Lightstar Family/Adaria/Roleplay 16
A Game of Chess
(Roleplay from Irdys Galeheart)
Irdys looked uncertainly at the letter the Lady Adaria had send to him. Of course she'd vaguely heard of the lady, but only vaguely. It wasn't for her likes to get too involved with the nobles, especially if she wished to keep her quiet life and lack of notice. But the letter was so frank, so direct, and welcoming enough. Staring at it again for a moment, retracting the letters carefully with a finger to ensure she'd read them correctly. It really did say what it said, a direct invitation to the estates she supposed.
Carefully pocketing the letters and drawing forth a thick brown cloak to hang around her shoulders Irdys made ready to set out. A slight lean backwards, an idea of a minor hump perhaps but at least it hid her chest some, as well as add some width to her shoulders. One or two rasps to get her voice just that bit rougher, and some tugging on the cloak to ensure it best hid her face.
Staring at herself in a mirror for an instant Irdys smiled faintly, the disguise seemed decent enough again. Quickly girthing round her sword and picking up her back she set out. Through the streets to where she supposed the Dame Adaria's estates were, if she'd heard correctly in the common room.
She wasn't planning to go back to the inn so it was wise enough to take all her things along. Still, she couldn't help but wonder with a hint of trepidation why the lady had invited her. What had the Duke, her kin if what she knew was true, told her of 'him'. And why had that interested her so.
(Roleplay from Irdys Galeheart)
Irdys stood quietly infront of the estate, eyes warily gazing at the mansion. It looked quiet, a few lights were on but largely quiet. A well sized estate, if nowhere near the palace of for example the girls uncle. Still a real nobles estate. Carefully opening the gate Irdys eyed the run up to the estate carefully. There didn't seem to be a great deal of guards... Then she realized how stupid that was. Of course there wouldn't be guards at the gate. This was the noble district of the city, and a fine enough city at that. There might be guards inside but here at least she could walk past.
Moving up to the gate Irdys drew her cowl done more tightly to ensure her face was obscured, then knocked on the door. Her hand was ready to bring forth the letter of invitation. She still had no idea why she'd received the letter, but she had. Now not to bungle this up too much...
The door to the house in Ahael opened slowly, revealing an aged man, who peered inquisitively at the hooded visitor. He was dressed in a simple black robe, marking him as a manservant or perhaps even a scribe.
"Mm, yes? Can I help you?"
(Roleplay from Irdys Galeheart)
Irdys stared uncertainly at the man. For a moment she had the urge to just say no and leave. After all, she had no idea why she'd been summoned. Still, a summon was a summon...
She did her best to say in a gruff voice;
"I've been summoned." As she said it she shoved out the letter she'd received, official seal and all, for the old man his inspection. She did her best to stand there relaxed, but she felt tense enough. Who was this lady who'd invited her?
Still, time would tell she supposed and now the first task was getting past this old man.
The man frowned as he took hold of the letter for inspection.
"Mm, summoned, you say? How curious..."
Then his eyes lit up with sudden realization, as he finished scanning the brief note.
"Ahh, you must be freeman Lambert then. Odd... I thought the Breastplate was already delivered to the lady, unless there has been some mix-up? Anyhow, the lady did not mention that she was expecting any visitors when she left for Cathay. Would you like for me to send word to her?"
(Roleplay from Irdys Galeheart)
Irdys looked at the old man, blinking uncertainly for a moment. Freeman Lambert? No, she was definetly not freeman Lambert... Left for Cathay she could believe, more pressing business in war. But she found it difficult that a noble might misadress letters, even to ones of little importance like herself and this other freemen.
She sighed and said coolly to the old man, none too pleased for having had to travel here for nothing;
"No I am not freeman Lambert, I am Irdys. And I do not know why I was summoned, just that that letter arrived... So yes, please send word to her Lady to inform her that I came and went at her summon?"
She nodded slightly to herself at that. It wasn't a great thing to do, but at least it made some things just a bit clearer. And besides, was there a better way to handle matters like this?
"Mm, how strange. Well, one simply cannot rely on messengers these days, I suppose. Since you're here, how about coming in for a drink? Say... do you know how to play chess? I haven't had the opportunity to play against a worthy opponent in ages! What was your name again? Sid?"
The man opened the door wider and stepped back to appear more welcoming to the visitor.
(Roleplay from Irdys Galeheart)
Irdys chuckled softly, saying with a faint smile; "Ah, messengers... Yes you know it is important to get the reliable ones."
Stepping inside she gave a gracious bow, a hand swiftly moving into place to keep her cloak somewhat fastened properly for the concealment she craved;
"A drink sounds fine, as for chess... I cannot match with nobles and such of course but, but I've had a chance to play it once or twice."
