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Post by agreyingknight on Jun 13, 2008 9:16:52 GMT -6
Jonas: Jonas was in the middle of the ring, bare from his shirt up sweat glistening on his sun darkened torso, his leather britches hugged his lower body like a second skin allowing him the movement he needed to keep on his toes, which were bare and moved swiftly in the soft sand. He held his sword at the ready as he watched Caden waiting for the Lad's next move.
Caden: Caden too was bare chested, his youthful body muscular from all this practice, his britches were looser then his Uncle's and his feet were just as bare. His own sword was up his eyes alight with, Irritation, was that true. Such an odd emotion to see on Caden's face. Suddenly steel clanged loudly against steel, and the two were in motion a graceful deadly dance done with real swords, each one controlled and precise, each blow deadly and yet not landing intentionally upon their target. It was clear that Caden was slowly getting the upper hand with the older Knight, not because Jonas was too weary or old, but because Caden had gained such skill as to match Jonas's own.
Bess: The Duchess passed through the training yards on her way to no where imparticular. Air was the reason, to feel it on her face, in her hair. To breathe it beyond the damp of the stone walls. Alas, it was not a leisurely walk for she would be accompanied by Sir Kendrew and the four strongest men with the muster to take his stringent commands. Their purpose? To guard the lady from any and all infraction against her person. In the middle of the circle of men she seemed lost, but bid them stop so something better might be found. Old against young, talent to talent
Jonas: Jonas frowned a little when he realized that Caden was fighting against him as if he had something to prove, to whom? To Jonas? To Caden himself, to the man he now knew was his Grandfather? All three. Either way it was going to cause him to make a mistake if the Lad was not careful. To one who might be watching with a skilled eye they might realize that he was letting the younger get the upper hand, not because he was trying to placate him but simply to keep him from getting seriously hurt. Jonas dodged a blow then came round and again steel rang against steel.
Caden: Caden was blissfully unaware of his Uncle holding back. He needed to beat up on someone, to let the frustration and even anger out. As he did so he made a misstep twisthing his ankle in the process sending him into the sand with a growl of pain and frustration. He sat in the sand panting while pained eyes lifted to Jonas. " Why did ye never tell me, why did ye keep letting me believe?"
Eirian: In the tight conclave of guardians, Eirian found place beside her friend to offer the gentle succur of famliar presence. "Shall we take supper together and talk more? There is talk about the Scholars that they are requested to study tapestry in the hall..will you not say what it is for?" Mute lips held secrets in a craddle grave of plushed pink tiers, while cherry-blossom mouth twisted in expression mirroring the verge of frustration. Irony was had in the fact her newly discovered cousin was venting his own frustrations on a man who was considered close to his father. Clang! At the steel strike, Eirian peered around the great wall of armored men to see Caden exurting force on his suncle and mentor.
Jonas: Jonas frowned down at him. " I took an Oath Caden. I had nae choice. Father forbade it, it was for your own safety tha' he kept ye hidden." He studied the young Knight sitting there before him and offered him a hand to help him rise from the sand. "I would have told ye if I could have." He said quietly.
Caden: Caden frowned even more almost ignoring the hand up still unaware they had visitors. He reluctantly took his hand and stood. " Wha was sae alfired inmportant tha' even I had tae be kept in the dark as tae who I am." he did not understand. The person he had thought he was from birth, was no longer true, the mother he had known was not even his mother by birth, nor was his father, he was confused and angry.
Eirian: Two men in battle was not the providence of a woman but the heart was a lady's forte. Words abrasive, hard and angry hit her ears as she pushed past the last man to watch Caden, "He is not well.." she turned up to Beathag with a furrowed brow..
Bess: Impassive, unintrusive. Features as well as stance in the matters, "Nay one is, m'lady," remarked the Duchess as hands clasped together, "nay one is." Would she have been the angry youth in this, unknowing of family, of life? Or would she have understood Jonas who vowed to keep a secret? One word had the power to change an entire life.
Jonas: Jonas frowned even more. " Because yer life was in possible danger Caden. If any knew tha' little secret it could have cost ye yer young life, Tha' alone held m'tongue. Ye are like a son tae me, I would never risk yer life, even if it meant keeping th' truth from ye. " He sheathed his sword at his hip as he spoke with Caden, obviously done with the practice as Caden finally got off his chest what had been bugging him all day.
