Patiently, Mavelle watched while her friend perused the most recent additions to the library shelves. She and Asiona often ended up House Anstrun’s library, partially because of the privacy it provided them, and partially because Asiona was usually borrowing or returning some dusty old tome. Even now, as Asiona pulled another book from its resting place, a cloud of grey specks rose into the air. Mavelle could never understand why there was always so much dust in the library, since the servants cleaned it as often as any other room in the house. Perhaps the books themselves were slowly crumbling to powder.
In any case, Mavelle had learned the futility of trying to engage Asiona in conversation while her friend was in the middle of a hunt. So, although Mavelle was nearly bursting at the seams, she waited until Asiona finished her search and returned to the table carrying several books. Curious, Mavelle glanced at the titles -- one seemed to be about gnomish technology, and the other was a history text focusing on the Changer’s war. Such things held a passing interest for Mavelle, but given a choice, she’d much rather immerse herself in a heroic epic or maybe a good romance novel.
Now that she finally had Asiona’s attention, Mavelle didn’t know where to start. There was so much she wanted to talk about. Normally, she would have been able to confide in Phelan, but her brother’s irrational distaste for Railtus made him a distinctly unsympathetic listener. Without anyone to talk to, recent events had built up inside Mavelle like steam in a tea kettle. Still, she knew that Asiona had experienced adventures of her own, and she was curious about those. Always the good hostess, Mavelle inquired after her guest before pouring out her own news.
“I heard about what happened while you were walking home. How you got mugged, and that guardswoman saved you. You have to be more careful, Asiona!” Mavelle had always envied Asiona’s freedom to wander around Marn without an escort -- her own parents would never allow her to do such a thing. But learning about the attack made her genuinely afraid for her friend. “You might have been killed.”
A Friendly Chat
-
Asiona & Lateus
- Citizen
- Posts: 79
- Joined: Tue Jan 30, 2007 3:51 am
There was a loud thump as the books landed on the table. She had tried to put them down gently but they were also very heavy. The girl rubbed her aching fingers absent-mindedly while sitting in a chair across the table from Mavelle. She rearranged her skirt and finally spared a glance at her hostess. At this cue Mavelle began to speak, and Asiona smiled widely until she realized the subject matter. Then her face twisted into a pout that resembled how she looked when her parents scolded her. Voice heavily pensive, she said, "So everyone keeps telling me, Lady Mavelle. Now my father doesn't let me leave the house without one of his guards, and I have to be home before the sky even begins to darken! He's even declared that I'll be tutored at home instead of going to school. But now that we can afford it I guess it's just something I'll have to put up with." She failed to mention that it was mostly due to her skipping school; it would be impossible to skip a tutor. To Asiona, however, schooling wasn't important... The only important lesson was magic.
She gave her friend another bright grin. "My father's business has really boomed over the last year, and I think the guard is just an excuse to show off his new wealth, and the tutor so he can brag to his pals. I even heard him talking to my mom about buying a new house!" This information excited Asiona a lot, but not as much as her tale of being mugged. When she awoke on the day after the ordeal she was forced to lie to her parents about what really happened. That lie was the story that had been told to the whole city. However, telling Mavelle the same lie seemed like a betrayal, but she couldn't tell her, 'oh, well there was another person who helped but he was stabbed and may have died, but I was too busy running from a werewolf to check'. And her demon had been a big part of the story, too. Without him, she would be dead. Or a werewolf herself... Best to skirt the subject.
She reached for the first book, gingerly took it from the pile, then pulled it close. She inspected the cover with the help of her fingers, carefully brushing away the dust to see the title. "I've learned how to evade my guards though, and life is still pretty normal. For awhile I thought my life would be changed forever after that horrid event, but nothing so grim as that happened... I was pretty shaken up afterwards though, as I'm sure you can imagine..." Yeah, like she could imagine being threatened by a werewolf. She opened her mouth to continue again when she happened to glance up at Mavelle's face. On the surface she looked attentive, yet Asiona's experience with her told her that there was an underlying eagerness in her expression. It wasn't interest in Asiona's life story, however, and the girl realized she was ranting. She shut her mouth abruptly.
Recovering, Asiona then, very politely, said, "So what have you been up to since I last visited? Anything as exciting as me?" Not likely, she thought.
