Aubrey sat in her room at a small desk making an entry in her journal, dipping her beautiful new feather into the ink as someone knocked on the door.
"Come in," she called absently, once again placing quill to parchment.
The door opened to reveal Hayley, her face framed by brown hair which was, Aubrey noted, a little out of place.
"Beverly says the princess has called a meeting, we're all to attend."
"Why?" asked Aubrey. "What's happened?"
"Gerald's gone missing," she replied.
"Missing?"
"Yes, he left this morning on an errand and should have been back by now."
"Perhaps he's just taking his time?" Aubrey offered.
"You don't know Gerald. When he runs an errand, he performs the task and returns. He's not the sort of person to dawdle."
"Should we be worried?"
"Worried? Not yet, but
