Preparing for the weekend

[Lady Edfeil]

No general had ever apraised a tactical situation with more thought. No commander had ever placed her troops better. Though the idea of being compared with a military operation would have horrified her, 't was with much the same attention she had unfolded lists, and lists, and lists.

The morning found her greeting the chatelaine over breakfast, trying to make out all that still needed to be done before being ready to receive the guests on saturday and sunday.

There was the extra cleaning, the guestrooms, the food, the special linnens, the banners and flags of the House of Stormblade, the castle and town crier needed to be found, probably in the nearest tavern. Master Sergeant Gerben had muttered something about extra vigilance towards cut purses. The sparring pit needed to be readied and the Good Lord above only knew what else she was forgetting...

[Dream Loxley]

*She smiled as she poured another cup of tea........showng great strength of character outwardly and yet... inside she was terrified and wondered if she had taken on too much with the Trivia Quiz. There were so many questions within her mind to settle..... so much that could go wrong.... she did indeed feel overwhelmed. But she smiled again and spoke of the plans.*

"Ye think the Ladies Halethala and Andrea might oversee some of the extra duties M'Lady.....and of course... Lady Laurestina should prepare fer mayhaps some minor injuries.....though of course with those sparring being of exceptional talent I doubt it shall be needed."

*She had great faith in her friend's capabilities for organisation....and relied on her mayhaps a little too much... but she would stay calm and focused as the days pass by......hoping for a good turnout for both events.*

"I shall arrange fer more of the villagers to be here during the days to come....and the Lords shall be busy with the pits and the ale stocks ye think aye."

*She grins at the thought of them all at ease with one another...and yet the competitive streak would indeed rear its head as they demonstrated their skills. She could nae help but wonder if they were all as skilled in knowledge as they were with their weapons.*

[Lady Edfeil]

*she reached forward to accept another cup of tea, pushing aside one slate, then looking at another, groaning as she turns it around and sees a new list on the other side.

Breakfast. She needs breakfast. With one hand reaching for a piece of bread with ham, the other rumages through the slates, the scraps of fabric, and the drawings of flowers*

I pray both of them will, m'lady. Lady Beren, she can nae do the scoring as she had hoped, but Lord Sighehelm... he has offered indeed to keep the scoring sheets should ye accept his assistance.
The Lady Andrea and Halethala.... oh aye... the stables... I forgot about the stables... do we have enough room to house all the horses of the guests?

And I think, m'lady, nae matter how much of talents those that will step into the pits have... the Lady Laurestina will find herself very busy. *She looks around and in a quiet whisper adds* Mayhap we should hide the wine during the event, aye?

[Dream Loxley]

*She looked aghast for a moment...shaking her head....her features most sincere.*

"Oh nae M'Lady..... I shall indeed need a goblet or two of wine.....such shall help me to endure watching men fighting each other."

*Nodding lots to confirm her statement.....she pondered the ladies words, smiling as she accepted the Tall Lord's offer of help, saying she would indeed speak with him as soon as time allowed.*

"Ahhh the Stables.... aye..... Lady Andrea would see to such I am sure... as 'tis her domain now......mayhaps Halethala may arrange the flowers... she does have a talent within the gardens M'Lady........now......let me see the other lists ye have there."

*Taking a slate...she starts to read and tilts her head now and then as she thinks of solutions.*

[Admin]

Prepares for this weekends event in me own way... gone are the royal robes and such things. Dressed now in only leather leggings, and a simple loose fitting tunic, I begin me day with a brisk ten mile run down the beach , around behind the village and back again, Three times around. As I arrive back in the courtyard, the young Perran be looking at me strangely as I head directly for the sparring pits and being me daily workout with blades. After two hours of this... a quick meal to refuel me body and its back for another run .... so little time... and I must be back in shape for this... I will nae let me home nae take the prize for the spar contest.....

