Ok, so I'm going to answer a few questions I found in my reviews and see if maybe that helps.
Please remember this is my interpretation and my thoughts on how characters would act in certain situations, and due to that there really may not be a wrong or a right way to do such.
People change, have a boxer start training in martial arts and his body will change. This I feel goes for Kel who trained like a man rather than a woman as women focus on different strong points on their bodies and thus it may give way to a more feminine form .
Hair, well stick a light shade of brown in the sun for a while (or snow that just reflects all the sun) And you'll notice that hair lightens. Sometimes if you have red undertones it will only bring it out more.
I appreciate all imput, please don't think I don't. Be it good or bad I actually stop and think and go "Maybe I should add more this, less this, or explain this better." So please continue with your reviews as I look forward to them.
Huginn
- Tortall -
Lianne nearly cried out as Lalasa yanked the cording on the new corset even harder. The poor princess had been holding onto the railing partially bent over while the woman worked on making sure it fit her properly. It had been three weeks since Victoria's arrival and true to her word the woman had ripped through her life like a devastating storm. In secret the women rode to a clearing in the royal forest where she was being taught to use small daggers that she could hide on her person, staves and even a bow. With each stroke of blade or staff the woman worked on drilling in different herbs, there uses and how to distinguish or find them, her reasoning itself was simple; a woman should know how to heal with her tea or how to kill. Her own closet had been ripped through, anything that made her seem young or innocent had been donated or saved for her younger sister as the red headed woman stated if she was to be a Warlord's wife she needed to dress the part. While her husband had power to gather and lead an army, she should have enough power to match him and motivate her future men.
Her father at first tried to protest the lower cuts that showed off her bust and thin waist but Lianne seemed less like a spoiled child and more like a grown strong woman each day that passed. He soon stopped arguing with her and just tried to brush it off as her trying to find herself before being married off.
"Let me see." Victoria asked as she looked up from something she had been writing, a few small painted pictures lay about her on the desk. The princess turned to look at her and offered her a curtsy, the dress allowed for perfect posture and would hold her just right so it would seem her hips and shoulders moved in perfect isolation with each step. "They fit like a glove; you truly are a gifted seamstress Lady Lalasa." She spoke and offered the woman a gentle smile as she tucked her head and fought back a blush.
"Thank you for the compliment, but please it is just Lalasa." She tried to argue and pretended to fuss over some of the pearls upon the bodice of an emerald green gown. Lianna looked between the two women before wandering over toward the desk to look at the detailed small paintings. Upon the parchment was a near perfect sketch of her earlier when they had taken tea and were talking and laughing.
"Nonsense, I call you such out of respect. You are a kind and gentle woman and deserve nothing less. Just because you were born of common blood does not mean your soul and spirit are, do not ever let such discourage you." The woman claimed and only smiled seeing the blush and smile creep across the young woman's face. It was Lianne who lifted one portrait and just stared at it. The man in it was smiling and dressed in simple linens as he seemed to be slipping a bridal onto his horse.
"Who… who is this?" Lianne asked gently before spotting another and pulling it free, this time it was him with a younger sibling upon his shoulders and laughing. The red headed woman smiled as her hands folded in on themselves then under her chin.
"That, my dear is my nephew Byron. Handsome is he not?" The silence was enough of an answer as both Lalasa and Tian chuckled. "He's a good man, one of five children. He's got a gentle soul, animals and children tend to flock to him really. Type of man people would die to follow."
"Is he in the military?" She asked then as Victoria only nodded yes before continuing to write as if it were nothing to talk of her family at all.
"Of sorts, one day he will rise higher but that is hopefully not soon." She explained before motioning toward the parchment. "I write home often, I do hope you don't mind me sending sketches of our adventures and here." Lianne shook her head, if the man had been in the military and was a simple soldier it was probably rare they would ever see inside the castle or such luxuries and she would never deny the woman's family a rare glimpse.
"He seems like an amazing man." She let out a heavy sigh as she placed the picture down. "I wish I had his freedom, I'd love a man like that. Someone who could just love me without worry and regard."
"Perhaps one day you can find such." Lalasa spoke up as the princess just rolled her eyes. "If I have learned anything it is that the world is always throwing you for a turn, perhaps yours will come and tides will change."
"I can only wish." She laughed in response as Victoria worked on packing up her things. She paused then smiling brightly before moving to grab the young woman's hand.
"Why not write him, not as whom you are but simply as Lianne, there is no harm in a few letters and making a friend. I'm sure he would enjoy them as well, someone just to talk to and vent. His parents are iching for him to wed so you two could at least speak freely on the stress of that. I could send it tonight with mine." She left a piece of parchment out and a quill as she rose to go try on her new dress. While Lalasa and Victoria disappeared into a changing room the princess say there staring at the parchment while Tian.
