It began at the coming of dawn, upon her rising above the Black Mountains tall, sending long shadows fleeing westward.
And it is the only morning where ... everybody is up to watch her rise, waiting, breath caught, looking to the horizon from rooftops and second floor windows, despite the cold.
For the moment she peeked into the sky ...
The commons of the Dragonstooth burst into life. The first hint of sun streaming through the windows and the doors were flung open. Breakfast set out, a;; warm and toasty; the fire stoked into a warm roaring blaze, the daughters carrying big platters already setting out breakfast for the guard, the Jvrillians, the townsfolks, goodwives and their husbands - well perhaps not, because technically, by tradition and years of practice, there were no laws to bind anyone to anything come Midwinters and Midsummers day.
It was very rare that folks hurt each other on this holiday. It had occurred, in the past, maybe once, maybe twice, even the smallest villages have such tales ... but to have a whole community turn on you ... it served as a very grim object lesson of what not to do upon these two special days. The gods and goddesses tok a dim view on such, and it was even rumored that it included not just Krysta and Jagnar ... but those even more fel and exotic.
For those in their rooms; it was the noise that woke them. The days before, their chores out in the town had been completed, crossbows bought, sheriffs spoken with, rakes teased and teased back. The Heavy Horse even returned; but after sunset, walking their horses back in by torchlight, the tall gates closed securely behind them.
The noise of a crowded hall, of tankards of beer and ale lifting in toast, of a squeak when a pat of thanks was perhaps a touch inappropriate - at least this early in the morning - and -
Hidden deep within the Tarn, quiet in her vale, there is a place which sparkles come night, so sing the Dall Gwynn tales.
She stands on columns finely carved, and laced with softest gold, marble of warmest honey spun, and wrapped with crystal cold.
Minstrels. As in plural As in more than one .... adding music to the morning. That and the rough noise of tables being darwn back, perhaps, even to ... dance!
However, the morning itself was not without its events.
Hung from the latch of Daxia's door, there was a soft black satin pouch, both beautiful and trimmed in silver. It was the perfect size for carrying doublebluff tiles. It had a red bow tied about it; though the Dayallan had seen much better bows from her days in court. Or to be truthful, there was a great earnest of intent to the bow, but it looked like it was tied by a clumsy child.
Camelia found a set of brushes hung from her door, awkwardly bound in red. they rattled when she opened her door.
Dean and Bekkah found themselves with matching scarves ... long and soft and so very very warm against the winds of the Storm Season. Bekkah's was white and cream, the beautiful shading so subtle and the Squires? Red with gold trim, of course! it would not have been surprisng if the Squire discovered his by tripping over its twice his height length. Ladies, of course, are more careful with their step.
Kadri's was the largest, or at the least the most cloth, sturdy broadcloth, almost the size of a blanket. but not for her! Well ja and nin ... it was a caparison, all in black with black leather fittings and dark metal hardware ... as if someone thought her horse should be as sneaky as she is!
Sitting on the floor outside of Cesare's and Darian's room there were boots! Footwear both but so very different. One set, obviously for the Rhoni, were sturdy walking boots of heavy leather with wooden heels and heavy fur trim around the tops. The Hunter's would come high on her calves, soft leather, supple and comfortable and with long strong laces. The soles were heavier leather; perfect for moving through the woods on a hunt, where feeling the terrain beneath was so important. These two were wrapped in red ribbons, clumsily tied and happily off balance.
Oh.
And one could not forget the small sack of apples ... or the very big ribbon wrapped bone.
For unicorn and snarkhound.
There was nothing for the Jvrillian, however.
Until he eventually made his way down to breakfast.
"Yo!
"You are Mikal, right?"
It was the the smith's apprentice.
"I know most folks don't care for you down at the hall these days, but someone paid us good coin. You get the time, and we're to put whatever you wish upon your shield."
There was no card, nor any sign, of whence the gifts had come.
Where the fire-haired lady wakes, above the fallen stars, They chase the dream they call Dall Gwynn, She strays men quite afar.
She was woke by the sniffing and wuffling the snarkhound was doing at the door. She looked over with a bemused expression before slipping from Cesare's embrace and the warm bed.
"What be it?" she asked leaning down to scritch him. "Something you want be out there? Let's see, eh?"
He pushed her aside to snap up the bone and retreat back into the room. She laughed at his antics, but her laughter was cut short buy surprise as she spied the boots.
"Aye, and a fine Midwinter to ye too," she said as she picked up both pair and closed the door with her foot.
Up before dawn as usual, Daxia found the gift on her door as she headed out to her morning devotions... devotions that, as always on Midwinters morning, were shared with everyone willing to brave the icy cold of such an early part of the day.
She touched the fine smooth satin, ran a finger along the silver trim. Looking at the inexpertly tied bow, she smiled. “Happy Midwinter, friend. Hope like gift find from Dazi.”
After devotions... before heading to the common room for breakfast... the Dayalan went down to the stables to visit her partner. Seeing the small sack outside Morning Star’s stall... tied with the same clumsy red bow... she grinned broadly as she picked up the sack and untied the bow.
“Hmmmm...” she mused, looking inside, “very nice apples. But are these apples a fierce and magnificent unicorn wants? Such a difficult question to answer!”
Waking to midwinter's day brings the expected bout of melancholy memories. He sits for a few moments on the edge of the bed reminiscing, then with a sigh he dresses and heads downstairs for some breakfast. As he walks down the hall he notes the midwinter's gifts on some of his traveling companions doors and smiles wryly.
Reaching the main room he is about to sit when the smith's apprentice approaches. An eyebrow lifts at the offer and he asks, "Any idea who my gift giver might be?"
He considers that he does carry a shield. He rarely uses it, mostly on those few occasions that he wields his broadsword instead of his short sword and main gauche. It is currently unadorned, but he knows exactly what he wants on it.
As he waits for an answer, he quickly sketches. "A Charge of Winter rose, dripping blood tears, from Fess Point to Dexter Base, on a field sable. The motto, starting in Dexter Chief to read "Memoria", in Sinister Chief, "Est", in Sinister Base, "Vox".
Shortly after Daia, Kadri enters the stables, carrying a caprison for her horse,she is humming a somewhat mischevious sounding tune to herself, and has a sort of half- smile.
."
Last edited by Art in the Blood; Wed 19/12/1201:43 UTC.
She loved the Midwinter celebration. She loved the music, the dancing, but more than anything she loved the smiles she saw everywhere. Smiles on faces that might not smile more than a day or two a day.
She hugged her scarf to her face, feeling it's softness before standing before a mirror, wrapping it around herself to see how it looked. Her smile grew even brighter. It was of course too warm an item to wear within the inn but it would be quite welcome when they traveled from here. And she knew they would travel.
She descended to the Common room, smiling and greeting everyone she saw, especially the children.
Reluctant to emerge from the warmth in the covers, he is alreadt stirring though as he feels Darian slipping out of bed. He reaches for her to playfully pull her back in but his fingers close on empty air.
As she calls back to him, he props himself up on one elbow.
"Gifts? From whom?"
He is puzzled for a few moments, before he hits his head with his hand.
"It is Midwinter. I had thought to get you a gift but with all that has been going on, I forgot."
He actually looks dejected. And reminds himself that he doesn't have any money left either.
Dazi had looked up from the bag of apples when Kadri entered the stables, then grinned at her partner as she placed the apples on a ledge within his reach.
“All the apples are yours!” she said cheerily.
She then made her way back up to the commons...
(This player had the post nearly finished when it was pointed out by another player that said other player had changed their post, rendering the post already written and nearly finished either null and void or rather rude; but since this player is entirely too stressed out by work and the frackin’ merry bah humbug xmas season, this player is just going to go ahead and pretend aforementioned other player never said anything about a changed post and will leave this post as originally written and nearly finished with this parenthetical rambling monologue inserted to explain why this player has ignored aforementioned other player, all in an attempt to get out of the stables where we never should have been, and get up to the commons, where it is VITALLY important we place ourselves, so as to make the GM happy.)
...where she passed Mikal in conversation with someone from his Guild, and wound her way through the celebrating town folk to the table where Bekkah sat and slid into the seat beside her.
“Happy happy happy Midwinters, Bekkah!” she said, hugging her sister. “The only thing that would make the day better is if we were celebrating in Dawnview. But Dazi is with Bekkah, and Bekkah is with Dazi... so happy day!”
Kadri works her way back to the common room and slides her way into the booth with Bekkah and Dazi, looking at each, lingering on Dazi for a second, the shakes her head almost imperceptibly and pats her pocket. Whatever she had been thinking of apparently could wait.
"Good morning, she rises bright and crisp today ..."
When the Hunter appears in the common room, she is wearing a contented smile and new tall boots with her regular linens. An equally contented snarkhound accompanies her, his new prize carried proudly. She looks behind her just before entering the room fully and crossing to the table of friends.
"Bright morning," she greeted the others as she sat down.
Her face lit up when she saw Daxia and hugged her back fiercely.
"And a happy Midweinters day to you little sister. I didn't know if I'd ever get to say that to you in person. It feels so good to do so." she said still holding onto her little sister before giving her a kiss on the cheek and reluctantly letting go of her as if she wanted nothing more than to pull Dazi onto her lap and rock her like she did when she truly was small.
"My Lady! Love of my life, the apple of my eye, mysterious, beautiful, charming, with the spirit of a wild wind and a countenance that would stop Her very passage across the sky, of whom the stars cry sparkling tears in jealousy and admiration ...
"My dear ... "
The door to the Dragonstooth commons is thrown open, it bursts, it swings with all highest drama and intent, to silhouette a most dashing and swashbuckling fighre. The wind whips through his hair, tossling even more derring-do than any Knight of Rames could wish, his cloak snapping and swirling as if it were alive itself. And such a contrast is his tunic; snowy white with key patterns in gold rippling around hem and cuffs and the oh so fancy keyhole collar, and it sparkles in the morning light ... not simple thread no ... but could it really and truly be ... gold?
It is his surcoat, however, that causes the sudden gasp, the step backwards, the clearing of the path. While the coloring isn't Imperial, it still is the checkerboard of peerage, of those upon station high.
Purple and argent, the most noble of colors patterned with that of a mirror smooth lake.
" ... Sea and Stars ... that's a KORIE!"
One grand step, a second and then a run ... a hop ... and he lands upon his knees in a long slide, as befits a returning Prince, as a champion from the most romantic of minstrel's tales, the heartfelt dedication of passion that must certainly be true, that will be remembered for generation.
He comes to a perfect stop, looking up to his Lady, deftly, properly, and irresistibly and with the most mischievous of sparkling eyes and High Court charm, takes her hand in both of his to press to his lips,
" ... not even the waking of a Dragon could keep me from you, my Lady, my dear, my pretty ... to see you is to live life fulfilled, and your name is a prayer on my lips ...
"Kadri djinn Khayriyah al'Terilaquel!"
Though for a handsome suitor, he is kind of ... short.
And familiar.
It is like stopping a hurricane, unstoppable, and Kadri is not given a moment, a heartbeat, not even half a breath to respond before Dominic Dominie Korie sweeps up and around her, a hand upon her waist, set into the small of her back, whispering sweet nothings - oh they MUST be so fine and dear - as he draws the dark haired lady to him,just like two lovers meeting upon a most auspicious day!
"Of course it's Midwinters! What better a day for two pounding hearts to be together ... how the fates have brought us finally together at last - Against the damnation of your Father and the machinations political of My Brother but even the most Noble of Khoralls and their Damas cannot stand between two who are meant to be together - but the Fates have brought us here, upon Our Midwinter's day, and being blessed by the presence our kind and merciful Lady Bekkah Yurisdotterr - a Priestess of compassion and kindness - the binds between us can never be severed!"
And then there's the kiss ...
A dip ... a sweet and so passionate embrace ... in front of EVERYONE ... and from the entire tavern eyes are bright, some are tearing, some are sparkling, some are just just trying to lift their jaws from the floor and there is a single, wonderful ...
He finishes sketching as the man talks and pauses as he considers. He's not gotten anyone a midwinter's gift in a dozen years. Never, since he left what remained of his village and the ruins of the family home. It was always a somewhat melancholy time for him as it brought back many memories of happier times. For that matter he'd not received a midwinter's gift in the same amount of time. The man's description can only fit one person, and he'd not interacted very much with her. So little, in fact, that receiving a gift from her surprised him.
It also makes him feel obligated. He knows that is not exactly true, but still, he feels that way. He glances around and notes that as was her habit she has slept late, and it being midwinter's day no one would wake her.
