Chapter 5: The Little Green Book

Even with the snow, and cold winter air, the sight stole my breath. With the vast view of the balcony, I was able to see a wide river, evergreen forests, intimidating mountains, and much of the goings - on in the Castle yard. It was the activity in the yard below which caught my attention. A group of men was trying to catch a loose sheep. For several minutes they ran this way and that jumped up and over boxes and hay. Finally, one man grabbed a crook but, instead of grabbing the sheep, he bent to the ground and used the crook to lift a large metal ring. Pulling back the ring, a square trap door was revealed. The other men surrounded the bouncing animal and forced it to the trap door. Then it was gone.

"I found a pair that should suit...oh my Lady," Poe had returned, holding a pair of plain, burgundy flats. She waved me back inside and shut the balcony doors. "It's getting colder." She explained.

Putting the shoes down, Poe quietly moved to the fireplace to build a fire. I moved to a chair facing the fire and took in the room I was to call my own.

"Do I need to stay in this room?" I asked my new friend. "What am I allowed to do?"

Poe paused, still in a crouch, "I know there is a library in the north wing. Or I can bring you thread, or paints?"

"Oh, I would love to read. Can you show me?"

She nodded thoughtfully, "We can go after the midday meal."

Poe looked at me and winked, "There will be fewer eyes watching at that time."

I felt grateful for her honesty and thoughtfulness.

"That's a good plan," I smiled.

We spent the rest of the morning by the fire, where Poe explained how things ran in the Palace and about how to sneak food from the kitchen without being caught. My handmaiden dutifully found a few more dresses and articles of clothing for me to wear during my stay, including a long, warm, grey cloak. I asked her about the sheep and the trap door, but she looked baffled by my question. I also asked if she knew anything about where the silver knights might be. I give the handmaiden credit, she looked as concerned as I did, and kindly said she'd look for an answer to my question.

Poe had been instructed to inform me of the rules of my stay and Poe did so immediately. I could only go out on the balcony in the evenings, not talk to those outside the castle walls, have an audience with the King every day, and not leave the castle building. When I started to object to such rules, Poe was quick to reply.

"Speak softly, my lady," Poe said quietly with large, careful eyes. "The king has ears everywhere. It is not the time or place to complain."

Midday came around and Poe helped me find the main dining hall. I made the Fae girl promise to come back and meet me after I ate, as I was still new and didn't know anyone. I felt like I was in high school again. She left me at the open doors, giving me a slight smile of hope and a little shove.

Walking through the tall, dark, heavy wood doors, I found myself in a comfortable, warm room with an arched ceiling, and narrow windows lining the long walls. There were a couple of long tables set up in the middle of the room, with plates of mostly vegetables, loaves of bread, and fruits. I looked around to find a decently clean plate to gather some tantalizing fruit, realizing I was just a bit hungry. Even though I hadn't eaten since the day before, my nerves refused to let me fully relax and devour a whole meal.

I found a quiet spot near the end of a table and sat down. Most of the conversation in the room had dwindled as soon as I walked in, and I had to pretend not to notice.

I just sat there uncomfortably, hands in my lap, not knowing how to go about getting food in this place. A grey - haired Fae with a narrow nose and green eyes straightened his brown and gold vest and made his way over to me.

"My lady," the man said cautiously. "Would you like some food?"

Putting a hand on my shoulder, he guided me through finding a plate and filling it with my choice of fruit and bread. In a steady voice, I was told about what the fruit was called, where it was found, and in what season it grew best.

"No one should be hungry," he smiled.

Slowly, those in the room began to include me in conversations, asking polite questions and observing pleasantries. I found myself enjoying the company until the food was gone.

True to her word, Poe retrieved me to go to the library after lunch. I saw her peep her face around the door, and I excused myself as graciously as I could.

"We will see you again," rang the common farewell as I left the room.

Together, we walked down another lengthy, wide hallway with dark floors, ebony pillars, and lofty ceilings. With a careful glance over her shoulder, Poe nodded towards a door at the very end of the hall. She grasped the smooth, intricate handles and swung the double doors wide. My handmaiden lead the way, obviously very familiar with the room. Books lined the shelves along the walls, accented by a strategically placed chair, table and bench. Shelves were jutting out into the middle of the room as well, likewise filled with books on each side. Sun shone brightly through the few tall windows as I turned my attention to the writing on the books.

"I can read this," I said, surprised. "For some reason, I thought it would be a strange language."

Poe looked at me curiously, "It is in our common language."

"Well, this works fine with me. Is there any way to know what the books are about?

Poe's elegant eyes danced as she ran her hands over the shelved knowledge.

"This section is on plants, over here is mostly animals and weather..." I listened to her excited chatter as I looked around, pausing as my eyes fell on an enormous painting.

Above the library's fireplace was a painting of a battle. A darkly armoured army advanced on the left, with an army of Fae moving to engage them from the right. The sun was setting but still shone in rays onto the Fae army. A slender, female Fae with long black hair and a white shining bow stood poised in the painting, her gaze to the sky and arm raised in triumph. I followed the gaze to the sky, where other Fae were flying on the backs of dragons. A black dragon with an incredibly handsome knight in beaten, but still silver, armour flew through a ray of sunshine, the knight had one hand outstretched as he looked down at the Fae bowman below.

"How touching," I thought warmly.

"History." Announced Poe.

My attention turned back towards the books, "Oh I would like to read some history."

I started scanning the history section while Poe looked at other books nearby. History of Royal Houses, History of Natural Magic, History of what seemed to be every Ruler of the last millennia, even history of the Royal Kennel. Being a keen equestrian, I paused over the History of Breeding stock, but my eyes fell on a small green, leather - bound book. The pages looked worn and damaged. I slowly pulled it from the shelf and read the cover. The title, The History of Kingdoms, shone clearly on the front of the book in a copper coloured ink.

"What are you doing in here? This is the King's personal library," Both Poe and I started, the voice of the guard at the door was grating and tired.

"My apologies," I sputtered. "I didn't know."

The guard took one look at me and jerked his thumb behind him. "Leave now, next time ask His Majesty."

Poe and I exchanged sheepish looks as we hastily exited the library and headed back to my room.

The guard called after us, "There has been a meeting of princes called and the castle will be getting ready for the end of the month. Mind your boundaries and try to stay out of the way."

We made it to my room and shut the door. Poe tried to stifle a giggle, her curly hair quivering with the attempt as she looked at me.

"Are you always so honest? I don't know what he thought of you."

She kneeled by the hearth to add logs to the fire.

I shrugged, "I can't lie, never could."

"Well, I think you warmed his heart with your sincere apology, and your big, blue eyes. Now, I'll go get you some food for this evening," Poe offered. "I think it would do you well to stay here and rest. I'll be back in just a little while."

Without another sound, she disappeared from my view. As I began to rearrange a high - backed chair to sit closer to the growing fire and noticed I still held the small green book in my hand. I tossed it on the chair and walked to the balcony. I figured I'd just take the book back when I was done reading it. After all, I couldn't imagine anyone rushing to read such history? I snorted, it seemed I definitely wanted to. I opened the balcony doors, and carefully shut them behind me. Clouds were beginning to darken and collect on the horizon. A storm was coming. Shivering, I turned and went back inside. I collected the green book and settled down by the fire to read.