Caden: He frowned. " Wha' makes me any safer now then I was then? Does this nae pu' me in further danger?" Not that Caden cared, he could watch out for himself, he was in danger every step that he took as a guardian to Eirian, that did not bother him. The secrets on the other hand did.
Bess: Secrets were covered with soil and buried away, locked in vaults or tombs. Secrets were guarded vessels supposed to keep one from harm, but what was worse? It is wrong to suppose that one doesn't have the fortitude to govern destiny, or so she thought. Turas Lan, the territories was built on the back of stone ridden deception that made the skin crawl.
Jonas: Jonas sighed. " Did th' letter nae explaine this tae ye?" At the shake of Caden's head he frowned. "Tis just like Him tae leave th' important stuff ou'. " A shake of his head before he answered. "Yer grandfather received word tha' Ian, th' one tha' killed yer da, was murdered in his sleep, tha' his threat tae our family is gone. I dae nae belive tha' is true, sae I would wish tha' ye be careful, I think tis a hoax." He lifted storm grey eyes to azure blue ones to see what Caden was thinking.
Caden: Caden had begun to pace as he listened. The words hitting his mind as the pain and confusion of deception passed away into careful consideration of his Uncle's words. Secretly Caden was estatic that Jonas was his Uncle in truth not just in word, but it would take him a while to get over the fact that he had been decieved all his life. Finding out that he was the first and only born son of the eldest son of Chieftain Alexander Robertson was a lot to swallow, add into the elaborate deceptions taken to keep his identity from being discovered, that was even more to consider, but even that was pushed aside as he lifted his blue gaze to his Uncle's. "He truely believes he is dead by word of mouth alone? Has He gone daft?" Such words from the young man questioning the decisions of a Chieftain.
Eirian: Clan business was not her business but that was before Caden was discovered to have been her cousin. The Robertsons were kith and kindred now because she was of the same Welsh bloodline that had married in with this Scottish family of power many years ago. Taking a seat on the outer edges of the ring, the Lady eavesdropped on the gentleman's speech concerning the truth of an alleged death. Moistening her lips, she put her fingers delicatly over the round of her belly; precious swell of life kicked at the touch of mother's palm to invoke her presence while she reclined backward.
Jonas: Jonas was surprised by Cadens astuteness and nodded. " Aye. He is an old man Caden, wanting tae believe the words of strangers tha' the danger is over, and the one he wants tae carry on his legacy and lead his people can now openly dae sae." Jonas had watched earlier as Caden had dismissed a sputtering Ruben, the young valet being sent packing with a scathing message to the Chieftain to keep his nose out of Caden's internal business. Jonas commended the young Heir for his independance and even chuckled a bit at the situation with the young Ruben. He let his mind wander back to the affairs at hand, but his gaze would land on Bess and Eirian and nodded in their direction. " Ye have Company." Spoken quietly to Caden.
Caden: He gave a start as he turned to see his Dutchess and his Lady there watching them. He smiled at Eirian and then offered a smile and a bow to Bess. Jonas was forgotten for the moment as the young man moved towards Eirian. " Good eve m'lady, how are ye?" His troubles, concerns and frustrations set aside in favor of more pleasant company of his mentor, friend, and sister of the heart.
Eirian: The Duchess would stand aside with her smile a half-piece while Eirian's was the correct, proper tier of mirth. It was good to see him smile if only for a litle, delight in something. Often he had been pent up in his chambers at the castle brewding over this course of fate, so much so that Eirian would be happy when business allowed them back to the quiet of the beautiful valley they called home together. Alabster hands reached out for his after a curtsy given in exchange for his bow. "I can not speak for her Grace, but Hope and I remain well. What of ye? Ye've had me so worried of late," she reached out to clasp his hands as she surveyed him much as an elder sister would the younger siblings for signs of distress or induction into mischief.
Jonas: Jonas stayed back and watched the two, glad that Caden had found someone he was close to here other then himself. His eyes drifted towards the Lady Bess and he offered her a bow of his head. " Good eve Lady Bess." He greeted her with a smile.
