Chapter One

"Your Majesty,May I present Lady Anais of Egypt. She will be your new Head Lady-in-waiting."

I bowed before Queen Katherine with the upmost respect.

"You may rise,"she said to me.

She looked at me up and down,as if I had already begun to offend her, before speaking again.

"Leave us,"she spoke to the other servants.

I soon became fearful of what would lie ahead for me.

"I need someone I can trust as my lady in waiting and they send me a Pagan?!"
I was told that the Queen was a devoted Catholic. I did not see this as an obstacle.

"Your Majesty,I shall inform you that I have converted soon after my journey here. I found that it would be disrespectful to serve such a gracious Queen and not share her faith. Such faith in our Lord is to be admired,for some lack such a thing."

She smiled at me with a warm kindness.
"The Lord has welcomed you with open arms,my dear child. Welcome to court. Now come,tell me about Egypt."

I was relieved that the Queen no longer seemed to despise me.

"Egypt is a beautiful place,Your Majesty. Filled with gold and silk. Gorgeous rivers and deserts fill the land and things are well and prosperous there."

"Then why would you leave,dear child?"

I tried desperately not to cry in the presence of the Queen of England.
"There is nothing left for me there,Your Majesty. My family is poor and my brothers died in battle. I started to seek ways that I could honor them. An Englishman came to my village for trade and thought that he might bee able to find a place for me here. To serve in Your Majesty's court is a great honor and privilege."

She looked saddened.
"There will always be a place for you in my court."

I bowed to her.
"Thank you,Your Majesty."

"I have something that I wish for you to do. I need you to take this message to His Majesty."She handed me a note.

"As you wish,Your Majesty." I said as I went to deliver the letter to the King.