Hey everybody. No doubt, by this time you've probably forgotten exactly what in the world my story was about...I apologize for the time gaps between my posts of late. I am in college and working a lot, so I don't have much time for writing, however sorely I miss it. This following post is NOT a complete chapter, but it is all I have for now. Sooooo...instead of keeping it to myself, I am just going to let you see what I have and let you leave your much appreciated comments.

Thank you! --Rachel the Neglectful

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Chapter 14

Aurelian strode through the large wooden doors of the Great Hall along with several other wealthy guests just as the hired minstrels struck up a lively tune. The hall was already crowded and noisy as everyone laughed greeted each other with loud voices and such enthusiasm as to suggest that the wine was already flowing freely.

Pausing in the midst of the gathering to search out the source of this merriment, his quest was interrupted as several young men he knew well descended upon him with greetings and raucous jests. Aurelian returned their hearty welcome with slightly less enthusiasm.

“So, friend, you are to have the Lady Livea for a wife! Well done, I’d say!” one of them, a fair-haired young man, announced rather too loudly, thumping Aurelian on the back.

Aurelian glared at his friend in surprised annoyance, “Quiet, Tanen, lest someone hear you! And where did you hear that I am to take a wife?”

A short, curly headed fellow snorted, “’Tis no secret that your father has made an agreement with Lord Vitalus that his sister will wed you come winter. Honestly, Aurelian, did you think word wouldn’t spread?”

“This is the first I’ve heard of such an agreement!”

“Well, if it was me, I wouldn’t appear so disappointed as you, friend!” the first man laughed out loud as he raised his eyebrow suggestively at his fellows, earning himself some nudges of agreement.

“If you desire her hand so much, take it yourself!” Aurelian growled and stalked away, leaving the young men to bantering back and forth amongst themselves.

Just when I believe you have outdone yourself, father, you surprise me once again. If the thought of wooing Livea Vitalus had disturbed him before, it had never felt less appealing than it did at that moment.

Just as he had relieved a passing servant of a pewter goblet of wine, a woman’s voice over his shoulder again disrupted his attempt to drown his frustrations in Caerlock’s finest.

“So pleased you were able to attend, Lord Aurelian.” Aurelius cringed inwardly as he turned to discover Livea Vitalus smiling alluringly. She was certainly beautiful; the blue velvet gown she wore this evening set off her golden hair and flawless skin perfectly.

He did not dislike her as a person. Aside from her beauty, she held no characteristics to set her apart from the rest of the status-hungry noblewomen who flocked around him constantly, many of whom were guests at the feast. In fact, he had never met a woman who truly interested him. They were all the same: self-absorbed, self-important, and dull.

It was true, however, that he disliked her elder brother. Eliam Vitalus, a greedy, power-seeking individual throughout, had no doubt entered into negotiations with his father strictly because of the status it would bring him.

He pasted a polite smile on his lips, returned some kind of pleasantry, and tried to excuse himself from her presence as quickly and discretely as possible. Livea, not to be dismissed, however, placed a light hand behind his elbow and guided him towards the large table where his place was set conspicuously next to her own. She continued to attempt light conversation with him as the other guests followed their hostess’s example and seated themselves around the elaborately laid tables. Within seconds, servants appeared on every side carrying large platters of every kind of delicacy imaginable, setting them down so that the table seemed to groan under the wealth of food.

The guests feasted heartily on the many dishes, including roasted goose, wild boar, and smoked venison; breads and new potatoes; meat pies and current-honey cakes; and barrel after barrel of wine and ale. During the meal the minstrels in the musician’s balcony continued to play, magicians performed tricks, and late in the evening a traveling bard regaled his audience with tales of ancient battles, heroes, and love.

As Aurelian reclined in the wooden chair, taking in the entertainment, the ceaseless attentions coming from Lady Livea, and countless goblets of wine, other things nagged at the back of his mind. He shifted uncomfortably when the memory of his journey through the North District the day before brought to his attention the growing distress visible all around him. All the time the number of beggars, ragged children, and peasants working themselves to death in his father’s fields grew. Within the walls of the castle, all appeared well—feasting and merriment aplenty; but outside, he knew, the people of Parsaena were being taxed out of their homes, forced into labor, and those who resisted, killed.

Usually he was able to ignore any sense of wrongdoing; a deep-seated sense of entitlement made it easy. For some reason, however, this evening he could not shake the thought; for a while he even forgot about his own troubles.

A vague revelation was forming slowly. The more he mulled it over, the more convinced he became. Something was wrong—very wrong—but what? Surely it was not his father’s fault…perhaps he was not aware of the situation.

Confused and weary of the noise and people, he excused himself from the festivities and stumbled through the halls to his chamber. Perhaps once he had slept off his wine his thoughts would become a little clearer.