Post by Queen Beathag Aberdeen on Jan 15, 2010 23:48:29 GMT -6
Beathag: Tonight was an occasion where the casual indifference she paid to her own place on the Isle subsided to be the force that brought things to heel. The Mo'r Oukselo sat, awaiting the knight whom stood with the Griffin Men. A knight, whom by his own reckoning was a foreigner seeking a banner that was worthy of his sword. Intimidation was circumspect to the presence of the woman; her height broght her torso to be as long as the chair she sat in from waist to head tip. The eyes looked to the door with a piercing, startling clarity. She seemed ageless, by no mean having sign of her advanced years over him on the outside. Indeed, she seemed ten, if not fifteen years below what numbers foretold the truth. Tonight, her children were not apart of the scenery. Brom of the North, a personal guard, stood at the door not only to open but to remain as business was conducted. (d)
Marius: Marius is nervous. He is going to meet the High Lady and the Lord General at the same time. He is brave, but this much for any knight. Still, he has already told Lady Janice and these people must be told before he can formally give his allegiance or even take an oath. Otherwise, should it come out later, he would be accused of give oath or allegiance under falso circumstances. Ske and it's rulers could never accept that. But honesty, he hoped, would be honored and accepted. He would not ask for lands or anything except the opportunity to serve with a command. He would prove himself and earn the right to more. He had to succeed now. Especially with the Lady Janice, he did want to be able to provide for a family. These were the thoughts that ran through his mind as he walked up to the castle. For this he worse his best battle surcoat over burnished armor with his sword and dagger. His newly burnished helm in the crook of his arm and all covered with his heavy, winter cloak to keep him warm. (d)
Beathag: Brom kept a stance with squared legs and an erect posture at the door where his lady was behind. As imposing as the heavy, solid structures that barred the man from his goal, he stood a door of flesh and muscle that kept him from what was behind him. A land that was warm also knew that its tenderness could be cut open. Laughter was not foreign in these halls, but neither was disdain, intrigue, and even death. In time he viewed the man whom was to speak to his Lady. "She awaits." His tone was polite, but not without the admission of strength that would fall on him like a hammer if he betrayed the chance he was given. Foreigners, they were used to. Foreigners, many were. Still after a time they all became one, and those who were not one with they yet stood apart with suspicion. (d)
Marius: Marius nodded to Brom. As he was not asked to surrender his weapons, he did not do so. But he did ask. "Would you like to hold my weapons?" The smile on Bom's face told him that the massive guard knew the weapons would be of little use if his mistress was in any way threatened. Marius took the hint and continued on to the audience chamber. He saw again the High Lady of Skye and this eve she was looking every inch of her imperious self as she sat in a backed thronelike chair. The empty one next to her was of course for the High Lord. Marius advanced boldly and came within a respectul distance and quietly bowed. "High Lady, I am Sir Marius de Brabant; here at your summons". (d)
Beathag: "Of course you leave your weapons." He replied, given it was sense, and before he opened the door that held his charge in it. Though Brom's assumptions would prove correct if he sought to threaten the Mo'r Oukselo. When steel crossed his palm to await him with another guard, the doors opened to reveal the High Lady sitting upon her chair. A throne was an imperialistic symbol, but still the chairs even unto this smaller room were intimidating. What if it had been the Great Hall where they had met, in a long, expansive space where the journey to her may have put too many thoughts between them? "Ah remember ye, from the eve afore last, when ye came with the Lord General n' the Lord Guardian. We had not time tae speak then, but there is mention ye shall come into our service. Before kind company, Ah won't speak o' treason or invoke the memories it brings fer us. Long, hard ones where we fought for everythin, e'en this standin' city. The Scotland the world once knew is not the same, nor is the Skye tha' was once just a land in it. Ah rule with m'husband, in equal footin'. While there are some things he beh better at, an thing Ah be better at..Ah can ask n' answer a question well enough, n' see truth. Sae let us begin." She stood from her chair, walking down the steps to stand not far from him, and equal to his gaze. "Wot did ye hear o' treason talk,n' why did ye fight of with m'men? What brings ye here?" (d)
