Slowly recouperating

[Vinzelles de Sennis]

Almost like a small boy Vinzeles let Lady Dream take his hand and lead him out of his room. Once outside he extricated his hand from hers quickly, he didn’t wish to be seen lead by a woman, mo matter how much he had come to respect this one in the short period of time given to them. Meekly he followed her through the hallways which led to the great hall. Guards were following them, their looks mistrustful, suspicious. When one came too close for comfort, the Frank snarled at him and the man immediately took a step back, but still following at a discrete distance.

What could this man from Kent do to help this situation? Kent was on friendly terms with the Franks, and its ruler Righarde was known to be a sensitive, Christian ruler who also was not so foolish as to incur the wrath of the Franks by going against their mutual interests. Was this Kent man like him? He had met him before, he seemed a mellow character. But he was only a guest here. How could he help, without having the king’s ear?

Vinzelles sighed deeply and finally arrived in the hall. It was deserted, no-one was there but the lady, him and their ever present entourage of watchful eyes.

Waiting until one of the serving maids had brought him some wine, Vinzelles took the goblet and sipped on the dark red liquid. Somehow he had lost his taste for wine at the moment and he sat the vessel back onto the table, then began to pace, smiling at Lady Dream occasionally if not convincingly.

[Dream Loxley]

*From the moment they left his chambers she felt more at ease.....the watchful eye of ever present Guards seemed to take away some of her insecurities and she smiled to them as she passed. De Sennis had accepted her hand.....she knew then she had gained his trust.....now she had to fulfill her promise and make sure a peaceful settlement was agreed.

Her smile had widened when he let go of her hand....he was, after all, a man of some standing in his homeland, and here of course. As a guest and a Noble man it would have seemed quite strange to be seen holding the hand of not only a married woman, but the Chatelaine of the Castle.

They continued down the stairs and with each flight she felt a sense of calm returning....her hands were warmer and no tremble was felt now. The Servants greeted them and were quick to offer refreshments......she lifted a goblet of wine and took a large mouthful....more courage and strength would be needed if there were to be agreements found.

The man was not at ease, he paced back and forth while she whispered to a passing Servant to please find Lord Sighehelm as quickly as she could.

Each passing moment seemed to last for longer, but she smiled at him and sipped the wine, all the while feeling so much happier to be in familiar surroundings.*

"He will come M'Lord.....I am sure of such."

*She hoped silently that the Tall Lord would still the fears of the foreigner......allow him to realise the Vikings here are no threat to his homeland, nor to us......she simply wanted them to return home now ...to where they belonged so that peace would find them all again.*

[SighehelmofKent]

-He would be hard to find, his inspections of the castle thorough, the east turret as ever guarded. Yet, the men that were never under his command, and he would never presume to think so. He heard the boy ask……………..turned, and raised himself to full height, a smile on his face, as he stepped to the wall and looked down over the edge-

I am here boy, state your business!

-The boy looks up, the bright summer sky nearly blinds him. There is a promise of thunder which reverberates in the sky, making it tremble-

Yet needed, Sir Sighehelm!! The Lady Dream needs ye……………She be with the Frenchman that nearly died in the hall th’other night! I dinnae think it be wise to tarry M’Lord!

-Sighhelm hears the by’s voice bellow even as he rushes down the turret stairs, confused, but alert. His strides long, hastened, yet he knows with so many guards around, the Lady Dream is not in danger.

As he turns, to traverse the wide corridor leading to the Main Hall, the boy joins him, winded, cheeks aglow with fire.-

Can I go with ye, Sir…………….can I?

-Sighehelm halts, turns to the boy-

You will find the King……………

-With that he opens the doors to The Main hall-

M’Lady Dream, you summoned me?

[Dream Loxley]

*She greeted the tall Lord with a warm smile, genuine and true.....her features must have conveyed to him how relieved she was that he had come. As she moved towards him she turned to look upon the French man and gestured with her hand.*

"Thankyou Lord Sighehelm......ye presence 'tis truly appreciated...ye have met Lord De Sennis mayhaps."

*Turning then to look at DeSennis...she introduced the tall man and stood back slightly so as they might greet one another.*

"Lord DeSennis.....this man be a valued and highly honoured friend to our home...Lord Sighehelm."

*She placed her goblet down and stood by the large table and continued to explain why she had asked him to the Hall.*

"It be my wish that we might speak of peace, together with those whom would listen. Lord DeSennis be of the mind that those Norse living and working within our lands be a threat to us and to his homeland. He has encountered them....and......and lost many to wars."

