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 Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 6:36 pm
Eydis' first word.
Taking care to be quiet, as Breena lay asleep, Naita snuck into the nursery, reaching into Eydis' cot silently. She wished to take her frozen child out into the garden for a quiet day away from her tormentor, but knew better than to think Breena would countenance her toy being taken away.
Succeeding in silently lifting the tot, and her ruffled daemon, into her arms, Lady Siri turned tail and swiftly tip-toed out of the room.
She thought, as she crossed the threshold, that she heard the grizzling of a waking Breena, but decided this best left unexplored.
Jiggling the dopey Eydis as she headed down the stairs and out of the manor's huge front doors, the young woman shot a parting glance back at the nursery, just in time to see Elsa heading in to deal with whichever of the young charges currently demanded her attention.
Resisting the urge to snicker at the inevitable reaction of her maid, Naita instead sped her departure on.
As they made their way out into the grounds a playful northern wind toyed with a few strands of Eydis' white hair, giving up on the futility of Lady Siri's thick raven plait.
Casting her grey eyes about the greenery, the woman's gaze alighted upon the maze she had been used to take Eydis to play in whilst the smallest babe. With a quick smile directed at her young ward, she set off towards it, skipping the low hedges with ease, until they reached the gazebo that marked the middle.
The nursery window was visible from their pretty vantage point, and an odd couple paced back and forth behind it's glass. Elsa, all peaches and cream skin and golden hair, held Breena, pale and raven haired, in her arms, and had a look of absolute distress plastered across her features.
The reason for this soon became apparent, as it seemed Breena had a lock of Elsa's blonde hair in her secure grip, and was tugging with all her might.
Naita sighed. Breena's ill-will really was affecting her peaceful little household, already thrown off kilter by the absence of it's usual cheering forces. She had received a letter from Aelus only the day before, a full sheet of pressed paper scrawled over in his neat hand.
Amongst the trivial holiday wishes, the information that he and her sister were well was welcome, though not their present direction.
Though they trusted her sensibilities on the subject, he wrote, the knowledge that she would soon be at court worried Linaia, for she knew what their family would do to do about the young marriage's end.
The most pressing information, however, was that which they were sure would seal their marriage in the eyes of the Siri family. They were expecting a child, and were it a boy it was bound to be acceptable in family circles, for Naita's brother was a shameful rake, and fast besmirching the Siri name.
Pushing these thoughts aside, however, Naita smiled down into the beautiful face of her toddler. Eydis' eyes, however, were averted, staring at the nursery window. With a shaking hand, she pointed a chubby finger at the pane, and Breena behind it.
Then came her soft voice. "Bad."
With wide eyes, Lady Siri stared down at the infant. Her first word! And yet, such a first word. She quickly gathered the tot into an embrace, kissing her head.
"Yes, my love, I know. Bad," she whispered to the tiny girl, a tear working it's way down her cheek.
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Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 1:09 am
Otium and Eydis bare their teeth.Quote: TarnishedHeylo: Halo was lonely at the house... Well not REALLY lonely as there were a billion other occupants to keep her busy, but she just felt out of place and the issues with Mael had been growing inside her mind as something to be dealt with. As such, she'd picked up Otium and Immaculate and hauled them out of the house for a trip. TO THE MANSION! Or something. She'd missed the bits with Tiagra finding the library but when she didn't find Wren anywhere, mostly everything was ignored except for that purpose. Which of course led her down to the library. "HELLOOOOO.." Otium looked around and played with the gold bracelet he'd recieved from Lady Naita and Eydis. Immaculate's nose twitched, her tail swished, and she ventured out in search of the familiar scent of family. TarnishedHeylo: (we'll just assume they left )) RhubarbDumpling: Figure squashed and pulled by a particularly restrictive corset, Lady Siri sat with some discomfort in an ancient leather armchair, black-bound volume taking up one half her lap, and an almost eerily still Eydis taking up the other. Words lilting softly as they played across the page, Naita took a quick glance at her ward, whose face was plastered with a happy grin. TarnishedHeylo: Halo got no response to her call and just sighed as she once again had a missing husband and son. She followed the skittering trail of bear nails on wooden floor that was Immaculate's path and made her way tot he back of the library. Immaculate found the lady before she did and yipped a hello, walking up and sniffing her masses of skirts. RhubarbDumpling: Eyes fleeing the scrawl as the sound of Immaculate's greeting made it's way to her ears, Naita gave the little creature a happy nod, before stretching an arm down to the little bear. With a long white finger, she gently tickled the daemon's neck, smiling at the feel of it's soft fur. Eydis, Frozen perched, as usual, on her head, gave a start at the sudden interruption of the peace, but let a soft giggle escape her throat at the sight of the little animal. She remembered that thing! Frozen did not seem to have such a friendly recollection. TarnishedHeylo: Immaculate looked at Eydis, having not seen her yet as a toddler, and sniffed the air to make sure it was still her. When she was completely sure she just sat back on her hind paws and stood on them, waving her front ones in the air and swishing her tail happily. Halo rounded the corner and smiled, seeing Lady Siri, and then had a look of surprise at seeing Eydis. "Oh my... look at this pretty lady. Aren't you getting grown up!" RhubarbDumpling: Seemingly understanding Halo's words, and also rather amused by Immaculate's antics, Eydis gave a happily gurgle of odd, shapeless words, clapping and waving her hands. It was, of course, all in her usual soft accents, but a sign of happiness, nonetheless. Raising her eyes from Immaculate, Naita gave the other adult a friendly smiled, half-wave illicited. "Good day, Halo! How do you do?" TarnishedHeylo: "Oh.. as good as I can be.." She took a seat across from the woman and sat Otium on her knee. The little boy reached up into his hat and pulled out the gold bracelet he'd been given as proof of his recognition. Apparently he was not that phased by Eydis's change. "Having some issues with Mael. I'm slightly bothered.." RhubarbDumpling: Grinning at this sign, Eydis, too, seemed to reach for something. This, however, lay not in her own grip, but in Naita's fox fur muff. Bringing one chubby hand out, gripping a coin, the toddler flashed it at Otium, waving slightly. "Issues with Mael? He is alright, I hope? Or is it less of the physical, more of the mental?" Naita trailed off here, grey eyes searching the other's face. TarnishedHeylo: "Mental.." Halo had been smiling at the exchange between Eydis and her son but now she was frowning. "Ever since the issue with