She Made Her Choice
Chapter 2
Melna stared out the window of the carriage thankful the guards had not demanded the curtains be drawn. It was all she could do not to press her face to the glass. This was the first time she'd been outside the walls of her compound in more than ten years. Watching the farmland roll by outside she knew she was in for a long ride.
After several hours of open fields dotted with occasional villages the carriage entered the shadow of the mountain range that separated Silvana and Aldenea, they were nearing the end of this journey. Melna had been ready to nod off when they entered the city of Ginad at the base of the mountain. Comforted to see little damage to the buildings.
Her resistance broke down and she did press her face to the glass trying to see ahead of the carriage. She could see the chapel in the center of town, this would likely be the local command center for the Aldenean forces. Dropping her gaze down to the streets seeing the activity up and down the wide sidewalks. She saw a line of Silvanen soldiers in their blue uniforms being led down a side street presumably to a prisoners' stockade by several Aldeneans in their dark green fatigues. Turning her eyes forward again she finally saw it, what she had been dreading. Two rows of tarps covering bodies. She saw a blue sleeved arm hanging out from under one of the tarps.
Leaning back in the seat she stared at the floor.
“It's never a pretty sight.”
Melna almost jumped, none of the black-furred guards had uttered a word the whole trip. Looking up at the woman sitting diagonal from her. The guard was tracking the rows of tarps before turning intense green eyes on Melna. She stared back almost terrified for a long moment before returning her gaze to the floor. “I knew it on an intellectual level-- that wars were like this, but in the villa...” she trailed off for a deep breath. Looking back into those eyes. “Nothing seems real. It's all stories you hear. It's real now, and for what little it's worth, I'm sorry. And I'm going to do everything I can to end it.”
Noticing the other two guards had turned slightly to look at her as well Melna forced herself not to fidget. Staring back for an uncomfortable three or four seconds the guard finally replied, “I believe you and I believe king Tomlin will as well.”
The remaining fifteen minutes of the ride passed in an oddly comfortable silence though Melna didn't want to look outside anymore suddenly missing the safety of the villa's walls.
When the carriage stopped in front of the chapel a soldier ran up to open the door. The guard across from her stepped out first the other two indicating she should follow. Melna stepped out noticing that all three women were incredibly tall, the top of her head barely reaching their shoulders.
Looking up at the chapel from its flat roof hung a green, floral garland that had seen better days reminding her the war had started not long before Founder's Day. Pawsteps to her right brought her gaze back down. She was startled to see captain Colear and the squad that had been at the gate of the villa. Had they walked the whole way?
Chapel door opening with a groan of heavy, mature wood an older brown-furred man in uniform stepped out moving toward the group. He touched his left paw to his right shoulder in salute to the guards around her. Turning to the gray-furred Colear to receive a salute from the captain. “Reporting mission success, Colonel. No casualties.”
“Good to hear. Captain.” The colonel finally seemed to recognize Melna's existence. “I take it you're princess Melna? I'm Colonel Yelts Jenzen.”
“Yes, sir, will we be continuing on to the capital? I need to speak to king Tomlin.”
Colonel Jenzen blinked. “It's too far to make the trip today, and we want to make sure the dragon has left the area. Tomorrow you will be transported to the capital where you can have an audience with his majesty.”
Tomorrow? But she wore... Emotions warring irritatingly she finally let out a breath. “I apologize for the confusion. What is expected of me for the time being?”
“We have room you can use for the night. Tomorrow morning you'll be taken over the mountain to the capital.” Turning abruptly, “Captain, with me.” Saluting Melna's guards again the colonel and the captain marched back into the chapel.
Turning her head slightly to the guard to her left Melna wondered about them. She didn't recognize the rank insignia. To get such deference from the local commander... A throat clearing to her right drew her attention away from her musing.
“Princess, I'll take your things to your room.” A young man held her bag the strap over his shoulder.
“Thank you, corporal.” Taking the chance to look over the squad that had accompanied her on the long journey. They looked tired but still stood with a discipline that would be the envy of even her father's personal guard. Silvana had never stood a chance.
