Chapter One (First Draft)

One doesn't often have the opportunity to be tackled by a screaming princess. I wouldn't recommend it. Princess or not, it isn't the best experience you'll ever have.

"Ismay!" squealed Solveig, second daughter of the King of the Western Shades. Hurtling down the passageway, she jumped onto my back, nearly knocking both of us onto the cold stone floor. Thankfully, she didn't weigh all that much. Even so, I grunted in surprise at the sudden extra weight attached to me. "Ismay! I'm getting married!"

I shrugged her off my back and turned to stare at her. "You're not serious."

But I could tell she was. Her grin was wider than it usually was, and her dark eyes sparkled with excitement.

"I am," she laughed. She herself seemed to have some difficulty comprehending it. "I really am."

"I'm so happy for you!" I exclaimed, pulling her into a tight hug. "When is the wedding?"

"Next season," Solveig replied, her voice slightly muffled, due to the fact that her face was still squashed against my shoulder. I released my hold on her, and she continued.

"Father and Lord Kennet arranged it. Casper will be in his 16th year by then."

"Have you told Nessa yet? Or Viveca?" I inquired.

Solveig shook her head, and her short, dark locks flew around with the motion. "You were the first. "Besides Monika and Lars, of course."

I nodded. It made sense that she would tell her siblings first.

"I was going to tell Nessa and Viveca after I told you," she continued. "Want to come?"

"I have childcare in ten minutes," I said apologetically. I would much rather go with Solveig to share her news with Viveca and Nessa than take care of Tyr, the bratty child who was my assigned "son". But I had never missed a class without being excused, and I didn't plan to, no matter how unpleasant it may be.

"Oh..." Solveig said slowly. "I forgot, I was supposed to tell you: the Seers require your presence in one hour. Your parents will be here to." She had kept her eyes on some point to my left while she spoke, but now she glanced up at my face. "You've been excused from all your classes for the rest of the day."

"The Seers?" I repeated. "What do the Seers want with me?"

It was never a good thing when the Destiny Seers requested your presence.

Solveig smiled reassuringly. "I'm sure it'll be okay."

She may have been sure, but I wasn't.

(Princesses aren't always right, you know.)

Author's Note

Again, this is a first draft. Please let me know if you have any criticisms and/or suggestions. I want to keep improving. Thanks!
~Anastasia

Reviews

[Unforgiven Guy]

I like this beginning, especially the way you started it off. The only issue I can see here is that I'm not quite sure exactly who Ismay is... A woman, I assume? But how old is she, and what does she look like? Maybe these answers will come in the next chapter. I hope it appears soon, because I would like to read more of this!