In The Garden Of Lorraine by GrayOverload, on Flickr
After riding into the city via a secret gate, Cordelia’s attendants took her bags and brought them ahead of the weary princess, racing ahead to arrive to her room before she did. Armed and armored men of both factions rose to occasion, preparing the way before her with excited effort.
Once at the gate of the keep itself, Cordelia, Robert, and Archibald entered, with not a soldier to be seen in any direction. Through the gate lay the courtyard of Lindford Castle.
Upon entering, Cordelia was overwhelmed by the beauty of what she saw before her. Within the confines of the stone box that was the courtyard, a multitude of plant life was springing up in all directions. A stone covered path spread itself out before her, leading to three doors made of three different species of wood. The floor was covered with luscious grass, and flowers grew from the remains of stone parapets. Vines that were intricately grown and kept were growing on the walls, and a small birch sapling began to raise itself just below them. Across the way, a slightly larger, albeit still young, birch tree erected itself, reaching its leaves out to bask in the northern sun.
Slowing her pace, Cordelia lost herself in the greenery, spinning slowly as to allow her eyes to run over each and every detail. Archibald and Robert took note of the dazed princess, and took note to stop their stroll altogether.
“I see you are enjoying yourself, Your Radiance!” Robert chuckled, flashing a confident grin. He grasped the sword he owned very tightly in his left hand. No doubt the lack of Lion soldiers in the courtyard made him tense.
“I am, Robert!” Cordelia managed to say with an airy cheerfulness unlike her. The garden reminded her of the forests back home in the Lion Kingdom in the spring. Lush and brightly colored, she had yet to see anything quite like it here in the Wyvern Kingdom.
“Your Radiance, if you wish, I can explain the history of this garden in great detail.” Archibald stiffened to an attentive pose, holding his staff firmly in his right hand.
“Please do, High Priest.” Cordelia said, albeit somewhat absent minded. Her attention was focused mostly on the small patch of Autumn’s Loss flowers blooming just above a number of scarlet roses.
“Well, you see, Your Radiance, this courtyard was once very much like many other courtyards in dozens of other castles in the Nortlen, a mere pathway to aid in castle traveling.
“However, the Siege of Lindford in 18 SY decimated most of Lindford Castle’s furnishings, and as a result the balconies and bridge that connected across the courtyard were demolished. For many, many years, the courtyard was untouched and left in a slightly ruinous state, so as to remind the Kings what could occur if Lindford were to ever fall again.
“It was at the request of Princess Lorraine, King Martin V’s eldest daughter and Prince Martin’s oldest sister, that the courtyard be turned into a garden. Fair of hair and full of grace, Lorraine was a lover of nature and wise beyond her years. She worked with the servants and soldiers of this castle to create and maintain this garden. Lorraine was very well loved in the castle as a result, and many of the servants were saddened to see her leave for York.
“Nonetheless, they kept on her memory in the walls of this garden, forever keeping it as intricate and awe inspiring as it was during her time here.”
“Quite a tale, that is.” Robert said, calmly amazed by the surrounding leaves and blooms. “I see you have a wide variety of plants here, from all of the continents. How could they survive the harsh winters here in the north?”
“Normally, the frosts would have come already and sent most, if not all, of the garden into a temporary sleep.” Archibald remarked. “However, with the strange change in seasons, the garden has been able to remain alive and well as if there was never anything else.”
“Amazing.” was all Cordelia managed to say. While her initial predictions on her journey north were full of dread, she began to realize that the north could be just what she needed to sooth her worried mind.
Many more photos on Brickshelf. The fifth chapter of A Lion In The Wyvern's Nest. C&C welcome, as always.
