Chap. 5

Chap. 4

There was the normal chatter from the crew during the evening meal. I sat at the end pushing my food around not registering what was being discussed at the moment; answering with "Mhm's" and "of course". All I could think about was Adelhaide still knocked out cold in my room. What if she wakes up in a strange place? I want to be there when she does, though she looks so beautiful when she sleeps.
I also can't help but thinking how this scheme of hers is actually working so far. I didn't think she would make it on the boat in the first place, she never ceases to amaze me; this small eastern belle.
Finally I pushed back my chair and told the crew that I had a migraine and needed to bed early. I walked slowly wondering if she was awake yet, but when I opened the door there she was still lying there. I took the chair from the desk, sat it beside the bed, and willed her eyes to open. What if she doesn't wake up at all?
As I sit there waiting I take in everything in my room. There was a covered bookshelf on the left wall to my right; and beside me a desk covered in papers and quills. The bed in front of me is positioned in the farthest corner from the door with my chest of my belongings tied to the end. This is not the room you would imagine for a prince, but I guess I like to keep things simple. My brothers on the other hand would have had golden tapestries all around the room, artifacts that show off their richness; but I see no point in this, for no one will see it anyways.
I reached under the bed for one of my knives, a small curved blade called a glako. The handle is made of fine ebony inlayed with ivory symbols. The symbols are from the old language of Akiviri, so the translation has long been lost. I found it while hunting one winter with my childhood friend, Tanta. It was late and the river quickens in the dark, but we had to cross it. Tanta got the other side safely, but I was taken down but a larger piece of drift wood. I was hit unexpectedly and fell backwards into the cold water. Before I could think a full thought I was being carried down the river. Frantically I tried to find something to grab hold of, but everything was coated with ice and my fingers were to numb to cling to the rocks. Then I was falling, falling into what I didn't know. I don't remember what happened next, just that I woke up on the bank of the river with the strange glanko in my hands and a fading memory of a tavern covered in ivory ruins.
I never went anywhere without the glanko, for the possibility that someone could steal it, or the slightest chance that I may find someone who knows what it's meaning is.
I stood and started to jab the blade into my invisible opponent, slashing and stabbing the air. I let the glanko become one with me and let my imagination invent the hardest opponent to face, curiosity. I swung the blade, moving in almost a one person dance. The handle of the glanko started to warm, and there was a faint light engulfing it. I gasped and moved to let go of the blade but my hands would not obey. I felt as if I was not controlling my movements and the blade swung me around till I was pointing at the bed, where a small frame was huddled in the corner with fear in her eyes.

I felt a tug in the back of my mind, calling me, telling me to open my eyes. Finally I obeyed the call. Slowly, my eyes began to open taking a minute to focus. Everything seemed so bright. No. Something moving around was bright. Quickly I sprang up and backed to the edge of the bed that I had been lying on. An unknown fear swelling inside my chest as I watched a dancing snow tiger covered in brilliant golden light. It was so terrifyingly beautiful. No matter what I did I couldn't bring myself to look away. I don't know what's going on, I thought I would be on Kieji's ship, maybe I didn't make it and I died. Surely death wouldn't be watching a dancing snow tiger.
At first the Tiger didn't seem to notice my presence, but in a single moment it spun and its huge eyes started into mine. Fear over took me and I let out a small gasp. I hugged my knees to my chest and tried to look away from this beast. Shaking I tore my gaze away and buried my head in my knees.
"You’re either dead or going to die" I thought to myself, "better look death in the face." With my own words giving me courage I really looked into the eyes of the tiger, taking them inside of mine. In that moment the fear was gone, replaced with a calm feeling I could not place.
"Adelhaide?" The voice was in my head and it sounded very familiar. "It's alright, I would never hurt you."
"Kieji?" I said in astonishment.
Starring back at me through the tigers mountain eyes; not the tigers eyes, Kieji's eyes.
Without thinking I slid off of the bed and stood facing those enormous eyes, no fear inside of me. I reached up and cupped the tiger’s soft fur in my hands and smiled up at him. In that moment the tiger started to melt away, being replaced with Kieji, his face resting in my small hands.
"What happened?" was all he could say as the strength was pulled away from him.