She gave her friend another bright grin. "My father's business has really boomed over the last year, and I think the guard is just an excuse to show off his new wealth, and the tutor so he can brag to his pals. I even heard him talking to my mom about buying a new house!" This information excited Asiona a lot, but not as much as her tale of being mugged. When she awoke on the day after the ordeal she was forced to lie to her parents about what really happened. That lie was the story that had been told to the whole city. However, telling Mavelle the same lie seemed like a betrayal, but she couldn't tell her, 'oh, well there was another person who helped but he was stabbed and may have died, but I was too busy running from a werewolf to check'. And her demon had been a big part of the story, too. Without him, she would be dead. Or a werewolf herself... Best to skirt the subject.
She reached for the first book, gingerly took it from the pile, then pulled it close. She inspected the cover with the help of her fingers, carefully brushing away the dust to see the title. "I've learned how to evade my guards though, and life is still pretty normal. For awhile I thought my life would be changed forever after that horrid event, but nothing so grim as that happened... I was pretty shaken up afterwards though, as I'm sure you can imagine..." Yeah, like she could imagine being threatened by a werewolf. She opened her mouth to continue again when she happened to glance up at Mavelle's face. On the surface she looked attentive, yet Asiona's experience with her told her that there was an underlying eagerness in her expression. It wasn't interest in Asiona's life story, however, and the girl realized she was ranting. She shut her mouth abruptly.
Recovering, Asiona then, very politely, said, "So what have you been up to since I last visited? Anything as exciting as me?" Not likely, she thought.
-
Falcon Bertille
- Citizen
- Posts: 196
- Joined: Tue Feb 13, 2007 4:15 pm
Mavelle listened in dismay as Asiona described the new restrictions being placed on her after the mugging. Asiona had always relished having a certain amount of independence, and Mavelle knew that anything limiting it would be likely to cause serious unhappiness. Also, on a purely selfish level, Mavelle enjoyed the chance to live vicariously through the stories told to her by her bolder friend. She hated to think of those adventures being forced to end.
“A guard? Really? And they’re taking you out of school? How terrible!” Although Mavelle often thought it would be fun to attend school, to meet new and interesting people, her parents insisted on home tutors. Not that they wished to deny her any particular piece of information. But by keeping her sheltered behind household walls, surrounded by her own kin, it was easy to instill the lesson that House Anstrun taught to all its members: loyalty to family above all else.
Fortunately, as it turned out, Mavelle shouldn’t have doubted her friend’s resourcefulness. Asiona obviously had no intention of letting her parent’s concerns interfere with doing what she wanted to do. Mavelle smiled when she learned that Asiona had already managed to slip away from her guards, and she felt sure that the girl would prove capable of similarly evading her tutor if she chose to.
“I’m just glad that you’re alright,” Mavelle admitted, quite truthfully.
Then it was her turn. But where to start? The beginning, Mavelle decided. It was always best to start at the beginning. “A little over a week ago, one of my kinsmen arrived to stay with us. His name is Railtus Anstrun. He’s from a distant branch of the family, and ever since he got here, I feel like my whole world has been turned upside down.”
Shaking her head, Mavelle continued. “When I went to meet him, I thought he’d be some boring old trader or diplomat. But he wasn’t. He’s young and handsome -- just like a storybook knight. Since my father couldn’t see him right away, we talked for a little. He actually argued with me.” Other than her father, very few men argued with Mavelle, and Railtus’s willingness to do so still impressed her. “But when he upset me, he was so gentle and kind. We talked more.
Mavelle stared at the table, blushing slightly. “And then...and then, he kissed me.”
“My heart wants to trust him. But the things he says, the things he does, they excite and terrify me at the same time.” Mavelle raised her eyes, giving Asiona an imploring look. Her friend had such a sharp, analytical mind, capable of piercing through the emotions which swirled around Mavelle like fog. Perhaps Asiona could solve the puzzle of Railtus, as Mavelle herself had not been able to.
“A guard? Really? And they’re taking you out of school? How terrible!” Although Mavelle often thought it would be fun to attend school, to meet new and interesting people, her parents insisted on home tutors. Not that they wished to deny her any particular piece of information. But by keeping her sheltered behind household walls, surrounded by her own kin, it was easy to instill the lesson that House Anstrun taught to all its members: loyalty to family above all else.
