Someone Else's Kingdom, BOOK II - Scene XXXVIII

Liofia stood looking at herself in the mirror. Her haunches were round, and her slight distaste at the sight made her feel captive once more. She'd came so far to escape, only to find herself prisoner to fate again. It was the early hours of the morning, and as she looked over at Julen sleeping soundly in the bed, she pulled on her cloak and headed delicately to the door. The morning sunlight spilling in beams through the window, like keys offering freedom from the cloister.

As she closed the one door behind her she then opened the door of the neighbouring room with equal gentleness. Peeking her head round to check on Box and Goola, mother-like. The two sleeping like doves in the warm nest of the room.

She felt a touch of guilt as she noted how easily the other three slept. They'd been welcomed with generosity since arriving. In fact, having met some of the people already it occurred to her that the Brynnyfirdians couldn't have chosen a worse diplomat in Eartaria, who appeared to be by far the least tolerable of the lot ..and even he wasn't so bad. The foreboding of the creeping forest quickly dispelled by the roughhewn, but comfortable settlement. Still, in spite of the hospitality, and her own need for rest, she couldn't fully accept the good fortune.

Stepping out of the little wooden home she was instantly reminded of her night-stalks around Patina, where she'd wander for hours, watching the city below from the rooftops above. Alone, but free. Unseen and unrecognised against a starlit sky. Now, under the bright rays of daybreak she felt a similar sense of disappearance. She followed the desire path that shot from the garden, to where the edge of the village met the wood, careful not to rustle the odd blade of grass that popped out from the hardened mud. She then hopped over the little wooden fence with equal grace. Her ankles nimble under her curved figure. A magpie sat silent on the fence just a short distance away, but remained undisturbed by her presence. Her bare feet moved on, entering a lea that was not quite woodland, but not quite field. She began to notice the birds singing, and the scent of the outdoor air. She pulled down her hood and felt the sun on her face, walking widow-like across the grass.

For twenty minutes, maybe more, she walked and wandered. Careless as to time or dislocation. She grabbed an apple from a tree and took a bite. It tasted slightly more bitter than the apples from the Maiden Lands, or from the Eastern Kingdom, but still, the wet juice felt sweet against the climbing sun. Across the field she noticed a single horse in a fenced-off enclosure; sandy red, just as awake as she in the early morning hours. She gave it the apple and smiled as she watched it eat. Its mane glossy in the natural light. On the fence sat a pigeon, that watched her as she watched the horse. Then, at last, she turned and headed back in the direction she'd came from. Pulling the hood back over her head as she did so, as if to end her little chapter of flight.

Suddenly though she stopped. Far across the field and through the trees she could see Julen, walking calmly through the pasture. "How had he risen so quickly when he'd just been deep in sleep? And where on earth was he heading?" she thought. Perhaps he'd realised she'd left, and had came out looking. She dropped behind a tree, instinctively not wanting to be seen. The privacy of her private meander taking precedence over any desire to shout his name. Her woodland boudoir seemingly invaded by his unexpected presence. She then crept in tow, following his journey from behind the trees. Peeping out from behind each trunk, and puzzled by his nonchalant gait and purpose of direction.

Finally, she watched him slip down the little hill and towards the home of Colm. He then opened the door without knocking and entered. Confused, Liofia pattered down herself, then slinked round the back of the house. With feline ease she climbed up onto the roof and looked down through the window, careful not to call attention. From this higher vantage point she could see the large village hall, that sat at the settlement's centre - its roof pointing skyward above the other homes. However, her eyes, peering out from her berry-brown hood, bent down solely towards the window. Through it she could see Eartaria, along with an older man that she hadn't yet seen before. She could also hear their voices as they spoke, seemingly animated. Yet she was unable to make out the words. She stretched down a touch to get a broader view. There was a map on the table. Then, from across the room walked Julen. But, as she watched with mystification she realised it wasn't him ..it was someone else. Someone who looked like him, of similar height and frame, but not him. It was Essen. Suddenly things made sense. She'd just been mistaken. Yet, with her curiosity piqued, she couldn't help but listen in further. She strained her eyes to see the map, as the voices in the room raised their tone.

The talk was about "black powder" and "treason," and journeys across the sea. After her peaceful morning she was quickly reminded that the world was at war.

"How many gold ingkhs did they pay you?" she heard the aggrieved voice of Essen ask.

Eartaria was insulted, and answered back harshly with disdain. Placing his hand on the hilt of his sword as he raised his own voice to match the aggression of Essen. Before the words went further Colm stepped in between the two, demanding quiet. His own speech rising with uncharacteristic ire to excel the pair. As an uneasy silence broke Liofia stretched her neck to get a closer look at the map on the table. Unfortunately, a wooden slat then fell loose. It slid down the roof and landed with a light clatter on the ground. All three men looked up from their dispute. Turning their attention to the noise.

As Liofia leapt from the roof Essen raced out from the side door, alert to the potential threat. As she dropped and rounded the corner the two came face to face. There was a brief pause of eye contact, then the startled Liofia spoke.

"I'm sorry, I thought you were someone else."

Essen didn't buy it. He grabbed her firmly by the sleeve. Eartaria then came round from the other side of the building. "It's okay, she's one of mine," he said laughing. Liofia's face flush with red.

Annoyed she'd been caught, it again dawned on her that she wasn't quite as fleet of foot as she once was.