McDowell Family/Sorsha McDowell/Mathias tells Sorsha

Roleplay from Mathias Ridder:

Riding through the city of Port Nebel Mathias came across Sorsha leading a small group of archers.

"Ah Dame Sorsha. What are you up to this fine day? I have heard through the rumor mill that you have many a suitor coming after you. You must feel like the luckiest girl in Dwilight at the moment."

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Roleplay from Sorsha McDowell:

Sorsha was pleased to see Mathias, but the pleasure subsided by his question. What was wrong with the people in D’hara lately?

“I’m currently on my way back home,” she said looking ahead and away from his curious gaze. “The luckiest girl in Dwilight…” she repeated glumly, “nay, but the most puzzled. It is the most curious thing. It seems everywhere I turn someone is speaking of matrimony, and now even you.” She paused frowning and watched his expression curiously. “Why I even heard the most ridiculous notion, some actually believe Duke Conrac and I are to be married, and others now have gone as far as having us married off already. Tell me Sir Mathias, to my knowledge that only counts as two, far from many, unless you have heard something I haven’t?”

She sighed and touched her temples, making small circular motions with her fingers.

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Roleplay from Mathias Ridder:

"Ah, My Lady. I am sorry as to have troubled you. It is only that seeing the way you two act around each other. I guess I assumed that your extended oath, which I only heard of from second hand, had some hidden meaning behind it. I guess many of us just saw it as a precursor to something grander. But now having heard from both of you that there is nothing more in the relationship than meets the eye, I know it to be true."

Looking away for a second and taking a deep breath.

"My Lady, might I accompany you back to Nebel. I mean one can never be too safe in these times."

Having sheepishly asked this question, Mathias having felt shy for the first time in his life waited for Sorsha's reply.

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Roleplay from Sorsha McDowell:

Sorsha smiled with relief at his honesty and grinned with amusement. “Yes of course you may. Hopefully they won’t think you have stolen me away and we will marry on the way.” She joked and motioned with her hand the road ahead of them and continued to walk.

“I never realized we acted so differently around one another… To tell the truth, he is kind and has made me feel…welcome. Did I feel a fondness for him? Yes absolutely, but he has made his opinion clear of the benefit of arranged marriages and well...” she trailed off and gave a small shake of her head, dropping what she was about to say. “Where would that leave the woman who actually did love him?” she breathed softly and looked at him. The small flecks of violet mixed in with the blue color of her eyes were much brighter today.

Mathias now stared intently and he seemed to be holding his breath. “Yes, I take my oaths seriously,” she chuckled with amusement, “apparently so does the rest of D’hara.”

“Sir Mathias…” her voice was soft, “rest assured, I would never give my heart to a stranger. I would only marry unless I was absolutely in love and not for benefit of rank or titles. Without love there is nothing. ”

She laughed shyly having rambled on and cleared her throat “but honestly, they must see something I don’t? Me?”

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Roleplay from Mathias Ridder:

"Ah, good then. You have yet to give your heart to anothe......." Mathias stopped dead sentence.

Awkward silence to follow.

Then seeking to break the silence. "What do you mean? You have to be one of the most beautiful nobles in all of the isles. One would be lucky have you joined with them. One day I hope to have such a bonding with a woman as kind and beautiful as you."

Looking around and seeing that the Dame had been walking on foot for this whole time. "My word. Where are my manners? Might I offer you the chance to take a load off your feet." He says offering her a seat on his horse.

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Roleplay from Sorsha McDowell:

At his words, her eyes flew from him to the ground and she could feel the warmth creeping into her cheeks. She just hoped her long hair would manage to hide the redness.

“I…” she bit her lip, “thank you.” She finally managed softly. “I usually ride, I just had a lot on my mind.” She said, her cheeks only turning brighter with the explanation. She stopped and nodded shyly. “You are too kind, again, thank you.” She smiled earnestly.

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Roleplay from Mathias Ridder:

Helping Sorsha up onto his horse he introduced Sorsha to him.

"My Lady, this here is Dilu. It is the last thing I got from my family before I left to join the ranks of the Pian nobles. Wow he seems to like you. Usually he tries to have those unfamiliar to him removed one way or another..." Mathias knew this to be a lie, but he said it anyways in order to try and comfort Sorsha.

"My Lady, might I question you as to your suitors? I mean you speak of them so often. Who are they? What are they like...*then mumbling* and how do I compare?"

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Roleplay from Sorsha McDowell:

Sorsha smiled at his words, unbeknownst to him, her father trained warhorses. She had unconsciously admired the animal as they walked. The horse may have not thrown her off, she would have believed him save for the fact his master was holding the reins.

“Yes a fine animal,” she said as she touched the horse’s neck whispering soothing words in Gaelic and the animal leaned into her touch. She smiled slyly and leaned back quietly. Mathias’ arms seemed to tighten around her as he waited the answer to his questions.

