Snippet #1859665

Melisande lazily stretched, her mind awhirl. The problem for her, she thought sadly, was that she was a noble. And a girl. Not that that many people knew. Both her parents had passed away when she was young, and Melisande was in charge of her own estate. She walked out the gate, knowing her steward would be furious at her later. But no one recognized her as a noble, seeing how she dressed like a boy. She hid all her pale pinkish blonde hair in a hat.
Melisande acted nothing like a noble girl. She had learned to fight, with a sword, with knives, with her fists, if need be. She could and would use most weapons. But she felt like something was missing from her life, and she didn't know what.
She met a guard on her way to town. He stopped her gruffly. "You, boy. Do you know of anyone with a dragon birthmark?"
Melisande nodded. "I do."
"Who is it?"
"I."
He stared at her suspiciously. "Where is it then, lad?"
Her eyes flashed and she took of her hat. "I am a girl, and my tattoo is in an... odd place. Take me to any female you trust and I will show it to you."
The guard glared. "Fine." He took her to a female guard, probably his partner. After Melisande showed the female guard enough of her tattoo while retaining her dignity, she was taken out.
The female guard stared at her suspiciously. "Well, you're to be a rider, in any case, dear. What's your name?"
"Call me Mellie."
The guards both swore, the other one being in earshot. "Not Lady Melisande, by any chance?"
She growled. "Yes I am. Now take me wherever I am going."
~~~
The two guards had been most reluctant about bringing her here. She looked around at the open field she'd been taken to, and smiled upon seeing the king. He probably wouldn't recognize her, but pinkish blonde hair as long as hers was unmistakable and uncommon. She stood off to a side, well within sight, but not intruding, as he seemed to be having a conversation with two boys.