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Chap. 3

I know that Kieji thinks this is crazy, and maybe it is, but I don't want to go to that academy. I have spent my whole life trying to be the person my mother wants me to be, but I just can't do it. I know that if I told her I was leaving on Kieji's ship instead of my own, she would call the guards and a battle would happen, and I do not want to risk Kieji getting into trouble. He tried to convince me that it was not a good idea, but I think that it's brilliant! My mother will think that i'm at the academy for the next three years, and the academy wont know of my existence there because ill swipe the records. I am so excited! The carriage comes to a halt at the edge of the port, my mother will say her goodbyes here because she does not want to mingle with the port workers. I look at the ships along the harbour and spot the one with the academy's flag on it, a white dove perched on red ruby. Turning towards my mother I take her hand in mine. I feel a twinge of ache in my heart, I have never left her before and I felt terrible for lying, but this is my life and I am going to live it my way. Besides, I'll come back in three years time. We said our silent goodbyes as custom and I walked towards the boat, my luggage was already brought on board earlier, which must have been quite light for there was only a few things in them. My real luggage was loaded in crates on the Akivirian ship. When I approached the ramp I looked at Kieji's sprawn being carried up the ramp of his boat. I gave a subtle nod so that he knew I was still going through with the plan.
In order for my plan to work I had to be quick. I stood on the edge of the boat with the other young women and waved at my mother on the port. I saw her graceful gloved hand waving back at me.
"Makes you feel like they love you, doesn't it?" To my right a girl of my age was standing there gaily waving to her family. She had blonde curls that were on pills ontop of her head, and she wore a blue and white, sailor style, travelling gown that was fitted to her frame. Her skin looked as soft as velvet and was the color of milk.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"They give the illusion that they love you, but they just want to get rid of you as fast as they can. Don't want to do any of the work, so they just ship us off to boarding schools and academy's."
I thought on that for a moment. Then the ship was starting to lift off, everyone was still waving, I waited till we got far enough that no one on the port would recognize faces. I slid out from the railing and walked towards the captains office trying not to bring any attention to myself. Wearing a light travelling gown I made no sound. I chose this dress because it is light and and the tan color was not eye catching in the least. I flattened my back at the edge of the door frame going into the captians office and discreetly poked my head through. Keeping my head slightly down so that my wide brimmed hat covered my eyes I walked into the room.
"What can I do for you young lade?" The captain looked to be in his early thirties, he has a pleasant smile and seems to be willing to do anything for anyone, which was a good thing for me.
I pitched my voice a little higher than usually and put on a performance of a shy timid young girl.
"Some crew men on the deck were calling me funny names." I added a little sobbing sound, "One of the nicer ones told me to come and get you so that you can put them right."
He stood from his desk and walked towards me with a concering look.
"Would you like to come with me so that they can appologize to you?"
"No...no thank you sir, I think I will just stay down here for now." I shuffled my feet making it seem like he was making me uncomfortable, which judging my character he didn't like.
"I will go right away miss!" and with that he hurried out the door. I quickly ran over to his desk forI had very little time. Luckily he was checking off names on the list of girls going to the academy. I ran my finger down the list of names till I found my own. then using the ink quill I put a line into it and a note saying that I was not going and forged the captains signature below it. Since I was late on the application my name was added in last so I don't think that he will question it. I quietly walked out of the office and went back onto the deck. Kieji's ship was not far behind us, and with their ships being swifter than ours I had very little time left. I gave my hat to a servant girl peeling potatoes over the side of the boat, she was surpirsed and gave me a huge smile. She probably hasn't held anything so fine in her life. I quickly made my way around the edge of the boat to the front. I looked up towards the upper deck to make sure no one was looking. no one there. I had to be infront of Kieji's boat to guarntee me getting on without getting hurt. I was just starting to climb the railing when I heard her.
"What is vanes name are you doing?!"
I turned to see the girl who had talked to me when we set off. I didn't know what to say.
"I...ah.." I stammerd.
"You are not seriously going to kill yourself are you?"
"of course not!!" that was a mistake.
Her face lit up in ackowledgement. "Your running away on that ship arn't you?" she pointed to Kieji's fast approaching ship. I could see Kieji on the dock ready to help me when I needed it. I needed it now, but he could do nothing. I couldn't think of what to do with this girl.
"I'm coming with you," She started to walk towards me.
"You can't" I didnt know how else to stop her, so I swung my fist and hit her in the side of the head, positioning my hit so that it would seem as if she fell and hit her head on the railing. I caught her before her body fell tot he ground and gently placed her by the railing. She was out cold. I felt bad but I couldn't bring her along, we never would have made it, especially her in that heavy gown. I heard voices and Kieji's ship was parrell with mine.
"Oh no!" I gasped. Without thinking about how I was goign to get on with Kieji being at the front I dove off the railing into the water. Swimming under the water I took a diagnol path to put me closer to the middle of the ship rather than the end. Usint alteration I alterned my body to be slightly lighter than the water so that I could swim faster. I kept swimming along the ship, struggling to keep up with it. I had to wait till I was out of immediate view of thet academy's ship. My arms and legs were screaming in protest and I could feel a cramp coming into my right leg. I had to get onto the ship. I altered my body weight to be lighter than water and quickly picked myself up and ran across the water. Kieji had a rope haning on the side for me to grab hold of. I jumped as far as I could up the rope and grabbed hold. My arms were tired from the swimming so it took everything I had to start hauling myself up the rope. I was luck that keiji had everyone from the crew on the other side of the ship, saying that he wanted to be in peace for awhile, and I am so happy that princes have that kind of power. Finally I was at the railing of the ship. With the rest of my strength I flung my body over the side. I was soaked, so when my feet hit the boards I slipped, and everything went black.

