The note ((Hawkmoon, Agustin, Sighehelm et al))

[Lady Edfeil]

't was a good idea, she told herself. After tending to those who were wounded, spending their days in the results of battle, tending to wounded and dying, they needed an... affirmation of life. A chance to speak of things of living of household needs. They needed to eat anyway. They could eat outside: a picnic. Within the castle walls. 't would nae interrupt the rhythm of the defenders. Aye, 't would be... a good way to show those that attacked that they were strong, and even a siege would nae daunt them. The very word siege made her hand shake while she dipped the quill to ink. She remembered Lord Sighehelms words and tried to pure comfort out of them. Solutions of peace... negotiations. She had nae been able to aide in such before, while illness claimed her. She would do everything she could now. Too many had died, and iffen she could nae end the fighting, she'ld help create a small isle of peace. Taking a deep breath, she put the point of the quill to the velum and started to write.*




Me Dear Father, Good Captain...

Greetings to ye this day,

We -m'lady Dream and I- be hoping to organise a small picnic within the castle walls. A moment of... repose and peace to regain strength. I hope both of ye would allow us to such? We will remain within the walled part of the gardens so nae an extra guard would be taken off duty.

*she had hesitated a moment afore she added the second part, but then -determined- written on.*

I hope ye will nae think me frivolous for wishing to do this. There be a need for... strength amidst those who have tended to the aftermath of battle while ye have fought in the forefront. And I thought... *Again the ink changes of colour as iffen she had taken the quill from the paper and hesiated again, so the ink had dried on the air instead of being blotted. Finding the words she sought, she'ld written on, concluding her thoughts*
...when they be speaking to the Franks, 't would be good mayhap for them to know that nae only the defenders be ready as they've found, but that those within the castle have faith in them and nae live in fear. That peace here be too precious to be disturbed.

I hope ye will grant me me request and let me know. We will make sure nae to disturb any, nor to put any in harms way.

May ye be loved and blessed,

Edfeil Stormblade de Ruoma

[Dorian Hawkmoon]

The message had been delivered to Him...of the Ladies wishing a picnic within the Gardens. He stood there a moment, lost within thought, as the messenger awaited His reply...pale eyes unfocused, eyes that had seen a lifetime of hatred and war....of sadness and loss....of needless and senseless death and destruction...then He moved to the small window, looking out upon the lands....the smoke hovering over the burning forest like an evil entity. He had been unable to stop the Franks in their relentless push north...and it was now His failure, laughing at him, that had wrought this final insult. He crushed the parchment in His fist, then turned to face the nervous messenger as he awaited His reply...

"Inform the Princess that She shall have Her picnic, 'pon Her Father's agreement....tell Her also 'tis to be as a Feast Day...there has been too much of gloom and despair of late....'tis time for this to come to an end."

HIs last words cryptic, He gives the messenger leave to go...then makes His way to His office. Once there, He shuts and latches the door, then seats Himself to pen a missive to Sgt Gerben...

Sgt. Gerben,

I have given approval, pending His Majesty's permission, to a picnic within the Gardens...the Ladies, and indeed also the Men have a need for this respite from the gloom of conflict...please see that there are a sufficient number of Guards assigned to ensure the safety of those attending. As to the Frank threat to the south, these are My orders: Assemble 300 of the Guard and prepare to march upon the Franks. Contact Sir Robin via the Rangers and inform Him that He will have the Guards to supplement His force of Rangers. The Franks have encamped at a small meadow to await the fires destruction, but they have not set fire to the forest behind them....this, I hope will be their undoing. 'Tis M'wish that Ye move both Guards and Rangers into position within that wood...aligning for a pincers assault upon both right and left flanks...be assured that their attention will be forward and Ye shall have opportunity to be in place...as 'tis My intention to engage the Frank commander in single combat. Ye will know when the time is right, old friend....and when 'tis....fall 'pon them as if hungry wolves...no quarter asked....and none given.

Hawkmoon

[SighehelmofKent]

-Mollie speaks of the plans that have sprouted from the lady's minds when she buffs his shoes, and he just listens.

He wonders, while he watches the busy hands of the servant maid, if this a good time for a picninc, and realises all too well that despite his misgivimgs, he will be there too. His promise to the King of Windstorm made, he will be there to protect the women folk.-

Mollie, I am in need of some handkerchiefs, large and strong ones.

-The girl looks up and cants her head, she has heard of the strange affliction of the tall Lord, and the wisperings that it is the curse of the devil upon one of a twin. Mollie firmly believes in all she hears, and nods, as ever afraid suh an affliction would befall her or Millie-

Ye be needing fer when ye go into garden, Sir?

-Sighehelm nods pensive, and wishes for his pipe-