He looked at Daxia and thought about it for a moment.
"No, that is alright but thank you for the offer. A lady of White with me will further reduce any chance of danger. Very very few will risk hurting one of her order." he said, nodding to the red headed woman in respect.
He turned to look at the young woman who asked for permission to speak.
“Thank you," she said with a nod that turned into a couple more as she tried to acknowledge several groups of people. “I asked to speak, because… well, because I was rude and impertinent earlier. For that I apologize. I was caught up in a role at which I had already failed. Desperate to cling to something that was never mine in the first place… It carried over in distrust and fear.”
Gone was the perfect inflection and Imperial tone. She still had the accent common to Trundle on the Hill, as that is the place she lived. She shrugged.
“I can’t help Kristine any further… but maybe she can help us.”
Again she looked around at everyone. She had stopped with the burdensome speech where every word was precise and without contraction. She felt a confidence in her idea, but not in her ‘permission’ to hold the floor for so long when she hadn’t earned it.
“No one approached Squire Conrad or Lad… Comfrey nor myself, either coming or going from the Hospice. I suppose there was no point in it. In a way, Squire Conrad’s point about who he is and what he represents… A Khorall’s son and a Squire of Rames all in one... That is important to remember. Comfrey is a Lady of Aterra. For myself, I don’t know… I wore a hooded cloak, but maybe I looked like someone these factions and thieves thought twice before approaching. Maybe not, but the point is… It would take quite a sizeable sum of courage OR a fear greater than that of the due consequences of harming either of those two to cause anyone to make a move on them.”
And she smiled again, as though she had reached the part of her telling where she would unveil her idea.
“We don’t know how many factions, or what their alliances are, nor do we know what they know. We can’t even hope to figure that out because even now our time dwindles before someone grows impatient and does something.”
“We need a diversion… but one that can’t be challenged… One that will become so public as to draw the eyes and ears of all Cragside. Something to bring everyone to their windows and to the streets. A parade. One where a visiting Imperial Lady, escorted by the Squire and a Lady of Aterra can make their presence known to greet the people as they walk to the Punched Penny. To escort a young lady back with us on our walk through the streets.”
“How often does an Imperial from the Grand Palace in Trundle on the Hill come here? It can’t be that often right? They spend too much time worried about each other to actually do anything useful… for anyone. Such a visit would attract attention… and maybe open up back alleys for some others to slip quietly around the town to investigate other things… a wounded man’s trail…a lock… the locations of our enemies.”
“I can do this. I can walk and talk like an Imperial. I even have the clothes.”
She dropped her eyes in concentration for a moment. “I’d have to wash them, and mend them real fast… and I would need to do my hair.”
She looked up again, undaunted in her enthusiasm. “A lot to do… but there is some time. It would be a risk, but it isn’t one I haven’t been taking for many days already. We can do this. Would you consider it? Yes?”
"I think. If you secure the lady against retaliation - in case she is as she says - the next issue. Would be to confuse the issue further as to exactly where the key is. Why should we be the only people who do not know what is going on? Why not. . play a shell game? We might even be able to get multiple people to jump at once. Perhaps even at eachother? Between YOu and COnrad and that, , ,perhaps we can seize, at least somewhat, the initiative?" "
Last edited by Art in the Blood; Sun 27/11/1101:31 UTC.
"Hmmm." He considers, nodding. "I believe that might work, yes. It should certainly draw the eyes to you. If you are to bring her back here, though, we should warn The Captain and the Innkeeper. We invite danger to come visit this place."
"How long it take to arrange this? The longer it be, the more the trail fades."
With a gesture at the ruff, she adds, "We must find starting point. Ask again, who can show us where he last seen this hurt man? Rain may have washed away trace."
Daxia nodded to Conrad, then listened to Camelia's plan. She grinned. "Good to see in you Koromov I see in Verchovai Dandelion last night. Clever plan." She considered Mikal's comments. "Bad idea involving Captain and Horde. I think... not good payment for hospitality, yes?" To Darian, she said, "Cesare say he see where man go."
Turning back to Camelia, she said, "Imperial go visit Khorall, yes? Escort girl to Khorall Shannon. She safe there, yes?" Daxia looked at Conrad for verification.
The Heartwood Noon, the Town of Cragside Restday The Last Day of the Month of Raven, 2623
Even upon a Restday the town of Cragside was a slowly building bustle. Breakfasts and midday meals still had to be made, as el as the preparations for dinner in a little bit. Carts pulled by oxen rattle clattered up the cobbled streets, a dull echoing the commons of the Hart and Horse. From the kitchen Missus Jake held court, summoning her daughters and then sending them off on their chores. The water retrieved from the well arrived a long while ago, now supplementing the stew - which got an additional infusion of fresh vegetables - and set to work for the afternoon meals.