Nora and her goddamned bird.. he's not wanted to be near me. Everytime I go up to him he gets fussy." Halo was the tough sort of woman and wouldn't admit that it hurt her for her other son to be like that... but it was shown in her eyes. RhubarbDumpling: Gaze softening, Naita reached out a hand, not quite reaching the other, but an expression of comfort, nonetheless. "Do not worry yourself, my dear," she said, softly. "I am sure he will grow out of it. And always remember this, at least he hasn't learned to shred your clothing!" CHuckling at this, Naita eyed her gown. Breena, her own ward, had grown fond of destroying her property. TarnishedHeylo: Halo just frowned still. "I can't deal with it. I am going to try and spend more time with him. Sort of force him to see that I am fine. Maybe its a woman thing.. because of Nora? I don't know." Otium was holding his bracelet in two hands and waving it up and down, chewing on the metal every now and then. When he smiled a big silent smile, a new tooth was shown peeking through his gums. "Shredding clothing? Oh my. Not Eydis??" RhubarbDumpling: An idea seeming to pop into her mind at his liking of the bracelet, Eydis raised one hand to her forehead, brushing back the locks of her fringe, and letting the circlet and it's crytal peep through. She was exceedingly proud of the trinket, and wanted to show the boy her pride and joy. Chuckling, Naita shook her head, patting Eydis' leg absently. "No indeed! My little Breena, alas. She seems none to keen on... anyone, really. Eydis bears the brunt of her disain, we're having to prepare one of the rooms so that they can be seperated." TarnishedHeylo: "Oh.. ew. bad. Luckily Otium and Mael seem to get along well. Actually I think they will be quite a bit of trouble when they get older. Too close." She chuckled a bit. Otium's smile faltered a bit as he stared at the circlet on Eydis's head. He did what he usually did at such times, and stared at it for a small moment or two, like the wheels in his brain were working, and then when the moment ended, broke into a large one toothed smile once again. RhubarbDumpling: Releasing her fringe once more, Eydis tapped her own white teeth, attempting to get across the idea of congratulations. She liked teeth, they allowed her to eat great things like potatoes! "Ah, I wish I had that luck! Ceiba, the dear, seems exceedingly attached to Eydis, but will not go near Breena. I rather think it's a good thing Eydis is blue by nature, as Breena is none to friendly." TarnishedHeylo: Otium touched his own mouth with a chubby hand when she flashed her pearly whites but only had one tooth there. How odd! he'd get more of course.. but would they all ache so much as his first one? Halo shook her head, "Hopefully something she'll grow out of?" RhubarbDumpling: With a sigh, Naita shook her head. "Wiralu says she has made her choice. I have only to hope she grows out of the violence." Chewing delicately on one chubby finger, Eydis attempted to think of something else to communicate. She liked his hat. TarnishedHeylo: "Who is Wiralu?" Halo had no idea. Otium wiped one of his spitty hands on his tie and in the process the hat slipped down over his eyes. His mother kindly readjusted it for him without even thinking. It was like instinct to her now. RhubarbDumpling: "A wise woman, old as time, I imagine, but yet to be proven wrong." The truth that Naita relied on the woman was no secret, she would trust Wiralu with her life. A gurgle of laughter escaping Eydis at this sight, she made a sort of shuffle forward on Naita's knee, wishing to touch that hat. TarnishedHeylo: Otium looked up at Eydis as she laughed and just smiled a small smile and patted his knees with his hands, one holding the bracelet and the other empty. It was funny how prone babies were to dropping things and how Otium had never once dropped one of his coins or his bracelet. "Ahh a wise woman. I need someone wise around me. I just have a bunch of crackpots in my house.." She laughed, "Including myself AND Wren." RhubarbDumpling: Chuckling, Naita cocked her head, not quite able to issue a denial for this. "Feel free to stop by the manor, but I am not sure you'll fare any better. My wards are at war, my servants mooning about gazing at each other, and my sister off in places unknown with the man who should, by now, be her husband, I hope." Tempted to scoot off Naita's lap and crawl over to the other, Eydis attempted to think over this plan, not keen on dropping to the floor. TarnishedHeylo: "Oh.. our house is crazy. We've got mini faeries and experiments gone wrong.. A whole floor full of horny reptiles.. and a wing of the house lived in by a pair of.. well.. I hesitate to say evil psychos.. but ... thats all I can think of to describe them." She just laughed, "Quite the environments to raise our children in hmm?" Otium was watching Eydis as Immaculate was once more sniffing around the Lady's masses of skirts. She was convinced there was some sort of treasure under there or something. If not, why have so many things to cover it? It wouldn't make sense! RhubarbDumpling: "Horny reptiles?" This sounded familiar. "I believe a protegee of mine possesses something of that ilk. Prone to prancing in a feather boa." Continuing to think, Eydis cast a curious eye over the little bear. She really did like it's snowy fur. Frozen, from his perch, ruffled stiffly. Why must that thing sniff about his mistress' petticoats? TarnishedHeylo: Halo lifted a brow, "Feather boa? Ooooh.. I know.. ..shim." She didn't know how else to refer to it. "I mean.. I think our lizrds came from the same place. A friend of mine has an adoption agency that I look after for her on the occasion. Odd things." Immaculate sniffed and sniffed, snuffling under the first layer and seeing nothing but more. It was like SNOW! You could dig and dig but you always hit something eventually! RhubarbDumpling: "Most likely. My little Naita took a liking to... it. She's yet to discover it's gender, and is rather fond of it." Frozen, really quite irritated now that Immaculate's head had disappeared, became quite a mass of feathers, a very bad sign. TarnishedHeylo: Otium looked at the bird as it got puffier. It was interesting. He tried to mentally relate this to his daemon but the bear was very intent on something and soon her whole shoulders disappeared. Halo shook her head. "It's a crazy world we live in." She saw Frozen. "I.. think your bird is getting annoyed.." RhubarbDumpling: Practicaly shaking with rage, Frozen let a few enraged chitters fly from his beak, twitching visibly. Giggling and nodding at Halo's first statement, Naita's eyes soon flew to Frozen and his rage-filled state. "Oh dear," she sighed, "He does seem a nervous little chap." With this, she deposited him in Eydis' lap, the toddler usually knowing how to calm him. TarnishedHeylo: Otium's lips twitched into a little smile at the bird's reaction. He seemed so angry and Otium knew well that Immaculate was not very much of a threat and if she was, you'd know it. Immaculate sniffed and sniffed until.. OH GOSH! SHE FOUND SOMETHING! Another few sniffs identified it as nothing but a shoe. Ah well. Halo smirked at the bird. "He's nervous and Immaculate is rather big and boisterous. Not a good combination." RhubarbDumpling: Petting the soft feathers of Frozen's chest, Eydis gave him a questioning look. All this fuss for nothing. Not sure of that himself, Frozen continued in his