Marius: Marius inclined his head first and then raised it, before he spoke. "High Lady, I heard specifics of a plot against you and your husband. I heard details, not just the usual lose talk in a bar. Also to be honest, I hard my other partners also recognized it for what it was. As I came here to serve Sky, I felt bound to become involved. I was careful. My two were not killed; they can still be questioned. Always useful for a ruler; there may be others in plot. I only sought to be of service High Lady" he pauses. "And to back up my partners" (d)
Beathag: "These are answers Ah'd expect, and am glad for yer quick ear, yer sense, and yer show of fealty but Ah ask ye now can ye, in good faith, serve this land? Tae serve it n' wot it means is how ye serve the Mo'r Triath and I. This land is the body o' us all, its rivers our blood n' we have all put our own inside of it tae many times n' too short awhile. We are nay the mainland o' Europe. The heir tae stand in the Mo'r Triath's place is a Moor's child. the Lord General himself is an Egyptian Moor. We've called a Moor o' the far deserts our council, our friend. Wot concerns me in these times is now tha' our oddity is the forefront of our policy can ye stand for it, knowin full well it may be the reward to same, a damnation tae others? If you should not stay here, all of our medals n' seals n' awe may nay buy you a place elsewhere. A woman might speak fer herself. A child is nay left behind no matter the order inwhich he was born or whom his parents shall marry, or leave. We invite as much disdain as much as m'husbands words invoke power, change, n' loyalty unending. Will ye give yer vow to any in service, n' serve for all that it means on either end, truly? This ah must ask you. Twould nay be fair iffn ye did nay know wot ye were up against. Treason is not foreign tae these halls sir." (d)
Marius: Marius speaks quietly but firmly. He looks the High Lady straight in the eyes as he does so. "High Lady, there is no other place for me to go. I have had enough of Europe. I also believed that here loyalty, honor, and merit count for more then birth. I can and will serve; to the death if necessary. But you should know the full story. I will take service under false pretenses, or simply avoiding the truth. I was born the third son of a marcher baron of the empire. There was no inheritance or even a possible marriage for me; only the marcher families intermarried. They were considered too uncouth for "civilized" families. I was trained as a warrior, and the reading, writing, and figuring. My father may have thought to prepare me as future seneschal. At fifteen he got me into the service of the Duke of Austria. I served well and honorably, even winning the accolade of knighthood. Yet no fief or revenues was I given. Finally after almost nine years of service, I was given charge of the Duke's banner in the campaign against the Duke of Lorraine, as we were told. The Duke took to burning homes and butchering peasants. I was placed with the ducal banner in the advance guard. No one could argue the Duke out of such a course of action; the banneer was to be beside him at all times to mark his presence. But orders were orders. No enemy force confronted us, but I could feel their eyes all about us. On one long campaigning day; the Duke stopped the rear guard and the main body, but neglected to inform the advance guard, which continued onward, leaveing a dangerous gap,
and the main army two hours behind, well out of supporting distance. Then the entire enemy force fell on us, showers of arrows, coordinated with charges of armored knights grievously descimated our ranks. The commander ordered meto retire the banner in order to save it from falling into enemy hands, and to bring aid. He thought our army was much closer. I galloped back for them and kept on galloping until I reached the Duke. I reported to him what had happened. I was ordered to surrender the banner to another and was summarily banished to the baggage train. Suffice to say the campagin was no success and the Duke lost most of his army for no good purpose. I, a poor knight with no friends at court, was made the scapegoat and dismissed from the Duke's service. Even before the deed was done, the Duke made sure that the word went out about my and that I had run. He did not dare to charge me with cowardice to my face; I could have challenged