The commons slowly became more crowded, mostly from townsfolk not demanded by their own businesses today, and mostly their attention centered on Jake's bar and a pint or so of imported beer; as if perhaps to make sure they got their steins filled before the stocks run low over the next two months. The Horde mercenaries were a constant in and out upon their own business, mostly too and from the stables, or at least the beyond the common's back door where eventually comes the noise of practice and sparring. Of the small cluster of folks who claimed their hospitality last night, they are given a wide berth, left to their own devices.
"Ma'am ... you must be Lady Comfrey right?"
There were also the occasional runners, young lads to carry missives up and down the street.
"Ma'am Alice has need of you back in the Hospice, could you be a comin' with?"
And with that the young Atteran begged her leave, answering the summons of superior and church. Leaving just snippets of conversation dashing around the commons, tangled bits like jigsaw pieces broadcast like seeds come the spring planting.
" ... cor ... I am so glad I am not Rafe this morning."
" ... we're you up at the barn this morn? A handful of pennies for a loaf of bread; winters going to be hard, says the missus."
" ... my coin's says betrothed to the oldest Shannon lad, why else to come up all this way?"
" ... bad day to be one of the guard. Heard tell were dragging a pair of bodies out of an alley just past the big well.
" ... saw a mountain slink out on the edge of the in the dawning; weather must be real bad higher up."
" ... aye bucko, she is in a rare mood this morn. Now there's a brave lad for being her sparring mate ...
" ... Nobles argue and its us who take the hurt for it, isn't it always like that?"
" ... heard tell they were wearing the punched penny, but the Guild didn't claim them."
" ... broke a pell up at the guild house ..."
" ... between them and last night, a fel way to be starting the storm season, aye"
Lunch brought platters of bread and fruit out to the tables, along with wooden bowls for those who wanted stew.
The rest of the town then took a small break, having completed their morning tasks.
Whatever planning still remained, the group had achieved a consensus with regards to the general plan. Camelia's proposal to return to the role of Lady Kristine Melissa Deynekko and have the Squire Conrad Shannon escort her on a 'tour' of the town, with the hopes of drawing public attention toward themselves. They would walk to the Punched Penny and attempt to escort the young girl, whose claim was that her father had owned the darksteel key, and escort her to a place of safety. While that place was still in question and open to discussion, it was agreed that this would serve as a good distraction while three other groups of two would exit the Hart and Horse to begin investigations aimed at uncovering information that might enable them to level the playing field on which they stood. Thieves and Guildsmen and Mark mercenaries... and quite possibly more than that, awaited them in the shadows and the three groups of fate-gathered heroes had to get some information in order to grasp what ground they tread amongst them all.
Kadri continued to hold the key, and she and Daxia would begin their investigations into the warehouse district.The simple hope was that there be an actual lock on a door on a building that might fit this key. Perhaps something obvious like a darksteel lock. But chances were that nothing so obvious existed in so open a place. But it was a place to start.
Cesare and Darian, with her faithful ruff, Longtooth, would return to the alley in as surreptitious a manner and as roundabout a route as they could in the hopes they might find the scent of the wounded man from the night they entered the town. Track him and determine if he could be located and approached or would they have to simply gather the information and retreat until more of them could pursue whatever they learned in further detail.
Lastly, Ceili and Mikal would play eyes on the street as they wandered towards the Guild like any other guild members would, so that they could learn what could be learned about the Mercenary Company called the Mark. Their task would be to at least put names and faces and a working knowledge of the troops of soldiers who were in residence in this town and could well cause trouble for the group's current hosts. If there was contract information to be had, and who held such, then they wanted to know that as well.
To effect her plan Camelia would have to clean up, do her hair, and mend Kristine's clothing in order to make it presentable. Much could be hidden beneath a cloak, but part of the point was to make sure people saw the full-length purple over-tunic with the Deynekko black and gold checkerboard cuffs, hem and key collar.
Camelia would also leave a note, handwritten in her typical schooled and fine penmanship.
Quote
I have always wished for a sister, either younger or older. But I never had such fortune. I often asked other servant girls about their siblings, just to learn what their lives were like and imagine what mine might have been. They always told me that siblings were both the best and the worst things imaginable. No end to the difficulties and yet, the bond of love was infinite between them.
