Post by Sir Dmitrii Zurban on Jul 29, 2009 9:23:04 GMT -6
Thanks to Jenks and the Honor Joust, now the whole world knew Aegraine and Dmitrii were in love. With this public knowledge came a certain freedom to walk about the city together, hand in hand, if they chose but conversely, there was less freedom, too. The servants, Dora or Marie, were always in the background wherever Aegraine went, especially when she talked with Dmitrii. It was not only the servants who watched them, but the townsfolks, as well.
Every day now, Aegraine was at work at the city walls, along with the lePower family in their co-operative endeavor with the Turas Lan crews and people. Dmitrii prepared for the rescheduled Joust, after his Honor Match with Rhupert Jenks.
Peace… Was this peace that he had heard so much about? The feeling of a true home, with no war to fill its time? The smell of flowers and scents of a woman, instead the stench of dried blood and burning oil? Dmitrii had yearned for peace all his life, but that luxury had avoided him. He glanced down at their hands as they walked along the street near vendors.
With no destination in sight, the time Aegraine was not working on the walls was used in togetherness; for he had rearranged his warrior duties to correspond with Aegraine’s duties and their off-time was spent together. And upon these destination-less walks, they would always evade the servants long enough to steal away for a kiss to be enjoyed. And they would endure the servants scolding upon their return… finalized by Dmi’s familiar smirk.
Jenks? He himself found it became an awkward work post at the new walls, so he concentrated his time being Martin’s aide, taking care of the older man’s paperwork and seeing it to his appointments were in order.
The entire lePower construction unit camped in their usual formation, outside of the city walls, off to one side of the new gates.
My home campsite.
My childhood was divided to two sections. One was our estate home, a normal settled home setting with guests, parties and hunting in season. It was the typical home of a wealthy retired man and his extended family, polite and traditional. We all had lessons in language and history; readings to complete, etc. In the estate, tapestry decorated the walls, coach dogs lolled near our hearth fires and in spacious great rooms, conversation was of art, literature and paintings. Classic Irish music formed the background for our daily elegant home life.
In early spring, before the war season began, the travel started and my home shifted into the other section, a camp. Since the Hadrian Wall, lePower lived in camp half the year at least. Much like a Roman Army encampment, the lePower has set patterns for set up of tents and gathering the horses, cooking areas, and the main heart of our moving home was and is the campfire. Each night, the travelers come about it to discuss the coming day and what went right or wrong with the day’s work. Friendships are formed here and the evening meal is served here.
It was the last day of encampment that let slip the wilder ways of the lePower. Now, the family members, workmen, cooks and carnival dancers would came to sit about a larger version of their everyday campfire. It was ringed about with a wider track on the last night for that is the night of the horsedancers.
The gates had been inspected and accepted by the Mo’r Triath on behalf of the Skye Parliament. And Lord Martin lePower had been paid handsomely for a job well-done.
Aegraine walked with Dmitrii, to visit her family encampment, outside the city gates, on the last day of Turas Lan Gate building, before the lePower were going to pack up their ships and head to winter in Waterford.
It was one of those walks, though the destination now known, that Dmitrii and Aegraine walked along the wall and out thru the newly worked gate. “You and yer Father did an exceptional job m’dear…” as his wandering eyes upon the gate and its structure returned to her. His attention was on her until the merriment outside the gate caught his attention.
“Did I tell you about the customs we have in camp?” she asked him, as they walked hand-in-hand to visit her family’s gathering, the last night it was all in place, about the campfire.
Steel grey eyes left the direction of the merriment and focused back upon her. “Nyet… I would so love to hear about them…” he smiled… “I would love to know what may become of me at one of these festivals…” he chuckled. “As I would inform yu of Kievan Rus traditions should we ever be inundated by Rus…” followed by a hearty laugh. Laugh? Only since he had been seeing Aegraine had he laughed… for prior to her, he was too sullen to bear the task of laughter.
“First there is feast and then drinks; I do not drink that brew of theirs myself. It is too strong. They will expect you to have a toast with my Da and brother Alan, however.” This night, there was moonlight and it glowed upon the new smooth walls of Turas Lan, once more a beautiful city.
Dmi laughed again. “It cannot be as strong as sa-ma-gon…” Then he began to explain to her the home-made vodka made from grain. “Toasts I can do…” winking at her.
