Rylen was settling in for the night when he heard impatient knocking. It wasn't too loud, just urgent. His servants looked appalled. Rylen couldn't blame them; who could be so disrespectful as to knock in such a manner, and so late, too?
He signalled to them to go to the door, and it opened to reveal Mara. Rylen was standing up before he even thought about it, as Mara's expression was enough to make him alarmed. Her expression was a mix of horror and fright.
She bowed. "I am sorry, Prince Rylen, but please, would you be kind enough to come with me?" Mara pleaded. She kept her head bowed as she spoke, and her grip on the hem of her dress was a little too tight, as though she was fighting hard to keep her composure.
Rylen turned his attention to his servants, dismissing them. They exited quickly, none of them saying a word or even glancing at Mara. The maid kept her head bowed as she stepped aside to make way.
Only when they were alone did he ask, "What happened, Mara?"