So he thanks the man, points him to his shield, and quickly leaves the inn, before eating. He knows most places are closed today, but some food vendors will be open to serve revelers. She has a sweet tooth as he recalls, so he searches for a vendor of candy and sweets intending to buy a bagful of the man's best choices and try to hang it on her door before she wakes up.
iAnd leaning back into it, she actually gives him a rather ... thorough ... return kiss. She leans towards Bekkah and ... winks at her?
"My dear, dear Bekkah, remember that conversation we had earlier? I thank you so much for agreeing to make my heart complete. You are doing a service to the world and to true love. My father be damned, I will follow where my heart leads, and will follow where it goes, and what is tied can not go asunder."
Then she goes into her native tongue, spouting something that sounds poetic while gazing ... Longingly ... Into her 'suitor's" eyes.
Bakhubi hamcho mah tabindah baashi; Bamulk-e dilbari paayindah baashi. Man-e darvish ra kushti baghamzah; Karam kardi Ilahi zindah baashi. Jafaa kam kun ki farda roz-e mehshar; Baru-e aashiqan sharmindah baashi. Ze qaid-e dojahan azad baasham; Agar tu hum-nashin-e bandah baashi. Barindi-o bashokhi hamcho Khusrau; Hazaran khanuman barkandah baashi.
Last edited by Art in the Blood; Thu 20/12/1201:14 UTC.
As her favorite rascally scamp swept into the room, the Dayalan mirrored the Sheriff’s posture from a few days ago, face buried in her hands. “No, no, no... Garrick not want to know. DAZI not want to know,” she muttered.
But when Kadri did not immediately skewer the young Lord, Daxia peeked at the couple between splayed fingers.
And then, after a few moments, when it was clear Kadri was wholeheartedly playing along with Dominie’s game, she heaved a great sigh of relief, dropped her hands back into her lap, and leaned against Bekkah.
He ambles into the common room following late in Darian's wake, also sporting new boots, just in time to witness some over-the-top romantic declaration of love.
Is this the person she is running from?
Can't be.. she looks too happy.. and that kiss!
Not for the first time Cesare feels he must have slept through more than a day.. or stepped sideways into another world where reality has warped somewhat. He pauses in the doorway for a moment considering...
How can one not turn and watch when another makes such a spectacle of themselves, and quite purposefully too. The Hunter's attention is taken by the arrival, and she watches quizzically as he publicly woos their Amberite. She does not know what Kadri had said in response, but she seems to be enjoying the attentions. With a shake of her head and a shrug, she goes back to her fast breaking. City folk are quite strange.
“There is very little in this world more wonderful than the sight of true love. Ah, Bekkah, isn't it lovely?”
Daxia smiled brightly and pointed out some of the room’s occupants.
“Look! There are even minstrels here to write songs of this most auspicious day, and the songs will spread far and wide and be sung by every young lass waiting for her prince... and sung by every young lad hoping to be that prince for the lass of his dreams.”
The redhead sighs again, the picture of perfect happiness in seeing one of her dearest friends finally reunited with the true love of her life.
She leaned close to Bekkah and spoke very softly. “That Dominic is a theatrical little scamp, but this should solve some of Kadri’s problems.”
Sitting up straighter again, she looked at Kadri with a broad, and perhaps slightly mischievous, grin.
After finding a bag of the best sweets he can locate, and returning to the inn, he heads up to Romana's room. Reaching her door he sees a red package tied with black and silver ribbon already hanging there. He quietly adds his own present, less fancy and much more utilitarianly wrapped, then moves back downstairs, a small smile on his face. He reflects that he needs to do this more frequently as it lightened his heart.
" ... alas and a-lack-a-day, dear lady who has stolen this wild one's heart, I am afraid hearts are breaking all along the Highland Path this morning .. and that half of Bordertown, three of four rings of Talantal ... and someone kind and true-hearted will have o break the news of this happy day to the heiress of Dawnview Castle!"
With a sweep, a spin, a twirl that would scandalize a formal pavane but bring laughter and smiles to a country bransle, the youngest Korie draws kadri back up and into the center of the commons.
"Minstrels! Bright and light! The Noble House Korie demands two things!
"First! A song to lighten a fair Lady's heart as we partake our first Midwinters dance ...
"Second ... every one! It is Midwinters! Find a partner ... and join us.
And with that the commons becomes a cacophony of bright laughter, flaring tunics, young and old ... as most of the patrons take up the Korie challenge. even one of the barmaid's the keep's youngest, gets swept away ... desperately trying to fond a place to set down her plate of breads and cheeses before it gets spun all across the room!
Though, from the courtyard, for the sharpest of ears, comes an .... eeep!
And Kadri ... Dances. Light on her feet and flitting, graceful, moving like a flame in motion flickering and twirling, chaotic and graceful at the same time, like the tendrils of flame whipping around a campfire between the open plains and the sky road. With a smile on her face and in full motion, her hood thrown back, her finely chiseled but strong features are finally prominently displayed.
The young lady was grace in motion, and felt more than free to dance.
Daxia snorted when Dominie spoke of breaking the news to the Heir of Allaine. The snort was followed by a broad grin and a bit of a chuckle.
However, at the faint cry of surprise... it doesn't quite sound like alarm, yet... Daxia stood and made her way through the dancing and celebrating crowd, and out the door to look out into the courtyard.
A tall man, dressed in black and red, rugged, strong, in tunic and surcoat and boots with spurs, not wearing a cloak against the cold, like a wolf he stalked.
Circling, around, observing, intrigued.
For in the center of the courtyard stood a slender figure, all wrapped up on a cloak, whisps of black hair peeking from beneath her hood ...
Still tossled with bits of bright are ribbon scraps here and there, perhaps even one tied playfully in that long black hair.
"You're ... cute."
Two Jvrillian lieutenants watched their sword lord, at a distance of course. One had placed the palm of his hand to his forehead, the other was biting his fist as if to stop from doing ... something.
With a single swift motion, the girl was swept off her feet, and rather unceremoniously thrown over his shoulder. And then, as if she weighed nothing, he sauntered towards the courtyards gate.
"Eeeep!"
At first there was a light pounding at his back, but Romana might be many things, but strong was not on of them! After a moment, he shook her head, quickly looking around and up, catching sight of the Dayalan looking down.
She gave her friend a very perplexed look ... looking over the Jvrillian's back .... her elbows down, her forearms up, her hands turned ninety degree, outwards, palms facing up.
Dazi sighed, shoulders definitely moving upwards, just as definitely dropping down again, then headed for the stairs down to the courtyard. She moved quickly, light on her feet as a swordswoman ought to be, spurs jingling, skirts held out of the way so as not to become tangled upon spurs or between ankles as she hurried down the stairs.
The red haired lass in tunics of light and dark blue and belt of white leather hurried after the swordlord. Like her Sister in Cragside, she could be mistaken for a farmer’s daughter -- albeit a farmer most certainly from the lands beyond Snowgate Pass -- were it not for the sword at her side and the jangle of the spurs.
“Swordlord... Mohlkavin... I presume? Might I have a word with my friend here before you carry her off?” Daxia’s tone was both respectful and, in keeping with the spirit of the day, lighthearted. She looked at Romana and winked. “She’s just a bit dull and easily alarmed by certain things, you see. In fact, I would guess that recognizing this as Midwinters Day might the the only thing that prevented her from biting your ear off. Although...”
Having come back downstairs, he picked up some light fare and watched the dancing start with amusement. He was debating whether to join in or not, being quite light on his feet, when the sound from outside came and pierced the music and laughter.
He turns, intrigued, and seeing Daxia get up to go look he puts down the roll he was nibbling and moves after her, arriving in the courtyard a few moments after, in time to see Romana being carried on a large Jvrillian's shoulder.
**Is that Mohlkavin?**
Daxia moves to talk to Mohlkavin, and Mikal slowly, and casually, moves as well. Circling the courtyard to place himself closer to the Lieutenants.
"What's happening?" He asks the nearest Lieutenant as Daxia talks to the Swordlord.
The lieutenant just shook his head, replying to Mikal.
"Oh don't worry ... the worst that will happen is she may be forced to sit in front of a fire and drink a big mug of hot chocolate ..."
The tall Jvrillian turns and looked down upon Daxia, his head tilting.
"Ja ..."
And wih that he swings Romana to the ground ... and with an even louder eeeeeeeeeep! she immediately scrambles away, to clumsily hide behind ... the starbred killer. Its with a second eeeeep that she backwards scrabbles on all fours, and then remembering that its Dazidazidazi she sheepishly returns to that hiding place, peeking back at Mohlkavin both curious and suspicious.
"She does seem a little skittish."
The lieutenant then continued his explanation to Mikal.
"Every Midwinters, if there's a lass in town from out of town ... Harry kidnaps them. Well maybe that's too strong a word ... he hauls them off ... and spends the rest of the night talking ... about farming, what's happening outside of the town, or their family, friends ...
"He says its so he doesn't forget why we carry the steel.
“Ah... da, skittish. Though that might be an understatement at times.”
She twists to look at Romana peeking from behind her skirts at the swordlord.
“Times such as this, for example.”
Daxia looked up Harry. “Shy. Peculiar. Not especially talkative. Doesn't always understand customs.” The Dayalan shrugged. “I stand between her and harm... and between her and those she might inadvertently harm when she feels threatened.”
She crouched down, arms crossed over her knees, looking at Romana with a smile.
“Romanaska, Mohlkavin friend to DaziDaziDaziDazi Dayalan Sister. DandyDandyDandelion good person, say Mohlkavin good person. DandyDandyDandelion say DomDomDominie have good heart, too, ya? DaziDaziDaziDazi trust DandyDandyDandelion. Romanaska trust DaziDaziDaziDazi, ya? Dazi, Romi trust Harry?”
She looked back over her shoulder at the swordlord, smile turning to a grin as she turned back to Romana.
“Like big brother DaziDaziDaziDazi, Romanaska not have, ya?”
An invitation to dance is rarely turned down bt a Rhoni and he is no different. And celebrating Midwinters seems a good way to purge the memories of the recent slaughter.
He grins, heading over to Darian.. only to pause as there is a recognisable sound from outside.. someone in whom he has a vested interest. He sees Daxia head out followed by Mikal and figures they can probably handle things but..
He signals to Darian that he is heading out.. but only as far as the doorway. He watches the scene unfolding, not interfering, just there if he is needed.
He nods to the Lieutenant, relaxing just a bit. He is pleased to find some verification about his impression of the Swordlord. Mikal, as a lone swordsman, relies on his ability to judge people's character. It can often be the difference between life and death for him.
He is happy to see that Mohlkavin shares his belief that followers of Jvrill need to know who, and why, they fight. That while they fight for coin, coin is not why they have been given this tremendous responsibility by Jvrill.
So he just watches, especially once he sees that Daxia recognizes a similar thing.
"Wise man, your Swordlord." He replies to the Lieutenant. "Shame the other two Companies in town are not led by men of equal wisdom."
"Romanas knows Midwinters. Even Romanas home no one hurts on Midwinters. well, mostly, but Romanas not wants to knows about thats. No mores."
The Jvrllian swordlord rubs his chin upon that, noting a very protective Dayalan, an accompanying guardsman of his following, and then a newer onlooker from the gallery above.
“No one hurt Romana. Big not scary man just talk talk talk with Romana, if Romana want.”
The Dayalan considered that scenario for a moment.
“Best if big not scary man talk most, Romana little, ya?”
She stood and held a hand out to Romana, encouraging her to stand as well, then looked up again at Harry.
“Da. You could. If Romana would be too frightened, of course.”
Daxia grinned.
“How many lasses are here from beyond the reaches of Bordertown? Some merchant daughters, perhaps? And our party, of course.
“The Amber lass has been claimed by a Korie, and seems pleased by it. And even if she wasn't, I’d not be one to step between a Korie and his professed love.” She paused. “Well, not this Korie, anyway. Dominic is charming in his own peculiar way.
“The Hunter would... well, you’d never catch her would be my thinking.
“While I believe the dear Lady of Attera would enjoy the diversion, that might be viewed as somewhat improper. Though... perhaps not. At Midwinters.
“A lass with a sword might garner talk that could besmirch your fine reputation, and a lass with a sword and spurs might get you skewered, as I don’t think unicorns have the same prohibitions against harming someone at Midwinters, especially if that someone is his partner. Although he did seem to be contemplating a bag of apples quite intently, so you might be safe from him.”
