Huzzah for lots of snow. Yup, hit by the bloody Blizzard head on. Oh well, hope you enjoy!
-Tortall-
"So what's gotten into the princess that has most of the own called back to the castle?" Neal joked as both Dom and Raoul were seated at a long table for supper. Most of the Own that was seated in that very room looked as though they had rode hard for days to even arrive in Corus that afternoon, many still had not found time to bath.
"Oh no, we were called back before winter set in. Something about recruiting, helping to organize and ship more supplies north to rebuild and of course the King wanted to make sure our giantslayer didn't lose track of time and slip away from holiday festivities." Dom teased and only produced a grunt from Raoul. The man looked like he had been dragged back by horses, never mind the fact that under all the mud and dirt was a man that looked almost panic stricken. Something more was eating at him that he wasn't opening up about. Even Dom kept on shooting sidelong glances at his captain, which only meant the sickly look was recent.
"Raoul, are you ok?" Neal kept his voice very low then so it did not leave their small section of the table. Pushing his plate away he folded his hands in front of him without realizing just how much he must have looked like his father in that very pose. His cousin's eyes darted back and forth between the two.
"I'm worried if she's ok, if she can make it through this." He finally burst like a floodgate. His face was a mix of horror, excitement and fear all bound together and suddenly his hands couldn't stop shaking. "She's getting up there in years and it's not exactly safe, I can't lose her Neal I really cant. I don't know what I would do if I did, it's my fault really for choosing her and her accepting!" A few heads near them turned to look at the now nerve riden captain before quickly turning back to their own bowls of stew. None were foolish enough to say anything without being challenged to a joust, and that was just insanity.
"Raoul, she'll be fine. We all know she will, she's as stubborn as you are and it was her choice no one elses."
"Well, I like to think I had a part in it." He scoffed as Neal just shook his head firmly.
"No, it was hers. I'm sure she wouldn't want to do this and she's doing what she thinks is right. Would you honestly think she just gave up right now after all she's done so far?" Raoul's head whipped up at that very moment glaring at Neal for even suggesting such. "See, exactly. She's a strong woman and in safe company. Besides it will be over soon and then we can rejoice and yell and shake her for scaring the crap out of us."
"After I apologize for everything stupid I've ever done to upset her, honestly if I thought she'd be upset at me or had feelings for me I would have done things differently." This time Raoul spun to face Dom as he spoke. For a moment it looked like he was going to rip Dom apart before logic started to take over and the man's shoulders sunk.
"What the hell are you two talking about?" His fingers raked nervously through his hair as he eyed the two young men.
"What are you talking about; we thought you were blaming yourself and you training Kel. I mean being your squire was pretty taxing." Dom punched the knight playfully as the man looked stone-faced for a moment before bursting out into laughter.
"Gods above lad, I was talking about Buri. If you think I'm that worried about Kel then I didn't do my job in squiring her. She'll return glorious like always just to prove herself."
Neal tried not to cough as he looked down at his mug having completely embarrassed himself with his words of advice. For a moment he just sat there like he was being scolded by his mother before looking back up at the giant across from him.
"Then what's going on with Buri that has you so worried?"
"She's with child." That alone from Raoul was enough to make both young men go ghostly white at the thought. Anyone strong enough to bear Raoul's children had to be completely insane, never mind the child coming out as a mix between the two. Lifting his tankard in salute he choked back a gulp.
"Congratulations are in order then Raoul, and prayer that Tortall can handle your offspring." He teased as if finally got a smile from the man and his own tankard raised high.
-In Gaul-
Kel paced the stables nervously as she awaited the other members of her riding party. With the fall festivities and Samhain so close she and the other six maidens that would be taking their oaths next year were invited to come and see the ceremony. She was grateful she would not be participating or allowed to join in the wild hunt this year, the concept still unnerved her with just how close to the spirit realm Gaul was. Even Ashely couldn't help but shiver when she heard they would be part of the wild hunt next year. What made Kel worry was they were to be presented at the court after the hunt as the pure maidens. It was this time of the year young men could meet next year's oath bounds so they could prepare to make the challenge.
"Ready?" Kara stated as she entered the stable with Ashely trailing behind her. The other girls must have saddled up and waited outside, Kel couldn't blame them if it were her oath year she may have been just as anxious. Without saying much Kel numbly followed the other women outside before slipping into Zeph's saddle. The huge war mount seemed to perk up from his own sleepy state the moment he felt her weight and started to dance about. Even Onna seemed perky with her tail held high as she trotted ahead of them and toward the gates.