Caden: Caden took her hands in his as she reached for him, and leaned forward to kiss her cheek softly. " Tis good tae hear tha' ye both are daeing well." As she inquired of himself his smile fell a little bit. " Tis hard tae get used tae th' idea tha' I am nae who I though' I was. " He shrugged his shoulders. " I will be fine m'Lady, nae need tae worry." He tried to flash her a reassuring dimpled grin though not so very sure that she would buy it.
Bess: The young spoke while the elder among the stayed in the foreground. A golden haired turned to the one who'd begun graying. Color remained firm in her own, and for thirty five she wore youth's glimmering incandescence well save for the taut, small lines indenting the flesh beside the eye as she canted her head to him with the ghost of a recieving smile, "Good day, Sir Jonas. Sae, ye've come to Turas Lan at last" Whispers were marks of secret and the truth that the Duchy knew of young Caden's fate the moment he appeared on their door. As he was busy with his teacher and Lady, it left the pair to speak openly. "How fares matters at the clan castle?"
Eirian: She pressed her lips to his forehead and looked into eyes with the observation of a scholar mingling with the love of a family, "Aye, it will take time, but it changes not who you are. Title does not make you Caden, nor do words of another. That much of life is all on your own to decide."
Jonas: " Aye come tae keep young Caden safe when I can. Come tae be there for him as he needs me, and come tae offer m'services tae the Seat tae th' best of m' abilities." He leaned nonchalantly against the arena wall and thought on her question a moment. " They would be better if th' old Man would just listen tae reason, instead of giving intae false hope. I dae nae feel the danger has passed as he does. " Broad shoulders shrugged a bit.
Caden: " Aye they don't M'Lady, but m' parentage does. It does nae change the type of person I have been raised tae be and I will never regret having been raised by th' man I call m'father, bu' at th' same time my known identity is nae th' same." He sighed a moment and looked down, which brought his gaze to her belly. His hand fell to the small mound that was the curled form of little Hope. He rubbed there softly as if taking comfort in the presence of the babe there. After a moment he lifted his gaze to Eirians again. "I need time tae adjust M'Lady. Twas something simply dumped intae m'lap with nae warning." He shook his head.
Eirian: The baby pushed out to kick his hand, Eirian laughed at the shivering underneath the folds of lavendar silk. Life as about the unexpected.. the advice was whispered from beyond, but to look at Caden she thought of the life he had fading away before his eyes. heaving out a sigh she let her arm slip into is so the pair of them might walk, "What e'er it is, let me figure it out with you? Nay one is a master of such learning, but as we go about it, we get a little better each day. How provincial it seems to say, Caden, but I do know how you feel. M ygrandmother took me from Devonshire and told me that shepardess would nay be my lot in life."
Caden: He sighed softly and let her link her arm with his and turned to walk with her. He shortened his stride just a bit to match hers as they went. " Aye Eirian, I will let you in." He said softly. Hearing her words he turned his gaze to her. " Tell me wha' happened?"
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Post by Caden J. Robertson on Jun 13, 2008 10:29:35 GMT -6
Caden: He sighed softly and let her link her arm with his and turned to walk with her. He shortened his stride just a bit to match hers as they went. " Aye Eirian, I will let you in." He said softly. Hearing her words he turned his " Tell me wha' happened?"
Eirian: The old spoke, the young spoke, each sharing a side of the story they related to best. Eirian looked out to the world at large as the story was told, " I was raised in Devonshire, a bastard child of my father's, I knew that. I was baptized knowing that, yet m'mother loved me and we wanted for nothing that our work couldn't provide. Yes we knew poverty, a season or two with no shoes, but we knew contentment. I would have lived, married, and died there were it not for the sake of my grandmother seeing a "use" for me. He wanted tow ed my mother, and when his own forbid it, he ne'er took another wife nor made other heirs..."
Caden: He frowned softly for a moment shaking his head. " Sounds a bit like m' own story as I am coming tae know it. How did ye feel when yer grandmother came tae take ye?"
Eirian: "Despondant. The woman loathed me, I became a tool. A pretty, educated little tool to be fished about in the process of finding a match to expand her holdings. Normandy, England, Ireland. Courts across that way and in Scotland too...to sit, to stand...to be another instrument of expansion."