fretting, looking none too happy. Naita shrugged at this, acknowledging it's truth. "I think he fancies Eydis and myself helpless." TarnishedHeylo: "Not muh of a defender. Maybe he'll get better as he gets older.." Halo chuckled, thinking the little bird to be rather cute. Immaculate turned and snuffled her way out of a skirt until the edge of the cloth lifted and her eyes and nose emerged making her like like some sort of old holy woman in a head wrap. RhubarbDumpling: Eventually, Frozen could take no more, letting out an almighty squawk, his notion of defending his darlings. Above the din, Naita gave a wry smile. "There is that," she said, voice raised. TarnishedHeylo: Otium smiled at his silly looking daemon and Immaculate just looked up awkwardly at the squawking bird. She yipped playfully in response and you could see the cloth moving where she swished her tail underneath. RhubarbDumpling: Taking offence to the yip, Frozen's noise petered out, and he retreated to the safety of Eydis' lap, little face the very picture of irritation. TarnishedHeylo: Halo just chuckled, "She won't hurt you.. She's just playing.." She said it to Frozen though she didn't know if the bird heard her or even understood. Otium patted his knees and Immaculate crawled out from under the cloth and climbed up the front of Halo's pants like she were a tree to lay across her legs and Otium's lap. RhubarbDumpling: Eyes following Immaculate's movements, Frozen simply chittered, turning his back on the company. He didn't like things that played in his mistress' underskirts. Eydis, too, eyed Immaculate, but with decidedly more warmth. She enjoyed the graceful movements of the animal. TarnishedHeylo: Immaculate swished her tail in relaxation and licked her paws as otium ran his fingers through her thick fur. It was extra thick this time of year because of the snow. He liked having a fuzzy daemon to snuggle. "Aww.. poor thing." Halo shook her head. "It seems Immaculate usually gets that sort of untrusting response." TarnishedHeylo is idle at 9:50:45 p.m.. RhubarbDumpling: Again shrugging informally, Naita gave the woman a half-smile. "The sunrise would not be trusted if it were not so routine, Frozen is an odd little thing." Eydis, intrigued, stretched one hand towards the white daemon, wishing to pet it herself. TarnishedHeylo is no longer idle at 9:51:44 p.m.. TarnishedHeylo: Otium looked at his daemon, letting her knw she was wanted and she paused in her grooming to look at the girl reaching out. Immaculate scooted forward and leaned her head out to sniff Eydis's fingers before alowing her head to be petted. RhubarbDumpling: Cooing softly at the soft daemon, Eydis gave a happy grin, fingers running slowly through the layers of fur. It was soft as Frozen's downy chest, and white as her own hair. TarnishedHeylo: She let her head be petted and watched the little girl with dark grey eyes. Otium smiled silently and petted her too. Daemon loves attention. RhubarbDumpling: Delighting in the feel of the fur, Eydis ran both hands through at once, rippling her fingers and giggling. This went on until Naita, with an affectionate glance at her ward, realised the time. Scooting Frozen onto one shoulder, Eydis onto her hip, and standing, she bid a quick adieu to Halo and her charges, before heading for home.
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Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 9:05 pm
Word from court.
Up the aged driveway came the noise of a carriage, hoofbeats strong in the early morn. Unaccustomed to such sound in the quiet world of the manor, Naita, along with most of the household, awoke at once.
Riife, pulling on his dressing gown and reflecting with horror that he should have to meet a stranger undressed, hurried towards the door with a branch of candles, intentions somewhere between ceasing the stranger from waking his mistress by rapping on the door, and speedily turning them away, should their case not be urgent.
His solicitude was wasted, for Lady Siri was positively shaking with apprehension in her bed, fairly sure this must be one of two things. First, the carriage sent for her immediate return to court, or else the return of her half-sister with her new husband and unborn child.
As it turned out, the former was right, as her father's groom soon approached Riife with a stuffy air.
After haughtily looking over the butler, he at last spoke.
"Is the lady in?"
Riife, unsure quiet how to answer this ill-bred man, merely bowed.
"I will see her, then," announced the groom, striding into the house.
Shocked at the impudence of a serving man meaning to call upon quality, the butler bristled.
"She is sleeping," he announced, "and shall not be awoken for a groom."
He was met by a sneer as the man sat upon a chair nearby, and announced his intention to wait.
Lady Siri, true to her schedule despite the excitement, descended the stairs two hours later, dressed beautifully in a purple silk gown, one of her favourites, and very stylish. Grasping at her waist violently, it then plumed up to display her figure at a great advantage, making use of her natural curves and beautifully white skin. Though not the greatest beauty of the time, being neither fashionably fair, nor possessing a pair of insipidly blue eyes, she was striking, beautiful in a sense beyond fashion. Her features were even, though not perfect, her figure the very picture of all that was desirable, and her colouring shocking, it's pure white skin against raven hair.
With all this to full advantage, Naita took in the groom with the smile of an established courtier.
"Sir," she called, then was silent.
The groom arose, bowed deeply, and thrust a note at her. Having done his piece, he strode towards the kitchen, wishing to eat before enacting the second part of his duty that day.
Unfolding the pressed paper, the young woman knew her suspicions were right, but nonetheless regretted it deeply.
The note read thus;
My child,
Your mother has begun the process, and you are to come to us at once. Pack lightly, we have bought you clothes.
Ever yours.
It was her father's usual manner, so curt, so pointed. Sighing, she ran upstairs to pack travelling things. With a second thought, she packed a smaller bag as well, then made to the nursery to fetch Eydis. She would be free from one tormentor, and hidden as best from another, Naita resolved. Elsa would care for Breena and Ceiba in her absence, and so she directed the confused maid, before heading downstairs.
She found the groom waiting, agog at this infant.
"We will go now," Lady Siri said rather pointedly, and was led to the carriage.
Cross-posted.
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Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 12:43 am
This morning you are surprised to find that along with your morning post is a dark looking paper bag with the top scrunched tightly over. Intrigued, you pick it up noticing a small note attached to the outside...Quote: Dear Naita and Eydis, I was finally clearing out my cupboards after the holidays and I came across these things! I meant to give them out at Hallowe'en, but... let's say my house isn't as tidy as most. Anyway. Moving swiftly on, seeing as this is a gift for Eydis and Frozen, I thought I would drop it past for you. Hope you guys are well! ~ Kel-chan (and Althalus) 
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Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 4:01 pm
Arrival.
