In Windstorm - Parley and other niceties

[Dream Loxley]

(( Dream did not actually speak the words to Midnight...she used her eyes to emplore...beg....hoping the cat understood is all ))

*She sat......her body a dead weight in the chair... she could not understand what was happening..and why. To be branded a Witch ....was simply unthinkable.....her mind could not fathom such a situation. She gazed at the King.....placing her trust within him..... hoping against hope he would do right by her.

As the Princess Edfeil was now carried into the the room...the whole scene became even more surreal....she heard the Lady speak....ask of her ....but she simply shook her head and looked at those present finally muttering the damning words.*

"They think me a Witch M'Lady."

[Lady Edfeil]

*For a moment she looked as iffen ye had lost yer mind. Then looked again to the Frank underneath the big cat, her fathers barely contained rage and yer own pale countenance.*

A witch? A .. witch? But... 't be utterly... well... ye can nae be a witch! Why would anyone think ye a witch! Yer father be a member of the clergy! Ye'ld nae dance with the devil for anything! How...

*her brow furrowed she looked to the man who was squirming under Midnights weight and empathically anounced as if that settled the matter.*
She nae be a witch! And ye should be ashamed of yerself for thinking so. *realising she had spoken out openly in censure of a man, a blush followed her words and an apology.* Pritthee forgive me...I mean to say... well... she be nae a witch, and perhaps ye nae ment 't, but 't was nae very kind of ye to say....

*Her voice trailed off, nae exactly knowing how to continue, but instead, she reached out to pat her friends hand and repeated reassuringly*Of course ye nae be a witch. Nae one who knows ye could think such!

[Francois de Trechanoux]

*From under the cat's heavy bulk, he sensed a chnage in things...the Great Feline was busy cleaning itself, as if he, Francois, made not a single care to it...which was somewhat better than staring up into's maw....and finally even the "witch" herself spoke, to yet another unknown face that entered the Hall....ahh! This one he knew by sight at least...Lady Edfiel! He spoke with some difficulty as the Cat's weight procluded him from breathing properly...*

Lady Edfiel, if your "friend" be not a Witch, then YOU should be able to dismiss this Foul Creature from my chest, to prove it is not a Familiar! Remove it from my person, if you hold any Mercy at all dear Lady! It seems your Father is too....upset, to do so! Or is it because Dream Loxley is indeed a Witch??? YOU have the Power to show all here that at least this Creature is not under Her Command! What shall you do Lady Edfiel?????


*The smile he gave was sincere...but never reached his eyes, which were filled with a very private sort of thing totally....mayhap Francois had "turned the corner" and left the "real" world far behind....only time would tell for sure!*

[Admin]

Turning to speak to Lamont Duchesne,

M'lord, I will nae take.. this.. imbicle off thee hands, nor would I trade for the man whom be in my dungeons. I told thee commander that I would allow him to go free and forsake the punishment of the lashing. Iffn thee would turn around and set sail from me lands. However, thee all have shown me that this is nae what thee wish..and now force me to take matters into me hands. Now, take this man.. and get him off me floor and out of me castle before I have his tongue ripped out for insulting my friend Lady Dream. I shall be sending word to her father.. a priest in high rankings of the Christian church of god, of his babblings of calling her a witch. AS for calling my pet a tool of the devil... *laughs*.. Midnight be a free spirit and is protecting those she cares about.. and belive me, only I have the power to stop her from tearin his throat out. Nae anyone else will or can tell her what to do. She be MY pet... I expect full appology's to Lady Dream , and the rest of those whom be standing here at this time for such a foolish display of ye mens lack of control. The only one whom is free of such insults.. is thee commander whom seems to be unwell at this time. If concern for another human being be grounds by thee and thee men for being called a witch...then ye have alot to learn about the world and the acts of kindness.

Now get out of me sight before I have thee all clasp in chains and tossed in to join that bastard son Derek
Now.. get him out of me sight..

[Midnight]

Leaping from the man's chest tearing into him as I leap I return to the King's side black ears flickering lightly a light growl of warning to him that says you do it again you will become a meal or playtoy for me. I rub against the King's leg lightly letting out a very soft and low purr

[Dream Loxley]

*Still it was difficult to make any sense of things..... the man beneath Midnight continued his words of accusation....now directed to the Princess Edfeil, she had heard the Lady's word but none seemed to register any comfort at this moment.

The King was still so angry she wondered if he might burst........perhaps this was indeed a nightmare that would stop soon and allow her mind and heart to settle again.

Midnight suddenly leapt from the man......moving to be beside the King. She held out her hand then.....as if to thank the beast for both coming to aid them and for realising that killing was not the answer at this time.

She started to rise from her chair then.... knowing that somehow she had to find the courage and strength to finish this...to end this farce before such was to become more than it already was. Standing now, she took a deep breath in before speaking in quite a loud voice.*

"Please........ I beg ye......*Glancing to all those present*..."This 'tis nae the way..... it nae be right. I am nae a witch...simply a woman whom did aid another. Surely....... there 'tis a mistake."

