Savrien: Chapter One
Ismene's day starts with an errand.
The gate was just ahead of me.
Now that the night faeries had returned, moon lilies were growing all around the circle of silver birches. I had to be careful not to step inside the circle itself, even though Queen Amara had given her word that accidental trespassers would not be punished.
The moon lily flower only opened after sunset, and they glowed when touched by rays of moonlight. I plucked ten flowers as respectfully as I could and put them in a small bag that hung at my side. The fire lilies were already hidden away in another bag; all that remained now were the water lilies. Fortunately, the pond wasn’t too far away.
After last night’s storm, the water was higher than it would have been, and the surface was rippling. I frowned. There was usually a sense of peace in the air after a storm, but the wind in the trees was more than a little agitated.
Something had happened last night.
The two young women beside the pond on the grass didn’t seem to notice the unease in the air. They had managed to find a spot that had been sheltered from the rain and were watching the clouds.
Mistress Heloise had showed me the right spots for wading into the water, and where the bed was at its sturdiest. I wouldn’t have to wade too far – pink flowers were growing among a cluster of lily pads.
“How long do you think we have before they notice we’re missing?” the dark-haired girl asked mischievously.
“Oh, I don’t know. Minutes? Hours? I just had to get away from there – all this talk of balls is driving me mad.” The blonde swung her legs back and forth. “I know everyone’s glad the night faeries are back, but seven balls is too much, don’t you think?”
I reached out and carefully picked the nearest lily.
“Are you sure that’s the only reason they’re throwing so many, Your Highness?”
“No. They’ve been hinting it’s time for me to choose a husband for a while now. Mother said it’s my task to marry someone of noble blood, who will bring prosperity and stability to Lamorne, and who also needs to be a good man.” Her Highness Princess Cerilde sighed heavily. “But that’s the trouble. I think I might be spoiled for choice.”
Once I had ten flowers in the third bag, I made my way back towards solid ground.
“Here!”
Princess Cerilde and her attendant were hurrying towards me. Both held out a hand to help me out of the water.
“Thank you, Your Highness,” I said. “And you, my lady.”
I gathered the other two bags up and started to head back to Mistress Heloise’s house. I didn’t want to stay in wet clothes any longer than I had to.