Author's note: Thanks for the reviews, guys and here's another chapter.
Sorry it took so long.
Disclaimer: Everything belongs to Sherwood Smith, save the plot line.
Home is Where the Heart is: Chapter Four of Hope is All
By Coppercurls
(Excerpt from Court Duel)
For dinner that night we found Bran and Shevraeth waiting in the parlor next to the dining room. Nee had probably prepared them, I realized. This was new for me, but it was according to the rules of etiquette; and if I looked at it as a rehearsal--more of the playacting--I found it easy to walk in beside her, minding my steps so that my skirt flowed gracefully and my floor-length sleeves draped properly without twisting or tripping me up.
Nee walked straight to my brother, who preformed a bow, and grinning widely, offered his arm.
This left me with the Marquis, who looked tall and imposing in dark blue embroidered with pale gold, which--I realized as I glanced just once at him- -was the exact same shade as his hair. He said nothing, just bowed, but there was a mild question in his gray eyes as he held out his arm.
I grimaced, thinking: You'll have to learn this some time. May's well get it over with quickly. Putting my fingertips so lightly on his sleeve I scarcely felt the fabric, I fell into step beside him as we followed the other into the dining room. Though this was my home, I didn't plop down cross-legged onto my cushion, but knelt in the approved style.
After I'd fortified myself with a gulp of wine, Bran said, "Life, Mel, you look fine. Getting some more of those duds?"
I nodded.
"What have you done with your day?" Nee asked, her fan spread in the attitude I recognized from our fan lesson as Harmonic Discourse.
"We had a bout with the group at the garrison, had a squint at some horses brought from up-mountain. Danric answered mail, and I went over to town with Calder to look at the plans for paving the streets."
This was Tlanth business. I said, "Did you talk to the elders? They want part of their taxes to go to that."
Bran nodded. "It's a fair plan," he said; and I sat back; relieved.
Nee put her chin in her hand. "'Answered mail,' Vidanric? Is he referring to that formidable bag your equerries brought in this morning?"
"We're finishing the last of the dispersal and reassignment of Galdran's army," Shevraeth said.
"Dispersal?" I repeated, thinking immediately of my plans for evaluating his forming government. Surely it would raise no suspicions to ask about it, since he had introduced the subject. "You've dismantled that gigantic army?" ` "A huge standing army with little to do is both--"
"'--a financial burden and a threat,'" I said. "I recognize the quote--and I agree," I added hastily, seeing consternation on Bran's face. "I just...wondered what was happening to them," I finished rather lamely.
(End Excerpt)
We spent a good time arguing about the fairest way to disperse an army, Shevraeth and I. I was enjoying myself and testing my theories. Yet by the end of our debate both of our meals had gone cold.
I blushed and picked at my meal, trying to scratch up a few lukewarm pieces. Finding my search was in vain, I just gave in and devoured my food, which was edible despite its temperature.
I peeked up and saw that The Marquis was following my example and eating his food. Nee and Bran were exchanging half uncomfortable and half amused glances.
When dinner ceased I lay down on my bed, simply pondering about the passionate discussion The Marquis and myself had. What did my brother and Nee call him? Oh yes, Vidanric.
I was lost in my thoughts when I heard a loud tapping noise on my tapestry. Without asking any further admittance, my brother Branaric entered my room.
"Hullo, Mel." He said, fidgeting slightly.
"Bran," I shot him a stern look, "Did I say you could come in?"
He replied, "Er...no, but I knocked."
I rolled my eyes but decided to let it slip.
"Well what do you want?" I inquired.
Bran looked more nervous than ever, "Mel, I was wondering, what's between you and Vidanric?"
"What?" I was confused.
"Umm, you know what I mean," Bran insisted.
"Umm, no I don't," I mocked him.
Bran chose to ignore my retort. He patted my head, as though I was a wee girl that need consolement. "Just think about what I said. You may try going into the library for comfort."
He left before I had the chance to protest that he really didn't say much for me to think about and the library would probably not offer me any comfort.
I would find out later that Nee was having almost the same conversation with Vidanric at the time.
Instead of thinking about what Bran said, I was thinking of why the library. Did he have a surprise there or something? My curiosity got the better of me and I slid into a pair of silk slippers and padded to the library.
I saw a tall figure I immediately recognized.
Vidanric.
So this was Bran's game. Sadly enough for him, I was not that stupid.
He was trying to set me up with Vidanric.
But why?
Before I could think of an answer to that question, Vidanric whirled around.
"My dear Countess." He pronounced grandly, bowing.
My wonderfully polite answer was to snap, "What are you doing here?"
He raised an eyebrow, "I should ask you the same question."
"Let's not forget this is my home, therefore this is my library." I went on to explain things to him furiously, which was taking me a few minutes.
Vidanric didn't seem to be listening to me. Instead, he had a dreamy look on his face. "What are you thinking about instead of listening to what I have to say?" I asked furiously.
"How to get you to be quiet." He retorted simply.
I could feel the rage building up inside me this time. "How?" I questioned him, with a mix of anger and joke.
"Like this," with that, he kissed me, and left, leaving me there, completely poleaxed.
Author's Note: Ok, this was worse than the last. I'm going to try to make it up to you guys on the next chapter. And again, sorry it took a little bit longer than the other chapters. I was kind of busy. Please review! I'll give you a cookie!