“My suitors,” she repeated, again baffled by that very concept. “I would believe you knew more than I, you seem to be better informed …” Then she sighed, “I wish I knew. His name is Keiran. I have never met him, or heard from him until he sent me his proposal. I honestly believe it is nothing but a joke on his part, a mockery of my oath to tell the truth but I shall confront him on both counts. As for the other suitors, well, I fear there is no other. You know of the confusion surrounding Duke Conrac and I have already told you the outcome of that…” The strange butterflies suddenly made an appearance and she covered her stomach. “I have yet to compare anyone else, I’m afraid I don’t know anyone else that well,” she answered, having heard his last comment.

“Tell me Sir Mathias, what make you of my “many” suitors?” she joked. “You seem keenly interested, are you concerned for the safety of my heart or my person?”

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Roleplay from Mathias Ridder:

"My Lady, Yes it does seem I have blown this slightly out of proportion. As of Keiran. I do not know of this man, but yes I am interested. You see I have long admired you....ever since that night in my estate years ago. When I returned home to find the entire nation throwing a party in my estate. At first I was angered at the nation’s seeming lack of care for my privacy, but then when I saw your face I calmed. I knew that, that had to be the reason why the gathering happened. I knew it must have been a greater power at work."

Now becoming bolder with his tone having become more comfortable with his companion he continued.

"You see the next day when the festival was held in the city streets, I tried to approach you with this. When I saw you by the docks I had to drop everything I was doing and talk to you. Unfortunately I feel that might have been my downfall. You see it was that day when you seemed to, in my eyes at least, fall for the duke. I thought I had lost any chance with you, I endangered the life of that small child, and the character of the duke that day. It is something I can never forgive myself for. You must truly think me a terrible person for what I did that day. I thought only of myself and what I wanted...and not of those around me."

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Roleplay from Sorsha McDowell:

Sorsha could feel his uneven breath on the side of her face and again, his arms seemed to tighten around her, as if the admission of his feeling would make her run, or in this case jump off the horse. The heat returned to her cheek and she grew silent, unable to look away from the road ahead. They both swayed as the animal walked, neither saying anything. Her heart begun to drum harder and faster at the stretching silence, she was almost afraid it was going to beat right out of her chest.

It was a while before she answered and she looked slightly up at him. “I remember that day… how could I forget… you wanted me to leave with you…” she said lightly now understanding maybe he had been entirely serious and not under the influence of alcohol as she had thought. She had not fallen for Conrac that day though, as he thought. She sat up straighter and gripped the reins, inadvertently taking his hands in hers. Her eyes grew wider at that but she tried to calm herself, to appear relaxed once more.

“I do not think you a horrible person, there are worse people out there,” she added the last with a murmur and bit her lip. “So you left because you thought I was lost to you?” She asked timidly but before he could answer she added, “you have proven yourself time and again that you are brave, loyal and even sometimes selfless. If it wasn’t for you maybe none of this,” she looked to the land around them “would be possible.” He stiffened at the revelation and she nodded. “I know, I as well keep myself informed. Mathias, you are allowed guilty pleasure even if we don’t always think clearly, everyone is, but don’t think yourself selfish, because if you were, I would still be walking beside your horse.”

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Roleplay from Mathias Ridder:

"It makes me smile for one such as you to think so highly of me. Many see me as a scoundrel, a rebel, untrustworthy, ...tainted....My Lady, I am indeed a very selfish man, and my ego larger than any others. I too often think this, that these isles are as much mine as the Queens. Excuse me I speak too liberally, but thank you for your thoughts. They helped to make my day."

The ride lasted a few more hours, during this time the two spoke of many thing, religion, politics, general world news. But eventually all good things must come to an end. They arrived at her estate in Nebel. Mathias dismounted, and then immediately aided Sorsha in her dismount. As soon as her foot touched the ground he kissed her hand, and said, "My Lady, might I escort you to your door?"

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Roleplay from Sorsha McDowell:

Sorsha took his help gracefully and smiled as he bowed to kiss her hand. She felt slightly out of sorts, it seemed everywhere she turned now, someone was vying for her attention and this she was not used to. “I thank you Sir, for bringing me home. I would hate for you to leave since you are already here, in return you may stay here and rest before you take to the road again. Master Lorlan will be only too happy to accommodate you,” she said over her shoulder at the man in question and he bobbed his head in response.

“That is, if you wish to stay,” she stood with one hand on his horse’s neck, waiting for his answer.

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Roleplay from Mathias Ridder:

"My Lady, I would love nothing more than to stay with you but a little longer. My men would also need some place to stay. Do you know of an inn in town that you would suggest?"

Sorsha then suggest a fine inn in Nebel, at which point he gave his captain 5 gold and sent him on his way.

