((I never said dark clothes, dark knight referred to the hooded face. scared, my character exaggerated him. sorry))


After hearing the other girl refer to the man as a Ranger, Kaelyn felt ridiculously stupid. How could she have thought so ill of him? Thinking back, it wasn't as if he had looked all that evil. She hadn't been able to see his face and after taking one glance had only seen the dark shadow which was probably why she hadn't bothered to look at the rest of him. However, searching her recent memory she realize he was dressed in normal clothes and hadn't given off a threatening vibe. But after her little "escape" he must think she was absolutely crazy. That's right, the castle has crazy people roaming the halls who are completely inhospitable and don't even say thank you! How awful she had been and now she had a strange feeling in her stomach; probably the guilt eating away at her insides. And what if he told the Queen? Oh! She would be so disappointed! The ladies in waiting were supposed to be refined and educated and represent the great Queen in her magnificence but if Mytorane found out, Kaelyn would most likely be punished, or worse, dispatched to work for another mistress.... or master.

By now it was too late to go out and beg for forgiveness from the Ranger so all she could do was sit and sulk. She was young and young girls made silly mistakes. But then again, she was ALWAYS making silly mistakes. Soon, people wouldn't be setting the blame on her youth but on herself. Perhaps Gretchen was right, perhaps it was time for her to settle down and stop being a child. Perhaps she DID need a man to tell her what to do so she would stop being such a child and grow up. Her own friend, Diandra, who was also 17, was already married and due to have a child in 3 months. Cassandra was 16 and betrothed to a great Lord living a 3 week's journey away, whom she had never met but received presents from every time his brother came to have an audience with the Queen. But Kaelyn was stubborn and clinging to her childhood which would no doubt be ripped from her one of these days. Sighing, she decided to listen in on the chatter of the other girls. They were discussing the room of suitors downstairs.

"I heard one of them is dark skinned, and doesn't speak any English. Instead, he clicks his tongue like this!" She proceeded to click her tongue while another girl spoke.

"Well, if that is true, which I highly doubt, he doesn't stand a chance! The Queen needs someone who can advise her or run the country for her so she can rest and have lots of babies. Oh! Just think how busy we will be!"

A third girl joined in. "No, the Queen would never relinquish her control and shame on you for ever thinking it. She should just take on a pleasure slave and keep her power for herself. Yasha got to see one of them, didn't you Yasha!"

The girl, Yasha, told her part of the story. "I was down in the main hall and they called for help to wash and dress one of the new slaves. It was a young man, very handsome, but absolutely filthy! Didn't say one word while we bathed him. But once all the dirt and grime was off of him, he was a right good looking boy. I wouldn't mind having him around the castle..."

"Yes but if he was the Queen's boy you would have no chance at all. Besides, you might end up giving him the pox and infecting Queen Mytorane." This was the first girl and she made her statement with a snappish tone, obviously disliking Yasha.

Yasha didn't hold back and replied, "I never had the pox! And you right well know it. But you know who did have it, Tallie? Lord Maksym." Yasha finished her statement with a wink. This absolutely enraged Tallie who stood up and...

"Stop, both of you," said Kaelyn. "It is so foolish of you to bicker like this. Whoever the Queen chooses, if she chooses anyone, we must accept and show our support. Now stop gossiping and maybe we can find something useful to do! I'm sure her majesty's closet hasn't been cleaned in ages so let us do that and stop bantering about things which we have no control over."

Kaelyn's little speech worked and the girls stopped gossiping and arguing and went to task. She had angered some of the older women in the process, but she didn't care. All she could think about was the poor impression she had made to one of the Queen's guests and what sort of punishment she might receive should she find out. Kaelyn thought highly of the Queen's opinion and really sought to please her although she did make mistakes, such as "forgetting" that she wasn't allowed down in the kitchen area. Deciding she needed some fresh air and went to see what, if anything was going on in the castle. She left the Queen's chambers and went through the hallways down to the main hall. Maybe she could catch a glimpse of the funny... man? who lived in the castle. Kaelyn hoped her day would get better.

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LiZi wuz hurr. (Don't you just HATE gangster talk?)