"It wouldn't hurt to make a friend going through the same my lady." The woman offered her opinion, and that was enough for Lianne to smile and reach for the quill. At the very least writing him would help vent some stress, and get her out of learning silly flowers for another few hours.
Gaul
Both Ashely and Kel had sat nervously in the castle hidden from the events that went on over the city. They could hear the screams followed by laughter, the playful shouting and festivities. None of the young maids were allowed to leave the Maiden's quarters until fetched as it was part of tradition that they listen to all that was unfolding. When the Hunt had left they heard the ghostly horns and howls of wolves. It had felt like they were sitting and waiting for hours before the door finally opened and two guards bowed their head. The dress armor was simple black leathers, crisp and clean though a panel hid all but their eyes. The girls finally stood, stretching out and followed after the men. The shear light in the ballroom was overwhelming compared the candle lit dark room they came from and the cheers were just as deafening. Kel had to squint to keep from tearing up at how bright it was.
Like the rest of the women they had been dressed in simple undetailed white gowns. Even the over corset held no detail but simply drew attention to the natural beauty each girl possessed. When they stopped it was the maidens that had rode in with them that now stood before them, each with a man behind them and off to the right. Each wore their own armor, some styled with stags, others with flowers or whatever seemed to have called to them. One of the girls held a fresh brand that moved from her temple to across one of her eyes.
"We can only offer you this wisdom." One of the girls spoke up then as the room went quiet and all eyes seemed locked on the exchange. "Trust in yourselves, the word of man can be tainted. It can be swayed by emotions, corruption, fear, or joy. You must find the strength within yourself to do what is true, just, and honorable." With that the Maidens bowed to them followed by the guards. When the women in white returned the bow then rose a cheer went up once again as men rushed in to ask maidens for a dance. Ashley's hand lashed out to grab at Kel's but was only caught by one elder man that whisked her away into a dance. They had been at least warned about this, and knew they could not turn them down. These men were all eager to serve the maidens and find one they were willing to fight for. To deny them at least a dance would have been rude beyond words. Kel found herself dancing with a man that towered over her and was already going gray.
"One more year and you are truly a sister of Gaul." He spoke gently and offered her a kind smile as she tried to return it.
"It still frightens me." She laughed as the man spun her around. He just held her as if she would break in his very arms.
"Don't, you were made for this. Anyone who cannot see such is a fool; we've great faith in ya Keladry of South Fall." The title almost made Kel laugh when she heard it. She had not been called anything but protector or 'of Mindelan' for so long and to hear a title she actually earned was like sweet music to her ears. When the song ended the man took a step back, raising his hand to kiss her wrist politely before slipping away. At least he had been kind and sweet without pushing anything romantic on her.
As the night went on she had only wished she had danced with more men like the first, the rest tried to pull her flush with them as they danced or whisper into her ear on her beauty and how fierce she must be in battle. When her feet started to hurt even in the soft white fur slippers she found herself looking around for familiar faces. Most she knew sat or lounged about the tables and couches that were arranged around the head table which now included Ashely and Kelland as they talked quietly to each other occasionally giggling and sipping at wine. It was then she realized that she was the last woman in white on the floor and that the rest of the court had joined in then. When the music ended she offered the young man she danced with a polite bow before stepping back from him to join those she would call family.
"About time, seems they fancy you." Byron teased as she shot him a dirty look and he held his hands up playfully. "White suits you though." This got a few men to roll their eyes as she reached for a drink and stuck her tongue out at him. He was dressed as some forest lord covered in green leathers with bright bursts of flowers embroidered into it and even painted at his temples.
"Yes, because it's so practical on the field of battle!" She scoffed before popping a piece of fruit in her mouth. "So, why aren't you dancing with any of the beautiful ladies?" She teased him then as he flushed a bit.
"The heir is not allowed to dance with the Maidens." It was Xamos's voice that caught her attention as she turned and nearly didn't recognize him. The man was still dressed to play the part of huntsman, with only over the knee boots that held a blade tucked into them and leather pants he was almost intimidating to look at. His bare chest was unmarked or touched though one could see the dust from the ride had settled on him and only brought out the contour of his muscles even more. His hair held beads and feathers of all sorts while his eyes had been rimmed with coal. A few women lay all around him, most dressed to impress as forests nymphs while their fingers danced over him. He seemed cold and almost ridged as they laughed and tried to get him to relax. "The heir to the throne cannot become a guardian, else the line would end. Isn't that right Byron?" Xamos seemed to be digging at his cousin then as the prince tried not to let it get to him.
"Still plenty of time to sway a woman from her path. Is that not what your father did?" Kel teased and that brought laughter from most of the older crowd and even a blush from the queen. "It is to my knowledge the apple never falls far from the tree."
