In me study...

[Admin]

Between young Marcus running in and out on errands and delivering documents to different persons or to be filed away in the library, and other persons coming to visit me, I find meself unable to think clearly in me study. Recent memories in this verra room, slipping in occasionally mid of another train of thought and causing me mind to wander and again.


“ Bah.. This is crazy. I am acting like a hapless young lad…nae a seasoned ruler… I need to clear me head….Yes..that is it.. clear me head* I say to meself..only because tis a rare time of the morn where there nae be someone else with me in me study. *


“ Hmmmm “ * I ponder* “ I think a ride on Merlin shall be in order. I have nae rode that stubborn twit in a while. It shall do the both of us some good.
* slowly I stand and
move to fetch me light leather armor and me blades, taking note to pack the latest addition to me collection. As I add it last to the saddle bags, me hands run along the fine workmanship of the elven bow Lord Lucien had gifted me with at me birthday gathering. I can nae help but grin, knowing I shall get a welcomed practice season with the new bow.

With that, I toss the saddle bags over me one shoulder and head for the doorway to me study and out into the Hall. I turn, locking the door to me study, and head on me way to find the lad perren…


I find the lad outside by the stables, rubbing saddle soap into the leather of a saddle.

“ ah..Perren.. hard at work as usual I see. grinning as the lad looks up with a huge smile from his work. * roughing the lads hair as I walk up to him. * “ I belive I shall take Merlin out for a ride today, perhaps ride out to the east. Do nae worry, I shall tend to getting Merlin ready, * I say as the lad begins to stand and place aside his saddle..*
"ye go up to the kitchens and tell Cookie to give ye some thing cold to drink and something sweet for thee sweet tooth. If he grumbles.." * leans down to whisper in the lads ear….” Tell him I said that if he doesn’t.. I will make sure that Captain Tyrun and his men are invited for a meal one day next they be in port…" * I softly rough his hair again while I stand to move off to the stables. I slid inside leaving the lad sprinting for the kitchens.

I walk up to the stall that holds merlin from causing havoc throughout the kingdom, I slip the latch and step inside the stall. “ well boy.. time for a ride don’t ye think.. * reaching for the halter and effortlessly slipping it on him..with the aid of an apple in me one hand…Another apple.. and on goes the saddle and blanket without harm or a bruised rib or two when Merlin decides he does nae wish to wear it and bumps you up against the wall.<b> Slowly I walk merlin out of the stall, stopping to pick up the saddle bags I left outside the gate, I get a snort in reply from him as the leather touches his flanks.. “ Oh yes mighty one.. we can nae forget ye apple eh.. * laughing as I palm the last bribe apple from me pouch and offer it to him. “ I swear thee are spoiled rotten ye old bugger” * I say as I drop the saddle bags firmly onto his flanks, and swat him gently with me hand* “ but.. I guess I would have ye nae other way old friend. With that, I walk him out into the warm spring day and off on an adventure.. as small and meaningless as it be, an adventure none the less…..

[sadhbh]

*The morn was young still when Sadhbh and her constant shadow Edwin were out on the meadows. Sadhbh held a large basket in her hand as she gathered those young leaves and roots that would prove healing in what ailments she would encounter. The thought of war weighed heavily on her mind and so like the men she too prepared for what she hoped would never come. Dew danced about the grasses as she walked along, it clung to her cloak; darkening it; til it soaked her yet she walked on till the walk was failing in her.
Such was the wealth of the wild meadows that Sadhbh was laden down with much of her wares. She refused to allow Edwin carry all too much explaining that how could a guard do his duty with his hands filled with wares.
As they turned for home Sadhbh noted in the distance a rider taking time to wander the hills of Windstorm. She wonder who this noble was yet did not approach him, rather Edwin moved closer as he too caught the appearance of this stranger*
Let us away
*he said looking back to Sadhbh. He held a gruffer tone as if his guard was suddenly up. Sadhbh nodded softly and pulled the hood of her cloak over her head.*
As ye say Edwin.

[Midnight]

Padding up to the Study door I raise up on hind legs and srcatch at the door and mewl loudly then dropping down to all fours to wait and see if anyone answers me.

[Rayven]

Walks quietly in, a smile 'pon my lips as I pull a soft ribbon from my hair and tie up the bundle of wildflowers I picked this morning, and leaves them on your desk with a small note from me:

((I am sorry I have been away, real time often eats into my Internet time these days. I've missed the comraderie and the new friends I've met and made here at Windstorm as well as old ones *soft smile

I hope to be able to return 'home' soon and visit with all of you again))

Places my hand on the frame of the door leading out into the garden and turns as I look over my shoulder inhaling the scent of you, of this place, a smile making the corners of my lips turn up, then slips away into the foggy mists of the day.