Chap. 2

I was sitting on the window seat in my room, thinking about the young prince, he was so handsome. He kept trying to catch my eye but I didn't know if I should; until I gave him his water anyways. I kept replaying the moment in my head, I bowed gracefully in front of him and this time when he tried, I looked straight into his eyes. They were so handsome, I could see the fighting spirit inside of them, but there was also love and tenderness. I sighed again thinking of the feeling I got when his hand touched mine, so rough from the sword at his side, but they were soft and warm. It made me feel like I had swallowed a jar of butterflies, and now they were fluttering helplessly around my gut. My thoughts were interrupted by the knocking on my door.
"Come in!" I called. The door opened and Keda was standing there. "Oh Keda you know you can just walk in, you don't have to knock."
"Mistress, your mother wishes to speak with you," She spoke slowly and her old eyes looked sad.
"Oh my dear Keda!" I said running to her and throwing my arms around her neck, I know it was childish but it made her smile. "Why is there such sadness in your eyes?"
"Your mother wishes to speak with you," and that was all she would say.

"Oh Adelhaide my child, please sit with me on the sofa," my mother said as I entered her rooms.
"You wanted to speak with me mother?" I asked softly.
"Yes, about what you said earlier, about you not being a child; you are right." It took every nerve in my body not to let my mouth drop in surprise. Could she really be going to give me more freedom? To finally be treated like a young woman my age should be treated? My head was exploding with all the possibilities of finally being recognized! Walks without her beside me, trips to the market with my own carriage....
"I've decided that you will be attending the Young Women’s School of Courtesy in the city of Vaslemick."
I couldn’t speak; every dream in my head just blew up into tiny shards of glass that pierced my heart. After the pain in my heart dulled I managed to ask her when.
"You will be sailing to the city in three days, I have instructed Keda to pack everything you need."
Vaslemick is a port city in the far east of Roscrea, it sounds like a charming place, but to go to it on such conditions! To be trapped in that school like a song bird in a cage, singing a tune of heartbreak. But with father gone there was nothing I could do or say about it other than...
"I will prepare."