*She looked straight at the man now seeming to recover from the great cat instilling such fear into him.*

"Sire...... M'Lord... please...... find composure that we may end this madness."

[Halethala]

She had watched silently from the protected place in Sinold's embrace, her eyes riveted to the one acting so strangely more than any of the others in the room . . something about his behavior was familiar to her, she at first could not recall where. Slowly it came . .

A festival . . long ago, in her childhood homeland. Someone had tried to convince the revelers of their lunacy, it had been a harmless game, but so well played no suspected at first. . . . then an shriveled old woman had stepped forth and uttered the chilling words . .

Slipping from Sinold's arms, she darted forward before he or the guard could stop them, and stood two steps from the noisy Frenchman, her face set in an odd look.

"Go mbeire an diabhal leis thú! You, sir, play a dangerous GAME . . "

She calmly watched his face.

[Lamont Duchesne]

Lamont listened to the King’s harsh words, smirking at being left in the dark still. “Since you do not provide us with any information as to what is happening around here, I will try to find out myself. Messieu Trechanoux has been kept by your guards…. I expect to be allowed outside this castle while Lord De Sennis will stay here while he recuperates. Again I do apologize for Trechanoux’s behaviour, Milord!”

Lamont bowed towards the king, then went over to where Francois still lay on is back. He had heard the words the woman standing near had uttered but had not understood then. With a short smile he passed the woman, then drew his dagger, grabbed Francois at the front of his shirt and placed the dagger right at his throat, pressing hard against his jugular until tiny drops of blood appeared.

“You… will shut… your dirty MOUTH; TRECHANOUX! Or by God, I shall kill you and let that cat eat you for sure. There are more young whelps where you came from. I don’t know what Lord de Sennis sees in you but you have seriously betrayed that trust he put in you! Now help me get him up to his room, or I will have no qualms about spilling your blood right here and now. Now MOVE!”

Only slowly sheathing his dagger again, Lamont shoved his fellow Frank towards the couch where Vinzelles lay. Carefully both picked up the Councillor, and carried him upstairs to their quarters.

Making sure Vinzelles was being looked after by one of the maids, and trusting nothing would be done here to endanger his safety, Lamont then kept guarding Francois back to the hall, placing himself in front of the king.

“Councillor de Sennis is in his room now, I trust he will be well cared for? As for me and Messieu Trechanoux, we ask to be allowed to visit the harbour to see with our own eyes what is taking place there, since you won’t give us such information yourself. May we go, and guaranteed free passage there and back here?”

[Lamont Duchesne]

Lamont listened to the King’s harsh words, smirking at being left in the dark still. “Since you do not provide us with any information as to what is happening around here, I will try to find out myself. Messieu Trechanoux has been kept by your guards…. I expect to be allowed outside this castle while Lord De Sennis will stay here while he recuperates. Again I do apologize for Trechanoux’s behaviour, Milord!”

Lamont bowed towards the king, then went over to where Francois still lay on is back. He had heard the words the woman standing near had uttered but had not understood then. With a short smile he passed the woman, then drew his dagger, grabbed Francois at the front of his shirt and placed the dagger right at his throat, pressing hard against his jugular until tiny drops of blood appeared.

“You… will shut… your dirty MOUTH; TRECHANOUX! Or by God, I shall kill you and let that cat eat you for sure. There are more young whelps where you came from. I don’t know what Lord de Sennis sees in you but you have seriously betrayed that trust he put in you! Now help me get him up to his room, or I will have no qualms about spilling your blood right here and now. Now MOVE!”

Only slowly sheathing his dagger again, Lamont shoved his fellow Frank towards the couch where Vinzelles lay. Carefully both picked up the Councillor, and carried him upstairs to their quarters.

Making sure Vinzelles was being looked after by one of the maids, and trusting nothing would be done here to endanger his safety, Lamont then kept guarding Francois back to the hall, placing himself in front of the king.

“Councillor de Sennis is in his room now, I trust he will be well cared for? As for me and Messieu Trechanoux, we ask to be allowed to visit the harbour to see with our own eyes what is taking place there, since you won’t give us such information yourself. May we go, and guaranteed free passage there and back here?”

[Midnight]

Quietly walking over to Dream I lick her hand softly and let out a soft and low purr. Though I turn my head to watch the others as they leave the Main Hall ((hopes I'm right)). A very soft growl of warning rumbles around in my mighty chest as I watch them. Then turning back to The King and Lady Dream I purr contentedly

[Rayven]

The day wore on. As noon passed, a primrose colored sun danced briefly in the sky, then faded behind a bank of fickle clouds.

The men were resting, but the influx of so many in such a small space made it difficult to treat them and the cloying claustrophobic atmosphere took a toll on my psyche as well often making it difficult for me to breath.


The plaintive toll of the church bell cut through the midday air as I emerged from the infirmary after spending nearly 18 hours in those confining walls. The smell of blood still clung no matter how much I doused lavender on my skin.

