Faefalling (working title)

2-Okay, so maybe I'm not big on the whole authority figure thing...

 As expected, Reaghan waited at the gates. I gagged the smile that threatened to explode as she tapped her bare foot against the stone floor. Two guards shifted from side to side at their nearby posts, eyes darting to and from her. An exaggerated huff escaped her and they tensed further.

I knew what she'd say, of course, and soured at the thought.

The sun shone directly overhead as I emerged into Reaghan's line of sight and the castle into mine. A meadow separated the palace from the hustle and bustle of city life. Two worlds, essentially isolated though one controlled the other from on high.

A pair of rabbits nibbled at some flowers just off the path ahead. They froze, ears twitching, and dashed into the grasses at our approach. Scathe sniffed the air, but continued plodding alongside me. A butterfly's wing brushed past, smearing white dust on my cheek. Scathe straightened and paused as it landed atop his nose. With a cry, a jay swooped down and snatched the insect, making a beeline back towards the city. Its victory was cut short with a thud as the creature slammed into a dome of air and hurtled groundward. Security had clearly grown tighter. A faint turquoise shimmer appeared at the point of impact before dissipating back to nothing. Scathe whined.

"I know, pup. We'll be out of here as soon as we can, don't worry."

Fish scuttled deeper into the crystal moat as we crossed the sturdy bridge in their sky. I stepped off the wood and onto the stone pathway leading further into the courtyard. A firm hand to the chest brought me to a standstill. One of the guards, the braver amongst the two. His grip weakened at Scathe's growl, but I calmed the wolf with a whistle.

"Didn't realize I'd been gone so long that you'd all forgotten me," I said, gaze shifting to meet Reaghan's. "Do I need an appointment to be granted an audience, Your Royal Highness? Or perhaps you'd rather I begged."

With a roll of the eyes, she shook her head and pushed the guard's arm aside. "It's alright. This one's with me."

"I'm sorry, Your Highness," he stammered, then cleared his throat. "By Her Majesty's orders, we are only to admit authorized persons. Unless given clear directives from the Queen herself..."

Reaghan's glare killed the excuses lingering on his tongue, and he shrunk beneath her gaze. He was obviously new to the job, still had that light in his eyes.

I put a hand on my torc, pulling it away from my neck and into the sunlight. The movement drew the guard's gaze, and his hand flew to his sheathed weapon. The royal emblem, rays flowing from branched antlers, was embedded in the bronze, a figure any child of Scathliath would recognize. At the sight of it, both guards straightened and saluted.

"I'm sorry, sir. I meant no offence," the one who'd stopped me spouted.

I placed a hand on his shoulder. "What's your name?"

"I'm Connor... sir."

I paused, peering closer at his face for the first time. Wide salmon eyes hovered above a crooked nose. There was something familiar there. Something in the slant of his brow that I just couldn't put a finger on.

"Nice to meet you, Connor." I offered one of my infamous smirks and received a squeamish one in response.

Reaghan grabbed my arm and pulled me through the gates before we could exchange another word. Scathe trailed behind. I sent an apologetic wave Connor's way over my shoulder.

The courtyard was lively as ever. Green stains lined the fingers of the smattering of gardeners knelt in various flowerbeds. Attendants danced to and fro, in and out of the palace doors. Diligent wherever their tasks took them, they constituted the base of the clockwork machine, disrupted only by the children running about with mischief in their eyes. I scowled as a winged youngling unearthed a cluster of stunning orchids and giggled as she trampled them flat. A noble's bored offspring, no doubt.