*She faltered then.....she was but one.....her words would make no sense.......she simply wished for peace and for the French man to let go his anger and hatred. Looking to the tall man.....she gestured with her hands.....showing him she was at a loss....she did not know what more to say or do.*

[Vinzelles de Sennis]

Vinzelles looked at the Kent man with a mixture of hope and reluctance. It was bad enough that it needed a woman to bring him back here to the negotiating table, but he hoped this man would have a more open ear to his concerns than the king of these lands had. He cast another grateful look at the Lady, standing by the table, his hands behind his back, his eyes now fixed upon the tall Lord from Kent.

“Milord! I appreciate your willingness to come here and hear me. I have spoken with the king, but he is stubborn and not listening to reason! My hope is that you, as a man of reason and logic, as I have come to know your people, will be able to hear me out and see my side to help broker a solution to our problems.”

Vinzelles stepped away from the table, his hands still firmly behind his back, his eyes now gazing out the window from where the sea could be seen.

“Your people and mine have been on good terms so far, lord Sighehelm. You are Christian, firmly rooted in your believes, as is my people. Bt for their believes and for their riches, my people has suffered….at the hands of the northern barbarians who have found such a cosy shelter here within the harbour and lands of Windstorm. Many of my kin, men, women and children have died because of their attacks on our lands …. The easier that will be if they had a permanent headquarter here in this realm. One of these barbarians has almost beaten one of my own to death….can you see that we cannot abide by either? We came here not to bring death and destruction, but to obtain justice and to ask for assurances that our lands will remain save from more Viking incursions.”

Now Vinzelles turned towards Sighehelm directly, his eyes imploring. “I know many good people live here, like this lady who brought me down to speak with you. I will not have them suffer, but I also cannot go without knowing this place will not serve as a springboard for another attack of the Frankian realm! You and your brother have a reputation for being men of justice…see the justice of my cause now! We demand justice for the man beaten and we demand safety for our own lands! I have seen this king will not let go of his vile love for these Vikings, but I will NOT have this become another staging are for another invasion of my home!”

He came to stand back at the table, his one hand on the hilt of his dagger, his other on the table. “Will you, Milord Sighehelm, help us broker an agreement between the Frankian realms and Windstorm so that all sides may live in peace?”

[SighehelmofKent]

-The smile of Lady Dream displays much of what she feels. And he is indeed honoured she would place this much trust in him, he stands at equal distance from both, as such not favouring one or the other.-

M'Lady Dream, you honour me with your words. They speak of a warm heart that has treated a wanderer with kindness and respect. I will endeavour to repay that trust, and cannot but speak heartily to support your wishes. To speak of peace is true to the heart of any man raised to uphold the code of chivalry, to any who would call himself knight.

-The smile remains, equally warm, for he has spoken to the man near him afore. Yet as ever the presence of others have urged him to silence his words, and step back. Too often has he seen words of distrust and disrespect slung at either side. And though it grieves him, too often Windstorm people have soiled their hands thus. Seeking revenge, and perhaps protection in words that mame the reputation of the other, often born from pain, helplessness, hopelessness, distrust.-

Monsieur De Sennis, votre confiance etez un grand honeur .........

-He looks at the lady, assured she speaks the French language. Yet, as his eyes scan the main hall, he sees many hands upon the hilt of their sword. He decides that it would serve the guards within the hall best if he continues in English.

Your words are true, we are indeed all men of God. And I would be honoured to share words that would instil peace in the heart of the King of Windstorm, and your own.

Yet know I have not been officially appointed. The words I speak will display the respect I hold for the Lands of Windstorm, the people within, but also the teachings of my father, King Charles the Silent, may God hold his soul in peace, and my mother Queen Aethelbred, The Robin of Kent. BUT................-he stresses the last words- know, Monsieur, I have respect for those who are Danes, Picts, Kelts, Norse, so many who are often judged as barbarians.

I will speak my thoughts of peace to be achieved between the lands of Windstorm, and the Lion of France............on two conditions, both will reflect the respect you have for me, my ancestors, and the land of Kent.

I would wish you to judge any man, woman or child as an individual, and to allow the word of any man, woman and child of equal importance, for they all suffer like you do, some even more if this conflict lasts longer still.

