Two young girls, no more than six years of age sat beneath a great oak, engaged in a game they called "I Want." One possessed a long black hair tied neatly in a ponytail, the other, a loose fall of blonde hair. One had deep blue eyes, the other, hazel eyes. One was plump and round-cheeked, the other, lanky and sprightly. One wore a gown of pale rose lace with ribbons adorning the sleeves and beads tracing the neckline, the other wore a black gown with stitches and small tearings. One had silver hairpins adorning her hair, the other had twigs stuck in her hair. One was being watched by two palace guards, the other believed the crows now gathering on the Oak tree were sent to annoy her. One was a Lady, the other, a commoner. And while one could say she wanted a pony for her birthday, the other could smile so brightly.
" I want to be a knight " The lanky girl with hazel eyes and blonde hair said as she brushed off the dust from her black gown.
" A knight? Do not be absurd, Liora, " said the plump one, "Our kingdom does not permit a girl to take the spurs ". As she spoke, she reached to pluck a twig from her friend's hair and handed it back with a frown. Liora played with it briefly before stepping aside to hurl it at a crow. The twig fell short, startling the bird but doing no harm. She sighed, disappointed.
"Papa says I may be anything I please". Liora replied stoutly, picking up a small stone.
"Anything," the Lady said primly, "but a knight. There are occupations for girls and a knight is not one of them."
Liora took aim and threw the stone. It struck one of the crows squarely and the bird dropped to the earth with a thud. The rest scattered into the air, cawing in alarm. Liora gasped then darted forward to collect her prize.
"What offence has this poor creature given you?" cried the young Lady as she ran to her side.
Before Liora could answer, the sound of hooves echoed through the meadow. The guards straightened at once, placing their hands on their swords. The girls turned toward the sound as three riders appeared: two guardsmen and a young nobleman.
They reined in their horses and dismounted swiftly. The guards wore red surcoats embroidered with a golden flame over chainmail, steel armors and a kettle helms over their heads with a sheathed sword at their hip. Their boots struck the ground in unison as they took their posts. The young Lord was dressed more regally. He wore a crimson velvet tunic bearing the golden flame sigil. Over the tunic, he wore a gold thread embroidered cloak and polished steel bracers. His long black hair fell below his shoulders. He walked towards the girls in his leather boots and a glided sword hanging from his leather belt. The guards followed suite.
"Your Grace," the two other guards and Liora bowed at once.
He halted before the plump girl and squatted to her level. A smile ran across his face. "Did not Mother forbid you to leave the castle grounds, little one?" He asked gently, looking into his little sister's deep blue eyes which was a sigil of their household alongside the black hair and the golden flame symbol on their banners, outfits and jewlries. His eyes fell to her bare neck, the smile quickly faded "Where is your necklace?"
She ran her fingers around her neck and when she didn't find the necklace she started searching around her. "I had it upon my person only a short while ago, and now it is gone. I cannot account for its disappearance". She cried in dismay, her little hands wiping the tears that ran down her cheeks.
Liora, seeing her friend's distress, stepped closer and laid a hand upon her shoulder. "Do not weep, Lady Rhea," she said kindly. "We shall find it again."
Alaric watched as his little sister sobbed over her missing necklace. If only she had stayed in the castle as she was instructed, it would not have been lost. But, he could not bring himself to scold her, because she has done what their household have not done in a century. She has associated herself with commoner.
"Your name is Liora, is it not?" he inquired, turning to the blonde child.
. "Yes, Your Grace," she answered, lowering her gaze.
Alaric noticed that even her English was polished. His sister might have taught her. "What is that you carry?" he asked, nodding to the small dark shape in her hand.
Liora hesitated, clutching the dead crow behind her back. "A crow, Your Grace," she said at last. "It died of its own accord."
Rhea suppressed a small laugh. The lie was poorly told.
Alaric studied the girl, then gave a curt nod. "Very well. But dispose of it at once. Such creatures are not to be kept. We know not what illness caused its death".
"Yes, Your Grace" she murmured, bowing again.
"Come, Rhea," Alaric said, his tone softening. "It is time you returned home."
He had only just returned himself from the smoke and blood of Ironridge Pass, and his mother, the Lady of the house, had sent him to fetch his little sister was from beneath the oak . And though she was weary, he was not.
He had encountered the girl with his sister several times and had watched them at play on many occasions. He might have lingered to watch them a little longer, but he was exhausted and had been squatting since he arrived at the great oak. He rose to his feet.
"With your leave, brother," Rhea pleaded, "may I search a little longer for my necklace." Her blue eyes shimmered with hope.
Yes, the necklace was important, and it held the honour of their family. But it could not excuse his sister's wandering beneath the oak any longer. He looked at her and said quietly, "We cannot linger, Rhea. Mother grows agitated."