Ch 2 Alone
"So It was a lifebond" Gerril asked.
"Yes, it must have been, our souls were one. Even then" Rannel said.
"Then how was it you didn't know when she died" the bard asked.
"I think I did, I suddenly had to be home. It was why I rode as hard as I did for home" he shook his head. "It was still too late".
Alone my heart
It aches for you
I watch from shadows
And dream of you.........
The next morning Rannel dressed quickly, he wanted to find her, but he still had weapons practice and he had promised Merrol that he would take him hunting. The sooner I finish the sooner I find her, he thought to himself.
The smack to his head knocked him back and he landed on his butt "Get yer mind back on what yer doin" the weaponsmaster said in a disgusted voice.
Rannel shook his head and pulled off his Helmut "I don't think I can today" he said.
"You do this in battle and it'll be yer last" the other man said.
"I know" he said, running his hand through wet hair.
"I've met someone" he said.
"Should have known some girl's turned yer head, well git her out of yer system" he said, holding a hand out to Rannel.
""I can't" Rannel said ruefully. "She won't have anything to do with me".
"Smart gal, you marry that one" the weaponsmaster said, pulling him to his feet.
"I think I will" Rannel said softly, a thoughtful look on his face.
The weaponsmaster shook his head "Yer young yet, git to yer brother now, yer useless to me in this state".
Rannel grinned his thanks and left looking for Merrol.
Graella walked down towards the bathing room, once she entered she noticed it was already occupied. The five women looked up startled at her entrance. "Oh you're one of the bards from Valdemar" one of the young women exclaimed.
"Yes" she said softly, not sure of her reception.
"You must tell us what it's like in Valdemar" the youngest looking one said, something about her cast of features reminded Graella of the man with the golden eyes. This girl though, had dark brown eyes.
"I've been to Haven, the throne city. Bardic is within the palace complex" she said a hint of her gift in her voice.
They hung on her every word as she described the grounds and people in Haven, she had them in stitches over some of the antics of the trainees. She didn't talk much of the nobles though, it wasn't wise to tell such gossip. One never knew what would get back to a person even here in Rethwellen, they weren't that far from the throne city and there was correspondence between the two lands. And she never forgot she was of common blood.
Finally she wound down her stories and asked something that was on her mind from the moment she had seen his eyes "Who was the man I saw at the lower table, I've never seen gold eyes before" she said very casually.
"Oh, you must mean Rannel" the youngest girl said.
"Rannel" she asked.
"Yes, he's my cousin. He's Lord Marren's second son".
"Oh" she said softly, off limits then. She never mixed with the highborn, it was one of her rules. She wondered why the thought depressed her, he was just a man.
"There's Joran the oldest, Rannel, his twin Gedrun and the youngest Merrol" one of the girls said.
The talk broke down into a good natured argument over who was the best looking of the bunch. Privately Graella was of the opinion that Rannel must be, even though she hadn't seen his brothers. She shook her head, stop it she told herself, he's not for you.
"Merrol" Rannel called though the doorway. The soft music he had heard stopped and he heard his brother's voice.
"What, is that you Rannel" his head poked out around the corner and he looked at his brother with surprise. " I thought you had practice" he asked.
"I did, but I got off early" he said pointing at the bows and shoulder bags propped up against the wall. "come on, we need to pick up some meat for Joran's party".
Merrol grinned "Alright just let me get my instrument put away, last time I left it out Neddy got into it" he said mentioning a cousin of theirs.
It was early evening when the two arrived home again, well laden with game, Rannel had picked some herbs he knew cook would be grateful for as well. He was lucky it was early fall and the years new game hadn't gotten wary enough yet to be hard to catch. He had become lost in thought about the young bard often, too often. Merrol had noticed and taken to teasing him about it.
He left Marrol at his room and walked the halls, fresh clothing under his arm as he made his way to the mens baths. Latter he walked into the hallway, shaking out his shirt to pull it on when he saw her.
She looked up from the group of women she had been talking with and stared in his direction for a moment before looking away. He stood there like a fool until they passed from sight.
Graella had been asked by the women to come to their bower and play for them. She spent much of the day with them, playing, telling stories. She listened to their gossip, especially when any mention of Rannel was made.
That evening she walked with the five she had met that morning towards the dining hall, she and the other's had been invited to eat at the high table. She felt him again as they turned the corner almost against her will she looked up, it was him. he held a shirt in his hands and he stood frozen staring as she did, it was an image she wouldn't forget soon. The laughter of the women brought her back and she wrenched her eyes away.
"I think he likes you" Sara the youngest said with a grin.
"You're right, he never looks at any of us like that" another girl said.
"I doubt it, he just hasn't seen me before, I'm a stranger" she said, though deep inside, well hidden a part of her felt a thrill at the thought.
"Do you like him" Sara asked.
"It doesn't matter, he's off limits" she said.
A couple of the girls gave each other looks, glee hidden in their eyes.
"Where have you been" Jess asked as she joined the rest of her fellow musicians.
She sighed "I've been entertaining the ladies, so you didn't have to" she said. Kerrick and Germon waved her to the table and Donna the only other woman smiled in welcome.
"I've met one of the sons" Kerrick said, sipping at his wine.
"Which one" Graella asked casually. Jess looked at her sharply, but she only looked back with innocent eyes. He didn't look convinced and she sighed, she knew he only had her best interests at heart, but he was starting to try to become too close. she had the feeling he fancied her but she only felt friendship. He had always reminded her of her brother.
"The youngest, he's not bad with a gittern" Kerrick said.
"Does he have the gift" Donna asked, curious.
"Not that I can tell" he said regretfully, at the other's looks he added. "He's mad for the music, it's a shame he hasn't got the creative or the Bardic gift".
Graella sighed, she felt for him. He would never be accepted by Bardic. If he had been gifted they would have wanted him and something could have been arraigned, but being a highborn Rethwellen it was unlikely that would happen without two of the three criteria. Minstrel was an occupation his father was unlikely to let him aspire to.
After the meal and the evenings entertainment she avoided Rannel again and went straight to bed. It was a long time before she could sleep and his image lingered in her dreams.
Rannel watched her go, his heart heavy. Why was she avoiding him, he wondered. That night he felt her in his dreams and he only slept lightly tossing and turning most of the night.