Rising From the Ashes

[sadhbh]

*she entered and looked softly on the lady who seemed to be ailing badly. Sadhbh gave her the most comforting smile and approached with a quiet step. She had not noticed lord Roland in the cornor till she was in the center of the room. When she did, she curtsied to both he and the sickly lady. Lady Laurestina did not look good, she had a color that undergarments would long for and eyes glazed over with illness. Her body seemed frail. Indeed all signs seemed to point to a grave sickness. She paused a moment then set her hand on the ladies.*

This be Sadhbh, I be here..dinnae speak iffn ye can help it. Iffn ye need anything.. I will aid thee..

*softly her eyes ran about the room. It was neat and clean, indeed Millie and Mollie worked well. Sadhbh whispered*

Be there aught I can do...

[Rayven]

It had been three days since the lady cried out in pain and helplessness and when she had recovered her strength somewhat she sent for me.

The terrible sickness, though abated somewhat, still gripped at her body; she had eaten a little broth the night before, and some bread soaked in milk this morning, but I could tell from her face she still felt the illness upon her.

With her chambermaid’s help, she had been bathe and dressed and had her hair braided and wound with a deerskin thong and she now sat up in a chair in her room. She wore a simple robe of undyed wool and for the first time it came sharply on me the task I had been sent to do.

She smiled wanly and beckoned me to come near and gestured with a small wave of her hand for me to sit.

She took from the pocket of her robe a key and placed it in my hands explaining that it unlocked a huge cupboard that held some special herbs rare to these parts.

In a halting voice, tired from the mere act of breathing, she bade me to look through her notes and find the ones that would pertain to these herbs, for in these I would find a remedy to banish whatever ailment still afflicted her body and mind.

Taking the key I placed it in the pocket of my tunic. It hung there heavy, a reminder of the great responsibility she had placed on my slender shoulders.

She took another ragged breath and then said:

“You have reached a stage in your apprenticeship where my guidance may be tempered with your own judgement”

For some reason those words rang again and again in my mind:

tempered with your own judgment, tempered with your own judgment

She put a hand out to steady herself as she rose from the chair, a sudden wave of sickness passing over her again, leaving her pale.

Without excuse she staggered to the small container outside her door and vomited, bringing up the bread and the milk she had swallowed that morning.

She stood clutching the doorframe, retching, as I wiped her face with a wet flannel cloth that smelled sweetly of herbs.

Helped back to her bed by the chambermaids in attendance no more words were spoke between us, instead it was that steady stare in her eyes that I remembered more than any words we had spoke, for it bade me to hurry with the task she had given me.


suggested as a continuation of the roleplay by Lady Laurestina as a way to introduce my apprenticeship of healer under her tutorage and guidance

[Lady Laurestina]

((WOooo.... good one.. excellent ...!!!.and I have not a come back yet * sweet smile* but I shall....))

[lordAbiyownah]

*applauding loudly* tis as tho I am at a play..for the words do truly paint pictures within my mind..I see this once beautiful woman..ravaged by this illness..retched now by the spasmadic releasing of her stomach..seeking relief from the pain and torment that rack her fevered body...I feel the pain..the chills..the fevered sweats...I feel the anguish of her friends who seek to end this torment of her poor weakened frame..
I feel the quickened pulse..and yet nervous determination of this new apprentice..PLEASE..PLEASE do go on..keep me in suspence no more...such writing..such intense feelings..such moving descriptions..
where ..pray tell... is the playwrite who did this marvelous work..I must enbrace them..*seating myself again..I watch for the drama to continue*

[Rayven]

Your kind accolades make me blush kind sir. Glad you are enjoying reading it.

Rayven's typist

[LadyLaurestina]

((Ok addressing one post at a time as the room seems to be gathering helping hands …*smiles softly *))


Lost in the world of vivid, elusive dreams, she now was flying above the hills of lush green, through the foggy glades of dew laden pines, the azure sea and the sunkissed fields of grain. She was feeling total and complely free while spreading her sheer white gauze covered arms out in front of her, as her cupped palms guided her high above the roof tops. All the woes of the world, ALL …. This she has left behind.

Reentering her castle chambers, like a shooting star, beaming back through the window and plopped back into the bed, she fell from grace.

Another strange sensation fell upon her flesh, as she felt still anther hand upon her own. Looking up into the Lady’s face shrouded in the blue halo, fawning a soft but concerned smile. Listening with anticipation, feeling her heart pounding, she heard the angelic voice singing soft and clear.

“This be Sadhbh, I be here..dinnae speak iffn ye can help it. Iffn ye need anything.. I will aid thee..”

