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Inira sighed, bowing and exiting the room. She was relieved that the king had thought rationally. She went back to the stables, hoping to spend more time with the horses. She was surprised to see a knight standing in the stall of the roan she had ridden the night before. "Why are you in here?" Inira asked supisciously. The man turned around. "I wanted to ask you some questions." Sir Larus, Inira's older brother, replied honestly. "I'm not in the mood. Go away." Larus just stood there, looking down at his little sister. Since when did she become so...sulky?

Ame finished grooming her mare, and headed back into the castle. Not feeling up to any encounters, she headed straight for her quarters. Once there, she flopped down on the bed, and stared at the ceiling.

Hearing Azalia's cries, Ismeine stopped short and spun around to look at her. "Do you not have a wedding to plan rather than bother me?" she seethed. She felt the Holy Spirit prod her conscience for such cruel words, but she quite unwisely pushed Him aside. Her temper, which had gotten her into trouble in the past and no doubt would continue to do so, was livid; she cared naught for reason at the moment.


Merewyn stayed where she had been, her eyes glued to the floor. As her father paced before her, she prayed he knew nothing of the man from the forest. Finally, he stood before her, and, looking at the ceiling, began.

"Quite a number of suitors have asked for your hand as well."

Merewyn sighed inwardly in relief as the king paused, gaging her reaction. Her features stayed still, neither surprised nor annoyed, as she waited for him to continue.

"Of course, this surprises no one. You are daughter to the king of the wealthiest kingdom on earth, you are pleasing to the eye, and, unlike your sister, you hold a mild and submissive temperament. You are the ideal young maiden, and many men wish to make you their wife."

He paused, smiling when she said nothing, as though that proved his very point.

"The problem is, to whom do I give you? It was quite easy to decide Ismeine's case, as suitors were few and far between due to her temperament, but it seems as though almost every eligible prince I've heard of has asked for your hand!"

This did surprise Merewyn. Had she met every eligible prince? It was true that many suitors had come to call, but none stuck out in her mind. Finally, she spoke.

"May I voice my opinion, Father?" she asked boldly. The king considered, then answered yes.

"If I may be so bold, I must say that I do not feel God wishes me to marry any of the princes I've met."


The messenger started down another long corridor, hoping this would finally be the one. The king of Jahrr had sent him to find two knights; one, Sir Faradock, had already been found and sent; the other, a dame known as Ame, was yet to be found. He neared the first door of the corridor, which appeared to be lined with bedrooms, and knocked, hoping to finally find his target.

"My lady, you know as well as I do that I have no wish to plan this wedding." Azalia said, ignoring Ismeine's angry tone. Azalia felt that the princess' rage was very justified, and that she was taking it out on everyone. "But you need to calm down and keep your head about you. Let's avoid doing anything rash, please."

"Well, that can't be helped." Azalia replied. "Think how we’ll be punished if we defy the law and move against the king’s will, against his royal power. We must remember that by birth we’re women, and, as such, we shouldn’t fight with men. Since those who rule are much more powerful,we must obey in this and in events which bring us even harsher agonies. So I’ll ask the Lord for pardon—since I’m being compelled, I will obey those in control. That’s what I’m forced to do. It makes no sense to try to do too much."

((Just kidding! I stole your line from the prolouge and altered it a bit. It varies from translation to translation, so it might be different than what everyone has read. I had to change a few words to fit the situation, but I couldn't resist. Actually, this is what happens smile )

"Well, that can't be helped." Azalia replied. "Something must be done, but I must tell you honestly I have no plan."

"As do I, my lady." Azaila replied. "Still, just because Ismene obeys doesn't mean she believes in what she's doing."

"Well, even if she does obey the Father's plans, that doesn't mean her heart's in it." Azalia explained. "She could just be following orders. I am required to do things his majesty requests whether I want to or not, like planning her wedding. But we should want to do things God's way, because he always knows what is best for us. I just hope that Ismene has her whole heart in doing the Lord's will, that's all."

((I know I'm a total hypocrite for saying this, but.... Shinko/Ame? You there? I need you! You're part of my evil plot to kidnap the princesses! ninja *continues plotting* mwa ha ha... twisted ))

((It's otay!! xd ))

The king frowned as he waited for Ame and wondered what was taking her so long. Sir Faradock, of course, had arrived almost as soon as the king had sent out the messenger, and he now stood in the corner of the room, making the Jahrran king quite uncomfortable.

Sir Faradock was by far the most mysterious and most unsettling of his knights. He was quiet, he kept to himself, and whatever words he did speak were muttered in a deep, authoritative voice that held a hint of Irish accent. Nobody knew how he acquired that accent or what his history was, and nobody dared ask him, not even the king. It was a well-known fact that every man in the kingdom grew uncomfortable in his company for more than a few minutes.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity to the king, the dame entered. "Yes... yes, of course," he said, training his eyes on Ame in order to avoid looking at Faradock. "I have chosen you two because I believe that you are best suited for the task at hand, given Faradock's ruthless cunning and Ame's... well, womanhood." He paused, hoping that last part had come out right. "I need you two to kidnap the Maisonian princess, Merewyn and Ismeine, and bring them into my custody. Sir Faradock, I am leaving you in charge of this quest and am giving you Ame as an accomplice. I would expect to have them in a fortnight."

Sir Faradock nodded, his expression unreadable. "As you wish, Sire," he said.


((Sorry this is kind of... short on details, given the drama of the current moment.... I'm kind of in a hurry. >.<))