Fragments Gallery
Duty's Call
The skies were mostly clear and blue from the young woman's vantage point atop the tower. Her silk gown and the brown hair framing her heart shaped face hung limp in the high altitude as she stared into the distance. Leaning over the crenulations as she was she could see for miles across the surrounding fields and gently rolling hills. Far off in the distance she could see where the fields gave way to lush green forests which in turn gave way to harsh mountain peaks. It was an astounding view and yet she was not looking at the scenery. Instead her gaze was on the few puffy white clouds swirling far above. The clouds were so far above, and yet they almost seemed close enough to touch. It was a conundrum she could not explain.
Hesitantly she reached out a hand, her fingers straining towards the clouds. Always within sight but never in reach . Slowly her hand once more fell to rest on the crenulations lining the edge of the tower balcony.
"Milady," spoke a voice from behind her and slowly she turned. Before her stood an old withered man, her father's Steward. His wispy flyaway hair was a sharp contrast to his neat velvet jacket and stout woollen clothes.
"Your father wishes to see you down in the courtyard, he is preparing to leave," His cool grey eyes were focused onto her own brown orbs watching carefully for her reaction.
"How did you find me?" She asked, careful to keep her expression smooth.
"I'll admit it did take some time Milady. I checked your usual spots and when I didn't find you I came up here on a hunch." His expression showed no triumph at ferreting out another one of her favorite spots to come and think. In fact his expression showed no more than the docile civility that one expected from a steward. "You father awaits you, Milady Elayne." Elayne turned away from him and looked out across the green fields, staring towards the distant mountains.
"Why do they have to leave again?" she asked, half turning towards the elderly man.
"It's your lord father's duty to answer the King's call Milady. The King makes the call for war and his subjects must answer." The Steward's tone suggests understanding but his expression remains neutral.
"The King is taking not only my father. Two of my brothers are now of age to march with father."
"They see it as an honour Milady."
"Last time Father left for war he took Ronald with him," She said ignoring the Steward's previous statement," Father came back alone. My older brother was buried in a far off land."
The Steward opened his mouth as though to speak and then slowly closed his jaws as she continued her voice monotone, her tone heavy.
"Ron showed me the beauty of this tower. When I was younger I was terrified of heights. He helped me overcome that. As nobility we must not show fear, he told me, especially not when we are afraid. We must serve the people, we must appear strong. We were granted power to protect them."
"Milady Elayne. Lord Ronald meant much to many of us. His loss hurt this household. But it is our duty to serve the King, just as it is your Lord father's duty to protect his people. By marching to war he is doing both. Please Milady. We must go down to the courtyard."
"Of course," Elayne turned from the wall and started to move towards the stairs leading to the castle below. As she thought of the long flight of stairs leading up to the tower she sighed. It was a long climb. Starting her descent a thought occurred to her a few steps down. She turned back to the Steward, a question burning on her lips. Her suspicions were confirmed as she watched him pause before descending down onto the first step and then grimace as his foot met the smooth worn stone of the step below.
"Steward, does it not hurt you to climb stairs? Why did you not send another up to find me?"
"It is more trouble now than it once was," said the Steward, his tone reserved, "But I believe that you needed someone to talk at before you faced Milord. And I have known you for all of your life. I only wish to help."
"You could still have sent another and seen me afterwards, before I went to father. Why did you climb those stairs yourself?"
"Because I have a duty as well Milady. I serve you and your family."