She tapped her chin with her finger for a moment.
“Then there’s the lass from Trundle, sister to your friend Captain Koromov. That would be the whole of our party’s lasses.” Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “Or you could join our revels and talk with all and sundry.”
"I'm a known confidant of your Captain Koromov ... think anyone's going to question me spending time with you? Hee Horde numbers two full hand by full hand horse ... and yours numbers ... one."
He nods to Mikal,
"That one."
He ten returns to rubbing his chin.
"I have talked to all.
"But I never have talked to sundry."
He looked between the two women, as Romana rose to stand behind Daxia.
"It is, however, traditional that I do carry someone to a hearth."
“Well, mine number one until tonight. Then we renegotiate.”
She looked at Romana, then the swordlord, and back at Romana. As both were taller, it might have been an odd sight to see the Dayalan peering upward at each of them.
“Does tradition dictate to which hearth your someone must be carried?” she asked Mohlkavin.
Longtooth still gnaws contentedly at his bone, and her belly is full. She sees Cesare walk toward her then detour with a signal. Most curious that was, and she heads over to take a look herself.
“We go up to sit with others, ya? Maybe dance, maybe talk. But Harry must carry Romana. His rule for Midwinters, ya?” She smiled at her friend. “DaziDaziDaziDazi follow. Make sure Harry not drop Romana if trip over Squire. No scary scary. Romana safe. Dazi promise. Okay?”
He smiles slightly at the scene, arguing over not whether to carry Romana off but where to carry her to. He then crosses the open space to Daxia and Romana. Stopping in front of Daxia he bows and asks, "I seem to be without a dance partner and the merriment I hear from inside is becoming infectious. I think it is safe to leave Romana in the good Swordlord's hands on Midwinter's."
He winks at Romana over Daxia's shoulder and holds out a hand to Daxia. "Care to share a dance with me?"
Daxia looked at her second with mock horror, actually putting a hand over her heart, eyes wide and gasping theatrically.
“It’s very nearly a crime that a handsome gentleman such as yourself is without a dance partner. Why, if the Sheriff was here, he might have to arrest somebody. Let’s not put the fine man in such a difficult position! It would be my pleasure to share a dance with you, milord.”
She put her hand in Mikal’s with a joyful laugh. “I’m rather glad I need not pry young Dominie away from his beloved Kadri so early in the day. Though I am counting on him to partner me in some lovely court dances.”
As she and Mikal began to walk towards the stairs, she looked over her shoulder.
“Come meet the sundry, Swordlord. I like to think my gang is as interesting as my Temple Sisters’... albeit considerably smaller.”
Walking with a spring in her step back to the commons, she said quietly to Mikal, “We’ll leave shortly after Her rising on the morrow. I’ll pick up Morning Star’s saddle on our way out of town.
“We’ll need to get to, and hopefully through, Talantal before news of Dominie and Kadri’s Dance reach his very tiny village. And I’m not sure Bekkah knows yet, but she has a task to perform in the tiny village from which the young scamp hails.”
Taking her hand in his he walks with her, replying quietly. "Darian suspects her hunter friend is eyeing Romana as prey and agrees with you. Not to mention Kadri, for her own reason. Seems everyone wants to risk winter travel to get away from here."
Reaching the steps, he leads Daxia up to the front door where the sound of music and laughter increases in volume.
"I passed along your message to the Swordlord of Daffyd's Swords. Not terribly surprising, I think he'd have been happier to have been eaten by the Demon than to have to thank a Dayallan swordbitch, ..... pardon."
He takes a deep breath and goes on. "Never saw a man so shortsighted. All he cared about was that he lost men to save women who did not need to be saved. His words."
"The fact his losses were relatively light, all things considered, did not matter. He'd have left the Chaos Riders to thrive in his woods as long as their killings remained at acceptable levels. They're only townspeople, so who cares, was the feeling I got."
His grip on Daxia's hand tightens at the last phrase, and he loosens his grip with a quick apology. "Sorry."
Stepping up to the doorway, he smiles. "It's Midwinter's, and that's no time to be grumpy. I will admit I am out of practice. I haven't danced at Midwinter in over two hands of years, but I used to be quite a catch. See if you can keep up."
Kadri continues her dervish twirl, moving intricately and dextrously - the was - catharsis - of a sort. There was a need to let lose, and if for a moment be who she was in full view of all comers.
The mischievous smile she was flashing was of the infectious sort - depending on your measure making you want to either join in or worry.
“Da, part of it’s the loathing to say a word of any kind, let alone a kind one, to a Dayalan. But what we did in slaying the Avatar sent the balance of power in Bordertown askew...” Daxia looked up at him and shrugged. “I know you hate politics, but politics are everywhere. And we jumped blindly into Bordertown politics without a thought to what we’ll leave behind when we take to the road once again.
“Da, two women’s torment have ended, and that lightens my heart more than anyone can imagine. But knowing politics, I also bear the burden of understanding some things will not be better in Bordertown until balance can be restored. And even then, in the short term, there are still people who've lost so much and so many.”
She bore the tightening of his hand easily; a swordswoman must have strong hands, must she not? And even if not a swordswoman, a lass who carried fullhand of fullhand of fullhand of water buckets up from a well has strength in her hands.
“Even good deeds have consequences, have ripples we don’t see beyond the toss of a pebble. The Sheriff sees some of these, I've no doubt Swordlord Mohlkavin sees them, as well. We've meddled more in Bordertown than we did in Cragside; I pray the ripples are as beneficial as those that followed us from Cragside. And beyond some riddles Lord Dominic would like to present to his Beloved, our Kadri, I pray also we’re done meddling here.”
Daxia grinned.
“For as you say, it’s Midwinters! And I’ll have you know, we do quite a bit of dancing in Dawnview. I’m sure I’ll be able to keep up!”
And as for Kadri’s mischievous smile, Daxia would worry tomorrow... today was for dancing and celebrating!
"I got that crossbow yesterday.. and I'm out of funds. Actually I owe Mikal. I have an idea how I can sort that with Mikal's help and some hard graft but can you tide me over until then?"
He doesn't like to ask but he has also been straight with Darian, she is that kind of girl, and he respects that and wants to continue. He would do the same for her but he wants to ask.. not assume. Even if he has to swallow a bit of pride to do so.
"And I will thank Romana. You think she got gifts for everyone?"
Daxia, Darian, Cesare, Bekkah, Mikal, Dean, Kadri, Romana, Dominic Domine Korie and Harry Mohlkavin
" ...........eeeeeeeeeeeeEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!"
And rather unceremoniously, with a slightly kicking, wide eyed and only punching his back lightly is a Romana swept off her feet and tossed over the Jvrillian's shoulder.
"A feisty one at that, isn't she?"
Observes Mohlkavin, as he easily traipsed upstairs, into the hall with almost - not quite - almost as much presence as a certain Korie nobling.
"And he hasn't been tossed in jail yet. I'll have to talk to Garrick about that."
With a few steps and he is at the hearth. A foot kicked out, and it is not a chair he steals, but a wooden bench. A second eeep follows, as Romana is equally unceremoniously set upon it, drawing herself up both shyly, distantly, and with a faint aristocratic air, as if this is something a princess shouldn't have to deal with.
"Hey, Harry caught one!"
"Which one, which one!"
"That one!"
"Blast."
"Ja, that's right, hand it over. I had five crown on the shy one!"
Harry laughed. Romana's eyes wide open. Then narrowed.
"Only five crowns? Romanas BIG fish!"
Out on the floor, and both dashing and elegant, of a manner seldom seen in such a common hall - more befitting a fine great room of marble and stone and lit by tall windows of stained glass, Dominic and Kadri danced. And while, in a bright bransle there is few opportunities for tlk, the rake - surprisingly - made sure all his attention was upon the dark haired Amber lass. Even when the steps hanged partners, as country dances tended to do ... never impolite, but always ... hers.
Until ... a turns close, a turn wild and a ...
"Oh hi-dee-ho ... it's Captain Mahlkavin himself, let us swing about this way! He's always fun; ever play Horses and Castles? Well come on, lets go and watch; he's a master ..."
And then Dominic paused, as he made sure the last step spun kadri back into her chair, where all are gathered ... and he, so properly romantic, again slid to his knees at her feet.
"Heh ...
"I need to be careful ..."
A whisper is then shared.
The Jvrillian swordlord raised a brow as Dominic swung Kadri into their little gathering.
"Morning! I don't think we've met. I'm Dominic Korie!"
And that; that one simple question stopped Mohlkavin mid-sentence, looking at the young rake for a heartbeat with eyes wide.
Dominic simply smirked. A definite gotcha smirk.
"Well ... a Korie. That's the absolute last person I'd thought I'd be sitting across this Midwinters.
"Barmaid! Lacie! Hot chocolates all around!"
He then glances to the tall Romana, all formal likenext to him.
"Nin ... all hot chocolates, except a mulled cider for my compainin this eve!"
"Mullededed cider?"
"Never had one?"
" ... Roamanas never seen a cider mullelled."
" ... never, mulled and with cinnamon?"
The young woman's eyes flashed open and bright.
"Cinnamoninians!"
Harry nodded to the innkeeper's young daughter.
"A mulled cider with cinnamon for the Lady."
He then turned to those gathered about.
" ... demons, eastern riders, avatars of deities fel and dark; things disrupted, curses discovered, broken and stars tossed into the sky.
"Tell me ...
"Does this happen every time you walk through some poor town's gate?"
"This is a part of the package. When the wind blows in off the plains, things happen. This is our second demon. To go with hordes of chaos, dishonest and thieving merchants, honest and forthright merchants, and various and sundry other things."
a brief pause while she catches her breath.
"As long as we are having introductions, I am named Kadri djinn Khayriyah al'Terilanquel, of Amber born. The great Sky Road my father and the plains on which he ruffles the grass my mother."
Last edited by Art in the Blood; Wed 26/12/1218:05 UTC.
It isn't just the day that made Daxia smile... it isn't just watching Kadri and Dominic... it isn't just Romana’s reaction to the prospect of mulled cider... it isn't just the swordlord’s reaction to the Korie...
It was all of it that made the flame haired country lass from Dawnview Vale laugh brightly. Da, a lass who wore both sword and spurs, but still a young lass born of simple folks, despite all the time spent in the fine court in the far off Vale.
“Of course not, Swordlord!” she responded. “Those things only happen when the town is one that’s been built up beside a long forgotten Dayalan Temple, despite what my friend may lead you to believe.
“Rather different things happened in Cragside, though there were dishonest and thieving merchants -- and an honest one, as well -- involved. I've no doubt rather different things will happen along our journey from here to there... wherever there might be.”
[OOC: "I height Kadri..." Art, for the love of god, please turn off your auto correct! I beg you!]
(OOC - Isn't "hight" actually an old English term for "am"? 'I hight Kadri', I think is actually a correct turn of phrase.)
Mikal
He smiles and leads Daxia into a quick turn and twirl, stepping lightly to the beat of the music. A few moments later, Mohlkavin enters with Romana and a few minutes after that the song ends and the question is phrased. Daxia stops and answers, and Mikal steps over as well.
He simply nods, having met the Swordlord earlier. "I am more prone to entering and leaving towns with little fanfare or notice, Swordlord. It has only been since taking a contract with the Dayallan Knight that my days have become a bit frantic."
Daxia, Darian, Cesare, Bekkah, Mikal, Dean, Kadri, Romana, Dominic Domine Korie and Harry Mohlkavin
"Lass, most every keep tween glacier and seas have been built from honey-marble, so its very very hard to escape that particular clause. but i think you'll find that most places along the Highland Path. The farmer's barns, the merchant houses, they may be new ... but they are probably all built of stones from far older dwellings."
Mohlkavin then leaned back, taking his own drink, smiling as Romana is handed hers. The slender lass peeked out from beneath her hood and held the goblet in both hands. looking down she took a sip ... and then another ... and another and then grinned brightly.
"All warm and hiccup-ee!"
"Well only if Romanas have lots ... could happens!"
He then looked across those gathered, considering each in turn.
"The choice of contracts one takes tell a great deal about the man, youngling. And once past the lands of Corliss, well, you walk with her and you cannot help but cause a splash. It's actually very rare. With the exception of the displaced Koromov, most tend to keep off the beaten path for that very reason.
"Though some of your company ..."
He then let his gaze snap between Kadri and her ... uhm ... suitor.
