The Supple Nail
Super-Earth
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2014
Princess Lyrianna shifted sorely in her saddle, pushing herself up in the stirrups to give her thighs and petite backside a little relief from the constant motion. They had only been riding for a day but already her legs were protesting the difficult, continuous motion. It was a far cry from the plush seat of her small throne, behind and to the left of her father's towering golden affair on the royal dais. Lyrianna missed the decadence and comfort of the court. The first night had been an adventure, a day of riding and a night in a posh inn with her royal guards to see to her. But on this the second day of her journey the excitement had given way to boredom and saddle soreness.
The trip had been her father's idea. She was sixteen now, practically a woman, and with her younger brother the crown prince still taking his lessons in short pants it was time for Lyrianna to step into her role as a diplomat and servant of the kingdom. Lyrianna's mother had convinced her father that perhaps something simple would be a good start.
And so the princess found herself here, towards the frontier of the kingdom, two days into a tour of the outlying provinces. Ahead of her and all around her rode the knights of her royal guard, stolid and dutiful defenders each one. Just as the call of adventure had given way to boredom their staunch professionalism and over protective concern for her was quickly becoming wearisome. The romance of bold knights riding in her honor was muted by the dull realities of travel. Calling out a turn here, warning of a rock that could turn her mount's ankle there, and otherwise riding in respectful silence. In short, they weren't any fun.
Lyrianna adjusted her divided riding skirt and straightened her back in her saddle, practicing the royal posture that had been ingrained in her by tutors since she could walk. Her lithe form was upright and slender, with willowy arms and delicate hands. Her straight back led up to a long, slender neck and a crown of golden hair pulled up into a practical but stylish bun by a jeweled pin and surmounted with a simple gold circlet. Her features were royal, with full lips and expressive eyes under a gentle brow.
She perked up a bit when the lead knight of her cadre raised a mailed fist to call a halt. Instantly an air of caution fell over the small party. In fact, now that she thought of it Lyrianna's keen political training had sensed an undercurrent of nervousness and over vigilance since they had passed through the populated areas of the kingdom and into the wild lands. Something was making the knights very skittish and it seemed to be coming to a head without a warning.
"What is it?" She asked, more excited than scared.
"Shhh." One of the knights said, making an urgent chopping motion with his hand.
"There's something in the woods."
The trip had been her father's idea. She was sixteen now, practically a woman, and with her younger brother the crown prince still taking his lessons in short pants it was time for Lyrianna to step into her role as a diplomat and servant of the kingdom. Lyrianna's mother had convinced her father that perhaps something simple would be a good start.
And so the princess found herself here, towards the frontier of the kingdom, two days into a tour of the outlying provinces. Ahead of her and all around her rode the knights of her royal guard, stolid and dutiful defenders each one. Just as the call of adventure had given way to boredom their staunch professionalism and over protective concern for her was quickly becoming wearisome. The romance of bold knights riding in her honor was muted by the dull realities of travel. Calling out a turn here, warning of a rock that could turn her mount's ankle there, and otherwise riding in respectful silence. In short, they weren't any fun.
Lyrianna adjusted her divided riding skirt and straightened her back in her saddle, practicing the royal posture that had been ingrained in her by tutors since she could walk. Her lithe form was upright and slender, with willowy arms and delicate hands. Her straight back led up to a long, slender neck and a crown of golden hair pulled up into a practical but stylish bun by a jeweled pin and surmounted with a simple gold circlet. Her features were royal, with full lips and expressive eyes under a gentle brow.
She perked up a bit when the lead knight of her cadre raised a mailed fist to call a halt. Instantly an air of caution fell over the small party. In fact, now that she thought of it Lyrianna's keen political training had sensed an undercurrent of nervousness and over vigilance since they had passed through the populated areas of the kingdom and into the wild lands. Something was making the knights very skittish and it seemed to be coming to a head without a warning.
"What is it?" She asked, more excited than scared.
"Shhh." One of the knights said, making an urgent chopping motion with his hand.
"There's something in the woods."