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Roleplay from Sorsha McDowell:

Sorsha led the way into her estate, and soon Mathias was directed into one of the guest areas by one of her servants. She smiled over her shoulder as he disappeared around a corner and she continued down the hall. When she arrived in her bedchamber, warm water had already been prepared and a dress set out for her arrival. She thanked her servant’s competence and washed, indulging in the heat.

It wasn’t long her mind began to wander. First she thought of her cousin again, and how she was going to proceed. She had made her decision and she would definitely help her, contacting Malcolm herself if she had to.

Then she thought of this whole marriage nonsense and her cheeks reddened again. It was all so sudden, first Conrac, then Keiran and out of nowhere Mathias. She had no idea how to move on from here… How did one go from being practically invisible to this?

The Duke… she knew had no interest in her…yet curiously she had to wonder. It was something Mathias had said: they way they acted around each other. Had he seen something she hadn’t? Conrac was a stable man, he knew what was expected of him and did as his family had taught and demanded of him, yet he was unattainable in every sense, had she really fallen for him as they all seemed to think and she was the last to know?

Keiran, she had yet to speak to, and she would just as soon as she could. She still didn’t have the faintest clue of his intentions.

Mathias… well she was always pleased by his presence in a strange sense. Just when she thought he was about to do something, he surprised her by doing something else. She was attracted and mystified by his persona. He seemed to have a daring sense of life, and no matter what anyone thought or said, he went for the things he wanted. This made her chuckle and a fleeting thought that seemed to accompany his presence came to her. Did he plan his every step or did he simply make it up as he went?

She was so terribly confused, she slid into the water and let her head sink into the water to try and forget the world for a moment. She came back quickly for need of oxygen and then after washing, she stepped out, dressed and towel dried and brushed her long brown hair.

She was famished, and returned to the kitchen, it was getting late and she wondered if there was a small bit of food prepared for her to nibble on. She grinned when she found some cheese and fruits left out, knowing Lorlan’s hand at work. She sat quietly and ate her food, again losing herself in thought.

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Roleplay from Mathias Ridder:

Pacing in the room that had been provided by Dame Sorsha, he began to become impatient, and bored.

"I need air. I hate being cooped up like this. Bah! Liquor or food I must have one of this to calm myself. Yes I need to calm myself."

With that Mathias attempted to leave the room and then in an almost supernatural sense, Dame Sorsha's servant appeared on the other side as he opened.

"I'm sorry sir but you will have to wait inside until you are called upon. I know your reputation, and personally I think you would be a bad influence on the lady. Now please wait until you are called for."

With that the door was shut in his face.

”How dare he? HOW DARE HE?! To think I can be confined. The Queen used all she and to try and attempt to confine me, and did she succeed? No. Three times she failed. Why I ought to turn this place upside down. Show him who shall be confined. No, I can't do that.”

Then within his head he heard, "No, no, no. Of course you can. Loot, rape, pillage. This is what you desire the most don't you?"

Speaking aloud he replied to the voice that had come to be know as Alexander, "I have no time for you today or any of your "suggestions."

An argument had proceeded to continue between himself about what to do, and how to react to this insult he had received. Finally have shut out Alexander once again he came to the conclusion, "This must be a test of some sort. TO see if I am indeed the wild man who none can conquer. Who can't even control himself. I shall sit here and wait."

At this time however one of Sorsha's servant had in fact been spying on Sir Mathias, and being concerned for the ladies welfare ran to tell her about the happening within the room.

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Roleplay from Conrac Amcastra:

"Ummmm Duke Conrac..."

"Groan..." Conrac sat up.

"What the bloody hell is it...?" A servant bowed at an almost impossibly low angle.

"Eh...well ummmm we of the servant's guil-"

"There's a servant's guild?"

The servant if possible bowed even lower. "Yes Duke Conrac, you once said something about it being so hard to find good help. An old butler heard you and began a guild to train servants so that if would be easier for you to find well-trained ones."

Conrac blinked, it was too god-damn early in the morning. "What do you want, is it official business." Conrac began getting up, how he hated the paperwork.

"Umm no sir, we just wanted you to know that your wife seen with two different men..." The servant pointed to his sword. "We of course are grievously upset by this insult to your honor and are ready to do your bidding. And may we say that we are incredibly upset by her lack of loyalty, and after only four days into marriage too! She isn't supposed to be cheating on you until years into your marriage!"

Conrac stared "Who’s my wife?" This was getting extremely confusing.

The servant fixed his bowtie. "Marchioness Sorsha."

Conrac stared and stared and laughed. "Hahahha Sorsha isn't my wi-. Wait she was seen with two different men?"

The servant nodded and handed him over a small pack of letters. "Thought you would want to know that Sir Mathias and Sir Keiran have fallen for your wonderful wife, we of course are delighted with your choice despite her lack of fidelity."

"Umm no don't spread rumors, they're just friends of hers." Conrac began opening up the information packets. He felt oddly disturbed.

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