The Change

[Lady Edfeil]

It had not happened overnight. It had not happened when the crown touched her head or when she took the oath. But it had happened, slowly. Maybe it had been the illness that afterwards had kept her to bed for months with naught to do but contemplate her own future and that of Windstorm. She could nae say what it had been exactly, but something had changed, she had changed.

Of course one could see the outward difference. She had lost much of the pleasing plumpness that had settled on her bones due to the fevers. Her strength had returned and she had lost the skinned rabit look that at first had had people fear for her even when she returned to the hall. But she seemed taller now, more dignified due to the slenderness that still lingered on her hips, and the paler colour of her skin.
The long waves of dark brown hair that had most been pinned up in braids had but reached her waist when she unbound it had been shorn off in an attempt to save her life during the heated fevers, fearing it would sap her strength. By now it curled in strange short ringlets around her face, bouncing from beneath a little jewelled cap and refusing to be restrained. A startling difference that made her entire face seem like a game of contrasts, in which she looked younger, and yet older at the same time. The girl seemed to have been wiped away, while a timeless woman had taken her place.

[Lady Edfeil]

The embroidery hoop was still there. But she had little time anymore to devote it, her leisure hours being diminished. And yet, to her own surprise at least, she blossomed. THe different role that had been such a difficult fit now seemed to rest more easy on her shoulders. The work itsself had nae become easier, but the fear of being found a fraud, the fear of just nae being able to hold on had diminshed when she had seen the kingdom do so well without her during the months of her illness. That had given her the freedom to be more herself and contribute what she thought was necessary once she had recovered.
Right now, that meant preparing to write a letter to Port Saorsa and to some of the other kingdoms that had harbours. She would ask for help, would ask to send experts mayhap. Certainly they must have worked their harbour before. It was nae within her realm of expertise, but it might bring more ships to Windstorm.

She sat at the large table at the hall, quill in hand, her eyes aimlessly gazing at the flames while she tried to find the right words. She would need to speak right and then mayhap, their plans of the last four years might become reality.

[Valkryn Valdrin Jabbuk]

"... your home has been quiet ..."

From the windows of the Room sat Valkryn, that mysterious 'stranger' who has stopped by now and then. Yes, there he was, sitting on the ledge, stepping in. How did he do this? As a youth, he was a sneak, a theif in order to survive. His training within his Clergy as well as his pilgrimage to the lands of Rokugan in the Far East with the Scorpion Clan taught him many traits and Skills. Not all were ... 'smiled upon' ... Yet, when He entered, he did not appear threatening at all. It was more as if he was stopping by for a visit. Not customary of course but still .. this was his way

"... forgive me for not using the Door. I don't always like to deal with others, and sometimes a direct route is best."

he leaned against the side of the window frame, examining you for a moment, arms crossed in true Navere Fashion as he nodded

".. you carry the weight of your new rank and this nation well upon your shoulders, yet I can tell that you are trouble by something. Which is why you possibly have not written anything ... Anything I can do to help .... advise you on, your Highness?"

[Lady Edfeil]

*She glanced up from her paper. A smile crossed her lips and though there had been a small startle at the unexpected sound of a voice, the usual look of half concealed fright at an unexpected aproach was gone. A more comfortable woman seemed to have awoken from the sickbed after the long months*

My Lord Valkryn... *The smile warmed when she saw who it was that had aproached.* It has been a long time. Too long indeed.

*her gaze rested upon yer stance with something that had been missing for so many years, serenity. There was no more in yer company, despite the unexpected aproach. She looked back down to her paper and laughed, realising ye had been write and she had been staring at a blank page for a long, long while.*
I would welcome yer advice indeed, for the words nae seem to come easy this day. The last four years we have been talking of making the harbour larger. It would lead more ships into the harbour, more prosperity to the village. I nae know much of such though, and after Captain Thorgrimm's death, we nae have anyone who be knowledgeable of such matters. I was thinking of asking around in the realms, see iffen there be one who knows more./ I was thinking or writing our friends at the ports. Mayhap they would know of someone knowledgeable on these matters that they could send to our aid. It will be a long project though... and would take the help of many."

[Valkryn Valdrin Jabbuk]

(( Sorry About the Lateness .. in the Middle of a Move here lol ))

.. he merely chuckled as he held up his hand, as if to dismiss your claim of the 'title' you gave him ..

".. Good Lady, I am no lord .."

.. he had enough rank and file titles within the clergy he followed plus a past that would entice a person looking to move up in rank to stab him in the back for .. one more 'title' was one he didn't need .. but Indeed you were correct in your assessment of his recent demeanor .. he has found, a sort of 'serenity' as of late .. even if the troubles of his world is still on his shoulders. His training of his youngest daughter, Anja has filled a void since his ordeal in that Abyssal Hell .. and it has given him the chance to not only reconnect with her, but know her as not her Teacher, but a father as well .. even if he had worries over her mother Gia and the love of his life ..

.. He took a Seat, and smiled and nodded as you spoke. One had to admit, his smile seemed abit un-nerving for some one with his 'dark past and Profession', yet it was a service that many had a need for now and then .. discreetly of course. No kingdom, Just or not has ever survived for long without those who practiced his trade .. such was an unfortunate fact of life ..

".. Indeed .. Perhaps the Port of Saorsa as it's the only port I know of except of the isle of Trieal ... I would suppose that they would be open to such an opportunity, though perhaps you might wish to talk with Lady Juliette of Dragonshire and the Duchess Xavier as well. I cannot speak for the Other realms like Kindellan or Carthal and certainly not Caernarfon .. I am .. not looked upon favorably currently by the Good Queen there .. a past mis-understanding but such is politics .."

.. He knew you had perhaps alot to do, as being the new ruler of a land, bringing life back to it, and he had no doubt that you would do well. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms in Navere Fashion, a trait he picked up from years of being associated with Gia's family ..

".. but how have you been? I have noticed that things has been quiet here, as the seasons seem to pass without much notice from your people .."

[Lady Edfeil]

((LOL, my apologise as well, for the same reason, because of the same reason. I'll try to reply tomorrow. I'm packing boxes and we move in less than a month.))

[Valkryn Valdrin Jabbuk]

(( you wanna do my Move for me? .. This has got to be the most Chaotic Move EVER!! lol ))

[Lady Edfeil]

((just wanted to tell you that I WILL pick this thread up after the move. *L* Just overwhelmed atm))

[Valkryn Valdrin Jabbuk]

(( No Worries ... I'm in the Same vote ... was SUPPOSED to move into a brand new Apartment at the beginning of the month, but it STILL wasn't even halfway finished .. so they have until of this month, as per contract, to finish it or I get my money back and tell them where to go .. ))