The sun had not even risen above the mountains around them when they left the Maidens Village, the dim lights in the fart distance from Maidens Shield slowly started to disappear as touches of purple and red from the sun began to race across the skyline. The brighter it got the more the elder women started to chatter about who they hopped rose to the challenge for them, or what they hoped their spirit guide would be.
"Spirit guide?" Kel finally asked Kara who dropped back to ride beside her. Her own mount seemed relaxed as she knew the rode they traveled.
"When you take your oath, you join the Wild Hunt. You must wear your dress armor and face plate during such, it's your mark in the world of the living and if the spirits cannot see your face then they cannot take you with them to forever ride. They say the hunt chases those who do wrong and steals them away so they may not cause us harm in the long and dead months of winter." She leaned back trying to crack her back and relax in the saddle. "It's why your mask will show your eyes, feature them almost. The spirits will look into your eyes and can tell, some spirits even are said to mark humans as their vessels. Years ago we had a girl blessed by the dreamer. He came as a stag as black as night before shifting and giving her a blessing. She was able to dance in the land of visions like our shamans but only in her dreams, she never said a word after that as it was her cost for the blessing."
"Who was she?"
"She was Erikk's lover, she died not even five years ago. She had lived a long health life, and was not chosen till she was in her mid-forties. I think it was because the gods needed her to be a vessel then, so they chose someone with a soul suited for such. It wouldn't surprise me if you were chosen as something."
"Why's that, I'm not even from Gaul and the gods never have favored me. If it was our Lioness, they say she's the goddess's hand on her."
"Because, our gods aren't only just the gods that you know. The very trees, the air and water, and if not a god perhaps a great spirit. You may not be touched by the gods but you've the hand of fate Kel." Ashely giggled as she looked over her shoulder. "Besides, you're the Maiden, we all know it."
Kel shook her head stubbornly; she refused to listen to such and wanted no part of it.
"She has a point; you've claimed the Horned one's heart." Kara couldn't help but grin from ear to ear as she looked Kel over only to get a dirty glare. "Anyway, speaking of such he actually leads the Wild hunt. They say he runs with the spirits, the grounding line to mortal and god touched so is our median. If the hunt finds any they wish to claim he must spill their blood so the hounds can follow and send the person to their death. Or if he is merciful he may slay them so his spirit can be pulled along with the hunt."
"Has.. has he ever done that?" Ashely seemed to go wide eyed at such news. Kara just nodded and that was enough to get Ashely to turn around and face forward.
"Well, let's hope my hands are not so stained from war that they don't howl for my spirit." Kel couldn't help but shiver at the very thought of a hunting party of gods and spirits ripping through the land to devour those who committed horrid crimes. If only the hunt was real, or could have ventured outside of Gaul, she pondered, it could have saved hundreds if it only had been in Scandra.
-In Tortall-
It was a gentle knock that pulled Lianne from her slumber. She had spent most of that morning laying on her lounge that allowed her the perfect view over the forest,enough to make her long to just saddle up and disappear from the very world.
"My Lady." A voice called out in the room as the figure had actually entered. She didn't give them much of a glance as she let her head roll to the side and looked the knight over. One of her father's advisors, the very one that had been advocating for her very wedding to the Warlord, it was that fact alone that made her want to scream at him to get out but she knew better. A princess never raised her voice at her subjects was something her parents had pushed upon her.
"I am not feeling well; if you come on behalf of my father can you please tell him I am sorry I am not up to riding this afternoon." She spoke gently before pretending to wince as she rolled over. "And if he could send a healer with a moon time brew." The request was a lie, her mother would have known better knowing just when the girls cycles fell however men often didn't like to know such so she was spared in that department.
"Your father has canceled the ride this afternoon. He wishes for you to meet your new governess and handmaiden as the other had… retired." He raised his chin to look down at her with distain. She knew the man was the type that looked down at women as chattel despite his claims to her father. But that was court; it was full of silky court trained liars all looking to climb the ladder to sit by her father's feet.
Behind him a woman stepped forward, her chin tucked down as she was careful not to look up at the princess. She wore a simple earth brown riding jacket that covered almost all of her dress, the hood and a scarf had been carefully tucked around her head to keep her hair from site. Lianne nearly groaned wondering if it had been the idea of the serpent before her to send this woman, or her father in hopes of getting her to become a wife.
