Lisieux Family/Escort to the Festival
Noah was lost, somewhere between Colasan and Taop. He had foolishly sent his men ahead after meeting some particularly interesting women in a wayside tavern. Little did he know, his captain had arranged for them to 'entertain' him as a present for his 20th birthday. In his drunken stupor, Noah had ordered his troops to march ahead to Edairn, telling them he would catch up later, but at this time, that seemed rather improbable. He was heading south, but had no idea where he was. A few peasants informed him he was in Lenamaziel and that Azros was further south, but that was all the help he had received.
He scoured the horizon, looking for Arcaean or allied banners, and much to his joy, he spotted a particularly familiar one. In the distance, he spotted a good two dozen soldiers, carrying the standard of Tapaliez. He squinted and saw the longbows slung over their shoulders. Then, he spotted their commander... Desiderata! He spurred his horse and thundered in her direction, his heart filled with more excitement than he thought he would feel.
"My lady!", he shouted, but his voice was drowned out by the noise of hooves striking earth. "My lady!", he shouted again when he was closer, and this time, she turned her head towards him. "My lady, I cannot tell you how glad I am to find you here!"
"Sir Noah?", she asked, with wonder in her voice. "What brings you here, all on your own?"
Noah now rode at her side. "Ahh... it's a bit embarrassing, actually...", he said shyly. "I, uh... I lost my men."
Desiderate chuckled. "I see... well, such things happen, Sir Noah. You are most welcome to accompany me."
He smiled and nodded... it was an offer he did not have to think twice on. Her choice of words made him realize something else... something that made his heart skip a beat. He stared at the ground for a moment, working up the courage to speak his next words.
"My lady...", he said, and then hesitated. He took a deep breath, and continued, all but blurting out the rest. "My lady... the Spring Festival is soon, and I was hoping you would do me the honor of having me as your escort for the festivities!"
His heart pounded fiercely, and his throat was parched. Had he been too frivolous? After all, she was no ordinary lady... she was his liege, and a good eight years older than him. Still... the question had been uttered, and he could not take it back... he could only hope for a positive answer, or otherwise a light penalty for his frivolousness...
Noah Capet (Knight of Tapaliez)
Desi patted Amandine as she rode in front of her troops. Good men, they were. Not as many as she was supposed to have ... But honestly, that shouldn't matter. For a long time she had not even intended to march south for the campaign, but she had changed her mind at the last minute - as evidenced by her motley group trailing behind the main army. Her men had grumbled a bit, but overall had been good sports about leaving their families to get some glory down south. True, she was probably wasn't as well prepared for the campaign as she would like to be, but she figured she could make up for that in the refit. She didn't want to miss out on the action that was already starting.
She heard a horse whinny, and heard hoofbeats pounding toward her, followed by a "my lady!" She turned her head and saw Noah, one of her knights. She smiled as he approached. It was always nice to see someone familiar. Her forehead wrinkled with a bit of confusion as she greeted him. She was headed toward Lenamaziel, which was certainly nowhere near Tapaliez, and Noah was.. without any men.
"Sir Noah?" She asked with wonder in her voice. "What brings you here, all on your own?" As he explained his situation her smile reappeared and the wrinkle vanished. She laughed softly. "I see... Well, such things happen, Sir Noah. You are most welcome to accompany me."
Noah pulled his horse up next to hers, and Ama snorted as she turned her head to investigate the newcomers. Desi gave the Friesian another pat on the neck. They had only walked a little ways before the man at her side began to speak again. She nodded to him, letting him know she was listening as he began.
And then Desi heard the most peculiar thing. She turned in her saddle to look at him full on. Amazement showed blankly on her face. She could see him grow nervous, interpreting the look as one of offended shock. She lifted her hand in a gesture to calm him.
"No, no! Don't be ashamed of asking; I'm not upset. I'm just," she paused for a moment, searching for the right word, "surprised." She smiled, trying to emphasize that she wasn't offended or any other way negatively affected.
She saw the equal shock on his face as she spoke again. "Actually, I would love to go with you." Instantly a bright blush rose to her cheeks, and she looked down at Ama, who was giving Noah's horse a good sniff. Desi wondered if perhaps she had agreed to quickly. Should she have thought it over more? Should she have appeared to have thought it over more? She wondered at his age and snuck an imperceptible sideways glance at him. He couldn't be more than twenty or twenty-one. She was twenty-eight. Desi groaned inwardly. Stupid... age. She was no longer in her prime. She sat up straight again and looked back at him. Damned if she would act like an old worn-out lady. Twenty-eight was as good as eighteen, and she would prove it!
Desiderata Lisieux Countess of Tapaliez
Noah smiled nervously. He had sort of expected a negative response, but Desiderata had said she'd love to go with him... His stomach felt uneasy as the silence grew longer. He had to say something. Anything.
"Ah... that is... wonderful news, m'lady.", he stuttered. "It will be an honor."
Then, he realized he really knew nothing about this Spring Festival, apart from tales and rumours he had heard along the way.
"My lady,", he asked, "I'm almost embarrassed to say this, but... what exactly is this Spring Festival?"
Noah Capet (Knight of Tapaliez)
