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There were
not many either coming or going from the Kitchen gate now, either
hard at work in the palace, preparing for the evening to come, or
already at the bonfires, to laugh and drink with family and
friends. Some few hurried past, eager expressions clear to see even
in the dark. A few straggling companions chatting about which part
of town they were going to, who had the biggest bonfire, whom they
would be dancing with. As one particularly arduous couple passed
her she heard a gasp, followed by a giggle. She turned to see the
man clutching his backside with a scandalised smile as the woman
ran teasingly out of reach. Their hair streamed behind them they
pelted down the path. Neither chasing the other but rather the
possibility that lay between them. She wished she was as free as
them. She turned to face the gate, much smaller in comparison than
the others, the heavy, spiked portcullis raised, the carved wooden
doors thrown open. To either side stood an armoured guard, spears
erect by their sides, their helms brightly reflecting the light
from within the guard
’
s room
that spilled the harsh sound of men
’
s voices, raucous laughter and the rattle of
dice.

Mera took a
deep breath of the clean night air, and straightened her spine. The
guard on the right was older, grizzled. Hazel eyes peered at her
from head to toe and back again, and before he reached the top he
was fighting to keep his face neutral. His name was Melilot and was
often on this gates duty, and he was used to her comings and
goings. The guard on the left was much younger than Melilot, wisps
of golden hair sticking out from under his helm, and from his chin
though no where near enough to be called a beard.
“
Good even to you, Princess
Meredith
”
Melilot put a hint
of smile into the greeting, bending his head in a bow.

The younger
guards eyes went wide, his mouth dropping open as he stared at her,
doing the same look up and down that Melilot had. What were they
staring at?
“
Has the
ceremony started yet? Are they in the
gardens?
”

“
I
don
’
t think so, though last
the priest and priestess had arrived and were receiving
refreshments
”
He cracked a
quick grin.
“
You best hurry
if you
’
re gonna get there
first.
”

“
T
hanks!
”

The wind blew
an errant waft of steam from the laundry, her skin suddenly misted
in the scent of lavender. She hurried down the central pathway,
past the kitchen gardens, herbal scents drifting, past the
vegetable patches, large pumpkins lying bloated on the earth. She
barely noticed her surroundings, though it did strike her how quiet
it was. Usually this area was always bustling with people coming
and going, to work, to eat, or to idle away a quick break in
gossip. Now there were only a few, scurrying like her along the
walkway, intent on their tasks. She avoided the ramp that led to
the doorway of the oculus, she also avoided the stairs that led
down to the kitchen. Usually they were quite tolerant of her, but
she knew tonight they would be busy, very busy, trying to get
everything ready for the feast later. The whole household would be
strained preparing suites for the sudden influx of residents and
guests. She knew she would just get scolded and dragged to the
throne room. Mera headed toward a small door in the eastern wing,
she knew that it was rarely busy and she intended to slip through,
cut across the training yard, through the Guest wing and into the
Court Gardens, where tonight
’
s ceremony, and festivities, would be taking
place.

Her hand was
resting on the iron handle when a sharp voice cut through the
night, freezing her in place.
“
Princess Meredith! There you are, where have you been?! I
have been searching the entire grounds, what have you been doing?
Do you want me to get in trouble? Do you enjoy seeing me punished
when I fail to present you on time?
”

It was Tansy,
the servant girl often assigned to serve her, to see her dressed
properly, to make sure she had everything she needed and was where
she was supposed to be. The latter she often failed at. Mera hated
having to always let others do everything for her, while she was
supposed to be
‘
quiet, good,
well mannered and punctual
’
.

Tansy
’
s hair was
escaping its loose coil, falling in waves about her face, her
intentionally presented generous bosom strained against her bodice
as she panted for breath. Her skirts wrinkled and dusty, sleeves
rolled up, and her arms swung vigorously by her sides as she bore
down. She had obviously not taken the time to get ready for
tonight, even though Mera knew she had been looking forward to it,
had brought new ribbons for her hair, and was meeting a certain
stable hand later, once Meredith was safely ensconced at the Royal
celebration. Tansy insisted on prattling on about it. She felt a
flash of guilt and began chewing her lower lip, her feet scuffing
the paving stones.

“
Well?
Nothing to say? Stop that, how many times to I need to tell you
it
’
s unlady like? The
ceremony
’
s about to start,
Queen Jessamine has already enquired as to where you are, their
highness
’
are now preparing
to leave the throne room! We have minutes!
”

During this tirade she had swept Mera up,
leading her by her arm, back towards the kitchens, down the steps,
into the thick heat and noise. Unbelievable noise; hissing,
clanging of pots, splashes of liquids, thumps and bangs. A wall of
voices, shouting, calling to one another, the steady chant of the
spit boys, and over it all the bellow of Mistress Senna. The head
chef and master of the kitchen, orchestrating the chaos.

“
And look at
the state of you! Covered in mud, wrinkles it your skirt! Just
once,
just
once
,
couldn
’
t you please, be on
time, be presentable! Tonight of all nights! You know that the
palace is full to overflowing, and the ambassador from the
Empire!
”

Tansy dragged
Mera to a store cupboard, small and dusty, and cramped with
vegetables. She stood there holding the door open, other hand
resting on her hip.
“
Well?
Don
’
t just stand there! Go
in! I
’
ve already told you we
have no time!
”

Meredith
hurried inside, back pressed against a high stack of shelves,
packed with the winter stores. Tansy unhooked a large velvet sack
from her waist, one which usually lay at the bottom of Mera’s
wardrobe, and started removing neatly folded clothes.