"I'll show her to her room then. And can you please send for the tea." She moved to stand then and saw the annoyance in his eyes when asked to do a simple servants job. The man at least knew better to protest. With a flourished bow he backed out of the room though stopped by the woman.
"I'll have the servants bring up your belongings." He huffed as she tucked her head even more to acknowledge him. The fact that she didn't curtsy or speak seemed to ruffle his feathers as he turned to stomp down the hall. The minute the door closed the woman let out a very heavy sigh of relief that seemed to annoy Lianne. The princess crossed the room toward the side door that would connect her handmaiden's quarters and opened it.
"Your quarters are here, you are allowed to join the other servants for meals after I've seen to mine, or you are welcome to join me if I dine alone…" she began to ramble before realizing the woman never wandered toward the door and instead was looking out the exact window Lianne had been gazing through. "Excuse me!" She huffed as the woman turned then and worked on undoing her scarf. She was unlike any common or lesser noble's daughter she had ever seen, with skin the color of fresh milk with just a hint of color on her cheeks that most women would envy. Her hair fell in gentle curls down her bid back and seemed to be the color of spilt blood, though it only helped to bring out her eyes which were such a light shade of blue Lianne seemed unnerved. Moreover she was not young at all, if Lianne had to guess she put the woman in her thirties.
"I suppose I should introduce myself at the very least." She spoke as if talking to no one of importance. Her fingers worked on untying her riding jacket and letting the detail of the dress she wore shine. Gold embroidery picked along the midnight blue silk, it's corset tight enough to show off every curve and asset and leave jaws in their wake. It was not in any style the princess had ever seen at court but the woman in her just stared in envy at the elegant gown. "Alanna sent me, saying you needed a… real woman's touch of sorts to deal with what lays before you." She never met the princess's gaze for more than a few seconds as her hands slid over the personal belongings that decorated her room. Lianne seemed lost for a moment before finding her voice again.
"What I need is a handmaiden and governess who knows her place!" She snapped as the woman froze then and let out a light chuckle. Turning she walked toward the princess, each step perfectly place to make her sway as if she were made of nothing.
"Yet I can make even you become speechless, imagine what I can teach you to do to others. Don't be daft, I know all about your situation and how the man is an absolute horror. But, I also know more that even you are –not- privy to just yet." She smiled before letting her hands fall gently in front of her. Lianne just glared at the woman like some child that had just been scolded for their temper. "So, tell me Lianne would you like me to teach you how to protect yourself, how to make this man you are to marry bend to your very words and presence. I can do this, I can do this and more to even help prevent the marriage but you must fully devote yourself." A devilish smile inched across the woman's red painted lips. Lianne just watched her, the woman's eyes were not cold as she first thought them but danced with mischief and life. Her promises were what she craved more than anything and if only they were true.
"And if I don't?"
"Then I prepare you to be the subservient wife of some warlord in the north, that will get you pregnant and not stop till you die in the childbed bearing his sons. Why, because that is how little use he has for you. A single child born to solidify the alliance, then he could care less because he has what he wants. Tortall, and an heir." She stated in a tone that sent chills up the princess's spine. He wouldn't risk her father's anger would he? How easy was it for a woman to die in child bed, not easy with a healer, what if there were no healers, or if they were too late. The more she thought the more she started to almost hyperventilate. "So, Lianne of Conte what is your choice?"
"I… I don't want to be some conquest." She barely whispered as the woman couldn't help but lift the girls chin to calm her fears.
"Then, it is a pleasure to meet you my lady. I am Victoria." The woman moved away then to start toward the door while replacing her riding jacket. "Come, first we must find the best seamstress you know, a true lady must have a fitting wardrobe." She didn't seem hostile then, but more along the lines of the court women when they actually enjoyed the company of others.
"Victoriea, where… no one's ever?" The woman paused with her hand on the handle.
"Perhaps I'll tell you some day, but not now or here." Was all she said before opening the door as the princess stood watching her as if she were a spirit and nothing real. The sound of servants bringing up trunks snapped her out of it as she raised her chin high and led the way, her handmaiden falling perfectly in step behind her.
So darlings let me know what you think bellow! Always looking for new ideas, or what readers would really like to see! Or just feedback that I know you're liking where this is heading.
3's Huginn