Disclaimer: I don't own Mutant X or any of the characters.
~* Chapter 2 *~
~*~* Lab *~*~
"Shalimar? Shal, please wake up." Emma pleaded as she gently shook her friend's shoulder. Adam had treated her wounds, but said that because of the extensive blood loss and psionic trauma she had fallen into a coma. He hoped hearing her friends call to her would bring her back.
"Shalimar. Shalimar wake up."
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
"Shalimar wake up. Father wants us at the tournament early."
Shalimar slowly opened her eyes and looked up at her sister. She looked beautiful in her pink rose dress and jewels. Emma smiled at her elder sister and then stood to call her attendants to help Shalimar dress.
Their father, Lord Adam, was hosting a tournament for all the knights in the land. He wanted his daughters present fore he knew many suitors would be in attendance.
Lady Emma had already consented to her father's wish to marry her to Sir Jesse, the son of a neighboring lord. Their marriage would solidify a peace between the two families and bring harmony to the west end. He could not proceed, however, with the marriage because a custom in the land dictated that daughters must be married in order of their birth.
Lady Emma loved Sir Jesse very much and was impatient for her sister to find a suitor. "Just think, Shalimar, all the knights of the land will be there. So many handsome knights. Father is sure to give you a choice of the best of them to wed."
Shalimar emerged from her dressing area spinning in order to get Emma's opinion of her new purple gown. "I know you want me to marry so that you may wed Sir Jesse, but I can't be true to my own heart if I pick just anyone so that the two of you may be together."
~*~* At the Tournament *~*~
The morning air was filled with excitement. The birds sang as the sun continued its ascent. On the maidens' platform covered with a silken canopy, built to one side of the grounds, sat Lady Shalimar and Lady Emma with a few others of noble birth, watching as the people began to fill the grounds. Tournaments always seemed to draw both peasant and noble to cheer for the knights as they display their skill and form.
As an official start to the festivities, the competing knights paraded in front of the hosting Lord and the maidens who looked on. Each was announced by name and territory. Shalimar watched absently, not really showing much interest. She had seen them all before.
Sir Jesse was announced and gestured a bow to Lady Emma as he passed. She stepped forward and tossed him her handkerchief. It was considered lucky to carry something of your beloved into battle (albeit staged). He caught it and brought it to his lips as he again bowed and made his way to his place in line.
All knights were in line in front of Lord Adam awaiting his blessing in order that they might begin. Lord Adam stood when all was quiet and was about to address the crowds.
A sudden clamoring of people on one side of the field drew the attention of all. An unknown knight on a white steed had entered the grounds and approached Lord Adam. All eyes were drawn to this mysterious knight clad in brilliant armor, which shone brighter than the morning sun.
All the maidens stood to try to get a glimpse of the newcomer, except Lady Shalimar. She remained seated, but watched intently.
The knight removed his helmet to address Lord Adam. In a strong confident voice he declared, "Noble Lord, I have traveled for many days from beyond the great lake and humbly ask permission to participate in this tournament along with these honored knights of the land."
Impressed with the young man's eloquence, Lord Adam spoke, "Pray thee, your name Sir Knight?"
"I am Sir Brennan of the Valley Beyond the Sea."
"Welcome, Sir Brennan. I am honored by your presence here." He then looked beyond Sir Brennan. "My Lords and Ladies, allow me to present the noble knight, Sir Brennan." Returning his gaze to the knight, "Sir Brennan, take your place."
The knight circled the grounds. He bowed, as he passed the fair maidens, his attention drawn to the solitary seated maiden. He took his place in the line and glanced once more at the maiden who had caught his attention.
Lord Adam gave his blessing and the tournament began.
As the morning progressed, the knights jousted and displayed skill and valor as they tried to best each other and perhaps win the favor of a fair maid. By noon, there were but four knights left; Sir Jesse, Sir Philip, Sir Hector and Sir Brennan.
~* Chapter 2 *~
~*~* Lab *~*~
"Shalimar? Shal, please wake up." Emma pleaded as she gently shook her friend's shoulder. Adam had treated her wounds, but said that because of the extensive blood loss and psionic trauma she had fallen into a coma. He hoped hearing her friends call to her would bring her back.
"Shalimar. Shalimar wake up."
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
"Shalimar wake up. Father wants us at the tournament early."
Shalimar slowly opened her eyes and looked up at her sister. She looked beautiful in her pink rose dress and jewels. Emma smiled at her elder sister and then stood to call her attendants to help Shalimar dress.
Their father, Lord Adam, was hosting a tournament for all the knights in the land. He wanted his daughters present fore he knew many suitors would be in attendance.
Lady Emma had already consented to her father's wish to marry her to Sir Jesse, the son of a neighboring lord. Their marriage would solidify a peace between the two families and bring harmony to the west end. He could not proceed, however, with the marriage because a custom in the land dictated that daughters must be married in order of their birth.
Lady Emma loved Sir Jesse very much and was impatient for her sister to find a suitor. "Just think, Shalimar, all the knights of the land will be there. So many handsome knights. Father is sure to give you a choice of the best of them to wed."
Shalimar emerged from her dressing area spinning in order to get Emma's opinion of her new purple gown. "I know you want me to marry so that you may wed Sir Jesse, but I can't be true to my own heart if I pick just anyone so that the two of you may be together."
~*~* At the Tournament *~*~
The morning air was filled with excitement. The birds sang as the sun continued its ascent. On the maidens' platform covered with a silken canopy, built to one side of the grounds, sat Lady Shalimar and Lady Emma with a few others of noble birth, watching as the people began to fill the grounds. Tournaments always seemed to draw both peasant and noble to cheer for the knights as they display their skill and form.
As an official start to the festivities, the competing knights paraded in front of the hosting Lord and the maidens who looked on. Each was announced by name and territory. Shalimar watched absently, not really showing much interest. She had seen them all before.
Sir Jesse was announced and gestured a bow to Lady Emma as he passed. She stepped forward and tossed him her handkerchief. It was considered lucky to carry something of your beloved into battle (albeit staged). He caught it and brought it to his lips as he again bowed and made his way to his place in line.
All knights were in line in front of Lord Adam awaiting his blessing in order that they might begin. Lord Adam stood when all was quiet and was about to address the crowds.
A sudden clamoring of people on one side of the field drew the attention of all. An unknown knight on a white steed had entered the grounds and approached Lord Adam. All eyes were drawn to this mysterious knight clad in brilliant armor, which shone brighter than the morning sun.
All the maidens stood to try to get a glimpse of the newcomer, except Lady Shalimar. She remained seated, but watched intently.
The knight removed his helmet to address Lord Adam. In a strong confident voice he declared, "Noble Lord, I have traveled for many days from beyond the great lake and humbly ask permission to participate in this tournament along with these honored knights of the land."
Impressed with the young man's eloquence, Lord Adam spoke, "Pray thee, your name Sir Knight?"
"I am Sir Brennan of the Valley Beyond the Sea."
"Welcome, Sir Brennan. I am honored by your presence here." He then looked beyond Sir Brennan. "My Lords and Ladies, allow me to present the noble knight, Sir Brennan." Returning his gaze to the knight, "Sir Brennan, take your place."
The knight circled the grounds. He bowed, as he passed the fair maidens, his attention drawn to the solitary seated maiden. He took his place in the line and glanced once more at the maiden who had caught his attention.
Lord Adam gave his blessing and the tournament began.
As the morning progressed, the knights jousted and displayed skill and valor as they tried to best each other and perhaps win the favor of a fair maid. By noon, there were but four knights left; Sir Jesse, Sir Philip, Sir Hector and Sir Brennan.