TEPHINOR

Jeruvael,
Illearia.

All I was thinking was that I had to get away from this princess as soon as possible: the special guard with her made me quite uncomfortable, but thankfully, he seemed to be new; I didn't know him and that was good.

The princess had just ordered me to stop, so, I reminded myself that I was Asaph the orphan boy and turned to face her.

She had on a broad, red bonnet to block out the harsh, Illearian sun, a red cotton smock with a black kirtle over it. Wisps of soft, silk, pink hair had pulled away from under her bonnet to bother her face.
She had a beautiful, olive complexion that was darker than that of a typical Chestie, and now, she stared at me with wide, curious gray eyes with their strange flecks of gold.

"I'm quite bothered for Wolbie you see."
She talked with a breathy voice that sounded delicate just like the way she looked; despite her tallness.

"I understand that your highness, but, my dog will be fine. I assure you."

She seemed to consider that for a bit.

"I see. I'd like to come and check up on him."

"I beg your pardon?"

"I mean, to see how he is faring after all this."

"I don't think..."

"The Princess of Chestland has requested something of you, and you dare to argue!"

The guard walked up to me and fixed me with a threatening stare, I stared back.

"Stand down Lokan!"
The princess snapped, Lokan and I both turned to face her, not so delicate after all.

She blinked and said more softly.

"I will handle this."

"Please pardon me your highness." Lokan bowed to her and stepped back.

She returned her attention to me.

"So, where do you stay?"

I gritted my teeth, what had the Creator gotten me into now?

"The Darkone Pub, it's not too far from this market your highness." Xena finally said.

"Oh, I see. Is that familiar to you Lokan?" The princess asked.

"Yes your highness. It's not too well known, but I have a friend who works there."

"Excellent!" she smiled and looked up at me, I scowled back at her.

"So when I get to this pub, how do I find you?"

"Just ask for the occupants of room number ten, princess." Xena volunteered with a smile.

A smile? He dared to smile about this, did he know what he was exposing me to? Of course not, he could not know. After all, to him I was Asaph the orphan. This wasn't his fault at all.

"We must leave now princess." I finally said, hoping that my voice was firm enough.

"Minerva, hurry, the sun is getting to me." A high pitched voice bellowed from the backseat of their vehicle and a blonde with very pale skin, stuck her head out the wound down window. A look of exasperation on her face.

"Just coming Ryna."

Minerva stepped closer to Xena and I.
I noticed that she was taller than most other women I had met; she was almost five feet and nine inches.
She shook Xena's hand but stared up at me, I found out that for some strange reason, I could not look away.

"Take care of Wolbie." She said simply, then this peculiar princess turned and walked back to her automobile.

~