Tired..

[Lady Edfeil]

*She found herself surounded by women. By friends. The feeling was lovely. Twice now she had tasted the tonic, and though 't was mayhap but a wish she seemed to feel a wee bit stronger. Her father last eve had ordered her to take leave off her duties. All of them. To refrain from travel. All of them. To refrain from work. All of it! Untill she was better.

Well... 't was certainly nae work to share a morn with these three ladies, and her own smile grew brighter as she sat, relaxing and partaking in tea and pastries.*

We were talking of the appleharvest last eve... and of the applepicking machine...
*In habit, her hand reaches aside for the wooden hoop in which she tauts the fabric of the panel she be making. Sir Josephs tunic front now nearly be finnished. She hopes 't will please him, as indeed so long he has teased her over 't.*
A pleasant memory 't was. We should do such again this year, aye? An apple harvest with friends and family. 't is nae much work to accomplish and most of the invitations go by word of mouth... And such fun was had by all...
*seeing the stern look in three pairs of eyes she quickly adds*
We will wait untill I'm better of course, but there be a full season between the growing and harvesting of apples, surely 't be time enough...

[Dream Loxley]

*It was rare to have these moments... to share thoughts and idle chatter with the ladies on Windstorm. She had smiled and enjoyed a fresh pastry as they all became more comfortable together.

Of course... Lady Edfiel would never stop planning and working within her mind......Dream had cast her a look and then chuckled to the ladies.*

"Aye...... we have plenty of time 'till the apples be ready....and now ye must rest aye......gather ye strength so as to enjoy the coming months of sunshine. A picnic methinks.... in the gardens....and soon."

[Halethala]

*Gratefully nibbling at Dream's mouth watering pastry, Letha nodded a greeting to Sadhbh, delighted to have her join them.* Try one, M'Dear . . 'Tis lovely to see you . .

*Taking up the delicate teacup, she answered Dream very quietly* Aye, he be in Kent, I am told . . . sometimes I feel he's been gone so long, I shall forget what his face looks like . . ((occ: as IF *g*)) I think I will try to write him, if he intends to remain there for a season . . *her face clouds, as if to fight off tears, then she turns to Sadhbh again, forcing her longings back below the surface* Tell us, M'Lady, of this marvelous place ye call home?

*Tsk-ing lightly* Lady Edfeil . . does your mind never rest, e'en when your body is ordered to do so? I know ye cannot idle down to total unconsciousness, yet, be it possible ye can simply think of yourself first, for a wee bit? It nae be evil, ye know . . the castle will not crumble while ye take some time for yourself . . *gives her a look full of warm love*

[sadhbh]

*Sadhbh looked about, though circles under her eyes marked the lack of sleep she had she seemed in brighter mood for news of Sighehelms safety had reached her ear.
She watched Lady Edfeil carefully and on hearing her word she whispered* I doth pray tae ye will improve all tae more with such a celebration coming tae pass. Indeed I doth pray tae I shall be hear tae see it...
*Smiling she took a pastry marvelling at the taste*
Thy Cook hath tae hand as gentle as a ladies, tae pastry be sweet and light.
*tilting her head she listened further to the women who were; she believed; those who remained all the more often than others. They seemed freer in themselves as they spoke. this pleased Sadhbh. Again Lady Halethea spoke*
What can I say, it be myne home and tae land of myne raising. It bears grand harvest and tae people dinnae grow hungry. T'was once tae I heard Kent being called a great garden. *she flushed* I doth love myne home and so it be easy tae speak of it. Tis tae center of myne heart..
*her eyes then ran to Dream and she smiled again seeing her speak of the harvest*...m'Lady, I heard but a little of thae celebration. Pray tell me more...

[Dream Loxley]

*Glancing at the ladies as they enjoy their tea and pastries....she smiles to Lady Sadhbh and speaks with ease of Windstorm's traditions.*

"Ahhhh 'tis as ye will do in ye home methinks... when ye orchards be ready.....a gentle pull of the fruit and iffn such comes away with nae any hesitation.....then we pick....and we celebrate. Many come from all about and we eat, drink and make merry in the late summer sunshine. Of course ye orchards in the Garden of Kent be far greater than ours... but 'tis Edfeils favourite place here....and we do grow enough fruits to keep us and the village for a while at least."