Disclaimer: Everything belongs to Sherwood Smith, save the plot line.
Home is Where the Heart is: Chapter Four of Hope is All
By Coppercurls
(Excerpt from Court Duel)
For dinner that night we found Bran and Shevraeth waiting in the parlor next to the dining room. Nee had probably prepared them, I realized. This was new for me, but it was according to the rules of etiquette; and if I looked at it as a rehearsal--more of the playacting--I found it easy to walk in beside her, minding my steps so that my skirt flowed gracefully and my floor-length sleeves draped properly without twisting or tripping me up.
Nee walked straight to my brother, who preformed a bow, and grinning widely, offered his arm.
This left me with the Marquis, who looked tall and imposing in dark blue embroidered with pale gold, which--I realized as I glanced just once at him- -was the exact same shade as his hair. He said nothing, just bowed, but there was a mild question in his gray eyes as he held out his arm.
I grimaced, thinking: You'll have to learn this some time. May's well get it over with quickly. Putting my fingertips so lightly on his sleeve I scarcely felt the fabric, I fell into step beside him as we followed the other into the dining room. Though this was my home, I didn't plop down cross-legged onto my cushion, but knelt in the approved style.
After I'd fortified myself with a gulp of wine, Bran said, "Life, Mel, you look fine. Getting some more of those duds?"
I nodded.
"What have you done with your day?" Nee asked, her fan spread in the attitude I recognized from our fan lesson as Harmonic Discourse.
"We had a bout with the group at the garrison, had a squint at some horses brought from up-mountain. Danric answered mail, and I went over to town with Calder to look at the plans for paving the streets."
This was Tlanth business. I said, "Did you talk to the elders? They want part of their taxes to go to that."
Bran nodded. "It's a fair plan," he said; and I sat back; relieved.
Nee put her chin in her hand. "'Answered mail,' Vidanric? Is he referring to that formidable bag your equerries brought in this morning?"
"We're finishing the last of the dispersal and reassignment of Galdran's army," Shevraeth said.
"Dispersal?" I repeated, thinking immediately of my plans for evaluating his forming government. Surely it would raise no suspicions to ask about it, since he had introduced the subject. "You've dismantled that gigantic army?" ` "A huge standing army with little to do is both--"
"'--a financial burden and a threat,'" I said. "I recognize the quote--and I agree," I added hastily, seeing consternation on Bran's face. "I just...wondered what was happening to them," I finished rather lamely.
(End Excerpt)
We spent a good time arguing about the fairest way to disperse an army, Shevraeth and I. I was enjoying myself and testing my theories. Yet by the end of our debate both of our meals had gone cold.
I blushed and picked at my meal, trying to scratch up a few lukewarm pieces. Finding my search was in vain, I just gave in and devoured my food, which was edible despite its temperature.
I peeked up and saw that The Marquis was following my example and eating his food. Nee and Bran were exchanging half uncomfortable and half amused glances.
When dinner ceased I lay down on my bed, simply pondering about the passionate discussion The Marquis and myself had. What did my brother and Nee call him? Oh yes, Vidanric.
I was lost in my thoughts when I heard a loud tapping noise on my tapestry. Without asking any further admittance, my brother Branaric entered my room.
"Hullo, Mel." He said, fidgeting slightly.
"Bran," I shot him a stern look, "Did I say you could come in?"
He replied, "Er...no, but I knocked."
I rolled my eyes but decided to let it slip.
"Well what do you want?" I inquired.
Bran looked more nervous than ever, "Mel, I was wondering, what's between you and Vidanric?"
"What?" I was confused.
"Umm, you know what I mean," Bran insisted.
"Umm, no I don't," I mocked him.
Bran chose to ignore my retort. He patted my head, as though I was a wee girl that need consolement. "Just think about what I said. You may try going into the library for comfort."
He left before I had the chance to protest that he really didn't say much for me to think about and the library would probably not offer me any comfort.
I would find out later that Nee was having almost the same conversation with Vidanric at the time.
Instead of thinking about what Bran said, I was thinking of why the library. Did he have a surprise there or something? My curiosity got the better of me and I slid into a pair of silk slippers and padded to the library.
I saw a tall figure I immediately recognized.
Vidanric.
So this was Bran's game. Sadly enough for him, I was not that stupid.
He was trying to set me up with Vidanric.
But why?
Before I could think of an answer to that question, Vidanric whirled around.
"My dear Countess." He pronounced grandly, bowing.
My wonderfully polite answer was to snap, "What are you doing here?"
He raised an eyebrow, "I should ask you the same question."
"Let's not forget this is my home, therefore this is my library." I went on to explain things to him furiously, which was taking me a few minutes.
Vidanric didn't seem to be listening to me. Instead, he had a dreamy look on his face. "What are you thinking about instead of listening to what I have to say?" I asked furiously.
"How to get you to be quiet." He retorted simply.
I could feel the rage building up inside me this time. "How?" I questioned him, with a mix of anger and joke.
"Like this," with that, he kissed me, and left, leaving me there, completely poleaxed.
Author's Note: Ok, this was worse than the last. I'm going to try to make it up to you guys on the next chapter. And again, sorry it took a little bit longer than the other chapters. I was kind of busy. Please review! I'll give you a cookie!