immediately dropped back down in embarrassment.
“Actually. I think Sibyll is right. Cayden should be nearing readiness, and the feast will be starting soon, in any case. Better make sure our seats aren’t stolen by some lowly servants, eh?” Cyrus grinned before standing, followed y his sons. Arlit was the first to exit, followed by Sodim. Luc-Andre held back, and exited last, after Sibyll. King Cyrus saatrted narrating to Andru, and Sibyll felt a tug on her sleeve. She turned to the golden honey eyes of Luc-Andre.
“Pardon me, princess, but I woul like a few words with you out of father’s earshot.” He glance dover toward Cyrus, who was talking completely obliviously, and turned back to Sibyll. They walked slowly after their fathers.
“I do not wish to speak ill of my brother, but I do think it would be beneficial to know a few things about him. He ha three older brothers, so his chance sof inheriting the throne are incredibly slim. He has had less royal training than we have, and he spends much time amongst the subjects, so he can be a little coarse and spirited. However, he is well liked and friendly to those who are not looking to use him.” Luc-Andre paused, looking away as if choosing his words carefiully. “Cayden is very…willful, andI will tell you right now that he is not very happy about this arrangement. It was all we could do just to convince him to allot a trial period. If he is rude to you, please know that he has nothing personal against you.” Luc-Andre gave her a warm look before striding forward walk beside his father. Sibyll’s steps hesitated, then she hurried to catch up. She had always been better at listening than talking.
“Cayden Markrow! Get back here!”
Everyone froze as the voice rang throughout the echoing hallway. Luc-Andre facepalmed, and Cyrus gave an apologetic smile.
“Unfortunately, that cry os not a rare occurance.” He menat it as a joke, but nobody was laughing.
That was because Prince Cayden markrow was descending the stairs in front of them.
He hadn’t noticed them yet, but he suddenly jered his head up, fixing them with a piercing stare.
His eyes met Sibyll’s.
Cayden was decked ut like a royal. He was wearing a tight black suit, adorned with a long golden cape. The cape was lined with a small amount of white speckled fur. He was lean and tall, but what struck Sibyll most was his eyes and hair. His eyes were a bright, piercing golden orange; Sibyll thought they looked like two jaded pieces of amber. His hair was a light golden, like nothing Sibyll has ever seen in the Black Kingdoms. It hung lively down, just convering his ears, and it had that ruffled totally-not-intentional look that was clearly intentional. He satred down at Sibyll, his face expressionless, except for that of blank surprise, but then he quickly righted himself. Sibyll saw his jaw clench as he ascended the rest of the way, His eyes strayinmg from one person to the other.
“Is this King Andru and his daughter?” he said, addressing King Cyrus.
“Why don’t you ask them yourself?” Cyrus cheerfully replied. After a pause, Cayden turne dunahppily to King Andru.
“King Andru and his daughter, I presume?”
“Well, you got the first part right. It would awfullystrnge if I was also my own daughter.” Cyrus chuckled, but Cayden only seemed more annoyed.
“Father, when will the feast be starting?”
“Any time you’re ready, son. But please, remember where you and Princess Sibyll will be sitting.” Cayden gave his father a pained, do-I-really-have-to look. Sibyll glsanced fom face to face, a knot growing in her stomach.
“Um, what do ou mean, your highness?” Cyrus gave Cayden a pointed look before suddenly turning and abruptly striding away. Cayden mumbled something under his breath that Sibyll chose to ignore.
“Come with me,” hestated and started walking. Sibyll hurried to catch up.
“Your, er, kingdom is very nice. It’s amazing how different the architecture is from iiii.” Cuaden gave her a s atrnge look before carrying on. Sibyll decided to keep her mouth shut and follow him. The din and racket of voices grew around them, but instead of leading her through thr large double doors that stood open and led to a grand hall, she assumed, guarded by a pair of bored looking guards, he continued on to a smaller door set on the other side of the hallway. Sibyll glance dat him, but his face was a stiny mask of expressionlessness. Sibyll felt her chets clench as she saw what was in the room before her.
Stairs.
So many, going up into the celining. Sibyll looked up, but cayden didn’t say anything. Without waiting for her, he just closed the door and strated ascending the steps. Sibyll hurriredly followed. The juse of her legs felt good after the day riding,m but her legs were sore before long.
“Where…pant…are we going?” Cauden glanced back at her.