“
Don
’
t just watch!
Start stripping, we can
’
t do
much abut the boots, but you
’
ll be out side. Look at these clothes, wrinkled! I wont be
surprised if I get demoted to a chary after this! Do you dislike me
so much? Step into the dress, turn around. Well
it
’
s nice to see you at
least got a masque
…I, oh.
It
really is quite beautiful.
”

Tansy tied
the laces on her dress, a deep maroon, dark pink petticoats, creamy
lace at neck, cuffs and hem. It tickled her hands and chin. She
sighed, formal wear was always uncomfortable, and now she would
have to be careful all night. She knew the dress was expensive, and
she had a habit of staining or tearing them. Tansy had finished her
ties, her hand briefly lingering on the soft velvet, and Mera knew
that she would do much to own such a fine dress. She moved to the
front of her, using her other dress, already dirty, to buff up her
boots. She stood.
“
Stay
here.
”

She
disappeared through the door, taking the dirty things with her
returning moments later, her cheeks rosy from the heat of the
kitchen. The clothes were gone and she had a damp hanky in her
hand, using it to wipe Mera
’
s face, hands, and finally calves.

“
Tansy! Stop
it, I
’
m not a baby, I can
wash my own face, wh-
”

“
We
don
’
t have time!
You
’
ll only dither or
question why first, their Highness
’
are leaving the throne room now! We have moments to present
you to them, before they meet with the main party, unless you want
us both disgraced in front of as many people as possible. Please,
Princess.
”

“
No! You
can
’
t take me to them!
I
’
ll hurry, please. I was
going to sneak round to the Gardens, go through the training yard.
Please, they don
’
t have to
know I
’
m late again, I
don
’
t want to get in
trouble! You don
’
t want to
get in trouble either! Please, Tansy,
I
’
m
sorry.
”

Tansy frowned
down at her, wringing the cloth. Obviously considering the
suggestion.
“
Alright,
alright. No lying though, we
’
ll make it seem as if you were waiting in the Gardens. But
no lying, if their Highness ask you tell the
truth.
”
she sighed
“
We
’
ll both have to
accept the consequences. I
’
ll take you through the servants quarters,
it
’
ll be much quicker, now
let
’
s
run.
”

She grabbed
Meredith
’
s hand, and they
didn
’
t run, but she led a
fast pace. There was a fine tremble to
Tansy
’
s hand, a gleam in her
eye. She was actually not that much older than Meredith, a woman
grown, but perhaps only five years older. Meredith suspected, now
that she had said sorry and they had a plan, that Tansy was a
little excited. She had helped cover for her in the past. She led
them through the main corridors, into the narrower, winding ones.
In all was a steady stream of Palace servants, dressed in the
household colours of cream and maroon, hurrying as they were. Many
cast knowing glances their way, but Meredith knew word of their
passing would not reach her mother. The job of the servants, after
all, was to make everything run smoothly. The corridors
occasionally gave way to stairs, they took those leading down. They
took a more direct root under the palace, rather that traverse it.
Tansy increased their pace, suddenly turning to one side, leading
them up a long spiral staircase. At the top she paused, gently
opening the door, and peeked through.

“
Come on, I
can
’
t see
anyone
…”

The door led into the guest wing, overlooking
the Gardens. They hall they entered was a small one, at the end of
which was an elegant door, thrown open to the night. It opened onto
a shallow balcony, the well tended expanses of the Gardens awaiting
beyond. She could already hear the skirling music of reed
instruments, and a low murmur of voices. If it was low then the
main party had not arrived yet. She shared a relieved grin with
Tansy, whilst she made some final adjustments to her clothing,
smiling back. They had made it in time. Tansy opened her mouth to
say something, when a polite cough forestalled her.

They turned
in unison, eyes wide, Mera’s lower lip already firmly between her
teeth. Tansy
’
s hand came to
rest on her arm, a warning made out of habit. At the other end of
the hall an older gentleman stood waiting and when Mera realized he
wasn
’
t someone she knew, she
let out her breath and took a closer look. He was old, grey
streaking the hair that brushed his shoulders, blending with the
warm tones of brown, copper, and chestnut. Hazel eyes squinted them
into focus from beneath a brooding brow. His lean frame stooped in
travel worn clothes that looked like they may have once been fine,
but now a good wash wouldn
’
t
even save them. His clean but crumpled white shirt seemed bright in
comparison, even with the large ink stains decorating the
sleeves.

Tansy dropped
into a curtsy, her face lowered respectfully. She always behaved
proper in front of others, specially if they were nobles, or
guests. She only harangued her in private.
Tansy
’
s curtsy reminded her
that she was in the palace proper now and had to be a princess. She
tried not to sigh, stopped chewing her lip and gave a gracious
bob.
“
Greetings, sir. I hope
we did not startle you, my maid had something to tell me. I am
Princess Mera, will you be joining the
festivities?
”
That was
proper, she glanced at Tansy.