Indirik Family/Brance/Hunting With Anna

The first two or so messages of the following RP series has been lost. They involve Brance inviting Anna out for a hunt, and Anna accepting the invitation.

Roleplay from Brance

A few hours after having been dispatched, the messenger returned with news that Dame Anna had accepted the invitation for the hunt on the morrow. Brance dispatched the messenger once more to inform the hunts master and the falcon master. Tomorrow promised to be clear, but cold. Heavy clothes were in order to stave off the cold, but it would make for good hunting. -- -- Brance rose from bed before dawn. His steward had laid out a selection of warm clothes suitable for hunting. The clothes were mostly varying shades of red in honor if the Stars, with black accents. After breaking his fast, Brance made his way down to the stable yard as the sun was rising over the horizon. He was pleased to see that the hunts master had already selected the horses for the day's activities. There were a dozen or so horses already saddled, fed, and ready to ride. The falcon master was present with King Fisher, tethered and hooded. The sea eagle appeared anxious to go, as he had not been flown on a hunt in several weeks. The hunts master informed Brance that he has sent a messenger to Dame Anna the night before with the details of the hunt. She was expected to arrive soon.

Brance

Roleplay from Anna

Anna was wrapped in furs from head to toe. She was still feverish and the healers had warned her not to go out, but she still went ahead. She looked more like a ball of fur than the slender built woman she was. Perhaps it was not the best hunting attire she had ever worn, but it was what she needed to even feel like venturing outside. She mounted her horse and rode to meet her liege. It was a cold ride in the morning, but Anna bore with it. The ride from her estate to the dukes palace wasn't that long, but it still made her feel a bit faint. Still, she pushed herself to make it look like everything was fine. As she and her entourage arrived at the dukes courtyard she greeted her liege with the appropriate courtesy. "My liege, it is a good day for a hunt. Shall we go?"

Anna

Roleplay from Brance

Brance was fiddling with his horse's tack, making trivial adjustments, when Dame Anna arrived. He was mildly amused at the nature of her outfit. That was a lot of fur. He hoped the smile would be taken as that of a friendly... "Welcome, Dame Anna. It is indeed a good day. The cold air is good for the blood. I understand you are experienced with hunting, correct?" Brance waved to a squire carrying an array. The squire approached the Duke. "Squire Dornal here will carry your weapons for you. The hunts master has selected an array of weapons suitable for the game we usually encounter. Mostly deer or stag around here. We occasionally run across pheasant or other fowl. That can be a challenge for a bow, but we have some over-feathered shafts with blunt points for those. We carry boar spears, but those are rarely used, as boars are rare around Libidizedd. I hear they are much more common in Libiddo. If you would care to inspect these to see if they suit you?" Brance then pointed at a chestnut gelding near the head of the line, next to the grey and white spotted gelding that he would ride. "That gelding there is a good mount that we had prepared for you. It is a sturdy beast, with good stamina for a long hunt. Is your horse suitable for hunting, or is it trained for pleasure riding?" Brance waited while Anna made her choice of weapons and horse known. When she was done, he mounted the grey and white gelding. "Well then, let us be off!"

Brance

Roleplay from Anna

Anna was a bit suspicious of the smile her liege gave her. Did he find her outfit unfitting or was he simply being polite? She chose to ignore the smile. Even the short ride had made her feel more ill so she wasn't in the mood for guessing the minds of other people. "My liege, hunting is like second nature to me. I've always enjoyed it and there haven't been many years that I haven't hunted." She looked over the weapons as she talked and finally chose a bow for herself. She tested it a bit and found it to be one she had the strength to use properly. "While I thank your for providing me with an horse, I prefer to use mine. I've used it in many hunts and I've grown accustomed to his habits. Riding an unfamiliar horse has proven dangerous for me in the past." She steered her horse to follow her liege. She remained slightly behind Brance, as was appropriate in her mind. She was not his equal after all.

