Qubel/Duel and Festival/Dame Sorsha in the Company of the Dark Count Bowie
Dame Sorsha in the Company of the Dark Count
Roleplay from Sorsha McDowell
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Sorsha walked up to Count Bowie’s door and presented herself to the guard. This time when she was let through, the welcome was quite different. There was no search done to her person and she was directed to a small room to wait. She again examined the paintings on the wall in longing silence.
Maybe in the presence of her dark friend, she would be able to breathe somewhat and handle the duel to take place this day. She hated the matter of duelling, and worse she had not come up with any clearer answers today than she had the previous day. Hopefully Bowie could help distract her enough to forget her heartache. She sat in a luxurious chair, closed her eyes and tried to forget who she was for a moment.
Sorsha McDowell (Dame of Port Nebel)
Roleplay from Bowie Ironsides
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When the Dark Count entered his galleria he saw a sculpture worth a thousand views. On the chair was Lady Sorsha, calm, resting, and seemingly at peace.
He wondered whether or not he should disturb her, after all she came here to find serenity. Maybe the chair and the quiet was all she needed.
The days events would be enough excitement for any one noble, but he knew Dame Sorsha would take it to be just another blip on the map. She had been through so much, he presumed.
He signalled for his servant to prepare some tea. He hoped that would be a suitable replacement. He gently crept over and brushed her hair, trying to get her attention.
Whispering, "Dame Sorsha, do I interrupt your dreams?"
The Dark Count,
Bowie Ironsides
Count of Qubel
Roleplay from Sorsha McDowell
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The touch of his hand was so soft, but comforting. Hearing Bowie’s voice Sorsha smiled and opened her eyes. “I was back home,” she told him softly, “running the long fields of green with Kaylan and Alec, trying to catch the foals, to claim which would be ours.” Then a rare childish smile adorned her face and she blushed.
Rising from the chair, she stood before him and glanced into his emerald gaze. “No you do not disturb me, I on the other hand would like to thank you for accompanying me,” she bowed her head. Her stomach had felt incredibly queasy and she now noticed it was beginning to settle somewhat. She didn’t know why but being in his presence brought her strange comfort. She just wanted to be near him, everything seemed so simple when he was near.
Sorsha McDowell (Dame of Port Nebel)
Roleplay from Bowie Ironsides
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The servant entered the room with the tea and the Dark Count served it to the Dame himself.
"I hope this sets your mind right. I remember your reaction to Duke Mathias' duel with myself not too long ago, I can assume you are at that point again this time. What I don't understand, and what I intend to make a point of when I see him, is why would the Marquis hire a champion to fight for him? Are his feet so sensitive they cannot tread in the sandy ring? I will have to harass him about this. Who is this Sir Alden anyway?"
He noticed her eyes look away and realized it was a subject that a more prudent person would have avoided, so he quickly altered his discussion.
"Did you know that one of D'Hara's newest nobles bears the same name as my daughter? When I learned of this, I recruited her to the Sallowsian cause immediately. I have heard that the little demon is doing well with the Duchess, and I am glad for that. At least this way she will have a life ahead of her. Maybe a few unanswered questions, but at least no miseries."
He began to sip his tea. Checking the time to see when they should leave for the ring.
The Dark Count,
Bowie Ironsides
Count of Qubel
Roleplay from Sorsha McDowell
Message sent to everyone in your realm (19 recipients)
Sorsha almost laughed at his comment of sensitive feet but kept back any retorts. She knew why she enjoyed his company now. It was because he was just as straightforward as she. He was right though it was a sore subject for her. Only now it was more so because to add to the confusion that was her life was none other than the Marquis himself and then she thought of the kiss shared between them and averted her gaze.
She was made to think of the Queen and King and realized she had yet to see Kisharianda. She would have to remedy that.
“Yes I had noticed some of our newest nobles, but find they keep to themselves far too much. I would love an opportunity to get to meet them to see what type of new blood has come to our shores. You have a beautiful daughter,” she complimented remembering the small child. “I had been meaning to bring her a small gift, I have not yet had the chance to do so. She would have lived a full life no matter which path you set her on, remember it will be her who makes her choices as she matures, maybe they will take her back to you.”
She sipped the tea and smiled but then noticed him looking down towards the hall, most likely anticipating the event. “Perhaps one day I shall have to experience a duel myself to see what makes the blood tingle and the heart race. I have known battles, and I have known the exhilaration… but this doesn’t strike me as the same.”
She feared the duel would be over quickly and she would need to return home, she was afraid to go back to the decisions awaiting her. Could she not live a small amount of her life in quiet peacefulness for at least a while longer?
She had this moment of repose at least but she knew it would be only too soon now.
Sorsha McDowell (Dame of Port Nebel)
Roleplay from Bowie Ironsides
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"Duelling is an ancient Sallowsian custom, as I am sure it is for many noble civilizations. For us though, it is an honourable challenge, a way to respect your opponent while trying to defeat them. The opposite would be to hire an infiltrator, which we scorn. Face to face in single combat is the finest expression of dignity and piety."
He thought of the duel to come and wished to depart.
"If you have finished your tea gentle Dame, may I suggest we make our trip to the arena? I cannot be sure exactly the arrangements between the combatants, but I do not want to arrive at the wrong time. Whatever should happen, I have prepared a feast for the Qubellii after the fight and will invite yourself and many nobles to join at my estate; including the duellists. This is a big event!"
He spoke to his servant and told her to prepare the carriage. He finished his tea and awaited the call for leave.
Bowie Ironsides
Count of Qubel
Roleplay from Sorsha McDowell
Message sent to everyone in your realm (19 recipients)
“Since you put it that way, yes I could see the attraction…maybe it is simply due to the fact that it always seems to be Mathias doing the dueling lately,” she chuckled a bit, somewhat nervously.
Finishing the last of her tea she rose. “I accept your invitation,” she told him with a smile. “Hopefully more will join us to this feast,” she said wistfully.
It wasn’t long the call for them to leave was made, and the Count presented her his arm and she took it gracefully, making their way to the arena. This was her first attendance therefore she simply followed his lead.
It was a silent ride due to her worry, but Bowie kept smiling whenever she glanced his way, most likely trying to reassure her.
When they arrived, he again proffered his arm and she lightly rested her hand. He was dressed in his best, and that morning she had chosen a dark green colored gown with a silver shawl. She usually preferred her long brown hair swept off her neck, but today it was pinned in long curls trailing past her shoulders reaching her lower back. If it wasn’t for the fact that this was a duel, she could have pretended she was attending a ball instead.
They were led down the halls of the arena until they came out a side door that led to an elevated scaffold where two seats were reserved for the Count and herself.
Sorsha’s heart was pounding so hard now that she was there. The Count motioned for her to sit and she slowly lowered into the cushioned chair and he joined her.
Looking around now, she looked to the center of the arena where Mathias was talking to none other than Lycan. This made her blink with a small bit of surprise. She was glad Mathias was distracted and had not seen her yet. If he did, she would try to avoid his gaze for fear that he would see right through her.
Then a smile formed on her lips at seeing Lycan again. She would speak with him later when she had the chance.
Further down, she spotted Marquis Rathan who examined the arena in quiet disdain. Her eyes rested on him for a bit and as if sensing her gaze, he looked straight at her. They shared a long look her heart racing even faster. She forced an impassive look on her face, in case anyone was watching her hoping they wouldn’t make anything of the expression on her face.
Count Bowie began to talk excitedly of what was to come and she listened quietly. Eventually she managed to tear her gaze away back to the center ring.
Sorsha McDowell (Dame of Port Nebel)
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