The Kings Present

[Angeltears]

The court sat at long tables of the kings hall facing the open center space. Dinner had been eaten and desert was being brought forward by the servants so now was the time for the entertainment. Dancers and jugglers and fools alike stepped forward entertaining the king, the queen, their son the prince and the other lady's and lords of the court. Then stepped forward the merchant and whispered spread around the tables. This merchant was known to travel far to exotic places and bring back things to the kingdom. "My king and queen and prince," he bowed before the front table and then turned to the rest of the room. "Lords and Ladies, I have brought you something truly amazing and mysterious this time. But it is not a trinket or a toy but something much more exotic. May I present to you, Flame."

A girl with flame red hair stepped forward moving toward the center of the space where others had performed. Her eyes that moved over the people around her were deep red. She was dressed in a pair of brown pants and a green tunic that tied up the front. The room filled with whispers and she knew many questioned what was so exotic about her looking to the merchant who had stepped to the side her nodded his head, giving her the sign to go ahead. Taking a breath Flame closed her eyes and raised her hands palms up, around her wrists it was noticed that she had shackles with little bits of chains that went no were. Suddenly her eyes opened and flames leapt from her palms, flaring before shrinking and turning into small fireballs resting on her palms. She showed no sign of pain for the fire did not burn her as it would others. Then she started to juggle the two fireballs which the longer she juggled turned into four fireballs. Then catching them all she clapped her hands together and when her palms parted she revealed one large ball. Raising her hand to her face, she held it before her mouth and then blew and the fire roared outwards heading towards the head table. Before it reached the table Flame swung her hands out as if parting water and the flame spilt flowing to the sides and then back around until it met behind her. A circle of fire floated around her before she brought her hands in close crossed over her chest, the fire suddenly drew inward consuming her before slowly dwindling into nothing. Leaving Flame standing in the middle unharmed.

There was looks of shock and awe on the faces at the tables and the merchant stepped forward smiling. "Your majesties, I present you Flame, fire wielder and performer and if it pleases the King a present from one of his loyal subjects." As soon as the merchant had seen Flame he had know he would give her to the king. Flame watched the king look her up and down and then saw him nod, "I accept this interesting gift." Her eyes moved to the person beside the king who the merchant had told her was the prince, their eyes seemed to meet for a moment or two before she looked away.

((Looking for some to play the prince who develops a interest in Flame))

 

[DorsetCatMan]

He sat there - bored. These sufferable feasts were getting to him. Why did his father insist on him attending ? The smiling at people he didn't even want to know was getting him down - if only he could be away - hunting, drinking, playing with the servant girls. He smiled at that thought.

Then she appeared - as if out of nowhere - the hair struck him and so did the feriry look in her eye - hmm maybe things were looking up today

 

[Angeltears]

The merchant smiled at Flame and then stepped back, "Show them some more." Flame nodded and performed for her new masters. Flames danced around the room and she moved with them dancing. When she was finished the king told her that was enough for the night. At this point the lords and ladies rose from the tables and music was played as they all started to join in groups some talking others dancing . The merchant told Flame to stay close to the king incase he wanted something of her.

Standing a distance from the king she watched the crowded hall of people. Many looked at her and whispered. But she stayed to the side out of the way, she was used to performing but was not very social.

 

[DorsetCatMan]

He tracked Flame around the hall - watching her for some time - enjoying the ease of her attitude in such high company. Several of the women flocked to him - but his normally polite conversation was stilted and abrupt to them. Finally he approached his parents, 'Father, Mother' he nodded never quite taking his eyes from Flame. He fell into step beside them and was enganhed in the talk of his mother - only to be close 3o find out more about this girl.

Avoiding another conversation about who he should marry he moved to beside Flame marvelling at her hair colour - something he had not seen before - so vibrant and desirable.

Then his discomfort became worse as the Queen tried to introduce the fat daughter of one of the dukes to him - why would he want that plain girl when there was somebody far more interesting in the room.

A excuse was made and he moved away - waiting close by for a chance to speak to her

 

[Angeltears]

As she watched the King and the Queen as they spoke to those that approached them. She noticed the prince join them and she also noticed that he seemed to watch her. It didn't surprise her nearly every one watched her even in her own land. Yet there was something about the prince that drew her.

Moving closer to the royal family she listened as they spoke. Yet when he the queen introduced a lords daughter she quickly withdrew, feeling awkward. The next thing she knew she was surrounded by a group of young lords. "Show us some more of your tricks." She looked to the king and saw that he was moving further away from her. Turning back to the young lords she nodded and started showing them a few small tricks she knew.

They moved closer as she performed and she backed up a few steps. "Um I would stay back you might get burnt," she told them as a warning. "I wonder if your skin burns like the fire," one of the lords said with a smile as he stepped closer to her and she realized that she had backed herself into a corner.

 

[DorsetCatMan]

Quietly he padded over to her - 'There I've done my social bit' he stated to her 'So - allow me to introduce myself - I'm Owain, the kings eldest son. So what is your secret?'

 

[Angeltears]

A gasp slipped from her mouth and the flames on her hands flared slightly. Quickly she shook her hands and flames went out and she watched the young lords back off as she turned to the prince. "It is a pleasure to meet you my lord," she said ducking her head slightly. "There is no secret, I was born with my ability. I have always been able to play with fire," she told him.

