NEXT MORNING
As I drifted from the depths of my sleep into consciousness I noted that it was bright midmorning was my guess. Trying to sit up I let out a large yelp/groan. Minevera hustled in saying, "Thank Goddess you're awake! Do you know that it's Wednesday about 11 in the morning? I thought you'd never wake. I suppose that sleeping draught was a bit much eh? Jonah! Fetch the girl some food from the kitchens. Get soup of some sort with bread and cheese along side and don't forget a beverage. What would you like dear? Then go to the main office and have a message delivered to Calvin of Greensboro saying he and Lady Page Tierney of Queenscove friends may come this afternoon for a visit. Next I want a message to Sir Nealen of Queenscove and Lady of the Manor Yuki Queenscove telling them Tierney is awake and well. Oops, are you feeling well?"
"Yes Madam but tell my father I would still like some of his bruise balm." I said liking my dry lips with my parched tongue.
"And finally send a message to Sir Aiden of Brahm telling him Lady Page-"I cut her off at that point saying, "Just call me Tierney please."
"As I was saying tell Brahm she's well and ready to testify about what happened yesterday morning. That will be all Jonah. Go, hurry along!" Minevera then left me to my own devices. Stretching each muscle slowly, almost as if checking to be sure Minevera hadn't missed anything important. When I found everything to be in order, just sore I stood up slowly and padded out of the room to Minevera's main office.
"Excuse me may I go change? I'll only be a minute."
"I don't want you walking that far. Maybe Numair can portal you there." She said, stepping into the hallway. When she returned she had Numair with her. He Stood in the middle of the room and opened a portal.
"I'll leave the portal open for a half an hour so try to hurry Tierney. Daine sends her blessing by the way." I nodded and stepped through the glowing portal and stepped out in my room. I breathed in deeply and noticed a refreshing scent. I looked over on my desk and piled high was a huge vase of flowers of every kind. There was a card sitting on the desk next to it.
"To Fair Tierney, may you have a speedy recovery and get Quinian of Cagney kicked out. Lots of Love, Cal."
"Oh how sweet! Kinda funny though. Didn't peg Cal as the sentimental type." I said aloud to my empty room then added silently, "I have got to stop talking to myself out loud. Someone might think I'm weird!" I went over to the closet and changed from the nightgown I was wearing to a pair of red hose and a white extra long tunic. I pulled my hair back into a simple pony tail and walked back through the portal to the Healer's Wing.
"Welcome back Tierney. Here's your food. Eat it all or you won't be going to the tourney with Brahm and Greensboro. I mean it!" Minevera said sweetly. I shrugged and ate my soup without saying a word. When I'd finished Jonah, the assistant came in.
"Sir Brahm would like you to go to his office and have a word with him. Then you are free to do as you wish. Where will you be so I can send Cal or any of your either friends to see you?"
"Well I'm obviously going to see Brahm. Then I'm going to check my mail at the main office, pack my bags for the tourney then go to the stables to see my horse. Maybe I'll pop in and see Daine."
"Fine, well best be going. Brahm doesn't like to be kept waiting." I left the wing and walked out into the morning sunlight. In the distance I could hear Cal yelling at someone so I went to investigate.
"Cal! What are you yelling about now?"
"Tierney! You're awake! It's lovely to see you. You're still going to Corus with me an Brahm right?"
"Yes I am. Going to see Brahm right now as a matter of fact. Hey why aren't you in your classes?"
"I'm teaching a class for Brahm. He's waiting to talk to you I think. Did you like the flowers I sent you?"
"Yes I did Cal thanks. Well I have to go. Talk to you later!" Smiling as I walked away towards Brahm's office. I entered the cool, dark and dank hallways and began looking for Brahm's office. I knew where it was but I looked at all the other doors anyway. When I finally got to his office I took a deep breath and knocked loudly.
"If you're Tierney of Queenscove come in. Everyone else go away."
"It's me Sir."
"Come in. Can't you hear?" Brahm barked at me. I grimaced at the harsh reprimand and walked in. Brahm was standing at his window staring out into the court yard.
"Are you feeling well enough to enter in the tourney?"
"Yes Sir. I believe I am Sir."