She smiled faintly at that. She was a decent enough player, one of her fathers stewards had seen to that in the short time he still saw to her needs. And it might be interesting to get some idea of what this place was like. After all, how often was one welcomed so warmly into a noble' manse?
"Mm, very good! You can hang your cloak up over there," he pointed to the side of the door, where a simple coat rack stood, "if you wish. I'll be back shortly with the tea! Straight down the hall and make a left to the garden, where we can start our game..."
The old man's voice trailed off as he shuffled off towards the kitchen. The house seemed really quiet, which might make one wonder whether there was anyone else living here at the moment. The lobby area in front of the entrance was spartan indeed, with only a couple chairs and a table in the center. Closed doors could be seen along both of the walls to the sides, while a long hallway stretched down the left side.
(Roleplay from Irdys Galeheart)
Irdys cursed herself softly. Hanging up her cloak, of course he'd ask her to hang up her cloak... It was common courtesy, it was common decency... She thought about it for a moment. She could run of course, it was a wartime after all. Likely they'd think her some vile assassin, see her hunted maybe. With little luck probably... Still... Really, what harm could it do? It was just an old man...
Cursing herself again she took of her cloak and hung it on the peg. Underneath her shoulderlength blond hair fell free, light blue eyes gazing once more down the boarded up hall. Her slender frame better revealed, if fortunately at least padded under some leather armor, bits and scraps. It concealed her some. And maybe if she kept up the gruff voice, who was she fooling? Still, if she just didn't make mention of it...
She muttered again to herself before she set off to the lobby. And actually feeling quite relaxed. Nothing to hide now, and what could go wrong?
At which point ominous drumrolls sounded in the distance! Some fanfare she thought, it must be some fanfare or war parade...
(Roleplay from Irdys Galeheart)
Irdys stared at the patio at the back of the mansion. She couldn't help but smile. So exposed, her golden hair falling to her shoulders, her slender frame visible underneath her leather armor with the cloak and shadows it provided put away. Her eyes stared critically round the patio. Done things were done, and whatever would be from it would be.
As the steward shuffled slowly back onto the terrace, carrying a platter with some food, wine, and goblets she couldn't help but smile. As the man squinted she had the idea he hardly recognized her. Or saw much of anything at all.
The steward couldn't help but grin and nod. He wasn't quite sure what he saw, but it didn't much matter. Wine, and chess! Ah, how he longered for the chess. He'd always considered himself somewhat of a strategist. Not much for diplomacy unfortunately, or this war might've gone better, an old stewards vain dreams. Idly tossing down the wine and food to the side he beckoned the adventurer over to the chess board. He squinted again, what a strange looking fellow.
Giving a quick grin he set down the chess pieces, his hands blurred as he did. He didn't have to look for this, he knew, he could feel the board. He nodded at the lass, lad, he wasn't quite sure;
"Help yourself, and lets play!"
Irdys stared back at the steward, smiled faintly, and set a first piece as she filled her goblet of wine. He didn't seem shocked, she could hope he would scarce remember.
The steward in the meantime stared intently at the board, a pawn moved, e5 to e7. This could mean the shephers opening, the Ortedalian triumph or the famed Lasanar feint. An old move named for an old empire, but famous in his day. Staring at the board he set his piece. and prepared to wait.
Irdys swiftly moved her second piece. She'd had her chess lessons once, long ago, from her father when he still cared for his bastard brood. Still, she remembered, sipping her wine she started to relax, and play on.
The steward meanwhile was far from relaxed, he was grinning though. Ah, chess. His pieces moved swiftly, striking down one after the other from the adventurer. Within 10 moves he knew he'd win. Only 12 more moves, at the most, and he'd have a victory. He laughed at that point, drawing a strange look from the adventurer. He looked closer now, it hardly mattered, he already knew how he'd win... And a lass, yet, it seemed a lass...
Irdys started to groan, moving piece by piece. She didn't see it yet, but she was loosing, that much was clear. The old man wasn't just 'decent' at chess... Aenil be good, he was, well, a general...
The steward meanwhile finished the game and nodded, ready to shush the adventurer out. Giving along some packets of food he kindly set Irdys out of the door. A lass, wouldn't be seen for the rumours to start. He carefully wrote down all that had happened though. Had to account for the wine!
As Irdys was shoved out into the street she quickly put her cloak back into place. The man was a genius... She hadn't thought it, but he was. That chess play, incredible. Chuckling she set off. The coming might've seemed a waste, no one there to really greet her. Still, a good skin of wine, an amusing game of chess. And the freedom for a time, to show who she was. Even if it was to a half blind old man.
Now if only that ominous drumming of that fanfare could stop. Had someone died or some great secret been revealed? She muttered as she headed off, things to attend, important things for high lords. Something that still amazed her somewhere.