- He walks to the fireplace and retrieves his pipe, as well as another one of many on the mantelpiece, and a small purse of tobacco leaf. The tall man purposely turns away allowing the Franc man in the room time to digest his words, for the Kent warrior plays a high hand. Sighehelm utilises the mutual respect between France and Kent, the name of his father, and his own reputation to set the grounds for any talk of peace to follow. Also he demands the man to step away from the conflict as it stands, a conflict thrust upon nations, to focus on singular needs, injustice and pain. For it is the believe of this tall often silent man that the spark that has lit the fire, the fire that now consumes and kills so many, has been...........forgotten.

He turns, the pipe in his hands, unaware that the gesture is one that many cultures use and will use to forge peace.-

If you agree, perhaps we can light a pipe, and drink a tankard of brown ale while we parley, Monsieur?

[Vinzelles de Sennis]

Calmly Vinzelles listened to the words spoken by the Kent man. He had high hopes for the man’s neutrality and wisdom, but he flinched a little when he heard Sighehelm’s words about the Norse and his conditions. It was beyond him how you can have respect for men who take what they wish by force, torture and death, bit if he wanted the Kent man to help, that was what he would have to accept.

“You wish me to accept the words of Vikings, of enemies, as individuals? How can they be set apart from their kin?” Vinzelles now put both hands onto the table, looking down, composing himself. He would have to play by the man’s terms, or naught would be gained.

Looking back up, first at the Lady beside them, her eyes pleading, then back at Sighehelm, his face as impassionate as possible. “I trust you will present their individual cases, as I have presented my plight… alright, I will hear each on his or her own merit. As you have listened to my words.”

It was clear how much Vinzelles had to swallow his pride and prejudices about what was to come, but he did. For when he looked at Lady Dream’s pleading eyes, how could he not?

[Dream Loxley]

*Somehow she stood there listening to both men....nodding when she agreed with something either of them spoke.....smiling accordingly to let them see she understood, although at times she felt quite out of her depth. These men were from courts of Kings and Queens....they had been brought up there and very learned in their ways and experiences. She had little knowledge, only that gained since coming to Windstorm, perhaps her years as a simple serving girl would hold her in good stead........she had learned more of life in those early years than many shielded from such.

There would be compromises, changes in attitude and perhaps even wider goals set.......but both men seemed to be listening to one another and actually hearing the spoken words.

She smiled and moved around the table to her favoured seat in the window......her task for now done as the two men began speaking with more of an ease....they had more in common than either realised. Both had known true love and both had known the pain of loss...the heartache of waking each morning with an empty heart....part of their very soul's having died with those taken from them in their prime. She pondered such as she looked upon them now....wondering if they would ever sit down and speak of thier lost loves ...share those times that made them into the men they had become. Both had the edge of coldness about them.....a barrier that others would find difficult at times, to penetrate.

Settling upon the seat......she smiled more......tired.....anxious and still worried for those of her home and the lands and yet....an inner calm as she sat within the Great Hall......familiar and comfortable to her....home.*

[Vinzelles de Sennis]

(OOC: I knew I had forgotten something *g*)

Only belatedly did Vinzelles recall the very last words of the Kent man, and a little smile danced around his lips.

„I do not share a particular fondness for the leave, Milord, but I will gladly give it a try and share an ale over what we will be discussing. In friendship during this parley!”

Vinzelles inclined his head, and chose a chair at the table, sitting down easily, his eyes neve leaving the Kent Lord.

[SighehelmofKent]

-Sighehelm smiled, not one of victory, such was not warranted in a situation such as this, but more to signify the sacrifice he could see the man before him made. Sacrifice where a mind of reason proved stronger than a heart that feared, that wished so desperately to protect, and eradicate what it felt..............nae, knew to be a scourge upon this earth. Sighehelm nodded as the man spoke of trying the leaf, settles down, and prepares his own pipe, for a moment his eyes upon the man, making sure he watches his example, to follow............

Monsieur, would you not agree, our God created People, not nations? Adam and his Eve where reflections of his own image, not tied to any nation or country. God himself promises that on the day of reckoning he will judge each individually...........view his or her merits, deficiencies, and judge us...............

-Sighehelm allows a silence to fall as for a moment he thinks upon his own fate. Would the gates of hell be his destination. Would God forgive him, forsaken as he has his duty; the duties of the oldest of a King.........a man who runs? He inhales slow, enjoying the fragrant leaf, then mentally shakes himself lose from his musings.-

God does not smite down his enemies because they belong to a race or a nation, but because they break his commandments. I would advise you to follow his ways. You came here to liberate aman, because you feel he was mistreated?