. … As she looked into the face of this heavenly hostess. She wanted to reach up and touch the lady’s face. But she was out of touch, to far to the left of her outstretched arm. Looking up, it was if she were one of God’s purest creatures whom had come to take her away from this wretched bed of death. Through the veils of imprisoned torment, she heard the words, and fought with dread, the realization that indeed she was nae quite dead.


Nae able to comprehend the complete scenario. She now found herself totally consumed in a complete and total delusion of time and space. Looking to the lady’s serene and soft kind face, feeling her warmth emanate into her own cold and clammy hand, begging her with all her strength, in a whispered hushed plea “ “…Take me away…. take me to our God… Please…?”

[LadyLaurestina]

Awaking well now into the third day, she once again tired to get a grip on reality. Vaguely aware in her bogged mind of anguish, that another lady, whom she had dreamed of only in desperate despair was now present and standing with her back turned in the golden rays of sunlight. Though she had only vague recollections of what had transpired between them previously in days gone by, this lady she prayed was once again an apparition of hope and peace of days yet to be.

Closing her eyes once more, she waited in silent desperation for the lady with the beautiful blonde braid to make her face known. As she lay with closed lids, heavy and puffed now with the anguish of this dreaded plight. The light much to bright for her throbbing head. Remembered the precious moment when she entrusted the key to the healer’s cupboard to this beautiful lady with clear bright eyes. She knew not what she had all uttered in words of hushed distress, but knew this lady would figure out what had happened to induce such a state of total collapse. The memory of bread and milk had in silence made her wrench, so now she looked inside herself for some small shred of strength to utter the words that she herself knew best. Perhaps the lady did nae know that she, a healer, was also a bit of an artist in her own right. That she had been known to paint well into the wee hours of the morn in the tiny shed off to the right of the stables as she referred to as her studio. She remembered vaguely working on a painting for lady Letha’s dowry when the pains had begun and she had conjured up her own cure from the ashes of the small hearth in her studio. Mixing the ashes with some ground up stone, and some honey colored fluid, that smelled of linseed, she poured it quickly down he own throat, hoping to abet the dreaded disease of worms. Thinking she had caught it from Letha, had given to own self, the cure. Perhaps she had done something wrong, had fumbled somewhere in the night while the flares burned bright, but knowing naught what went a stray, had found herself now in this precarious position of nae knowing night from day. Nae knowing where the angel sent from God had gone, or who now was to be entrusted with her care. Hoping she had made a wise decision, now looked once more to the lady with the blonde braided hair.

Mustering up all the strength she could bear, she murmured to the lady of the light.

“ Mi Lady Please look to your heart for the answers, but seek first Lord Roland, before proceeding. “ This I ask of thee Mi Lady tis all I can say.”

[Sadhbh the Dove]

*Sadhbh frowned and looked over to Sir Roland before she turned back and squeezed Lady Laurestinas hand. It was clear that the ladies malady was severe indeed. She asked Sadhbh for something that she could not do. After a moment her voice fell into a whisper yet the clarity of those words could not be denied*
Lady laurestina, tae be nae thy time. Ye be needed still within tae walls of Windstorm. Ye be a goodly soul I be sure and when tae time comes ye will meet tae Lord of all.
Now, rest easy, let thy health improve...
*Lords but she looked a frail creature. Iffn she were a beast one would think that it would be kinder to free the animal, and yet she was not and Sadhbh would ensure that she held some comfort in her sleep and clear her thoughts.*
Rest....
*she whispered before she slipped away and turned to the door. She would return with two jars, each sealed with wax, one held spirit of minderous, sweet nitre amonf others to soothe what fever she seemed to bear. Sadhbh asked her to take a sip before she opened the other jar.*
what ye sip be good tae ease what fever be on thy mind m'Lady.
*The following contained a balm made with beeswax.*
Forgive me Lady..
*she slipped her hands beneath the sheets and rubbed a little of the balm upon her feet. Looking her over she frowned softly. Sadhbh sealed both jars and left them to oneside*
Tae balm be said tae encourage thy bloods course...
I will see thee soon....*Sadhbh placed her hand again on the ladys hand before she turned and slipped away. She nodded toward Sir Roland a moment before she turned away.
Seeing Lady Rayven enter, Sadhbh offered her a small smile and dipped her form into a curtsy.* greetings..*with that simple words she slipped out, grave concern upon her features*

[LadyLaurestina]

Trying her best to focus her dull glazed blue eyes, eyelids swollen and heavy, she searched the lady’s face shrouded in blue for the words she longed to hear. As she tried to hold her breath, the words that she now heard,

“Lady Laurestina, tae be nae thy time..”

realized perhaps this angel of mercy was noe going to take her to heaven’s gate. * Sighing lightly,* she noted that the blue angel of mercy carried with her two jars, and though her mind be dulled, her thoughts continued to tumble and fall into scattered fragments of unfullfilled desires. She did her best to convey to the Kind angelic lady her gratefulness though her ever so diminished expression of her sincere thankfullness with her eyes.