Fortunately, as it turned out, Mavelle shouldn’t have doubted her friend’s resourcefulness. Asiona obviously had no intention of letting her parent’s concerns interfere with doing what she wanted to do. Mavelle smiled when she learned that Asiona had already managed to slip away from her guards, and she felt sure that the girl would prove capable of similarly evading her tutor if she chose to.
“I’m just glad that you’re alright,” Mavelle admitted, quite truthfully.
Then it was her turn. But where to start? The beginning, Mavelle decided. It was always best to start at the beginning. “A little over a week ago, one of my kinsmen arrived to stay with us. His name is Railtus Anstrun. He’s from a distant branch of the family, and ever since he got here, I feel like my whole world has been turned upside down.”
Shaking her head, Mavelle continued. “When I went to meet him, I thought he’d be some boring old trader or diplomat. But he wasn’t. He’s young and handsome -- just like a storybook knight. Since my father couldn’t see him right away, we talked for a little. He actually argued with me.” Other than her father, very few men argued with Mavelle, and Railtus’s willingness to do so still impressed her. “But when he upset me, he was so gentle and kind. We talked more.
Mavelle stared at the table, blushing slightly. “And then...and then, he kissed me.”
“My heart wants to trust him. But the things he says, the things he does, they excite and terrify me at the same time.” Mavelle raised her eyes, giving Asiona an imploring look. Her friend had such a sharp, analytical mind, capable of piercing through the emotions which swirled around Mavelle like fog. Perhaps Asiona could solve the puzzle of Railtus, as Mavelle herself had not been able to.
-
Asiona & Lateus
- Citizen
- Posts: 79
- Joined: Tue Jan 30, 2007 3:51 am
Just as she thought, nothing more exciting than guy troubles had occurred in the Anstrun household--as far as Mavelle knew, of course. It sounded a little boring at first and she was sorely tempted to open a book and begin to read, but this was her friend, who was also obviously in anguish over her situation. So she listened intently, with a suitably interested gaze.
Then, about half-way through Mavelle's monologue she said something startling. Asiona's jaw dropped at the confession, how she had kissed him. A kiss? That was something that Asiona had only daydreamed about. She was much too busy with rogue mage stuff to be involved with boys. Mavelle had talked about others she had kissed, but didn't she just meet this Railtus guy? He must be charming. A little too charming, perhaps. He sounded suspicious; first he upset her and then he was kind? Though, she could see how much the noblewoman liked him already.
As the girl thought over this her face lost it's incredulous expression and reverted into somber consideration. After a moment, just a moment, she said, "He probably excites you because he terrifies you, you know. But what's he doing here? And what does he do that scares you?" A little worry for her friend, and perhaps even her virtue, snuck into her tone.
Then, about half-way through Mavelle's monologue she said something startling. Asiona's jaw dropped at the confession, how she had kissed him. A kiss? That was something that Asiona had only daydreamed about. She was much too busy with rogue mage stuff to be involved with boys. Mavelle had talked about others she had kissed, but didn't she just meet this Railtus guy? He must be charming. A little too charming, perhaps. He sounded suspicious; first he upset her and then he was kind? Though, she could see how much the noblewoman liked him already.
As the girl thought over this her face lost it's incredulous expression and reverted into somber consideration. After a moment, just a moment, she said, "He probably excites you because he terrifies you, you know. But what's he doing here? And what does he do that scares you?" A little worry for her friend, and perhaps even her virtue, snuck into her tone.
-
Falcon Bertille
- Citizen
- Posts: 196
- Joined: Tue Feb 13, 2007 4:15 pm
Mavelle’s eyes widened when Asiona suggested that the things which most troubled her about Railtus might also be the same things which most strongly drew her to him. Was that true? It seemed like such a strange contradiction. And yet, Mavelle knew that Asiona possessed a gift for seeing things in ways that often eluded Mavelle herself. Frequently enough, when they amused themselves by working on puzzles and riddles, Mavelle would toss her hands in the air, declaring the whole thing to be impossible, before Asiona showed her how a different interpretation of what lay before them could make the impossible quite feasible. So her idea definitely deserved consideration.
