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Kosetsu
Member
since 2001-03-10
Posts 450
Alabama, USA

0 posted 2001-07-22 07:04 PM


Anthony embraced his lover in his arms, his lips brushing hers. Quilla Cervantes was of a similar age, with long dark hair and stunning dark eyes. His hands resting softly on her thin waist, the soft silk dress she wore shifting beneath his touch.

His head lifted, eyes of sapphire blue resting on the woman’s face, studying her for a reaction to the words he’d not yet spoken. “Quilla…do you think me a fool?”

She gave a soft smile, an equally soft hand giving his beard a light tug. “You are no more a fool, my love, than Lady Lydia de Seis was for founding this nation.”

He nodded. Natalie had wanted their daughter to be named after the country’s first Lady. Still…he was leading his country into a suicide war, if the other nations would not reform their alliances from the time of the Viper War.

She rested her head on his shoulder, speaking softly into his neck. “Lydia…on the other hand, does not seem to approve,” she said in her soft, sweet voice. “I saw her this morning, speaking with Duke Bornweyr.”

He nodded, softly stroking her hair with his hand. “…Schyler is a good lad. Though he won’t help me convince her that this is the only way, he has a good heart, and good head on his shoulders.”

She ran her fingers along his chest, nodding slowly into the crook of his neck. “Lydia’s disapproval goes beyond mere fits though…she was seen in the village today, trying to convince Master Pollder to have the Council speak out against you.”

He frowned, stepping back to put her at arm’s length. “Do you speak the truth?” he inquired, eyebrows furrowing.

She gave another innocent smile, her hand cupping the side of his face. “Have I ever lied to you, love?”

He sighed, pulling her close once more, bending his head to plant a soft kiss on her neck. “What should I do, Quilla? Everyone seems bent on me not pushing us towards this war, but if I do not, the Arch-Baron will harm Alexander.” Alexander…his youngest son. Most believed him to be dead, missing since the Viper War, but an odd ransom letter from the Arch-Baron himself suggested otherwise.

She gave a smile, slipping her arms around his neck. “I know…but to have this war, you can’t have little children meddling where they shouldn’t be. Your son will be safe, and Toren cannot lose such a war. My father will not let Gunther fall.”

He nodded slowly. “I’ll have Lydia placed under…Dahlia’s watch. She’ll not let the child get into mischief.”

A soft, sweet laugh came from the woman’s lips. “That will do nicely, love…Mistress Luhhan will do quite nicely.”


Later…
Owen shook his head with a sad sigh. He hated having to do this. He glanced to the large woman beside him. Lydia would definitely not like this. His hand rose, giving a few sharp knocks on the child heir’s door. “Come…” spoke the soft reply. Owen opened the door, and stepped inside.

Lydia sat at the edge of her bed, hands tucked in her lap. She stared into the floor, and gave a sniffle. Had she been crying?

Owen frowned, glancing around the room. “Lydia…your father has given Mistress Luhhan a few weeks to herself. She’ll be visiting Boran Monastery soon.”

Lydia blinked, her gaze lifting to the two. Why was she being told this? Nothing happening today had seemed good…

“Your father…” Owen continued, “has asked that you go along. He believes a trip will do you good…and you will have to visit the monastery someday anyway. Best to get aquainted with the monks now.”

Lydia’s eyes grew large. “What? …w-why..?” she managed, the words almost catching in her throat.  What had she done that was wrong? Everyone knew it was a punishment to be sent away from the manor…especially if Dahlia Luhhan was involved.

Owen glanced to the large woman, then back to the girl. “Please…Lydia, just go with her. It won’t be as bad as you think,” he said with a frown.

Lydia began to protest, but a hard glance from Dahlia silenced her. Her head lowered. Had she not cried them all out earlier, tears would have been pouring from her eyes at the moment. “…when…when do we leave?”

“In three hours,” Dahlia replied sharply. “Servants will be in shortly to pack your things, and to escort you to the front gates.” That was the most the woman had said during the entire encounter.

Lydia nodded with a soft sniffle. “…would…the two of you leave me alone? I—I need to think.”

“Lift your chin, girl! You are heir to the Toreni Lady—“ Dahlia began with her normal lectures, but Owen silenced her with a shake of his head and a motion out the door. The woman frowned, then obliged.

As the Lord’s Advisor turned to leave, he glanced back over his shoulder. “Lydia…I know this is unfair. Things in life aren’t always fair. I’ll do what I can to stop this, and to stop your father from continuing with this shade-spawned war,” he said softly, the sparkle gone from his azure eyes.

She nodded, but didn’t look up, even after he’d closed the door quietly behind him. Why was all this happening? Schyler’s open disloyalty, her exile off to some monk-filled temple with the last woman on the planet anyone would like to be dragged along with.

"Love, like the Rose, is desired. And like the Rose, Love has its thorns." - Unknown

© Copyright 2001 Adam Kamerer - All Rights Reserved
Sunshine
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Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
1 posted 2001-07-28 08:15 AM



Adam, still enjoying the trip this is taking us on.  Looking forward to the next chapter.

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