As they neared the family emplacement, Ae leaned her shoulder against Dmi’s arm and went on about the campfire ceremonies to come. “I am expected to ride the dancer’s horse and when done, I go choose you if we are going to be courting. It will not be too bad, we will just walk around the fire once and sit together and watch the others.” She did not add that the other dancers would be choosing men to take to their tent, if they had previous experience. Some like her, would be sitting near the fire with the man they chose.
“Dancer’s horse? That cannot be too hard for you…” he teased. “Walk around the fire?” he seemed a bit confused, shrugging, he listened to what she had to say…
“One walk round the fire is if you be courting: three circuits about the fire and the couple is wed.”
Squeezing her hand a bit, he leaned closer to her and spoke softly… “Why dun we just walk around thrice and ask the Mor’ Okesula to register us with the Bishop?” he teased her and kissed her neck quickly.
They had arrived at the campfire and her Father and half-brother Alan went up and greeted Aegraine with a kiss and to Dmitrii, a brotherly punch on the arm. “I saw that Dmi… be careful with my sister…” he teased quietly.
Uh oh, almost busted… but apparently it was innocent enough. Lord forbid they find out the times they escaped from the servants for kisses. Dmitrii smiled at Alan and bowed slightly to Lord lePower. “Evening MiLord… Alan…”
“Toast to the family!” Each of the men had a gourd of some brackish muddy brew shoved into their hands and in one upward movement of the gourds the lePower said in unison, “To life!”
“To the Family and to Life… Nas tro oh via…” Dmitrii downed the drink and it tasted as good as it looked; awful…. Oh it was not as strong as sa-ma-gon, but damn, it was awful tasting, and did not look much better. All which was evident in the crinkled beard, which he wiped with his sleeve.
Next the music began, lightly at first and louder, with more of the rings which were skin drums beating the rhythm. Pipes and lutes filled the air with tune and there was singing in an ancient language. About the ring’s edge, male and female carnival dancers and acrobats moved to the music in a counterclockwise direction about the fire site.
Dmi was guided to a place on the opposite side of the fire by Alan… Once glance back to Aegraine was all he had time for as Alan grabbed his arm and led him to a place to sit. Another man shoved full gourds into his and Alan’s hands.
“Horse! Horse!” and in came and old woman leading a thick cart horse, without a saddle and began to start the light gray animal walking around the ring. “Who is first? Who is wanting to be courted? Eh? Or more than that?” the Elderly one got a raucous reply from the gathering with that comment.
Dmitrii canted his head and watched… taking another quick glance for Ae.
The old woman gave the trained horse its head and let it trot about the fire circle, until one of the acrobat girls stepped off a low platform to stand on the horse’s wide, flat back and danced as it walked. Arms waving and a walk over or two and she slid off the horse to wild applause and went and dragged a most willing young man off to the sidelines, off to the tent area. Now the crowd went wild. More drinks were poured… and the next young girl went to the platform to step upon the horse. This time it was Aegraine.
Dmitrii drank his drink, and would clap along with the music and the girl dancing upon the horse, and then laughed as Alan nudged him when the girl took away the youthful young man. He once again he drank of the awful-tasting drink, though it was not as bad as the first. He, along, with others began to clap as the next lass made her way to the platform… then he noticed it was Aegraine and almost choked as he was downing the remaining drink.
She was wearing her trouser outfit she’d worn for work that day and now she was standing upon the horse’s back, barefoot, but sure of her stance. Ae had been practicing, it seems. Her long dark hair swung loose, curly, and half-wild looking. It was a dance like the crew had seen her do before, on the walls after the battle, not so long ago. A handstand, a walkover, and somewhat hip-shaking dance she was rounding the fire, seeming not to notice where Dmi sat, but then slipped off the horse and with one hand drew him up to walk about the fire with her, to the family and crew clapping in time. “One round of the fire, then we are officially courting, in my family tradition.” Exactly what that meant, she was going to tell him later. This was enough for today.
His eyes went wide as he saw how graceful Aegraine was upon the horse’s back. She was very seductive in her dance, and parts of him came alive, unexpectedly… and became worse as she wiggled her hips as she did. He could only just swallow, refusing to betray his thoughts.
