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| Vale of the White Horse | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: 5 Jan 2010, 13:03 (19,401 Views) | |
| Sonja | 8 Jan 2010, 16:59 Post #91 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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Eiluned glanced over her shoulder at Briallen. 'We are already doing everything we can to ease the headaches, my lady. But perhaps I have not yet heard of Braegne's recipe. This is where the supplies arrive each morning,' she said then and pointed at the side entrance, where a cart was just being unloaded. |
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| Marieke | 8 Jan 2010, 17:05 Post #92 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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'I will ask her to make it later,' she said. Somehow, Eiluned's glance had felt accusing. The rest of the morning was spent discovering the household of Caer March. She didn’t say that she understood perfectly well what most of the places were for – she had taken care of her father’s home before he died, hadn’t she, and Shadow Well had been twice as large. Instead she thanked Eiluned politely. She was hungry – she had not eaten much that morning – and quickly hurried back to the dining hall. Though it was not usual for staff to eat at the table’s during the day, she sat down and stared at the worn-down tapestries. Braegne was not yet back. Perhaps she should go back to her room, but Briallen needed something to distract her. Observing the minimal coming and going of serving men and women helped – a little. |
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| Sonja | 8 Jan 2010, 17:12 Post #93 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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After leaving Briallen, Eiluned hastened herself to Tudwrig's chambers. If he felt well enough - and she hoped he did, now that there was a new purpose for him in his castle -, now was the time to make another appearance. Everytime a new wife for the chieftain had arrived, Eiluned couldn't help but hoping it would mark a turning point; that things would be improving. But after two failures - well, perhaps the third time was the charm? She knocked and put her ear to the door. Nothing. She hesitated briefly, then opened the door to a chink and looked inside. The scene inside made her shut the room quickly and bolt the door. With a grave shake of her head, Eiluned walked back to inform Briallen that her intended husband did not feel all too well, but that perhaps he'd be sufficiently restored before nightfall. |
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| Marieke | 8 Jan 2010, 17:14 Post #94 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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'Oh. Well, never mind,' she managed to say. 'Perhaps at supper then. Oh, Braegne, there you are. Have you brought some embroidery work?' |
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| Sonja | 8 Jan 2010, 17:19 Post #95 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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'Yes, my lady,' Braegne said and put the basket she was carrying down. 'And I shall be repairing some garments.' 'Braegne, the lady told me about your herbal draughts. Would you perhaps care to brew them after you have finished your mending?' 'Oh - of course, miss.' Eiluned nodded. 'I will leave you to your work, then.' When the older woman was out of earshot, Braegne turned to Briallen. 'What does she need them for?' |
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| Marieke | 8 Jan 2010, 17:23 Post #96 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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'I thought for lord Tudwrig. I asked if they had a phycisian, but apparently they tend to him without such consult. I wondered if nothing could be done about these pains.' She took up the thing she was working on. A sweet little shirt, she was working on a pattern of flying birds now. Baby clothes. She had started on it in Shadow Well, but now that she was here, and the ceremony only a few days away, the whole idea of marriage seemed surreal. |
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| Sonja | 8 Jan 2010, 17:29 Post #97 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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'I shall do my best, then,' Braegne said, not without anxiety. It'd be simply awful if lord Tudwrig's condition worsened after imbibing one of her draughts. She got an undergarment from the basket and started mending the seam, which had come loose. 'Is the lord still indisposed?' |
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| Marieke | 8 Jan 2010, 17:31 Post #98 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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'I'm afraid so.' Briallen heard her own sigh. 'What did you think of him last night? I want your honest opinion.' |
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| Sonja | 8 Jan 2010, 17:38 Post #99 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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'Well, he did seem like he hadn't had a breeze of fresh air for weeks,' Braegne muttered, bent over her mending, 'and frightfully confused just before he left.' |
