Sewing in the sitting room

The day was growing late and the room in which Lilli sat began to grow dark. Lilli had not realized the fading of the light until she took notice of her squinting in order to see her emboridering. Quietly she set down her sampler and rose to fest a lamp from the next room. She smiled at her mother, whom seemed to be in quite a hurry as she passed her in the hall.

"Lilli, darling, I hope you mean not to leave the house," her mother said, "Dinner shall be shortly and one of the servants has just informed us that a rider is approching."

"Oh?" Lilly replied, "Are we expecting guests this evening? I was not informed of any." She turned a corner and entered her bedroom, grabbing her bedside lamp.

"No dear, no guests were invited. I fear it may be from the castle."

Lilli, froze and felt her blood drain a little. She shook it off, refusing those thoughts. She returned to her sampler and lit the lamp, pleased to now have proper light. It was not long before a knock rang through the manor and one of the servants answered....






(ok Sir Knight, here's your cue!)

William road on his horse to the last House to of the families of the honored dead of the Mystenia dragon attack. He was in a rather down mood now, he as been given the roll of informing the families as the other knights and Squiars prepared for war.

Liliane Atwood, the young wife of the Sir Martin Aschuill, one of the guards the died in the attempt to save the Dowager Queen and Princess Cara from the lethal beast... even though it was in vain in seemed as news was the two Royals had been killed in the attack as well... no survivers. The news came from the actual creature its self appranrtly...

He sighed he was dreading this, how does one tell another mans wife that her husband has died?

Gathering what courage and nerve he had left in him he dismounted his horse and strode up to the front door and knocked.

When the servent from the look of it answered he asked.

"May I speak with Milady Lilliane Aschuill please? I bring urgent news from the Palace, I must speak with her." he didn't wish to tell the servent of the house the news first, if anyone was to find out first it was Lilliane.

The sevant opened the door and gave a slight bow to the young knight.

"May I speak with Milady Lilliane Aschuill please? I bring urgent news from the Palace, I must speak with her."