him and he had no wish to face my blade or lance. He did know my prowess. For almost a year I wandered trying unsuccessfully to seek service. It is customary in Europe for a keep to provide a knight with lodging and a meal. At every keep I was turned away; so I slept in the fields and beside the road in all manner of weather. A knight, retired from the Duke's service, gave me a pouch of gold and told me about Skye and the Celtic Alliance. The wisdom and fairness of both you and your husband were well known. Even he was afraid to take me under his roof. I made my way to the coast to seek passage to Skye and here I am. You know my entire story. I would take service. My intent is to honorably win for myself a place her, perhaps eventually to begin a family with its own lands. I ask only for the opportunity to prove myself." Once he bows to the High Lady. (d)
Beathag: "M'Lord and husband, his Lady and wife..we share the same view 'pon a man is the merit of his deeds before our eyes as much as he is measured by the some of what he'd done afore us. A soldier gaes forth in the name of his Lord tae dae wot he is asked. Often it is tiresome, thankless, and without knowin o' why things are done. We have all served some master, some cause, tha' was nay as correct as it was to be. People have done things tae us tha' were nay in the wit o' our interest, but theres. But tha' ye told me tha' story, it stands tae reason in Europe ye'd be a dead man, and here ye'll be a live one, with a sword and a cause. Since ye told me the length n' breadth of yer story,Ah expect ye will serve my General with fealty, as any o' our higher men in the service ye meet. Look upon them with good things, n' they will look upon you the same as it is earned. Ah'll give ye yer chance tae earn it, n' we will nay send ye tae falsehood n' senseless death. Ye fought with the Govenor o' Ireland, and the Celtic Nation's Lord Admiral he be as well. Ye fought with the Lord Guardian, the man whom sees tha' his soveriegns n' court endure, whom sees the order o' knights who become esteemed. Tha' is no lackluster thing in m'eyes. Ye could have walked away, but ye are here. Sae stay n' serve, Sir deBrabant, n' may your title one day come with Skyes conferin' o' spurs sae tha ye stand a lauded man in her eyes." She replied without delay, without hesitation. No where in Europe would he have stood with such a woman without the sanction of a man before her, let alone his absence from country. If he could serve such men and women, than he would aspire to better things.
Jack: "Good evenin', sir," was all the guard at the lesser receiving room's door said to the Lord-Governor of Ireland. "G'evenin," Jack returned, grinning. Brom would look over as the Irishman came in. The two old friends would smile to one another and speak quietly to the other. Recounting tales of glory and the olden days, perhaps, as Sir Marius was granted a warm and bright future in Skye. There was an arch of an eyebrow, as he glanced toward Bess as she spokeabout his service to the Isles. There was a pause, before he softly cleared his voice. "I dae nae mean tae intrude, m'lady.... but tha' tis why I 'ave come to speak to yae." He gave an apologetic smile to Marius, for having intruded on the meeting. "I have come ta formerly retire from m'post as the Lord-Admiral of the Fleet." There was smile, "I fear tha' I have grown far ta old to continue tryin' m'hand at the games young men play....." Not to mention that the Irishman was the Lord-Governorship of Ireland to attend to. And his own family to see after. (D)
Marius: Marius inclined his head to the Governor of Ireland; he had not known the man was also the commander of the fleet. "Tis good to see you sir. The fleet will be the poorer for your departure" He smiles. "I have seen you fight, on land" He stands more formerly and speak again to the High Lady. "High Lady, you have given me all that I wish; the opportunity to serve honorably. I could ask for no more from you. I shall obey the Lord General's orders as if they issued from your own mouth or from that of the High Lord. I am your man." (d)