As she neared him, his beard crinkled in the familiar fashion, and when she extended her hand to him, he took it readily. Rising he fell in step beside her as they half-walked-half-danced around the large roaring fire. He nodded at her words of courting brought a big smile. And yet as they made the rounds of the fire, drinks were shoved into their hands.
"Was that one round? I lost count of where we began." Aegraine steadied herself by holding onto his arm as they rounded the flame. Against the din of shouts from the gathered workers, her words loud so he might hear. "Dmi? I think I might be a little tipsy; they give us girls a drink before we dance atop the horse. And Alan will make us drink another toast when we finish the one round walk. We cannot remain here too late, or else I might not be able to walk the distance back to my home." The young woman was right in that respect; the family brew was too strong for her.
The drink was strong and people kept shoving drinks at them, but Dmi was holding his own. When Aegraine used him for support, and admitted to inebriation he could only smile. “My dear I am not sure, but I think it is more than one…” How many times they walked around the fire was definitely more than one, he was almost sure.
"Here here!" Alan handed them both a dipper of the same brackish brew, the smell alone was strong enough, let alone the taste of it. "To Life! And the couple to be." Peer pressure came to bear and Dmitrii was handed a most generous drink of the brew; fortunate for him he was able to handle it. Aegraine received a much smaller portion to drink, but that was more than her body tolerated. "Drink up! Tonight is for festival!"
Dmitrii had no choice but to accept the drink… again… this time, he noticed Ae having a hard time even sipping, so when he turned to hug her, he tipped her drink into his. Then quickly downed it after hugging Ae.
"Tomorrow is for hangover." Martin added; his own cup half drained and refilled once more. He slouched in his folding camp chair, a silly grin on his face and waved for another round of drink to be served.
The music got louder with the family workers and crew drinking, dancing reels about the fire and spitting into the glowing coals at the fire edge. The drinks came, passed along, again and again, until poor little Aegraine hung one arm about Dmitrii's shoulder and whispered to him. "Dmi. Take me home before I am sick. I simply cannot drink like I am expected to do." She had barely tasted the cups passed to her and even that little was too much.
His strong arm wrapped around her waist and he nodded. Then he looked around for a way to escape the onslaught of drinks.
There Zurban stood, Aegraine hanging on his arm, her long curly hair draped over his shoulder; her bare feet in the dust and his lady barely awake from the drink. "We need to go home."
A crew chief handed Dmitrii another round of drink, cheerfully encouraging him to drain the cup.
A staunch adversary on the field of battle he had proven, and upon drinking sprees, he had drank thrice more than any man… but this night he was challenged again and again. Thru the night, the drinks got easier to down… and in thus doing so, he too became a bit tipsy. Even the mightiest of warriors had limitations.
Alan was off, badgering some other couple to toast him with the home brew. Old Martin was passed out, near the entrance of his tent, waiting for Jenks to find him and take care of the old man in as dignified manner as could be managed. To this end, the aide remained sober. Rhupert Jenks did not drink this night or other nights. He watched.
The old woman who had led dancers to the horse appeared by Dmi's arm and pulled at his sleeve, telling him in such a helpful voice, "Why don't you stay here tonight? You have both had so much to drink. Look at the Lady. Remain in camp tonight, you both? I have a nice tent you may use."
Dmitrii was being polite to everyone, and in attempting to please Aegraine’s family, friends, and appease customs, he found himself a bit on the drunk side of the mug. He smiled at the old woman and shook his head. “No thank you ma’am… I must get…” then he was interrupted by Jenks.
Rhupert walked up to the crone and firmly told her, "Now Mother Poteen, enough for today. Go have you a last drink before you scrub the kegs. Tomorrow we sail home to Waterford." He looked ready to drag the hag away, if need be and that was enough. The old woman gathered her shawl over her head and shuffled away into the dark shadows.
"Zurban? You have the use of my horse, if it will help you to take Lady lePower home now. I am afraid her brother means to take both of you back to the ship, a joke in his eyes in his current state."
Only to Dmitrii he confided, "Her Father and I remain here in Turas Lan, until he is able to see the Healer Aislin." He knew the healer was away and it might be her assistants that Martin would be seeing. "I am afraid age has caught up with the Elder, at long last."
