Snippet #795461

Inside the royal palace Queen Imani paces back and forth across the solar her burgundy silk gown swishing around her legs as she swept back and forth across the floor. Her long black hair was up in a twist that showed off the bone structure of her lovely face and let people see her violet eyes clearly. Her small feet, in kitten heels click clacked on the marble floor, but she abruptly stopped with a huff and sat down in one of the two stuffed armchairs. The other being occupied by one of her most trusted men, Lord Salthmar.
He was getting older, heading towards fifty, but he was still able to keep up with and even best the younger knights of the kingdom. He was about five foot seven, well muscled, with grey eyes and salt and pepper hair with a matching mustache. She relied on him for many things, he was her right hand man and she needed his advice.
Queen Imani- “I thought that putting out a recruitment bulletin would be a good idea. My army is overwhelmed trying to protect the country from the ever increasing attacks and I was hoping the new recruits would be able to ease their burden and perhaps even push the invading groups away entirely, but so far all we have so far are opportunists who care more for the money than for the people they are supposed to protect. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea after all.”
Lord Salthmar- “Your Highness,”
Queen Imani glares at him and he grins.
Salthmar- “Imani, their really isn’t any choice. We need more people to be able to cover all the areas that need it. Perhaps more stringent guidelines for those who wish to join? Or someone you trust to oversee their efforts?”
Queen Imani- “Yes you are right and I believe we need both measures. Jacky already asked to go along with one of the groups but she is inexperienced herself. I would feel better if you went with her, but I can’t spare you as the leader of the defense here in Crix. “
Salthmar- “Perhaps Lord Tarlek or Barden?”
Imani- “They are both on missions and are too old to oversee new recruits. “ She leaned her head in her hand. After a few moments though she jumped up. “Ah! I have it. Darien! He has no assignment right now and is young but experienced for his age. He gets along well with Jacky. I think they might even have a liking for each other,” she giggles lightly, her eyes shining.
Salthmar- “They won’t be on a pleasure trip.” His bushy eyebrows arched down in concern.
Imani- “I know that. Please call Darien right away and have him meet with us and have Jacky join us as well.”
Salthmar left to do as she had asked and returned with the two after about half an hour.
Imani-“I am glad you two could join us. Please be seated”
The two young people grabbed some small chairs from around the room while Salthmar and the Queen again sat in the two upholstered chairs and all sat in a circle by the fireplace. Darien is a seventeen year old young man with striking blue eyes and shoulder length wavy black hair. He is six foot, lean and muscular and he has a glide to his walk that speaks of a panther on the prowl. He has a model face and when he smiles most females can’t help but sigh. Jacky is five’ two’’ with long black hair, violet eyes, leanly muscled with a good face and figure.
Imani- “Jacky, you know that I have been reluctant for many reasons to let you join one of the groups going out. You may have a good grasp of the sword now but you are still inexperienced, along with other reasons of which you are aware.”
Jacky nodded recognizing the warning look in the Queen’s eyes. No one must know why Jacky was in Crix or connect her to the princess, at least for now. So Jacky could only accompany people unfamiliar with the Princess.
Imani- “With that in mind I do not want you in attendance at all until we find the right group and then not until they are ready for their first task. Until that time I want Darien to be in charge of finding the right people and leading them, at least at first.”
Darien- “I would be honored, but I am surprised you would entrust me with such an important task.”
Imani- “I trust you and know you won’t let me down. I feel that having both of you to keep an eye on and guide the new recruits would ease my mind.”
Jacky-“I will be glad to have someone I know that I can trust as well as I am sure you are, your highness, but I do hate hiding in the background. Oh well, good luck Darien, you are going to need it.”
They all stood as if there was an unspoken signal that the discussion was over.
Darien- “I will do my best. Where will I be doing the interviews?”
Salthmar- “In the arena.”
Darien nods and they all go their separate ways. Darien’s long legs let him glide swiftly through the long stone hallway past the library and practice room, the dining room and out into the courtyard. He strode gracefully past the guards doing rounds and stopped a few to say hello and inform them to bring recruits to him. He entered the huge enclosure which was like a bowl in the ground with stone seating all around the central area where tournaments and training takes place. There were flood lights surrounding the huge field so that training could continue after dark. Darien strode down to the bench and waited for the guards to bring the first recruit to him.