 

[DorsetCatMan]

He glared at the others - they know not to interfere now and move a discrete distance back.

Gently through force of presence he moved her further into the dark until they found a bench - 'sit' he whispered, 'lets talk - so where do you come from - and most importantly - where are you going?'

 

[Angeltears]

Moving backwards as if she was being herded she didn't mind so much as long as she was getting away from the young lords. Sitting when he told her too, "okay" she replied softly. "I come from a land over the sea. As for where I am going, no were, I am a present for your father the King. So unless your King orders me away I am to stay here," she told him gently playing with the shackles around her wrist. "I was saved from traders in my land by the merchant and he gave to the king."

 

[DorsetCatMan]

He smiled - 'I see - so you belong to the king? Well how do you feel about that?' he asked, knowing that he needed to move quickly - the king bored of toy too fast - especially if his mother disapproved.

 

[Angeltears]

She shrugged in response to the princes question. It was funny she felt relaxed and comfortable around the prince. "The merchant said I would get to entertain the lords and ladies with my fire and I do enjoy entertaining others. What I have seen of this land people are different from those of my land. Back in my land these would still be chained together," Flame said raising her wrists to show him her shackles. They wouldn't come off but the merchant had been able to cut the chain.

 

[DorsetCatMan]

he moved to take her hands - cautious as she had shown her fire to them all. 'Do these hurt?' he looked at her wrists - searching for damage

 

[Angeltears]

Flame saw the caution Owain used to take her hands. "No they don't hurt. Even if they did the fire would heal it," she told him and a sudden urge to show off in front of him she called small flames to her finger tips and let them dance across her palm. "You don't have to be worried about getting burnt as long as I am focused on the flames I can control it."

 

[DorsetCatMan]

He smiled broadly 'That's fantastic' he whispered and looked directly to her eyes.

'I have to get you out of here, father can be rough with presents' His brow creased, deep in thought . Then he looked up 'I want to know all about you' he whispered. He stepped up and spoke to one of the guards, the man nodded and placed himself between then and the hall. 'I'll be back' he smiled and walked out into the throng

 

[Angeltears]

Looking at him puzzled she when he said he had to get her out of here. Why get her out of here, what did he mean his father can be rough with presents. Flame was confused, but watched him as he spoke to a guard and then vanished into the crowd. Sitting there all she could see was the guards back and she was curious about the fact that he wanted to know all about her. Waiting she played with the small flames on her palm wondering what he was up to.

 

[DorsetCatMan]

What was he to do - father would break Flame - take her to his bed and break her like he had so many girls. Owain had to try to stop this.

He found them talking to a Duke 'mother!' he hissed, she looked round 'Is father happy with the present?' his mother scowled, there was the answer.

Owain dashed back to flame - his face full of concern

 

[DorsetCatMan]

He reached Flame - 'I need to try something Flame do you trust me?' concern was crossed over his face

 

[Angeltears]

Flame head sot up when Owain returned and the look of concern on his face worried her. "What is wrong?" she asked her small flames flaring as she started to worry. When he asked her to trust him she slowly nodded her head. The flames eating up her arms before going out. "I am confused what is wrong? Have I done something wrong?"

 

[DorsetCatMan]

'No - not you Flame. Be calm I'll sort this' Owain stood - he called out 'my parents - you know my Birthday comes - I choose my gift - this girl' He turned and pointed at Flame - sensing his fathers hate and his mothers smile behind him

The king - muttered something and Owain stared at him waiting...

 

[Angeltears]

She tried to be calm but she could feel her hands heating, which is what it did when she started to worry about something. Standing still when he started to talk to his parents and then looked at him shocked. Flames eyes grew wide and they quickly flicked between the king and his son. If Flame was to guess this request seemed to anger the king and he seemed ready to disagree. She didn't understand if she was the princes or the kings she would still be able to perform for both of them. The queen stepped forward and stood beside the King and she saw the King flick a glance at the queen and then growled in anger. "Do as you wish," he growled and looked at her in a way that made Flame step back a step and felt her palms itch to call the fires.

 

[DorsetCatMan]

Owains shoulders sagged with releif - but he knew they were not safe yet - he looked to Flame seeing her simmer and held out his hand - 'be calm you're safe for now' he said

The king left the room - Owain knew not to cross his path - lwe should stay here Flame - sit tell me of your power - show me what you can do?'

 

[DorsetCatMan]

Owain looked into Flames face 'are you alright?' he whispered suddenly scared at what she might do

 

[Angeltears]

Flame looked at the prince and forced herself to calm down. Looking at his hand she slowly reached hers out and slipped her hand into his. He would find her hand warm but it will not burn him. Glancing at where the king had left. "I am fine," she told the prince but a shiver ran down her spine.

 

[DorsetCatMan]

Owain smiled at her and gently moved her away from the cornee - 'we should go - He'l be in a mood'

He lead flame out into the castle corridors - 'my rooms should be safe' he told her as they hurried along.

Turning a corner they almost ran into the two men - stood waiting

'Going somewhere?' one of them asked threateningly

 

[Angeltears]

Flame followed him as he led her away from the hall, which she was grateful for, because she didn't want to be anywhere near the king if he came back.

Safe why did they need to find some were safe, she wondered. Suddenly Owain stopped and she nearly slammed into him. Looking at the two men she didn't like the sound of the one that spoke.

Slipping her hand from Owain's her hands started to burn slightly but not so noticeably.