I am sorry. I was rude to you. I had no cause to be when you did nothing but offer me hospitality. I couldn't accept that I would stand face to face with another person who looked exactly as I did. Someone older than me, as though I stared into a reflecting glass at what a few handfuls of years would bring me. But then to realize we shared the same mother and to understand how vastly different our lives were. I had difficulty accepting that you and I were siblings and that I knew nothing of you or even that Erika was another sister. I know her in only the most distant manner. That is to say that I didn't really know her at all. So much to accept and believe and then to understand. So many questions...
Then I saw the flowers in your room.
More over, I will now apologize for the mess of trouble I will bring into your life. I am your younger sister and I suppose that is what I am supposed to do. But you don't deserve it, and you certainly didn't ask for it. The group I now travel with have found ourselves in a dangerous place, from people and places we know not the depth and breadth of. You offered us hospitality and I know we are about to upset the balance of peace in Cragside now. But, there is a young girl who asked for our help. If she is who she claims, then I can not turn my back on her. Others have threatened her life. I can not accept that to stand. I was not raised to shy away from helping the weak and defenseless. My group and I act in concert now, and we must see through the things we have found ourselves embroiled in, but that will surely bring an Eastern Wind, as the expression goes.
I fear that from the very moment I entered your life, and you mine, that we were bound to share a destined fate for a length of time that only the Fates themselves might know. From the moment I entered the Hart and Horse, I brought trouble with me and it is spilling out in front of you. I am sorry for that. Truly I am.
I want to get to know you. I want to hear every story about you, and hear every story you know. I want to hear everything about Mom... and there is so much I want to tell you about her and I. I hope I get the chance. I want to love you as a younger sister should love an older sister... and more.
Cami
*****
OOC edit- sorry guys. I tried to get this up after I got home, but Mike and I posted withing a few seconds, but he was gone. don't know where we stand on this. have to wait for him to tell us what stands and what goes. the part about Comfrey leaving us changes things a bit.
Last edited by Phoenix Prime; Mon 28/11/1116:17 UTC. Reason: I have removed reference to Comfrey, since the GM has extracted the character from game
After hearing the "plan", including her part in the affair, Celi wasn't sure how to react. Her "role" had been proposed by Camilia, without any substantive corroboration from Mikal. No doubt *he* knew how to dress and how to behave, and perhaps even what sorts of things to say. *She*, on the other hand, did not.
She moved closer to Mikal, and leaned in to whisper, "Can you instruct me in the ways I must be accoutered and how I must behave as your consort in this assignment? I will do aught that you require, but I need some guidance. I understand you are ill-favored toward 'sword-wenches', or whatever you wish to call women at arms. I do not wish to make you angry, or embarrass you. an you help me here...?"
Well he is pleasantly surprised when she takes his hand. He is stunned when she stands and then kisses his cheek, leading him back to the others. He cannot remember more than a handful of times when he has ever been lost for words, but this is one of them. But he does find a smile on his face and a thought in his mind. His father made a huge sacrifice for this girl and her mother as far as he could tell. According to the Captain, his father was best friends with her father. Maybe he has had the first glimpse of the charm, the worth that his father must have valued so much. And maybe one tiny step towards understanding.. maybe..
Back with the others, he listens as she outlines her plan, providing a use for herself that he had not thought of and the plan has merit. He squeezes her hand in encouragement, then lets it go so she can stand on her own merit.
His eyes find Darian's.
"Yes, I can show you. I guess Longtooth is a good tracker though the trail may be cold or washed away. Still it is worth checking."
He nods.
"Be glad to work with you."
Looking back at the others.
"We should meet up back here - say two hours? We need to coordinate and to exchange information - and to count heads to make sure everyone is accounted for. If you cannot come, try to send word - or leave word here with the innkeeper. May the Fates smile on us all."
He smiles at Darian, a nod he is ready and turns to head out the door.
She returns Cesare's nod and smile then rises from her seat. She pauses in pushing the chair back in long enough for Longtooth to bring himself out from under the table. Of all, he is the least suspicsious in an alley. Animals do not use chamber pots.
The huntress acquires a couple of travel breads from the inn and offers one to Cesare as they leave.
She is no stranger to subterfuge and camouflage of this nature, though it is different in the city. A brief nod as she bit into the bread and obviously follows his pointing with her gaze.
Darian gestured towards Longtooth. "He need to ..."
A pause as she considered how to say it. "...use chambers? Place out of main walk?"
As they discussed, the groups were all supposed to leave roughly at the same time. He knows it will take Camelia a little time to straighten and clean herself and her clothing up. So he looks at Celi when she talks to him. He'd never said anything openly about how he felt about sword-bitches, and truth be told he doesn't hold the same level of 'ill-favour' as many of his peers do.
