Turquesa, Northern Province
She was late for the meeting. Maydison frowned. Why did she have to attend this boring court affair anyway? There were other things she wished to be doing. Such as observing the new men at court. There were several who had arrived from the East and West Provinces, and she was eager to see the eligible ones. Instead, she was on her way to attend the Queen. She sighed and picked up the pace. Being a little late could be forgiven; being extremely late was inexcusable.
Maydison halted outside the Council room, held up her pass, and waited for the guards to open the doors. She glided in and took her place in the back row of seats. She noticed that the royal family had not yet arrived. She frowned. They were never late. The room was full of advisers and some of the upper nobility families.
A loud clang rang out, and everyone hurried to their feet and bowed their heads as the doors swung open and the royal family entered.
The current family line had been in power for the last two hundred years. Rather impressive considering most bloodlines fell after a hundred years.
She watched as the King and Queen took their places at the head of the table. Their four children—three daughters and one son—arranged themselves on the left and right sides of the table.
The rest of the attendees sat. Maydison found herself wedged between two lower court officials whose girths could stand some slimming down. Not that she could complain. Being allowed into this meeting was a huge honor. She would not repay her mistress's kindness with ungratefulness.
"My friends, we have called you here to discuss the unrest throughout our land. There are whispers of strange creatures appearing and attacking our people. Our elite royal guard has done its best to quell the rumors while attempting to gain information."
Murmuring broke out, and Maydison frowned. Unrest could mean anything. If that was all they were going to give out, then coming here was a waste of her time.
"...to that end, we will be calling on all provincial heads as well as all noble family heads to submit all reports of unusual sightings, happenings, or strangers. That is all."
She blinked. Had she been that preoccupied that she missed something important? Her mistress would be upset with her for her lack of attention. She scrambled to her feet like everyone else and bowed as the royal family left.
The moment they were gone, the worried voices of the attendees rose. Maydison shook her head and quietly made her way from the room. Out in the hall, she mused on the information they had been given. It wasn't much, but she would still report it. If her mistress was happy with the news, she might praise her. That thought made Maydison happy. Her mistress's love and praises were what she lived for. Smiling, she hurried toward her mistress's room.
***
The route to the west wing of the palace had been mostly clear, and Maydison was glad. She stopped at the second door on the left and knocked softly.
"Enter!"
She straightened, did a quick check of her clothes, and pushed open the door. Lounging on the divan was her mistress, Duchess Sabryna Struwillia. Bustling about the room were some of the other attendants.
Maydison made her way to the divan and dropped into a deep curtsy. "Milady."
"Maydison, you're back. How did it go?"
She rose and gave her report. "It was rather boring, Milady. However, the king asked that everyone report any rumors, strange sightings, or happenings immediately."
"Did he now? I'm sure the other sheep were bleating in fear that something might happen to their precious positions."
"Yes, Milady, they did. They waited until the royal family left before doing so."
The Duchess snorted and tapped her manicured fingernails against the arm of the divan. "Were any of the Elemental Masters in attendance?"
"None that I saw, Milady."
"This is valuable information indeed."
She rose from the divan and waved away the other attendants. She walked over and stopped before Maydison. She stroked her cheek and smiled.
Maydison's breath caught in her throat as she saw the gleam in her mistress's eyes. "Milady?"
"My dear child, you are going to take a little trip."
"I am?"
"Yes. I need you to return to our lands and take a message to my brother."
"Milady, it is almost wintertime. It will be rather dangerous to travel in such weather."
The fingers against her cheek stilled. "Are you refusing the assignment?"
"No! No, Milady! I was merely pointing out...,"
"Good. Then I foresee no problems with you leaving tomorrow at first light?"
"Yes, Milady." Maydison kept her tone neutral. She didn't want to incite her mistress's anger, and that would be the result if she objected anymore to traveling so late in the season.
"I'm tired. You may go now."
"Yes, Milady."
She curtsied low and walked backward, keeping her head down and her eyes lowered until she had taken the required six steps back. She turned and quietly left for her own room, her thoughts on packing what she needed for the trip.