Arcaea/Dining Hall Late 08-09/Edara and Jenred's Royal Wedding/The Entertainment
(OOC Here's the music! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JddRkt_FYDY )
Ah...There she was...At the tumblers' tent as he guessed. Jenred snuck up, walking softly, and slipped his arms around her.
"Learning any new tricks, ke'chara?"
Sir Jenred Bedwyr King of Arcaea
Edara sank back into Jenred’s arms with a happy sigh. No where did she ever feel such peace and happiness…well, not always peace…but that was fun, too.
“I am, love! Look at that!” Edara pointed enthusiastically at a routine that a youngish woman was practicing in front of them. “I bet that I could do that…”
Edara turned enough to look into his eyes, “I think that would be fun, don’t you?” She gave him a slow smile and returned her attention to the performers.
“Oh…and I had a message from Mother. She’s arriving in Nocaneb tomorrow,” Edara gave a small sigh, “I had hoped that she’d be here sooner…to…look at dresses and…talk to me…and…things. I guess with Grafan and everything…the celebrations are just so hard on her. I can’t believe that…he’s gone…just like that. Is it wrong for us to go on with the wedding…so soon?”
Lady Edara Kindon Duchess of Nocaneb
Jenred rested his cheek on Edara's head while he considered.
"Well...I think she wanted to come earlier, you know they were due in a week ago, but the boat was delayed...And no, I don't think it's too soon. I mean...If you were grieving about him, of course, that would be different, but...He's only tangentially related to you, really."
Besides, Dougal and Idelle were celebrating when they heard, I have no doubt...Jenred's lips curled into a small, feral grin for a brief moment.
Sir Jenred Bedwyr King of Arcaea
Edara thought about it, “I’m not really grieving for him, no…but for Mother…I…well, I feel badly for her. He was her husband. If I lost you…I think that I would die.”
She turned in his arms to wrap hers around him and hold him tightly.
“It just seems…horrible to be so happy right now. But I am…so very happy.” Edara pulled back to smile up at him.
“Oh! I can give you your first gift now.”
Lady Edara Kindon Duchess of Nocaneb
"Well, if it makes you feel any better, she didn't seem too distraught about the whole thing, after an initial crying ses...Hm? Presents?"
Jenred perked up and grinned.
Sir Jenred Bedwyr King of Arcaea
Edara smiled broadly at Jenred. He was so adorable…he did love to get presents.
“Mhm…one present…for today. And one for every day of the tourney. Is that a good plan? I thought of that myself!”
She ducked her head and reached into her wallet, pulling out a fist-sized, paper wrapped parcel.
“It’s not…it’s just a small thing,” Edara pushed the package into his hands.
Lady Edara Kindon Duchess of Nocaneb
Jenred took the parcel, and unwrapped it slowly, not sure if it was something breakable...To reveal a small heart, made of some green stone, the perfect size to fit in his hand.
"Oh...'Dara...That's...Wonderful..."
Jenred's eyes lit up, glowing softly.
"You do know me...I only...have the one present for you though...It's a big one, but..."
Jenred looked up apprehensively.
Sir Jenred Bedwyr King of Arcaea
Edara’s nerves eased…it was so easy to tell when he was happy with something. He liked her gift.
“Jenred…my loveliest love…you know I don’t care about presents…and you’ve already given me so much. I just thought it would be fun to give you something everyday…but they’re just small things…tokens. This one was just to remind you…that you have my heart.”
She smiled at him, “I think you already know that, but I like reminding you. Now…every time you see that, you’ll remember.”
Lady Edara Kindon Duchess of Nocaneb
Baz, having finished much of the wine, stepped into a somewhat less exclusive drinking establishment a few roads away from the main celebrations, and there found what he'd hoped for - a group of semi-wealthy local folk playing cards.
Baz: Who's winning?
The locals look worried, and are about to pack up and leave when Baz continues.
Baz: Because they'll be losing to me soon! Fetch me a seat!
One of them tentatively draws up an extra chair, and deals Baz into the next hand. Baz produces a collection of gold and puts it on the table.
Baz: I'm a bit short after placing some bets on the tournament.