“Oh, I didn't mean towns with buildings raised from the stones of ancient Temples, Swordlord. I meant towns built beside a Temple that -- with a bit of clearing away of trees and vines and dirt and and such, with a good scrubbing and some patching up there and there, with re-sanctification, with a double fullhand of my Sisters and a willing Priestess -- would be a Temple similar to that which exists in the Vale.”
She smiled slightly.
“And if the willing Priestess is the same Priestess who tutored me and has a fondness for throwing things at the displaced Koromov, then the displaced Koromov would find returning to the Vale less of an exercise in agility... while the rest of us would enjoy -- to varying degrees -- the company of said Priestess.”
Daxia’s smile grew.
“Daydreams and the bones upon which to hang the many stories that could be told of such a Temple, of course!” she said brightly. “For if the subject of the mere breaking of a curse made your town elders frantic, I dare not even contemplate what the rebuilding of a Dayalan Temple outside their walls might do.”
She chuckled at Romana’s reaction to the mulled cider. “DaziDaziDazi tell Romana cider is good, ya?”
Then she shrugged at the notion of staying off the beaten path.
“Until a few days ago, I was on my Initiate’s Journey, out to see the world beyond the Vale, and learn about the people in the world.” She shrugged again and sipped her hot chocolate. “One can’t very well do that if one is always keeping from the beaten path.” Daxia looked at Bekkah, a twinkle in her eyes. “Though it seems my sister managed that well enough. Though Bekkah’s journey numbered in the handful of years, while my was supposed to number a mere season or two.”
She looked around at her company, her gang, and once again shrugged as she set the mug down on the table beside her.
“No direction seems the best of all in the party. Some ought not go east. Others...” She looked at Kadri and shook her head. “...are better off not going south. This is certainly not the season where madness takes hold of us and we dare venture into the Hea... the Dirkwood. And I had thing I wanted to investigate in the lands west of here, anyway.”
The Dayalan looked between Kadri and Dominic.
“If your antics today prevent me from such investigation, I shall be most cross with the both of you.”
Her gaze returned to the Swordlord.
“But yes, it would seem we are westward bound.”
Then she looked between Kadri and Dominic again, eyes narrowing as she looked at the young Korie lord.
“I suppose this... arrangement... of yours will mean dear Dominic will be traveling with us? Would propriety not demand such a thing?”
Again she glanced around the group.
“How is it that Camelia is managing to sleep so late? Particularly on a day I almost have a desire to question her Cards...”
The Hunter is in good spirits this day, and Cesare's question only gives rise to a mischievous smile and a brow raised in curiosity. All the while in consideration, she crosses her arms and taps her foot as she looks him over from boot tip to head top, much like one might a choice buck.
"Mayhaps this be possible," she said, drawing the words out slowly. "Though Darian think not be loaning but be bartering, be trade of Rhoni service for Hunter coin. What Cesare answer be?"
Whilst she sizes him up, he makes more of a stance, flexing muscles, drawing himself straighter and higher, so that she might see the bargain she is getting, his eyes amused, even though on the face of it he seems to be taking it seriously.
Then he grins and makes a sweeping bow, maybe their new arrivals having some influence on him.
"I am at your service my lady."
Then he draws her into a dance, his energy, agility and enthusiam more than making up for the lack of any formal training.
ooc note: ooooooooooooooooooooooh Bekkah, unless you've decided to ostracize yourself from the group, Harry's right there with you, to be regaled by your stories!
[I feel I must point out that Romana was picked up OUTside while Bekka was still hanging by the hearth being a wallflower]
Darian
She cannot help but grin at Cesare's antics and is more than pleased as he pulls her to the dance floor. Like him, she is untrained but enthusiastic. Even the Pack danced at Midwinter.
She laughed as Romana was brought in. She loved this season and it was things like this that made it what it was. Everyone was more relaxed, more friendly and they seemed to forget duties and titles for now and just be themselves. She looked around and kept smiling at the Kadri and Dominie's antics. She lifted her glass to them in toast and took a sip between laughs.
Daxia, Darian, Cesare, Bekkah, Mikal, Dean, Kadri, Romana, Dominic Domine Korie and Harry Mohlkavin
" ... not squooooshed apples, squooooshed ..."
Romana peered into her goblet and then back up to her benefactor, looking at him a touch suspiciously, blue eyes narrowing just the slightest bit.
" ... grapses ..."
To which the Jvrillian bowed his head, offering the skittish woman a reassuring smile.
"It's Midwinter's lass. No one is made to do anything they don't want to, ja?"
To which is offered a response that makes the swordlord, veteran of battles, tactician extraordinare blink in surprise.
"Pancakes!"
Mohlkavin just turned his attention back to Daxia.
"I know I have to ask you ... because your companions are far far too shy it seems, and I'd never trust anything that rapscallion says unless a life depended on it.
"Pancakes?
"Just where did you find this girl?"
He then settled back upon the hearth.
"Lady Bekkah; Ah! to finally meet - we have heard tales of the Kind one who walked their fields and the far farmhouses. You are quite famous, you know; I suspect if you asked you'd have half the lowside carrying your banner upon your behalf.
"Someone also seem to have really angered the town's Hunter? That the lass that's been dogging the Rhoni's trail?
"And a Squire.
"You know ..."
He cast a slow gaze to the rake on his knees.
"If you had any need of coin, between the Dayallan's tendencies towards sacrifice, a Lady of Mercy and a Squire, the real reason you are chasing a skirt - a fair beautiful one at that - is the chance at a free meal."
Romana gulped, looking between the short man and the tall man.
"you wound me sir, to the bone, to the quick ...
"Harry, where's Garrick? Is he going all moon-eyed over the blonde I saw him with last night? The one with the mean spinning kick? I need him! Because, well ...
"Just what is the quick anyways? I mean we have hearts and bones and stomachs and muscles, but for the life of me I've never heard of an inside named the quick, and that's coming from me, a specialist in quickness."
He reached up, and snaring Kadri's hand placed a lingering kiss upon her warm palm.
"Isn't that true, my beloved dark haired lass?"
But then he put the back of his hand to his forehead.
"Oh to be westward bound, to ride with my Lady into the sunset ... with the appropriate minstrels serenade and the wind so perfect. Don't worry for the snapping cloak, I can take care of that.
"But our love knows no bounds, no matter how far we are apart, there we are, together in spirit and heart, knowing that she is the entire cause of my days ..."
He took a deep deep breath.
"Now that it is too late for them to deny us, there are affairs of Family and Honor that must be attended to. I am sure your Brother's can't wait to meet me ... just as when news of this hits the inner ring of Grand Talantal, oh the fireworks will be spectacular!"
Dominic Dominie Korie smiled.
Harry Mohlkavin blinked. He looked a Daxia.
He then planted his face in his hands, whispering ...
"Oh, I am quite sure that my Brothers wish to know you quite well, both inside and out. The Sons of the Terilanquel are of hot blood and temper, and not much of the sanguine humor. As daughter of the Terilanquel, I have been expected to be quiet and do as I am told for the good of the father and the Clans of Amber. I chose to call this good as I see it. It is good for them to know their limits"
She winks.
"Father does not like the word 'no', nor do my brothers. They will have to learn the word. It is a very useful one, for a word so short - would you not say, sir?"
She looks over at 'Harry' her head tilted in the manner of a curious animal.
Last edited by Art in the Blood; Sat 05/01/1301:17 UTC.
She smiled at the man, not knowing whether he was teasing her, finally giving him the benefit of the doubt.
"I think perhaps like all stories, they get bigger the further you are from where they occurred. I spent time helping good people, that much is true, but I am but a mere servant of my Lady. It is to her that they should offer up their thanks."
Daxia sat back, waiting and watching the little play unfold around her. She seemed to be amused most by Dominic and Kadri, though Harry himself elicited a bright happy grin as he very nearly mirrored the Sheriff’s words and posture from the other day.
“Oh, good swordlord, I sit here and imagine the interesting conversations and activities when you and Sheriff Garrick and Captain Koromov and this young rascal gather at Midsummers! Why, it’s no wonder he finds himself hanging from the rafters. No, it makes perfect sense now.”
She looked at the rapscallion in question.
“Oh, joyous celebration,” she said dryly. “I suspect the fireworks will not be the sort that sparkle in the night sky and make young children ooh and ahh, but rather the sort that don’t bode well for people like me.” The red haired Dayalan sighed. “That would be people who look just a little too much like an Allaine, and ride a unicorn. In case there was any doubt in your mind about what I meant.”
Then she shook her head and smiled at Harry again. “You must admit, though, despite all young Dominie’s numerous faults, you cannot count being boring among them.
“Ah, but for your questions!
“Pancakes? Thank you.
“And we found the poor lass along the Brementown Road, beset upon by a most unpleasant group of rogues and knaves and persons who thought to bring grave harm to her. I certainly couldn’t let that happen, of course. No, no... despite what some might say, I think my Lady Goddess would have been displeased had I not foolishly, as some have said, rode to her rescue.”
Daxia looks out across the room, watching Darian and Cesare dancing with all the joy and enthusiasm this day demanded. She chuckled as she turned her attention once again to the senior Jvrillian.
“I can’t imagine what she might have done to anger your Hunter, but I can’t imagine anyone else having the temerity to do so. They do make a striking couple, don’t they... the Rhoni and my friend the Hunter? A woman of few words — making up, I suppose, for one who has so many — I certainly count her among my friends.
“Now, my dear sister...” she said with a fond smile for Bekkah. “She is as modest as she is kind, and always has been. No one could want for a better sister! And that her fame spreads across the High Tarn, both high and lowside... well, I’m not surprised. Possibly the most famous Lady of Attera I’m likely to ever meet, and still has time to sit with her little sister at the back of a unicorn’s stall and have those same sister to sister talks we had when I was not much more than a handful of years.”
She paused to take another sip of the hot... well, warm... chocolate.
“And to think I travel with both a Squire of Rames and one of your Brothers, Swordlord! Why, the tales told in the Temple of those who serve Rames or Jvrill are many, and all thoroughly depressing... when they’re not meant to frighten curls into a young girl’s hair! Oh, true, that other Squire I met wasn’t quite the fine, upstanding lad Dean is... but even I’ve heard of our Squire’s Knight, Sir Kevin! And while there were a few bawdy comments when we rode into town from... well, some handful or so of your Guild, I’ve discovered the tales told in my Temple reveal nothing of the reality of the men who follow Rames or Jvrill.” She shook her head. “Or perhaps my problem is simply that I would prefer to see Dean as Dean, and Mikal and Mikal, and take their measure for who they are rather than who they serve. Hmmmm, yes... I suppose that would be another reason I’m one of the Wild Dayalans.”
Daxia looked at Dominic and Kadri again. And giggled.
“My sister-in-spirit, Swordlord, would have made a fine Dayalan if not for the fact that swords are near as long as she is tall. Ah, Kadri, I can’t tell you good it is to see you smile and dance! No doubt it’s all because you’ve been reunited with your one true love,” she said with a wink. “I’m deliriously happy for you! And Dommie? The blonde with the amazing spinning kick?” She raised an eyebrow. “One must wonder how you happen to know about that spinning kick of hers... but knowing you... I don’t really need to wonder oh so terribly long, no I don’t.
“That would be Captain Koromov’s younger sister.”
She finished her hot chocolate and set the mug carefully down on the table, while sadly shaking her head at Dominic.
“Dominie, Dominie, Dominie... what is it about you that causes one sister to hang you from the rafters and the other to, let me guess, try to kick your adorable head from your shoulders?” she asked with feigned bemusement, before bursting out laughing.
[OOC Sorry Wolf, I have been reading the thread but assumed as we (Cesare & Darian) were dancing I would have to let a little more conversation pass before returning - but as you have requested, I can adjust. ]
Cesare
Well he can feel the new boots now. Best not to overdo things, besides with the additional 'exercise' first thing this morning and again just now, he is hungry. And judging by the tone and laughter from their group, folks seem to be in good spirits today, as is he.
Grinning at Darian and offering a hand as a gent would to a lady, continuin his 'mock service' jape, he says.
"Enough for now milady?"
And then in a more normal tone.
"Beside I am fair famished today and the smells are making me hungry."
He leads the way of the dance area, pausing momentarily behind Romana to whisper in her ear.
"Believe I owe you thanks for the boots.."
And he plants a small kiss behind her ear, before moving to a spare couple of seats and collapsing, whilst signalling for the barmaid.