-He looks at Dream, remembers what he as heard, how the lands of her ancestors fell in the hands of the King of France. He needs her voice, but foremost her smile, and kind ways. He looks at his pipe, and like magic, the face of another lady appears, his smile grows deeper, as he hears her voice and his mind's eye paints the picture he likes best; when she stands to fight his mortal foe...........and delivers him from evil. Again he shakes his head............. and looks at the man before him-

[Vinzelles de Sennis]

The leave he was given by Lord Sighehelm tasted of the sea, its smoke strangely calming Vinzelles’ nerves and also seeming to calm his still churning stomach. His nausea was gone by now, and the Frank only took small, almost hesitant puffs from the pipe he held in his hand.

He listened carefully to what Lord Sighehelm had to say, occasional glances going back to Lady Dream to gauge her reactions to what was said. He wouldn’t have tolerated the presence of another female in the room now, just this one.

But soon his attention was back fully on the Kentish Lord before him … one of the twins. They had heard much about the Jumeaux peu probables, the Unlikely Twins, in Frankia. Unlikely because of
customs dictating that the second born twin should be killed immediately because he was of the devil. Yet…both had survived against all odds, and Vinzelles held a secret admiration for that second born who had made it so far, for surviving and thriving was an accomplishment in these hard times.

“Your mother was wise to protect you from the fables of old maids and over eager monks, Milord,” Vinzelles ran his thumb over the pipe in his hand, a carefully guarded yet friendly look in his eyes, “ your values seem to be close to what I and the Frankish people hold true. We all must, in the end, stand before our Lord to be judged, for wrong doings and misguided deeds which go against his will. You and I, we understand such… but those from the Northern lands who come here and rob us, you must agree they go against His will! Yes, I came here because one of my own has been gravely wronged by one not understanding what we hold dear. By one who worships false Gods who call for blood and human sacrifices, and that man in king Agustin’s dungeon almost fell to that willingness by a particular Viking to shed blood over a trivial matter!” Vinzelles words had taken on a slight edge, he seemed to have found his strength again, at least when it came to arguing with another. “That man, Darek, has done wrong by the rules of this land, from what I’ve heard. Punishment should be exacted, I will not dispute that. However, a Viking, whose name is still unknown to me, has taken it upon himself to take the law into his own hands and almost killed that man! Furthermore, his captain was threatened, by Vikings lurking in the waters off this coast, with harm should he leave the harbour.”

Vinzelles took a deep breath, laying the pipe onto the table. He wanted to stand and pace, but he refrained for it would have shown how deep his resentment of the Vikings and what they had done ran with him. So he kept his place, now both hands onto the table, leaning forward, looking directly at Sighehelm.

“Darek is but one man and only for him I would not have come here, Milord Sighehelm. A higher purpose drove me here … my people are threatened by the presence of the Vikings here. Four ships, maybe more, are within this harbour, and by God I saw they were not merely traders, but warriors. Have you seen what they can do to a village? To the people? Have you seen their fury when raiding and burning, Lord Sigehelm?”

Vinzelles was prepared to continue, but thought it better to stop his fiery words for the moment, noticing again the distress of the lady next to them. For her sake he stopped and waited for what the Kent man would have to say to his accusations.

[SighehelmofKent]

-Sighehelm sees the fury within eyes that display pain..........worry, and perhaps hatred. He hopes not the last, for such an emotion is impossible to reason with. For a moment he ponders on the words spoken and realises that indeed to most of the outside world he is the youngest, the sign of the devil. No one would ever think it possible that a King should run and shun his duty. His shame, his cross he would carry gladly, to afford his brother the chance to rule Kent as she deserved to be ruled.

His eyes upon the man, he smoked in silence, and as he promised to himself he focused solely on individual issues. The woman raped, assaulted, the man in the cellar, Darek, accused and proven to have done these terrible deeds, Sinold, the man who attacked Darek, from what he heard, the highly strung Norse offered his own singular justice for the man. And somewhere in France, the land of the Lady Beren finds itself visited by the Francs, or as others see it occupied, dominated by the Lion of France. And so for now, he does not respond to the accusations that incriminate a whole race, a whole nation, but continues to again speak of personal crimes-

Monsieur............oft the fires that consume all that we love and cherish are born from a single spark. I wish to snuff the spark; as such the fire will find no more fuel and die. I propose justice to be executed upon your man Darek..........and Windstorm's Goodman Sinold, both according to Kent laws...........just laws.

-He stands and walks to the window, looks out, day fighting night, and he expels smoke, a silent man indeed, a tall man, a strong man, this Rock of Kent-

I understand the Lion of France roars not only here, but in the Land of Lady Beren de Lune as well, Monsieur de Sennis?