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| Marieke | 8 Jan 2010, 17:46 Post #100 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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Briallen said nothing, but agreed with her maid in silence. She tried to stop her unease by telling herself that the man had lost two young wives shortly after the wedding. He must be nervous to have her around. That'd be all. Time passed slowly. Starting tomorrow, she decided to take up as many tasks in the household as she could permit herself. Of course she wasn't married to Tudwrig yet; it would be a bit presumtious to take charge already. She'd speak to Eiluned. Surely the woman would understand. Rhywallon sat in the corner of the tavern, out of the light that fell through the half-open door. With his hand he eased the burned side of his face. It had ceased to hurt years ago, yet sometimes he thought he could almost feel the burning again, and he had to convince himself that there were no flames creeping up his flesh. The girl had been an unexpected element in his plan. She paid well, that's why he would take her with him. So she wanted to seek refuge in Caer March. It was well enough that she had decided to go to the castle, even if the stories about the place and its chieftain were unflattering at least, disturbing and unsettling at most. |
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| Sonja | 8 Jan 2010, 18:05 Post #101 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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The day wore on, and Eiluned grew increasingly worried. If Tudwrig did not make an appearance this day, things might not look as good as they seemed now - even though it was hardly what you'd call a fine situation. But after dusk had fallen and dinner was just about to be served, he surprised her by nearly walking into her in the hallway. 'Ah - my lord, you are well, I see.' 'For the moment, at least.' Tudwrig attempted a smile, but it was more of a grimace. 'Tell Briallen that I'll be with her in a few moments. I need to refresh myself first.' Eiluned made a bow and hastened herself to the dining room. It was late in the day when Gwenllian made her way downstairs. She hadn't slept very well; dreaming of being chased and caught as she did. There were still some things to take care of before departure tomorrow, though, so she washed quickly, brushed her hair and went downstairs. Needles and thread, provisions, her bodyguard's name - she went over the list a couple of times and nodded. That would do for now. Gwenllian entered the tap-room and looked around. She almost looked past him, sitting in the shadows of that same corner. After a fruitless attempt to brush the creases from her dress, she walked up to him and said her greetings in a polite voice. |
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| Marieke | 8 Jan 2010, 18:19 Post #102 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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‘Lord Tudwrig asked me to let you know he will be here for supper shortly,’ Eiluned told the lady Briallen, who looked less tired than yesterday but still a little pale. The woman wondered if it was still exhaustion from the journey, or that the situation in Caer March made the young bride so ill at ease. ‘He looked well,’ she added, hoping to cheer her up. ‘I’m glad for him,’ she managed to say, looking up with a forced smile. She felt nervous. Suddenly it seemed better that he never come out of his room; she would never have to marry him and could return home, to where things were warm and inviting and familiar. His head snapped up, hand dropping down on the table. Was she going to bother him every time until they departed, he wondered irritated. It would be best, then, to have her know that he was not here to be her friend, however much she might be craving one. Her face looked wan; probably she had not slept so well, or not at all maybe. It must be distressing to be on the run as a woman. If her husband’s men would not cease this flight for freedom soon, it’d be robbers, thieves and rapists. The girl was aware of this, or she hadn’t hired a bodyguard. ‘Good morning.’ |
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| Sonja | 8 Jan 2010, 18:33 Post #103 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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His refreshment wasn't much more than a quick wash and a cursory meeting with a hairbrush, but it did managed to make him feel more human and less of a...thing. Tudwrig wasn't dreading to appear in public this time, which was a welcome change from usual. Perhaps he could make feel Briallen a little more at ease, too. He opened the door to the dining hall and walked to the highest table, where he greeted his fiancée with a bow and a rare, genuine smile. 'I'm sorry to have kept you waiting all day,' he said as he took his place. Gwenllian was a bit taken aback by the look in his eyes. He didn't seem all too pleased to see her, which struck her as odd; she was paying him well, wasn't she? Well, perhaps he didn't think of being courteous before he'd gotten his money. He certainly was the type for such behavior. 'I won't bother you for very long,' she said, 'I just wanted to discuss some things before we leave.' |