Marius: "Then welcome to Skye, Sir Marius de Brabant" She lifted her hand with its long fingers and placed them on his shoulder for an instant in a confirmation of their accord. Her smile pulled at the laugh lines against the corner of her eyes which stood as the only testament to her age. After that, she turned to see that Brom had given her another to see, though no less pleasant. The Govenor of Island was as close to Beathag as though a womb had been shared. Alas, were it not for differing countries, it might have been! She had countenance of blood and countenance of the heart to count as kin. "M'lord, welcome. Tis always good tae see thee, though such news! Sir deBrabant is right, m'fleet will be all the poorer without ye but ye have earned your peace, if Ireland hushes its mouths long enough tae grant tha' to ye time n' again. How poor the fleet shall be indeed. Perhaps ye'll be sae kind then as tae help in the findin' n' groomin' o' a successor among your sailors. Ye know how such posistions are earned, pon merit. Let it be nay one who's company Adam n' I could nay tolerate, nor tha' we could nay trust as ye." It was obvious the Court was entwined upon a sort of model of extended family based upon merits. It served well, especially in times of war and need of protection. (d)
Jack: "I shall dae all I can for yer fleet tha' I can, m'lady," he grinned. "An' if nothin' else, long shall I be a staunch ally fer Skye......" Because it often did feel as though they had shared the same womb. As it was, it had been a prick of hair pin to bind them as blood-kin. There Irishman laughed, as she spoke of the difficulties of governing the Irish. "Tis nae so difficult, m'lady, when it comes ta the Irish. In servin' ye faithfully, I 'ave observed how ye govern yer own clans. Tis nae so difference." As to having earned his peace? For a while, he said nothing. Merely favoring Bess with a sad smile. Then he murmured, "I figure tha', with all tha 'as come afore, daein' as I daeknow tis the best way o' honorin' the late Ceannfort's memory....." This was true. In the earning of his retirement, Jack had lost a beloved wife (and close friend) during the course of war and almost lost the use of his left arm. Now? Now was the time for him to enjoy the peace of Dunluce, to look after the raising of his children, and enjoying the company of his beloved Maggie. (D)
Marius:Marius coughs politely. He has not been formally dismissed; so he cannot leave. He must wait for the High Lady grant him leave to leave. (d)
Beathag: "If ye be finished Sir, ye may take yer leave. Return tae where ye rest for the night n' begin yer life anew." (d)
Jack: "Good night, Sir. Take care on yer way to chambers." (D)
Marius: Marius bows first to the High Lady and then to the Governor, as he backs his way out to the door. He recovers his weapons, even smiling to Brom. For him, it seems as if the weight of the world has been taken from his shoulders. There is a spring in his step again as he leaves the castle for the barracks. Marius cannot wait to tell a very special person that he is now in the service of the High Lord and Lady of Skye. (d)
et In Her Way: As the man took his leave of the royal presence and Beathag chuckled softly in the wake of it. "Tis good tae grant a person some measure o' happiness. Have ye yer happiness, m'lord? Ah've long hoped tha' in yer Ireland free o' what ailed it, with yer family n' a new love ye will have found it. As fer govenin' thy home it is nae different than here. Honor what is ancient, keep the esteem, suppress the idiots n' interloper n' hope tha' between there will be less squabbes o' a goat wanderin intae someone's territory or whome loves whom n' why tis bad. Tha's all. Ireland n' Scotland are nay different in the vast sums o' names tha' whine o'er the same shyte." Regal the blood in the veins had proven to be, it was not genteel by its own merit. It was made of earth, brash and happily irreverant at times. It was full of salt water, steeled up, sparked with flint that made it all possible to be her. "Sae will ye leave tae, old friend, or stay with me awhile?" (d)
Jack: "I fear, m'lady, tha' I tae must depart." There was a soft smile, "Tis almost bed time for the wee uns, an' I 'ave promise to tell 'em a good bed time story....." (D)
Beathag: "Then find me taemorrow, n' taenight give my love tae m'neices n' nephew. Ah want tae see them again, n' Aodhan misses Seanna. Come back yerself tae..Ah wish tae speak with ye on some matters. It will be a conversation Ah shall have many times o'er with others." She prayed that what they had built would always be, but no time would ever pass infinite that she would not have to be defended on some terrain. What irked her was she could not figure the specific terrain, only the villany of words that were moving them toward proving what they'd established. (d)
Jack: "I shall dae tha' very thing," the Irishman said. He smiled, "Although, I dae nae think tha Aod shall miss Seanna all tha' much.... fer I 'ave brought m'family here, fer the spring." He grinned. "I shall be more than 'appy to speak with ye tomorrow an' e'er more, sister mine." (D)