-For now he does not turn, his voice calm, friendly even, yet he knows the question could be seen as an accusation, and sighehelm would wish to avert this feeling foremost. Within, his mind seeks a way out of the impasse to free the land of Lady Beren, to free Windstorm of the Francs. He must write his brother, his mother. Oft, perhaps too oft, Kent has been the gate to the lands of England for Norse and Celts. Perhaps if he could plead with his kin to welcome an advance guard of the Francs on the shores of Kent, it would waylay the fears of the King of France? Allow Charles the Simple a stronghold upon English soil, and Kent protection against marauding invaders. He could trade such an offer to keep the Franc troops from Lune and Windstorm, and offer his brother a chance to set up a trade treaty with France. He would offer his...............presence, to travel to France and talk to the King to work on this treaty. Within Windstorm nothing kept him, nothing............. but a dream. He could take the dream with him, where ever he wished. And it would make the longing, the pain more bearable.

He turns and looks at the man, smiles warmly. So far his plan not unfolded fully. The King of Windstorm need never know what Kent offered France, or Kent gained from France. The simple justice for both men would be all he sees, all he would know…………..for a while. He is sure within time Captain Hawkmoon would learn from his talks, and report to his king. By then Sighehelm hopes the deed is done and hr and the Francs will have left.-

[Dream Loxley]

*She wanted to speak......so much... in his defence.....the woman was raped, she did not deserve such.....never ever did she, despite the gossip of her occupation. Sinold simply did what any man would have done, perhaps he should not have, but then , who else would have. She sighed softly, it was all wrong, to rape....to beat another.....but it is life and such awful things happen all to easily. Her body trembled slightly as her own fateful memories returned. No..... she would stay silent.....it was not her place to speak of such things.

The men seemed to be reaching an understanding......she smiled to them both......sitting still upon the window seat. She wondered if she should excuse herself....perhaps they needed privacy. For now, she listened intently, hoping she understood all that they spoke of. At least some of the anger was spent and they spoke in gentler tones.

Nodding then to them both...her smile warm....she pushed her thoughts away and looked to the future and to peace.*

[Vinzelles de Sennis]

Vinzelles only smiled vaguely when Lord Sighehelm mentioned the matter of Lhun. How did he know about the troops send to Lady beren’s lands? Had he not specifically told Raimbault to kill any who would try to bring word of the Frankish there to the outside? Only now he realized that maybe he should have dealt more decisively with lady Beren#s friend, Lord de Vraineville. No doubt he had alerted people here in Windstorm about the happenings in Lhun.

He would deal with the man later…much later. Now he only smiled and took another puff from his pipe before speaking.

“The Frankish Lion holds its protective paw over the good people of Lhun, Monsigneur. My sovereign, King Charles, is quite fond of Lady Beren and thus thought it best to send aid to her lands, in preparation for another Viking attack! You would have done no less, as a good neighbor, qui?”

Vinzelles looked at the lady who still sat silent. What proper behavior, he send an even brighter smile towards her, inclining his head towards Lady Dream. “Frankia would have done no less if any of her neighbors were in danger of the Norse, Mlady! Lady Beren holds a very special place in my king’s heart!”

That the man simply lusted for someone he so obviously couldn’t lay his hands upon, Vinzelles chose not to mention. Instead, he now looked back at Lord Sighehelm, now addressing something the man had mentioned earlier.

“You say Kent is just and has just laws. I do not dispute that, but I would like to know what kind of justice you would exact upon the one who thought to take justice into his own bloody hands. My man has sat in Windstorm’s for a good three months now. He has been beaten, imprisoned – surely his deed has been punished greatly already. But that Norse…. Imprisonment will not do, Milord! He should get a taste of his own brand of justice …”

Again his anger had risen, and an ominous pressure building in his head told him to calm down immediately unless another unpleasant attack threatened.

“What kind of justice would Kent place upon that Viking, Milord?”

[Dream Loxley]

*He spoke of sending aid to Beren's lands...... how highly his King thought of Beren......he lied....she knew that, but could only acknowledge his smile with one of her own.

Beren had returned home quite distressed from that visit....we all knew of the ungainly attempts by a so called Gentleman King to show affections.....no...... it was lies, or perhaps the truth spoken in various shades....softened at the edges. Time would tell.

Her hands clasped tightly together....she watched and listened as they continued to speak. At times their words contained anger and frustrations.....and she hoped a conclusion would soon be found. Alone.....representing her home.....she sat.......never before did she feel so responsible for the outcome of these talks......perhaps she had expected too much.......perhaps not.*