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| Marieke | 8 Jan 2010, 18:44 Post #104 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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‘Eiluned showed me around,’ she said as he sat down. ‘I was hoping tomorrow I could pick up some tasks. I’m not used to spending an afternoon doing very little.’ She bowed her head. ‘I hope you will not take it as criticism, my lo – Tudwrig. The past years I have been nursing my sickly mother. I feel a bit restless, this far from home. I hope you are well. It must be draining to suffer so much.’ He would’ve sought her out later this day, Rhywallon thought. Obviously she did not trust him to understand the bargain, or otherwise she didn’t quite understand herself. ‘I suppose you’ll want to get a few supplies,’ he said. ‘Since you are hiring me, you may rest assured that I will provide with what we need along the way. This includes some consideration to timing.’ |
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| Sonja | 8 Jan 2010, 19:13 Post #105 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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'I am used to it,' he waved her concern away. 'This is your house too, now. You may do as you please, and I'm sure Eiluned will welcome the help.' Like the evening before, he filled Briallen's plate and poured her wine. 'Your mother is sick, you say?' She moistened her lips and sat down. Inexperienced in these matters though she was, she didn't think it was proper for a hireling to talk like this to his contractor. But beggars can't be choosers, and she was well aware hat the proverbial beggar in this case was she herself. 'I have every faith in your experience,' she answered. 'There are two other things, though. First, I shall like to know your name.' |
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| Marieke | 8 Jan 2010, 19:20 Post #106 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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‘Beyond the hopes of recovery, yes,’ Briallen said, sipping from her glass. ‘It was by her request that I stayed in Shadow Well. I am an only child, you see. My father honoured this wish, despite my age. But as you know, he died very suddenly and my uncle has his own household to manage. I understand very well.’ But though she tried to keep the bitter hurt from her voice, she knew that she would have given everything to have been allowed to stay for a while longer, to at least see to her mother until she, too, had left her. She quickly changed the subject. ‘I’ve asked my maid to prepare you a calming draught. It is harmless, nothing alarming,’ she added quickly. ‘I had hoped they might bring a small relief to your ailment.’ - ‘My name bears little importance,’ he answered easily. ‘But if it inspires some false sense of familiarity in you; it’s Rhywallon.’ |
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| Sonja | 8 Jan 2010, 19:36 Post #107 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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'I am sorry to hear that,' he said and touched her arm briefly. Briallen sounded terribly upset about the situation. It was regrettable, but there wasn't much he could do about it. At hearing about the calming draught, he raised an eyebrow. 'Ah? Well, I certainly hope it will be a relief. You have my thanks for your concern.' He smiled at her. Right now, all he inspired in her was a slightly insulted feeling. She had no idea how to react to that remark, so she decided to ignore it. Let no one accuse her of being impolite. 'My name is Gwenllian,' she said, 'you were gone before I could properly introduce myself.' She smiled at him. 'I would like to leave right after breakfast tomorrow.' |
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| Marieke | 8 Jan 2010, 19:46 Post #108 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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‘Not at all.’ By the dear gods of the ancient stories, this was awkward! ‘If we’re to be married…I mean, of course I wish you to be well.’ That didn’t sound so good, as if she only wanted an able-bodied husband. Of course, that’s what she wanted, but – ‘Do you think you are up to discussing my uncle’s treaty after supper?’ she asked more kindly. He smiled at her, aware that it couldn’t look very friendly with his disfigured face. ‘Well, Gwenllian, perhaps I should point out to you that is I who makes decisions such as leaving and staying. That is, if you want my services.’ |
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| Sonja | 8 Jan 2010, 20:00 Post #109 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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His smile changed to a regretful expression. 'I wish the situation was different,' was all he said on the matter before falling silent to eat the food on his plate. But if wishing alone was enough, this situation wouldn't even exist as such. Tudwrig emptied his cup. 'The treaty - yes, of course, if you want. I feel well enough.' - She was too baffled to speak and simply sat staring at him. 'Well,' she managed after a few moments, 'you have made your point.' This was certainly an awkward sort of situation. 'The other thing I wanted to know - it if should please you to tell me -, is what those conditions you were talking about are.' Her voice had a faint edge to it. 'Your deciding of leaving and staying is apparently one of them.' |
