She had packed all of her clothing on top of them in an effort to hide them from her parents, who said she spent way too much time with her nose between the pages of a book. He had still not answered her questions. Confused she asked "Well....?" Turning away from her he called for two of his men. Immediately two appeared, their faces masked like his. One of them called him "Your Majesty"... he that one told to stay and watch her, but he was not to touch her, then he and the other man left. He moved with a cat like grace. Who was this man? He didn't look much older than she was. And why was he called "your majesty"? Surly this man wasn't a king. She felt trunks being lifted from the rack on the end of the carriage. Her books! She must keep them away from them! What if he took them? What would she do while she was stuck at court without anything to distract her? She would go stark raving mad, that's what. All of the Balls, and social functions, she would go crazy. She had to stop him. She would not be able to survive with out her books.
Without stopping to think, she gathered up her skirts and all of the courage she could muster, and got out. Completely ignoring her "guard" Aiden walked straight backed with her chin held high, coming around the back she saw his "majesty" getting ready to hand down her worn trunks to another. "Don't you dare touch those." She told him, trying to put a commanding tone to her voice. "And why would I do that?" He responded. He was laughing at her! She heard it in his voice! "Because," She told him, "those cases are mine, and I don't want you poking through them." Please let him go, take anything but leave the books please! What would he do? Would he take them just because she asked him not to? What could she do if he did? She would not grovel in front of this man... but if it might save her books...She looked into his almost familiar green eyes, and saw laughter, not malice. "Well lads, I do believe we can afford to leave these ones to the lady." These words sent waves of relief flooding through her. She watched as the men loaded her trunks back onto the rack, and followed the man with the laughing eyes back to the carriage door. He opened it for her with a ridiculously extravagant bow, and as she got in, she tried to convey her gratitude without words. He and the other man walked away, leaving the younger one to once again stand outside her door. She gazed out the window, trying to figure out where she had seen eyes like his. About a quarter of an hour later, her guard disappeared, and was soon replaced by her nervous driver. She looked out of the small window, but saw no sign of the thieves. All up and down the line, the merchants were getting back behind their teams, a few looking a little ruffled. Her carriage started driving with a jolt; she sat back and continued to wonder at the man with the laughing eyes. Who was he, and why did he leave her trunks alone when he could have taken everything? She would have to ask some of her friends in merchant and guard guilds about him when she got to the capitol.