Beathag: "Than brother mine, this brings me great joy tae know. Perhaps Maugarite n' Ah tae might become sae close as you n' Ah, at last. Good night, Jack." No bow or curtsy would do what an embrace twixt kin would do. She smiled, holding the man whom was eight years her own senior close. "Rest ye well n' Gods keep you always." (d)
Jack "Ye as well, Bess," he gave her the same embrace. There was a smile and a grin, "Gods watch o'er ye an' keep ye an' yers safe....." (D)
Marius: Marius is nervous. He is going to meet the High Lady and the Lord General at the same time. He is brave, but this much for any knight. Still, he has already told Lady Janice and these people must be told before he can formally give his allegiance or even take an oath. Otherwise, should it come out later, he would be accused of give oath or allegiance under falso circumstances. Ske and it's rulers could never accept that. But honesty, he hoped, would be honored and accepted. He would not ask for lands or anything except the opportunity to serve with a command. He would prove himself and earn the right to more. He had to succeed now. Especially with the Lady Janice, he did want to be able to provide for a family. These were the thoughts that ran through his mind as he walked up to the castle. For this he worse his best battle surcoat over burnished armor with his sword and dagger. His newly burnished helm in the crook of his arm and all covered with his heavy, winter cloak to keep him warm. (d)
Beathag: Brom kept a stance with squared legs and an erect posture at the door where his lady was behind. As imposing as the heavy, solid structures that barred the man from his goal, he stood a door of flesh and muscle that kept him from what was behind him. A land that was warm also knew that its tenderness could be cut open. Laughter was not foreign in these halls, but neither was disdain, intrigue, and even death. In time he viewed the man whom was to speak to his Lady. "She awaits." His tone was polite, but not without the admission of strength that would fall on him like a hammer if he betrayed the chance he was given. Foreigners, they were used to. Foreigners, many were. Still after a time they all became one, and those who were not one with they yet stood apart with suspicion. (d)
Marius: Marius nodded to Brom. As he was not asked to surrender his weapons, he did not do so. But he did ask. "Would you like to hold my weapons?" The smile on Bom's face told him that the massive guard knew the weapons would be of little use if his mistress was in any way threatened. Marius took the hint and continued on to the audience chamber. He saw again the High Lady of Skye and this eve she was looking every inch of her imperious self as she sat in a backed thronelike chair. The empty one next to her was of course for the High Lord. Marius advanced boldly and came within a respectul distance and quietly bowed. "High Lady, I am Sir Marius de Brabant; here at your summons". (d)
Beathag: "Of course you leave your weapons." He replied, given it was sense, and before he opened the door that held his charge in it. Though Brom's assumptions would prove correct if he sought to threaten the Mo'r Oukselo. When steel crossed his palm to await him with another guard, the doors opened to reveal the High Lady sitting upon her chair. A throne was an imperialistic symbol, but still the chairs even unto this smaller room were intimidating. What if it had been the Great Hall where they had met, in a long, expansive space where the journey to her may have put too many thoughts between them? "Ah remember ye, from the eve afore last, when ye came with the Lord General n' the Lord Guardian. We had not time tae speak then, but there is mention ye shall come into our service. Before kind company, Ah won't speak o' treason or invoke the memories it brings fer us. Long, hard ones where we fought for everythin, e'en this standin' city. The Scotland the world once knew is not the same, nor is the Skye tha' was once just a land in it. Ah rule with m'husband, in equal footin'. While there are some things he beh better at, an thing Ah be better at..Ah can ask n' answer a question well enough, n' see truth. Sae let us begin." She stood from her chair, walking down the steps to stand not far from him, and equal to his gaze. "Wot did ye hear o' treason talk,n' why did ye fight of with m'men? What brings ye here?" (d)