[Sinold Bragasson]

*Also prepares for the sparring... chopping off a small grove of trees, hacking them into fire wood... running circles around certain Lords and evading their wrath... cracking a bushel of walnuts with his bare hands... bathing in a ciold stream without wimpering and thus steeling his body for hardship... building about 100 wood dummies with the fire wood... beheading about 100 wood dummies, rendering them into even finer fire wood... abstaining from ale...NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!*

;D

[Lady Edfeil]

The men have gone MAD... *she whispers to the Lady Dream, as she handed her the slate*

Me own father be running up and down to the village when he has a perfectly fine horse in the stables. And there nae even be errands to be done this day.
Goodman Bragasson.. he nae even has TOUCHED the pitcher of ale this day...
The pits be busy with practice and Master Sergeant Gerben he be even looking nervous! I've nae even seen the Master Sergeant nervous when we were besieged by Norse!

And amidst all that I'm nae yet sure if we have enough clean bedlinnens! *she added, in a wonderful shift of priorities.* Next year, nae matter what be a happening, we must find time for a winter washing.

[Halethala]

Ravenous, she'd landed down before the sideboard, hoping to see a mountain of scrambled dove's eggs laced with thumbprint sized chunks of ham and her favorite blueberry pastries . .

Smiling at the busy women, she overhears them mention her name. . . "Flowers? Ye wish to deck the halls with blooms? Of course I'd love to help . . . Oh, but poor Sighehelm . . well, he will have to simply avoid them best he can . .

Surely there be more I can be givin' a hand with . . as long as ye have enough help in the kitchens . . *winking to them as she fills a plate and settles near, an enormous glass of chilled milk to wash the fare down with* Perhaps Lady Andrea could use another hand with the horses . . is the sparring only on foot, or be there mounted events as well?

[Dream Loxley]

*She was deep in thought and simply replied to Edfeil.....nae lifting her head from the lists as she nodded.*

"Aye...they be training M'Lady....each man 'tis to have a routine.....they all be different in their ways...and yet the aim be the same.....to be the best methinks..the strongest ....most agile...and ....aye.... most eager to win........'tis a hunger they have...deep inside."

She heard Halethala speak then and glanced up as the good lady sat down with her platter......oh my...she had forgotten of flowers and sneezings.*

"Ahhhh...'tis a good thing ye did remember......mayhaps we might plug his nose ye think?".

*She had grinned and laughed softly....then looked to Edfeil....nae being so strong of knowledge where the sparring was concerned.*

[Halethala]

*She nearly spit out her eggs at the very thought of plugging the tall man's nose* I *here she stressed the word with a poke of her fork towards her chest* I will NOT be the one to do such a thing . . no ma'am . . *Giggling towards Lady Edfeil, she added* Perhaps the Healer, 'Stina, would have some cure to help him through what could be a torturous few days amidst the sweet bouquets . . mayhaps a bit of camphor on his hanky would help endure . .

*she shoveled more eggs into her mouth, her hunger abating somewhat, then added further* I do hope Sinold will not be afflicted with such an illness . . if I were condemned to a colorless life without flowers near, I should seriously reconsider his proposal . . *At this, she merely winked at Lady Dream, only half seriously*

[LadyLaurestina]

Rising early, she could plainly hear the distant clanging sound. Instantly she knew it must be the sound of a sword. Nae alarmed as she knew no bell or horn was blow or tolled, there must be one of the men or ladies preparing for the sparring event? Even She was feeling a bit of trepidation concerning the whole event, nae because her home was unprepared, but because there would be so many fine warriors here to show of their talents. And she had made this promise to her self and her dear deaperted Father that she would defend his home, and now this Home. Inspite of these thoughts it came as quite a surpprise to know that she would take on such a task. She didn’t understand what had come over her, to take on such a challenge, especially since she had to basically start from scratch and relearn the skills her Father had taught her a young lass.

