The Fae had always been there, on the outskirts of both her family lands and her thoughts. They both intrigued and annoyed her mind. How can one be in love with the idea of what should be their sworn enemy and yet wholeheartedly agree with her own people that they were too different to ever live peaceably?

Rosemary Scarborough puzzled on this in the midst of her family seats at the joust. A joust to encourage friendlier relations between the Scarboroughs and the Fae. While her own family excelled in trade and diplomacy, Rosemary found joy in the stories and tales of the Fae. Who wouldn’t want a Faerie Prince to sweep them up into an epic romance?

A glint of metal pulled her attention back to the field, a squire sweating heavily under his ceremonial uniform carried a chest, covered in small metallic decoration, he heaved it into a covered cart and quickly opened it to check the contents.

Rosemary at the sight of books, glittering with gold embellishments and leather bound. But why was there a chest of books near the jousting field? And why was it being removed from a Knight’s tent?

With her long hair sweeping into her eyes and blending in with the setting sun, Rosemary quickly left the refreshing shade of the stands, nearly tripping down the stairs and deftly if not gracefully making her way to her wayward goal. She slowed her pace, iinching forward, and scanning to see if any would stop her curious quest. Hiking her skirts and pushing herself clumsily into the cart she pulled herself up and crawled toward the chest.

Upon closer inspection the metal which had so grabbed her attention were embossed with sigils and symbols, all of which were foreign, all the more intriguing. Running her hands along the metal the small squares felt both hot and cold, magnetic in their simplicity. Just as she was about to open the chest she felt a lurch and the cart began to move. She hurriedly pushed herself into the farthest shadows, hoping to escape discovery. Drawn to the slivers of light, she looked through gaps in the fabric covering, realizing that they were steadily moving farther from the jousting field and closer to the Fae camp which was much farther from her home, placing her in quite a predicament. Nestled along the edge of the forest in the cool shade of the trees were tents entirely different from those of her country. They seemed to blend with the forest, becoming one instead of marking their presence amongst the dense foliage.

Stopping quickly, Rosemary found herself knocked against the chest which sprang open, she hurriedly slammed it shut, only to look up into the amber eyes of a dark haired man at the end of the cart. “Hello, little mouse.” he half smiled, “where did you come from and why are you clutching that chest so fiercely?”

Rosemary blinked her blue owl like eyes, the man was so beautiful it was painful. Dark sweeping hair that slightly hung infront of his eyes, tanned skin, and eyes the color of which would make the loveliest jewel if such color could be found in nature. “Ah..I…was curious….” she stammered. “About what in particular milady? The cart, the chest, or me?”. She blinked again slowly, “Well… “ she paused, “the chest… to begin with, Ah! And then the books of course,” she hurriedly proclaimed then shyly glanced up and with a whisper, “But as of now I find you to be the most intriguing.” She slammed her hands over her mouth as a dusting of pink scattered over her cheeks. Had she really just said that?! He stared, with a quick suprised laugh that forced its way past his lips, he placed both hands on his hips and shook his head exasperatedly. He glanced back at her, cocked his head to the side and seemed to have come to a decision.

He offered his hand, “Perhaps we should start with introductions, my name is Kiernan Talis, and you?”. Reaching out her own hand whilst still knelt in the back of a cart with a rumpled dress and her hair in disarray. “Rosemary Scarborough, may I read one of your books Mr. Talis?” With a tug to help her out of the cart, once she stood standing, looking up into those yellow cat eyes he answered, “Would you like a cup of tea Lady Scarborough?”. She nodded, he grinned and began to lead her to his nearby tent, she pulled without budging. He curiously glanced at her, “Um…what about the books? Should we bring them with us?” he stared with a slight smile, then laughed. “I guess I should sort out different priorities when it comes to you milady.” He took her hand once more, placed a kiss on the back, and when to retrieve the chest. Rosemary stood with a smile, a blush, and a quick glance at her new obssession.