To him it is simply a matter of build. Very few women, perhaps Daxia and Captain Dandelion are exceptions, have the upper body strength to properly wield heavy weapons. He wouldn't question their stamina. He's known a number of women who could work a man into the ground. But to consistently swing a 5 or 10 or 20 pound piece of metal overhead for any length of time..., well, no. Bows, perhaps. Daggers, certainly, but heavy swords, generally not. With exceptions.
But he is always willing to let someone prove themselves before he forms an opinion. And as soon as they leave this inn now they are in potential danger. So perhaps there might be a good use to put the time to while they wait for Camelia.
"We will talk about that, and how those we encounter might see you. At least you do not wear a sword, so you should not encounter their scorn. Still...., come with me. I'd like to see who is guarding my back."
He stands up and gestures for Celi to come with him. He leads the way out back, looking for a secluded space behind the barn, and out of view of any casual on-looker or any of the Horde who may also be sparring.
Finding a spot, he turns and says. "Once we leave, we may be assaulted at some spot, as we saw last night in the alley. I'd like you to show me what you can do with those knives of yours, and I will show you in turn my own sword work. Perhaps these few minutes will save one of us a cut later."
[ooc: uno momento. I am bouncing my planned response off our brilliant, stylish, and clever GM, so that I don't assume too much (thereby making an ASS out of U and ME = ASS-U-ME).]
Daxia watched Cesare leave with Darian and Longtooth, then Mikal with Celi. She got up, and walked over to where Kadri stilll stood. She touched her hair, then the sword at her side. "Look like Allaine, carry sword. Not too good, am thinking. Why ask?"
Daxia considered it, but looked skeptical. "Probably can keep sword hidden under cloak. Anyone really know Allaines, though... see blue eyes, get suspicious." She shrugged. "Shannon hold lands for Allaines through Kierkegaards. Maybe not been Allaine in Cragside for many years." She regarded Kadri for several heartbeats. "You think it work, though... we try."
"Well. . you say. . you attract attention either way, as a servant of you attracting attention, I am invisible - except, of course, to . . certain people." .
She nodded slowly. "We try your way, then." She glanced at the door leading out to the stables. "Wish to speak with Verchovai Dandelion first, ok? Should not leave soon after others, yes?"
Daxia just shrugged. "Think maybe I trust her Horde. Back soon..." Daxia's lopsided smile was somewhat pained. "If she not thump me too much." With that what, she took a deep breath, then headed out the door towards the stables and the sparring yard beyond.
She could see that her temple-sister was, indeed, in a rare mood as one of her men had said. The man just barely holding his own against her must be the Rafe they had spoken of. Dandelion's style of sparring was somewhat different than what Gillyflower had taught her; no doubt the difference between Gillyflower and Poppy Gwynn, who had instructed Dandelion. Watching the other Dayalan was interesting, however. Her parries were sometimes rather inventive, and her footwork looked more dance-like than anything Gilly had taught Daxia. She simply waited, and watched, until the two fighters backed away from one another to take a break.
When she was able to catch Dandelion's eye, she said, "Verchovai? A few words?"
Camelia had set about her self-appointed tasks with an energy and enthusiasm strong enough to move the Black Mountains or divert the Silk Creek. Upstairs, the back-rooms, wherever she could find to do the things she needed to get done. She put the flat-irons and flat glass smoothers to the heat. She found a mangle board. Hustling like an ant, each task had steps and she balanced them so she could run back and forth. Her clothes, Kristine's clothes, had to be mended and then washed and pressed dry, then air-dried, as much as could be managed in the short time she had. Heat drying would help as well. She had herself to bathe, and she knew that would not be the best effort as time was precious, candlemarks were few. She still had her hair to arrange. She elicited the help of the staff at the Hart and Horse. Camelia was hoping she could inspire them to join in this 'quest'. Already word was being whispered that she might be the betrothed of Squire Conrad Shannon. Untrue, but if it motivated anyone to help her, then she wouldn't dissuade them from the fantasy. So much to do and so little time.
With the clothes washed and drying, in the hands of any who would help. She set about to write the note to her sister.
Quote
I have always wished for a sister, either younger or older. But I never had such fortune. I often asked other servant girls about their siblings, just to learn what their lives were like and imagine what mine might have been. They always told me that siblings were both the best and the worst things imaginable. No end to the difficulties and yet, the bond of love was infinite between them.