“You know, I think...I think you might be right. He’s just so different from everyone I’ve ever met before. When we’re together, he says these amazing things, and I want to hear more. But when we’re apart, the ideas stay in my head, and I begin to see where they really lead. That’s when I get scared. It’s not that they’re bad ideas -- if they were bad ideas, I could just dismiss them. The thing is, they’re good ideas. Good ideas that go against everything my family has ever taught me.”
“As for what he’s doing here, his father sent him to stay with us for awhile. I’m not...I’m not entirely sure why.” Mavelle frowned, newly struck by this hole in her understanding of Railtus’s history. It wasn’t that he refused to answer her questions. But he never talked about himself in the way that most people did, freely volunteering information, and there was so much that Mavelle forgot to ask. “He told my father that while he’s here, he intends to earn his knighthood. He told my father that he wanted to bring honor to House Anstrun.”
Mavelle smiled, once again lowering her eyes. She knew that tales of girlish crushes usually failed to stir much emotion in Asiona. But the news she was about to reveal would surely gain a reaction even from her. “However, when we were alone, he told me that he wanted to earn his knighthood so he could openly court me. I gave him my token to wear. And that was all so nice...”
A tremendous sigh escaped Mavelle, and she slumped forward, resting her chin in the cradle of her cupped hands. “But you wouldn’t believe the chaos he’s caused around here! The day he first arrived, he brought a manservant with him. Julen.” Already, Mavelle had forgotten Railtus’s insistence that Julen was not his servant. “The manservant got into a fight with Phelan, and when Railtus found out about it, instead of taking the side of my brother -- his own kinsman -- he threatened to tear off Phelan’s arm. I really think they would have come to blows if someone hadn’t stopped them. Of course, the manservant has been banned from the house, but Phelan and Railtus still loathe each other. And that’s not all. A few days ago, Railtus went to Shim. He got into a huge battle with evil mercenaries. And when he came back, he had an orc with him! A real, live orc, just like the pictures we’ve seen in books. He brought it right to the front door of House Anstrun.”
A note of shame entered Mavelle’s voice. She knew that if Asiona had been faced with the orc, she would not have cowered. In fact, she probably would have run right up to it and started asking questions. “It was such a terrible beast. I could hardly stand to look at it.”
“You know, I think...I think you might be right. He’s just so different from everyone I’ve ever met before. When we’re together, he says these amazing things, and I want to hear more. But when we’re apart, the ideas stay in my head, and I begin to see where they really lead. That’s when I get scared. It’s not that they’re bad ideas -- if they were bad ideas, I could just dismiss them. The thing is, they’re good ideas. Good ideas that go against everything my family has ever taught me.”
“As for what he’s doing here, his father sent him to stay with us for awhile. I’m not...I’m not entirely sure why.” Mavelle frowned, newly struck by this hole in her understanding of Railtus’s history. It wasn’t that he refused to answer her questions. But he never talked about himself in the way that most people did, freely volunteering information, and there was so much that Mavelle forgot to ask. “He told my father that while he’s here, he intends to earn his knighthood. He told my father that he wanted to bring honor to House Anstrun.”
Mavelle smiled, once again lowering her eyes. She knew that tales of girlish crushes usually failed to stir much emotion in Asiona. But the news she was about to reveal would surely gain a reaction even from her. “However, when we were alone, he told me that he wanted to earn his knighthood so he could openly court me. I gave him my token to wear. And that was all so nice...”
A tremendous sigh escaped Mavelle, and she slumped forward, resting her chin in the cradle of her cupped hands. “But you wouldn’t believe the chaos he’s caused around here! The day he first arrived, he brought a manservant with him. Julen.” Already, Mavelle had forgotten Railtus’s insistence that Julen was not his servant. “The manservant got into a fight with Phelan, and when Railtus found out about it, instead of taking the side of my brother -- his own kinsman -- he threatened to tear off Phelan’s arm. I really think they would have come to blows if someone hadn’t stopped them. Of course, the manservant has been banned from the house, but Phelan and Railtus still loathe each other. And that’s not all. A few days ago, Railtus went to Shim. He got into a huge battle with evil mercenaries. And when he came back, he had an orc with him! A real, live orc, just like the pictures we’ve seen in books. He brought it right to the front door of House Anstrun.”