"Great! Here is a list of the equipment and other things you'll need. The entrance fee is 20 Gold. I'll pay half and be your sponsor. I'll go relieve Cal of his duties and he'll most likely join you in your room to help you pack."
"Can I go check on my horse first?"
"Ah yes grand idea! You'll need to ride her to Corus on the morrow anyway and since to my knowledge you haven't ridden her yet it'd be best if you got to know her riding style. Come on. Let's go I have work to do. I'll send Cal over to ride with you." I stepped out the door in front of Brahm back out into the dingy hallway, then to the bright sunshine. We walked side by side until we came to where the path forked off, one to the stable and the other to the practice courts. Brahm waved a goodbye to me as we went our separate ways. I went to the first barn where Qwennie is stabled. First Row, seventh stall on the right I recited to myself. She had her elegant head sticking out the door, as if she had been waiting for me. I stroked her forehead once before turning to go speak to Stephan.
"Hey Stephan I'm taking Qwennie out for a ride. Where's her tack and brushes?"
"In here. This saddle here is hers and this is her bridle. Here are her brushes and hoof pick. Clean her well before you take her out. Oh and here's her saddle blanket." As I was leaving with my arm load of horse stuff I bumped into Cal who was getting his tack too. He put his arm out to stop me and once I'd done so he promptly leaned and kissed me on the cheek. I gaped at him in surprise but he just laughed and kept going. I stood rooted to my spot for a moment until I came to my senses and went back to Qwennie's stall. Grasping her halter I led her out to the cross ties where I began a thorough grooming of her. When I'd finished I quickly tacked her up and unclipped her from the ties.
"Tierney are you ready?" Cal called over the noise of the horses.
"Yes, where should we go out?"
"Through the main door. I'll meet you there my sweet." Leading Qwennie along to the door where we met up with Cal. Once outside Cal and I mounted up simultaneously.
"We're going to ride through the grounds and then in the forest for a bit. I think a two hour ride will be long enough for you to get used to her." Cal said nodding towards Qwen. Kicking her forward I could already feel her smooth gait and willingness to obey commands. She'd be a great horse to ride. For two hours Cal and I rode about and then we went back to the stable where two stable boys took the horses from us.
"These two along with Brahms must be ready to ride at dawn's first light tomorrow. Understand?" Cal asked them, giving them a steely look. The boys nodded in understanding and we left.
"You should go pack now. I'll go with you to tell you what you need to bring. Oh and Binks is in your room. Come on lets go." As we walked Cal draped his arm around my shoulders, drawing me close to him. When we got to my room Binks ran to greet us, trilling and meowing happily.
"Ah yes I see you cat. I haven't forgotten you! Ready to go for a trip?" I murmured in the kitten's ear. His answer was a loud singular "Meow!"
"I think that's the closet you'll get to a yes." Cal said, flopping down on my bed, "Now first you'll need a pack for you stuff. Have you got one?" I pulled out a light weight but durable pack from under my bed as an answer.
"You'll need regular clothes for three days plus fancy clothes for Sunday. Brahm always has us go to the temple then. Next you'll need your clan gear. And your padded armor, your sword and spending money and any other personal items you want. Now pack all that and I'll see you at dinner. Oh wait! It's near dinner. You'd best hurry up and get ready. But don't worry you don't have to set up today, Brahm's decree. See you later." And as a parting he kissed me on the cheek again. I went to the bathroom and filled my basin with warm water. I quickly washed myself and changed into fresh clothes, purple leggings and a white tunic. Even though dinner wasn't for a half an hour I walked to the kitchens to get some milk for Binks.
"May I have some milk for my kitten?" I asked one of the apprentice chefs. She didn't speak but gave me a glass bottle of milk and a small dish.
"Keep it and bring it back to get it filled. If you leave it sitting in a bowl of cold water it will stay fresh." I smiled in way of thanks and went back to my room. By the time I'd fed Binks and cleaned up it was time to go to dinner. Giving him one final pat I left for the dining hall.
A/N: Hope this is long enough for you. The tale of her evening is going to be an exciting one but I'm going to make you wait in suspense for it!
~*AnnaBeth*~