Anna

Roleplay from Brance

Brance mounted the big horse he would be riding for the hunt. He slid his chose hunting bow into the hardened leather case mounted behind the saddle. It was matched by another case on the opposite side by a quiver of arrows of a few different types. Since they had no specific game in mind, they were equipped for hunting several kinds. Two guards lead the small procession the short distance to the gates in the walls. Once outside the walls the scouts spurred their horses on to a faster trot to begin the search for game. It would be an hour or so before they reached suitable hunting grounds in the private reserves. The growing population of the city had already driven back most of the worthwhile game from the areas near the city. The procession spread out along the road. The same two guards took the lead, followed by the two nobles, and then the rest of the guard. There were a few carts that would follow along in a short while with a heavy tent, some rugged travel furniture, and food for the small party. They would meet the hunting party later in the day for a meal, and to cook whatever game the hunters brought down. Brance noticed that Anna was hanging back slightly while they rode. He waved her forward. "Dame Anna, why are you riding so far behind? We can hardly hold a conversation with you so far back. Besides, it will get lonely up here if I have no one to talk to. Please, come forward." "So, you've told me before that you have used hounds in hunting, and that you even wanted to breed hounds here on the island. I must admit that I have not much experience in the use of hounds for hunting. There are no suitable native breeds here on the island. Mostly they hunt by bow, and with birds, like Kingfisher here." Brance waved his hand back toward the falcon master, carrying the large sea eagle. "What kind of beasts are these that you would breed? Do you have a source of breeding stock available?"

Brance

Roleplay from Anna

Anna rode next to her liege as she had been invited to do. Her cheeks were gaining a healthy red on them despite everything. As the duke asked her about the breeding of dogs she got something else to think besides her uncomfortable condition. "My uncle is quite heartily into breeding dogs. When I was a child he always had time to show me around his kennel and share bits of information with me. He's more than willing to offer me assistance in starting my own breeding. In fact I already have two dogs I could use for breeding, though they are quite special ones. Have you ever heard of the wolfhounds? They're a very large breed of dogs, the two I have easily have their heads on the level of my chest, and can even pull down a fully armored man from a horse. Though that is a waste of a good dog since the man would likely kill the dog as soon as he hit the ground. What they excel at is, as their name implies, hunting wolves and other dangerous prey of similar size..though they are also quite good at making people behave when I walk around with two of them following me.." Anna realized she was almost blabbering like a young maid. "My uncle has various breeds of dogs that I could ask for..anything from rabbit hunting to hunting deer and even bears. My biggest problem is finding the needed space for all that and finding the time for it. Sadly the duties of a bureaucrat keep me away from my estate quite often."

Anna

Roleplay from Brance

Brance rode along and listened attentively as Anna described her dog breeding plans. He chuckled when she described how people behaved when she had two of them with her. "Yes, I can definitely see how such impressive beasts could cause a man to reconsider his manners. Dogs can be quite loyal and protective. Excellent guardians." "As to space for breeding kennels, surely your estates in the Libidizedd area provide you plenty of room. The former royal hunting grounds here are of course open to you for training the beasts, as you are a Dame of Libidizedd. Since the Vasila relocated the capital to Eidulb, they have fallen to my care and oversight. You are more than welcome to use them." "Do you need more room to breed dogs than your estate can provide? I'm sure we can make some arrangements."

Brance

Roleplay from Anna

"The more space there is the more freedom there is in breeding the dogs. My estate is currently quite modest so there is probably need to enlarge it for there to be enough room for everything. If that isn't enough I'm sure there is something I'll come up with. There's always property you can buy at the right price..especially since the city is still growing" Just as she finished the sentence a sudden chill ran down Annas spine. She felt like all her strength had just been drained from her and her vision darkened. It wasn't for long, maybe a few seconds, but it was long enough for her to fall from her horse. Luckily she fell in a thick snow bank so likely the only thing she suffered from it would be a few bruises, but it did take her breath away and left her lying in the snow, seemingly unconscious. The cold snow melted quite quickly from her burning skin. It seemed the fewer had caught up to her.