"Is that an invitation then?" Byron couldn't help but laugh at his father's claim and the sheer panic that danced across Kel's face when she realized just what he meant.
"Oh gods, no, I didn't.. I was just teasing and.." She tried to argue her way out as most just grinned and started to laugh. Kel could do little but find a seat next to Ashely and try to hide her face and the blush that was slowly creeping up it. It was Kelland's hand on her shoulder that got her to look up at that big grin he had plastered there.
"Can we not tease you back?" He asked which only got a scowl and a playfull punch to his own shoulder from the lady knight. As the laughter faded and Kel took a glass from a server she turned to smile at the royal couple who looked truly comfortable in their matching white and gold silks. Baltasar war pure white flecked with pearls and light shades of blue, while the queen sat regally in gold flecked with reds and orange. It took a few moments before she realized the couple had dressed as the moon and sun for the festivities.
"So we are to take our vows next Samhain is it?" Ashely spoke up as she nibbled upon a cookie. The king simply nodded as he raised his mug.
"Aye, and we shall celebrate and finally be able to ride in the Hunt beside our protector." The proclamation itself made Kel bite her cheek to keep her nerves at bay. A few others raised there glasses and tankards in a salute before drinking heavily once more.
"What about after that? When do we march to prevent the downfall of our lands?" The young maiden pushed as the King chuckled and shook his head, it was the queen who squeezed the man's hand and spoke for him.
"The people need a great cause, and a vision alone will not stir their blades from their sheaths. I fear we must wait for such a calling."
"But you said three years, three years in your vision." Kel tried not to sound distressed as the queen's steely gaze fell to her and she shook her head gently.
"It is a vision of what's to come Keladry, but we do not know if what will stir the people will happen that very night, or in the weeks to come. I swear to you, all our officials and men are preparing for the tides to turn. But we need that single grain of rice to fall so the people rise up and ride west. Without it we are no more than the warlord if we push our people into such a war."
"So… we wait for innocents to get killed!" Ashely was shaking as both Kel and Kelland tried to comfort the young woman.
"No, we wait for the warlord to make his first move. Then we will join with Tortall and crush him." Byron let out a roar as I was joined by men around the room, once more tankards raised in celebration.
"I don't like waiting while good people may parish…" Kel looked at her still half full glass before putting it down, the news along had pulled every drop of celebration and joy from her the moment she heard such.
"Then we will pray it does not happen, all we need is to know his men march. A single drop of blood, a single step into our land or agent leaking his plans will stir the cold hearts of the people of Gaul and we will march and save your Tortall." Xamos spoke this time as those around him simply nodded in understanding, if the Horned one claimed such then it would happen.
It was well after dawn when Byron stumbled back into his room. His friends helping him every step of the way as they all sung in drunken merriment, all but Ashely and Keladry of course. Perhaps that is why he had drunk so much, the fact that he was upset to see Kel so hurt and crushed… no not crushed, worried he corrected himself as he sat down and worked to remove his boots.
Samhain had always been a time of great celebration, a time to speak to the spirits and be granted visions or gifts from the spirits. It was rare, and normally only occurred when there was a need for such gifted people and yet this year four people were touched by ancient spirits. Surely this was a sign of what was to come, a sign that the gods perhaps favored them once more. Pausing he tried not to laugh as he went to lay down, maybe the gods followed the protector into Gaul and finally had found their way to the people once more.
The moment his head hit the pillow he sat up right, the stiff item on it stirred his senses as well as the crinkling noise. A bit of parchment lay there in the elegant script of a courtier, though the edges were crinkled from where a raven had carried it to the keep. Shaking his head he quickly undid the wax seal and opened up to view a simple letter from his aunt along with a few sketches. At first the sketches caught his attention, from a beautiful harbor to mounted men riding at each other with large pointed sticks. Looking to the letter he scanned it and seemed a touch confused, she wrote him as if it were common place to do so. Talking of the weather and people, the smells in the market and craftsmanship of a seamstress, the more he read the more he seemed to learn of whatever land she was in. The men were knights, and they were jousting. A skill as vital to them as learning to wield a spear was to the people of Gaul. Each new thing was accompanied by a sketch and he couldn't help but laugh realizing just what she had done.
Crafty woman that she was had found a way to ride with the people of Tortall, how to send bits of information to them about what life was like for its people, its nobles, and it's military. It was the portrait of a young woman that made him pause, the young noble she worked for as she put it. She looked so happy and care free just laughing and trying to hide it behind her teacup. It was then that he noticed the other tiny sealed letter and ripped it open. The script was a bit more proper as well as how it was written to him, despite the lack of any proper titles. Then again he doubted his aunt would make the mistake of stating 'oh my nephew is heir' and only sought to give him a connection to the people of Tortall.