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"It's too bad we cannot stay for a couple more days," I said to myself as I walked through the back gardens of Ember manor. "I would love to take a ride out on these plains."
"If it would please you, I will take you."
I looked for where the voice was coming from, but I didn't see anything. There was a little giggle then a light thud behind me. I turned swiftly to see Adelhaide straightening from a crouch position. I was confused at first but then looked up at the rustling branches she had left behind.
"Did you just jump down from that tree?" I asked.
She put her hands behind her back and looked away, "Please don't tell mother, she gets furious with me when I climb trees."
"Your secret it safe with me," I said, bowing slightly so that she knew that I ment it.
"Thank you, your highness."
"Please just call me Kieji," smiled at her, getting a small grin back.
"So about my offer?" she questioned.
"Oh yes!" I said quickly remember what she had said before I saw her, "I would be honoured if you would take me." She didn't say a thing, just made a gesture to come with her hand and took off towards the stables. She sure could run fast for a girl wearing leg restircting clothing. Adelhaide called to the stable boy to ready her horse and another for me.
"You look a little unsure of yourself, Kieji."
I looked at the tall lean horse, so different than the stockier builds that I was use to.
"Oh its nothing...I have just never ridden a horse like this before."
"Your horses are different in Akiviri?" she asked shocked.
"Well yes." I answered as I mounted the gelding.
She took me across the plains along a small steady stream; Adelhaide had many questions to ask, and I sometimes couldn't fully answer them before she asked another.She asked how I learned to speak Roscrean so well, and why I didn't have a funny accent like the captain. I answered that I had taken lessons in many different languages. Adelhaide asked many questions about my home and family, and mostly about how the women of my society lived. She was not the shy Adelhaide I had first seen in the presence of her mother; she was really a curious young woman full of so much energy and life! Why would she keep that hidden in her home?
When she had finally stopped interrogating me, I asked some of my own questions. I learned that her older brother, Kieran, had taught her how to defend herself; and kept it a secret from her parents. I could not understand why it was so bad for women to learn the arts of war, to learn how to protect themselves.
"It is not custom." She said with sadness in her voice, "women do not play a part in politics or war."
"In my country women are a very valuable part of our country, and they are recognized for it. We even have a circuit of soldiers who are just women!"
Adelhaide’s face filled with longing, "It's not just the battle I want Kieji...it’s the freedom that men have."
"Freedom?"
"Yes, I feel as if my heart and soul are trapped inside this huge cage," She gestured at the land around us and Ember manor getting closer in front of them. "It's all just a cage, an illusion of space."
Adelhaides eyes were started to line themselves with tears.
"Adelhaide" I stopped my gelding and turned to face her, "What is wrong?"
"My cage is about to get smaller," she said as a tear slid down her soft cheek.
Without thinking I took her hand, "Please do not cry," It was a pathetic thing to say, but I didn't know what else I could say or do to comfort her. Adelhaide looked down at my hand and I quickly withdrew it back to my reins.
"What are you doing Keiji?" I thought to myself, "You cannot act like this."
I didn't know what was stirring inside of me, but I just wanted to hold her close. I wanted to take her pain away, take away the cage and let this little song bird sing her heart out as loud as she could.
We rode the rest of the way back to the manor in silence, her tears had stopped and she seemed to have withdrawn herself.
"Thank you for taking me Lady Adelhaide," I said after dismounting.
"The pleasure was all mine Prince Kieji," She dipped into a curtsey without looking at me, and hurried out of the stables.
I was running. I had to get to Kieran, he was dying. I could see his blood stained image in my head as the light faded from his eyes. NO! KIERAN DON'T LEAVE ME!  I could see him ahead of me, just lying there, I tried to run faster, but my legs were so heavy. I was crawling trying to reach him; my hand was so close to touching his. If I could just touch him! PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME!! All of a sudden he was gone and it was kieji lying there in front of me. His hand came up and touched my face, his brave eyes full of love and pain. "I'll see you in the afterlife...." My heart was breaking in two as his heart stopped beating. KIEJI!!!