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| Marieke | 8 Jan 2010, 20:07 Post #110 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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She nodded. For a long time, they both said nothing at all. Briallen finished her food and hoped that he would speak up. Anything…anything would do! He inclined his head in agreement. ‘First you must understand that I’m a hired man doing dirty things for people who pay me a lot of money.’ If there was mockery in his voice, she wouldn’t hear it. There was no point denying it; he’d been a good man once. That was before he had found out that the only way to protect those dear to him as to become an evil creature instead. ‘I’ll have my business apart from you. If we stay a bit longer at this place or leave that place somewhat earlier than you had desired, it is part of the cost. Otherwise I just want you to be sensible and listen to the advise of your bodyguard. That way I can assure you you’ll get to Caer March in one piece, without being robbed, raped or starving.’ |
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| Sonja | 8 Jan 2010, 20:19 Post #111 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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After a while, he lost his appetite and pushed his food around his plate for a while. Briallen wasn't saying much, and who was he to blame her? He wasn't very good in keeping conversations alive. The servants came and went with the empty plates and dishes. Tudwrig ran a hand through his hair and coughed. 'The treaty - you wanted to discuss it?' he finally managed. He was still feeling remarkably well. Gwenllian wasn't all too sure she liked the idea of these conditions, but there wasn't much use in protesting. It was something she was going to have to deal with. 'I understand completely,' she said in as normal a tone as she could, 'I'll defer to you.' Looked like this was going to cost her more than just money. Speaking of money - she unhooked the little purse from her belt and put it on the table, in front of Rhywallon. |
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| Marieke | 8 Jan 2010, 20:26 Post #112 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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She looked up, glad that he seemed at least as ill at ease as she. ‘Yes. Well, there isn’t much to discuss,’ she said. ‘You’ll just have to sign it so that Bryn can take it back to Salk Lake’s Reach after the ceremony. But I thought you would probably want to look into it. See if all conditions are set out to your like.’ She swallowed, watching his face. ‘My first share?’ He slowly shoved the little bag toward him with one hand. ‘Then you have a bodyguard from this point onward.’ He paused, regarding her face. She looked stubborn, but also frightened. ‘This means you’ll have to tell me your story in full, not just the general version. Who is hunting you? What can I expect?' |
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| Sonja | 8 Jan 2010, 20:39 Post #113 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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He nodded. 'I shall read it through with you, then. Do you have it on you, or should I send Eiluned to fetch it?' he asked, pouring another cup of wine for him and Briallen. It was difficult, this situation. He'd never liked marrying without getting to know the woman in question first, but he hadn't much choice in this, either. She ordered a drink first, then thought of where best to begin. Gwenllian wasn't about to spin a sob-story, because he didn't seem like the type to enjoy it at all. 'It's my husband who is after me. He took a little too much pleasure from his fists to suit me, and I left. His father is the chieftain of Cavern Hill, and he has many good men he can send. I don't know exactly how many are after me, I didn't stop to find out, but I'm sure they will have gotten orders to do anything possible to bring me back.' |
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| Marieke | 8 Jan 2010, 20:48 Post #114 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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‘No, I have it…Since Eiluned said you might be down for supper this evening.’ She retrieved the treaty from her deepest pocket and couldn’t quite hide how her hands were shaking. ‘As you can see, it is still sealed. I have not read it, nor has anyone else.’ She looked up from the scroll to her husband-to-be. ‘I am aware that the Vale of the White Horse is under silent Roman occupation. My father and uncle did and do not much agree with that, though both acknowledge that it seems unstoppable. You’ll find that they wish for me to uphold as many of our traditional customs as possible. This includes the ceremony of marriage and a certain freedom in observing the rituals of our own faith. I don’t know how much you have allied yourself with the Romans…’ She left it as an open question. He took her words in without much commentary. He had thought she looked wan, but now those dark circles under her eyes might not be just from lack of sleep. ‘I see. Once you are in the Vale you should comfort yourself that Cavern Hill will not look so freely for you.’ |