"Aye, my lord," he said, "I shall fetch her please wait here a moment." With another slight bow he went of in search of the lady.

~~~~

Lilli had returned to her sewing for but a moment when the servant entered the sitting room.
"I beg pardon, my lady, but there is a knight of the palace, he wishes to speak with you. News from the palace." his tone seemed worried.

Lilli's breath deepened and she felt her heart beat a ittle faster. Forzen for a moment, she pondered if the new would be ill. Perhaps if she did not meet the man at the door, then the bad news would not come.

"Thank you...I...I'll see him immediatly." She rose and made her way to the frond door with as much dignaty as possible.

The young man who stood in the doorway seemed no older than she, handsome, but his face seemed grim. She greeted him with as much of a smile she could muster.

"I am Lady Aschuill. Have you news for me?"

Will bowed and nodded "Milady, yes, though I wish it were better news that I bare for you this day" he said solemly.

He was not looking forward to this, he dreaded the next few words he had to say... that the next few words he would seal the fate of the horible truth of the woman infront of him. Wary, he lifted his head.

"I am afraid it would best we sit down before I say anything further Milady" he suggested in a soft tone, his head bowed once again. His experince it was better the lady were sitting upon recieveing such news.

Lili's smile faded at his dark words. Swollowing her fears she stood aside.

"I see." was all she could muster. She forced herself to speak again. "Do come in then good Sir." She sais and led him to the the next room, an airy living area adorned with a couch, table, and an ornate tapestry on the far wall. She gracfully sat on the couch and offered him a spot as well. "Please, do sit, Sir...?"

Will nodded and stiffly took a seat, he drew a breath, "My as well get this over with...." he thought.

"Milady, you may call me William,.... I regret to say it is my duty to tell you the Royal eccort to Mystenia was attacked by a dragon... I fear to say there were no survivers in the attack" he said quietly as he un did a ceremonial sword he had tied around waist.

The tilt of the sword was gold and had red rubies and blue saphires crested in the handle. It was Martins.

"This was I believe your husbands Ceremonial sword... I am deeply sorry Milady, truely I am" he said sorrowfully as he handed to sword to her and he bowed his head again.

Lilli barily heard the words that William said as she stared at her husband's sword, it's ornate hilt seemed to dull in will the ill news. She felt her breath leave her and her heart nearly stop. It did not take long before the tears started, yet she made no sobbs as she gently took the sword from his hands. She had somehow come expect this news yet had denied it until words could prove it.

Clutching the sword she tried to stand but her legs would not support her and she nearly collapsed to the floor, dropping the sword with a loud clang as if it were last nail in Martin's coffin. She could not hold back the sobbs any longer and they burst from her broken heart and burried her face into her hands.


Will death spare none that I love?

Will could see the signs the looks going across her face and he waited for what was to come the part he very nearly couldn't bare.

He winces and clunched his hand when her saw tears trail down Lady Aschuill's face, and he knew there was nothing he could do about it... Nothing no one could do about it he feared.

Then the clatter of the sword brought him into alertness and he was was met with the sobs of a broken heart. Running his hand over his face he looked for a survant or better yet another loved on in the house to help the weeping woman, he being a stranger had no right to offer comfort in something such as this.

"I.. I am so.. sorry for your loss Milady" he said though there was a small tremor in is voice as day of telling young married women there husbands were killed by a dragon taking its told on him.

The sounds of Lilli's sobbs rang though the house which quiky sent both of her parent running to the room. Upon seeing the young man there, many questions arose in their heads.

"What on earth...?" her father began and then quickly stopped once he saw the glittering sword lying of the ground next to his weeping daughter. He imedeatly recognised it as his son-in-laws. "Oh blessed heaven...." he began and brought his hand to his face. If only there was a way he could spare his child's grief. This family has known too much death. Maryanne knelt to her daughter's side and pulled her into her embrace, her own tears silently flowing as she tried to calm Lilli.

"Young man, I am sorry you had to bear this news." He places a trembling hand in Will's shoulder as he cast his eyes away, attemting to avoid tears himself. "You are not obligated to stay and may return to you duties if you wish. My thanks for you concern and for returning his sword."

Will nodded sorrowful look on his face, he had on more bit of news to deliver, " I should also inform you that you and yours are welcome of come to the palace for memorial servcie in honor of those that parished in the battle, the Dowager Queen and Princess Cara didn't survive either." he said with a bow of his had. He had been somewhat of a accquatince with the young princess, his heart was heavey that she was gone.

"I should be going now, I am truly sorry for the terrible pain my news carries this day" he said with a final bow and he turned to leave.

Lilli had no comprehention of the scene around her. All her senses were filled with pain and sorrow and she could not find it with in her to keep from sobbing as she was. Her mother quickly escorted her daughter to her chambers and lay her on her bed. Lilli felt herself sink into the soft mattress, praying it would engulf her and take her very breath away. When will it end? Will there be nothing but death for all she loves. Who is next? Her Mother? Father?

"I am cursed, mother!" she sobbed, "I bring nothing but death to those close. Get away, lest I bring death upon you as well!"

"Nonsense, love," he mother insisted, "You are not cursed. It is the fate of this world, we have no controll over it. It is hard, I know, but death comes for us all in the end. Martin died nobley, you should be proud. A dragon is a firce beast. Be not ashamed that he did not succeed. He will be honored in his death, and so shal you for your love and devotion to him."

Her words were just enough to quiet Lilli's sobbs, but only for the moment, for the pain she still felt was just as deep as before.


~~~~~~

"I should also inform you that you and yours are welcome of come to the palace for memorial servcie in honor of those that parished in the battle, the Dowager Queen and Princess Cara didn't survive either."

"Of course. How dreadfull for their highnesses," Lilli's father said with such sorrow. "May they find never ending peace in their rest. We will honor all of those who parished. Let it be known that we will attend."

"I should be going now, I am truly sorry for the terrible pain my news carries this day"

"Yes, yes, of course." James said, in a bit of a daze. "I thank you again for delivering this news, terrible as it be. Good night to you then sir, if such a night could be good in light of such tidings." He placed his hand firmly on the young man's shoulder and personally saw him to the door. "Give my deepest regrets to the king, though I know it can hardly ease his own suffering I am sure. Good-night"




(Angsty, I know, but she'll get happier as time goes on, I promise!)