I woke up with Kieji's name on my lips; my blankets littered the floor around my bed. What was the meaning of that? I've always been scared that my beloved brother would not return to me, but Kieji, why did he replace Kieran? I slid off of my soft bed and slipped on my tunic. A walk outside might help clear my mind. I walked quietly down the halls, my bare feet making no noise as I made my way through the darkness. I stopped when I heard a slight creak around the next corner, listening carefully I inched my way towards the wall, flattening myself. "If you want to hide in the dark use the gift the gods gave to you." Kieran had said that on the first night he found me sneaking outside. He had taught me to use my gift of alteration, like father had taught him to use his. Women were forbidden to use any of the gifts other than restoration, I didn't know why, and no one would tell me either. So mother taught me how to use restoration, little did she know that I had learned how to harness alteration anyways. I was double gifted; it was very rare to have two of the six known gifts. I cleared my mind and thought of myself as the darkness, altering the makings of my body to the air around me. Someone was coming around the corner. I held still, so they would not hear me.
"Meow."
Startled I looked down. A cat? I laughed at myself and let my defenses drop. I pulled my chenif over my nose to cover the bottom half of my face and continued on. I walked around the corner; it all happened so fast. Once I walked around the corner I was pulled down and thrown against the wall. Feeling the size of his hands on my wrists I assumed it was a man. My face was being pressed against the wall making it hard to breath. My anger started to rise. This is my home! I ripped my right arm out of his grasp, which surprised my attacker. I his grip on my left arm to swing him into the wall next to me, but before I could pin him there his leg caught mine and I was falling to the floor. Before he had time to come after me I swung my right foot at the back of his knee, as soon as he started to drop I grabbed for his left arm and flipped him face up on the floor. I was on top pinning him to the ground. Looking at my attacker I saw that he was wearing a face mask. Quickly with my one free hand I undid it. Kieji! He seized the moment to push me off and our roles were reversed. I was so stunned. I had just fought with a prince...

 

 

Chap. 1

"Stand up straight!" The first words I hear from my loving mother as I walk towards the carriage.
"Why can we not walk to the harbour?"
"Walk?!" mother puy an appalling hand to her chest and gasped, "Why, women of our standards do not walk such distances and not in the filth!"
I knew that she would not walk, but I had to ask. I don't like being taken everywhere like I do not know how to use my own legs. I wanted to be out with the people, to actually feel like one of them, talk with them, understand them; but that was not the way of a society lady unfortuneately.
As we got closer to the harbour the noise got louder, so many people, the harbour is my favorite place and mothers most hated. There are so many different people here from all around, if only I was able to talk to them, learn from them. My mother thinks that anything different is evil, sent by the god Nescae himself. Nescae is the god of all wickedness is Roscrean, sometimes I think mother is one of his people. I love my mother, but it is not a love that most mothers share with their daughters.
"Ahah! we've made it just in time" my mother was peering descretely out the window, "they are just pulling tino port, meaning we do not have to wait in this infernal place long."
"Why couldn't they be late?" I thought to myself, "I could have observed more."
The driver stoped the carriage and jumped down from his seat to open the carriage door, then he gently held out his hand to my mother and helped her out, then to me as well. I smiled at Crete and whispered a thank-you. Crete had been in our service since he was eleven, and I very much liked to talk with him and listen to his stories. Mother and I started walking to the waiting line just by the dock where the ship would stop.
The ships beauty took my breath away; it was long and wide, for carrying cargo I assume, but it was also built to withstand they many different dangers of the waters. There were carvings of symbols and pictures all over the hull, along with writting in Akiviri, but with the very little of the language I know, I could not read it.
"Now stand up straight," my mother said to me sternly, "We need to show these...people..what civilized looks like."
I knew better than to relaliate, so I straightend my back and shook by braids so that they sat like little water falls on my shoulders. I was so exicted to see these people, I heard that they have warriors that are so fierce and deadly that only a small group of them can take out a whole army! I also heard that the Gifts were not frowned upon in the people, they were free to practice them. I wish I had that. Much to my mothers dislike, I have one of the Gifts that are forbidden in Roscrea. Alteration.
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My head was swarming with the many sounds of the harbour, so many people, and they all looked so different. I was so busy with obsorbing everything around me that I did not notice that we stoped.
"Hello Lady Paken, you look lovely," said Captain.
"Good after noon gentlemen," Lady Paken replied with a slight curtsy to her figure. She was a remarkable looking lady, she wore a gown in the color of deep purple, that made her look thinner than she really was. Her hair was done up in an elaborat pile on the top of her head decorated with tiny pearls, this was to portray her as a higher class. Her smile did not quite connect with her green eyes. While looking at this lady I almost did not see the younger one standing beside her. She looked bout my age. She wore a simpler gown than the other women in the color of dark emerald, the cuffs and the neckline, which came to a Vshape point near her lower chest, had gold waves dancing with rapture. Her hair was in small braids that flowed like water down to her waist, and her eyes, oh the eyes I loved the most, they were a light brown, but looked green when the noon sun hit them, you could see the recklesness in them, the excitement and joy! Though as well, if you looked close enough you could see a longing for something, almost sadness or loneliness. I couldn't explain why, but I wanted to be close to her, feel her joy, and show her that she doesnt have to be lonely anymore.
"Who is the younger women?" I asked the Akedo warrior to the right of the sprawn. He looked startled.
"Its alright, you may speak."
The man exhaled and said quietly, " That is the youngest daughter of Govenor General and Lady Paken.
"What is her name?"
"Her name be Adelhaide, an interesting character that one."
My intrest was now hightened, "Why do you say this?"
"She is stronger than most women, and she does not like to be the lady that her mother wants her to be. If it was up to her she would be out hunting and fighting like men."
"Thank you." I settled back into my chair and thought, but all my thoughts went back to those hazel eyes and beautiful smile."What is it about you I find so enthralling?" I muttered to myself as I looked at her again. "Oh if only you could look at me with your eyes of joy."

