Preparing for the weekend

[Lady Alexandreania (Andrea)]

~With Cpl Allen behind her, riding in from the East back to Windstorm her errand having been completed. Tossing Kadalyk's reigns to Perran with a bright smile, who was there to greet her before making her way to the castle, saddle bags over her arm to her chambers to be rid of the journey's dust. Tho It had taken her longer to have completed it than she had thought. But no longer would there be hay coming to the the stables that brought with it the colic that was so dibilatating to horses. When word of one of the Guards horses was down with colic came to her the first thing she had checked was the animals feed. She found the box filled with hay that had been placed there by one of the temporary boys hired for the time during the festival preparations who was new to such work. Finding it damp and moldy she went to check the rest of the new supply that had come in and found it all to be in the same state. She ordered the supply destroyed as there was still a 4 day supply of the older remaining. Finding out where this fouled supply had come from she had gone to the Castle, packed a few things in her saddle bags, had Kadalyk and Robert Allens mounts made ready and had ridden off.~

The fault was not found with the grower of the supply but with the supplier himself. He had been seeking to line his pockets with the shabbily handled goods he thought to charge double the value for. He was soon disuaded of that notion and told his stable products would no longer be bought by Windstorm gold. Instead Andrea had made arrangements to buy the feed and hay directly from the grower. She had also gone to the other growers that worked thru this supplier. Making the same arrangements with them as she had the first. to the betterment of both sides. There by completely cutting out the Supplier for his bad buisness practices.

When having been informed of this the Man had not been pleasant. The look on his face not hiding the fact of his anger at having been found out. But one look from Cpl Allen had given him pause to think better of what had been going to spout from his lips. She had also informed him that his dealings would become known to the Captain of the Guard to handle or not as he deemed warrented.

But now there truely would be nothing but the best fodder and feed brought to Windstorm for less the price then had been paid. And the grower would be able to have more to keep as his own with out having to pay for the privledge of using the supplier, even with having to deliver the goods himself. He had promised to have the new supply brought tomorrow.

All in all it had been a good two days work accomplished and Andrea found herself in her chambers after bathing, sitting before her hearth the heat from the small fire inside drying her damp hair as she brushed it, before dressing and going down to the Hall. ~

[Lady Edfeil]

*She nae needed to worry about the stables anymore. Lady Andrea had all in hand for such, the orders, the cleaning, the housing...
Then there was the castle itsself. Lady Dream had asked some women and men from the village to come to aide. Service to the castle an integral part of their duties to their overlord, they were grateful the castle tried to keep the time they needed to work their own fields and crafts into account. So when they were asked, they gladly came. And now the Castle was being scrubbed from rafters to cellar. The new lass that came into service, becca, she worked hard as well, and she knew the chatelaine would see to fitting reward for such.

Lady Laurestina now had better sight of the injuries that might be a happening. The good Lord knew the jousting last year saw a number of serious injuries. Let alone what could happen at a spar! Within the infirmary, cots were readied, bandages cooked, and herbs and stores checked.

Master Sergeant Gerben oversaw the making of a tribune for the pit, as well as personally checking practice and other weapons that were being supplied. All was being readied.

She asked the Lady Halethala to see to green boughs and leaves, and ivy.. and all things green and blooming that coud liven up the castle, without afflicting Lord Sighehelm. Mayhap even crowns of laurels could be provided for the victor of each spar.

Amidst all that were busy, the lady Dream and herself walked around, murmuring things. Pouring over lists and crossing things off when they were done!*

[Dream Loxley]

*She thought she had everything under control.....she hoped with all her heart that she had organised everything properly. Her features seemed as normal..... a warm smile for all....but inside she felt quite sick with worry....it was only her second Festival and this time she had taken on more responsibilties.

The questions were safe under lock and key...but were they hard enough....would they challenge those who were indeed very knowledgeable about these matters. Had she written enough questions...would the time lapse too quickly....or would it go too slowly so as to become boring to the guests.

So many things worried her... but she continued to nod and smile to Lady Edfeil.....ticking off tasks from her list as they spoke of them and wandered the Castle.

Time would tell if all was right.....and above all....she had done her best....in the hopes of a wonderful time to be had by all. Mayhaps with enough refreshments, the guests would be mellow and simply overlook anything that may go amiss on the night.*

[Lady Edfeil]

*She looked at the lists. Then at her friend as they walked the hall. The days had been pleasant despite the frantic pace of the preparations. Everyone had been working together and things were comming along nicely.

The chatelaine as always had worked efficiently. A smile or an encouraging word there was for everyone. And yet... Oblivious as she oft was for danger or malice, Edfeil had a good eye for pain, for sorrow, or simply for worry. So she turned to her friend, amidst the shadows of the corridors and without much ado simply hugged her and whispers*

All shall be well, aye? Nae fret so. All shall be well.

[Halethala]

She'd perhaps found a compromise for the dilemma of Lord Sighehelm's aversion to flowers . . . her first attempts had proven nae too attractive, yet with each one, her skill and imagination had grown, until she was more than satisfied with her works . . Nae only sweet little posies and whimsical rosebuds, but now she'd found a way to tuck tiny beads and bits of glass that looked like diamonds into more and more realistic looking blooms . .

She set one of her best upon the breakfast table that had now become a sort of operational headquarters for the coming weekend, waiting with a rather pleased smile to see how the ladies liked it . .

[SighehelmofKent]

-He had noted the efforts, smiles, and admires the beauty of the flower compositions afore he noted that he did not sneeze, an eye browe raised in cuiosity.