Marius: Marius inclined his head first and then raised it, before he spoke. "High Lady, I heard specifics of a plot against you and your husband. I heard details, not just the usual lose talk in a bar. Also to be honest, I hard my other partners also recognized it for what it was. As I came here to serve Sky, I felt bound to become involved. I was careful. My two were not killed; they can still be questioned. Always useful for a ruler; there may be others in plot. I only sought to be of service High Lady" he pauses. "And to back up my partners" (d)
Beathag: "These are answers Ah'd expect, and am glad for yer quick ear, yer sense, and yer show of fealty but Ah ask ye now can ye, in good faith, serve this land? Tae serve it n' wot it means is how ye serve the Mo'r Triath and I. This land is the body o' us all, its rivers our blood n' we have all put our own inside of it tae many times n' too short awhile. We are nay the mainland o' Europe. The heir tae stand in the Mo'r Triath's place is a Moor's child. the Lord General himself is an Egyptian Moor. We've called a Moor o' the far deserts our council, our friend. Wot concerns me in these times is now tha' our oddity is the forefront of our policy can ye stand for it, knowin full well it may be the reward to same, a damnation tae others? If you should not stay here, all of our medals n' seals n' awe may nay buy you a place elsewhere. A woman might speak fer herself. A child is nay left behind no matter the order inwhich he was born or whom his parents shall marry, or leave. We invite as much disdain as much as m'husbands words invoke power, change, n' loyalty unending. Will ye give yer vow to any in service, n' serve for all that it means on either end, truly? This ah must ask you. Twould nay be fair iffn ye did nay know wot ye were up against. Treason is not foreign tae these halls sir." (d)
Marius: Marius speaks quietly but firmly. He looks the High Lady straight in the eyes as he does so. "High Lady, there is no other place for me to go. I have had enough of Europe. I also believed that here loyalty, honor, and merit count for more then birth. I can and will serve; to the death if necessary. But you should know the full story. I will take service under false pretenses, or simply avoiding the truth. I was born the third son of a marcher baron of the empire. There was no inheritance or even a possible marriage for me; only the marcher families intermarried. They were considered too uncouth for "civilized" families. I was trained as a warrior, and the reading, writing, and figuring. My father may have thought to prepare me as future seneschal. At fifteen he got me into the service of the Duke of Austria. I served well and honorably, even winning the accolade of knighthood. Yet no fief or revenues was I given. Finally after almost nine years of service, I was given charge of the Duke's banner in the campaign against the Duke of Lorraine, as we were told. The Duke took to burning homes and butchering peasants. I was placed with the ducal banner in the advance guard. No one could argue the Duke out of such a course of action; the banneer was to be beside him at all times to mark his presence. But orders were orders. No enemy force confronted us, but I could feel their eyes all about us. On one long campaigning day; the Duke stopped the rear guard and the main body, but neglected to inform the advance guard, which continued onward, leaveing a dangerous gap,
and the main army two hours behind, well out of supporting distance. Then the entire enemy force fell on us, showers of arrows, coordinated with charges of armored knights grievously descimated our ranks. The commander ordered meto retire the banner in order to save it from falling into enemy hands, and to bring aid. He thought our army was much closer. I galloped back for them and kept on galloping until I reached the Duke. I reported to him what had happened. I was ordered to surrender the banner to another and was summarily banished to the baggage train. Suffice to say the campagin was no success and the Duke lost most of his army for no good purpose. I, a poor knight with no friends at court, was made the scapegoat and dismissed from the Duke's service. Even before the deed was done, the Duke made sure that the word went out about my and that I had run. He did not dare to charge me with cowardice to my face; I could have challenged him and he had no wish to face my blade or lance. He did know my prowess. For almost a year I wandered trying unsuccessfully to seek service. It is customary in Europe for a keep to provide a knight with lodging and a meal. At every keep I was turned away; so I slept in the fields and beside the road in all manner of weather. A knight, retired from the Duke's service, gave me a pouch of gold and told me about Skye and the Celtic Alliance. The wisdom and fairness of both you and your husband were well known. Even he was afraid to take me under his roof. I made my way to the coast to seek passage to Skye and here I am. You know my entire story. I would take service. My intent is to honorably win for myself a place her, perhaps eventually to begin a family with its own lands. I ask only for the opportunity to prove myself." Once he bows to the High Lady. (d)