Though her body could nae respond in full, she felt the soft embraces, and caresses of the lady's hands upon her feet. Thinking, this was truly most unusual for anyone to do, she resisted nae, feeling rather a surge of renewed energy slithering warmth and stirring in her veins, and then up her legs…. Seemingly her heart insistent and troublous slowed into a peaceful repose.

As the angel took away her hands, noted she held them in a prayerful manner and had been silently conversing with others in the room. Unable to decipher who the other visitors be, she deduced she was nae alone, but indeed in the company of other heavenly creatures.

Feeling the lady’s hand upon her own, tried to utter the words held with in her heart, of “please don’t go.” Instead languished in peaceful ambiance of the spirits presence of comfort. As she watched her leave, sleep once more emcompassed her entire being.

[Rayven]

As I approach the door to Laurestina’s room one of the serving-women was approaching with a tray with food and jug of wine, she muttered “M’lady”, as she sees me, dropping a quick curtsey. Outside the door she paused. “It would do you no good to disturb him Milady, he won’t even take food or drink.”

Mechanically I take the tray from her hands and push open the heavy door, the sour smell of illness assaulting my senses.

The food is not for her, for she sleeps now, pale and wan, her head cloth rumpled, and her breathing ragged with each breath she takes.


He sits on a chair, the shadows of the dimly lit room hiding his features from those that enter, but his presence fills the room.

The woman had brought dried meat, seethed with lentils, a loaf of new-baked bread, some soft cheese, and wine.

I dragged up a chair next to him, he sat like a stone, his eyes fixed only on the small figure lying prone on the bed.

Carefully I laid my hand on his.

“Milord Roland, I need your help. My skills are weak still and I fear the task she has set upon me will require both of our knowledge and our skills together if we are to save her from whatever dreadful illness has befallen her.”

He stirred, his eyes watery and bloodshot from lack of sleep, deep shadows under his lashes, almost bruise like in appearance.

I took the tray and placed it before him, my eyes begging him to eat, to nourish his body so that he could have all of his strength to do the task that lay before us.

I watched as he tore the bread asunder with his strong fingers and cut a chunk of cheese with his knife, his fingers tearing the meat apart and placing it in his mouth, chewing nosily. He ate like a man that was possessed, for it had been days since he had done so.

I waited until he had abated the gnarling hunger that tore at him and then I spoke once more.

“Will you help me Roland?”

For the first time in days, his eyes took on that clarity of understanding and it was a silent acknowledgement that pass between us that assured me he would.

[LucienMoonmist]

*His duties of late had taken him on many trips between the two places he called hom. It was now, however, he had heard of his cousin's illness. It was now he had heard of the deathliness of Laurestina.

Moving into the hall and up the stairwell with a graceful alacrity, he paused at the entrance to her chambers, his sharp blue eyes tossing across the room, from those present, to the palor of a stripped bone which casted about her once flushed and full face. Her form being but a whisper of that which he did recall, it appeared that the whisperes were correct, she appeared to be wasting into herself. Slowly he entered into the room, the mixture of scents within it strong even before he set foot passed the doorway. The scent of disease, pungeant herbs and unguents, and a scent much more subtle than that decetable by most. The linger scent of death in waiting. It appeared Laurestina had indeed been close to such verges while he was away.
Moving to her bedside, he moved to that closest the window, dropping to one knee, his slender form gazing across her. Softly picknig up her hand in his, he pulled forth a braid of mixed flowers, freshly fixtured. Placing it lightly down her upper body, he held her hand softly as he spoke lightly, his voice melodic and gentle*

"Come now cousin, come now my friend. Stave the hands of darkness for that of leafen which hold now to ye. Come now cousin, come now kin. Ye are with those whom shall nae see ye off, come back sweet cousin, come back to those whom are family."