*She grinned at Edfeil then and continued with a wink of her eye*

"I shall allow Lady Edfeil to tell ye all of the apple picking machine"

[sadhbh]

Aye, it holds a similar trait tae thae delights of home. Sadhbh smiled warmly. I hath only seen tae orchard by night. I suppose I should go there some time tae see what cook uses for his delicious apple tarts.
*it was indeed quite relaxing to be among the women at a time like this. There seemed a solidarity among the three before her that she found pleasing to see.
Words of a picking machine caused Sadhbh to arch a brow*
an apple picker?...ye mean ye nae pick tae apples by hand..
*this indeed was a surprise to her*

[Lady Edfeil]

Oh... we do pick the apples by hand...

*she says, an enigmatic smile lingering on her face. Each day found her stronger now. And though she kept to her fathers dictate of rest, her mind oft turned back to her duties. But nae now. Now her thoughts were centered on the simple delights of feminine company. Of warm companionship. And of delicious pastry of course!*

The applepicking machine be a great secret of Windstorm. Indeed, 't was first introduced by me adoptive brother Lord Repsol, and since became a fine Windstorm tradition...
*speaking such, she can nae help but exchange a look with the Lady Dream, her eyes twinkling merrily*
Ehm... I can of course nae tell ye much about the contraption itsself, but... it intends to... bring the picker closer to the apples, aye?

[Dream Loxley]

*She laughs now....loudly and with gay abandonment...the vision of such a contraption clear within her minds eye once more. As she clears her throat and finds at least a sense of decorum...she smiles to the ladies and speaks with a whisper*

"Aye...'tis meant to allow the lady picker to be up higher to reach the apples indeed..... but......'tis also meaning the Lords get to see our ankles and mayhaps a little more"

*She grins and winks to Edfeil as she asks for fresh tea to be fetched*

[sadhbh]

*Sadhbhs eyes widened at Dreams words of mens indecretion, she gasped at first then laughed at the thought*
Similar tae a ladder aye..
*was she brlushing?. She was sure that she was. It was not the simple thought that a man would be so bold, nae it was more the image her imagination had drawn in her mind. Ah, it was sometimes a curse to know art as she did.

Sadhbh lowered her eyes, composed herself then looked up. Though she had a chill some days back, there was little seen of it upon her outer exterior. She clasped her hands again and looked about this wonder of feminine companionship.
Sadhbh was unsure what to say next. Those in Kent knew each other so well yet here she did not know whether...
so she began as all people would, creating small talk which would lead to perhaps more stimulating conversation*
I hath been tae thy cliffs with Edwin..
*she looked over to the cornor toward the sleeping guard then looked back*
my constant shadow..
it be a beautiful sight. indeed tae weather here seems quite charming. Tae Lord doth indeed smile down on those on Windstorm soil...
Be there aught else I should go tae see...
*she flickered her eyes about slowly seeing the look on every lovely Ladys features. Sadhbh smiled all the more*
I must admit tae enjoying thy company and tae many sites here....

[Lady Edfeil]

What ye should see...
*Edfeil smiled. She had taken a liking to the sweet lady of Kent, who seemed to have had like upbringing as herself.*
I will always recommend the orchard, but I believe ye've already walked 't... M'lady Dream knows the cliffs very well, and the beach. There be some small, secluded pieces of 't that offer quiet and serenity... and an excellent place for a summer dinner outside.

The woods be beautiful, but I'ld nae visit more then the outskirts of them without an escort of rangers. And there be the village of course. 't be small but the shoppes be good... *she adds with twinkling eyes, remembering the last excursion all the ladies had there together. She looks around for the others to hear their own opinions, picking up another pastry and doubting wether or not she should eat one more.*

[Halethala]

Letha had almost choked on her tea as she heard Dream wryly explain the good Lord Respol's more secretive intentions for his invention . . "What other "fine Windstorm traditions" like that one hae I nae heard yet, I wonder . . what a pity I've nae had the pleasure of meetin' this . . . interesting fellow, Respol . .