Caden: He frowned. " Tha is wrong." He stated softly his hand coming to rest on hers that held to his arm. " I wish I could ha' been there for ye then." He said softly, knowing she probably could have used a close friend at the time. " Thank you Eirian for being here for me. I know tha' Alexander means well for th' most part, I know he meant tae protect, I just need tae ge' used tae th' news." He sighed a little.
Eirian: "I understand that completely. To be protected is to be sheltered, to be sheltered is to be kept from the truth. There is a part of me that wishes my father would have come to tell me himself but such could not be, I suppose." She shook her head as he spoke of being there for her, "There would have been nothing you could do, and nothing short of taking to a court of my own devices set me free, yet it is not an escape. I still am now..who and what I be."
Caden: He smiled a little and wrapped an arm around her in a hug. " Nae I could nae have done aught save be there for you when you needed an ear tae listen." He gave a crooked smile. " Bu' your righ' its the path's in life tha' we walk tha' make us who we are. And I would nae change you for th' world."
Eirian: "It makes us who we are, as wonderous strange, as often painful as the journey has been thus far I would not change a step of it either. Hope," the word, nay, the name of it lay in her now, "comes in many forms. Some people come into your life only to leave...but they were no less important to have been there. Might I confide in you?" Soft smile grew as they walked further from the ring and toward greener pastures, "To become a Queen, the thing avoided so long, frightens me. Simplistic the realm or nay. Is it not ironic?" She heaved out a sigh, pushing strands of laquered midnight away from her face.
Caden: He smiled at her confession. " Tis a huge responsibility m'lady, responsible for th' safety of all those people, nae matter how big or small th' realm. " He sighed softly. " I think tha' is what upsets me th' most, is knowing I will have tha' responsibility now when I never knew I would have it in th' first place." Eirian: "Now that you know, it is what you do what that power is most imporant. Many vye for a chance to change the world Caden but so few are given a platform already erected on which to stand to begin," The Welsh woman listened to the words from her mouth so as to cleave to her own advice, " Now you know, and it is still your right to deny or accept, no matter what is chosen. My Uncle, my mother's brother, oversees the Southern provinces in Wales, my father's own duchy, in my stead. Some say he watches in truth all of Wales until the true keeper will do so. My choice was long to give it to better men or invoke my right on behalf of the land called home. So then, where does this leave the pair of us? The young clan heir and the woe-begotten princess?"
Caden: " Tha' leaves us with the decision of wheather or nae to face the destiny set before us, or turn tail and run. Th' latter is nae a decision either one of us would be willing tae make and still be able tae live with ourselves. " He said softly, pausing in the middle of the field as Anna came chasing after them having been sleeping during the practice and just realized that Caden was leaving without her. He chuckled as the feline gave him a reproachful look and a huff before stalking off through the grass. He lifted his blue gaze to Eirian once again and shook his head. " This is nae what I would have chosen for m'self, why my ..... grandfather.... chose it for me I am nae certain. I know he has other potential heirs, older and more suited tae look after th' clan when he can nae longer dae sae. Perhaps tis for the simple fact tha' I am th' only son of his first born." Broad shoulders shrugged. "In th' end they are m'family, and I will nae turn from them."
Eirian: Perhaps that was why they had blue eyes, hmm? Common or the fact that the Welsh blood did it so? It was said that the members of the Obray lineage with them were marked for great things as determined by the blood in the mother's veins brought to the marriage to honor the house. Maybe somewhere Caden inherited the same blood that made her own eyes the startling blue that captured the imagination. Anna wallowed in the soft grass as she gave up her reproach for the chance to stalk a butterfly on the wing. A living metaphor if ever there was one. "Ask your Grandfather to elect, one more time, and see what comes of it. Either way ye are marked for more that much is true." Breathing inward she nodded, "We have so much to do Caden, so much to learn and it seems that time is short minded."
