Arrival, Part 1

[Arithon]

Standing on the parapet of the low outer wall, Arithon narrowed his eyes and tried to focus on the specks of light approaching up the valley. Within a few moments his keen eyesight rewarded him with comprehension: the lights were sparks flying furiously from the pounding hooves of a team of iron-shod horses, moving at breakneck speed along the recently paved road. Though Arithon was curious about what urgency could drive a coach and team at that speed, Arithon made no attempt to take action, knowing that his security staff would intercept the coach and screen the occupants, and that if any emergency had arisen he would swiftly be apprised.

An hour later the coach, somewhat battered and splintered, pulled up in the main courtyard before Arithon. His practiced eye took in the disheveled and bleary-eyed driver and the spavined horses shedding great curds of sweat from their heaving flanks. An instant later, the coach door burst open and PJ exited so quickly she seemed to tumble to her feet. Stepping forward to embrace her, Arithon was stunned to see her followed by Lily, looking absolutely adoreable, and by an enormous knight in jet black armor. Suppressing an inward groan, Arithon quickly folded PJ into his arms, sheltering her face with his shoulder and chest, and using the opportunity to lock eyes with Lily, swiftly but effectively communicating an urgent need for damage control. Lily's flashing eyes indicated sure difficulties for Arithon in the near future, but she finally dropped her eyes in unspoken assent to his desire for a space in which to work; fortunately for Arithon, the hulking knight subsided at Lily's half-hidden gesture, and Arithon breathed a little more easily.

Easing his embrace a bit, Arithon looking down into PJ's face, immediately perceiving her distress, fear and confusion.

"PJ, beautiful...I'm so glad you've come back. Where on earth did you find the child?" Though the question was in need of a serious answer for Arithon, his tone was light and happy. As PJ explained the situation in a low voice, Arithon nodded, eyes widening in all the right places to convey his surprise. When PJ's tale faltered off at the end, Arithon firmly wrapped his arm around her waist and turned towards the waiting foyer. A pleasant, middle-aged woman in fine but serviceable linens waited by the door and Arithon nodded to her as he spoke.

"You must have so many questions...come, we'll relax in the study and I will try to answer them, if I can. Betta, please take Mistress Lily upstairs for a bath."

PJ's response, if any were forthcoming, was lost in the muffling force of his shoulder as her head dipped to relax against him. Before Lily skipped off to her bath, not without a backward glance at Arithon, she hugged PJ fiercely and tugger her down for a kiss. As the little girl's retreating footsteps echoed across the courtyard, the black knight followed more slowly, the gleam of red behind his visor promising a future encounter with Arithon.