[Admin]

*slowly I stroll back towards the castle. Having had the stable lads tend to Merlin and make sure he was well cooled down and brushed, twas time for me to get back into me study and tend to things again. However, nae before stopping in the servery to fetch a gobblet and a pitcher of something cold. As i enter the servery, "cookie" gives me a grunt and mutters something about a special diet for kings... I can nae but laugh gently, for I know without a shadow of doubt, that behind this gruff old bear of a man, beats the heart of a gental caring soul and a man whom would give his self to save one of his family and friends.

Now with items in hand, I start towards me study once again. As i reach the door, I see a firmiler sight, Midnight laying down in front of me door. I smile softly as she rises and wais for me to open the door and set down what is in me hands before leaping up to give me face a fresh washing.

" ah ya over sized kitten..* as I rub her behidn both ears and down her neck. " its good to see ye too Midnight"

After a brief wrestlling match with the big cat, I once again settle down at me desk, midnight settled in beside me with me left hand lazyly petting her. " now..what be this... as me eyes settle on the flowers upon me desk. "


A smile crosses me lips as i read the attched note. and place the flowers in a empty gobblet for now. As I return to me scrolls , me head much clearier, I settle into what shall be an interesting day....

[Midnight]

Purring happily and contentedly happy to be home with family

[A Servant]

"M'Leige?" The knock so soft it is barely heard, repeated twice before he spoke, tremolous in timbre for fear of disturbing the King. "I . . I have something for thee, Sire."

At His beckon, the servant stepped closer, his hand extended to offer it.

"There were no explanation, Sire. It were sittin' there on the table of the Great Hall, the word "Agustin" written on a scrap beneath it."

The small stone was smooth and cool, irridescent white and perfectly round, set on a fretwork of exquisitely formed tiny silver leaves. It shimmered with an ethereal lovliness when he held it up to the candle light.

He noticed then, as he lifted the stone from it's setting, a tiny portion of withered vegetation fluttering to the floor.

[Admin]

*turning to the soft voice that be at me door, and trying me best nae to look so.. meanacing and scary. Please. come forward , I do nae bite" I urge and wave the lad forward.

As me eyes gaze upon the delicate piece of artwork.. and I lift the small stone in me hand. I can nae but think that such a simple gift, can bring such happiness to this ones soul. The piece of vegitation, delicate and fragile be placed back into its rightfull place. Cradiled gently in the new image of its former beauty, so delicate, such perfection in the work.

Ah., I thank thee for this .. I know whom has sent it and for why.. * I turn to the servent, and place a few coins in his hand as a thank you.

As the servent slips away and back through the door, I turn back to me desk, and the gift that shall now grace me desk, to allow me to view its beauty and remind me of a lovely memory and a thoughtfull caring friend. As I place the item at the back center of me desk, next to the pair of silver candles sticks. As I return to me tasks.. I find me self looking up at the stone and setting.. and smiles softly.

[Rayven]

The clear blue skies over England this day was beckoning me outdoors and with the kind lady Loxley’s approval my mission at hand was set forth.

Basket in hand along with a small, sharp knife discreetly placed within the pocket of my tunic I quickly descended the stairs, my feet fairly flying down the corridors of the castle, stopping at the door of his study. Not wanted to disturb the king this day, I slipped a small, penned note under his door, then turned and continued on my quest.

My Liege,

I have completed the task assigned to me by the princess and found there to be a deficiency in some of the herbs and potions stocked in the infirmary. While most of these would not pose a concerned to the treatment of those that reside in your home, I do feel the need to replenish the herb VerVain as its medicinal qualities in treating serious wounds would be imperative should the need ever arise.

This plant can be found in abundance just beyond the castle walls in the small grove of trees that are but a few miles from the castle.

I have received permission from Lady Loxley to attend to this task under the cautionary wording that I take a castle guard with me.

Since this task will require the simple cutting of the plants, the ride to and from the grove will be under 2 hours. I feel remised in taking the guard away from far more important duties here at the castle to accompany me on what will be a simple mission. I shall ride out alone, confidant that I will be fine and will let you know of my arrival when I return.

I respectfully remain your loyal servant,

Lady Rayven

[Admin]

*Dammit, that bloody woman is going to get her self killed"* I yell as I pound me fist into me desk as I read th note*...
WILLIAM, I bellow for the one guard that be standing at me doorway.. and quickly he opens the door and steps inside> " yes M'King? "


"Bah..blasted stubborn woman.. " Go out to the fields, the Lady Rayven be out there somewhere ina grove seeking some plants. Find her and bring her back to the castle safely.. and tell her I wish to speak to her about her actions this day.. "

[Rayven]

The ride out to the grove under clear blue English skies had done me a world of good. I relished every moment of it and was looking forward to the ride back to the castle as well.