Tearing her gaze away from the impromptu display the three guards formed a triangle around her and lead her into the chapel. Bypassing a section of the large interior cordoned off by curtains, operations command she guessed, she was taken to a small room at the rear of the building. It had been an office by the looks of it but it had no windows. The only furniture were a small bed with a simple table. The young soldier had placed her bag on the foot of the bed before retreating. The lead guard stepped into the room glancing around before kneeling to look under the mattress and bed frame. Turning around once more to examine the ceiling and door before nodding to the other guards posted outside.
After a moment to work up the courage she asked, “Will I have the opportunity to change my clothes after we arrive at the capital tomorrow? Before I meet with king Tomlin?”
“Yes, princess.” came the flat reply from the same guard that had spoken to her in the carriage.
These guards unnerved Melna. The way they stood, it seemed like they could examine every inch of a room without even moving their eyes. If the soldiers outside had been disciplined... these women took it to a whole different level.
Shaking loose the feeling of unease, “Thank, you. I think I'm going to go to bed. Its been a long day and tomorrow sounds much the same.”
“Before we can allow that, princess, you must be searched,” the guard replied monotone.
Melna blinked, she had forgotten. “Yes, I guess I must.”
One guard remained at the door attention fixed on the empty gathering chamber with the second watching the process from the doorway. The last fixed her with a steely gaze
“Arms up.” Melna held her arms straight to out to her sides the guard skipped patting her down, her short fur impossible to conceal anything in. Carefully undoing the buttons of her gint, removing it, and handing it to the guard by the door. The fenner followed leaving Melna naked aside from the chain hanging between her breasts. This was also removed and examined closely by the guards.
After a few minutes the guards seemed satisfied nothing untoward was being smuggled. The clothing was carefully folded and handed back. “We will be outside if you need anything.” If one could march while closing a door this woman managed it-- spine stiff to tail tip, ears up and unmoving.
Door finally shut and alone for the first time in two days Melna sagged. Today was supposed to be the day, now she still has to wait. Setting her formal wear on the bed and opening her bag she realized it had also been searched. It was to be expected. Nothing was missing. Grabbing her brush she began to run it through her long hair, careful not to catch her ears. Thus started a long process that began at the head and worked all the way to the tip of her tail. Her almost nightly ritual was comforting though she would have preferred for Sally to be doing it for her right now.
Setting the brush on the table she pulled out a short skirt and thin top she would be sleeping in tonight. She'd packed three sets of clothes not including what she'd worn today. Grabbing another a set to wear in the morning she set those on the table and put the brush back in the bag. She put on her sleep wear and removed the pad covers from her feet.
That was it, there was nothing left to do tonight. She hadn't even brought a book. Getting up to turn out the light then settled back on the bed. Laying on her back she stared up at the dark ceiling. She felt drained. The events of the day were finally catching up to her. All of it leading up to the disappointment of not even being able to see king Tomlin.
She rolled onto her side tucking a corner of the blanket against her chest. Tomorrow, tomorrow would be the day. After tomorrow her life could be at peace again.
A firm knock awoke Melna. The room was still quite dark owing to the lack of windows. Momentarily confused about her surroundings she sat up on the bed. The previous day resolved itself in her memory. “Enter,” she called.
The guard Melna had mentally named 'Gina the Giant' opened the door. “Princess, we will be leaving soon.”
“Thank you. I will be ready in a few minutes.” Melna turned on the light as the door was pulled shut. Taking the brush from her bag again she pulled it through her hair. It wouldn't do to meet the king with bed head. With that finished she took out a maroon fenner and gint. These were much more simple than the formal set she'd worn the previous day but would be better for riding in. Putting away her brush and sleep wear she gave herself a shake then knocked on the back of the door.
Stepping back as the door opened the guard strode in giving the room another cursory glance before dropping her gaze to the smaller woman holding her bag. Nodding the guard moved behind her and Melna walked through the door. All three guards took positions around her and she was led back out the front of the building.
