Chapter 1

Sir Bwalk rides, heading to the castle. He couldn't pause for a split second as he was already late for the Royal meeting. His heart pounds, his breath  rationed and his skin of dark shade, is wet due to perspiration. He could feel how hot his helmet was pressing against his slippery head.

" Open the gate" one of the guards said after sighting sir Bwalk. The hefty metal gates slides upward, paving way for his black stallion. 

He descends his horse, handing it over to his squire. The castle atmosphere spelt out business, off course it would since tonight was the Prince of Wales feast.

" Welcome alas Bwalk" Oden roars.

Bwalk smiles as he removes his helmet bowing before the king.

" Come join us already, time is not on our side" Oden said.

" Yes my king" Bwalk stands up staring at the numerous faces of the Royal council, some traitors and others greedy fellows.

" Rumour's have it that the Humilin's stage an attack against us" Renegal said his blue eyes gleaming with rage.

" They dare not!. I mean Idil is the most powerful of the twelve kingdom in this realm" Oden said proudly opposing Rengal's former statement.

" My king it is said, that they seek help from druids. They seek to free the fated dragons and use them against us" Renegal adds. He seemed infuriated at the king's attitude towards the Humilin's. 

" I suggest we declare war" Duke Frenger interrupts.

Bwalk eyes him. He had always hated Frenger. All his ideas spoke of spilling blood, he had the mind of a traitor.

" We won't do such" King Oden replied sharply.His words pleased Bwalk's ears. He was as merciful and rational as always.

" Your majesty..."

" We won't frenger. We will let them enrage us before taking any further step" Oden said interrupting Frenger.

Bwalk smiles, proud of his king's response.

" We should sweep the rumours of war under the carpet and celebrate  the prince of Wales feast" Bwalk said finally. The king beastly voice echoes throughout the court as he laughed.

"He must choose a bride tonight!" Oden adds trying to control his laughter.

Frenger's long lashes falls and his countenance diminishes, the king was being too foolish.

                                 ******

" Wake up douche" Madam jizelle says lashing Annabelle and Griselda with her old black whip.

Annabelle face wrinkles as she opens her eyes lazily, her back stung of in a familiar  manner forcing her face into not a thick grimace.They had overslept once again and this bull had come to disturb.

She immediately rush up and then kicks Griselda urging her to stand up from the heaps of hay which is their bed. Griselda coughs loudly spilling out stuck straws of Hays from her mouth. She then opens her eyes sighting Madam jizelle worn out shoes, she quickly stands up joining Annabelle.

" Douche bags, do you know what day it is?" Madam jizelle scolds.

This was her hobby. Screaming like a perverted bull, making complains to the Queen millions of times about the incompetence of her maids.

" You all are so incompetent" Madam jizelle screams out her favorite words.

" We are sorry ma lady" they both apologize.

Annabelle and Griselda bow their heads facing the floor.

They avoided eye to eye contact with Madam jizelle. Her countenance could humble even the wildest of all boar.

Her fat bull dog like cheek scared the palace cat from the kitchen and her fat hips made her head spin in pride.

" It's Prince Richard's bride selection day, the late night ball must be ready before he makes his choice and there is much work to do."

" Come join the rest of the maidens in the palace and get your hands busy you lazy witches" Madam jizelle curses swinging out her fan as she flaps it quickly, raising up her neck to get the cool breeze  which the fan generated.

She walks away with all manner of poise and grace swaying her waist like a peahen in search of a mate. 

Annabelle and Griselda stare at each other and then laughs as madam Jizelle's were few steps away.

" Douche bargs" Annabelle mimicks madam jizelle.

They both giggle, rubbing their aching stomach as they laugh.

" I assume something is funny, cursed be you if I wait another moment for you at the palace" madam jizelle screams some distance from the hay store.

Annabelle and Griselda quickly dust their dirty worn out gown and adjust their inner petty coat in a bid to adhere to Madam Jizelle's order.

" Please help braid my hair" Annabelle says to Griselda who swiftly moves to action, removing straws of hay from Annabelle's hair.

Griselda eyes are watery. She would miss her friend Annabelle.

"So you really are abandoning me?" Annabelle questions in a tone of depression

" Don't say that Annabelle, you of all fellow know why I have decided to leave" Griselda corrects.

Annabelle turns towards Griselda hugging her immensely. Griselda had the stench of hay straws mingling with her normal flour scent. They both had slept in the hay store since  preparation for the Prince feast began.

" I will miss you so much my sister" Griselda says hugging Annabelle tightly. She wondered how her life would be without Annabelle and her funniest mimicking of Madam Jizelle.

"Alright turn around and let me finish your plait" Griselda says with much enthusiasm. She enjoyed plaiting Annabelle extremely long blonde hair. 

" Princess Annabelle, am finished" Griselda says standing up and bowing before Annabelle.

Annabelle giggles.

" Please don't let  Anastasia hear you address me as such, she will have our heads on the gallows" Annabelle says smiling.

" But everyone knows you are the strange girl of strange origin and strange beauty, the fairest in the whole of Idil" Griselda praises making Annabelle blush.

" Don't flatter me Miss, you know am your competition" Annabelle says with a swell of humility in her voice.

Griselda stares deeply into Annabelle's hazel eyes. Her beauty was the strangest. It was a beauty without a single flaw. Her light eyes made the other maidens go insane in jealousy and her lips was of the same shade as blood.

" Annabelle!, Griselda!" Madam jizelle screams through the castle's kitchen window.

Annabelle and Griselda eyes dart around, they rush out, moving towards the kitchen in other to avoid being a punching bag for madam jizelle insanely large fists.