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| Sonja | 8 Jan 2010, 20:56 Post #115 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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'I quite agree with your family,' he said with a trace of bitterness in his voice. The silent Roman occupation had been the only way he knew to keep his people safe, and if other chieftains thought him less of a leader for that - well, that was their problem. He had other things to worry about. 'I am doing my best to uphold as many traditions as I can, but you'll understand that sometimes I have to make a genuflection in the direction of Rome, if only out of courtesy.' Tudwrig took the treaty and broke the seal. 'You have not read it yet, but I would ask you to read it with me. We are not yet married, but I believe man and wife should have no secrets from each other.' 'I should hope so,' Gwenllian sighed and passed a weary hand across her face. To hell with showing no weakness; she was deadly tired after two weeks on the run and the near escape that previous day. 'How is your leg coming along?' she asked then. |
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| Deleted User | 8 Jan 2010, 21:06 Post #116 |
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Deleted User
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Aeronwy woke up quite late. The sun had already risen and peeked through her window. Last night she sneaked in, because nobody had answered her doorknock. She thought nobody would mind, the room had been vacant anyway. And she would leave a payment, of course. She got up from the floor, on which she'd slept, because she thought sleeping on the bed would've been quite insulting and she preferred the floor anyway. It was too late now to leave before anyone would notice, so Aeronwy decided to sneak down the stairs and order breakfast, as if she'd just walked in. Perhaps it was busy and nobody would notice her. It went quite as she had imagined, except for a maid looking at her quite suspiciously when she walked down the stairs in her dusty, ragged clothes. Aeronwy shrugged and smiled at her, which caused her to shake her head and walk away. Aeronwy grinned. Smoothe. She sought out a table and looked around for someone who she could ask for some bread and milk. |
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| Marieke | 8 Jan 2010, 21:12 Post #117 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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‘Alright.’ He was making a great effort to please her, Briallen knew. It was nice of him. It was a stroke of good fortune that he was not a bitter, lonely prat despite the seclusion of this area. Of course she knew what the treaty would say; at least her father’s brother had not made up the terms of marriage without consulting her. She knew he had loved and respected his brother too much for that. ‘I wondered, my lord; there seems to be no settlement with Caer March. At Shadow Well there was one in the shadow of the castle, and my uncle lives near one as well.’ ‘You are tired,’ he observed. ‘Are you sure you will be fit to go on tomorrow after breakfast?’ |
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| Sonja | 8 Jan 2010, 21:22 Post #118 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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'This area isn't very populated anymore; there used to be a settlement when my grandfather was chieftain. Now it's just a ruin.' That was all he wanted to say on the topic, and he hoped that she wouldn't ask any further. 'Now, as for that treaty.' He unrolled it and placed cups on each corner to keep it from rolling up again. It was a treaty as treaties often come; his second marriage had been accompanied with one very much like it. Thinking of those days made his head hurt with a dull ache and he closed his eyes for a moment. 'That all seems to be in order,' he finally said. 'After another night's rest I will, and I should like to leave as soon as possible in any case.' She could snatch some sleep in the saddle if things got too bad, anyway. She drank from her cup and put it down. 'You haven't counted the money I gave you yet,' she added quietly. The maid shuffled a little listlessly over to the table of the newcomer and cocked her head. 'What can I get you, miss?' |
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| Deleted User | 8 Jan 2010, 21:24 Post #119 |
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Deleted User
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"A cup filled with fresh milk from the cow and some bread to go with it," Aeronwy answered, smiling politely. "And I wonder if you could give me directions to the Vale of the White Horse. It's supposed to be not far from here, I understand." |
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| Marieke | 8 Jan 2010, 21:38 Post #120 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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‘Good.’ She leaned back. He did not seem to look forward too much to this agreement. Oh, he was agreeable and friendly, but why had he sought a third marriage if he couldn’t even tell her he was glad for it? Perhaps he did not like her. She’d always thought herself fairly pretty (nothing she would say to anyone, not even Braegne) but perhaps he only liked fair-haired girls, or perhaps he was still mourning the death of his last wife. ‘You…’ the word hang in the air uncomfortably. ‘…I have understood you have been married twice before.’ He smiled, and again did his skin stretch painfully over one side of his skull. ‘I felt the weight and unless you have replaced the coins with a very carefully measured pile of pebbles, it should be alright.’ Edited by Marieke, 13 Aug 2010, 12:50.
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