Dmitrii was a bit drunk but not to the point that he would listen to the man that challenged him for his betrothed’s fate. Oh yes, he now claimed Jenks a swordbrother, and in battle would trust him… but not with his future wife he wouldn’t… He just nodded. “I have my own in the city stables… I will make sure Ae gets home to Dora, then I shall ride Troika home.” Then He turned and began to walk away, his arm around Aegraine, her arm over his shoulder… staggering as they walked from the festivities thru the new gate.
Just out of site, Aegraine went limp… and Dmitrii caught her. Smiling he held her up, kissed her cheek, and then hoisted her over his shoulder like a large bag of potatoes. Walking to the stables, he laid her upon the hay as he saddled Troika. Glancing back every few moments making sure she was alright.
Once Troika was prepared for a journey, Dmi bent over and started to pick Ae up… and in her drunken stupor, she groaned, turned, dropping to her knees, and heaved the stomach contents. Dmitrii, just knelt next to her and patted her back. Once she had settled upon her buttocks, wiping her mouth and apologizing prophetically, Dmitrii nodded. “Tis alright luv… I shall take care of yu as promised.” Then he pulled her to her feet, then with a grunt, lifted her to the saddle. Settling behind her, the pair rode from the stables and out thru another gate besides the new one. Dmitrii had no intention of letting any of her family see her in her condition nor where they were going.
Even in her less than alert state, Ae tried to move on her own, but she was too unstable to do more than lean on Dmitrii and let his strong arms support her. She realized they were both riding along on Troika, and not in the direction of her cottage and to a good scolding from her servant, old Dorie. Dora was such a mother hen.
It was imperative that Jenks had been at the campfire to see Aegraine choose Dmitrii, so that the aide would let the decision of the honor joust stand and accept that fact. Jenks was not one to let go easily. Now he had no choice.
Out the gate, with his beloved in his arms before him, Dmitrii headed for Lake Manor and the safety of his own home.
"Take me home." She had asked, not meaning Waterford, or the cottage in Weir Lane but hopefully to Lake Manor. It was a relief to just know, as she faded in out of awareness, that they were on the road away from Turas Lan.
“Aye my love… we are going home.” He responded to her just before she passed out. The ride to Lake Manor was long… for Dmitrii anyways, as Aegraine lay in his arm a dead-weight. Along the way, it was Troika that kept to the road, for Dmitrii could not see so well. Good thing the drinks now began to hit him hardest and not at the festivities.
Along the road, he would pet her hair, and run strands thru his fingers. Thoughts of what they’d do if she were awake… some not so proper ran thru his mind, but those would have to wait. At least she was in his arms.
Every day now, Aegraine was at work at the city walls, along with the lePower family in their co-operative endeavor with the Turas Lan crews and people. Dmitrii prepared for the rescheduled Joust, after his Honor Match with Rhupert Jenks.
Peace… Was this peace that he had heard so much about? The feeling of a true home, with no war to fill its time? The smell of flowers and scents of a woman, instead the stench of dried blood and burning oil? Dmitrii had yearned for peace all his life, but that luxury had avoided him. He glanced down at their hands as they walked along the street near vendors.
With no destination in sight, the time Aegraine was not working on the walls was used in togetherness; for he had rearranged his warrior duties to correspond with Aegraine’s duties and their off-time was spent together. And upon these destination-less walks, they would always evade the servants long enough to steal away for a kiss to be enjoyed. And they would endure the servants scolding upon their return… finalized by Dmi’s familiar smirk.
Jenks? He himself found it became an awkward work post at the new walls, so he concentrated his time being Martin’s aide, taking care of the older man’s paperwork and seeing it to his appointments were in order.
The entire lePower construction unit camped in their usual formation, outside of the city walls, off to one side of the new gates.
My home campsite.
My childhood was divided to two sections. One was our estate home, a normal settled home setting with guests, parties and hunting in season. It was the typical home of a wealthy retired man and his extended family, polite and traditional. We all had lessons in language and history; readings to complete, etc. In the estate, tapestry decorated the walls, coach dogs lolled near our hearth fires and in spacious great rooms, conversation was of art, literature and paintings. Classic Irish music formed the background for our daily elegant home life.
In early spring, before the war season began, the travel started and my home shifted into the other section, a camp. Since the Hadrian Wall, lePower lived in camp half the year at least. Much like a Roman Army encampment, the lePower has set patterns for set up of tents and gathering the horses, cooking areas, and the main heart of our moving home was and is the campfire. Each night, the travelers come about it to discuss the coming day and what went right or wrong with the day’s work. Friendships are formed here and the evening meal is served here.