As the coach jolted out of sight of the manor, Lady Siri sighed deeply. Though she had had full warning, she had managed to convince herself that this day would not come. Now here she was, off to court, and having forced Eydis to bear the same punishment.
Gazing at the pale eyes of her ward, Naita let a lone tear stray down her cheek, before pulling the dear infant close, wrapping the child in her arms.
"They will not hurt you," she whispered to the tiny child, "I will not let them hurt you."
They were out of the cobbled streets now, the houses of Port Gino having thinned without eliciting a glance from the inhabitants of the coach.
It would only be a few hours before they reached their destination, requiring no stop for refreshments, even for the young Miss Eydis.
To the youngster it all seemed a grand, if infinitely frightening, adventure. She had seen her best little gowns thrown in with her mother's beautiful array of silks, muslins, and all other wonders, and was now having her first real coach ride.
Keeping Frozen close, raising him often to her lips to kiss away his fears, and hope to kiss away her own unwitting sense of dread, the girl passed her time in a state of anxious confusion.
As the green hills, dotted with livestock, melted into a blur outside the glass panes of the windows, Eydis' eyes eventually drew closed, slumber swelling upon her.
Seeing her darling girl slipping into the confines of sleep, Naita drew the toddler upon her lap, cradling the girl and singing a soft lullaby. This even served to put the nervy Frozen to rest enough to only screech at the larger potholes.
After many hours so arranged, Eydis sleeping, Frozen panicking and Naita silently mulling over what was to come, the sound of cobbles under the horses' hooves came hard upon the ears of the inhabitants of the coach. They had reached town, and court was not far away.
Waking the slumbering infant, wide-eyed with fear herself, Lady Siri brushed the creases out of her gown, arranged her hair hastily, and swallowed the lump quickly rising in her throat.
These quick preparations finished just in time to see the door swing open, a short flight of stairs attached, and a stony-faced, bearded man of around fifty approach to hand them down.
"Good day, father," came the words of Lady Siri, as the man looked in horror upon her ward.
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Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 4:02 pm
Delivery.
Stepping forward onto the cobbled drive of the great palace that serviced the courtier's needs at this season, Naita leaned forward to brush the Duke's rough cheek with a kiss, disentangling one arm from her young charge and laying it on the man's shoulder.
"Sir, my mother awaits me, I presume?" Came her unwavering voice, quiet though it was with respectful fear.
"Is... that yours?"
Came the rather astounded answer, Kassius Siri raising one elegant finger to point at the pale infant resting in his daughter's arms. His person was looking rather the worse for this unexpected arrival, his usually heavily lidded grey eyes wide with horror, his hair-dusted lips forming a rather obvious 'o.' Had his daughter rejected a King to bear the fruit of some farmer? She should be in the gallows ere long, had she become so lost to gratitude.
"No, sir, she is not 'mine,' though she is in my care, and shall remain so for as long as I have option," his undutiful daughter responded, before sweeping into her usual curtsy, relying on the grace she knew she had long possessed to charm her father with thoughts of the great men she may catch. On this day, shock dulled these thoughts, but the Duke did, grudgingly, take her arm within the crook of his elbow.
"This way, though the child may not enter the birthing room."
Nodding, the young Lady Siri swept into another, smaller, curtsy.
"Naturally," she pronounced, before eyeing the palace warily. "If you should show me to my room before escorting me to my mother, I should be grateful, sir."
At this, the man inclined his head, and led his child up the stone stairs, making the way through an ancient arch. Some little conversation seemed necessary, if only to allay the eyes of guards that watched the pair with veiled amusement.
"How goes the Manor, child?" he at last spoke, "and your sister? Is she well?"
Here Naita started a little, not having expected solicitations of Linaia so soon. Forcing a smile onto her thinly parted lips, the young woman nodded.
"The Manor is a fine residence, the lands bearing well. My sister is well, also."
This much she knew to be true, for Linaia was always well when with Aelus. The knowledge of their forthcoming child played heavy on Lady Siri's mind, but she smiled as well as any courtier.
Fearing lest her father should press the matter, Naita continued to occupy his mind with small talk until they reached the point of her residence for her stay.
Here she left her father on the threshold, and paused in the room only long enough to change her travelling attire for a gown already hanging in the closet. It was, she could see by the cut and material, the only one not of the latest fashion, and thus the one chosen for the birthing room.
With a heavy heart did she leave Eydis in the room, tucking the now sleeping toddler into the bed, and placing a kiss on her brow.
"I shall lock the door," she whispered to the slumbering infant.
"You are safe, my love."
Thus reassuring herself, Lady Siri made her way back to her father, who nodded at her, and, once she had locked her dwelling, led her to a room several floors below.
He did not enter, but instead kissed her hand, and arranged to meet her again three hours hence. As with many men of court, he thought much more of presenting a pretty daughter of marriageable age at table where others may view her than of the time necessary for his wife's labour.
The room was stifling as Naita entered. The curtains were pulled, great black velvet things. A fire burned bright in the grate, absurdly hot, but as was the way with all deliveries.
Pale and wan upon the bed was Lady Siri's mother, the Duchess. Her usually beautiful hair was matted, her brow drenched.
"Daughter," she pronounced softly, before a contraction wracked her with pain for a length of time it pained her child to see. At length, she gripped her daughter's hand, and gazed, teary-eyed, into Naita's face.
"Something is wrong," she gasped. "I can feel it. Neither you nor Elsius felt like this. I..I know it."
This pronouncement sent Naita into flights of discomfort, but her eyes soon caught those of the midwife, whose nod confirmed it. The child was not safe, and nor, she fancied, was her mother if this carried on long. Was Linaia to be thus punished? Gods, was her elder sister to be in such pain ere long?
***
Time passed, one hour, two, and the time of her father's arrival drew near before Naita was able to feel some relief. At last the little corpse was delivered, already cold. It was a boy, and though her mother could not cease weeping for his lost life, she did manage to choke out that he was to be named for his father, and thus would his grave read.
The remaining time was spent in comforting her heartbroken mama, until the hour drew to a close, and with a heart on the verge of breaking Naita disentangled herself from one of the few embraces her mother had ever offered, and returned to the cold silence of the Duke.
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Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 4:29 am
Eshal's promise.
Leaving the birthing room with a heavy heart, Naita met her father's steely gaze with eyes free of tears, for the duke did not approve of the allowance of sentiments to overcome the sensibilities.
"You were borne a son, father," came Lady Siri's hushed words.
"His health?" her father's voice bespoke his knowledge of the information to come.
"Dead, my lord."