Mikal (OOC - didn't see anything addressed to him after his last reply)
He sits and sips a hot kavass as he watches, and listens, to the interplay between Molkhavin and the others. He'd like to talk to the man about the new swordlord who took over Donner's swords and the guild, but guild business such as that is likely not proper to talk about in the general public's hearing.
So he sits, listens, and watches. Mulling his options over in his head. He is quite aware his contract with Daxia expires at midnight this very day. It seems to have been satisfactorily fulfilled, by both sides, but it seems her latest direction will take her far to the west, back towards Talantal, and very close to his former home. He hasn't been that close to Brockman's Holdfast and it's nearby environs in many years and he doesn't know if he is ready to see it now.
Dean looks around contentedly. From his bench to the side of the fireplace, he can hear his companions talking, his plate and mug are temporarily full, and the Lady Bekkah is safe. A smile passes over his face as he recalls previous Midwinter celebrations with his family. The fire is warm, made warmer by the new scarf draped over his shoulders. He will need to find out who gave him this wonderful scarf so he might thank them...but not quite yet. Perhaps after another plate and a mug...
Daxia, Darian, Cesare, Bekkah, Mikal, Dean, Kadri, Romana, Dominic Domine Korie and Harry Mohlkavin
"Actually ..."
The swordlord looked back to Kadri with an even gaze, sipping his mulled cider.
"The trick isn't understanding the word no. The trick is to get them to say yes without them realizing they are playing into game. In my line of work its called tactics.
"When facing a line of horse or shield across a field, if you can get them to do what you want, thinking that it is their own idea, that makes the winning all that easier.
"I believe your Father does understand the word no. very well. just like The Emeraldsson does, like House Hythainian does, like Donner did, like Michael of the Dark Mark does.
"Yet when we pushed our own chess pieces and found an excuse to call a Thing ...
"... they went along, thinking they were going to teach us what no meant once again.
"And ended up learning the meaning of yes."
Leaning back, he turned his attention back to Bekkah, raising his mug in a respectful toast.
"Perhaps ... however, there is something that I have learned, struck home to me the first time I had a black unicorn ride into camp, to be berated by a short, homely looking woman telling me that my skirmishers were not to be poaching deer upon the storm season because three villages depended on the meat to get them through ... that I discovered that the tales of the Richter Gwynn were true.
"It's why that young rake's tales are so successful.
"The legends, they minstrel tales ... they have to start somewhere; behind them all is some smidgen of truth.
"And in some cases that truth is a heroic and kind Lady of Mercy."
Stretching he looks across those gathered, head tilting to the two silent ones. He nods to the closer benches, indicating them to Mikal and dean.
"You know one would think it'd be the women in one's company who are usually the shyest ."
Stealing a bowl, he ladled himself out a big bowl of stew from the hearth. As he did it was Dominic who stirred, chuckling back to Daxia.
"Actually, my court bound observer, the difference between the courts of Dawnview and the courts of Talantal as as deep and as wide as between Doublebluff and Horses and Castles.
"You should welcome those fireworks, for all their splendor, for they would do well to attract attention to other happenings.
"And never! Never would I do anything to a Lady to have her kick me! In the head. Shin perhaps, or a slap on the face ... but never a boot to the head!
"Let's just say it's very hard to fall off of a flat roooooo ...."
The Korie's words were suddenly interrupted by a loud and very startled squeak, a panic, as it was so unexpected, perhaps it was a dulling of senses from they heady spiced wine that kept Romana from noticing Cesare's approach. the intimate touch - while intended to be friendly - had the young woman jumping straight up, her goblet of wine arcing across the commons, leaving her clinging to the heavy wooden rafter above, so much a kitten up a tree, including, the point of not knowing how they were ever going to get back down.
She swayed, very un-lady like, in surprise and shock.
Mohlkavin raised a brow, glancing between Cesare, Romana and Daxia.
The Hunter chuckled and, with brimming, steaming cup in hand, took another seat, stretching out her legs to let the snarkhound curl beneath them as he was wont to do. She sipped and watched the folk about her. A smile played across her face as she enjoyed this Midwinter's Day.
Romana’s squeal and subsequent acrobatic display prevented Daxia from responding to Dominic. She looked up at Romana, looked at Cesare, looked at Mohlkavin and shrugged.
“Da. Easily startled.”
She looked again at Romana.
“Cesare forget, da?” Daxia made a beckoning motion with one hand, and smiled. “Romanaska let Cesare help? Then maybe Romanaska like cider with apples and cinnamon, no grapes... or hot chocolate?” She beckoned again and pointed to Cesare, then looked at the young Korie lord.
“You’re a rascal, Dom Dominie, there’s no doubt of that. It’s a wonder you don’t limp from all the kicks to the shins you must get, though I have no doubt at all there are more than a fullhand and another fullhand of hearts pining for you from here to there and there to here,” she said with a chuckle. She glanced between Dominie and Kadri, a twinkle in her eyes.
“Shall we put on a pageant as we process to your tiny village amid the fireworks? What a wondrously odd and delightful sight that would be, don’t you think? All of us,” she said, gesturing to their small group, “as attendants to your beloved as she deigns to meet with Father and Brother, though Brother’s Wife might be completely beneath her.” She winked at Kadri. “Our Kadri is a gracious and magnanimous Lady, however, so she might find patience in her heart to leave your tiny village — so small that it does not even have enough words — a new word or two that they might share among themselves.”
He takes the offered seat near Mohlkavin. "Pardon for appearing sullen, Sowrdlord. I am mulling both a recent annoying encounter with Donner's Swords newly elevated Swordlord and what direction my future will take me. Neither good things to do on Midwinters Day."
"If that small village contained Domini ... How many words can there be, really, that they have not heard from the master of words? As for me, Dazi - I am no lady, I am Kadri - lady goes for those with grace and dignity - "
Her hand motions towards Bekkah.
To Bekkah.
"Bekkah, dear Bekkah - you are a face of your lady here in this life. Everyone knows what Your Lady is, and she is what she is by nature. Something to be revered. Yet you - someone who goes so against human nature as to be a beacon of caring and solace? You are what you are by choice. That is something to be well and truly honored. I am no warrior, but I dare to say that your path's challenges are well and truly the equal of that path or any other, and is more than most. Attera might provide the power, yet you make it happen here. Now."
She looks to Mohlkavin, looking thoughtful.
"Word games. Perhaps, however, important word games at that. The option to say no must be made to disappear, yet I have no illusions that it will also make wounded pride and honor disappear with it. That, among my kinfolk, does not happen, as I imagine it will not with the Dark Mark here."
She grins widely and winks, looking at Romana.
"Romana can FLY? Why did you not tell me this, my friend?"
Last edited by Art in the Blood; Fri 18/01/1314:21 UTC.
Daxia, Darian, Cesare, Bekkah, Mikal, Dean, Kadri, Romana, Dominic Domine Korie and Harry Mohlkavin
"Obviousliciously!"
Romana blinked down at Kadri, answreing her small friend's query in a backwards kind of manner.
"Obviousliscially Romanas can indeed flys!"
She then looked down from where her feet now dangled above the floor and not too far above the tables; there are, indeed, certain benefits of being tall.
"Its the landings Romanas are not too sure about ..."
Blue eyes blink, once, twice, thrice, as if she was looking for a particular word.
" ... ja?"
Cesare's offer of help was met with a considered nod, as she clutched at the rafter a bit tighter. It was fair and it was balanced, since the Rhoni was how she ended up there in the first place.
"But hows, Cesares? Romanas not bounce too good and no tree for fallings in to ...
" ... and... and tschoklat ... ooooooooooooooooooo ... tschoklat!"
The upwards bound - and easily distracted - Romana had also not gone unnoticed. There were a a few laughs, a lot of pointing and a few well worded chuckles,
"Hoi! Usually we don't have girls falling from the sky until after sunset!"
" ... at least she's much much cuter than the lad they usually hang up come midwinters ..."
" ... about time they hung up a lass instead of a scamp ..."
Daxia's inflection and words caught a wary glance from their host; Mohlkavin taking a moment to look between Dayalan and the commons hall newest ornament.
"... I think you are wrong. So far you are proving that things like ... this ... do happen everytime you and yours walk through the door; from dashing rogues to dangerous accents ... though I might agree with the Korie lord. take it straight from the battlefield Verchovai. When the spectacle of the field is distracting your opponent, the last thing you want to be is even more spectacular ... and thus end up drawing his attraction back upon you.
"And that not just the value of steel and wheat changes between the Frontier and the Duchy, so do the value of a Lady.
"That and the distance from your Vale changes much. Why do you think she sent the Koromov in Her stead, come the council, and not one of her own? Not the name. She knew if the Koromov got tricked into a dark hall, a forgotten alley, she stood the best chance of coming out alive.
"Because they would try."
He then turned to Mikal, his shoulders shrugging.
"Lad, there are those in the Hall who would kill to be in your shoes. Do you know how tedious it into walk the watch, to ride patrol, around the same town, day after day after day. It's good work and important work, but it's nothing like riding between Mountains and Sea in the center of the windstorm.
"Donner's new Lord is a good man. He's one you'd always want on your side in the melee.
"But he's conservative ... it's as if he has blue stained blood.
"He's not been handed a defeat by the Horde; and if he did, you'd see the difference between both my Heavy Horse and the Mark. We'll change and learn. He'll just get a bigger maul.
"Of course you could find a home in the Guild Hall despite his mistrust. And he'd make sure to forge you into a proper Jvrillian.
"But in the long run?
"I suspect you'll regret that decision the rest of your life."
"Like refusing an offer to dance by a fine lady.
"And as for your silent lass, the one in buckskins and a toothsome companion...
"Landis is not to be trifled with. If his Hunter's gaze has turned this way, it is a serious thing. He has no honor, save for that given to him when he brings a dear in for the slaughtering.
"And speaking of hunts ..."
His attention shifts once again.
"You say you are a Kadri, and not a Lady. Then ... be that.
"Learn from your scamp-on-a-leash. Be yourself. Make sure they know you are enjoying your life to an extent they could never dream.
"And stay a step ahead of them at each turn.
"Right, Dominic?"
Dominic didn't answer. There he was, on the floor, all comfy and with a certain low point of view. He was biting his lower lip, eyes focused down, silent, sitting on his hands like a little kid set at the kitchen table with a cookie jar with in reach and yet knowing just how much trouble he'd be in if he even tried to sneak just one ...
Leans over, looks into the the "scamps" face, and raises first one eyebrow, then the other, then grins.
"Join us at the table, Dom, drink if you are able. Your lips are talented ... and also good at words, so speak. I would hear what you have to say. Of my mother, it was said that when she sang the birds would sit in silence to listen, the wind would stop its howling and the grass its rustling - when you speak, Domini, for good or ill, it will be worth listening to. So come. Sit. Drink. Speak."
She scoots over to make enough room and pats the seat beside her.
Last edited by Art in the Blood; Sat 19/01/1315:18 UTC.
He grins up at Romana, still amused by her reaction but also wanting her down safely.
"If Romana will excuse the comparison and Mikal would lend a hand, we could do what we do when apple picking, join our arms together and make a cradle so a lady could just let go and drop into it?"
He looks over at Mikal with an amused look.
"And I think quickly before a lady's arms grow tired.
Daxia chuckled at Dominic’s plight. “Perhaps sitting beside your beloved will make you look less uncomfortable, poor Dommie.”
Looking at Mohlkavin as she stood, she said more seriously, “Your advice is well taken, Swordlord. Your assessment of my Sisters, both those within the Vale and the Koromov, is accurate... and while I may have more skill than most of my Sisters, I have nowhere near the skill of the Koromov. Yet.”
Then she stepped over to face Cesare with a grin. “I think if Mikal helps here rather dancing with my sister... well, that would lead to unhappiness on Midwinters. We can’t have that, now can we? It is a fortunate thing that swordswomen are as strong as many men,” she said with a wink as she clasped his arms. They were of a similar height, with Cesare being no more than a few finger width's taller, so they were well matched in the task. Better matched, in fact, than the much taller Mikal would be.
She looked back up at Romana then, smiling at her friend. “This will be the blanket to catch Romana who falls from tree inside the Inn, da... yah... ja?”
Last edited by Kel; Sat 19/01/1317:02 UTC. Reason: good grief, the typos... WTH?
Daxia grinned. "I have spent time in the orchards, that's true. Of course, raiding for apples just isn't as satisfying when you have permission to raid."
Daxia, Darian, Cesare, Bekkah, Mikal, Dean, Kadri, Romana, Dominic Domine Korie and Harry Mohlkavin
Two things happened at once.