It was the last day of encampment that let slip the wilder ways of the lePower. Now, the family members, workmen, cooks and carnival dancers would came to sit about a larger version of their everyday campfire. It was ringed about with a wider track on the last night for that is the night of the horsedancers.
The gates had been inspected and accepted by the Mo’r Triath on behalf of the Skye Parliament. And Lord Martin lePower had been paid handsomely for a job well-done.
Aegraine walked with Dmitrii, to visit her family encampment, outside the city gates, on the last day of Turas Lan Gate building, before the lePower were going to pack up their ships and head to winter in Waterford.
It was one of those walks, though the destination now known, that Dmitrii and Aegraine walked along the wall and out thru the newly worked gate. “You and yer Father did an exceptional job m’dear…” as his wandering eyes upon the gate and its structure returned to her. His attention was on her until the merriment outside the gate caught his attention.
“Did I tell you about the customs we have in camp?” she asked him, as they walked hand-in-hand to visit her family’s gathering, the last night it was all in place, about the campfire.
Steel grey eyes left the direction of the merriment and focused back upon her. “Nyet… I would so love to hear about them…” he smiled… “I would love to know what may become of me at one of these festivals…” he chuckled. “As I would inform yu of Kievan Rus traditions should we ever be inundated by Rus…” followed by a hearty laugh. Laugh? Only since he had been seeing Aegraine had he laughed… for prior to her, he was too sullen to bear the task of laughter.
“First there is feast and then drinks; I do not drink that brew of theirs myself. It is too strong. They will expect you to have a toast with my Da and brother Alan, however.” This night, there was moonlight and it glowed upon the new smooth walls of Turas Lan, once more a beautiful city.
Dmi laughed again. “It cannot be as strong as sa-ma-gon…” Then he began to explain to her the home-made vodka made from grain. “Toasts I can do…” winking at her.
As they neared the family emplacement, Ae leaned her shoulder against Dmi’s arm and went on about the campfire ceremonies to come. “I am expected to ride the dancer’s horse and when done, I go choose you if we are going to be courting. It will not be too bad, we will just walk around the fire once and sit together and watch the others.” She did not add that the other dancers would be choosing men to take to their tent, if they had previous experience. Some like her, would be sitting near the fire with the man they chose.
“Dancer’s horse? That cannot be too hard for you…” he teased. “Walk around the fire?” he seemed a bit confused, shrugging, he listened to what she had to say…
“One walk round the fire is if you be courting: three circuits about the fire and the couple is wed.”
Squeezing her hand a bit, he leaned closer to her and spoke softly… “Why dun we just walk around thrice and ask the Mor’ Okesula to register us with the Bishop?” he teased her and kissed her neck quickly.
They had arrived at the campfire and her Father and half-brother Alan went up and greeted Aegraine with a kiss and to Dmitrii, a brotherly punch on the arm. “I saw that Dmi… be careful with my sister…” he teased quietly.
Uh oh, almost busted… but apparently it was innocent enough. Lord forbid they find out the times they escaped from the servants for kisses. Dmitrii smiled at Alan and bowed slightly to Lord lePower. “Evening MiLord… Alan…”
“Toast to the family!” Each of the men had a gourd of some brackish muddy brew shoved into their hands and in one upward movement of the gourds the lePower said in unison, “To life!”
“To the Family and to Life… Nas tro oh via…” Dmitrii downed the drink and it tasted as good as it looked; awful…. Oh it was not as strong as sa-ma-gon, but damn, it was awful tasting, and did not look much better. All which was evident in the crinkled beard, which he wiped with his sleeve.
Next the music began, lightly at first and louder, with more of the rings which were skin drums beating the rhythm. Pipes and lutes filled the air with tune and there was singing in an ancient language. About the ring’s edge, male and female carnival dancers and acrobats moved to the music in a counterclockwise direction about the fire site.
Dmi was guided to a place on the opposite side of the fire by Alan… Once glance back to Aegraine was all he had time for as Alan grabbed his arm and led him to a place to sit. Another man shoved full gourds into his and Alan’s hands.
“Horse! Horse!” and in came and old woman leading a thick cart horse, without a saddle and began to start the light gray animal walking around the ring. “Who is first? Who is wanting to be courted? Eh? Or more than that?” the Elderly one got a raucous reply from the gathering with that comment.