Their home was called a "manor", It was quite simple to what I am used to seeing, but it was nice. It was three levels with many windows made out of a ember red brick, which seemed to give it its name of "Ember Manor". The sprawn was carried throught the front gardens of the house, a small line of trees made a pathway towards a small court yard; it was so different, there were so many different flowers in colors that i'd never seen before. You could tell that it was taken care of with loving hands everyday, for it looked lush and every plant seemed to reach for the brilliant sun and sky with happiness. When we came into the court yard the captain came and held up the curtain of the sprawn, I slowly emerged from its protective castings, feeling exposed to these strange people. Drawing myself upwards, I held my head high and andressed Lady Paken with a short bow of the head; then I turned to the young Lady Paken, Adedlhaide, and bowed more with my back than my head, trying to catch her eye. Adelhaide seemed shy for she curtsied without taking her eyes from the ground.
"Shall we go inside for some refreshments?" asked Lady Paken, "I'm sure you must be wanting to sit and rest after your travels."
"Thank you for your kindness m'lady," replied the captain.
Since I didn't know how to adress these people, I stayed silent and took in every detail of their home. The floor shined like a gray mirror making the light coming in from the high arched windows dance in brilliance. There were portraits everywhere, some lady's with sour looks on their faces and young and old men in military clothing. We walked into the parlour where there was a large fire place, a large buffet window, sitting chairs, a small table with an what looked like to be a kind bisscuit, and a large portrait above the fire place. The captain motioned for me to take a seat, I chose to sit on the two person bench closest to the window. When everyone had taken their seats, Adelhaide sitting on the window seat to my right, Lady Paken rang a little bell. Two young women came rushing into the room caring trays and placed them on the small table infront of their lady.
"What do you take in your tea prince Kieji?"
Adelhaides head shot up quickly and her eyes focussed on me in surprise, I took a sideways glance at her and she quickly resumed looking into her lap.
"Thank you m'lady, but I will have no tea." I didn't like tea, at least their tea, it was bitter, could be the reason most people have sour looks on their faces in this country.
"Would you like some other reefreshment then?"
"If I may, I would much like a glass of water." At that lady Paken picked the bell up again and was just about to ring it when interrupted by a musical voice.
"Sahara is busy mother, please, I will get him his water," she stood and quitely walked out of the room.
"You have a very beautiful daughter lady Paken," I said still staring at the door she dissapeared through.
"well of course I do!" she exclaimed.