Anna

Roleplay from Brance

Brance listened attentively as Anna described her prospects for a larger estate to breed her hunting dogs. Her sudden collapse was so unexpected that he didn't have time to even reach to steady her before she was already falling. "Anna!" he cried as he vaulted off his horse. As he rushed ran around her horse he pointed at one of the guards. "You! Go fetch the supply wagon." He pointed at a second guard. "You, go fetch a healer, immediately!" He didn't even pause to see if his orders were being carried out. He knew the men, and knew they wouldn't disobey. Brance knelt at Anna's side. Her face was flushed and her breathing shallow. In fact, wasn't sure she was breathing at all. But with all that fur she was wearing, how could he tell? He reached down toward her face to feel her cheek, and see if he could feel breathe from her mouth. As he touched her cheek he could feel the heat. She was burning with fever. Brance called out to another guard to bring water. They would have to do something to cool this fever. There was a healer with the wagon carrying the food for their lunch. It shouldn't take the guard long to being the healer on horseback.

Brance

Roleplay from Anna

Anna wasn't really conscious and the only thing she could really sense was that there was someone close to her and that something cold touched her face. It was something she needed so she tried to grab a hold of that someone. Though there wasn't much strength in her, her hand still rose and grabbed a hold of Brance. She held on with all her strength. The next clear thought she had was when she woke up the next morning. It took her a while to realize where she was. The bed was comfortable, she had been dressed in a more sensible fashion, there were plenty of blankets and quite a few servants looking after her needs. Quite soon after that she realized what had happened and she felt ashamed. How could she have been so foolish? And cause such a scene with her liege? The first thing she asked for was to see her liege so she could explain her actions.

Anna

Roleplay from Brance

Brance entered the outer chamber of the elegant guest apartments in the palace and was greeted by one of the physician's assistants. She was a young lady. More of a maid than a healer, really. She curtsied respectfully when she saw the duke enter. "My Lord, the Lady Anna has been asking for you. If you would be so kind as to wait here, I will see if she is ready to receive you." Brance nodded his acceptance. The girl quickly disappeared through the door separating the sitting room from the main apartment. After a short, muffled conversation the girl returned. "She is waiting for you, my Lord." Brance nodded again, and proceeded to the door. There was a large bed on the opposite side of the room. The maids had brought in many more blankets and bed covers, suitable for the winter weather. A fire burned in the hearth, popping occasionally. The faint smell of wood smoke, rather than the foul odor of coal used in some of the lesser rooms, was pleasant. Brance smiled as he saw Anna awake and sitting up in the bed. "Good morning, Dame Anna. I am glad to see that you have recovered, and are awake again. The physician's tell me that your fever has receded. Even so, bed rest for the next few days is advisable. If I had known you were sick, I would not have taken you out hunting in that weather. I wish you would have mentioned something. Perhaps a shorter ride, or something a little less strenuous."

Brance

Roleplay from Anna

Anna blushed a bit and looked down at her lap as her liege made the remarks about how she should have told about her fever. Of course, she knew Brance to be right, but she had her reason why she did not do so. "My liege, had I mentioned of my fever you would have insisted that I stay in bed and that we meet at another time. We both travel so much that it's rare to meet in person. I did not want to miss the chance because of something like this." Anna turned her head and looked at the warm flames dancing in the fireplace. She spoke in a quiet and somewhat sad voice. "Sometimes I envy many of the commoners. They have their families close, friends and companions. They may envy us nobles, but they don't know how many of our lives are. We sacrifice much of our time for the realm we serve and in return we have wealth, but many times that comes at the expense of our families, friends and companions." She turned to look at Brance again. It was clear she was sharing something that had pained her for a long time and was a cause for internal struggle and pain. "How many times have you spent the evening alone in your study, looking through food reports or journeyed to another realm to buy food to feed our people? How many times have you spent a day enjoying it with an fellow noble in a hunt? How many times have you ended your day with a loved one in your arms?" Anna sighed and looked at her lap again. Her long black hair hid her face and she looked every bit as small and frail as she was. "I spend more time with papers than with living people..I just didn't want to miss the rare opportunity for something else.."