Beathag: "M'Lord and husband, his Lady and wife..we share the same view 'pon a man is the merit of his deeds before our eyes as much as he is measured by the some of what he'd done afore us. A soldier gaes forth in the name of his Lord tae dae wot he is asked. Often it is tiresome, thankless, and without knowin o' why things are done. We have all served some master, some cause, tha' was nay as correct as it was to be. People have done things tae us tha' were nay in the wit o' our interest, but theres. But tha' ye told me tha' story, it stands tae reason in Europe ye'd be a dead man, and here ye'll be a live one, with a sword and a cause. Since ye told me the length n' breadth of yer story,Ah expect ye will serve my General with fealty, as any o' our higher men in the service ye meet. Look upon them with good things, n' they will look upon you the same as it is earned. Ah'll give ye yer chance tae earn it, n' we will nay send ye tae falsehood n' senseless death. Ye fought with the Govenor o' Ireland, and the Celtic Nation's Lord Admiral he be as well. Ye fought with the Lord Guardian, the man whom sees tha' his soveriegns n' court endure, whom sees the order o' knights who become esteemed. Tha' is no lackluster thing in m'eyes. Ye could have walked away, but ye are here. Sae stay n' serve, Sir deBrabant, n' may your title one day come with Skyes conferin' o' spurs sae tha ye stand a lauded man in her eyes." She replied without delay, without hesitation. No where in Europe would he have stood with such a woman without the sanction of a man before her, let alone his absence from country. If he could serve such men and women, than he would aspire to better things.
Jack: "Good evenin', sir," was all the guard at the lesser receiving room's door said to the Lord-Governor of Ireland. "G'evenin," Jack returned, grinning. Brom would look over as the Irishman came in. The two old friends would smile to one another and speak quietly to the other. Recounting tales of glory and the olden days, perhaps, as Sir Marius was granted a warm and bright future in Skye. There was an arch of an eyebrow, as he glanced toward Bess as she spokeabout his service to the Isles. There was a pause, before he softly cleared his voice. "I dae nae mean tae intrude, m'lady.... but tha' tis why I 'ave come to speak to yae." He gave an apologetic smile to Marius, for having intruded on the meeting. "I have come ta formerly retire from m'post as the Lord-Admiral of the Fleet." There was smile, "I fear tha' I have grown far ta old to continue tryin' m'hand at the games young men play....." Not to mention that the Irishman was the Lord-Governorship of Ireland to attend to. And his own family to see after. (D)
Marius: Marius inclined his head to the Governor of Ireland; he had not known the man was also the commander of the fleet. "Tis good to see you sir. The fleet will be the poorer for your departure" He smiles. "I have seen you fight, on land" He stands more formerly and speak again to the High Lady. "High Lady, you have given me all that I wish; the opportunity to serve honorably. I could ask for no more from you. I shall obey the Lord General's orders as if they issued from your own mouth or from that of the High Lord. I am your man." (d)
Marius: "Then welcome to Skye, Sir Marius de Brabant" She lifted her hand with its long fingers and placed them on his shoulder for an instant in a confirmation of their accord. Her smile pulled at the laugh lines against the corner of her eyes which stood as the only testament to her age. After that, she turned to see that Brom had given her another to see, though no less pleasant. The Govenor of Island was as close to Beathag as though a womb had been shared. Alas, were it not for differing countries, it might have been! She had countenance of blood and countenance of the heart to count as kin. "M'lord, welcome. Tis always good tae see thee, though such news! Sir deBrabant is right, m'fleet will be all the poorer without ye but ye have earned your peace, if Ireland hushes its mouths long enough tae grant tha' to ye time n' again. How poor the fleet shall be indeed. Perhaps ye'll be sae kind then as tae help in the findin' n' groomin' o' a successor among your sailors. Ye know how such posistions are earned, pon merit. Let it be nay one who's company Adam n' I could nay tolerate, nor tha' we could nay trust as ye." It was obvious the Court was entwined upon a sort of model of extended family based upon merits. It served well, especially in times of war and need of protection. (d)
