The Adventures of Vyx Vlyn -Part 1
Darla stepped through the door into the breezeway. The passages on the lower levels were always packed with people hustling about, but they all gave her room to move unhindered. She ran her hands along the stiff brocade of her new gown, luxuriating in the feel of the fabric against the palms of her hands, as well as the flesh of her chest as she wiggled slightly inside it. This gown’s design had been the source of an argument between her father and herself last week when she ordered it. He was opposed to her wearing something so revealing at only thirteen years of age. He insisted that she was still a child and should dress like one. The argument ended when he yelled that her gown would be fit only for a prostitute, and her mother asked him, rather pointedly, how he would know what gowns they wore. The resulting argument between her parents provided her with an easy escape, and the matter was settled by default. The result now wrapped her and set her apart from the milling masses flowing around her on every side. Her gown cost more than many here would make in a year. Ah, the benefits of wealth and power, Darla mused to herself as she handed the packages of her accessories to her thrall trailing three steps behind her.
Many of the lesser peons were more than a little uncomfortable around the thralls, mostly because of the ghastly odour. Pity you really couldn’t wash then. Too much water would do… unpleasant things to them. Satisfied that her skirts were set correctly, and that the bodice was adjusted just right to show off her newly acquired bosom, she set off to complete her list of errands. She needed shoes to match the gown, a new clasp for her brocade cloak, something tasteful in emeralds and silver, or possibly carnelians. She shrugged and giggled as the rough fabric tickled against her breasts. Happy with the days work so far, she flounced down the breezeway, satisfied at the clatter coming from her pouch.
Darla was knocked back and rough hands grabbed her to keep her from falling. She drew in a deep breath to berate whoever was mentally damaged enough to dare jostle her when her eyes met those of her assailant. She felt the air simply disappear from her lungs as she took in the absolutely perfect green of summer grass under a wave of long sand hued lashes. His face was strong enough to be masculine, but soft enough to be breathtaking, with just a dusting of blond stubble that would feel very similar to her bodice if he were to lean his face against her naked breast. She coloured as the thought flashed through her mind, and he smiled at her as if he could hear her thoughts as loudly as she could. “Mind your manners,” she yelled at him, but to her ears it was no more than a soft murmur.
“My apologies, most beautiful of ladies. I was struck insensible by a vision from heaven as you rounded the corner and was unable to stop before blundering into you like a stampeding ox. I must confess though, holding you in my arms and gazing into the perfection of your face is worth all the tongue-lashings that you would feel necessary to heap upon me.”
Darla could feel the heat rising even further to her face and neck, and was certain that even her chest was as crimson as her gown. She tried for a suitable retort, but simply made breathy noises at him as he set her to rights on her feet and placed a kiss on the palm of each of her hands. “I beg your forgiveness, beautiful lady, and bid you fare well on your day.” And he was gone, nothing more than flashing eyes and rough clothes as he slipped into the crowd of people. She could feel herself smiling, grinning like an idiot and unable to stop as she felt his lips still pressing against her palms, his kisses little torches in her flesh.
Still grinning foolishly, Darla continued walking down the wide corridor of the enormous stone castle around her, trying to remember what she had been doing before her soul mate had stepped into her life. Ah, yes, shoes and a glass of wine, or perhaps a skewer of spiced meat… Her thoughts cut off abruptly as she realized that her purse was no longer dangling from her belt. “A common thief!” she squealed turning back to where he had vanished into the milling crowd. “A cutpurse pressed his filthy lips to me while he stole my money! How dare he?”
Her outburst made all those around her turn, and she could swear that they were all smirking at her, laughing at her foolishness to be so easily befuddled by a pair of emerald eyes, a roguish smile and features that wouldn’t be out of place of a messenger for the gods… No! she chided herself. Don’t think about how beautiful he was, only that he stole our money. And now I can’t get my things! She stamped her foot and her nipples rubbed harshly against the course fabric making her wince. Hmmph. Perhaps Father was right after all and I should have gone for the linen shift as well. Raging silently to herself she stormed down the corridor to her family’s apartments.
Many of the lesser peons were more than a little uncomfortable around the thralls, mostly because of the ghastly odour. Pity you really couldn’t wash then. Too much water would do… unpleasant things to them. Satisfied that her skirts were set correctly, and that the bodice was adjusted just right to show off her newly acquired bosom, she set off to complete her list of errands. She needed shoes to match the gown, a new clasp for her brocade cloak, something tasteful in emeralds and silver, or possibly carnelians. She shrugged and giggled as the rough fabric tickled against her breasts. Happy with the days work so far, she flounced down the breezeway, satisfied at the clatter coming from her pouch.
Darla was knocked back and rough hands grabbed her to keep her from falling. She drew in a deep breath to berate whoever was mentally damaged enough to dare jostle her when her eyes met those of her assailant. She felt the air simply disappear from her lungs as she took in the absolutely perfect green of summer grass under a wave of long sand hued lashes. His face was strong enough to be masculine, but soft enough to be breathtaking, with just a dusting of blond stubble that would feel very similar to her bodice if he were to lean his face against her naked breast. She coloured as the thought flashed through her mind, and he smiled at her as if he could hear her thoughts as loudly as she could. “Mind your manners,” she yelled at him, but to her ears it was no more than a soft murmur.
“My apologies, most beautiful of ladies. I was struck insensible by a vision from heaven as you rounded the corner and was unable to stop before blundering into you like a stampeding ox. I must confess though, holding you in my arms and gazing into the perfection of your face is worth all the tongue-lashings that you would feel necessary to heap upon me.”
Darla could feel the heat rising even further to her face and neck, and was certain that even her chest was as crimson as her gown. She tried for a suitable retort, but simply made breathy noises at him as he set her to rights on her feet and placed a kiss on the palm of each of her hands. “I beg your forgiveness, beautiful lady, and bid you fare well on your day.” And he was gone, nothing more than flashing eyes and rough clothes as he slipped into the crowd of people. She could feel herself smiling, grinning like an idiot and unable to stop as she felt his lips still pressing against her palms, his kisses little torches in her flesh.
Still grinning foolishly, Darla continued walking down the wide corridor of the enormous stone castle around her, trying to remember what she had been doing before her soul mate had stepped into her life. Ah, yes, shoes and a glass of wine, or perhaps a skewer of spiced meat… Her thoughts cut off abruptly as she realized that her purse was no longer dangling from her belt. “A common thief!” she squealed turning back to where he had vanished into the milling crowd. “A cutpurse pressed his filthy lips to me while he stole my money! How dare he?”
Her outburst made all those around her turn, and she could swear that they were all smirking at her, laughing at her foolishness to be so easily befuddled by a pair of emerald eyes, a roguish smile and features that wouldn’t be out of place of a messenger for the gods… No! she chided herself. Don’t think about how beautiful he was, only that he stole our money. And now I can’t get my things! She stamped her foot and her nipples rubbed harshly against the course fabric making her wince. Hmmph. Perhaps Father was right after all and I should have gone for the linen shift as well. Raging silently to herself she stormed down the corridor to her family’s apartments.