Anna

Roleplay from Brance

Brance listened carefully as Anna explained. There were a few places he wanted to respond or comment, but either the time wasn't right, or she continued before he could muster the courage to speak. Eventually Anna ran out of words, and silence descended in the room. The fire popped and crackled. Brance didn't know how to respond to the unexpected emotional outpouring. After a minute, the silence began to grow a bit awkward. Still not sure he knew exactly what to say, Brance knew that he had to say something... "Anna... I... Thank you. I greatly appreciate that you accepted my invitation for the hunt yesterday, and to spend time with me. I enjoyed your company for the short while it lasted. You are perhaps one of the nobles I know the least about in Astrum, being so quiet as you usually are. Beyond certain, well ... difficulties you have had in the past, I don't know much of you at all." "Yes, I understand how you feel about the demands of duty. It has a tendency to consume us. Those who are competent are endlessly called upon to do more and more. Those who can't? Well, they get ignored, shoved to the side, and forgotten. Personally, I don't want history to forget me. And honestly, I don't think I could stand to live the life of frippery and insignificance. There is so much that I need to do." "I think that we are alike, perhaps, in that neither of us is very good at setting boundaries on our time. It is hard to say 'No' when the need to get things done is so great, isn't it?" "Perhaps rather than hunting in the near future, we can spend a bit of time here in the palace. I am not due to leave for another trade expedition for a few days. Why don't we both abstain from spending our evening-time staining our fingers with ink, and squinting at parchment by candlelight?"

Brance

Roleplay from Anna

Roleplay from Anna Vasata (6 days, 6 hours ago) The silence grew uncomfortable for Anna quite quickly. She began to think she had said too much and that her liege now thought less of her, but as Brance began to speak she found him to be quite understanding of what she had told him. "Duty is one of those invisible shackles that bind us in our place and rarely are you lucky enough to find that key to open them..and if you do it's usually lost quickly." Anna sighed. "Sharing my personal life and opinions in public doesn't sound so appealing. A great many would think less of me if they knew what I just shared with you. And I'm still wary of Duke Aram.." Mentioning Arams name made her visibly shiver for a bit. Her hand involuntarily went to her side where the dukes sword had hit her. The duel had been quite a while ago, but it was clear it had left a deeper scar in Anna than the one on her side. Anyone who looked at her at that moment could see there was fear in her and that it took effort to bring it under control. Privately, in her mind, Anna lashed out at herself for mentioning that cursed man's name and bringing to surface the thoughts it brought along. Having composed herself again Anna looked up at Brance. To her, at that moment, he looked quite sympathetic and warm hearted which brought a small smile on her face, "In a more private setting with the right people I'm more than willing to share things about myself. I'd be happy to spend time with you here in the confines of the castle."

Anna

Roleplay from Brance

Brance met Anna's rising gaze. Her small smile brought a smile from him in return. She had a pretty face, and the smile accented that. "Do not worry about Duke Aram. He has no authority here in this Duchy, where you have my full support, and your efforts to maintain the proper flow of government processes are much appreciated. So put the man from your mind, as I do not think you shall be dealing with him in the future." "The physicians tell me that you should be spending the next day or two in bed. I think it would be best if you were to spend them here in these apartments. There is ample staff to care for you, and you will have ready access to the physicians. Beyond that, you are welcome to stay as long as you like. This palace was built to serve more people than the city government could ever need. Besides, it would be nice to have a few more friendly faces around. Not to mention someone to talk to who isn't doing it just to try and wheedle out another trade concession, or win a favorable word from me to the court..." "I shall put aside some of my duties for the next few days, as well. I would like to make up for the time we missed during the ill-fated hunt. So, what do you say? Is it a deal?"

Brance

Roleplay from Anna

It had been a few days since Brance invited Anna to stay in the ducal castle and spend time with him. The day was at its end and the two had spent many hours sitting in front of a warm fireplace, just talking. In the past few days there had been a lot of talking between the two. They'd gotten to know each other as they shared their history. Anna had told about her time in Pian en Luries, her time as judge and banker there, the marchioness position, the secession of Poryatown, her gaining the duchess title and eventually leaving the island for the Colonies and later returning to start a life in Astrum. This was likely the last evening they'd get to spend together. Both had duties that were calling for their attention elsewhere. The choice of spending it in front of an warm fireplace with good food, drink and company had been a good one. Anna had thoroughly enjoyed the time. She sipped the last of her wine and brushed a stray lock of hair off her cheek. Her black hair flowed over her shoulders and down her back in stark contrast with her pale skin and white dress. While her dress wasn't of the extravagant sort it was comfortable and suited her quite well. The healers had given her a clean bill of health so she was no longer forced to stay in bed or walk around looking like an stitched together bear. It was late and it felt like the time was ripe for ending the evening. Anna rose from her chair and wished Brance good night. Though as she was leaving the room she stopped at the door and looked a bit hesitant. She turned to look at Brance. "During these few days I've come to know you quite a bit. As it happens I've also grown quite fond of you..perhaps even more than merely being fond of you." She blushed a bit as she said that. "If you so wish you are welcome to share the bed with me tonight. For you I will open the door not because I hope to gain your favor, but because it's something I would like as an memory..something I would like you to have as an memory..as something we can think back on during the most hectic of days and hope it might happen again and gain strength from it. Knock four times so I know it's you.." Before Brance had a chance to respond, Anna turned and walked out the door and headed for her assigned quarters.