“Someplace you do not want to be. Trust me, little wolf.” Sibyll stopped, stiffening. Cauden mounted a few more stairs befire relaixing she had stopped. “What?”
Sibyll forced her lip to not sneer. “You realize you’ve just called me your equivalent of corpse-eating featherless sparrow child?” Cayden started, and Sibyll gained some satisfaction.
“I don’t know if I should be impressdethat you know iiii slang. Be sure my father doesn’t find out about it, oir you can wave this little ‘arrangement’ goodbye.” Although his words werecautionary, aghost of a smile remained on his face as they went up the remaining set of stairs. “Now, prepare yourself.” Cauden stopped just at the top step. Sibyll marveled that he had hardky even broken a sweat. “Especially if you’re afrai of heights.” He abruptly took Soibyll’s hand and pulled her u, inot the- “room” – that the strais led to. Sibyll gasped, gripping Cayden;s hand tighter than she would have like dto admit. The room was shaped in a half circle, and it only hafd a half wall. One wrong move, and Sibyll could go plunging over the edge… Cayden shived her forward, ignoring her squeak of fear. Sddnely, clapping trose from below. Still clinging to Cayden, Sibyll peered down.
Below them was te entire party. Sibyll saw a long, elaborate table, where her father was sitting next to King Cyrus and his other sons. Cyrus piinted, and Andru looked up. He was too facr away to tell his facial expression, but Sibyll guessed it was both proud and anxious at the same time. He was probably having the same thoughts she had. Sibyll glanced at Cayden.
“So…why are we up here?” Sibyll noticed a small table with two chairs around it, and Cayden plopped ungracefully into one.
“This is outr dinner area. We are ‘courting’, as nobles like to call it, so we get this whole dais to ourselves, to ‘get to know each other’ better. So, hobbies?” he asked, not at all looking lime he cared about the answer. Sibyll swallowed, anticipating an awkward evening.
“Um, I like herbs, and gardening, and healing…with herbs, I mean. I could never do surgeries or those sort of things.” Cayden’s eyes drifted lazily onto er, but there was a spark that wasn;t there before.
“What’s your favorite herb?”
“Lavender and rosemary,” she replied without hesitation. He raised his eyebrows, one side of his mouth curlng up.
“I said ONE.” Sibyll bit her lip. That required some thought.
“Well, if I can only choose one herb, then I’d say mint.” Caudn cocked his head.
“What about the two you mentioned earlier?”
“Togteher, they’re amazing. Whether in a tea or a bath. But mint-“
“Hold up, hold up,” Caden interhected. “You put lavender and rosemary in your BATH?”
“Um, yes…?” Sibyll rpolied, not undertsnding why he thought that was so weird.
“Nevermind, nevermind, keep talking,” he said abruptly, waving his hand dismissively of the topic. Sibyll frowned efpre continuing.
“Lavender and rosemary are wonderful together, but for single herbs I like mint best. It has such a sprightly scent anfd flavor, and it itwonderful for the brain. I rcmmned all my father’s advorisrs keep some on them for when they can use the extra thinking power.” Cayden chucked, but ot hadn’t been a joke. Councilman Arfellor’s needed refilling soon. “So what are your hobbies?”
Cayden turned back toward the wall. “You’re really interested in what a batard prince does in his free time?” Sibyll started. There was no way to approach the next question delicately.
“You’re…a bastard?” Cayden gave her a condescending look.
“Of course not, wolf. I may as well be, though, seeing how much piwer I’m given.” He moodily kicked his foot against the wall. “Bloody ravens, where is OUR FOOD???” Sibyll jumped as anther side door opened, early invisible in the wall.
The scents immeditaley mad eher losetrck of anything but the growling of her stomach. Sibyll watched, trying not to drool, as plates of food were brought in, small enough that she could try everything and not be full, but large enough that, by the time the servants were done, there was hardly any room for anything else. As soon as the cart was bare, Sibyll reahed and grabbed a leg of hare. Cyaden stared at her, and one of th servants gasped. Sibyll froze, ad then guiltlily set the leg back down. She had forgotten.
Iiiis are with tools. She pulled her hadn away quickly and wipe dit on a napkin one of the sewrvants was kind enohyg to give her. Caden watched her pointedly as another servant handed her a napkin that held something long and hard. Sibyll set it carefully on the table, if only to save herself from more embarassent in front of mere servants. Caden was jst one person, but Sibyll knew how gossip could- and did- travel between servants.