The morning sun lighting the mountain side gave a spectacular sight. The walls were almost sheer and appeared to touch he sky. Turning her head she could see the wide path cut diagonally along the mountain side and up out of sight.
Turning her gaze back down she saw the carriage remained where it had been parked the previous evening, colonel Jenzen and captain Colear standing beside it. The two bolne pulling it had been changed. These large lizards a dark red compared to the light green of the pair yesterday.
“Princess, I will take your bag.” Melna turned to the young soldier, loosing the strap from her shoulder.
“Thank you.” she released her belongings to the young man and he retreated to the rear of the carriage.
As the group approached Colear opened the carriage door the two silent guards entered first. Before Melna could enter colonel Jenzen spoke up. “Princess, you're going to want this before you ride up the mountain, it can get quite cold up there.” He held out a gray long-coat that had been draped over this arm. Slipping her arms in the sleeves he let it settle on her shoulders.
“Thank you, colonel. It seems I wasn't as prepared for the journey as I thought.”
Fixing her with an expression Melna couldn't quite read, Jenzen said, “we look forward to hearing good news from the capital soon.”
Looking away and into the carriage she replied, “I hope I can live up to those expectations, colonel.” Taking Colear's offered paw she stepped into the carriage with 'Gina' following behind.
The ride up the mountain pass was amazing. Watching everything begin to fall away below her, it really put into perspective the paw-print of land she'd lived most of her life. At the final turn at the top of the path they came to a good sized village. Situated in something of a valley between two high peaks nestled the trading town of Bemorn. This town had been the start of the issues between Silvana and Aldenea. First created by bandits many centuries ago it had grown into a profitable trading hub between the two nations, independent from both and taxed by neither.
Her father had wanted to control Bemorn. After having taken the village easily avarice had overcome him and Silvana's armies officially invaded Aldenea. It had been less than half a year to finally end up at this point.
Civilians moved about the small buildings going about their daily business. She even saw Aldenean soldiers at vendors. This war may have been even more profitable for the town than the regular travelers.
Nearing the far side of the valley the carriage pulled off the main road through the town. Melna's view was blocked by the mountain side for several minutes until the driver called a halt. The opposite door was opened and two of her guards exited followed by Melna and 'Gina.' The view was incredible. The mountain shadow covered the land bellow half way to the horizon. From the base of the mountain to as far out as she could see was green forest. From this height she could barely tell they were trees. To her either side she could see the mountain range curved almost imperceptibly inward like a curved wall.
The guards around her stood as patient as statues while the princess stared at the natural wonder before her. As the magic of the moment began to wear off Melna found herself quite grateful for the coat given to her. Pulling the neckline tighter shut against the frigid wind blowing up the mountain walls she turned back to her guards and noted soldiers unloading several pieces of luggage from the carriage.
“Princess, if you would follow me.” This brought her attention to a lieutenant standing near the bolne. She nodded and began to walk in his direction. Allowing herself a moment of indulgence to rub the noses of the large creatures. One huffed into her paw and the other nuzzled against her shoulder.
She looked up at the driver still perched atop the carriage. “Tell colonel Jenzen thanks for the coat.” This earned her a smile and nod. 'Gina' cleared her throat behind Melna causing her to stiffen. Turning back to the soldier, “Apologies, lieutenant.” He nodded and returned to leading them.
Walking along a path that lead around a small building a strange piece of construction caught her attention. It was like half a bridge but curved downward slightly at the end hanging in mid air. Walking further revealed the reason for the weird bridge and it was the most fantastic piece of machinery Melna had ever seen. “Is that a glider?” she asked, trying to keep the excitement out of her voice.
“Yes, ma'am. We'll be taking you to the capital in this. It will be a trip of a few hours rather than days.” the soldier replied casually.