Not another word was spoken, and in cold silence the pair walked to Naita's room, where they parted.
"Dress, child, I will return an hour hence."
With these parting words, the duke left her to her own devices.
Turning the key in the lock, Lady Siri entered the room, and flew straight to the bed in which lay her darling charge.
Picking up the tiny Eydis, the woman sobbed quietly into the cold skin of her ward, salty tears warming the infant's neck. Feeling this outpouring, Eydis stirred, worry clouding even her sleepy, childish mind. She was an observant enough child to know this an extremely rare ocurrence on the part of her 'mother,' and with basic instinct did she clasp her chubby arms around the adult's head, digits nestling in her thick hair.
Though comforted, the shock of her ward needing to ease her tears, rather than the other way around, stilled Naita's flow of emotion. There was much to be done, and crying would not help.
"What shall we do with your silly guardian, Eydis?" she cooed into the babe's ear, before placing the blue child once more on the bed, seated, rather than laying, this time.
She had to be dressed, and her hair and face would need arranging, Naita realised. It had been so long since she was at court, how was she to know the latest style?
She need not have worried, of course. That moment, a flighty knock on the door announced the arrival of the handmaid to lend her service to Lady Siri whilst she continued at court. Once let in, a Miss Eleanore curtsied and giggled her way in, not a day over fifteen, and very much in the mindset of that age.
"Oh my lady," she called immediately, in a high and somewhat nasal voice, "you shall be such a sight! I should not doubt you'll have an offer before the night is out."
Thin smile neither encouraging nor answering the girl, the woman merely nodded. She was happy to have a maid, but a confidante she did not wish.
"Well, which dress shall you be wearing?" Eleanore asked, seeming to take the hint.
Between the two of them, they chose a purple gown, fitting to Naita's exquisite physique, and entwined with gold thread. With this, a simple pearl choker and pearl drop earrings completed the ensemble.
Arranging the great masses of thick black hair took nigh on forty minutes, but once done, it had to be admitted the maid had impeccable hands, and taste. Smiling upon the girl's work, Lady Siri pressed a coin into her hand, worth what would be roughly a month's wages to the girl.
"I know my father would not pay you what your skilled hands are worth, child," the woman spoke softly when the maid protested. This seemed to silence her, and hurrying out with a grin on her face, Eleanore ran straight to her quarters to hide the generous gift.
In the few minutes left, Naita played with Eydis, brushing her hair and setting her amongst the downy pillows of the huge bed.
"Sleep, my love," she whispered to the wavering infant, "you have travelled far, and will be tired. I shall have a servant send food for you after dinner, that I may have you to myself. You will not be thrust upon the awful wetnurses I was raised by, love, you are far too dear."
These words singing in Eydis' mind, her guardian raised herself from the bed at the sound of a knock, and went to join her father.
The dinner passed as all such events did, with many an eye judging her form, her face and her manners. The only eye Naita detected to admire without assessment was that of a familiar face. He was a King's guard, rarely seen outside the company of his fellows, and in no way suitable to be eyeing the daughter of a duke. Still, they had played as children, and Lady Siri remembered him, the blonde boy who had often led her out of the larger maze in the winter castle's grounds. Eshal.
Much to her displeasure, Naita saw her brother's behaviour at dinner left much to be desired. Even as their mother lay weeping, and their infant brother lay dead, Elsius flirted. Not with anyone, but with Princess Haphnee, youngest daughter of the King, and betrothed to a prince from a neighbouring kingdom. He was playing with fire, for the King did not take kindly to his daughters engaging in flirtations. Still, she trusted her brother to allow it to go no further than a flirtation. In this, she was mistaken.
As the diners cleared after dinner, Lady Siri found a servant, asked of him bread, meat, and milk to be sent to her room, and promised him a coin or three should he be so obliging as to ensure this delivery three times daily. Never one to refuse a payment, the servant bowed and thanked his way to an agreement, and allowing her father to drink with the King, Naita returned to her room unescorted.
Here she was followed, unknowingly, by her childhood playmate.
Upon reaching her door, she felt a warm hand upon her arm, gentle, yet too rough to be a woman's touch. Whirling around, she found Eshal's blue eyes smiling down upon her from his great height.
"I had thought you should never return," he spoke softly, his tone of the sort to unsettle the lady's cool manner.
"You had no right to wonder, Guard Hindram," she returned, uncomfortable with the closeness of his stance, the heat of his voice.
This comment stung him, she could see, but still he stayed before her, eyes now full of concern.
"No. You are right, my lady," he said, and it almost pained her to hear the solemnity of his voice, though she could not explain why.
"I had to warn you, however. Lord Elsius is not safe. The King lays charges tonight, of treason. His dalliances with the Princess were spoken to the King, and the trial begins tomorrow. I know not if he can be saved, so I warn you to brace yourself for pain."
Eyes wide with horror, Naita gazed up into the face of her informant, words stricken from her mind in fear. Surely she could not lose two brothers in one fell swoop?
Entirely giving up propriety at her expression, Eshal clasped one of her hands to his lips, kissing it, and retaining it in his grasp.
"I promise this. If the trial is lost, I shall ensure he has a kind executioner. His pain matters not to me, but yours does."
With this, he turned and left, leaving his love since his childhood years in a whirl of feelings she knew not how to express.
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Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 9:11 am
Treason, Elsius?As Elsius lay slumbering, young body stretched out beneath the bed sheets, curtains drawn around the exquisite oak frame, guards stood outside his door, awaiting the appointed time.
As the clock struck five, the dawn began it's first wavering attempt to cast light upon the world, and four of the King's men dragged young Master Siri to the cells.
***
Though rather less rested than would be preferable, Naita was still slumbering when a maid pulled back the curtains of her chamber, allowing golden threads of light to spill into the room, playing upon the contents therein. In this blinding burst my Lady awoke, first instinct commanding her to check upon the toddler curled noiselessly next to her.
Eydis had ceased to slumber, but lay still, wearied by the change in scenery and lack of familiarity of this new place. She did not understand why she had been taken from her home, or why she had been brought to this strange place, but simply clung to the faith that her mother would not lead her astray.
Absolute faith spoken behind her large eyes, these thoughts led Lady Siri to embrace the infant, placing a gentle kiss upon her forehead.
"Someday, I will repay your faith, my love," she whispered, before standing, allowing the servant to dress her.
Eleanore took care to make Naita as fetching as possible, servant's gossip having reached her ears of two suitors for my Lady's hand. The girl had taken a liking to her mistress in the short space of a day, and like any good girl, wished her well established. Who knew, she may be able to land an Earl!