I am sorry. I was rude to you. I had no cause to be when you did nothing but offer me hospitality. I couldn't accept that I would stand face to face with another person who looked exactly as I did. Someone older than me, as though I stared into a reflecting glass at what a few handfuls of years would bring me. But then to realize we shared the same mother and to understand how vastly different our lives were. I had difficulty accepting that you and I were siblings and that I knew nothing of you or even that Erika was another sister. I know her in only the most distant manner. That is to say that I didn't really know her at all. So much to accept and believe and then to understand. So many questions...
Then I saw the flowers in your room.
More over, I will now apologize for the mess of trouble I will bring into your life. I am your younger sister and I suppose that is what I am supposed to do. But you don't deserve it, and you certainly didn't ask for it. The group I now travel with have found ourselves in a dangerous place, from people and places we know not the depth and breadth of. You offered us hospitality and I know we are about to upset the balance of peace in Cragside now. But, there is a young girl who asked for our help. If she is who she claims, then I can not turn my back on her. Others have threatened her life. I can not accept that to stand. I was not raised to shy away from helping the weak and defenseless. My group and I act in concert now, and we must see through the things we have found ourselves embroiled in, but that will surely bring an Eastern Wind, as the expression goes.
I fear that from the very moment I entered your life, and you mine, that we were bound to share a destined fate for a length of time that only the Fates themselves might know. From the moment I entered the Hart and Horse, I brought trouble with me and it is spilling out in front of you. I am sorry for that. Truly I am.
I want to get to know you. I want to hear every story about you, and hear every story you know. I want to hear everything about Mom... and there is so much I want to tell you about her and I. I hope I get the chance. I want to love you as a younger sister should love an older sister... and more.
Cami
Camelia wished she had the time to find Dandelion, but she didn't. Too much to do and a letter would be the best she could manage. Others in her group were depending upon her to remain on task.
The light red under tunic and the purple over tunic with Black and Gold Checkerboard trim. Yes, that would create a stir, for such was the clothing of the Deynekko family. The clothing reserved for the families of the Bankorpoole Empire here on the mainland. Let that rumor spread, let it grow. Now Conrad Shannon was no longer betrothed to a cloaked young lady unseen in these parts before, but rather... an Imperial Lady from Trundle on the Hill. Maybe she might gather even more help among those who wanted to be near and maybe hear something worth sharing to others.
So much to do... Improvise some make-up, maybe some jewelry. Even the simple things could be 'perfect' with the proper presentation.
Camelia found herself humming a tune, one that she had only heard in her own thoughts thus far. She had last sung it while she walked weary and ragged through the muddy field towards the light and warmth of the Plainsend Inn, only coming to a silence when the little girl found her at the well.
Before that, it had been days of travel along the Road East, with the Dirkwood to one side and the formidable Black Mountains to the other, and Camelia had little else to occupy herself except whisper the songs she had learned, all of them, over and over. And when that failed to occupy her her mind in the seemingly never-ending state of captivity, she began to compose her own. She dared not give voice to it among her captors for it would spoil the ruse. But she heard it in her mind. It had no title yet and was no where near finished, but then again, neither was her journey.
Quote
“Come to me, Flower,” she said. “Oh how I love you so.” Now her hands they did tremble and tears began to flow-. “A choice must be made tonight. And one that makes me grieve“ “I must send you far from here, But only by your leave-.”
And the Flower looked at her, with eyes both meek and mild. A single drop fell from her cheek, “I do not fear the wild-.”
“You know that my love is great. You are my child bold.” “I would not risk losing you, for any price in gold-“ “But, cry to me in your fear, and I’ll deny you voice.” “Or show to me that you’re brave. Bear not the shame in choice-.”
And the Flower looked at her, with eyes both meek and mild. A single drop fell from her cheek, “I do not fear the wild-.”
And her Mother took her hands; she drew her close and tight. “I have seen this foretold, and my cards do not lie-.” With her violet eyes narrowed, her Mother she did say “Grave danger lurks in these halls, and shadows have their way-.”
And the Flower looked at her, with eyes both meek and mild. A single drop fell from her cheek, “I do not fear the wild-.”
“Fell Horsemen will come this night; they’ll ride upon white steeds.” “Quickly they will seize their prize, and away in dark deeds-. Now the Flower stood straight and tall, as brave as brave could be. “It is something I must do, my only friend is she-.”
And the Flower looked at her, with eyes both meek and mild. A single drop fell from her cheek, “I do not fear the wild-.”
Source song:
It was hard enough to prepare an Imperial Lady when you were just the Handmaiden, but to be both the Lady and the Handmaiden made it all the more difficult, and that only made her work harder.
"I'm a Koromov," she whispered to herself. "When we get knocked down, we get back up again..."
***
OOC- Will wait for GM to determine when she can make an entrance.
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