Their luggage was already being loaded into the glider, a soldier in coveralls was carrying a notepad while he walked around the machine. Judging by the number of windows the light-brown aircraft could carry about twenty people with additional cargo. It was a big rounded box and the wings were large enough to use as a dance floor. The tail was an inverted V shaped and the whole thing stood on three wheels.
As she was lead around the aircraft she could overhear the man in the coveralls speaking with another soldier. “RADAR shows the dragon tracked off-screen to the south east twelve hours ago. Weather station reports clear skies and low winds. Should be good to go.”
“Thanks, captain. Call sign Sierra One until we land.”
“Roger, I'll inform ground control.”
Lead around the far side of the glider a hatch that became a short set of stairs stood open. The lieutenant entered first followed by 'Gina' with Melna third the rest after. There were sixteen seats total eight on each side of the craft alternating forward and rear facing. The lieutenant had moved to the front of the plane taking the first rear facing seat, 'Gina' had taken a front facing seat diagonal indicating Melna should sit across the narrow aisle facing him. Another of her guards took the seat facing 'Gina' and the last sat behind her. They all pulled straps at the sides of their seat fastening them around their waists, Melna followed suit.
Five more people entered the cabin leaving a gap in the seating between them and Melna's group. As the door closed Melna finally began to process what was about to happen. They were in a big wooden box that was going to hang by air pressure thousands of feet above solid ground. She gripped the arm rests feeling her tail snake around the legs of the chair mounted to the floor. Concentrating on keeping her breathing steady she stared at a button on the lieutenant's shirt.
A voice came over a speaker mounted above them, “This is your pilot. We have been cleared for departure and will be launching momentarily. Flight time should be three hours. That will put us at Alda field a little before twelve.” After a short pause, “We have been given final clearance.”
Melna gripped tighter until she felt a paw on her arm. Looking around she followed the arm on hers across the aisle until she met 'Gina's' green eyes. The guard gave her a nod and a gentle squeeze. Melna's shoulders loosened but she kept her grip on the arm rests. She nodded back and 'Gina' returned her gaze to the fore of the cabin.
She felt the craft begin to move forward, bouncing softly on the wooden planks of the launch bridge. The craft gathered speed until suddenly Melna was treated to the sensation of weightlessness, seeming to freefall ten or twenty feet before the seat again supported her. It was a few minutes before she could again tear away her vision from the button on the shirt in front of her.
“Passengers, we are airborne. Weather stations show no expected delays in flight time. Please sit back and enjoy the flight.”
Murmuring from the passengers at the rear of the craft snapped her out of her trance. She looked into the face to the lieutenant across from her. He looked back with an apologetic smile. “The first time is always the worst.”
“I'm not sure I could ever get used to that.” Melna shook her head then looked out the window. “The view is nice, though.”
He followed her gaze to the dense forests far bellow. “Indeed it is.”
Sitting in silence for a long moment a thought popped in her head. “How is it you can fly gliders at all? Wouldn't the dragons just crash them? I was always told they didn't tolerate flying machines. Lieutenant?”
He chuckled softly. “Kell Merkan, Ma'am. And in general, yes, dragons do not tolerate flying machines. Two things work in our favor, though. One: they don't seems to care if it doesn't have an engine. And two: we can see them coming a long way off. They can't shoot us down, if they aren't here.”
Tilting her head to look at the ceiling, “I heard one of the ground crew saying something about RADAR. Is that what keeps you so informed?”
Merkan blinked. “Yes, ma'am.” He glanced at 'Gina' and back. “It stands for range and distance... uh, atop mountain ranges. Spotters sit at intervals and watch the sky, they can communicate over radio to triangulate the positions of dragons in the sky.”
Melna followed along wide eyed. He was nearly as bad a liar as she was. Melna decided it best not to press the issue, state secrets and all that. They settled into an easy conversation that really didn't have much depth.
The flight was nearing its end. Melna was amazed they'd traveled such a long way in a short time but she could clearly see a big city in the near distance. “This is your pilot, we are about five minutes out from Alda field. After landing please remain seated until informed otherwise by your escorts.” Melna glanced at 'Gina' who remained staring fixedly at the wall in front of her. Melna settled in her seat looking out the window as the ground approached, it was comforting not being so high anymore.