First the graceful rise and slide, as if a dance step, that ended with Dominic no longer at Kadri's feet.
But, with the nearby benches taken up by so many, his rest ended in Kadri's lap, arms resting causally and comfortably upon her shoulders. he leaned in, and perfectly Midwinters, claimed her nose with a kiss.
"Ja! What a wonderful idea, my dearest! This is much much nicer than the floor!"
The second was a squeak and a squawk and an oomf as arms released the rafter and hands quickly tried to retain control over long skirts - even if the tumble was quick and fast, ending with a Romana flounced in a pair of arms, even if awkwardly caught.
"Pancakes!"
Was what she said first, of course, followed by an aristocratically exasperated,
" ... was fun first times ... second and thirds, not so!"
Once she had finally untangled herself and stood, it was harry who spoke up. He patted the hearth next to him, and then turned his hand to indicate the exact spot with his fingertip.
"I believe you should return and sit your self right here."
It's said with a friendly nod, a smile, and yet there was a touch of steel in the words, as if it were spoken by someone who would not take no for an answer. Like a Swordlord's command.
"In fact, I think it would be good ..." As any very big, very strong and good looking man might say to a lovely lady, " ... if you were to spend the rest of Midwinters here ...
" ... ja? Ja."
Romana hesitated, looking between Cesare and Daxia and back again.
There was a chuff of bright laughter, a distracting interruption.
"And who says an old dog can't be taught a new hunt! You wiley scamp, Harry ... could it be you've learned something from ... me?"
Leaning against Kadri, comfortably snuggled and more than a little ... close, he rested his head against hers as he traded words with the Jvrillian ... and, in turn, answered Kadri's request.
"But it is true ..."
The rapscallion's words dropped, as if they were cloaked in a hint of shadows.
" ... it's not how something is or is not that matters, it's how it's perceived that is oh so important. Appearances, especially the higher one's station, the more important they are.
"For example, there's no safer place for a lady to be perceived, to have the appearance of Harry Mohlkavin's midwinter's companion.
"Or in another case, of a husband of all appearance reckless, bold, incapable of fidelity, and certainly not befitting a tragic noble lass."
The rake nodded.
" ... appearances and theatrics and a dash of mischief and derring do.
" ... at the sunset and sun rise, I suspect, what's most important is our amusement value ..."
Dominic ducked, as if expecting a whap, but none came.
" ... see ... it's a truth. And for me, I have been given a chance to rival Talesan and his Unicorn, and the challenge is not whether or not I can infuriate a trio of Amber Lords, but to see just how far astray I can lead them before they realize they have been led astray.
"And then, can I get them to continue to chase me for doing just that?"
He then reached up to touch Kadri's nose with the tip of his finger.
"And your job is to make Her laugh. Loosen up and realize the most important thing about dancing when the sun goes down.
Grinning at Romana he gestures towards the hearth standing free of her so as not to impede her passage. With a chuckle he moves to go and get some of the stew, then returns to squeeze in beside Darian, not really needing any excuse to snuggle up to her.
"That was funny."
Hungry now, he spoons the stew with relish, thinking how good it is to be part of this group, relaxed and enjoying the festivities. From the snippets of conversation, he is even piecing together Kadri's situation and realising what the play is here. He hopes it works for her and that she can feel less.. pursued in future.
Snagging a gobbet of meat from his stew, he leans down and offers it to Longtooth. It is his Midwinters too after all.
She chuckled once Romana was safely back down from the rafters. “You’re welcome, Romana.”
Daxia looked between Swordlord and friend, listening to Dominie’s chatter. She nodded towards Mohlkavin finally. “Maybe sitting beside very nice Swordlord is safest place for Romana, yah?”
She glanced at Bekkah standing in front of Mikal, and simply raised an eyebrow at her second before grinning broadly and saying to Kadri, “Your beloved owes me a dance. Or was it two? Might I borrow him for a while? I promise to return him before you get too lonely,” she added with a wink.
He catches Daxia's glance and sighs. He is still wrapped up in his own thoughts. Standing, he offers a hand to Bekkah. "Lady Bekkah? Would you care to dance?"
“Oh, I’d never do anything to intentionally harm Lord Dominic. Why, we’re very nearly family, aren’t we?” Daxia said brightly to Kadri. “I’ll treat him just the way I’d treat my very own brother, if I had one.”
She grinned at both Kadri and Dominie. “Merciless teasing, but no harm to his precious person.” Dazi chuckled. “I certainly concede his beatings are his wife’s domain.”
He leads her out to the middle of the floor. A short bow, and he takes her hand in his and pulls her into an ambrace, his other hand going around her back. He starts suddenly, matching the fast pace of the music currently being played. Feet moving quickly, he leads her through a spin and dip, taking both hands he segues into a promenade and cross body lead then into a quickstep and lock. For a few moments he needs to focus on his feet, so as not to step on hers, as well as on her skills.
He has always been a good dancer, the natural grace he uses when fighting meshes well with dancing. He never lacked for a partner back in his village. He watches Bekkah closely at first, trying to guage her own level of skill. He will increase, or decrease, the level of complexity depending on how skilled she seems, not wanting to embarrass her if she is not used to it.
She did not force the dance in any way. To do so was not proper form for a lady. But he found she followed well. He certainly might have had better dancing partners, but she was quite light on her feet and moved well. If he got pleasure from such things, it was quite obvious that she was enjoying herself. She was relaxed and supple in his arms.
Also, if he might be thinking she was doing this to make Squire Dean jealous, he would notice that she never looked at the good squire. Her sole attention was on him and the dancing. She certainly seemed to just want to enjoy the day of celebration.
Daxia, Darian, Cesare, Bekkah, Mikal, Dean, Kadri, Romana, Dominic Domine Korie and Harry Mohlkavin
"Well look'at that ...
"It's improper I say, down right improper! The impropriety of it is simply the height of ... improperty!"
"I wonder what happened ... did they fight? A lover's brawl?"
"Or ... or ... is she just trying to make him all jealous and everything ... maybe they are starcrossed or something!"
"If I were him I'd walk right up and demand My Lady Back, I would!"
"But he's so young ... maybe ... maybe ... they are related?"
"Well you can't say the sworder lad doesn't have a big set of gaaaaaaaah!"
"Just cause it's Midwinters, don't give you the right to be crude, Farmer Jacob!"
"If you think I'm paying for that beer ..."
"Oh don't worry, that one's on the house!"
It seems that, especially upon Midwinter's, not only are attention spans short but a pretty girl in the rafters pales against the scandalous spectacle of a Jvrillian and a lady dancing. Indeed, it is bekkah and Mikal upon whom all attention is drawn. The Minstrel's of course, took full advantage of this ...and the music picks up, an old farm tune, made for light feet and spins across the dance floor
Once in a lifetime ... oh once in a life time ... once in a life time ... once in a life time ...
Everybody having a good time, ja?
Hey Daffyd, did I tell you? So pretty it just could't be true, To dance with her, That's all I asked. Patting me on the head, She sent me alone to bed!
Once in a lifetime ...
It was a light song, a teasing song, and one that always got everyone singing; in fact there may be half a dozen verses true, another half a dozen laced on in jest and then if there were two minstrels, the traditional competition to see who cold make up the most new verses before the other ran dry or repeated themselves.
Making it a very, very long song.
And of course, like any country song, the verses tended to be a bit more earthy than those sung in any court, be it from Dawnview or Grand Talantal.
Mikal and Bekkah could be trapped upon the commons floor for an equally very, very, very long time.
Not all attention, however, was upon the fancy pair. Two passed back and forth glances, suspicious, furtive, distrustful, worried, scared, curious, intrigued, measuring, contemplating, strategizing.
That was what was exchanged between between Romana and Harry; Romana peeking over her hot tshoklat when she thought Mohlkavin wasn't looking, Mohlkavin casting a sidelongs glance to the slender cloaked woman; though Harry had the benefit of the excuse that he was supposed to be looking after her.
Longtooth munched down upon his snack, quite happy, sprawled on the floor before the fire. Mohlkavin did spare the two a glance, that and a shake of his head.
"Just remember; Midwinter's ends with the coming of dawn ... and I suspect Landis will be up and about before then. I doubt even he'd break the holiday; but the season's protections will vanish upon first light."
meanwhile, it was Dominic's turn to look up, shocked, aghast, a hand coming to his chest.
"How could you? Such a request, asking one to leave the most comfortable lap between here and there, that and a woman with a smile mysterious and the most important quality of all!
"She hasn't stabbed me yet!"
But with Kadri's words he did gracefully slip off, stealing a rustle of hair, a kiss upon the top of her head and the dramatic swirl of his cloak to bounce to his feet.
"Alas, if I must, I must! A promise is a promise ... oh the travails we men go through for the fairer sex."
Offering his arm, he properly escorted Daxia to the commons, to join in with the festivities.
He did cast a glance of his own sideways, nodding as he measured his height versus hers.
" ... never say there is nothing good about being short."
This got a choked guffaw from Mohlkavin as he nodded across to Kadri, offering her a wry smile.
ooc note: the song is based on "Guantananera" which is also famous for its impromptu lyrics! There's a great version sung by many folks to celebrate Celia Cruz
Once he finishes eating, an arm slips comfortably around Darian, not that he can draw her in much closer but he does try. His other arm stretches out for his ale, fingers wrapping just as comfortably around that.
Nothing much wrong with life right now, he has everything he wants.. except perhaps for some extra money.. and maybe laying a few ghosts to rest.. but what will be, will be. He is in no rush to upset the apple cart too soon.
Once he has a gauge of Bekkah's dancing skills, he loosens up a little bit, smiling at the music and singing, knowing how shocked many of the more traditionally staid and reserved people are to see a jvrillian, who are normally extremely deferential to Lady's of Attera, being so..., well so familiar with one.
At a break between versus, he actually lifts Bekkah up and flips her over his hip, exposing more than a bit of leg as her skirts flare. He pulls her back to him and chuckles as they move into a more reserved step.
"Do not think I will not be back to calling you 'Lady' upon Her rising. Today those traditions are set aside, for others."
He leads her into a twirl, winking at the gaping crowd and reflecting once again on the advantages of being a loner.
She'd been brought up simply, outside of the 'normal' beliefs of what was proper and what wasn't. So her dancing with Mikal seemed perfectly acceptable to her. In fact she was thoroughly enjoying it. When he lifted her off her feet, she squealed in delight, smile growing even brighter. This was about having fun, nothing else and she was enjoying every second of it.
"If you must." she said with a wink when he said he'd be returning back to normal.
"At least today, I get to be Bekkah once again." she said with another pretty smile as she twirled beside him, skirts flowing outward.
“Oh, Dominic,” Daxia said as she properly, befitting a representative of Dawnview and her Khorall, allowed herself to be escorted to the commons by the young Korie Lord, “from the delightful tales I’ve heard of Father and Brother — to say nothing of Brother’s Wife! By the Lady, what could you possibly have been thinking? Oh, no, never mind, I’m sure I don’t want to know — your charm and wit make it difficult to believe you are the son of your father.”
She laughed at his glance at Kadri and his subsequent comment. “You are a rogue, Dominic Dominie, but a delightful one. And I think you are doing Kadri a world of good... and I don’t just mean leading her brothers on a merry chase from here to there and there to here. Why, I do believe it’s possible she’s thinking of foxy ways to amuse your Lady.
“And she’s smiling.”
The Dayalan smiled herself as she joined in the country dance, nearly as light on her feet as her sister, and equally happy to be enjoying the opportunity to set aside all worries and cares — if only for part of a day — and just enjoy being a young woman celebrating Midwinters. Granted, she was a young woman with a sword, a fact that seemed to intimidate many men, but she did have friends... and surely not all the men would be afraid to dance with her.
“What do you think, Dom Dominie? Will a Dayalan dancing with a Korie lord, while his dear lady wife watches from afar, cause as much of a stir as the Atteran Priestess dancing with the Jvrillian? Not that the Squire seems to be paying much attention at all.”
Daxia chuckled as Dominic twirled her out and back again. “I’ll be sure to mention in my next letter to the Heir what an excellent dancer you are.”
Daxia, Darian, Cesare, Bekkah, Mikal, Dean, Kadri, Romana, Dominic Domine Korie and Harry Mohlkavin
"Trouble?"
Harry cast Kadri a wary glance.
"You have traveled from Cragside to Bordertown in a caravan where the gals outnumber the guys two to one.