She spoke of the coming winter, of her old palfrey being at that age where she thought it best to send him to pasture to live out the rest of her years. She wanted a spirited horse but her father didn't find it fitting of a lady to have something high spirited. She spoke of her father trying to push her into a unwanted marriage to a man that was as two faced as a coin and he couldn't help but laugh. Kel had always mentioned that women were treated and traded like chattel in Tortall and here it was a woman bold enough to agree and make fun of the man. She asked if he had the drawing skills of his aunt and to send her pictures in his travels and part of him wish he did. When she signed it with a simple L he couldn't help but wonder just who this woman was and how close she was getting to his aunt.
Folding it up he tucked it in his nightstand and promised when he was sober he would write the two, though he could not include his own drawings he knew a lovely little artist in the city that would gladly do a few quick sketches of what Gaul was like for this woman. Perhaps the man could do it in spring, when the flowers had just begun to bloom and the entire land looked as if the gods had tried to use every color known to man. Perhaps she was close enough to court and that is why his aunt chose her to obtain information, with any luck it would help his people he kept telling himself as he closed his eyes. Anything to protect his people, he kept repeating.
Tortall
It was late, almost too late for the King to be up and wandering around the castle. But his nerves had kept him awake that night and he could not seem to keep his feet from carrying him to the door of his daughter Lianne. He knew at this hour she and her governess would be asleep so the man did not hesitate to enter her chambers and cross the solar to peer into the door wand watch her sleep.
He tried not to smile as he watched her, sleeping like some angelic being in her bed as he was taken back to a time when she was young enough to carry in his arms. She always tried to stay awake at formal events, and often would end up sleeping in one of the chairs and had to be carried back to her rooms. He couldn't help but frown remembering the sweet innocent woman she was, and just how he had to use her now as a pawn of the entire kingdom. It was the burden that came with being his daughter, and now more than ever with her betrothed to the warlord, did he wish he could take such from her.
"Do you watch all of your children sleep my lord?" A gentle voice, more of a purr came from near the fireplace. In the blink of an eye the man spun to face the gentle embers and found a woman had been sitting beside it. How long she had been there was unknown to him as he said little with the woman staring up at him. Perhaps she was as nervous as he was and unable to sleep, but that did not excuse her for not rising the moment he entered the room.
"Lady…" He addressed her and for a moment forgot the woman's name. He barely paid any attention to her aside from the recommendation that came from the Lioness and her husband's mouth. It was her chuckle that caused him to take a deep breath and gather himself.
"Victoria my lord," the fact that she addressed him so casually was beginning to wear on him. "Do not fear for her, she is in good hands."
"Of course she is, in spring she will be a queen as is her right. Not the third born." He claimed boldly but the woman stood then, letting the light illuminate her form and expression as she crossed the room to stand near him and look into the room.
"I do not mean that, and neither do you. I'm no fool and your Lioness sent me here with a reason your majesty. I ask that in private you do not play coy with me." Her voice was stern as she didn't look up from the woman in the bed. "You are no fool, and neither am I. I'm sure the thought of why the lioness would send a woman has crossed your mind." His silence was enough of a answer as he looked down upon the red headed woman.
"I can and will not explain it all, there are not enough hours in the day for that. But I am good friends with the Lioness's husband, of all the people in your land I can teach your daughter how to push this wedding back and perhaps even make her the key to saving your people."
"My people do not need…"
"Then why did my brother in law send for your protector? Why is she in Gaul with the Maidens instead of here or on your borders?" She turned to look at him then and took a deep breath. "We may speak in private on such matters but that is it." The king's rage seemed apparent then as he glared down at her.
"My sister is Aubyre, queen of Gaul my dear king. Not even they know I am here to play my part in the war that is to come. Your daughter will be just as important as the Lady Knight, but she must be instructed in how to play her part and for that I will teach her. If you have no faith in me, you must have faith in her."
"And I am to believe you how?" He looked like he would start yelling any minute until her blue eyes met his.
"Because, I have brought you and your daughter no harm. Because in the months since you announced her betrothal she has her spirit and hope back and you see this, and you trust in George and Alanna's judgment. The two have never let you down, and that should be enough."
The king just stood there, rage building as he watched the woman then looked back to his daughter and let out a slow sigh.
"We will talk soon Lady Victoriea, I trust you have no issues with meeting…"
"Your mage, and advisor to affairs regarding my people. No, I do not. But you must do something for me if I do as you wish, it is quite simple." She waited for him to ask, but stubbornness that came with his position won out as she was left sighing. "Do not tell your daughter, she needs to walk this path because she trusts herself not because we tell her to."
"I cannot promise that, but I will do my best." He gave in before turning to leave. "Tomorrow, we talk."
"As my king wishes." She bowed then and for a moment he understood how and why she was such close friends with Lioness, and for that he sent a silent prayer to the gods knowing if she was as she said he would have the two of them on his hands for quite some time.