Leaning against the window, Melna watched a wide strip of bare earth getting closer. She surmised this was Alda field. Beyond that she could see what must be the capital of Aldenea. One building stood out in particular. It wasn't the tallest but the wide lawns around it definitely set it apart. A thin spire in the middle topped with a golden sphere. Could that be the palace? It wasn't far from the landing field so it shouldn't be too long of a trip once they were on the ground.
“This is your pilot, we will be landing momentarily, please fasten all seat belts and hold on to anything you may have been using during the flight.” Melna tugged at the belt across her lap. She hadn't removed it during the flight but it never hurt to check.
Sitting straight but still looking out the window she was alarmed at the speed they were approaching the ground. Gripping the arm rests again unable to tear her eyes away she suddenly felt like she was being pressed into her seat. They were flying parallel to the earth below for several seconds before dropping easily. She felt a bump as the wheels hit dirt suddenly slowing the unpowered craft.
“Have have made landfall, please remain seated until the tow vehicle has moved us to the dock.” Merkan and the group in the back began clapping, unsure Melna followed suit with a confused look at the stoic guards across from her.
A truck with a long rod mounted to the back pulled to the front of the glider. Two crewmen got out and connected the vehicles together. The truck began pulling the glider to the buildings beside the landing strip. Melna noticed three other gliders parked under awnings beside the dock all of them looked like they were being disassembled.
Pointing out the window she looked at the lieutenant. “What are they doing?”
Turning to look Merkan replied, “Ah, the gliders need to be returned to their launch platforms. They can't get them up the mountains in one piece to they take them apart.”
She noticed a larger truck that had a section of wing hanging off the back. As they neared the glider dock the reason for this trip caught up to her again. The ride up the mountain, the ride down the mountain, the mountain itself all of it had been so distracting. Why couldn't this visit to Aldenea's capital been made under more pleasant circumstances?
She slumped in her seat when the glider came to a stop. “This is your pilot. We have reached the unloading dock, please follow your escorts.” The door at the back of the aircraft opened letting in a rush of warm air that smelled of pine trees.
Lieutenant Merkan and the three guards unclipped their seat belts and stood, Melna did the same. The group at the rear exited first. Her guards didn't move until they had entered the building beside the dock. A large, black automobile with small flags mounted near the headlights pulled in near the glider, it was only then the guards motioned for Melna to exit. A brown-furred man in a black suit was unloading the rear of the glider as the guards herded the princess to the car.
Lieutenant Merkan opened the rear facing door for the group. “Princess, it was a pleasure talking to you. We hope to hear good news from your meeting with his majesty.”
Melna held her composure but just barely. “Thank you, lieutenant. May we meet again under less,” she turned her gaze to the flying machine behind her, “exciting circumstances.”
That got her an amused smirk. “Until next time, princess.” Merkan saluted the guards beside her and the four of them got into the car. The man that had been loading their luggage climbed into the driver's seat and the silent ride to the palace began.
Melna didn't stare out the window. She's seen so much the last two days she couldn't work up the energy to be curious right now. She spent the whole ride tapping a claw on her front teeth trying to think up what she was going to say when she met the king. Clever words popped in her head to be rejected, manipulation was not an option for her, maybe crying, that could work but she wouldn't be able to fake it. A shadow passing over the car drew her attention and she saw they were passing through a thick overhead door. Several cars similar to this one were parked in marked spaces. The one they were riding in pulled into a space quite away from the others. Two of the guards exited the car and scanned the garage before motioning for Melna to exit as well.
The driver also got out and began unloading their luggage onto a cart a young woman had rolled out when they had entered. She appeared to be a maid with vibrant red fur. She was wearing black tights and a scarlet collared shirt with golden embroidery on the left breast. Her most striking feature being she had the most cheerful blue eyes that Melna had seen in tendays. She gave a quick nod of greeting to the guards before turning her attention to the shorter woman of the group. “Princess Melna, thank you for coming.” Melna suppressed a snort. “We've prepared a room for you to get ready for your audience with his majesty.”