*Softly, he closed his eyes and began to hum tenderly, a clear, melodic tune, slow and soft, one of the slow ballads from an ancient line of trabadours. One he knew his cousin had heard at the court of his brother. Kneeling there, holding her hand still softly, he lightly chanted and hummed the hymn, his eyes closed to all but her form and their blood*

[LadyLaurestina]

Again lost in restless dreams of living with the wee fae’s, the musical revelries, dancing and flitting around in the flora and fauna. A flower had been her resting place, while holding in her embrace an elven form of great strength and mirth. Merrily her heart tingled now remembering days of utter abandonment and free reign in a world that only humans dream about. The lute’s ephemeral sounds wafts into her very soul stirring now in the sweat drenched feather bed.

As her nostrils fill with the flowers sweet scent upon her chest she fells herself again dancing in the forest glen. An inner strength now begins to build in ebbing waves of hushed but flowing rays of warm sunshine. From her hand a tingling radiates up her arm, into her heart, and swilling around with in breast, an awaking now presents itself, while her chest rises and falls in even tempo. The presence of one that knows of her inner sprit begins to emerge. Hearing now the words of one that is closest to her of kin, feels the poetic vibrations in a voice soft but stern.

"Come now cousin, come now my friend. Stave the hands of darkness for that of leafen which hold now to ye. Come now cousin, come now kin. Ye are with those whom shall nae see ye off, come back sweet cousin, come back to those whom are family."

Within her mind she sees the heavens, as the clouds revolt in colorful displays of bliss, in them something moves…. Closer and closer it descends to her outstretched arms. Slowly it takes shape as it nears. Is not an angel as she had hoped, but what? Upon closer view sees the image of a raven about to land upon her outstretched arm, her palms turned upwards. The raven as it nears speaks the word “LIVE. ” Though dry crack, parched lips, she utters…

“Seek the Raven, for it holds the knowledge of truth .”

[roland]

* I must learn to seal my emotions away the plague me so. Last time I was with her I could nae speak nor act. Twas near the death of me the last time we met. Nae the time is yet for her to depart this earth but to carry on and help those of this land.* My dear lady please attend to the menstrations of thy keepers and let them heal thee. I too shall do my best. I go now to thy studio to look for the cause of this illment that troubles thee. If I am lucky I shall find the cure for thee and then there will be time perhaps that we may talk of more pleasent things. Fear not for thee are in good hands.

* thinking to myself if this nae works and she does die even though our menstrations are great I nae know what shall happen to me. I can nae go through another torment my heart is too weak from the last time. Twill be broken if another time shall come to pass and leave me a broken man and one that has nae other choice.*

Walking to the studio I try to think of all of the things there that could cause such an ailment. The flowers, dyes and other mixes she does use in her paints.

[Rayven]

I awoke with a start to the sound of church bells ringing out the Angelus signaling morning vespers for the faithful.

My eyes slowly focusing on the pale sliver of morning light as it filters into my room, a scattering of dust particles dancing in its rays.

I lay back upon my pillow my eyes opened fully and gaze up to the ceiling, my mind a whirl of thoughts as I go over the last cognizant visit I had with my mentor and teacher, Lady Laurestina, who now lies so gravely ill in her room.

Bits and pieces of the conversation ebb and flow through my mind, but the constant thought that prevails is that of the art shed, the tiny room where she often went to work on her paintings. That is where she was prior to this illness that has seemed to over take her body and drain her of all but a few of her life sources.

I turn over on my side, resting my arm under the pillow, trying to recall all that she said that day, but my mind, a muddle of thoughts since the arrival of the Franks, seems unable to close in on it.

I rise up from the pillow and slide myself out of bed, my feet lightly touching the cold flagstone floor as I make my way over to the small basin of water, splashing it on my face to clear the sleep from my eyes.

I reach for the soft flannel rag carefully drying my face and then begin to make plans to meet with Roland in the small shed that may hold the secret to her illness.

[LucienMoonmist]

*Through the night he knelt there, holding her hand. She was his kin, he would not abandon her now. Hearing her speak of the Raven during one of his Reveries, he brought himself back to the conscious world and squeezed her hand tighter. It bore a wisdom which oft many did nae wish to know. It was either the harbringer of hope or of faithlessness. Life or death. Softly he began murmuring in Elven tounge, rapid and low words, melodic despite their speed. Holding her hand tightly he knelt there reciting ancient prayers to dieties faded from human history. Ice blue eyes casting over her form, he saw there was an improvement, at the very least within herself. Her spirit appeared to be growing stronger, it was only her conciousness which still denied remedy.

Pulling his Ocarina from beneath his tunic, he softly began to play a low tune. Light and gentle notes wafted about the room and out the window of her room. Pure, solid note, each seeming to hold a hint of emotion within them, changing by the time the next note has joined the melody*