Way of the Empire

2

"Lilibeth, hurry up with those blankets!'' echoed throughout the washing room, "You're late, your mother is expecting you." Lilibeth looked up and grinned at Mrs. Roberta. Her arms were aching from washing the sheets, but she was finally on the last batch. She nodded and placed the last sheet in the wooden basket and carried it over to the slab with the other baskets. She dried her hands on her apron while walking away from the laundry room. Her mother was taking her into town today! She couldn't contain her excitement. She hurried her way to the kitchen where she found her mother directing the food delivery. Her mother was a strong woman. She commanded the respect of all the palace workers, including the soldiers. With hands pressed firmly against her hips, she casted out orders and kept the palace running smoothly. The apron she wore was no longer the fresh crisp white linen it once was. It now sat across her waist ,a dull yellowing rag. The deep lines on her forehead served as proof of the many times she was frustrated with Lilibeth as a child. Though, Lilibeth thought, it wasn't her fault. She was simply curious by nature and that curiosity had often led to trouble. As she aged, Lilibeth learned to calm her nature and accept that sometimes it's best that one does not wander. She stood in the doorway watching her. How could anyone manage to maintain her composure while one's husband was off to war? Her mother was frail and thin and sometimes if the wind blew too hard, Lilibeth feared she would fall over or be blown away from her life, forever.

"What are you standing around for darling?'' Lilibeth smiled as she looked back at her mother. She grabbed her basket and the two headed out into town. For the last thirteen years it had been just them, but the war had ended in victory for their kingdom, Arandon. They decided to forgo the carriage and head on foot. The early morning sun was settling into its resting place in the sky. Lilibeth stopped by the wildflowers along the path and picked out her favorite ones. The king and his army were expected back tonight and Lilibeth wanted to surprise her father with flowers.

"Stay close my darling, we must make haste if we are to walk back''. Lilibeth joined her arm with her mother's as they walked by the shops. Excitement fizzed through the air. The entire town was anxiously awaiting the return of their king. People were celebrating with food and music. There was even talk of a festival to celebrate the return of the king and the prince along with the soldiers!

"One mustn't get distracted, Lilibeth, after all, there is far too much work to do before one can plan an outing. Work must also be completed on time, '' her mother reminded her with a light scolding. All around her were colorful tarps shielding the tables of fruit and nuts from the sun. Smell of dried spices and herbs scented the air. People clambered around her.

"Apples, ruby red apples for sale''

"Sugar! Sugar for the sweet ladies walking by!'' Lilibeth and her mother giggled. Her mother pulled her over to the table with herbs.

"Good morning! How can I help you lovely ladies today?'' the man asked them with a smile. Her mother gave him a list of the herbs requested by the workers of the palace for tonight's feast. He handed the bundles of herbs to Lilibeth and she placed them neatly in her basket, enjoying the smell.

"Mama, what's this bundle of twigs?" Is it for tea?'' she questioned as they walked away.

"That's valerian, my dear, wonderful for the nerves but you must be careful some people have taken ill and some have even passed from injesting too much of it.'' her mother explained whilst looking over some of the fruit. The selections were still small as most items were taken to the camps for the soldiers, but coming into town was still lovely, Lilibeth thought. Giggling erupted behind her as she moved her basket just as children came dashing through. She followed their path with her eyes and saw a wagon. A traveler's wagon? It had been long since they'd seen one in town. She followed the passersby and joined the large circle forming around a covered wagon.

"Come one, come all and see the spectacular gems I 'ave in store!" a young male voice drifted from the center of the circle.

"I've got rubies, emeralds, even diamonds in tow! Gifts from young ladies to returning soldiers galore! A medal of bravery and honor and truth! Why, what better gift could possibly exist? A ring for your lover? Or better yet! Let her carry your heart on a chain round her neck! You've survived it all! I've got it all! Just come and see! For the next best thing, I've already seen!" The man sang as he opened his cart. People crowded the stand with gasps and whispers of the wondrous items they had not laid eyes upon in years. Lilibeth climbed up onto the tree roots growing out of the ground to try and peer over the crowd. The vendor was dressed as a court jester in a bright blue tunic with a three-pointed yellow cap. Little blue bells dangled from each point, jingling with a light twinkle wherever he moved to. Slowly, the villagers began to move away and go about their day. With the war that just ended, most villagers didn't have the funds to afford such luxuries. And with the return of the soldiers came the return of husbands, and sons, and brothers, which ultimately meant more mouths to feed. A handful of nobles stood around the wagon, loudly exclaiming how gorgeous the items were.

The woman loudly discussed which item would pair better for the ball the king would surely throw to celebrate his triumphant return. One of them loudly declared that Prince Ero was sure to be in attendance as she held a blue gemstone on a chain up to her neck. Lilibeth rolled her eyes as the younger women giggled over the thought of the prince selecting one of them to be his bride. She approached the wagon, knowing very well that she would buy nothing, but there was no shame in looking, she told herself. She had never seen such gems upclose. The gems in the castle were hidden somewhere only Maudie and the royal family knew. No one except whoever King Abdeel selected was allowed to know its location.Lilibeth spotted the gems to the furthest side of the wagon. The way the red ones sparkled in the sun made them look as if they carried fire! Her eyes lingered over the green ones the longest. She wasn't sure what it was, but it was beautiful. Almost like carrying a piece of nature with you, she thought. And then she saw it. The most beautiful thing her eyes had ever seen. A gold chain dangled from a small hook pinned to the open wall. At the very bottom dangled a small golden heart. Lilibeth wanted to reach out to touch it. To grasp it in her hand and run. She had never felt the urge to steal. She frowned at her mind. Why was she having such thoughts? She shook her head and continued to look at the necklace. She could almost picture herself wearing it. A beautiful full wine stained gown adorned her body, she would lift her hair, allowing for his strong calloused hands to lightly reach around her neck to secure the clasp as the heart sat just between the space where her breasts met. My goodness Lilibeth, what is wrong with you? Having such scandalous thoughts. She caught herself blushing at her own imagination.

"Ah, thinking of someone special are we, my darling? Are you hoping to gift him something? Or are you hoping he brings it to you?'' the vendor asked while wiggling his eyebrows and crossing his arms. With one look at Lilibeth's face, he smirked.

"Ah it's the latter one, isn't it! Tell me my darling, would you like to see the necklace? Shall I give you two a moment alone?'' he joked. His accent was thick, somewhere foreign, Lilibeth thought. She shook her head and stepped back.

"I'm sorry, but I really must be going," she apologized. Just as he reached foreword to grab her arm, the cart began to shake.

"Take cover!" Lilibeth pulled away from the man, determined to find her mother. A sharp pain soared down her arm from her shoulder blade. She turned around looking for the source. The vendor's hand was squeezing her arm and dragging her to his cart. She could see the side door of the wagon swinging as the ground shook. She pulled herself away, not making much progress. She looked around for anything that could be of use to her. That's when she saw them.

''Please let me go! We're directly in the path!''

''Not a chance! You'll be safer with me...If you're good I'll even give you that necklace that you want.''