Strangely, the gossip more immediately important to her mistress was absent from the maid's knowledge. This tidbit was yet to make the rounds, though that was soon to change.
Once Naita was becomingly attired and tressed, Eleanore alighted on a possible need, and nodded at Eydis, now sat upon the covers, eyeing her guardian.
"Shall I watch 'er, my Lady?" she queried, with narry a mention of the work already heaped upon her.
"No," came the response, "I wish to show my Eydis the world."
With this, Lady Siri shook the girl's hand amicably, before sweeping the babe into her arms and exiting the room, fairly assured that only misery could greet her this day.
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Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 3:13 pm
Treason, Elsius? Part 2.
Sweeping down the many hallways of the current royal residence, Naita whispered to her ward softly, brushing a hand over the soft hair upon Eydis' crown.
She spoke of times spent long since in those same walkways, treading the same floorboards, but how different were her sensations!
Where once she had run carefree to romp with young friends, she now strode, every moment expecting a summons to her father's chambers, wherein to be informed of that she already knew- Elsius' plight.
The author of this knowledge soon broke upon her gaze, and it was with some confusion that she started, flushed, and eventually continued onwards, only a glance betraying her knowledge of Eshal's existence.
He stood beside another of his fellows, two of whom stood guarding an alcove- so this was where the King had enjoyed his royal priviledges the previous night. A fraction of her mind searched for whose chamber it may have been, but could discern no particular favourite. Likely some lower nobleman's daughter, eager to catch at any jewel dangled before her.
Whilst these thoughts passed through her mind, the man whose speech was causing such pain in her breast had broken away from his conversation with his fellows, and was following her, keen to catch her in some private corner or other, his sensibilities rather alerted by the child nestled in Lady Siri's arms.
Luckily for Eshal, Naita did make a turn into a rather secluded side-hall, a place she had played often in her youth. Here she had seated herself upon the polished floor, placing Eydis down, with a tiny cloth doll.
Smiling, she watched the infant play happily, tottling the doll about and supplying it with a high-pitched voice.
Ducking in after my Lady, Eshal gazed upon this scene with mingled feelings. He knew his duty to inform Lady Siri of the morning's work, but wished for an explanation of the child playing before her. To this already tangled web was added pleasure in seeing the pair happy.
"My Lady," he started simply, causing her head to snap up, having not noticed him previously.
With some effort, she composed herself enough to deliver a courtier's smile, inclining her head slightly.
"Sir."
Eydis' impression of this scene was rather a confused picture. Her mother seemed not to like this man, but he looked nice to her. She did not understand why Naita could not meet the man's eyes, nor why the man was so intent to meet Naita's.
"Is... uh..." Eshal could not finish his question without feeling absurd. To ask a Lady the lineage of a child in her care? It was sadly ill-mannered, but his curiosity burned. It was only by his own luck that Lady Siri understood, and shook her head.
"She is my ward, Eydis, Mr. Hindram. And am I to presume you followed me to ask whether I had produced a child, or is there a matter somewhat more pressing?"
This made the guard blush faintly, allowing the cold notes in her voice to pass off as due to her worry.
"Your brother has been detained, and charged, my Lady. Your father has been informed."
With this, he turned to leave, paused, and turned back.
"She suits your old dresses, Naita, perhaps she would like the dolls your mother still has." With this, he left her.
Lady Siri gazed after the man, confusion reigning in her mind. He had used her first name, a true proof of ill manners in one below her, but she could not bring herself to mind. First and foremost, however, were her feelings of fraternal dread. Bustling Eydis into her arms, the woman began the rather hurried trek to her father's rooms.
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Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 3:54 pm
Treason, Elsius? Part 3.
The sight that greeted Lady Siri as she rushed into her father's apartments was not the scene she had expected.
Instead of the frenzy she expected, her father calling upon lawyers to defend his son, uncles pledging their support, the entire Siri family working as the powerful unit they were known to be at court to save Elsius from the evil fate which crept upon him.
Instead, she found her father quietly poring over a novel, no legal minds, no uncles in sight.
"Papa?" she called, reverting to her childhood name for her father, "where is everyone?"
Lord Siri looked at her with some confusion, making a very pointed attempt to ignore the girl in her arms, now clinging to her doll, eyes wide.
"Everyone, child? Whatever do you mean?"
"For Elsius. Where are those to help Elsius? Your son has been locked up for treason!"
Her father's eyes narrowed, their expression turning icy. "I have no son," he rasped. "And if you wish to remain my daughter, you certainly have no brother."
A strange smile alighted upon his face, and, standing, he sidled towards her, transferring Eydis into his strong grip.
The tiny girl knew better than to struggle. She simply sent an imploring look to the woman she knew as her mother, rosebud lips forming the silent word 'mama.'
Looking the infant over, Lord Siri's odd smile flickered.
"Such a pretty little thing. You will give her into my custody to be presented, at the proper age. She will do well to expand the family fortunes. As will you, my child.
We are strong because we do not accept weakness, Naita. Elsius may be dead presently, or he may last a week. But to the Siri family, he was dead the second he was charged. He is weak, but the loss of him makes us strong."
Thrusting the now terrified infant back to her equally fearful guardian, he turned to return to his lounging, casting one parting shot before retreating to his book.
"See to it you are presentable tonight, I expect a charming presentation from my only true child."
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Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 4:22 pm
Treason, Elsius? - The Trial.In the three days that passed between Elsius' charge and the day that was to mark his trial, Naita stirred little from Eydis' side, leaving her only to dine. Her father's remarks struck fear into the woman, on account of her ward. Eydis was her darling child, not a mere pawn in his game.
The child, herself, had seemed to recover quickly from the fearful fit of tears she had lapsed into upon leaving Lord Siri, but would now shrink from any man to happen upon she and her guardian in their play. She had not fully understood the man's intentions, but that he was a threat, ominous and foreboding, was apparent. She was not in the mood to allow other such men to hold her tightly, as he had, and eye her so. She wished to be home, where she knew her way, where she could play, where her friends were.
"Home. We go home?" she would often murmur to Naita, to which comment she was met with "soon, my love. Soon."
Eydis' first experience of town, outside court, was met with as the hour for Elsius' trial drew nigh. As this dreaded moment approached, her guardian dressed with utmost propiety, the sombre aspect of her dress spelling out what many thought- the poor boy was doomed. Once Lady Siri was ready, she turned to the preparation of her darling.