The plants had been easy to spot, clumps of them scattered here and there among the trees. All the rain we had lately made them easy to pull up and I found that I didn’t really need the small, sharp knife I had brought with me.

I was tending to the plants, placing them carefully into my basket, when I heard a thunder of hoofs and looked up to see one of the palace guards coming towards me, waving rather frantically and calling out something I couldn’t quite make out.

He dismounted his steed, his face rather flush from his ride, a bit of an alarm in his eyes. I dropped the basket, thinking surely the castle had been overrun with renagades or something worse. He paused, gathering his breath and no doubt his wits about him and then spoke in a clipped English tongue:

“M’lady, your presence is required by the king”

Picking up the basket and placing it back on my arm in a slow manner as to not spill out the contents.

“Weel, M’lord, please let the king know that I shall be returning shortly and I’ll make sure I drop in to see him”

He looked around rather nervously, that flush returning to his cheeks.

“M’lady he was most insistent that you accompany me back to the castle….now”

“Now? But I’ve just gotten here and I’ve still got more …”

“Now M’lady”

Seeing how there was no getting around this, I handed him the basket and allowed him to assist me into the saddle, then gently took the offered basket back from him, settling it in front of me as I nudged Chancery around.

“Did he say why the urgency?”

“No, Milady. Just that I was to he pauses as if trying to wrap a word around his tongue ‘fetch’ you post haste and bring your back to the castle without delay”

With that I tugged on the reins, squeezing Chancery’s side gently with my legs and rode east towards the castle.

Arriving at the castle I was surprised to see it in the same calm atmosphere as how I had left it merely an hour and half ago. No great calamity has occured and I was puzzled as to why I was being summoned.

I knocked on the door to the study, basket still in my arms, and peeked in.

Agustin was sitting at his desk, writing correspondence, he looked up and with a crook of his index finger, motioned me inside the study.

Pushing open the door, basket swinging on one arm, a smile on my face, I entered.

It was the calm before the storm.

“You wanted to see me Milord?”

[Admin]

* looks up as I hear a knock upon the door and the latch opening. i do nae stop what I be dictting to marcus for a letter, I simplly wave the Lady Ravyen in with crook of me index finger. After a few heart beats of time and the last few words of a letter, I dispatch Marcus on his way.. the lad looking a wee nervous of what may about to happen. The lad has been around since his liege had found the note . He was none too happy about it either. AS he passes by the lady, her face cheerfull and happy, with a wee hint of puzzlement, and then he quicky pulls his eyes downwards and steps through the door and closing it behind him.

I sit there, me hands fingertip to finger tip , bouncing off me chin as I read the note again.

M'lady Rayven. , first of all, * I look up towards her now, a stern look upon my face.
I do thank thee for the gathering of the list of items in teh servery, a job needed, since our healer be ill herself. Also, thank thee for pointing out the .. *glaces down for the right words... "deficiency" in the stocks.

However.. *looks back up to thee*

I can nae excuse what thee did buy going out beyond the castle walls without an escort. That was foolish, nae to mention dangerous. M'lady.. Do thee nae understand that we have approx. 500 french men or so approching Windstorm? Thee would be a most valubale victim for a kiddnapping and blackmail. What thee did was a complete defiance of a standing order by Captain Hawkmoon and meself. We make these rules for the safety of those whom dwell within this castle and surround lands.

I pause for one moment, leaning back into me chair, me fingers still bouncing off me chin finger tips to finger tips in a triangle. Slowly I lower me hands to me lap.

" M'lady, I wish for thee to appolgoise to William for making him risk his life to see to thee safety, I belive it only be fair.

Now.. iffn thee wish to continue fetching these .. deficiencies, then i suggest thee take William with thee next time.

*with that I reach back to me desk and pick up a scroll. * " Now M'lady, iffn would please excuse me, I must get back to me work, I have much to do and plan for. Please send Marcus back in when thee leave. * Ah.. and M'lady, I may need thee skills as an interpreter... I shall let thee know within a day or so.. once we begin talks.

[Rayven]

I stand there listening to his words, the smile slowly fading from my face. I have known the king now for many years, the ties between my ancestral home in Scotland and here at Windstorm, a strong alliance.

My father would be most displeased with me.

I look down, the handle of the basket slipping down my forearm and resting at my wrist, tears gathering on my long lashes like so many glistening jewels, wanting to speak, but not finding the words.

I listen to his admonishments: Foolish, dangerous, disregard for safety. Each word slams into my brain.

I raised up my eyes, my cheeks burning, the tears threatening to spill down my cheeks. He doesn’t look up from his desk, but I can see his jaw working in anger as the quill swiftly flies across the paper.

I turn quickly, the tears streaming down my cheeks now, and go to find William.