Looking down at herself Melna could see she needed a good brushing at the very least. “Thank you...”
“Jenna Massey, most folks call me Jen.” It was nice to hear a name that didn't start with a rank. “If you all will follow me I'll show you to your rooms.”
Her guards taking up their customary positions around her the five of them moved through the halls. White marble walls broken by the occasional portrait or doorway. Thick red carpets muffled the sounds of their steps, the only sound Melna could hear was the quite squeak of one of the cart's wheels.
Jen came to a stop in front of a large, dark-colored, wooden door. Extracting a key from a pouch at her waist she opened the door and rolled in the cart. She lead them into a ample sized sitting room. “Here's your rooms, when the court is ready for you they will send a runner. There is a restroom and shower through that door,” she pointed toward the back of the room, “ the bedrooms are to the right of that. If you need anything press the button here by the door and one of the maids will come by promptly.” Leaving the cart Jen returned to the doorway. “If that is all I will be on my way.”
Looking up at the three stoic statues around her Melna looked at the floor and back up at the bright woman standing in the doorway. “No, thank you. That will be all for now.”
With a curtsy that Melna thought might be half jest the maid pulled the door closed. Two of the guards took up positions further into the room 'Gina' still standing near her. Looking up at the tall woman she voiced a question that had come to her on the glider flight. “It occurs to me that I have been rude and never asked your names.”
“I am Dennara Robins, to your left is Wilhemina Buntar, and to your right is Yezni Krinchen.” Melna could have sworn they were sisters, all three had the darkest black fur she'd ever seen on a person with features so strikingly similar it was difficult to tell them apart. The one feature that distinguished each of them was their eye colors: Dennara's green, Wilhemina's golden yellow, and Yezni's a piercing blue. All their eyes seemed to glow when surrounded by their dark fur.
Melna bowed to the three guards. “Thank you for accompanying me on this journey, I hope I can make your time worth it.” All three guards turned their heads to look at her, for Wilhemina and Yezni it seemed like the first time they had even acknowledge her existence, and gave a slow nod. Melna swallowed a lump forming in her throat. Looking down at herself, partly to avoid the intense gaze of the three, she noticed her messy fur. “I need a bath and a brush.” she said after a moment.
Dennara, the woman formerly known as Gina the Giant, nodded to Wilhemina who then moved to open the door at the rear of the room. “This way, princess.”
The tall guard led her into an enormous bathing room. There was a cabinet on one wall with a bench in front of it, a smaller door Melna presumed led to the restroom, and three walls entirely covered in ceramic tiles. There was no tub in the room, which disappointed her, as a hot soak would be welcome right now. Wilhemina disrobed by the cabinets, Melna following suit, carefully folding the coat given to her by colonel Jenzen and putting all her clothes in the cabinet.
Melna'd had guards watching over her bathe since she was a child so Wilhemina's presence was not off-putting. What did bother her was not knowing how they were going to bathe without a tub. Her guard stepped into the tiled section of the room moving to turn a couple of knobs that stuck out of the wall. Melna was surprised to see water pouring from a broad spigot high on the wall. Wilhemina turned the two knobs slowly until she seemed satisfied. Looking around the room Melna finally noticed three more sets of knobs and spigots sticking out of the walls at intervals.
Approaching carefully she turned one of the knobs on the wall. The spigot above her dripped a few times before letting out a stream of cold water. Jumping back with a yip she looked at the guard who was facing the wall already soaping herself. Melna remembered the second knob and wondered if possibly that one had hot water. Attacking from the side she turned the second knob about half way. Holding up a paw in the stream she felt the temperature begin rise. With a few more adjustments she felt safe to stand under the stream.
She still would have preferred a bath, but this shower certainly had some things going for it. After fine tuning the temperature she located a bottle of liquid soap and began rubbing it into her fur. Thoroughly sudsed she let the running water flow over her head to tail, tweaking the hot water a touch higher.