Eydis was dressed in a grey dress and coat, white lace upon the cuffs and collar the only variation to the muted colour. Her white hair was combed back, now long enough to tie back for the first time. To complete the outfit, Naita lovingly bestowed a gift upon her darling- a diamond hair pin, which she placed to hold back the child's soft hair.
"Now, love, we witness horror," she whispered to the babe, sweeping her into scented arms. She had not wished Eydis to see the spectacle, but distrusted the inhabitants of this place to care for her darling girl. No, her ward was to be at the trial with her.
***
The courtroom was a dismal sight, high windows letting in very little light at the best of times. These were not such. The sunlight had been muted by a steady screen of grey cloud, the threat of rain ever hanging in the air, but not yet allowing it's fat droplets to fall upon the waiting umbrellas dotted outside.
From the inside, the granite building was layered with wood. Wooden seats, stands, walls, ceilings and floors greeted the entrant, mahogany finish fading with time and ill-use.
The gallery, towards which Naita headed, was situated above the court, a perfect view afforded of the proceedings. It was not a place Lady Siri had previously visited, nor had she hoped to ever need to.
Elsius was seated in a lowered area, alone and looking like a child. As he caught his sister's eye she could swear a tear ran down his cheek, sparkling in the light cast by a candle. He, too, knew his fate, then.
The knowledge that he was not only being argued against, but also being judged by, great favourites of the King had sealed Naita's knowledge of the impending verdict. Even before the trial had begun her mourning had started.
Their mother was ignorant of the matter until that morning, when Naita had been presented the formidable task of informing her. Her reaction had been both violent and short, within an hour she was resigned to the knowledge she would have lost two sons in one week. She comforted herself in the thought that another would soon be born, and that 'her Naita' would not let the family down again. She could be counted on to marry well, and produce an heir.
Banishing these troubling thoughts, Lady Siri ran a hand over Eydis' hair, dropping a kiss on that cool head. Eydis was coping strangely well with the atmosphere in the courtroom, taking it all quietly in with that cold gaze of hers. Luckily, she was too young to understand what was happening, or her guardian would not have countenanced the idea of her being present.
Below, a guard placed at the exit eyed the pair, blonde head hidden beneath his shining helmet. A church bell in the distance sounded that the hour of the trial was come.
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Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 6:08 pm
Treason, Elsius? -The Trial, part 2.
With a shudder, Elsius watched his judge approach, powdered wig slipping slightly on his bald head. It was old Sir Belthram Gusby, whom he, like all children of his time, had abhored, and villainised in their childhood games. Alas, he, in particular, had fallen on old Gusby's bad side when a ball kicked by himself had shattered a stained glass panel Gusby had commissioned. Although it had been years hence, the old man was famous for holding a grudge. A triviality, mayhap, but not a good omen for what was to come.
The formalities of opening the case passed quickly, all oaths sworn, pledges made, and such like. All the while, an executioner in a building not far off awaited his summons, and a boy awaited his mortality.
The charges were horrendously trumped up, of course. That Elsius had meddled with the Princess, his only true crime, was not to be mentioned under any circumstances, lest the Princess lost an eligible match, thus it was left to 'treason, conspiracy to do away with his Highness,' and such trumpery as were cited for the young man's impending death.
With each fresh charge a gasp rose from the gallery, as foolish young people from the King's court accepted with relish the day's excitement. Only Naita sat noiseless, the only witness to the trial connected in any way to it's principal.
The crown's case was swiftly and deftly moved forward, various charges laid before the young nobleman, ranging from having sat with the King's cousin, a man executed for inciting riots against the King when Elsius was but a child, to cavorting with other men. But most spectacular, the real crowd pleaser, was the charge of plotting the King's undoing. Before young Master Siri was laid an intricate plan to lure his Highness away from a hunting party, transporting him across several miles, and having his neck broken, and his horse made lame in an attempt to make it look as if the fat old monarch was thrown through the air when the poor beast attempted a bad jump.
That this was pure fabrication was evident from the make up of the plan. None could conceive it possible except those paranoid enough for his Highness' safety, and vain enough to believe him light enough to be thrown so far. In short, it sprang from the mind of none but it's poor victim.
The crown, once finished laying the initial charges at his feet, brought forth various people to testify that they were, of course, speaking the gospel. Among these folk ranked no less than two uncles and three cousins of herself and her brother. The rats were willing to send him to the block in order to assure their own pockets were lined! They disgusted Naita, at a time when she thought that there was little left in the world of a courtier that could shock and dismay her.
The idiot's parade made up the majority of the arguments, and, at length, Elsius was allowed to speak his defence.
With no brilliant legal mind at his disposal, the boy made but short statements, disclaiming the charges at his head, and questioning the right of a trial to take place so suddenly. Any to hear him speak would speak of the dejection in his voice, the hopeless look in his eyes, the occasional pause where he seemed to be gulping back immasculine sobs.
All to know him would attest to this not being the cause for which he was born.
His statements run dry, Gusby retired to make his decision. The crown's lawyer sat smirking, knowing his job well done, and planning out the summer home he should buy in the South, such was likely to be the monetary gain from his handiwork.
Slumped in his chair, Elsius had only to pray his soul would rest in peace.
Sir Belthram had a decision in a mere hour, but 7 hours since the trial's commencement, a joke from the time of the charges being filed.
No surprise was the guilty verdict, nor the immediate nature of the sentence.
Elsius Siri was to be beheaded at the stroke of seven, the next morning, may God have mercy on his soul.
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Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 6:47 pm
Treason, Elsius? - The Execution.Day broke upon the earth in such a way as to suggest the sky herself grieved for such an unfortunate day. The golden head of the sun hid behind a mass of grey clouds, light crept over the streets so slowly that it was fully six o'clock in the morning before there was tolerable light for the carriages and carts to set about their way. A thin drizzle fell in sheets of fine spray, too little water to signify, but too much for comfort.
Three souls, however, paid no heed to the dismal weather. One prayed in a tiny cell, resigning himself to the will of the almighty in whom he believed, another prayed in a luxurious room of a palace, hopeful that some solution should occur to her to cease the unhappy ocurrences, and one thought as little as possible, sharpening his axe.
***
Standing from her kneeling position upon the floorboards, Naita cast weary eyes upon her ward, silent gaze drinking in the anguish of her guardian.
"We leave today, love," Lady Siri said at last, thin smile playing on her lips.
"We leave papa, and his Highness, and all that can vex us, and we will go home."
Of this, the surest and most comforting word to alight Eydis' ears was the last.
"Home," she repeated, voice soft and low. Yes, she wanted to go home. She wanted to feel safe at home.