Caden: Caden nodded as he looked up into the sun for a moment and then back at her and smiled that dimpled smile. "One thing remains steady and withou' change. Th' fact tha ye and I will be there as th' other walks their intended path, giving support, and love, and friendship. Sae many have tae dae it on their own without tha' one shoulder tae lean on. Tha' one person ye know ye can trust when all others fail ye." Granted he had his Uncle too, but it was not the same, not now, his Uncle had hidden things from him, and while he would trust his Uncle with his life and many other things, there was that since of betrayal lingering in the back of his mind despite the fact that he had had a good reason for keeping that secret.
Eirian: "Then we must nay faulter if we are to be one another's leaning posts, aye? No, Caden, you are right," she let her body lean against him but the weight would not be much. Even with the child in the womb she still seemed an ethereal slip of a person, an image, instead of the substanced flesh standing on two feet, "We've learned a thing that will change our lives besides this. We are family now. In truth and at heart, and that accounts for much." Jonas had a good reason, one which Eirian could even see. Still, the sting outweighed the reason for the bite in the first place, and her priority was to see to Caden's well being and success.
Caden: He wrapped his arms around as she leaned against him and placed his chin atop her head. He took a deep breath and then exhaled. " Aye it does." came his soft answer. Just as she wanted to see to his well being and success, he wanted to make sure she was always safe, never had to fear anything, if he could he would place her in a glass bubble and have her surrounded by guards at all times. But that would not make her happy, any more then being confined would make him happy. " Promise me something Eirian..... Be careful. When I cannae be there with ye, please be careful. " He knew her position had potential dangers, which was why even when he could not be with her he had set a guard to follow her, the guards were four in total, and silent, one she would know of though he like the others always kept their distance, giving her the privacy she might need or want, and yet keeping her protected as well. But no one was perfect and sometimes things just happened. Events in the markets a few nighs ago for example.
Eirian: "So it does indeed," Her head lulled against his chest to the place where the heart beats and it had the same, gentle rhythm as her own. He was a warrior with the enduring curiosity, the love, of the ever-young. She prayed to God he never lose it for his faith would be sorely tested in the times to come. Eirian lifted her head to listen to the promise he bid of her. "I promise, " she replied with unequivocal fidelity, "I will do no less."
Caden: He smiled once more those ever present dimples peeking through. "Good, Thank you." He kissed her forehead gently before tucking her head back against his chest. He glanced back the way they had come remindng himself he would have to give his uncle and appology later for taking his anger out on him, even becoming careless in practice which could have potentially injured both of them.
Eirian: "You are welcome, cousin, you are welcome." How many times had his head lay against her lap when he was unsure, and now it was he who held her close in the hour of his uncertain future? The youth of Struan was more than an admirable lad for he was now finding his footing as a man. She breathed in as she thought of the family that would come to be known, the differences in lives to be melded, the dimensions of the country they called home.
Caden: He lifted his hand to stroke her hair softly, idly as his thoughts wandered to the family he did not know. He had Uncles aplenty, they had families. He knew of them, knew their names, even knew where they lived if they did not live in the Robertson Castle. But he did not really know them, he was not close to them. He wondered if things had been different if he would have been close with his family as he was with the ones who raised him. He wondered about the man that fathered him, wondered what kind of person he had been. It had not been Daniel's fault that he had not been there for Caden, his life cut short before Caden even had a clue as to who the man was. He sighed softly and rubbed her arms speaking at last. " Should we head back?"
Eirian: "We should lest they wonder why we were gone so long. Come, let me take your arm. If business is done soon we might have leave to go home." The thought was comforting so she shared it, smiling to him as she came to stand upright, breaking the spell around the quiet little world they shared in confidence kept.
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Post by agreyingknight on Jun 13, 2008 10:51:59 GMT -6
Jonas: Jonas stood there watching as Caden and Eirian dissapeared. He was glad he had found someone like Eirian. He felt for the boy, knew this could not be easy for him. He shook his head and then let those storm grey eyes rest on Bess. His thoughts guarded for the moment.
Bess; Eirian was capable of magnitutes of understanding, compassion, and kindness. The woman's forebarance ought be the stuff of history; they all had a place in the passages of time being writ as they breathed even now. Moor's green hue shifted until it rested on Jonas with a subtle conveying of her fascination. She stood similar to how he did, save the only difference was marked in heather skirts. Old habits died hard, and assuming the demure posture of a lady didn't bode well with the erect stance of one who stood on boats or held a weapon in her hands.
