You could smell the mud and the wet of the grass. At least there was no lightning -- it would've driven me to distraction, wanting to be outside to greet it. The gray sky loomed over the entirety of the palace, but this room at least seemed cheerful. The floral bedding and soft lavender upholstery played gentle counterpoint to the warm wood and gurgling fire. I set the tea tray down on the mosaic table next to milady's chair and bowed. "Your tea, milady," I said softly. She turned in her chair to look at me and smiled, the firelight catching in her auburn hair. "Thank you, Terence."I bowed again. "Is there anything else I can do, milady?""No, thank you. Although I'm sure Jasper will want a drink and something to eat when he gets back from his ride.""Yes, milady." I backed out of the room and shut the door. I had time before his highness got back from his afternoon ride, even in this weather. The man had very little in the way of common sense. He was very brave, though -- well praised by his father the king during the war.