Indulging for a bit longer than she probably should have she eventually turned the knobs to cut off the stream of water. Wilhemina had been finished for a few minutes already and was scrubbing a towel over her thick fur. Melna noticed a thick scar on her right forearm and another down the side of her back. Catching sight of a golden gaze in her direction Melna looked away not wanting to pry. She found another towel in the cabinets and began drying herself as well.
Wilhemina was again dressed in her black uniform. With a nod to Melna she exited the bathing room and Dennara entered carrying some familiar red clothes. Setting them on a dry towel on the bench she turned to her. “I had your formal clothes washed while you were in the shower.”
Melna looked down at the fancy clothes neatly folded on the bench, she assumed the palace maids must be magicians to be able to wash and dry them so quickly. Her nipple chain laid carefully on top of the pile of clothes. Returning her attention to Dennara she noticed the guard had changed her uniform. She was now wearing a red coat with many medals pinned to it. She didn't recognize any of their meanings. She had on dark blue trousers with a crimson stripe down each leg and a silver handled rapier hanging at her left hip. This must be their dress uniform every piece of metal was polished to a mirror shine. “Thank you. I'll be done in here in a few minutes.”
Dennara nodded in reply closing the door as she exited. Melna finished drying herself putting the wet towel in the basket at the end of the bench like she had seen Wilhemina. She ran a brush through her fur and tying up her hair with the golden bows. Situating the fenner and securing it with the chain around her waist, buttoning the gint, lacing the pad covers to her feet, and finally clipping the chain to her nipple rings. She just now noticed the full length mirror on the wall, it had been fogged over before now. Looking at her reflection she could only see a child playing dress-up.
She was nervous, no she was scared. Everything hinged on newspapers Sally had managed to get and second-hand stories from travelers over the mountain pass between the two nations. If those reports were false she could be in for a world of hurt. And her people, her nation that she just wanted to protect could be even worse off. Sitting on the bench she put her face in her paws. What was she doing? Before today she didn't even know what a shower was.
There was nothing to be done about it now. This decision had been made for her when her father had ordered troops up the mountain path to capture Bemorn. Standing to give herself a shake she grabbed her worn clothes from the cabinet and exited the bathing room. Dennara and Yezni were both in their colorful dress uniforms, Wilhemina still in her black service uniform all three standing at attention at various places in the room. Melna moved to place the clothes in her bag. How much longer would it be? She wanted to get this over with. Sitting on a couch she leaned forward to tap a claw to her teeth back to thinking what specifically she was going to do when she met with the the king.
Time passed slowly in the silent room. She looked around to see if there was anything to take her mind off of, well, everything at the moment. Looking up at the clock on the wall, ten minutes till hour fourteen. A lot had happened in the last eight hours. She closed her eyes and leaned back on the couch only to jump up, short tail fur bushed at the sound of a knock at the door. Dennara opened it slightly and Melna could see a young man outside. “They will be ready for her soon.”
The guard nodded and turned to her, “Princess, please come with us.”
Relieved to be moving again, terrified of what was to come Princess Melna of Silvana exited the room. Following the page down the hall two of her guards following a step behind to either side she finally worked the courage to ask the question she should have at the villa gates. “Dennara, I have a question. Is king Tomlin a good man?”
Melna counted four steps before the reply came. “On my honor as colonel of the palace guard, His Majesty King Tomlin Akenna is a good and fair man. You have nothing to fear from him as long as you remain true to your word.”
“Thank you, colonel.” The page stopped before two exceedingly tall guards in dress uniforms identical the Dennara's. Stationed in front of a pair of ornate double doors, one the guards took a card from the page examining it closely. Nodding to the other guard they grabbed the handles and pulled to reveal the throne room.
“Announcing, Princess Melna Silvana of the nation of Silvana.” a clear voice called from the back of the room. Melna straightened clasping paws behind her back and strode down the purple carpet with a confidence she didn't feel.
