“My Lord! It’s happening again!” Lishinia burst into the count’s office. She’d immediately sent for warm water and cabbage from the kitchen, then hurried to report to Peregrine’s father.
“What?” Count Valin jumped to his feet.
Lishinia couldn’t hold back one lone tear that fell down her cheek. “The young miss… she’s in her room crying. I’m having a soothing compress made now.”
The count’s quill turned to ice and shattered in his fist. “I curse that Lord Geoffrey to the Nine Fathoms! That he ever caught the eye of my precious… go to her.”
“Excuse my humble suggestion, Your Excellency.” Lishinia executed a perfect curtsy. “I think what the young miss needs, what could truly lift her spirits…”
“Yes? Out with it!” The elf would do anything except treason for his family… and he was even questioning that these days.
“Let her out for a bit to shoot?” The maid suggested. “The second she discovered what had befallen her lover, the young miss went to shoot and came back in much calmer spirits. She will be travelling with the crown prince tomorrow, and won’t have a chance to shoot until she returns…”
There was a moments hesitation as the image of his very angry wife flashed before his eyes. She was adamant that Peregrine stay in while they packed for her trip tomorrow… but his precious little girl was crying in her room even as they spoke and it broke his heartstrings.
Nothing, nothing was more important than her happiness.
“Let her know that she can go tonight for one, no, two hours. After we eat.” He said, standing a little straighter and pulling at his blue doublet to fix his nerves. “There's not enough time to visit the Dungeon Valley Deep, but she can go to Glades. I will speak with Primrose when she returns this evening.”
“As you will, Your Excellency.” Lishinia curtsied again. Recognizing a dismissal, she turned to leave when Count Valin added.
“Just… make sure you are back in two hours.” He opened a drawer full of replacement quills. “Or I won’t be able to defend you against Her Excellency.”
Lishinia nodded with a solemn expression, and exited the office.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
Count Valin only read through a few reports before he stopped and picked up the portrait of his family, all smiling. He ran his thumb over it gently, and whispered. “Nothing.”
…
Lishinia felt like she’d accomplished the most noble quest in the Kingdom when she relayed the news.
“You mean it?!” Peregrine, still a bit puffy-eyed, dodged the warm towel that Lishinia was trying to administer. A genuine and lovely smile bloomed on her mistress’ face. “I can go to Glades?”
“You have two hours, but if you’re late by even one second…” Lish trailed off, letting Peregrine imagine her own consequences.
Countess Primrose was a force to be reckoned with, and had had to chastise Peregrine on more than one occasion – the young miss only seemed to care to focus when she was shooting things.
Not proper behavior for a countess; The lack of focus, not the shooting things. Her mistress brought them great honour with her show of skill in the Royal Hunt.
“Don’t mind the compress Lish!” Peregrine jumped up and ran to her wardrobe, bringing back a riding dress to change into. “I want to get in my stretches and bow maintenance before dinner so I can save time for more shooting!”
Lishinia sighed, clutching the warm towel she’d had prepared for the blotchy mess that was her lady’s face… but after seeing how excited and happy her mistress was, she gave up and helped Peregrine change.
She didn’t let Peregrine go down to dinner before fixing her hair. A countess was to have proper hair, or Lishinia would die of shame.
Peregrine grumbled at the extra time it took to put up a decorative five strand bun that came together in a high ponytail and then fell in a single long thick braid, but Lishinia was firm.
“I think that’s everything!” Peregrine checked her bow was ready, her arrows sturdy, and her quiver packed. She had a few extra bowstrings and wax in her quiver pouch, as well as her hard leather arm guard and her soft leather finger guard.
Not that she needed either at her level, but it was important to keep up appearances.
Count Valin raised an eyebrow when Peregrine came down to dinner in a loose fitting dress that she’d thrown on over top of her archery wear… but he didn’t say anything; only reminded the mistress when her mother was coming home and that she should make sure she was properly packed for the journey tomorrow..
Peregrine thanked him and dragged Lish off the second dinner was excused.
Glade was a noble establishment on the north end of the city. The building was in the shape of a crescent moon on the outside, and a V on the inside. It was one of the most impressive archery ranges in the kingdom - with challenge shoots that could try an elite archer in the higher levels.
Lishinia was proud that her young mistress was an acclaimed [Archer] who held a spot in the top 10 highest scores at Glades. If only she lady was allowed to truly let loose - but that would've come with too much unwanted attention.
Better to let the young countess work out her abilities in the dungeons.
Still, the mistress enjoyed the challenge that being limited brought - and Lishinia could easily watch from the viewing platform, making it a perfect escape for the mistress to go and work off energy and still be properly escorted.
Now, if only there weren't other nobles at the Glades today, or what happened next might have been avoided...
