The queen had given her the day off, and Akarra was busy getting ready for a trip into the town. It had been some time since she had gotten the chance to leave the castle. Things had been quite hectic recently, what with the big meeting of Meara's from all over the surrounding countryside. Emissaries from a number of neighboring kingdoms had come to meet with King Astarand and Queen Rhiannon, and it had only been a few days since the last of them had taken their leave and returned home. She was looking forward to a day of leisurely perusing the various shops in town. She loved her trinkets, and as she finished adjusting the last of her necklaces across her torso, she heard a knock at her door. Hoping against hope that it was not a servant sent by the queen to fetch her, she walked to the door and opened it. She was slightly taken aback to see Sir Kerma standing on the other side. “Good day to you Sir Kerma. To what do I owe this pleasure?” For pleasure it was. She had secretly been harboring a crush for the handsome knight for many months now. To suddenly have him knocking on her door was something she had not been prepared for.
#EEEE00 217 words
Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2012 8:02 am
Sir Kerma had many duties as a knight in the kingdom, but when the queen had summoned him to her chambers the day before, and given him this assignment, he had to wonder if it wouldn't have been better to send one of the ladies-in-waiting instead of him. However, he was a knight, and as such, he was not in the habit of questioning the king and queen on their decisions. So he found himself striding down the hallway and stopping in front of Lady Akarra's door. He lifted his hand and knocked on her door. He had never really paid much attention to the queen's handmaid before. Mostly due to the fact that she was never around when he had occasion to be in the queen's company. He spent most of his time with the king and the other knights and foot soldiers, and he was quite happy with that. To be asked by the queen to escort her handmaid into town on her day off was not really a duty he thought a knight should be called to do.
The door opened and there stood Lady Akarra. Technically she was not a lady with a capital L, but he considered himself a gentleman, and would never think to call her simply, Akarra. In his mind, all women were entitled to be called Lady, and now that he stood there looking at her, he was sure that she was definitely entitled to it. He was surprised however, when she asked him his business. He had thought that the queen would have informed her of his assignment, but clearly that was not the case. “Forgive me milady, but were you not informed that I was to accompany you into town today? I got my instructions directly from the Queen. It would seem that there is some unrest in the kingdom, and she fears for your safety, should you venture outside the castle walls unescorted.”
#CFB53B 325 words
Shanra the Dragon Bard
Devout Worshipper
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Shanra the Dragon Bard
Devout Worshipper
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Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2012 8:26 am
Escort? The queen felt she needed an escort to go into town for the day? Akarra wondered why the queen had not mentioned that to her yesterday, and why she had not seen fit to tell her about her escort being Sir Kerma. Not that she was going to complain. A whole day spent with the man she had feelings for? She was not about to pass that opportunity up. She pulled herself together and answered, “No Sir Kerma, I was not informed, however, I shall be forever thankful for your company. I will be ready to leave in a minute.” She closed the door, and quickly went about finishing her preparations. It would not have been seemly for her to invite him into her chamber, for she was still a maiden, and the last thing she needed was seedy gossip flying around the castle. She cherished her position as the queen's handmaid and she was not about to do anything to jeopardize that. She picked up her satchel of coins and walked back to the door. Once out in the hall, she held out the small, silk bag to Sir Kerma saying, “Would you be so kind as to keep my gold safe? I wouldn't want some pickpocket to take it from me in the crowded streets.”
#EEEE00 220 words
Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2012 8:44 am
Kerma stood in the hallway, waiting for her to come back out so they could be on their way. When she did, he gladly took possession of her coinage saying, “It shall remain safely tucked away out of the sight of others milady, until you are in need of it. If you are ready to go, I shall simply follow where you lead.” He waved his arm in a low flourish, giving her leave to begin their excursion. As he walked behind her, he found it increasingly difficult not to look at the way her body swayed from side to side. How her hair seemed to have a life of its own, softly drifting this way and that around her shoulders. She had definitely spent some time in preparing herself for today's trip, and we was slowly beginning to think that it might not be such a bad assignment after all.
They reached the gates of the castle, where the road led down into the town. The soldiers on gate duty gave him inquiring glances as he and Akarra walked through the gates. There would be gossip racing through the castle within the hour, and there would be no end of it when they returned. Kerma was not one of those knights who used his status to attract women. There were plenty that did, and he was well known among the men and other officers as one who did not. So for them to see him leaving the castle with the queen's handmaid was all that was needed to start jaws wagging.
#CFB53B 263 words
Shanra the Dragon Bard
Devout Worshipper
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Shanra the Dragon Bard
Devout Worshipper
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Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2012 8:58 am
Akarra saw the looks the soldiers gave Sir Kerma and herself as they left the safety of the castle. She knew that upon their return, all manner of rumors would be circulating among the castle staff, as well as the courtiers. However, she refused to let that ruin the remainder of her day, or the fact that she was going to be spending it with Sir Kerma.
They made their way down the road, coming to the outskirts of the town. Even though it was still relatively early in the day, the shops and streets were already teaming with people. She had some idea of what it was she wanted to buy, so she steered them in the direction of the shop that sold those items. Kerma was being the penultimate gentleman, and remaining a discreet distance behind her, but not so far as to be ineffective should she be accosted.
The shop came into view moments later, and she headed for the door. She turned to Kerma saying, “Sir Kerma, I will understand if you do not wish to accompany me inside. You are most welcome to wait here for me if you wish. All I require is my satchel please.” She waited to see if he would hand it to her, or decide to follow her inside.