Jack: "I shall dae all I can for yer fleet tha' I can, m'lady," he grinned. "An' if nothin' else, long shall I be a staunch ally fer Skye......" Because it often did feel as though they had shared the same womb. As it was, it had been a prick of hair pin to bind them as blood-kin. There Irishman laughed, as she spoke of the difficulties of governing the Irish. "Tis nae so difficult, m'lady, when it comes ta the Irish. In servin' ye faithfully, I 'ave observed how ye govern yer own clans. Tis nae so difference." As to having earned his peace? For a while, he said nothing. Merely favoring Bess with a sad smile. Then he murmured, "I figure tha', with all tha 'as come afore, daein' as I daeknow tis the best way o' honorin' the late Ceannfort's memory....." This was true. In the earning of his retirement, Jack had lost a beloved wife (and close friend) during the course of war and almost lost the use of his left arm. Now? Now was the time for him to enjoy the peace of Dunluce, to look after the raising of his children, and enjoying the company of his beloved Maggie. (D)
Marius:Marius coughs politely. He has not been formally dismissed; so he cannot leave. He must wait for the High Lady grant him leave to leave. (d)
Beathag: "If ye be finished Sir, ye may take yer leave. Return tae where ye rest for the night n' begin yer life anew." (d)
Jack: "Good night, Sir. Take care on yer way to chambers." (D)
Marius: Marius bows first to the High Lady and then to the Governor, as he backs his way out to the door. He recovers his weapons, even smiling to Brom. For him, it seems as if the weight of the world has been taken from his shoulders. There is a spring in his step again as he leaves the castle for the barracks. Marius cannot wait to tell a very special person that he is now in the service of the High Lord and Lady of Skye. (d)
et In Her Way: As the man took his leave of the royal presence and Beathag chuckled softly in the wake of it. "Tis good tae grant a person some measure o' happiness. Have ye yer happiness, m'lord? Ah've long hoped tha' in yer Ireland free o' what ailed it, with yer family n' a new love ye will have found it. As fer govenin' thy home it is nae different than here. Honor what is ancient, keep the esteem, suppress the idiots n' interloper n' hope tha' between there will be less squabbes o' a goat wanderin intae someone's territory or whome loves whom n' why tis bad. Tha's all. Ireland n' Scotland are nay different in the vast sums o' names tha' whine o'er the same shyte." Regal the blood in the veins had proven to be, it was not genteel by its own merit. It was made of earth, brash and happily irreverant at times. It was full of salt water, steeled up, sparked with flint that made it all possible to be her. "Sae will ye leave tae, old friend, or stay with me awhile?" (d)
Jack: "I fear, m'lady, tha' I tae must depart." There was a soft smile, "Tis almost bed time for the wee uns, an' I 'ave promise to tell 'em a good bed time story....." (D)
Beathag: "Then find me taemorrow, n' taenight give my love tae m'neices n' nephew. Ah want tae see them again, n' Aodhan misses Seanna. Come back yerself tae..Ah wish tae speak with ye on some matters. It will be a conversation Ah shall have many times o'er with others." She prayed that what they had built would always be, but no time would ever pass infinite that she would not have to be defended on some terrain. What irked her was she could not figure the specific terrain, only the villany of words that were moving them toward proving what they'd established. (d)
Jack: "I shall dae tha' very thing," the Irishman said. He smiled, "Although, I dae nae think tha Aod shall miss Seanna all tha' much.... fer I 'ave brought m'family here, fer the spring." He grinned. "I shall be more than 'appy to speak with ye tomorrow an' e'er more, sister mine." (D)
Beathag: "Than brother mine, this brings me great joy tae know. Perhaps Maugarite n' Ah tae might become sae close as you n' Ah, at last. Good night, Jack." No bow or curtsy would do what an embrace twixt kin would do. She smiled, holding the man whom was eight years her own senior close. "Rest ye well n' Gods keep you always." (d)
Jack "Ye as well, Bess," he gave her the same embrace. There was a smile and a grin, "Gods watch o'er ye an' keep ye an' yers safe....." (D)
