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Post by Rayven on Jul 24, 2004 10:50:05 GMT -5
I took a seat in the window that looked out on the countryside below. Through the open casement the fresh green scent of meadow and woodland came in with the morning breeze. The sun danced over my hands as I folded them in my lap.
Every surface of the room was gleaming with beeswax and Windstorm’s reddest roses were glowing in the hearth, and a flagon of honeyed wine was sweetening the air.
The guards were on alert by the door. When the clatter at the foot of the stair announced the new arrivals, their sharp ears were the first to pick up the sound.
I drew in deep breaths of the warm summer air and forced myself to be calm as I refolded my hands and tightened them in a knot and waited for the princess to continue.
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Post by Halethala on Jul 24, 2004 19:45:20 GMT -5
*Crossing her hands one atop the other, palms outwards behind her rump, she settled against a wall, remaining standing, to listen . . With a barely perceptible rocking motion, she bounced slightly against the wall without thinking as she considered their memories, trying to imagine the horror they had endured at the hands of Sinold's people . .
She wished she could take the Princess's infirmities upon herself and grant her health in it's place so that she could again rise to the role she was best at . . that not being possible, she spoke, still rocking rythmically*
What can we be doin' to prepare, good Ladies . . what can ye tell us of the former invasion, and what ye learned from it? I do nae like this idleness and feeling so utterly useless . .
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Post by Lady Edfeil on Jul 25, 2004 7:55:29 GMT -5
Edfeil looked around. Aye... Windstorm women.... there was something about them of strength and softness at the same time that few would see at first glance.... and none would deny upon further knowledge.
First I must express me gratitude... for I know many a work has been done already...*she says with somewhat of a smile* Millie... told me of what has been done in the infirmary. I be grateful. If indeed an attack is nae to be avoided, 't will be needed at the ready. M'lady Rayven... should Lady Laurestina nae be recovered by the time... mayhap ye should... select one of the servants, young and strong. Nae too young a lad though, to help ye carry the wounded from wherever they have fallen or are stubornly standing...
She looked at Lady Dream next, and hesitated for the question she was going to ask was... unpleasant. So she stalled with another one.
The livestock... will 't be brought within the walls again? If so...we must keep them out of the orchards... for too much of the fruit be near ripe already and...
*she stopped, knowing ye would already take care of such things but loath to go on with the real question. Then she manages to ask.* The cemetary... iffen some of the ground would be... loosened already... 't might make things... easier?
How well she remembered the horrible task that had befallen upon the women, to burry the death, and to sit by the dying,offering what comfort they could adding their efforts to the priest....
M'lady Halethala... *She went on quickly*I used to be... responsible for the archives. All of the scrolls have.. seals on them. For a start... and before we be locked off, could ye go find all of which the sealing wax seems golden? They be the most important documents, dealing with lands, sucession, rights and heritage. Letters of nobility and lineage. We should have them copied, confirmed by his Majesty and send away from the castle... afore ... well... Iffen fire destroys anything, there will be safety in having them somewhere else...
And then there be the water of course and....
*She had to stop a moment, and with trembling hands reached for a goblet of water, nae used anymore to speaking, or even thinking for so long a time*
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Post by Dream Loxley on Jul 25, 2004 8:27:51 GMT -5
*Her emotions were running riot within her mind of late....one moment she would find herself shedding tears for no known reason.....only to snap at a servant or even chide herself for some silly error in judgement. It seemed she was far from her normal quiet self. As she listened....watched the Princess....glancing around at the women gathered before her....she could not stem the anger that threatened to well inside her. Did she think us children....not capable of preparing the Castle ....not able to set out minds to the task in hand.
Of course the livestock were safe......and as for digging the cemetary....what faith we would show in our men if we were to do such. She frowned then and took a deep breath before replying.*
"Aye M'Lady......I have such in hand......but digging.....nae.....I shall nae do such fer we wish to show faith in our men aye....and......"
*She spoke slightly louder than was the norm...especially within company.*
"I shall nae bury any more from my home!"
*Standing then...absently she brushed her skirts down.....trying hard to still her anger......how could she control these mood swings...she had no idea....but now...realising she had made a spectacle of herself...she curtsied. Her cheeks were flushed.....her mind in turmoil.....she curtsied again and muttered about her duties waiting before moving past the ladies and leaving the room.*
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Post by Rayven on Jul 25, 2004 10:15:44 GMT -5
A warm midsummer afternoon crept into the Princess’ chamber bathing the walls in a saffron light. The ache in my heart had not abated and as I heard her words to each of us my mind drifted back to that time so long ago.
His face looked peaceful and familiar enough, except for the staring eyes. He never stared like that. Rather his eyes had always been slotted against the hot sun, against the lies of men. I closed his lids with trembling fingers and put my head down on his chest, where the stillness of the heart told me what I already knew.
I blinked back tears, swallowed them in my throat and drew my mind away from the past and shuddered with the memories of my mother, sisters, and the other women who stood on the battlements looking toward the west and the storm of riders as they advanced upon the fortress kicking up a dark cone of dust that rose up and blotted out the sky.
I could still hear their wailing, could still see the movement of their arms as they beat upon their breasts.
Somehow I found my voice and assured the princess that the task she had given me would be carried out.
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Post by Halethala on Jul 26, 2004 8:45:10 GMT -5
She closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the wall at the unexpected outburst of Lady Dream, shaken to her core . . . nothing yet that Letha had seen or heard or imagined had struck her like Dream's reaction. What were they IN for . .
The atmosphere in the small room was funereal . .
She finally focused her eyes on the Princess, and stood upright, almost weaving under the weight of the fears that hung over all . . "Of course, Lady Edfeil . . " A raspy whispered reply.
She didn't remember leaving . .
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Post by Lady Edfeil on Jul 27, 2004 5:39:17 GMT -5
*She glanced after the Lady Dream, angry at herself for having used the wrong words. She depended so much on her friend. On all of the women. Yet she had to... at least have the feelign she was nae useless. Afore Halethala could leave, she added a whisper*
Iffen ye can... go speak to the Lady Dream... Last time was... hard on her. Harder on her then on any...
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Post by Halethala on Jul 27, 2004 8:40:14 GMT -5
She heard the plea as she exited, nodding wordlessly without turning back to the weakened voice that spoke it, though her heart nearly broke to think of all the Princess carried in her caring heart . . . and began a wandering search for the poor shaken Lady . .
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