A note of shame entered Mavelle’s voice. She knew that if Asiona had been faced with the orc, she would not have cowered. In fact, she probably would have run right up to it and started asking questions. “It was such a terrible beast. I could hardly stand to look at it.”
-
Asiona & Lateus
- Citizen
- Posts: 79
- Joined: Tue Jan 30, 2007 3:51 am
"An orc!" Asiona threw up her hands in astonishment. She was so excited that she bounced out of her chair. She held her arms up close to her chest and cupped them as if she was praying. Her eyes shone with excitement as she seemed to look right through Mavelle. "A terrible beast indeed!" Instead of being frightened Asiona sounded dreamy. "Did it look like it does in books? Big with tusks and green skin? And what was it doing in Shim? Are there more there? You said, here in Marn? Imagine that!" Without waiting for any answers, Asiona quickly rushed over to a shelf almost all the way across the room and then returned with another big tome, this one on humanoids. She plunked herself back down in her chair and began searching for orcs in it.
While doing so, she continued on with the conversation about Railtus as if orcs hadn't intruded on it. "This guy sounds a little rough for you, dear friend. I didn't know you'd go for the violent type. Though I suppose it's a familiar trait, since you're sister to Phelan." She didn't say it, but she already liked Railtus only for the fact that he had stood up to Phelan. It was hard to keep the contempt for the man out of her voice; he had always seemed rude and snobbish. Nothing like Mavelle at all. Julen, the manservant, must have been justified in arguing with him.
The pages of the book whispered as she turned the pages. House Anstrun's library was always stuffy and full of dust, and it always comforted Asiona in its lack of noise. It was one of those places that muffled all sound, and their voices never seemed to travel far. It wasn't a room frequented by others very often so it offered them some privacy; Asiona had never been able to stand much of the pomp that otherwise surrounded her friend. "I definitely want to meet this guy, though. He seems very interesting. Railtus Anstrun, huh?"
A fully illustrated picture of an orc appeared in the old tome and Asiona began to read out loud, murmuring the words. "Disproportionately large... Incapable of human speech, though... their own language or languages... Truculent and uncivilized... Hmm...
"They seem pretty horrible for a pet. You might want to tell him that..."
While doing so, she continued on with the conversation about Railtus as if orcs hadn't intruded on it. "This guy sounds a little rough for you, dear friend. I didn't know you'd go for the violent type. Though I suppose it's a familiar trait, since you're sister to Phelan." She didn't say it, but she already liked Railtus only for the fact that he had stood up to Phelan. It was hard to keep the contempt for the man out of her voice; he had always seemed rude and snobbish. Nothing like Mavelle at all. Julen, the manservant, must have been justified in arguing with him.
The pages of the book whispered as she turned the pages. House Anstrun's library was always stuffy and full of dust, and it always comforted Asiona in its lack of noise. It was one of those places that muffled all sound, and their voices never seemed to travel far. It wasn't a room frequented by others very often so it offered them some privacy; Asiona had never been able to stand much of the pomp that otherwise surrounded her friend. "I definitely want to meet this guy, though. He seems very interesting. Railtus Anstrun, huh?"
A fully illustrated picture of an orc appeared in the old tome and Asiona began to read out loud, murmuring the words. "Disproportionately large... Incapable of human speech, though... their own language or languages... Truculent and uncivilized... Hmm...
"They seem pretty horrible for a pet. You might want to tell him that..."
-
Falcon Bertille
- Citizen
- Posts: 196
- Joined: Tue Feb 13, 2007 4:15 pm
Asiona’s enthusiasm was so contagious that Mavelle couldn’t help but smile as her friend shot up from her chair like a gnomish rocket. Somehow, the orc seemed much less terrifying when seen through the filter of Asiona’s zealous curiosity. Question after question burst from Asiona, faster than Mavelle could keep up with, and the words fell all around her in a chaotic bombardment of sound. Then, before Mavelle could even begin to reply, Asiona ran over to the far side of the library, presumably in search of some relevant tome.