Moving at a slow pace I traveled down the corridor towards the great hall gulping down deep breaths of air, and stifling a sigh as I hastened my steps.

As I entered the guards leaped to attention and their eyes followed me with rapt attention as I made my way towards the king and his entourage.

My footsteps drew his attention and he turned stiffly towards me.

I could see the high color on his cheeks and the taut way he pursed his lips. Something or someone had enraged anger in him, for it was clear to see in the way he worked his jaw back and forth and his clear blue eyes held a warning that softened a bit when he turned and saw me standing before him.

I dropped a small curtsey but held my gaze for my mission was one of importance.

“My liege. The infirmary is overflowing with patients and the confined space makes it difficult to treat them.
We need to move those that are ambulatory, but still require treatment to another place.”

Unconsciously my hand moved to my throat as the figure of the king seemed to waver a bit in my vision and my voice seemed distant and watery.

I blinked several times to refocus as I stood and listened to his reply.

[Dream Loxley]

*She had stood in awe...watching the one called Lamont.....he seemed to have an authority about him and perhaps a sense of honour also. He certainly took control of what was fast becoming a most dangerous situation. She admired him for such an act and started then to breath more easily. As the troubled one with a madness of sorts was reprimanded and the fallen one taken from the Hall....she sighed in relief and for the moment felt safe again.

Before long Lamont had returned and was still awaiting the King's word......surely he would allow these men to leave....with the one in the dungeons.....surely if they did...then the fighting would end.....peace would find them all again. They had been crude indeed and quite brash to some of the guests...but they had done her no harm and perhaps had learned that Windstorm was to be respected at all costs.

She pondered the whole situation for a while as she curtsied to the resting Princess......nodding to both Sinold and Halethala as she wondered about leaving the Hall now.

The decision was made as she saw her chance to retire......Lady Rayven had also approached the King....perhaps allowing her to seek solitude within her chambers. If the word witch did not become common gossip then she hoped against hope that all would be well.

Her eyes lowered in respect as she passed by both the King and Lamont.......a polite smile to Lady Rayven and she was then upon the stairs. She was glad of the moment.....glad to be away from the madness that had engulfed the room. Perhaps now they would talk and resolve this awful mess.*

((To the foreigners: Thankyou all so much! I loved the play..thoroughly enjoyed the challenge you created......it would seem time to move it along, but who knows what the future might bring Eager to know who played the 'mad Frank' ))

[Sinold Bragasson]

He heard Letha speak to the Frank, in a tongue which sounded strange to him, yet somehow also familiar. Where had he heard that tongue before? He rummaged through his memory… yes, he had heard such words spoken by men they had brought back from the neighbouring isle…. Where the Norse had settlements also. A green isle it was, and men there spoke in that tongue. A slave who lived nearby the farm Sinold’s father owned spoke like that on occasion

Sinold looked back to Letha, she had now taken a few steps back from the man on the ground… he wondered - was she from that green island? And it struck him, he knew so little about his future bride to be. There was so little time now that danger loomed, when would he learn all those things about Letha?

He was glad that the Franks left at last, but then they returned, the babbling fool who had accused Lady Dream of witchcraft was there again. Were they making demands now?

This was too much, finally Sinold’s restraint broken and he stepped forward, confronting the Frank man who had asked the king about what was going on in Windstorm. He didn’t care if that Frank was a guest and that his outburst likely would earn him a reprimand from the king himself. He’s just had it with these invaders.

“Have you not heard what our king said? You should leave! You want to know what’s going on? Our ships ae burning! YOUR ships are burning and your men are dying! As much as our own men! You are outnumbered and your ships will sink to the bottom of the sea unless you stop this madness. Leave us…. Take your scum we hold in the dungeon and LEAVE! Or by Thor as I stand here, I shall run you through should one of you ever speak to one of MY HOUSEHOD EVER AGAIN IN SUCH A TONGUE AS HAS YOUR MAN THERE!”

With a last grunted insult, Sinold turned away from the Frank, looked apologetically towards the king and Letha and then took his position with his bride again, closing his arms around her protectively.

[Sadhbh the Dove]

(you know, The Falling Disease aka Epilepsy was also seen as the possession of the Devil on the soul. Check out the Bible and see.
However I must say you've expressed the affliction well )

[Lady Edfeil]

*Edfeil had barely been able to speak, and before she had been able to correct the Frank of ordering Midnight down, her father had done so in her stead. Midnight was devoted to him, certainly she would listen to Edfeil at times at her own whim, but only iffen she nae sensed danger. In that case, like now, only her father could command her for only to him did she truely obey.

Hearing words that seemed to calm at least a bit, and hoping the Franks indeed would leave as they intended, she let out a breath. Mayhap... mayhap negotiations indeed could make certain nae other losses were suffered. As Dream rose to retire, she indeed saw her chance to do the same. She followed slowly, her walk hesitant still, but each step was one gained.*