"A prince? I did not know that the young man was a prince, a nobleman of his people maybe, but a prince! Why did mother not tell me?" I thought to myself. When I entered the kitchen I asked Menick to send my mother a message that I needed to speak with her for a moment. While I waited I got a large crystal glass and poured water fromt the pitcher into it, then I cut a piece of lime and squezed a couple drops of its juice into it. I heard my mothers high heelded shoes march into the kitchen.
"What is it Adelhaide? You know that it is rude to leave guests to themselves!" she scolded.
"Why did you not tell me that we are entertaining a prince?"
"You needed not know," she said in a matter of fact tone.
"Mother, I am old enough to know such things, I am no longer a child that gets kept in the dark."
"If you really think so," she looked past me, I was furriated. How dare she still treat me like a child! "Young prince kieji is at the age of twenty and one, he rules I think two or three provinces in his country. He is the youngest of his fathers sons and is here to make sure that our trade agreement goes through properly. Now if you excuse me, I must go back to OUR guests." and with that she marched out of the kitchen.

prologue

"When I think of my life, I think of a cage, a cage with no visible bars. Oh how I long for excitement and adventure; since father and Kieran left to fight in the wars, my life has sunk to the bottom less pits of despair." I sighed and looked at my journal. Full of words that do not match the face nor hand that write them. Such a lady as I should be writing about new dresses, handsome young men, and of marriage. Not mine. It is full of the many adventures I had had with Kieran, oh how I miss our secret lessons where he would teach me the way of the bow and sword, without mother knowing of course. She expects me to be a lady, but where is the fun in that I might ask? If only I where born elsewhere, though many women would rather be in my shoes; a young women of 19 daughter of Governor Praken who, by heritage, governs the port city Craven in the country of Roscrea. Such a grand title, though one I would trade for a peasants.
"Adelhaide please hurry, your mother will have a fit if you are not ready for her," pleaded my governess Keda.
"I am coming; will you help me with these last few braids Keda?"
Keda's frail hands took the hair from my fingers and started to weave the three strands into a tiny little braid.
"Always, since you were a little girl, have you had all these little braids in your hair.”?
"Well I like them, and when taken out hair is ever more beautiful, do you not agree?"
"Yes miss." she said as usual.
"It is also the fashion of most women in Roscrea," I stated.
"Yes miss."


I stood at the front of the boat, the sun making my armour gleam in its radiance, the air was different here; not the same as back home in the least. It was full of many fragrances that I had never smelt before. I wanted to know what it all was, everything that is different. My life in Akiviri meant that I had never been subjected to the outside world. My father is the ruler of the Tokairin clan, and I the youngest of his three sons, my father Uhei made it law to have no association with anyone from another country, unless in business. This is my first time attending the trade voyage for Echigo and Kazusa, the two provinces of which I govern.
"Sir?"
I turned around to the voice of the captain. He was tall, his face covered in hair that looked like he hadn't washed it in a month or two, which I’m sure he hasn't. He was dressed in sailor’s robes with his sword on his left and his eyeglass on his right.
"You may speak," I addressed him, and then turned back to the beauty of this foreign land.
"We are getting close to shore now."
"I know that," I still couldn't grasp how amazing this all was, so new and different.
"Well your father does not wish you to walk with us, so he instructs that you take the sprawn."
I turned to watch some of the crew men carry the sprawn out onto the deck; the sprawn is a sort of carriage that is carried by the Akedo warriors. The sprawn is like a tent, the person inside may see everything outside, but no one can see inside. It is custom for the royals of Akiviri to travel like this when there are commoners present.
"If he so wishes it," I said this reluctantly, I wanted to walk with the people and ask questions, but the captain would not dare go against my father’s orders, so at least I may observe without being seen; it is better than nothing.
Looking out across the water I could start to see the docks, though we were still a ways away I could see all the movement of the people. As we got closer I noticed that many of them where business men, dressed in the fine Roscrean style. There were boat hands in their torn, dirty and patched clothing that suited their water life, as well as that, there were women, some who wore beads and little metal pieces that made light music as they walked, these were the ones that caught my eye; there were men with them, also wearing the little metal pieces, though not as much as the women did. They were sitting by a building near the water, and as our boat got closer I saw that they were singing and playing on instruments I had never seen before. I wanted to hear the music they were making; we were just getting close enough for my ears to pick up a slight sound of strings.
"Sir"
I turned around reluctantly as the captain motioned to the sprawn, I sighed and entered.