“The orc looked just like the pictures in books,” Mavelle confirmed. From time to time, she could catch glimpses of Asiona darting among the shelves, and she directed her answers in the direction of each new sighting. “I think it was in Shim because of the mercenaries. Railtus said there were lots of mercenaries gathering in Shim. And I’m not sure if there are any more like it.” For all Mavelle knew, Shim was overrun with orcs, although she preferred not to think about that possibility.
By the time Mavelle was done speaking, Asiona had returned with a large book, which she immediately began to flip through. Now, the conversation turned back to Railtus himself. “I know how you might get that impression,” Mavelle confessed, in response to Asiona’s comment about Railtus being rough. “Because of his threat to tear off my brother’s arm. But he only gets like that around Phelan. With me, he’s as sweet and gentle as a man can be. It’s almost like he’s two different people.”
Mavelle leaned forward, once again fixing Asiona with an imploring gaze. “Would you really be interested in meeting him? You’re always so clever about everything, I know you won’t let false impressions sway you -- maybe your head can tell you things my heart won’t let me see. Railtus usually comes back here in the evening, so you wouldn’t have to wait very long. I’d consider it a great favor.”
Assuming that Asiona would agree to the encounter, Mavelle relaxed a little and listened to her friend read from the book. All of its information about orcs seemed to match what she’d observed during her brief exposure. However, Asiona’s assumption regarding Railtus’s relationship with the orc didn’t ring true.
“I don’t think the orc is Railtus’s pet. I think...I think it’s a warrior under his command. Railtus referred to it as his champion. And he even spoke to it in its own language.”
“The orc looked just like the pictures in books,” Mavelle confirmed. From time to time, she could catch glimpses of Asiona darting among the shelves, and she directed her answers in the direction of each new sighting. “I think it was in Shim because of the mercenaries. Railtus said there were lots of mercenaries gathering in Shim. And I’m not sure if there are any more like it.” For all Mavelle knew, Shim was overrun with orcs, although she preferred not to think about that possibility.
By the time Mavelle was done speaking, Asiona had returned with a large book, which she immediately began to flip through. Now, the conversation turned back to Railtus himself. “I know how you might get that impression,” Mavelle confessed, in response to Asiona’s comment about Railtus being rough. “Because of his threat to tear off my brother’s arm. But he only gets like that around Phelan. With me, he’s as sweet and gentle as a man can be. It’s almost like he’s two different people.”
Mavelle leaned forward, once again fixing Asiona with an imploring gaze. “Would you really be interested in meeting him? You’re always so clever about everything, I know you won’t let false impressions sway you -- maybe your head can tell you things my heart won’t let me see. Railtus usually comes back here in the evening, so you wouldn’t have to wait very long. I’d consider it a great favor.”
Assuming that Asiona would agree to the encounter, Mavelle relaxed a little and listened to her friend read from the book. All of its information about orcs seemed to match what she’d observed during her brief exposure. However, Asiona’s assumption regarding Railtus’s relationship with the orc didn’t ring true.
“I don’t think the orc is Railtus’s pet. I think...I think it’s a warrior under his command. Railtus referred to it as his champion. And he even spoke to it in its own language.”
-
Asiona & Lateus
- Citizen
- Posts: 79
- Joined: Tue Jan 30, 2007 3:51 am
"Hm, yes, I think I should meet him," replied Asiona idly while she still perused the book, mostly studying the art now. She didn't sound too enthusiastic, even though he seemed like a very exciting person. The girl didn't know why, but she feared he would be a normal soldier, focused on duty and fighting with no time to learn interesting things. So far she had found, especially with her father's bodyguards, that they were perfectly content to stand still or patrol but not have a clue about technology or magic.
“I don’t think the orc is Railtus’s pet. I think...I think it’s a warrior under his command. Railtus referred to it as his champion. And he even spoke to it in its own language.”
Asiona's head snapped up from the book. Mavelle didn't look as if she was pulling her leg, but the girl still studied her friend mistrustfully. After a moment of silence, Asiona closed her book a little too roughly. The sharp bang of the tome shutting echoed dully though the room. For once, Asiona was speechless another moment. Her excitement bubbled up in her throat, choking her. Finally she gasped, "He knows how to speak its language? And he's working with it? Now I definitely know that I must meet him!" She shook her head, incredulous. This conversation was surprising her so much that she was now feeling only drained. This new piece of information didn't appear to impress her as much as the rest, but that was because it was the breaking point.