Anna

Roleplay from Brance

The next several days Brance took a break from quite a few of his normal duties. He had a good steward and staff, and they were able to handle much of the routine paperwork. He still had some morning court sessions he couldn't avoid, but those could be held to the minimum courtesies required of him. The time thus freed he spent with Anna. He was intrigued by her stories of far lands other continent. Although he was raised on the East Island, his travels since had minimal. A year or so in Morek, then here to Libidizedd with the founding of Astrum. Since then he hadn't had much opportunity to see much of the world beyond the trade routes to Cailyn. For this reason the accounts of distant lands was fascinating, and he never tired of hearing them. However, duties can be put off for only so long. Tomorrow Brance would have to depart for Morek leading a string of caravans. It would be several weeks until his return, and who knew where Anna's duties would take her then? There had been some talk lately of an appointment as official ambassador for Astrum. That would require travel, for certain. But that was tomorrow. Tonight he was still here, with her. As the evening passed, their conversation slowly drew to a close. When the fire began to die, Anna stood to excuse herself. Brance stood as well to bid her goodnight. He couldn't help but watch her as she turned away. He'd always had a passion for long black hair. The stark white dress only made more apparent the length and deep color of her hair. Intentional? Possibly. Effective? Definitely. His eyes drifted down as she walked to the door. It was an attractive sight, to be sure. As Anna hesitated at the door, Brance quickly looked up. Hopefully she wouldn't have noticed the direction of his gaze... As she began to speak, his mind raced to put together a suitable response. He could feel his face flush at the forthright, but not unwelcome, nature of her words. Luckily Anna saved him the awkwardness of sorting this out so quickly. As soon as she said what she intended, she turned and walked out the door. He could hear the soft tread of her shoes retreating down the hall as he tried to put his thoughts in order. When the sound of Anna's footsteps finally faded away in the distance Brance's mind returned to the room in which he still stood, facing the let door that was still slightly ajar. He suddenly recalled that he still held a partially full goblet of wine. He drained the last of the wine and carefully set the goblet down on the table. He sat down in the chair and stared at the remains of the dying fire. He sat for quite some time, pondering what had just happened. Brance was definitely interested in Anna. She wasn't one of those vapid, empty-headed court "ladies" attracted to the offices he held rather than the man he was. No, Anna was both intelligent and attractive. She had a family as wealthy as his own. She had held offices equivalent to his, in powerful realms. Definitely not one of those to chase wealth and power. Eventually Brance decided to take Anna at her word. He truly had no cause to suspect anything else. The offer was merely one of friendship and companionship. A desire to not be alone. Brance rose from the chair. He pulled the ornate screen across the fireplace. He walked to a cabinet in the corner and reached for the handle of a door that was engraved and inlaid with an ornate three-star pattern of the Blood Stars. He opened the door to reveal a collection of dusty bottles with colorfully painted labels. He sorted through the wine bottles until he found one that would be suitable even when warm. He picked up the bottle and two new goblets. As he headed toward the door he extinguished the lamps in the room, so the only light came from the glowing embers of the remains of the fire, casting an orange glow across the now empty room. As Brance exited the room he dismissed the two guards standing sentry in the hallway. They looked nervous at the unusual command, but they didn't argue. They turned and left down the hallway toward the stairs to the lower levels of the palace. Brance turned in the opposite direction. He walked quietly down the hallway toward the wing of the palace containing Anna's apartments. Soon he was standing outside the room. He paused for a moment and took a deep breath. Slowly, deliberately, he knocked on the door four times.

Brance