One of the locals: Who do you favour, sir?
Baz: Well, my sister of course for one, but I also placed money on Sir Darius and Sir Jaime.
The local: Well, sir, maybe you can increase your winnings here, but Morio here is tough to beat.
Baz looks at Morio's large collection of coins, clearly won to the cost of the other players, and pictures it adding to his collection. He picks up his cards and starts to play...
...the game continues...
Baz: So - that's mine!
Dramen: Very good, sir. You were lucky there.
Baz: [grinning boastfully] Lucky? None of it! I'll have the rest of Morio's pile in time, Dramen.
...the game continues...
Morio: So that's mine, again, I'm afraid, sir.
Baz: [suspiciously] Gah, that's four in a row. How do you do that?
Dramen: We did say he was a talent, sir.
Baz: Talent? Cheat, more like.
Morio: [with a note of worry in his voice] Sir, I do not cheat, but I am happy to return your gold to you if you believe there has been any foul play.
Dramen: [losing his temper] Nonsense! He comes in here, muscles into the game, and then loses. He deserves to stay and lose the rest!
Baz: [angrily] How dare you, man!
Sir Baz Grindle (Knight of Rrerat)
Pelinal leaned against a wall, inhaling slowly, letting the tobacco fill his lungs before slowly exhaling. He looked up, and calmly watched as the big black bird landed on his shoulder. Some nobles reveled in the sport of falconry... Pelinal... He preferred the Raven. The bird screeched ominously, before taking off to hunt again. It was well trained... It had cost a lot, but it was worth it.
"A wedding... Bah. What a waste of time."
Sir Pelinal II Himoura (Knight of Remton)
It was a surprise to find that someone had laid a hand on his belt; most pickpockets took one look at his massive size and decided to go for easier targets. It was even more of a suprise to find himself actually being yanked sideways and thrown against a wall. His knife was out in a moment, but before he could use it on his assailant he found an equally sharp blade against his throat. It took several seconds for Euran to focus on the startling green eyes of Arnora Stromgir.
"Haven't see me for a while, have you?" she said, teeth gritted. Euran's face was a picture of startled incomprehension. "Took me a while to find you; you're a long way from home, Euran. Been running from me, have you?"
"Wait, now!" croaked Euran, in an effort to defend himself, "I left suddenly, but was that a reason for you to chase me all the way out here? I was following the Krom Ar's instructions!"
Arnora spat on the ground. "That old man? That warlock? You listened to him and left me! We had a chance together, Euran, and you ran off and left me to pick up the pieces."
A thin trickle of blood began to crawl down the baron's neck. Several guards had by now begun to approach, looking somewhat upset to find that a prominent member of Arcaea had been attacked by this stranger. Arnora took a step back, sheathed her knife forcefully and glared at Euran. He put one hand to his throat, and waved the guards away.
"The Krom Ar had guided our clan for generations. When he told me to go east, I did!"
She did not look impressed. "You were looking to escape, Euran. Or had you not heard that I was carrying your child?"
The baron's face froze, a mask of shock and pain. He spluttered, "I had no... I didn't..." Under Arnora's unrelenting gaze he dropped his head in shame, unable to meet her eye. "I heard rumours. I didn't know for sure, but..."
"You didn't want to find out? You weren't ready to raise a family, and you aren't now? I know you now, Euran. You're a coward." Euran's eyes sparked with a tiny resistance, but he said nothing. "You ran away from your problems. Well, they've caught up."
Reaching round behind her, Arnora produced a child, as if by magic. He was dark haired, sharp eyed, and he looked at Euran with piercing perceptiveness. "Kaetil," said the boy's mother, "this is Euran, your father." He nodded, accepting the fact as if he'd known his father intimately for his entire life. "He'll look after you, coward though he is. He's a lord now, and powerful."
Pushing the boy gently towards her erstwhile lover, Arnora started to turn away. As realisation finally dawned, Euran summoned some kind of willpower. "You can't do this! You can't leave me to bring him up by myself!"
She gave him the weariest look that he had ever seen.
"Why not? You did."
Her task completed, Arnora walked away, her head held high.
Euran Yetisbane Kandurell Baron of Lantzas
