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Sun and Moon, Lion and Wolf. Iana's story #22
Olwen escorted the two men into the entrance hall where I waited. It was a draft place. I could hear the wind whistling above me in the rafters. The elegantly carved wood usually gave the wind a sweet musical sound, but today it sounded dry and hollow.
I didn't see any other winterguards inside the hall, not surprising as there were only three old men serving in the castle guard, and Olwen their captain. No other attendants stood beside me, and none of my Aunts hobbled out from the servants quarters to gawk as they usually did when anyone arrived at the castle. Winding didn't receive guests very often anymore. I didn't know where my Mother was, or Joli, for that matter. I was alone to greet these men, the horrible debt collectors who held the fate of our poor kingdom. I straightened my shoulders, raised my chin and prepared to be, at least a little civil.
They were tall men with sharply defined features, and lean angles in their limbs, rather than muscles. There was something quite beastial about their movements, I couldn't equate it to one animal, a lion perhaps, or a bear, or wolf, maybe all three in one. Walking in front of his companion, the man who greeted me was a tall blond. His hair like a lion's mane. His face smooth and controlled, though I saw his lips lift a the corners, a smirk in disguise. He clearly enjoyed my discomfort as he reached for my hand to kiss it. I had to resist wiping my hand on my skirt.
His clothes were fine as Prince's would be: a black satin doublet, an elegant tasteful lace under his chin, and his coat trimmed in gold. The fabric inside the coat had a pattern of gold leaves and chains. His boots, the smoothest black leather I have ever seen, must have cost a fortune. I noticed something in his broad face, his deep set eyes, or perhaps it was the arrogance in his look that reminded me of that man I met in Catha, Prince Roddy Roderick. I disliked such a reminder, I had no desire to be humiliated by this man as well.
While I could have easily compared the lion man to the sun, his companion was more like the moon. He had paler skin, an uneasy frown that appeared permanent on his face, and dark hair that hung down the sides of his face like a curtain. He wore silver trim on his doublet, and a design with crescent shapes, like a partial moon. His black coat hung off his thin frame. He kept his arms clasped to his side and there was something wooden about his movements. Within the fine thinness of his face, his eyes appeared all the more striking, dark as pools and so deep I could sense something dangerous lurking back there, just like a wolf.
Sun and moon. Lion and Wolf. I wasn't about to let them take Winding away, not so easily. They were cordial enough in their greeting, properly respectful of my rank. The lion man seemed pleased to meet me, the other darker one had no reaction, nor did he touch me. He merely bowed toward my hand.
I'm not sure when Joli arrived. She sidled up behind me. I was only made aware of her when the lion man said, "Ah, good, then you are both here."
"Both?" I spun around, startled to see Joli there, but not as startled as she appeared. She stared at the dark haired man as if he were a wolf in disguise. I couldn't blame her for such a reaction, strange as it was, I too harbored nothing but ill will and anger toward these men. It was all the worse because I had to be pleasant to them.
"The Kings have sent us," the lion man said, failing to introduce himself properly, not that I wanted such intimacy as knowing his name, but it was extremely rude of him not to say anything. "We have come to collect on their behalf what is owed to them. We are here to speak to the so called King of this land. Let's not delay the gathering anymore, fair Princess."
How dare he insult my father like that! I surprised even myself that I managed to keep my temper after hearing such brazen mocking. Though I loathed it, I held my tongue. I nodded severely to him and turned on my heel. "This way sirs," I said to them.
Olwen walked ahead of me as I led them toward father's study. Joli followed meekly behind me, the Lion and the Wolf at our heels.
to be continued . . .
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