The City Centre

Yavanna and her ladies in waiting exited the library as quickly as possible after Douglas returned to his work. She shivered openly and doubted she would ever return to the eerie building.

"Your highness." All three turned to see a soldier in his royal dress; a dark green tunic overtop of a fur pelt. He wore no helmet and his shaggy blond hair was tied back in a bun.

He bowed, "Your carriage is ready."

Her eyes looked away as she recalled why she needed a carriage, "Oh!" She said loudly. She quickly lowered her voice, "Oh, thank you."

He nodded, "I am Sir Greyson, I am the commander of the detail instructed to protect you."

Her eyes widened, "Oh, well it's a… a pleasure to meet you." She smiled. His expression remained the same.

'Okay, then.' She thought to herself.

Sir Greyson led her and her ladies in waiting to where the carriage was. After helping them aboard they watched him mount a horse and then the carriage began to move.

"Weren't Sir Greyson's eyes especially blue today, Vivian?" Christa asked, looking at the said woman.

Yavanna looked across to see Vivian blushing and she smiled softly. The carriage bumped an awful lot and she wondered if the road or the carriage was poor.

"Hush, Christa." She hissed and glanced out the window again. Yavanna looked out the glass herself and saw that the man was looking forward resolutely.

She looked back at her lady in waiting and saw she was staring at him dreamily. Her smile turned sad as she thought of how she couldn't dream about men anymore. The only man she could ever be with was the king. And so far their life together looked bleak.

The carriage drove through the city at a steady pace. Vivian and Christa took turns narrating what they knew of the sights they passed. Yavanna was amazed with how impressive it all looked. All of the buildings shone with flowers or polished wood. The stone walls were smooth and cold, but she loved the look.

When they arrived in a large oval space the carriage stopped and Sir Greyson opened the door. "We've arrived at the city centre, your highness. Would you like to explore?"

She smiled, "I would indeed, Sir Greyson."

He helped her dismount the blue and gold carriage before helping the other two women. She turned her head slowly to observe what she could see in the centre.

A large tree stood in the middle, though no flowers were blossoming on it. Around it were stone benches and statues of mythical creatures. Surrounding the centre were shops such as bakeries, tailors, grocers and a butcher. She also spotted a florist selling bouquets at a stall. She wondered how the flowers could bloom when it was so cold. It was nearly winter.

Turning to face where she thought Sir Greyson was she came face to face with an old woman.

"Oh!" She said startledly. This day had already had its fair share of surprises.

"Sweets, miss? For the one who our king seems worthy." The woman grinned, revealing a blackened set of teeth. She crinkled paper wrapped candies in front of her.

"Oh-oh, um.."

"Step away from her highness." Sir Greyson stepped between her and the woman. "She does not need your peddling."

The woman objected, "She's the king's chosen." She said in a rasping voice, "She's…"

The woman's voice drowned out—along with all other noise—as Yavanna heard another. It sounded layered, as though many voices were speaking at once and they all converged to sound ethereal.

"Are you the one?"

Sound rushed in and her brows furrowed, "Am I the-"

"Your highness." Christa tapped her shoulder, "Sir Greyson said it's too hazardous and that we should go back to the castle to prepare."

Yavanna looked around and was surprised by the crowd that had formed. The knights were pushing them back and she soon recognized that they were trying to get to her.

Fear pounded in her heart and she nodded to Christa and they quickly mounted the carriage.

"Take them through Westlich street." She heard Sir Greyson shout before the carriage lurched forward with alarming speed. The women immediately rushed to the window and gasped at the mob that had formed.

Confusion creased her brow as she thought of how she'd caused this. It had clearly been her, the woman had said something about the king choosing her. He hadn't chosen her; her father, King Absalom had proposed the marriage between King Amory and her sister.

She thought again of why he hadn't married before now. Was he truly anticipating this marriage? He certainly had mistresses. From how he'd wandered off with that woman at the inn he clearly sought out female company. Maybe he didn't want it and only did it for the sake of his kingdom.

Her older brother, Prince Maxwell, had told her that heirs are a burden. He'd also told her many times how he never wanted to wed.

The strange voice resurfaced in her mind. That was not natural. It had been strange and she wondered what it had meant.

'What one?' She asked but no voice answered her.

They returned to the palace without harm and as soon as they were back safely in her room she turned to the ladies in waiting, and asked, "Is that a normal occurrence? For the people to form a mob such as that?"

They both exchanged a nervous glance, "Yes, your highness. Ever since-"

"There has been unrest in the kingdom for many years." Christa interrupted and Yavanna narrowed her eyes slightly.

A loud meow broke the tension and Yavanna smiled upon seeing her new pet and bent down to pick him up.

He meowed again and she laughed. Staring into his bright green eyes, she said, "I haven't named you yet, have I?"

He meowed and she took that as an agreement.

She hummed as she walked to the couches, "How about Wolfgang? Then I can call you Wolfie." He meowed and she finally released him. He did look like a wolf in a way, his hair was almost silver and his ears were pointed. The ribbon around his neck did make him look less ferocious.

She looked back to her ladies in waiting, "How long till dinner?"

"Two hours, your highness." Vivian answered.

"Alright."

A knock came on the door and Lorraine went to open it. Yavanna did not hear anyone, but when Lorraine came back she looked paler.

"Mr. Douglas dropped this off for you, your highness."

Lorraine handed the book to her and Yavanna's eyes widened at the sight of the same book Douglas had handed her in the library. She didn't have to glance at her ladies in waiting to know they also wore the same expression of fear and slight distress.

The librarian truly was a mysterious man. And by mysterious she meant spooky.