Looking in the corner * laughing* she had found herself a straw dummy which was to be burned and set in a pile along with some other dummies. She picked him up and carried him home. He stood in the corner of her chambers looking quite handsome to her. Making believe he was her foe while she jumped about on one leg then the other trying to stick him with her knitting needle. she thought of taking him and hangin him from a rafter, then he would be maoving target... and that seemed to what she was missing in her practice sessions which had been lasting well into the night.

There was a tunic she had been working on but that too had been a secret, as it was for someone here at Windstorm. She did nae hang it upon the dummy as she might really do some damage once she had secured a good sword, yes 'a bastard sword’ some had told her.

She had been visited by a trainer, This most noble knight gave her the most beautiful gift of white gloves after she had been troughly briefed her on swords and conduct. She would have to conduct herself in the most proper of manner and nae show any sign of anxiety. For this event, perhaps a shot of brandy would be in order, but NO WINE!
Upon the floor she had strips of white leather that she had been stitching together to make her own armor and a shield too that would match the leather armor. this would then all be coated with bee's wax and made ready for her to wear for the competion. This was a long tedious process, and she never expected it to take so long, and with one short week, she would be ready to spar properly and nae make a fool of herself and uphold her home…? This was the big question. How she did yearn to be a lady well versed in many matters of her home, nae just the healing… and she did need to protect herself as well, so naught was all in vain. * Smiling she turns to the door of her chambers and opening the door into the hallway, waking down the stairs and into the severy, stops when she see's such a lovely sight. Lady Haletha, Lady Dream and Lady Edfeil sit and sipping tea looking as always, demure and serene. Amid all the flurry of preparing for the weekend of festivities, she was amazed to see her Lady friends, looking at fabrics and shorting though parchments, with such sweet determination. AS she walked towards them she could only laugh to over hear the lady Dream admit that she might perhaps wish a glass of wine before the sparring event. And, then the discussion of the flowers that Lady Haletheha would be arranging. Thinking that she also over head that there must be a cure for the tall-distinguished man who often came to visit, and seems to be affected by the flora that often filled the castle. Wondering a bit, she opened her mouth and spoke to all the ladies, “ I do nae mean to startle any of thee, but I think I have a sure cure for the Good Lord of Kent.” Winking to all of the dear Lady flowers of the garden, as they gathered for tea, she decides to keep her idea a secret until the appointed time. Then she would make sure that there would nae be any sneezing or loss of breath on this Lord’s lungs, and yet there would be flowers, wine, food, and music she assumed, as well as the sparring now the talk of even more?

Though she was happy to see everyone getting involved in the activities for the upcoming weekend, a quietness stilled her with the thought of picking up the sword. … A real sword. Could she indeed be able to spin it in her hand and ward off any unwanted blows to her own body…? Chasing the thought away she acted as if she was nae concerned about anything as she looked at lady Edfeil in the eye and smiled to al the ladies as she pulled up a seat and poured herself a cup of tea.

[Lady Alexandreania (Andrea)]

~Her morning hae started earlier, before e'en the cock hae crowed. Setting up orders for the replacement of tack no longer able to be used as well extra orders of feed and hay to be brought The rising sun found her in her office in the Stables, lists and scrolls sprawled out before her on the desk. There was much to do and precious little time to do it in the coming week. But 't could nae be done sooner with out disturbing the schedule of the Patroling Guards before now. ~

~Checking over her main list having made it out a few weeks ago she went down to tick of the things that needed done immediately Such as finding room to place the Coaches that would be arriving, making room for them in the Carriage House. There were also stalls to be scrubbed down and ready to house Mounts of those that would be riding in as well as those that pulled the Coaches. ~

~She heard the sound of many footsteps coming towards her office and she rose stepping around her desk to meet the lads brought to her by Perran that would be coming to help with the extra work. She introduced herself to them, and many stood in awe to see a Lady speak with them. She informed them of what she would be expecting of them and that the reemburisment for their hard work would be comissmerant with their duties. ~

~After talking with them she then sent them all back with Perran to the Stable Master who would assign the duties to them, and she went back to her desk and continued her work for the long day. Time flying until in not any time it seemed at all, night had fallen and She was chased from the Stables by Good Man Paul.~

[Lady Edfeil]

*She tried to look stern and regal, as she glanced to Lady Halethala and Lady Dream. Looking stern and regal was very hard when ye were sharing breakfast with yer friends amidst lists and fabrics and samples of all kinds.*

Now, m'lady... as ye well know I be a champion of the Lord Sighehelm, and I promised to place meself between him and his every floral foe... so I can nae allow for flowers that may be diminishing his strength.

