Snippet #1051189

"Out of my way"
The order came once but the guards opened the door before the command was even on her lips. She entered the great bedchamber with her pouch hanging low on her waist.
"open the curtains for goodness sake!" She snapped at the maids hurried to the task while the girl sat on the bed and looked down at her father. He had once been a great man but now he rarely had his periods of lucid thought. She pulled out a few unguents and rubbed them all over his knee joints and his fingers. Then she sat hip up with the help of a maid and fed him warm broth. With a basin she helped him relieve himself and then changed the covers. She would not allow anyone else be near her father in this state, only those who could be trusted. If anyone else learned about this, they would try to take advantage and even now they were already doing terrible things.
Two days ago a farmer had arrived from the southern border with tales she could barely believe. Men in armor would cross the border and raid the farms taking produce and livestock. They would rape the women, kill the men and steal the children.
She paced back and forth staring down at her father wondering when she could take the crown and command the army, but so far her father was still alive and many were not so sure about having a girl on the throne. And less if she was as willful and arrogant as she was known to be.

"Alleysea" Her father's voice was clear and she went to him.
"yes father?"
"I know what must be going on at this moment. I understand...I am not right anymore, but you are young and you can fix this. Go to Porl. Go to Furia their capital and make a treaty with them. Offer them the jewel of this kingdom "
She took a step back. "That I cannot do. It was my mothers"
Her father shook his head "Not that....but yourself...Offer yourself . Take gold and women and beautiful clothes and oils and silver...and offer yourself"
Her face turned dark "I will not whore myself! Not for you! Not for this country! Not for anything!"
Her father laughed weakly "No, no you silly girl...in marriage"
Alleysae stormed out of the room, with her skirts swishing back and forth. She could still remember her father's words.
"I already called for the man who will take you to Porl"

How dare he?

But still she wondered if that was her best choice. She decided finally while her maid curled her hair and arranged her crown. She wore a dress of dark green , with long fluttery sleeves. It had a gold threaded belt with a jewel on the front that hung low on her waist.
"My lady I heard that the General's son is very handsome'' the maid whispered. Alleysae raised a brow. she had heard of him. She had even seen him once or twice...but she found him irritating and annoying plus all of the whispers said that most thought him the prince of Thurl.
She pushed her shoulders back and stood up "Handsome he might be...but he will always be a commoners son"
with that she turned on her heel and moved down to the throne room where someone waited for her.

She stepped into the throne room and raised her brow. It seemed the son of the commoner was here after all "Did the devil summon you" She asked dryly and then sat on the throne. It was too big for her and she looked like a child on it, but that did not faze her.
"what is it then?"