Cam's Connection

Chapter 2 ~Messages Thayet was walking down the stairs of her family's summer home in Port Caynn on a beautiful sunny morning. It had a beautiful view of the ocean and salty sea breezes billowed inwards giving the home a cozy, lived-in smell. Thayet loved summer. There weren't any pesky nobles she had to be polite to or the perfection that had to be met everyday of court life. After all, she was the Queen of Tortall. In the summer, she could just relax. She didn't have to get dressed up and attend social dinners, she could just be with her family. That's what she had been doing until Jon had gotten called to an emergency council meeting. She hadn't heard from him yet. At that moment, a messenger walked in with a rolled up piece of parchment to deliver. "From your husband, the King, my lady" the deliveryman said. Thayet gave him a gold noble for his quick delivery. She tore off the wax seal of the royal family that sealed the parchment closed. She scrolled down the letter with her finger taking it all in quickly. She was needed in Corus! There had been a threat to Tortall and she was to lead three groups of Queen's Riders down to the Tyran border. Thayet immediately and calmy ran up the stairs and instructed her maids to gather up some breeches and other casual clothes for the journey. She also gave the children's governesses and training masters orders about what would happen while she was gone. Unlike some court ladies, Thayet looked dazzlingly beautiful without having to sit in a perfumed bath all day and worry about getting dirt under her fingernails. She was a very practical woman who was level-headed and intelligent. She wasted no time in saddling her favourite mare Juniper and riding off with a company of Rider's who had been guarding the house. By midday, her brow was sweaty from riding so hard but she could see Balor's Needle and the spires of all the temples and the palace in the distance. Although, she loved relaxing at home, she also loved adventure and being in command. The riders ate lunch by a cool stream and let the horses drink and have a rest before they set off again. In mere minutes after arriving and conferencing with Jon Thayet was already at the barracks organizing the equipment, horses and people who would be going with the patrollers down along the coast to Tyra. It wasn't really an attack, just a military ride to gather information about what to expect. Early in the morning, before the sun had risen Thayet and her riders were already riding steadily away from Corus. The moon shone down on their backs and lit up the whole excursion beautifully in the twilight. Small waves lapped peacefully at the seashore. They were following the coast down to avoid the drought that was happening inland. The horses' hooves were muffled by the dew on the grass and the leafy plants. Everyone was just starting to relax when the lead sentries sent out ahead came back breathlessly to report that a Scanran pirate ship had been sighted farther up the coast. The thugs were preparing to disembark and attack a seaside village! Chapter 3