"You have attracted the attention of disgraced Imperials, Eastern lords, the Thing, Michael's Dark Mark, various and sundry Guildmasters and Imperials, managed to impress half of the Bordertown Jvrillian troops and thoroughly annoy the other half ...
"And have managed to live to celebrate Midwinters."
"Missus Korie, you are a lot of trouble."
Beside him Romana sat up, straight, shook her shoulders and pronounced,
"Romanas lotsa of troubles!"
She then blinks,peeks up past the edge of her hood and hurriedly questioned.
" ... lotsa something, always betters, yes?"
On the dance floor, Dommie blinked. started and drew himself up - well as up as he could as he and the Dayalan spun across the commons.
"What was I thinking! Why is it always I who must be thinking! Maybe it was her! A lady, in a strange city, strange keep, about to be married to a man she had never met before ... isn't it all gentlemanly and proper to offer comfort and companionship to a lost soul ...
"I mean, she barely knew my esteemed sibling ..."
He then paused, blinked, and sighed.
"Well maybe a little ...
"Perhaps more than a little ... maybe enough to have some feeling ... some inkling of a hint ..."
The short lord sighed and chuffed out a sharp teasing return.
"Who am I kidding. She can't stand him.
"Nor he her ...
"I hear that up in Brandreth's they are running even odds on which one will have a series of unfortunate events first."
Daxia being the taller, when it called for it, it was Dominic who nimbly spun beneath her rather than the other way around.
"Where's my box when I need it?"
He then cast a glance over his shoulder.
"That's true ...
"That's a nice smile ...
"Almost makes one wish it wasn't a sunset dance.
"And as for a rapscallion dancing with you?
"You have a hard decision ahead of you.
"The moment this song ends I suspect someone will ask to cut in."
Dominic smiled brightly.
"You forget ...
"Our adopted aunt dances here come Midsummers. Do you think she only dances with Harry and Garrick and I? She's been known to drag a cute young guy off the benches to share a bransle or pavane.
"Don't count the fact that she is almost as pretty and dances almost as well as your Heir ...
"Would YOU say no to Captain Dandelion Alyssa Koromov?"
"I doubt most of the Jvrillians in Bordertown personally pay little old Kadri much mind one way or another. My arms holds not a long sword such as Dazi, nor a strong bow such as Darian. I doubt, on the whole, that I would be one to impress them - what I do well is not what they would be looking for, anyhow. Perhaps annoyance, if they have noted me at all."
She grins widely.
"And there are people in the world, oh captain - most people actually, who need to be annoyed from their comfort now and again. Sha. What makes anyone think I am of any danger to anyone anyway?"
A wider grin.
"I'm harmless. Mostly. Kind of."
A pause.
"In a way."
Last edited by Art in the Blood; Thu 07/02/1320:24 UTC.
“Not that I think either of them will be immune to unfortunate events,” Daxia said brightly, “but from rumors heard, interesting things learned, and the barest knowledge of the families in question, if I were one to bet — and, of course, I am not — my coin would say Brother ought to carefully tread and be wary of gifts presented to him by his lovely bride.
“It would be wise for them to show the world how desperately they adore and revere one another, as I’m sure Father in your very small village and Father in her speck of a farm would hope, as well. But I do wonder, Dominie, as Brother to one and Dear Friend to the other... can you say that they are that wise?”
The minstrels were far from amateurs, as they continued their attempts at outdoing one another with verse after verse, some of which caused the fire-haired Dayalan to giggle, others caused her to laugh along with the other patrons.
“Ah, Dom Dom Dominie! No sane man would say no to my Sister Dandy,” she responded to Dominic’s last question. “Even if she was not almost as pretty and danced almost as well as my Heir — which she almost is, and I’m sure almost does — and even if one did not notice her sword and spurs, it is her very presence one cannot ignore.
“No, my dear Dominic... I think it would be difficult for nearly anyone to say no to Captain Koromov. Why, I hear even Priestess Kassia merely throws things at her,” she said with a wink.
The Heartwood Bordertown Late Afternoon Midwinters Day
Daxia, Darian, Cesare, Bekkah, Mikal, Dean, Kadri, Romana, Dominic Domine Korie and Harry Mohlkavin
"May you live in interesting times ..."
Harry leaned back against the hearth, chuckling to himself.
"When I was growing up, my Mother, who never spoke an ill word to anyone, no matter how vile or badly they treated her, would, however, every now and then, offer that as a parting blessing.
"To be fair, she'd give it to her friends also, but somehow I think it meant something very different depending upon wo she was speaking to."
"Mostly, kind of ..."
Mohlkavin crossed his arms as his attention slipped back to kadri, giving her a measuring glance.
"I have been in this town long enough to realize that it is exactly the mostly, kind of that you should worry for most. Take Stoneshield; always walking around in his hauberk and greaves. You can hear him coming five houses down and when he draws up to you, he , like me, is usually bedecked in our armory, bearing our troop colors. And you know he's not just a sworder, but an important one.
"It usually takes two or three looks to realize that a certain frail looking farmgirl with the kind smile has a sword hanging from her belt and that beneath her floor length skirts the Koromov wears boots and spurs."
He then points to the others,
"The Rhoni have trustability issues, a snarkhound is the sigil of a Hunter, red hair means Dawnview Vale ... Imperial colors are only worn by Imperials ...
"But you two ..."
He nods to Kadri, and then to Romana.
Romana just blinks, looks up, and gives the mercenary leader a sweet, confused, innocent look.
"You two are the ones everyone won't be looking at.
"And that's a very powerful type of mostly, type of kind of."
He then chuckled,
"And him ... he flips that coin over. Watch him dance with the Allaine-kin. If everyone is watching him, that's because that's exactly what he wants them to do. And if that's happening ... then you can bet your last crown he's the last thing you should be looking at!"
On the common loor, it was indeed Dominic that was catching all the looks, from the ladies who wished they were the ones he was dancing to the guys who were getting annoyed at how all the ladies were watching him instead of them!
"Not wise ... not wise at all, would be my call on that."
But Dominic continued, after leading the Dayalan into a rather bold and skirt flaring spin.
" ... but they are cunning. And that should be enough to make one lose sleep at night. She will be hobbled by her very skirts ... as he will be hobbled by the chains that necessarily bind the two Families together.
"It will be an interesting spring, I suspect, when the Frontier Keeps lose their foul weather ally and the light of your Lady makes the passes into Kierkegaard and the Vale passable again."
He then laughed and leaned in to whisper conspiratorially.
"I always made sureI showed up in my best tunics, that I always had a wildflower - never the same one - and that I was on my most polite, honorable and most friendliest behavior.
**Trustability issues? Well that's a fairly polite way of saying it!**
His only response is a low chuckle but his thoughts continue in a diverted direction, thinking that actually this group of people do seem to trust him, or at least haven't treated him in the same way as many folk do. And he kind of likes it. Has become much less of a loner. But he must be sure not to lose his edge.
ooc note: while its been a rough month for wolves, I do admit that I've relaxed a bit on The Heartwood. But that was a conscious decision - it was mentioned to me that you've bounced from one high strees situation to another - Cragside, The Forest Edge, Bordertown and the Avatar - and some decompression time where the players can just talk with each other would be a welcome thing ...
well it seems that player to player interaction has pretty much run out of steam.
While the Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday block has always been bad for me, come the weekend we shall be moving forward; expect night to come, the next day and the leaving of Bordertown ...
... and unless there's a particular location you want to go or some particular folks you want to talk to, the next stop will be a place where I know something interesting is happening.
For there are two things in the future:
The introduction of a new character (who I need to finish up with on Friday)
[OOC Thanks for the update! I always welcome some IC chat time but some folks haven't posted much - I know Ividia has been swamped - and that does affect the rest of us. ]
Good to go. Mikal just needs to pick up his shield with the newly painted device upon it in the morning on the way out. Although, I, for one, am uncertain if all the pcs are leaving together, or leaving at all. Mikal himself hasn't made up his mind what he's doing, and during the festivities there's little time for serious talking.
Good to go. Mikal just needs to pick up his shield with the newly painted device upon it in the morning on the way out. Although, I, for one, am uncertain if all the pcs are leaving together, or leaving at all. Mikal himself hasn't made up his mind what he's doing, and during the festivities there's little time for serious talking.
OOC Note: Zeim, this is your chance to make the time. There is nothing stopping Mikal from dragging whoever he needs to talk to to a place where he can have this conversation.
My previous note is your friendly gamemaster warning! If you don't take advantage of the time you've been given I will move the group along; the whole group because no one's told me any different
[ooc: Mea culpa, swamped, yes, but good as it means income. As for the Hunter, she only knows that she wants to be away before being inside the walls poisons her. She has no particular direction in mind. PS. I LOVE The Wind and The Lion.]
The red haired Dayalan sighed and a faraway sort of smile crossed her features.
“Oh, to see such a sight as the dear Priestess confused! That alone would be worth a handful of days of water fetching!”
[OOC: Dazi has a Thing To Do, part of which is to escort the famous Lady Bekkah to Talantal. Long range, there’s the Sea of Opals that must be seen!
Also, just as it’s been a bad month for Wolves, Kels have been faring even worse. If there are times going forward that I appear to be ignoring HWD, it is only that I am going through the (to be expected) Very Bad Days. I apologize in advance, and I will eventually be able to respond to posts. As I have today! I just ask the GM not to toss us into a melee until I can assure both myself and the GM that my posting has returned to “normal.” (It is not “normal” now, just as an fyi.)]
(OOC - OK, on Wolf's suggestion I will take some liberties....)
Mikal
After dancing with Bekkah for some time, he calls a break and returns to his seat to finish his drink. He compliments Bekkah on her dancing, with a smile and a bow.
At a slow moment in the evening, towards midnight, he finds Daxia sitting quietly and motions to her to join him on the porch outside.
Once they have moved out of the noise and hubbub of the common room he looks at Daxia, saying, "Our contract ends at midnight. I have found it to be acceptable, from my end, Hopefully you have found it the same from yours?"
"Thank you Mikal. It was so nice to be treated like a woman and just relax. So much more fun than being treated like a relic." she said giving him a beautiful smile.
She took her seat and looked around the place, wondering if anyone else would be brave enough to dance with her.
She followed Mikal outside, gazing up at her Sisters in the night sky before he spoke.
“Acceptable?” Daxia pondered for a moment before answering. “I would say, from my end, it has been more than acceptable. Even when I did not follow your recommendations as my second, your words caused me to think outside and beyond the training I received in Dawnview.
“And on a number of occasions, your unexpected humor lightened my spirits,” she said with a smile.
“So, yes... I would say to your Lord Jvrill that you fulfilled your contract admirably and with honor.”
Daxia studied Mikal for a moment, then asked, “Have you made plans for the morrow and beyond?”
"Nothing firm." He replies. "Ever since I left home I have tended to drift from place to place. I take on contracts with small villages mostly, helping where I can. I avoid places like this", he sweeps his hand out and around, "as much as possible, although sometimes I am forced to winter here or Bordertown if I get caught up in weather."
He pauses, glancing up at the night sky. "I must say, I like your custom of the stars being your sword-sisters", he barely stumbles over the word. "It must be comforting to be able to see them each night watching over you."
"Anyway, I have no firm plans. Tell me yours, if you don't mind. Perhaps our paths may yet continue in the same direction for a time."
“It has been a comfort, I suppose,” she said, “especially on those nights just after Bekkah left the Vale to begin her training at Lilia’s Castle.” Daxia was silent a moment, then nodded to the two stars shining in the Dark Patch. “Now they’re also a vivid reminder that so many of my Sisters fought valiantly and died protecting the people of this land, a reminder of how few of us are still walking the world, and a reminder that I still have a lot to learn.”
She smiled. “Midwinters isn’t quite over... I shouldn’t be so serious.
“As for plans... well, Dominic made a request that will take at least me and Bekkah to Talantal. Where Bekkah goes, the good Squire goes, and it seems where I go, Kadri goes as well. I believe Romana will be safer the farther west she goes, and eventually I intend to see the Talesan’s Bay and the Sea of Opals.
“I had thought to leave Bordertown in the morning; Darian has caught the eye of the local Hunter and, while I have no doubts about her skills, a larger party makes for less appealing prey.
“At least... I think so,” she added with a wry grin.
“I’d be happy for your company if you decide to head west. We’ll pass by — oh, perhaps not all that closely — to what used to be your family’s home. I would completely understand if you decide the proximity of Montague would bring up too much bile, and you chose not to journey in that direction.”