It was as if Windstorm was under siege, many a man seemed.....nervous? He had walked the hallways, meeting many about or returning from a spar, or what seemed like hard exercise.

The tall man as ever continued his walks, the rides on his horse. yet of late his walks had been fully armed, broadsword and dirk upon him. He had watched many, observed the techniques more thoroughly of some. Yet within the turmoil, he could join in the preamble to the celebrations.

His heart ached, the news made him distant, colder, different. Many a times he could be found staring to the west, without pause for neigh on an hour or so -.-

[LadyLaurestina]

With Olaf by her side, they couldn't help but spot the Lord of Kent seeming atanding at looked to be attention as he gazed off towards the west.... lost in thought. She half wished she could stop and visit with him, but knew he had somthing on his mind.... so rather than disturbing him, she hummed a soft Irish tune as she walked by...

Seeing the beautiful bouquets... shining and sparkling in the sun shine, * smililng brightly * she seen that lady Letha had indeed found a way to secure any more sneezing attacts on behalf of all those who sufferered from the pollen.

Carrying two baskets, with Olaf towering above her as he lumbered his way though the hall carrying the litters..
She bore the basket of linens and wrappings, and in the other powdered and crushed herbs, spices all labeled and wrapped in cloth bags... ready in any event.... for whatever may befall ...she hoped nothing. A wooden barrel of water, and a perhpas a small fire would be lit, all for the morn of the event, but for now, only the supplies would be set into place. Tonight she would go chapel and pray for the safty of all... In the meantime she was busy setting up a small shelter with the aide of Olaf . They had secured a spot off to the side and well protected from the sparring pit.

[Dream Loxley]

*She took a deep breath in and started a new day.......she had prepared long and hard for the Trivia.....now...'twas as it would be.....she had done her best.

Making her way down the stairs....she greeted many a servant and Noble alike...the day would indeed find her busy with normal duties.

Stopping in the kitchens....she smiled brightly as she looked upon the delicate flowers.......such a wonderful creation indeed.*

"Halethala...... methinks ye have indeed saved the day......ye have hidden talents aye......and with all the preparations and such...'tis to be a pleasing day all round."

*She greeted all the ladies as they sat together once again.....speaking of their plans and duties for the coming Festival. Windstorm would nae ever fail to triumph with such dedicated people living within her walls.*

*Lifting her mug of tea.....she beamed and toasted them all on this, the first day of their Festival contribution.*

"To Windstorm.....and to all who shall gather here for a weekend of entertainment and hospitality.......well done to us all."

[Teresa O'Connor]

Sending a messenger ahead with a gift for Windstorm she boards the ship making final preparations to sail.

The lad, Thaine enters Windstorms great hall toting the basket of fresh baked breads that Teresa made this morning. Setting it on the table he takes the small bit of parchment from his pocket laying it next to the basket.



My Friends,

Thank Ye all for the wonderful help durring the festival. I am looking forward to this weekends events with high hopes that it will be a grand closure to the festival.

Teresa

[Sinold Bragasson]

He sat alone by the cliffs this time. He longed for Letha to be here with him, but he had seen the fear in her eyes when he had asked her to be at the sparring tomorrow. She would come, he was certain of that, but she feared. For him, for the man Sinold had challenged … so many fears in her. He had tried to reassure her that no matter the outcome, she would not have to prepare a burial mount after tomorrow. Nor for a very long time…

Sinold looked across the open ocean touching the cliffs underneath him. He sought guidance from his Gods. They hadn't answered him when he had thrown his rune sticks. Maybe if he tried and talked to them directly, without the intermediary of the rune sticks or a wise woman… maybe then they would answer his questions about the next day.

So many had sought to council him on his folly - Lord Lucien, Lord Daniel. Wise words had come from both, but especially those from Lord deForia stuck in Sinold's mind. Hawkmoon and he were part of the same family and thus brothers. "And brothers do quarrel." Maybe it was just that, a quarrel. And maybe the Lord was indeed a brother. Would he even come? Maybe his duties would keep him from the sparring arena tomorrow…

But what those around him couldn't give him, Sinold sought from Odin and Thor - some guidance and reassurance himself. For like it or not, a new feeling had taken possession of his heart in these past few days - fear.

Only fools did not feel fear when facing a superior opponent, that Sinold knew. And yet… what would he not give for a sign from the Gods that tomorrow all would be well. One thing he knew though…

For honor …No way was too far… No time was too wrong … No opponent too strong … And no pain too much!

[The Powers that Be]

*Out over the oceans to the west of the Coast line, sea breezes blew gently whipping up gentle waves that coursed over the waters surface.

Sea birds called to one another as they dived to catch their meals warning others off of their territories.

In the Forests and woods, life went on in the struggle for survival of the creatures that dwelled there. For some live would go on, for others the struggle would cease.

The rising sun brought the days blessing over the surface of the earth and across the heavens. a rainbow appeared in the clouded western skies giving a sign all would be well before the eastern breezes pushed them out to sea.*

[Sinold Bragasson]

A rainbow appeared… it was a sign of the Gods, but still Sinold's heart would not lighten. The rainbow… or Bifrost, the rainbow bridge leading to Asgard, the home of the Gods where Odin dwelled in Walhalla to welcome dead heroes. Where they inviting him to them? To take his place in the hallowed hall of Odin?

Slowly the rainbow disappeared again, as suddenly as it had appeared. Maybe the Gods still were not ready for him yet, and so Sinold continued to watch out over the sea, trying to calm his heart and spirit.