Her eyes glazing wistfully at Sadhbh's mention of the cliffs "Aye, the cliffs . . they be the very doorstep to the heavens, in my humble opinion, M'Lady . . the roar of the distant surf and fresh salt spray sparkling high up into the air . . 'tis like you can gaze into eternity across the seas . . " She did not go on to mention the memories dearly tied there, but the beauty of the place alone would have been enough for it to be her most favored of places . .

The village holds a myriad of delights as well, I agree, Lady Edfeil . . though even yet, I fear I've nae discovered them all . . perhaps another excursion is in order . . when the summer winds to an end, before the furious pace of harvest is upon us?

*Then her face lights brightly* Oh, but M'Lady Sadhbh! Iffen ye've nae yet had the joy of immersin' in the Hot Springs, ye simply MUST take it in! Another pure slice of heaven upon this good earth . .

[Dream Loxley]

"Aye M'Lady.......similar to a ladder"....*She smiled warmly then sipped her tea...blowing it slightly to cool it. Her eyes watched Halethala as she spoke of the cliffs..... she said so much with those few words.....obviously the place having some special meaning for her. Nodding to herself more than any...she continued to listen and enjoy the conversation.

The beach was the place that held her heart....always from that first time there.....he had built a fire and shared a picnic.....then spoke the words she thougth never to hear. He had proposed and offered himself to her for eternity.....as he was.....a simply man......a Ranger.....dedicated and true. She found herself sighing whistfully and blinked back to the moment in time. Smiling more..almost with a grin upon her features.*

"Oh indeed.....the area 'tis so beautiful...and another trip to the village for shopping sounds delightful......mayhaps we might even buy early for the festive season."

*The ladies seemed to be comfortable in each others company......the day was a good day.....and she hoped for more yet to be.*

[sadhbh]

*So many places she thought as she watched tht others. Each Lady had a place they loved and indeed it was clear by the image on their faces that there was cherished memories held within their hearts.

Sadhbh lowered her eyes*
Iffn I may?..
*she helped herself to some tea, taking a cup, stirring in the milk, savouring the taste. Sadhbh looked up, still the conversation carried on and with it the pleasant nature of each lady could be perceived. Sadhbh smiled warmly*
I think I should visit the beach next.
*she laughed softly*
Mayhap if I be allowed, I would seek out all tae places ye name and experiance their beauty for myne self. Indeed myne Mother hath oft spoke tae travels opens thyne eyes and though I know myne eyes be open most times, I would think tae she be right...
*Sadhbh smiled, she lowered her eyes a moment and took another sip of her tea. She perked a brow*
Tae hot springs?...ye doth go in there?
*her brows furrowed with a smile*
Iffn tae time allows it would be good tae see these springs of thine....and mayhap explore tae shops a little....*her questioning glance ran about*

[Lady Edfeil]

A shopping expedition would be lovely indeed. Or mayhap just an expedition. We could ask Lord Dorian to spare us the men needed for the excursion. Or mayhap just a picnic with all of us on the beach, aye? The weather be clearing a bit, and we can ask cook for a basket and then just... sit on the sand and watch the sea and do naught but let the sea air refresh us! Ellissia would like such for certain. We could truid to build a likening of the castle in sand for her...

*the idea makes her eyes sparkle. Unaware as she is, by her fathers word, of the reasons for the stronger vigilance, the outing seems a real possibility. She remembers the fun had by all on the previous shopping expedition, and how much they had learned of eachother and their ways.*
We could go with the horses, and I with me molly...

[Dream Loxley]

*She had started to speak.......then halted as she toiled with the right words.......the beach was nae such a delight with all the construction work and such......but how to keep the ladies from venturing there.*

"Oh indeed..... but of late there be a chill in the wind.....'tis a damp wind that would mayhaps spoil the picnic food. The gardens be most delightful and the orchards even more sheltered.......ye think M'Ladies?"

*She looked at Halethala....... her eyes showing more than she wished to speak of at that time...hoping for recognition of her words. Then to the Guest...Lady Sadhbh, wanting only to keep her from any activities that may bring forth distress......at least untill all were told of the possibility of an invasion.*