Dmitrii canted his head and watched… taking another quick glance for Ae.
The old woman gave the trained horse its head and let it trot about the fire circle, until one of the acrobat girls stepped off a low platform to stand on the horse’s wide, flat back and danced as it walked. Arms waving and a walk over or two and she slid off the horse to wild applause and went and dragged a most willing young man off to the sidelines, off to the tent area. Now the crowd went wild. More drinks were poured… and the next young girl went to the platform to step upon the horse. This time it was Aegraine.
Dmitrii drank his drink, and would clap along with the music and the girl dancing upon the horse, and then laughed as Alan nudged him when the girl took away the youthful young man. He once again he drank of the awful-tasting drink, though it was not as bad as the first. He, along, with others began to clap as the next lass made her way to the platform… then he noticed it was Aegraine and almost choked as he was downing the remaining drink.
She was wearing her trouser outfit she’d worn for work that day and now she was standing upon the horse’s back, barefoot, but sure of her stance. Ae had been practicing, it seems. Her long dark hair swung loose, curly, and half-wild looking. It was a dance like the crew had seen her do before, on the walls after the battle, not so long ago. A handstand, a walkover, and somewhat hip-shaking dance she was rounding the fire, seeming not to notice where Dmi sat, but then slipped off the horse and with one hand drew him up to walk about the fire with her, to the family and crew clapping in time. “One round of the fire, then we are officially courting, in my family tradition.” Exactly what that meant, she was going to tell him later. This was enough for today.
His eyes went wide as he saw how graceful Aegraine was upon the horse’s back. She was very seductive in her dance, and parts of him came alive, unexpectedly… and became worse as she wiggled her hips as she did. He could only just swallow, refusing to betray his thoughts.
As she neared him, his beard crinkled in the familiar fashion, and when she extended her hand to him, he took it readily. Rising he fell in step beside her as they half-walked-half-danced around the large roaring fire. He nodded at her words of courting brought a big smile. And yet as they made the rounds of the fire, drinks were shoved into their hands.
"Was that one round? I lost count of where we began." Aegraine steadied herself by holding onto his arm as they rounded the flame. Against the din of shouts from the gathered workers, her words loud so he might hear. "Dmi? I think I might be a little tipsy; they give us girls a drink before we dance atop the horse. And Alan will make us drink another toast when we finish the one round walk. We cannot remain here too late, or else I might not be able to walk the distance back to my home." The young woman was right in that respect; the family brew was too strong for her.
The drink was strong and people kept shoving drinks at them, but Dmi was holding his own. When Aegraine used him for support, and admitted to inebriation he could only smile. “My dear I am not sure, but I think it is more than one…” How many times they walked around the fire was definitely more than one, he was almost sure.
"Here here!" Alan handed them both a dipper of the same brackish brew, the smell alone was strong enough, let alone the taste of it. "To Life! And the couple to be." Peer pressure came to bear and Dmitrii was handed a most generous drink of the brew; fortunate for him he was able to handle it. Aegraine received a much smaller portion to drink, but that was more than her body tolerated. "Drink up! Tonight is for festival!"
Dmitrii had no choice but to accept the drink… again… this time, he noticed Ae having a hard time even sipping, so when he turned to hug her, he tipped her drink into his. Then quickly downed it after hugging Ae.
"Tomorrow is for hangover." Martin added; his own cup half drained and refilled once more. He slouched in his folding camp chair, a silly grin on his face and waved for another round of drink to be served.
The music got louder with the family workers and crew drinking, dancing reels about the fire and spitting into the glowing coals at the fire edge. The drinks came, passed along, again and again, until poor little Aegraine hung one arm about Dmitrii's shoulder and whispered to him. "Dmi. Take me home before I am sick. I simply cannot drink like I am expected to do." She had barely tasted the cups passed to her and even that little was too much.
His strong arm wrapped around her waist and he nodded. Then he looked around for a way to escape the onslaught of drinks.
There Zurban stood, Aegraine hanging on his arm, her long curly hair draped over his shoulder; her bare feet in the dust and his lady barely awake from the drink. "We need to go home."
A crew chief handed Dmitrii another round of drink, cheerfully encouraging him to drain the cup.
