Alright, I finally fixed the kinks in this but it still needs work. Tell me what you think.
I also found a name for chapter one so if you go back a few posts you'll see it!
Nala loved Yarren,
everything from the golden stone, to the warm, inviting kitchens, to the lush
gardens where she sat now. Something about sitting here alone and unhampered by
the worries of the day, made her feel calm.
She picked a jasmine
flower off a nearby vine. She smelled its' scent before allowing the
strengthening winds to carry it away.
There was a loud
clap of thunder and Nala, regretful, reentered the palace. As she reached the
steps she turned to see the rain come. In a sudden curtain it started. Nala
smiled as she watched the wonder of nature wash the earth.
Later, she was
severely glad of the rain trenches that surrounded Yarren, the rain had grown
to torrent that battered constantly. She sat in her throne listening to the
pleas of the peasants, some for jobs or money, others for food.
"Just this very
mornin' highness," said one man "my entire house is flooded."
Nala mused that just
one week earlier he had been complaining of drought.
"I just need
enough money to repair my home."
"But when the
rains come again, as they surly will, you will once again need money" said
Nala.
The man looked a
little taken aback
"but my wife
and children," he spluttered
"spare me
please,” said Nala raising a hand.
"Only last week
you told me they had all died of dehydration."
The man gulped but
remained silent
"I took pity on
you then, but how do I know for certainty what you will do with the
money?"
Nala raised one eyebrow
"I know that
the rains didn’t' only fall on you and yet everyone else was prepared and do
not need money form the crown. So this is my judgment, you will be accompany to
your home by two of my guards who will then instruct you on how to protect your
home against the rainy season. Do with the knowledge what you will, I cannot
force you too safeguard your home. But never try to lie to me again."
The man bowed
stiffly and was escorted out by two guards. Nala leaned back in her chair and
breathed deeply.
"That was the
last of them?" said a voice directly behind her.
"Oh Jalen, it's
you, you startled me." She turned to him
"now all I have
to worry about is dealing with all the royals."
They shared a
knowing look, and then the old war veteran smiled
"what's the
damage today? That last man didn't look happy."
Nala made an
exasperated sound "what do they think I am? Some fool who won't remember a
face or name, so they can get whatever they want?"
"Yes,” said
Jalen coming to stand beside her, hands clasped behind him.
"You are new to
this, and more importantly, young."
Nala looked down,
somewhat depressed
"but not
stupid" he added.
"Well if I know
anything it's because of you," she said smiling as well.
"I cannot take
all the credit, lady Selsina has helped you a great deal."
"Yes, Sina
taught me how to curtsy and use proper language, and father taught me the law and
the workings of the council. But you taught me to use wisdom and really think.
Not to mention how to use a sword and ride a horse."
"As captain of
your army, it is my duty to prepare you for whatever may come."
"And as my
friend” a mischievous grin crept across Nala's face.
"It is your
duty to tell me this," she stood. "How long before Queen Malenda
comes in here with some complaint?"
Jalen starred at the
door
"Your
conference with the peasants ends, or was suppose to end, at four bells. She
always gives you fifteen minuets after that so..."
He was interrupted
by the big doors to the throne room swinging open, and a woman in a lavish gown
of purple and blue satin bustled in.
"Your highness,
I must protest at the treatment of my son!" she said in a high crisp
voice. Nala barely hid an exasperated look and asked,
"what has
happened now?"
"One of your
rabble actually hit him!"
"If by rabble
you mean to indicate one of my servants, then I'm sure there was a very good
reason for it."
Melenda gasped, "Do you mean to say
that my son could ever deserve being treated thus?"
"You
misunderstand me, I merely point out that all my servants have been thoroughly
tested and proved of good character and trustworthy. If there is fault on one
side, I can vouch for the servant in question."
"But you don't
even know what happened!"
"Then I shall
hear both sides of the argument from the persons in question, and no
other". Nala started walking and was accompanied by Jalen and Melenda down
the hall and out. Right away she heard the commotion. Nala led them to the
kitchen where the ruckus was emulating.
Nala swung open the
kitchen door to see the head cook, a big ban with arms like tree trunks, and
prince Halver shouting at each other. A pretty girl of about sixteen stood
behind the head cook, hands on hips.
"How dare you
treat me this way? I'm a prince!"
"I don't care
if your the king o' the whole world, you're not to come near my girls
again!" Nala had to shout to be heard over the argument.
"Quiet!
Please."
The cook turned to
her and bowed low
"you're
highness. This, this rogue was..."
"Rogue is it
now? I'll teach you to..."
"Enough!"
Nala was getting a
headache listening to the pair squabble.
"I shall hear
both sides of the argument."
Nala turned to the
prince, wanting him to get every advantage so as not to show a prejudice.
"I was walking
past you're lovely kitchens" started the prince, who was obviously trying
to smooth her with compliments.
"And they were
baking pastries. I am quite found of pastries you know" he paused.
Nala didn't say anything.
"I stopped in
to see if I might sample one, and so I asked a maid, kindly if she might be
persuaded to let me have one."
Here the pretty
kitchen maid interrupted "oh persuaded, is that what you call it?"
Nala stared down at
her, giving her a look that said quite clearly "hold you're tongue".
Prince Halver glared at the girl
"Then this buffoon
came lumbering out and slapped my face right here"
he indicated his
slightly reddened cheek.
The head cook
cracked his knuckles.
Nala turned to the
girl "and what is your story”.
The girl breathed in
deeply.
"He did ask me
first if I would give him a pastry, but I refused. It's not our custom to give
away free snacks to anyone who asks. He asked me again and I still said no,
then he grabbed my arm and told me I was far too pretty to be so stubborn. Then
I told him he'd better let me go or I'd tell cook, he just laughed and
then..."
Her eyes blazed and
she let cook take up the story.
"Then I heard
raised voices, angry voices, and I came to see what was happening and I saw
this young fool distressing one of my staff, so I told him to let her go and he
pushed me back. I warned him once again and he told me I was a fool and he was
only havin' a bit o' fun. That's when I hit him" he finished staunchly.
Nala looked at the prince "is this
true?"
"Absolutely
not! I don't see it as even being a question of..."
"Enough!"
Nala raised her hand
and tried to stay calm.
"Rillen,"
she said addressing the cook "were there any witnesses to this
incident?"
Just then the
surrounding servants all came clambering towards her swearing that what Rillen
and the maid said was true.
"I saw it with
my own eyes"
"it was all
that prince's fault"
"Lil didn't do
anything"
"that prince is
lying!"
Nala turned to
Halver as if saying,
"well, the
witnesses have spoken, what choice do I have?"
Halver went red
"this is
absurd, taking the word of some lowly peasants over that of a prince!"
He stomped out of
the kitchen his mother close behind and both muttering darkly and shooting Nala
disapproving looks.
Nala watched them go
until the door clicked shut.
The servants stopped
talking as quickly as they had started.
The maidservant
curtsied to Nala
"thank you your
highness. I didn't think a princess would believe a simple maid's story."
Nala smiled at her, a genuine one that felt wonderful on her face
"not all
princesses are born in a palace. And some of us do care."