Jonas: He admired the dutchess, admired her strength, her abilities to lead. Admired the warrior she was above all else. Admired her because, like her, he was a Knight. His name was Jonas Robertson, his Father was Alexander his mother the Lady of the Robertson Clan, gone now for many years. He was a member of the Robertson clan, that was who he was born to be. That was all in what made him who he was, a Knight, plain and simple. Just as she was a Warrior, plain and simple.
Bess: Beathag was Beathag, plain and simple. Her past was proving to be convaluted with mysteries, hidden clues, and a story unfolding but as much as she was one who believed knowing the roots made the path up the tree worth climbing she was a bud on the branch blooming in her own brazen right. Warrior, oddity, brilliant or foolhearty. Call her what you would she would make no apology of it and bare witness on the make of it to only a few . She was a child of Higlanders, Dragonshipmen. Descendant of conquerors and clans.
Jonas: He studied her a few moments longer before glancing off into the direction the two had taken. " He is angry." He said simply, knowing she would know of whom he spoke. He shook his head. " I do nae agree with m'father's way of dealing with things, bu' wha' is done is done an' there be nae gaeing back."
Bess: "O'course he is angry" It was a confirmation in a retort and not a statement to the obvious. She turned herself to face him at a square, proper angle so one might look on the other without having to be so subtle about it. "There was a reason things were done as they were, n' tis nay m'place to debate o'er a clans choices. We all reckon with the choices o' those tha' came before us, Sir."
Jonas: He nodded. " Aye, ye are righ'" He said softly his attention now fully upon her. " Is there aught I can dae for ye, M'lady. While I am here for Caden, tha' does nae stop me from giving of myself tae those our clan clearly supports." He offered a bit of a crooked grin.
Bess: One crookied grin could come to another and make a full smile. The half-smirk was on the opposite side of his own before it slipped to let out a laugh, a sigh, "What can ye do, Sir Robertson?" What could he do indeed! With inner turmoil in the other families, those who originally flocked beneath the Griffin banner were less as some fell victim to the old familial habit of squabbling over the stones in the field. "What is it ye see fit to offer to do?"
Jonas: " I can offer ye m'sword, M'Lady. I am a Knight, and old Knight for sure but a Knight." He said with a bit of humor. " I trained Caden, and many of those whithin m'clan, wheather directly related or no. Clan Robertson is known for having some of the best swordsmen around." Tooting his own horn... never... just remarking on the skills and abilities of his own people. " I have nae wish tae go tae battle any longer, tis time to start a life beyond th' sword, bu' I know little else." He thought of sweet Kiley when he mentioned living beyond the sword, and his smile grew tender his eyes slightly distant in remembrance of the past few days spent with the pretty lass.
Bess: "How true tha' is. Tell me, when ye find the secret to content ment beyond steel let me know. When ye've held it, tis a hard song to let go of in favor of other things. Women are nay to speak of such, yet many of us know it. Or so I hope tis many." She considered his offer. "There are many young enough with thirst for battle, hunger for glory tha' ye needn't go forth to the field . But those tha' train them for the ready are rarer still. Most Scotsman find it hard tae let go...hmm."
Jonas: He would not tell her so, for he was not a vain or boistrous man, and he was sure she had already heard on more then one occasion the grumblings of the younger Knights. In practices he had beaten some of her best, most of them younger then he and on one occasion, two of her brightest trainees. When he had finished, he had gently scolded them for their over confidence, and for underestimating their opponent. The next day they had tried again, individually and both had beaten him. At her words of finding rest and contentment he chuckled. " The thirst for battle will never gae away Lass, bu' it does fade to a bearable twinge, which can easily be fed by doing simple things like practice in th' arena." or that was how it was for him. He was 45, still in his prime some would say, quicker on his feet then many of the youth, still fit for battle, but he did not have the hunger for it now as he once did. He no longer had anything to prove. "Perhaps helping ye tae train th' younger generation will feed th' need when it arises?"
