POV Mare

With a filled stomach I approach the high floor, the task I have prepared for is getting

close. I wonder if the two royals that accompany the great Magus Heras are as we

were told.

The valley looks like it wants to present itself from its best side, the sun is banishing

the ever so present fog. But even with the suns onslaught, there are still bits of fog

lingering between the towering trees. It is as if the fog is making a promise, to return

and once again rule supreme in this little valley.

Placing a napkin on one of the short pillars to prevent any kind of dirt on my uniform

I prepare myself to wait.

In the next half an hour the remaining servants arrive on the high floor, the honor guardwith

their shiny uniform and dull lances gets into formation as a barely noticeable reflection in the

distance tells of the approaching guests.

Within minutes they are close enough for all to see. Thus I retrieve my napkin and

walk to my assigned position behind the waiting Madame Sinclere.

Had Rineska not shown me drawing of the majestic Airships that came into sight,

I fear I would have run to the dock like any of the small children that were barely

held in check by their assigned nanny's.

The ships could have sprung from a painting, long sleek hulls made of white wood,

each metal piece silver and sparkling, the sails on the beautifully carved masts made

of carefully woven fabric. To produce that much beauty the owner must of paid

a small fortune.

If I had not known how they were powered, I would also be agape in wonder.

Deep within each of the ships are slaves, bound to the very core of the machine,

drawing in their life to power its flight. A single voyage may drain several

slaves. The knowledge of how this contraption powered itself in its bloody belly

made me sick.

The three ships began their descend and started to slow down, one by one the sails

were reefed. Until they gracefully came to rest in the prepared docking beams.

I could not refrain from staring at the engine section, it could have been my

fate to be bound to a giant crystal with metal piercing my body. I tried to

kill the nausea before it got out of control but was only partly successful.

An elven man was the first to disembark the vessel, clothed in ridiculous plushy

clothes and armed with a trumpet he began to announce the titles and professions

of the guests as they too disembarked.

The captain of the royal guard, Theoduin Aesys, his second in command Onas Yesleth.

The names and titles began to flow into each other, how can anyone survive such

a welcome any time he arrives somewhere?

“The royal twins, third and fourth born princes of the house Ludove, Ludwig and

Regibald Ludove!” shook me out of my stupor.

Prince Ludwig looked like the hero from one of the books Rineska so loved to read,

dressed in a sturdy yet elegant tunic with a rapier at his side. His golden hair that

surrounded his enigmatic face drew the people in. If he was supposed to be day,

next to him walked night, Regibald could only be described as dark. His whole

presence made him unlikable, the black robe and nasty toothed dagger on his belt

did not improve my first impression of him.

I kneed in front of Ludwig “your majesty I am Mare, I am the assigned aide during your

stay. Do you want me to guide you to your quarters or do you require anything before that?”

A dangerous glint shortly flashed through Ludwig's eyes if not for the sad expression on

Regibald's face I would have missed it. His whole stance seemed to pity me but I would

not find out why until later.

“Guide me to my quarters, the journey was long and we require rest.” Was all I got as

reply but I did what I was tasked to do. And led him to one of the royal suites on

the fourth layer of the tower.

Using the talent any servant has to erase as much of my presence as possible I sunk into

the shadows of his room preparing for any wishes my temporary master may have.

The hours flew by and Ludwig awoke, a black robed man had entered through the window,

he seems to have missed my presence but I kept to myself as the man kneed in front of

the bed. “My prince I bring urgent news!”

Ludwig seems to have been long awake “Ivor you are getting rusty, servant leave us alone!”

I arose from my chair in the shadows and left the room, the man in black somehow looked

shocked at me, but I did not hear anything after the thick door closed behind me.

“Well time to grab something to eat, I guess...” was all I mumbled was I made my way

to the cafeteria.

Nibbling on a filled piece of bread I made my way back to the royal suite as I encountered

Regibald. I went to the wall to allow him free passage as I was trained to do, when the

prince turned toward me.”Good evening madame I thought you were tasked with tending

my brothers needs?”

I deeply bowed and replied “His majesty does not wish to be disturbed as he is with a guest.”

His eyes widened “WHO!” he yelled in my face, he scared me “please your majesty I am

not allowed to disclose a masters information.”

“Answer me or I will have you flogged before sundown!” Some kind of pressure emanated

from Regibalds body, each breath got harder than the one before. “Some ugly fellow named

Ivor, please your majesty have mercy!”

The pressure disappeared as fast as it came and his scorn was replaced with a deep sadness.

“Ivor you too?” he mumbled. Then his eyes focused back on me “Leave as fast as you can,

if you have seen that mans face your life is forfeit!”

Instead of an answer I opened my uniform a little, until the deep black burn scar in form of

the tower seal became visible.

“I am afraid your majesty I cannot follow your orders, I am unable to leave the tower.”

He look deeply sad, “then I will pray for your soul, may I know your full name as I plan

to at least offer you a proper burial if the master of the tower allows.”

But my answer went under in the commotion as one of the Magus apprentices arrived with

a full guard regiment in tow. “Slave Mare you are under arrest for treason do not resist!”

Iron shackles closed around my arms as I was dragged with them, leaving behind a very sad

looking Regibald.