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Chapter Four

 

Samuel looked up at Angelheart castle. He was completely awed by its pure-white walls that shone like crystal in the full light of the two moons, Silvarati and Tirana. Its six towers rose above the walls, telling all would-be invaders that this castle wasn’t going to be taken so easily. The castle itself was huge, and took up a good part of the city in which it was built. The palace guards were dressed in silver chain mail armour over white clothing: white breeches, a matching tunic, boots and gloves. They stood at the doors, examining the invitations. So far, nobody had been turned away. It was their turn, and they too, were let in. Samuel’s father, the Duke of Rilavara, was an aging man with a receding hairline and a face full of lines. He wore red-and-white silk clothing and the finest leather shoes and gloves. Although he was too old to fight, he carried a light silver broadsword at his side in a grey sheath that hung around his black leather belt. The sword’s handle was black with lines of gold and silver running through it. Samuel’s eyes were drawn to the massive hall that they had entered. This hall made the one back at his home look like a mere tunnel! The hall was gold-on-white, with massive tapestries depicting great victories in several battles and wars: including the ancient war between the dragons, the humans and the elves. The now non-existent Elvin Mages had defeated the dragons with their powers, but they had all perished shortly after their victory. Now, there were hardly any magic users on the world of Gultara, neither on the Elvin lands of Avalone to the south, the Human lands of Trivadia to the north. The only magic users were the dragons that lived to the east, on the five ‘Dragon Isles’ that they had been forced to retreat to after the war. The dwarves, who preferred to live in complete isolation, lived to the west, on the mountainous continent, and on the other islands that were scattered throughout the world. They were known for their wonderful craftsmanship, and along with the elves, they were the best weapons smiths in the world. There were humans that lived in the Elvin lands, although they hardly ever travelled to the north. The ‘Southern’ humans were known for their skills in battle – and their skills as healers. Samuel’s thoughts about the past were interrupted when they entered the ballroom. This place was truly impressive! Four massive rounded-triangle windows were placed in the centre of each wall, and the huge balcony had two staircases leading to them. The Angelheart family crest was on the far wall on a huge tapestry – two blades crossed over a shield with a diamond engraved in the centre of the shield. Samuel was speechless by the sight.

 

“This is such an amazing place!” he thought. “Mary is lucky, working here.”

 

He left his father at the entrance and went searching for Mary. She had to be here somewhere. He didn’t have too look for long, she found him. His jaw dropped when he saw his sister. Her shoulder-length hair was braided, and she was wearing a long-sleeved ruby evening gown – high cut, she didn’t like to show off her body too much, but the right side of the dress was slit for easier movement – with a silver tiara and what looked like a gold necklace. She walked up to him, tilted her head, and smiled.

“What do you think?” she asked, turning around so that he could see the whole outfit. “It’s a gift from Rebecca. She and I are friends now.”

Samuel would have laughed, if Rebecca had not walked up to them and smiled at Mary. “Mary! That gown really suits you.” She turned and looked at Samuel, took in the fact that he was wearing black silken pants, matching tunic, boots and gloves. “Hello, Samuel.”

Samuel’s heart skipped a beat – it was the princess that had saved him! “Hello, your Highness,” he replied. “Damn it, she looks absolutely beautiful in that dress!”

Rebecca smiled slightly and shook her head. “Call me Rebecca,” she said. “And yes, it was me that saved you from that Mediator the other day. I am sorry that I could not tell you who I was then, but I was trying to keep my presence there a secret.”

Samuel nodded. “I understand,” he said. “You…look beautiful tonight.”

Mary could barely hide her amused smile as she watched her brother blatantly flirt with the princess. She blinked when she saw Rebecca blush – yes, blush – at his compliment.

“Thank you,” she said softly. Then, in a barely audible whisper: “You look handsome.”

Mary’s jaw dropped. “What in the name of all of the gods?” she wondered. “Are they flirting with each other; the Princess and the son of a Nobleman, flirting each other? This is too much…If you two will excuse me, I’m going to get some wine…”

She walk away, completely dumbfounded. “They’ve met each other for only the second time, and they’re flirting with each other?! Oh gods…this is going to be one long night.”

 

                                                                                    ~~~~~~~~

Rebecca watched Mary leave. “I like your sister,” she said. “She’s nice person to be around.”

 

Samuel nodded. “She takes after my mother that way,” he replied. “She’s also very kind-hearted, and will readily help anybody who needs help.” He looked at her, and found that he was really noticing her. Of course, some…less desirable people also saw what was going on: the Priests of Claraxis.

 

“We don’t need this,” the priest muttered. “The Princess falling in love with a mortal…The High Priestess will not be happy with this…”

 

 He slipped away into the crowd, unnoticed by everybody there – except Alex. She watched him slip away and turned her gaze to her student.

 

“You will not have her, False One,” she said. “This child is under the protection of my god.”

 

She closed her hand around the symbol around her neck; two golden axes crossed over a scale: the symbol of the God of Justice, Deltania.

 

 “She is under my protection, too…”

 

 

She slipped into the crowd, unseen and unheard by all.