Bess: " A bareable twinge.." Perhaps now in her it was a dull roar? At Trotternish she had tasted fear and the want to surrender her arms. While the knighting commenced and the worthy earned their golden spurs, her sword only became used in that purpose. Her axe was placed in the hall of weapons. But to train? Sh elooked at the man with gray in his hair, the strength in his arms and back, "We do nay have enough men to train, this is certain, and a clansmen of repute would encourage more good ties...would ye do this? For helpin' in the sense o' a we..I...do nay think it would be fittin for m'self to train them."
Jonas: " Aye I would dae this. Sometimes a few well trained men can hold off armies of lesser trained men. " Strength was not always seen in numbers, but the hearts of men and what they were willing to protect, add considerable skill to that and you have yourself a nigh unstopable army no matter how small it is.
Bess: " Aye. The essence o' the military at large. A few well trained men, good sword, good speed, good marksmen..will do the work o' an entire battillion. If such is wot ye seek to do then it will be done. Ye will help to o'er see the proper battle education of any sent into Turas Lan to serve as pages, continue the lessons of the squires. We will introduce ye to the General and the Lord Marshall as a combat trainer." Long did she remain silent before she said, "A pang aye? N' tha' will be all o' this battle urge? Is it normal fer it tae die, then respark all together?" Jonas: He nodded in agreement to the first of her comment, satisfied with the potential it would give. The last made him smile. " Aye, tis verra normal. WHen ye have a fighting spirit tis hard nae tae let the flame engulph ye. It helps if ye have things at home tha' make ye want tae be there. " Again he thought of Kiley and made a mental note for later to ask the Dutchess for permission to officially court the girl. Granted she was much younger then he, but that did not make a difference when one thought of the feelings that flared between the two every time they were in the same room.
Bess: "Jonas," the formality lapsed in the comfort of the company, "I've gone to battle, n' durin the times o' treason, the war, was nearly killed three times. The third was vera close to comin' to pass. My weapons were hung, m'father spoke to me in dreams. Or was tha' m'heart fathoming only tha' it was time to lay down arms? He told me he was proud....tha' was no dream. It may be a question ne'e rknown until the time o' true death is nigh."
Jonas: " M'Lady, ye rule a land, a vast one a' tha'. In order for ye tae continue tae dae sae ye need tae stay among th' living, Le' your people fight th' battles. Aye tis hard tae watch as those ye carefor, those ye swore tae protect gae out tae war, but yer knowledge and planning and abilities are pu' tae better use here where ye are safe, and can live another day and continue tae Lead your people, Tis nae shame in tha' everyone knows tha' ye would rather be battling along side yer people then hanging up yer weapons, bu' wha is more important tae ye?"
Bess: In all of the words that were put forth to her, these were the first that highlighted both sides of the rational while reaching to the place that ached with the indecision of it; anxious, restless was the woman bound in silk damask when rougher, homespun fabrics still hung in her wardrobe. She felt like a wolf in the guise of a lamb who was supposed to lay down but instead wished to bite hard against the order of what told her to do so in the first place. But Jonas was right, and what he said she long knew, perhaps it was only that someone else said so in the way of guidance that made it clear. "So. To take the hands honed for war and guide the warrior so his home, when he returns, still stands, while he ensures the freedom o' it. To live another day when others take oath to sacrifice their own so I might do so. To embrace the call to be the emblem of a free place, instead o' the warrior with the sword." Slowly, a smile began to form, "Were ye nay a trainer o' warriors I'd insist ye become an advisor. Long has such been known but the expression is the hardest to grasp. Thank you, Jonas. Ye have nay idea how many will be thankful tha' such was finally drilled into m'think skull." Now on another matter of propriety, she would interject a thought ,"Mm..nay hand tha' ever held still would allow it go lax. Perhaps ye will also humor an odd woman by sparin' with her from time to time? Such odd habits allow meh to think clearer. Focus. On occasion ye may pit ye men against me." she grinned ," On occasion. The pride o' men is a sacred thing tha' it behooves awoman nay to ruin."
Jonas: He grinned. " If ye ever need counsil tha' none other can seem tae put tae rest, I am always here tae speak to M'lady. And aye, I would be more then willing tae spar with ye, a good opponent is a good opponent wheather it be male or female. Tis something I have always taugh' Caden. It goes along with never underestimating yer oppenent male pride be dammned, ye never know when ye run across even a small lad with potential more skill then ye yerself have. " He grinned at her.
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