*despite herself the smile that had attempted to break through curved her lips and then she dissolved into laughter*
Mayhap some green boughs, aye? And ivy for loyalty and friendship?

*Hearing m'lady Laurestina's voice, she smiled up and offered a piece of bread as well*
Iffen ye would find a cure to bring him at least some relief, I am sure he would be grateful to ye. As would I!

Now... let's see... lady Andrea has the stables well in hands. The cleaning be well underway... ANd I believe Lord Roland to have just returned from a succesfull hunt.
Be there enough slates and quills for the trivia?

[Dream Loxley]

*Chuckling at Halethala and the idea of nose plugging.....she wrote down more on her list...then smiled warmly as she reached for a pastry....seeing Lady Laurestina sit down and be at ease...she smiled more and gestured to the teapot.*

"Ahhh M'Lady Laurestina....anything ye may be able to do fer him... to mayhaps still his adverse reactions will be most welcomed."

*Nodding to the question of slates....she wrote that down adding to her lengthening list of things yet to do.*

[LadyLaurestina]

Looking at Dreaam * smiles as she shakes her head... " MI Lady tis really one way I can think of that will surely put the Lord of Kent out of his misery short of suffing little wads of muslin in his nose which by the way I think a devine idea* grins*.. * placing her finger upsdie her now says* " oooooooooor else making a veils of sorts and hanig it down and coving his face... and then there is the matter of just plain picking holly boughs and juniper boughs and such that will nae make this lord sneeze, and how knows if he has this condition how many also have it?

With a twinkle in her eye* she know goes on about this newly heard of rememdy for just about anything. * pipes up with a lift in her voice*

But I know of a poppy flower compress that does just about everything and then more, and am nae sure I wish to experiment upon him on the tounament day. as O a, nae sure what ever his reaction shall be, but perahps this eve? * winks* I should try it first to see his reaction to it. This compress also helps watering eyes and also helps to banish dark circles around the eyes.
*looks at the the ladies as they pull up the skin from under the eyes back to their eaars,..laughing*
Many wonderful medicines are being derived from the milk juice of the poppy. It is frequently administered to relieve pain and calm excitement, and was also used in bad cases of diarrhea and dysentery. It has both hypnotic and sedative effects. A tincture and extract may be used internally to treat one of over excitment and hysteria.
* laughs again as she looks at about at the ladies faces*
It's effect on respiration is wonderful and it is also a strong cough suppressant. This Poppy milk is really the wonder drug in countries that I have heard of once in a lullaby, but aye we do have poppies here grwoing freely in the fields and with thy word shall make up some mild milks and compresses .... I do know if there are any adverse affects all can be diminished and if necessary can be corrected with small doses of rhubarb. And I seen Molly with a huge basket of that this morn!

* takes a deep breath* and picking up her tea thinking this is rather exciting news but a bit risque even for one as bold as she has known to be.
* looks about and wonder how on earth she got into this subject with so much going on....* grins and reaches for a bisquet while the ladies look at her agast.... In fact * whipsers over to all...i have often wondered if indeed the lady Andrea did nae have something slipped into her drink the eve she went off foolish with Lord Roalnd almost wed him of the spot... * whispers as she leansin a as her eyes meet each of you yours she * winks* " Though it twan'st mi, I have half a mind to think someone was bewitching her ... and it did cause her quite a shake up wense she did once again seem to gain her sences aye?"