Daxia leaned with her elbows on the railing and looked out over the courtyard of the inn.
“It seems odd to me at times that in such a short span of time I’ve come to think of you all as friends. I had few friends in the Vale, and the friendships there were seasons and years in the making.” She turned her head to look up at the tall man. “Does Jvrill regard friendship as valid coin in a Contract, I wonder. Likely not,” she said, chuckling. “It doesn’t seem properly mercenary. I’d be quite willing to renew our Contract, though I have even less coin than I did in Cragside. If the past is any indication of the future, however, I could probably offer you the opportunity to help save a few more damsels in distress,” Daxia said with a grin.
He is silent for a few moments, listening and musing. When he replies, he doesn't answer the question to start.
"You are right that friendship is not typical coin acceptable to Jvrill for a contract. I have also tried not to make many friends. In my line of work I lose them too quickly. Acquaintances, yes. Associates. Friends...", he shrugs, but the unsaid acknowledgement is there.
"As for the pain of passing near home, not really. Not that there isn't pain. There is. However I make a point of stopping there every year once. I pay respects, and more, I do not want to ever forget."
He glances at Daxia. "So, no money, eh?" He smiles slightly. "The Darksteel was very nice, by the way. I don't suppose I can expect to find some Ironsilver if I keep following you around, can I?"
He pauses a moment, then chuckles. The question was rhetorical. "Perhaps I might, eh? Can't hurt. And I would hate to see bad things happen to Darian, or the rest of you. You attract demons like old bread brings weevils."
"So, I suppose I can ride with you as I search for a new contract. Will it be out of your way to stop near Brockman's for a day?"
She acknowledged his pain, his memories with silence. Sometimes, that is just the best way.
But to the question of Ironsilver, she had to laugh. “Ironsilver is so rare, it’s still a wonder to me that my teacher owned a sword made from that precious metal. And I’m still getting used to the idea that she believed me to be the best of all her students... though Morning Star is quickly cementing the thought in my mind.” Daxia chuckled. “Not that he will allow me to think better of myself than is warranted... but I suppose that’s part of what Gilly meant when she told me that unicorns keep us honest.
“No, the only Ironsilver you’ll find, I suspect, will be in the scabbard of one of my Sisters. And out here...” She paused, then shrugged. “Well, you’ve already met Verchovai Dandelion, who carries a sword of cold iron. It’s possible we might come across Verchovai Gillyflower near MacMurphy’s and I know her sword is ordinary steel. Verchovai Poppy Gwynn might be found somewhere west of the Silk Creek, though I don’t know the composition of her sword, having only seen her at a distance when she visited the Vale. Aside from these, and Poppy Gwynn’s apprentice, I have not heard that there are any other Dayalans outside the Vale.”
Daxia straightens, though she continues to look out over the courtyard.
“Da, and I have had enough encounters with demons to last a lifetime,” she says, groaning slightly. “But they do need killing when they are found, don’t they?”
She turned to face Mikal. “Brockman’s may not be on the direct route to Talantal, but it would be no inconvenience to stray from the direct route. No,” she said with a soft smile. “No, it would not be out of the way at all. Perhaps, when we are there, you would tell us of how your home once was, so we will remember it that way along with you.”
He responds first to the comment about demons, "Yes they do. But it's a bit selfish of us to hog all the fun, don't you think? Other's may want their turn too."
He then nods after she mentions Brockman's. "Then I will travel with you. Thank you."
"Oh, and by the way, I suspect that with a Hunter tracking us taking the direct route anywhere is not wise. Best not to give away where we might go too easily. A trail diverting to Brockman's may throw him off the track."
“You’re right. We mustn’t be so selfish,” Daxia said, looking as though she was trying very hard not to smile. “I’m sure there are others who will want to know the satisfaction of killing demons. I’d be delighted to leave all future demon killing to them.”
She shrugged at Mikal’s assessment. “It’s hard to say how far he’d go to Hunt Darian, or if it’s a true Hunt at all. I know Swordlord Mohlkavin recommends leaving, but I got the impression it was more to take temptation away from Bordertown’s hunter.” She paused, shook her head and smiled slightly. “I believe our Hunter annoyed their Hunter.”
Then the redhead grinned broadly. “Oh, Mikal... Mikal... Mikal. Do you really think we could evade a follower of Khannish if the Hunter was intent on catching us? I’ve watched Darian; I don’t believe we could.
“There’s a single road heading west, and a single bridge crossing Silk Creek. There’s no point in subterfuge, though speed might be a good idea.”
Daxia chuckled. “Let’s not stop having these delightful discussions simply because there is no Contract between us. I really do enjoy them, and sometimes your advice is worth its weight in iron ore.
“Which, I understand, is becoming rather expensive of late,” she said with a wink.
He nods agreement to the comment about conversations. "As do I."
He ponders her comment about the Hunter. "Perhaps we cannot keep him from following us, but at least we then know where he is. I prefer that to his moving ahead of us and setting up an ambush somewhere we do not expect. You are correct there is a single road heading west and a single bridge crossing Silk Creek, but there is nothing forcing us to take either one of those to reach Talantal."
He smiles. "I know the area around Montague and Brockman's like the back of my hand. If we head due North after we leave MacMurphy's Tavern we can cross the High Tarn and swing around the Montague Quarries, turning Southwest after we pass Montague Keep. Then we follow the river down to Brockman's and after that Talantal."
"It's no easy route, but should we have signs of being followed by the time we reach MacMurphy's we can then decide. The bonus being that from what Darian says the Montague have no love for Hunters. He may hesitate to follow us, or he may be more likely to be harassed traveling alone than we would be."
"And, better yet, we will find many more defensible positions among the crags and ravines of the High Tarn than we will on the open road, should he find allies to bring against us."
"As for speed", he shakes his head, "unless we can manage mounts for all I have seen the speed at which Darian's ruff can move. We will not outrun such as that over a long distance, even riding double."
He shrugs. "But we can wait til MacMurphy's to decide."
Daxia, Darian, Cesare, Bekkah, Mikal, Dean, Kadri, Romana, Dominic Domine Korie and Harry Mohlkavin
Talks of contracts, talks of travel, talks of dancing and Noble arrangements, and for at least the passage of an evening the hurts and shadow of the last couple of days are banished. No talk of demons or death, just drink and food and things that will begin come the ending of the storm season and the start of the new year.
Come the setting of the sun, where one minstrel may finally be overcome by sleep, another would take his place, and as the night deep ens, the farmer folks, an odd Jvrillian and the town guardsman, added their voices, their gitars and drums and flutes to the music too.
It is a night where it doesn't matter how good or bad you sing.
Eventually it deepens.
With a few mysteries.
Camelia was nowhere to be seen. Nor was Garrick, the town sheriff. The Dragontooth's patrons apeared to be the more well to do farme rfolk and town merchants; and while House Marrennen was represented there was no one from Emeraldsson or Hysthainian. One of he barmaids noted that Lady Kary must be still feeling poorly, and that no she didn't expect her two systers, who brought a large set of baskets up to the Imperial Tower to be back before morning anyway.
Even close groups, families, friends, traveling companions, finally began to break up, along the most obvious lines.
Including a very interesting oddity.
With the moons asleep and only the stars above, Harry Mohlkavin and Romana had both chosen - or so it seemed - that time to leave.
Though, to be sure, the armistice that was Midwinters Day would last until the sun rose above the town walls.
Not even the Wolftamer dared break that tradition.
She holds a hand out to Dazi, in it is a cord, tied in the cord are bits of colored cloth, feathers, small carved pieces of wood, coins' a key, - and other sundry items.
"A Ben Naf Hafiz - a memory cord. Normally, with family or a friend, one would tie in a new thing with significant events, or to serve as a reminder. If I kne my letters I would have written on it. I have been collecting since ... Well, since early on . Each one is significant, at least to me."
She shrugs a little.
"It is a link to me, representing the ties of spirit which are a greater bond than those of blood. Anyway. I have been working on it since ... We first truly met. Might not mean much to you - but it means something to me for you to have it."
[OOC I expect in conversation - privately or in the common room - it would become clear that come the morrow most of the group are planning to move on.. and Darian already wants that. He has nothing better to do, no place more important to be and so Cesare will be leaving with the others. He'll be packed & ready, breakfasting at first light - unless the plan is to leave ealier ]
(OOC - Don't know if people "disappearing" would be so strange this night. Mikal needs to pick up his shield and to make arrangements for supplies for the journey. It being winter, road biscuits, dried beef, dried fruit, and dried vegetables for soup seem lightest and best. Would also need to make sure everyone has winter gear. If Daxia asks him to he'll look into supplies for the group.)
ooc: just a quick note ... besides emphasizing the when of leaving Bordertown is important. There is no Northern Route to Talantal. Apologies, Mikal.
Three ages of Merchants and you would think that if there was a way to get around the Silk Creek Ravine and the Highside Heather bridge they would be using it.
Do you really believe Montague really would use a merchant route that forced their trade through Talantal tolls if they had an ... alternative?
Hmmmmmmmmmm ... now that would be an engineering project that they could use their "criminal" labor force for.
I wonder what the cost would be.
And I'm not talking in gold.
(I think this falls under the category of "don't give your GM ideas")
(OOC - Didn't expect there to be a trade route, or a route of any kind for that matter. People can travel overland through anything short of an impassable gorge. It just takes longer. Trade wagons cannot. People don't need trails or roads. i.e. A person can go where a wagon cannot.
Expected that route to be pure traveling through the wilderness. For example, took a dozen scouts with me on wilderness backpacking trips into the Sangre de Cristo mountains. Had to carry everything with us, food, water, gear, etc. Every now and then there were a few animal trails to follow, but we often traveled overland using map & compass and sun/star navigation. Took longer, but it's doable.
“My concern for speed is not so much to outpace a Hunter, but to arrive in Talantal before news of the young Korie’s... ah... declaration of everlasting love for the Amberite reaches the very small village from where he hails,” Daxia said with a smile. “We just need to move faster than the fastest merchant caravan. Fortunately, we travel more lightly than a merchant caravan.”
She leaned against the railing and crossed her arms, her gaze drifting towards the doorway of the common room. “I would ask the Swordlord his opinion about the Hunter, but in any case I’d like to be on the road as soon as possible after She rises. That does not, unfortunately, mean walking through the gates as they open, since I still need to pick up the saddle and blanket I asked to be made for His Magnificence. If we are prepared to leave at first light, then we need only walk through the market on our way out.”
[OOC: As the GM has ever so gently hinted, going across county is a Very Bad Idea. We can have OOC conversations about the whys and wherefores, and the theoretical possibility of there being a route from here to there that isn’t the Highland Path. The reality is that there is the Highland Path. And... yeah. The Highland Path. Also, as stated above in the IC section, we (well, okay, *I*) have a desire to reach Talantal before Father and Brother and Brother’s Wife learn what Dominic has done this time. Traveling cross country has, at the very least, two dangers: rough country that could be harmful to the horses and, far more importantly, MONTAGUES. Yes, yes... Daxia can navigate by the stars better than my GPS device gets me around the Capital District. That doesn’t mean she’s going to break trail through Montague lands. She is NOT a cobble block, I don’t care what anyone says.
Daxia accepted the cord from Kadri and looked at each item attached, her smile growing with each one. By the time she reached the key, she was grinning broadly. The key wasn’t Darksteel, of course, but that hardly mattered.
“How could it not mean a great deal to me, Kadri?” she asked before hugging her friend. “Some things are impossible to forget. Other things somehow manage to fade despite our best efforts to remember them. This is a wonderful tradition!”
Her fingers strayed along the length of the cord once again. “It’s also beautiful. Do you have one of your own? And as we ride tomorrow, you’ll tell me what each piece means to you, won’t you?”
"I left my other memories behind me, in Amber. There they can stay, with my sister. My new one, however, I have."
She smiles.
"Last few weeks have added much to it. They have been ... memorable. Mine now - starts with the tail hairs of Lisica, and that of another animal. And I will gladly talk - with you - about both, yours and mine."
†Restricted forums can only be accessed by DreamLyrics members of the age of 18 years or older. Access which is granted by the Behind Closed Doors Procedure. ™DreamLyrics Play-by-Post. DreamLyrics Play-by-Post does not own copyright on DreamLyrics texts or graphics, except trademarked DreamLyrics logos and logotypes. The works contained in DreamLyrics are copyrighted (automatically, under the Berne Convention) by the original authors and may be available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licence. (See Copyrights for details.) Privacy Policy
]
]