Hand of Sorrow -Sceen 1

Big eyes stared up at the young boy. He looked back to the owner of the innocent red eyes. She was the smallest person he had ever seen. The short pixie like hair and the two strands that framed her small face only added to her fragile demeanor. The set of her mouth made it look like she wished to say something but was fearful of reproach. Instead she stood there with her hands behind her back observing the boy she had never seen before.

The boy, who looked no older than ten, put his hand over his heart, dropped to one knee and bowed his head. The girl, who could maybe pass for a small seven year old, looked over her shoulder to her mother and flashed a confused look. The woman's slight arms remained crossed in front of her and she motioned with a nod of her head back towards to boy.

"It's an honor to serve you Lady Harmony of the Rubeus House. I am yours to command and will do my best to serve and protect you." He remained where he was, his training not giving him the knowledge of what to do next. The girl who was no longer confused by the situation smiled and walked over to where the boy was. Sitting on her heels she cocked her head to one side and peered up at the boy's face. A smile was already on her face.

"Hi my name's Harmony, but I guess you already know that." She gave a short giggle that instantly made the boy feel more relaxed. "What's yours?"

"I don't have one milady." He looked at her with an expression that mirrored his confused thoughts.

"Well that's no fun. Hummm … let's see … I know! Your name can be Julian. That's the name of someone in a book I was reading yesterday. It's a good name I think." She said proudly. Her smile was contagious and he found himself smiling gently back at the small girl. She grabbed the boy's hand and pulled him along with her. He looked back at the man who had brought him to begin job but he had already started to talk with the woman whom he guessed was Lady Harmony's mother. Since they didn't seem to care what they were going to do, he focused his attention back on the figure still tugging on his hand. She was leading him somewhere, saying she was going to show him random things.

He was still trying to figure out what exactly had happened. One day he was going about as normal in his training to become a member of the Rubeus guard. The next he was called to the Head of the Guard's quarters and told that he was being assigned to a post; most likely a lifelong one. Now here he was charged with the task of making sure no harm came to the female heir of the Rubeus House. They came to a door. She pulled it open and pulled him inside.

"Look, there are a lot of books. Books are good don't you think?" He agreed and the door shut; leaving the two people talking in the main hall.

"So you are convinced that he can guard my daughter adequately?"

"Of course milady, he is the best of his age group. I have every confidence in him."

"Hum, we'll see. I want you to place two elite guards on watch of them for one week. Then have them report directly to me."

He bowed. "Yes milady."

"Thank-you Malcom, I don't want something like this to ever happen again."