I hope you all don't mind if I post part of the story I'm working on instead of a writing prompt. Maybe I'll get some feedback?
"Kaisha!" I turned from polishing the mirror as Princess Alyss ran into the sitting room. "Come! She pulled my arm urgently. "Our fathers are discussing things of great import. Oh, come on!"
I resisted as best I could as she pulled me into the hallway. "Your highness, if my presence was needed, I'm sure my father would send for me. Why..."
A page trotted into view at the end of the hall. "Mistress Kaisha? Your father requests your presence immediately."
I sighed. I guess the mirror will have to wait.
The walls flashed by in a blur of paintings and tapestries as Alyss urged me onward. I never felt quite at ease with such extravagance that surrounded me ever since I moved here a year ago. But I did my best to dismiss that feeling as best I could.
Our fathers looked up from the map they were studying as we entered the throne room. I curtsied, even though Alyss was still holding my hand. "Your majesty."
I nodded to my father. "Sir. What do you require of me?"
He gestured to King Clefton. "I believe his majesty has the answer to that question."
I turned to the king. It always struck me how tall he was. He towered over my father, who only came up to his shoulder. But even I, at only eleven years of age, was an inch taller than my father.
I reined in my wayward thoughts. "Your majesty, how might I best serve you?"
He braced himself on the table before him and sighed. "That is a very difficult question, Kaisha, which has a very hard answer."
Puzzled, I frowned before I could catch myself. I caught my father's disapproving look and quickly rearranged my features.
Not noticing the silent exchange, the king stepped onto the dais and sat down heavily. He rubbed the bridge of his nose and sighed again.
"I'm afraid that the request I am about to make of you is quite a dangerous one and I hate to ask at all. But your father has assured me that you have a good head on your shoulders and have the Navanya's best interests at heart."
I felt a small glow of pleasure run through me that I didn't dare show. Father commended me? To the king?
Then I remembered the first thing he said and I couldn't help myself. "I'm grateful for my father's trust, your majesty. May I inquire what it is exactly you want me to do?"
Father glared at me. "Kaisha, it is not your place..."
King Clefton waved his hand dismissively. "It's alright, Gale, she has the right to ask."
Father pinched his lips and nodded. I winced to myself, keeping my gaze on the king.
He sat forward and stared at his clasped hands. Why doesn't he look at me? A small part of my mind whispered.
He sighed once more, then looked directly into my eyes. "How much do you know of the Vorjustad? Alyss must not pay attention in class for she was unable to provide the answer." He added with a wry smile.
I blinked as Alyss blushed in my peripheral vision. Not expecting that particular subject, I barely stopped myself from tilting my head. "They are a group of assassins based in Zoctarlo. They have a peculiar way of killing. But..."
The king leaned forward when I paused. "But what?"
I took a deep breath. "Our teacher didn't really say what their way of killing is."
He huffed out a laugh, then sighed.
He's doing that a lot. I thought.
"I can imagine that he wouldn't want to mention that particular detail." King Clefton leaned his head back onto the throne and took a deep breath.
"The reason that I mentioned the Vorjustad was that our ambassador in Zoctarlo overheard that there was a rumor that Alyss might be their next target."
I stared at him, sure that I'd heard wrong. Looking to Father, his eyes stared unblinking back at me. I looked away, unable to hold his gaze.
The map on the table caught my eye. I stepped forward. My eyes immediately went to Navanya. I trailed my fingers over it.
Compared to the other kingdoms, especially neighboring Zoctarlo, we looked insignificant. A tiny little peninsula. The only reason that we hadn't been overrun by invaders, and yet the main reason they would invade, were out quirran trees.
Quirran trees are very much sought after. Out expert weavers craft luxuriant yet hardy cloth from its leaves. It is as smooth as silk, but will no rip even when teams of horses try to pull it apart.
Navanya had done very well in years past. Surrounding kingdoms were eager to write treaties with us. More than willing to cater to our wishes just to get their hand on the famed quirran cloth.
So why would that suddenly change?
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