A staunch adversary on the field of battle he had proven, and upon drinking sprees, he had drank thrice more than any man… but this night he was challenged again and again. Thru the night, the drinks got easier to down… and in thus doing so, he too became a bit tipsy. Even the mightiest of warriors had limitations.
Alan was off, badgering some other couple to toast him with the home brew. Old Martin was passed out, near the entrance of his tent, waiting for Jenks to find him and take care of the old man in as dignified manner as could be managed. To this end, the aide remained sober. Rhupert Jenks did not drink this night or other nights. He watched.
The old woman who had led dancers to the horse appeared by Dmi's arm and pulled at his sleeve, telling him in such a helpful voice, "Why don't you stay here tonight? You have both had so much to drink. Look at the Lady. Remain in camp tonight, you both? I have a nice tent you may use."
Dmitrii was being polite to everyone, and in attempting to please Aegraine’s family, friends, and appease customs, he found himself a bit on the drunk side of the mug. He smiled at the old woman and shook his head. “No thank you ma’am… I must get…” then he was interrupted by Jenks.
Rhupert walked up to the crone and firmly told her, "Now Mother Poteen, enough for today. Go have you a last drink before you scrub the kegs. Tomorrow we sail home to Waterford." He looked ready to drag the hag away, if need be and that was enough. The old woman gathered her shawl over her head and shuffled away into the dark shadows.
"Zurban? You have the use of my horse, if it will help you to take Lady lePower home now. I am afraid her brother means to take both of you back to the ship, a joke in his eyes in his current state."
Only to Dmitrii he confided, "Her Father and I remain here in Turas Lan, until he is able to see the Healer Aislin." He knew the healer was away and it might be her assistants that Martin would be seeing. "I am afraid age has caught up with the Elder, at long last."
Dmitrii was a bit drunk but not to the point that he would listen to the man that challenged him for his betrothed’s fate. Oh yes, he now claimed Jenks a swordbrother, and in battle would trust him… but not with his future wife he wouldn’t… He just nodded. “I have my own in the city stables… I will make sure Ae gets home to Dora, then I shall ride Troika home.” Then He turned and began to walk away, his arm around Aegraine, her arm over his shoulder… staggering as they walked from the festivities thru the new gate.
Just out of site, Aegraine went limp… and Dmitrii caught her. Smiling he held her up, kissed her cheek, and then hoisted her over his shoulder like a large bag of potatoes. Walking to the stables, he laid her upon the hay as he saddled Troika. Glancing back every few moments making sure she was alright.
Once Troika was prepared for a journey, Dmi bent over and started to pick Ae up… and in her drunken stupor, she groaned, turned, dropping to her knees, and heaved the stomach contents. Dmitrii, just knelt next to her and patted her back. Once she had settled upon her buttocks, wiping her mouth and apologizing prophetically, Dmitrii nodded. “Tis alright luv… I shall take care of yu as promised.” Then he pulled her to her feet, then with a grunt, lifted her to the saddle. Settling behind her, the pair rode from the stables and out thru another gate besides the new one. Dmitrii had no intention of letting any of her family see her in her condition nor where they were going.
Even in her less than alert state, Ae tried to move on her own, but she was too unstable to do more than lean on Dmitrii and let his strong arms support her. She realized they were both riding along on Troika, and not in the direction of her cottage and to a good scolding from her servant, old Dorie. Dora was such a mother hen.
It was imperative that Jenks had been at the campfire to see Aegraine choose Dmitrii, so that the aide would let the decision of the honor joust stand and accept that fact. Jenks was not one to let go easily. Now he had no choice.
Out the gate, with his beloved in his arms before him, Dmitrii headed for Lake Manor and the safety of his own home.
"Take me home." She had asked, not meaning Waterford, or the cottage in Weir Lane but hopefully to Lake Manor. It was a relief to just know, as she faded in out of awareness, that they were on the road away from Turas Lan.
“Aye my love… we are going home.” He responded to her just before she passed out. The ride to Lake Manor was long… for Dmitrii anyways, as Aegraine lay in his arm a dead-weight. Along the way, it was Troika that kept to the road, for Dmitrii could not see so well. Good thing the drinks now began to hit him hardest and not at the festivities.
Along the road, he would pet her hair, and run strands thru his fingers. Thoughts of what they’d do if she were awake… some not so proper ran thru his mind, but those would have to wait. At least she was in his arms.