Naita had been hard at work since returning the night before, numb and insensible of anything but a desperate wish to be gone from this place of madness. She had then and there booked a carriage to carry herself and Eydis off, and wanted only to see her brother one last time before she left. She was to attend the execution.
Only one thing had escaped her frenzy to organise and be off. Though she was capable of watching her brother's demise, she could not, in good conscience, expose Eydis to the same.
Sweeping the infant girl into her arms, wrapped in black silk, Lady Siri set off down the corridor, in search of two individuals, either of whom she felt could be trusted with her darling.
Of this pair, she happened on the less likely as she strode, eyes peeled for the other more specifically. However, as the familiar figure drew near, she called out.
"Gaurd Hindram! Would you be so kind as to lend me a moment of your time?"
Brows raised in question, Eshal bowed, and spoke his affirmative, puzzled though he was.
It took Lady Siri but a moment to explain her situation, the necessity of leaving as soon as she could, and other such relevancies to Eshal, and being off duty, he accepted the charge faithfully, taking the tiny girl and promising most faithfully to deliver her back to Naita before her carriage an hour hence.
Eydis was not immediately at ease, fearful lest this man was like the other she had met in this place, but his gentle hands and smiling eyes put her to rest at length, and she submitted to playing dolls with him for the time being.
***
It was a few minutes before seven when Naita rushed into the common green, having been denied her request to speak to her brother in his cell. Instead, she pushed herself into a spot as close as was possible to where he would begin his walk to the block, set upon a pedestal before a small crowd.
Not long after her hurried approach, the slower step of her brother and the guards either side of him was heard, and it was with a heavy heart that Lady Siri called out to the broken figure of a man, so few days ago a boy in the spring of youth.
He raised his eyes to meet her face, a dejected smile gracing his features.
The guards stopped a moment, allowed Naita to rush forward to embrace her brother a last time, and in that moment, she felt her heart go out to him as never before.
"You are not alone," she stated simply, before a powerful arm seperated the pair.
"Sorry ma'am, we has our orders," came the voice of it's owner.
With that, Naita's brother was marched off, and her last moment with him broken. It remained only to watch him die. So she did, gazing numbly as he stumbled up the podium steps, eyes cast down, shouts of the crowd heard not.
Reaching his final moments, Elsius stood erect for a moment, his last speech needing to be made.
"I," he said, "die for no reason, and for no reason am I killed."
With this, he gladly accepted his blindfold, and lay his head upon the stained block.
It took two strokes from the axe to split his neck, and these his sister watched, emotionless, save for a single tear rolling down her right cheek.
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Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 7:37 pm
Return to the Manor.
Shaken by having witnessed such happenings as this day had already unfolded, Naita returned to court in a trance, grateful to find all matters tidily wrapped up for her departure. It seemed someone had been hard at work whilst she had been watching the 'festivities.' A carriage stood, poised and packed, ready to take her back to Port Gino.
Waiting also were a man in mail and a young girl, skin icy blue, hair soft white, and face, rather unusually in the company of one still a stranger to herself, smiling. Even Frozen seemed to have no wish to do away with this male.
"Your carriage, my lady," Eshal noted, as she drew near. His voice held that same hint of laughter it always did, though his attempts to sound grave made it almost comical.
"And your ward," he spoke again, handing the tiny girl into Lady Siri's grasp. With the simple act of holding her darling once more, Naita's reserve dropped, and pulling the silk hood back from Eydis' soft locks, she dropped a few tears onto the toddler's brow.
At such a show of emotion, Frozen ruffled and looked about himself for the culprit, in order to ostracise them properly, Eydis merely wrapped her chubby arms around what little of her mother they could cover, and Eshal resisted the urge to follow suit.
Naita collected herself but a moment later, and drying her eyes, nodded at the man, holding out the one hand she could spare from Eydis, Frozen bobbing on her shoulder.
"Thank you, Mr. Hindram. I appreciate your kindness."
To this he simply dropped a kiss upon the palm of her hand, smiling thinly.
"Anything," he stated, and strode away.
For the second time in her visit, Naita left Eshal with feelings she was at a loss to explain. She was aware of some knowledge she would miss him, an irritation at his having left so soon, and a wish that he had left sooner.
Attempting to shrug these thoughts off, Lady Siri instead lifted herself and her young charge into the carriage, addressing herself to the groom, and informing him of their direction.
"And please," she asked, "hurry."
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Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2005 9:18 am
Home again, home again...
Dawn of the following day was cresting over the head of the red bricked manor as the clatter of hooves was heard on the drive. The kitchen staff, having grown to respect later hours than those of their mistress in her absence, were thrown into a confusion, and as such the cacophany of pots and pans being tossed about, ladels scraped, and cutlery arranged, joined the horses' steady trot.
With the sun behind it, casting a luminous halo over it's majestic lines, the Manor was truly a sight for sore eyes, and very sore were those of Lady Siri.
Swollen and red from salty tears and lack of sleep, those grey orbs looked upon their home, and more than one tear escaped them, shocking their owner, who had thought herself sobbed dry.
Eydis was soundly asleep for this triumphant return, and only her faithful daemon, half intoxicated with slumber himself, served of the younger party to show any relief at being home. This he did by letting out a chirrup, contented and, Naita could swear, relieved.
Bundling this pair into her arms, my lady exited the coach as soon as it drew to a halt, ignoring the helpful assurances of the footman, simply making a beeline for the door.
"Home!" she exclaimed breathily, speeding towards the oaken entrance as if fleeing an horrific sight.
The doors opened just in time to admit the mistress of the house, and an alarmed, though, as always, poised, Riife stood in the hall to greet her, his soft eyes betraying his surprise at her return.
"All is well, my lady?" he queried, taking her gloves, and young charge.
Eydis ruffled slightly, finally awakening to a change in her surroundings. Pale eyes turned to Riife's face, studied it for a moment, and softened into a look of unquestioning acceptance.
"Butty." she stated assuredly, snuggled into his grasp, gave Frozen a quick pat on the head, and resumed her slumber.
"No... yes... oh, it is of no matter, Riife," came the garbled response of Lady Siri, as she paced for a moment before selecting a chair in which to station herself.
After a moment she smiled, face composing itself somewhat.
"Where are my other wards? I wish to see them."
To this, the butler started, stammered for a moment, and finally hung his head.
"Well... Ceiba is above stairs, with Elsa, but Breena is... away from home. Elsa insisted she would not stay with Breena in the house, after the... incident."
This was met with a mixture of a startled and inquistive glance, and thus Riife set about telling his mistress of what had passed in her time away.
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