"Will he be here this evening, too?" Unsure of the time, she looked around as if she would see a timepiece somewhere, or a window to gauge the amount of sun, but neither was forthcoming. Either way, waiting for him was going to feel like forever. In the meantime she would find out as much about him as possible from Mavelle.
"I think you're going to have to tell me the whole story between Railtus and Phelan and his servant." She smiled at her friend brightly, a girlish happiness in sharing something exciting with a noblewoman.
“I don’t think the orc is Railtus’s pet. I think...I think it’s a warrior under his command. Railtus referred to it as his champion. And he even spoke to it in its own language.”
Asiona's head snapped up from the book. Mavelle didn't look as if she was pulling her leg, but the girl still studied her friend mistrustfully. After a moment of silence, Asiona closed her book a little too roughly. The sharp bang of the tome shutting echoed dully though the room. For once, Asiona was speechless another moment. Her excitement bubbled up in her throat, choking her. Finally she gasped, "He knows how to speak its language? And he's working with it? Now I definitely know that I must meet him!" She shook her head, incredulous. This conversation was surprising her so much that she was now feeling only drained. This new piece of information didn't appear to impress her as much as the rest, but that was because it was the breaking point.
"Will he be here this evening, too?" Unsure of the time, she looked around as if she would see a timepiece somewhere, or a window to gauge the amount of sun, but neither was forthcoming. Either way, waiting for him was going to feel like forever. In the meantime she would find out as much about him as possible from Mavelle.
"I think you're going to have to tell me the whole story between Railtus and Phelan and his servant." She smiled at her friend brightly, a girlish happiness in sharing something exciting with a noblewoman.
-
Falcon Bertille
- Citizen
- Posts: 196
- Joined: Tue Feb 13, 2007 4:15 pm
“Well, I wasn’t actually there. Not for most of it. But when I spoke to the kitchen staff...” Mavelle hesitated, a bit ashamed to admit that she’d done something like talking to the hired help. However, Asiona never appeared bothered by such class distinctions, so she was unlikely to pass any harsh judgments because of this revelation. Drawing a deep breath, Mavelle pressed onward. “They said that--”
Before she could say anything further, the sound of footsteps echoed through the library, disturbing its silence like someone beating on a vast stone drum. Mavelle clamped her mouth shut. Moments later, a servant appeared, looking harried and out of breath. “Mistress Asiona! There you are. A messenger from your father arrived. He says that it’s most important that you return home at once.”
Mavelle’s face fell. But she knew it would do no good to argue, especially not with Asiona’s family still riled up after their daughter’s recent brush with danger. So she could do nothing except rise from her seat and nod to the servant. “Thank you. Tell the messenger that Asiona is on her way.”
The servant looked like he’d be happier if he could return with Asiona in tow, but he simply bowed, and backed out of the library. Once Mavelle was sure that he’d gone, she clasped her friend’s hand tightly in her own.
“Come back tomorrow, as soon as you can. I’ll tell you everything.”
Continued in "Awaiting the Armies"
http://www.tharshaddin.com/rp/viewtopic.php?t=1105
Before she could say anything further, the sound of footsteps echoed through the library, disturbing its silence like someone beating on a vast stone drum. Mavelle clamped her mouth shut. Moments later, a servant appeared, looking harried and out of breath. “Mistress Asiona! There you are. A messenger from your father arrived. He says that it’s most important that you return home at once.”
Mavelle’s face fell. But she knew it would do no good to argue, especially not with Asiona’s family still riled up after their daughter’s recent brush with danger. So she could do nothing except rise from her seat and nod to the servant. “Thank you. Tell the messenger that Asiona is on her way.”
The servant looked like he’d be happier if he could return with Asiona in tow, but he simply bowed, and backed out of the library. Once Mavelle was sure that he’d gone, she clasped her friend’s hand tightly in her own.
“Come back tomorrow, as soon as you can. I’ll tell you everything.”
Continued in "Awaiting the Armies"
http://www.tharshaddin.com/rp/viewtopic.php?t=1105