Serenity of the water ( Open)

[Wilhemia]

Wilhema lead the boy through the streets of the city, it was Sunday and they had attended the church sermons. However, while yes there were tasks still to do at the farm, it was God's day.. a day to simply relax a bit. She held onto the small boys hand as she laughed softly and gently teased him of this and that while they manuvered their way toward the docks.

The lad stood dumbfounded for a time looking up at the massive hsips that bobbed and swayed at the docks. She laughed softly as she carefully removed the sketch pad and charcoal pencil she had found among her old belongings at the cottage.

" Edward, not far. "She reminded him as she found herself a place to sit down. Crates that had been left until Monday to be moved about. The eyes looked out and fell inlove with the way the wind caught the flags, at times it rattled the ropes and riggings against the masts.

The young woman ignored the comments made by some sailors as they passed, the mind was already lost within the sketching. Now and then she'd lift her eyes to check on the boy who was meandering about, his curiosity keeping him currently entertained.

[Wilhemia]

Wilhema/Edward
She sat quietly sketching the ships as they rocked along the edge of the water. One of the sailors had gotten tired of answering questions and given Edward a bit of twine and a hook to keep him occupied. The young woman offered a small smile as she ducked her head politely. Dressed in the simple dull coloring of her clothing allowed her to blend in more or less with those along the docks. Something she had picked up in Rome, this fascination with the waters. While they weren't the warm waves of crystallized blue, the solemn gray seemed to suit her well enough. <d

Beathag
Warm waves were a thing of the past because Autumn came again, another year of the North Wind showing through the season how cold it could be, how it would seek to tossle you hither, thither, or yon. How it wanted to strip the marrow of your bones. She never sat the wind as cruel or gentle, merely a force of nature with dual aspect. Long stride walked steady over the place where cobble stone gave way to the line of dock wood. Hearty groan rolled out with weight on the wood and the wind's compliment. She watched boats rocking, still feeling that sway as but part of her own body language. Looking for anything, seeking a particular? No. The sea spoke to a waiting vessel. Golden hair had a few strands free of the braid but for the most part it was bound tight, movign down along her backside (d)

Wilhemia/ Edward
The boy leaned forward to watch the twine slip beneath the pier he turned and looked back to his Mena. " Mena.. its gone..."He stated as he seemed a bit lost at the idea of fishing. The young woman turned her eyes to him and laughed softly. " How can it be gone if you still hold its end? "She asked. The finger tips stained with the charcoal, as she closed the book and tucked it once again into the satchel that bisected her torso. She rose up and made her way toward him.. then well impossible to see what he complained about standing up, she crouched down then inched forward on her hands and knees to peer down into the murky water. " Can you see it? " He asked worried as she rolled her eyes. " Indeed I can. you've got it caught on a bit of wood.. jiggle it a bit.. "She offered. Of course this was not to say there weren't appreciative eyes watching this little display. Embarrassed? Well had she known , she probably would have been. <d


Brother Diarmuid:
It seemed as though the sea was a great conduit for focusing the mind, giving the restless mind a sort of focus upon it. A soothing rhythm that allowed the human mind to focus on that, to release, the stress of the day.
Brother Diarmuid: And so it served for Brother Diarmuid. The black clad Augustinian turned his eyes out to the sea, his arms crossed over his barrel chest. In time, he would begin moving again. His hands going to clasp his hands behind his back, his head bowed in thought. As always, the prayer was humble and simple: Lord, I do not understand. I pray for guidance. And yet, his only response was the wind and spray of the sea. (D)

Set In Her Way:
She came on the little gathering by happenstance, going no where in particular .When was it the Queen had no purpose? Whenever she elected not to have one. People had so many things to cause an inner quarrel but she had put her own to bed today. Wasn't that strange? "Wot be ye at,"she used that as her greeting when she came over to Wilhemia with a smile in no danger of going wane. "Some find the docks too cold n' the autumn, unless ye be a sailor or an avid ocean admirer?" (d)

Wilhemia/Edward
She snapped her head over her shoulder and looked up at Bess and laughed softly.. " Edward's hook is caught.. "She mumbled as she scampered up to her feet. The hands quickly dusting off her skirts as she bobbed a curtsey. If nothing else, her time abroad had cleaned up her language a bit, and added a touch more grace to that once upon a time, nervous farm girl. " I thought it would be good for him to get out.. see things in the lands he was born to. " she admitted with a small smile. " and draw.. " she gestured absently to the great ships , even those of the smaller fishing vessels. Edward however was still quite intent on getting his hook back! " Oh..com'mon.... " wiggling, jiggling and tugging on that twine to win his hook free of the bit of wood it had caught ahold of. <d

Brother Diarmuid:
Was that was Brother Diarmuid was? An ardent admirer of the ocean? Perhaps that was true. In away, it reminded him of his home in Clontarf. Always, had he been able to hear the sea in his cell at the monastery. A time of piece, before the ocean...the Mediterranean... had become a battle ground that had been unto a forge for him. There was a smile, as Brother Diarmuid announced himself with a gentle clearing of the throat. There was a soft smile, to see a few sailors turn the color of beets before they moved on. Little doubt that they had been giving Mean 'appreciate' glances. To the Queen, Mean and Edward, he said, "Blessed day to you all." (D)

Beathag
"Be tha' th eway o' it then, a good way tae spend the Sabbath day," said a woman who only sat in on a mass now and again, only to appease the curiosity of her daughter, whom even at this early of an age would grow to hold all of
Adam' smother's beautiful piety. Beathag was so unapologetic in how she was raised that she didn't even bat a lash at talk of damnation. "Ye always did like tae dae arts, n' tis good fer aboy tae enjoy the simple things.. like fishin...though Ah think he's caught more wood than fish?" Beathag went over to edward to see his quandry. "Any luck lad, may I try iffn ye dun mind? M'little brother n'nephew used tae alwas get their hooks stuck." Diarmuid's approach received a smile before seh turned her attention back to the two person parliment of stuck hook in wood (d)

Wilhemia/ Edward
The light chuckle was given, as she turned her eyes to greet the Priest she dipped her head politely. " Good day to you as well, Brother Diarmuid. The sermon this morning was lovely. "She added. Well she may not hold much stock in the church itself, Edward had not her prejudices. The small sidestep was taken to give Bess a path without being in the way. The little boy looked up at her with a frown on his face. "Yeah.. I dun't seem to be real good at it. "he grumbled and offered up the bit of twine within his hands. " Mean says prolly ain't too many fishes about rights now no how. "He shrugged. Well she didn't want him to be all optimisitc then to find himself with nothing. <d

Brother Diarmuid:
Brother Diarmuid could not help but smile, "Thank you...." For the friar, it had been a treat to escape the dark confines of Laurence Hall. By his natural inclination, he was a rather jolly man. ...the Hall brought out his somber moods. It was not a change that he appreciated. Who did a preist turn to, when they had weighty thoughts? Brother Diarmuid would smile, watching the parliment on how to remove a hook from wood. (D)

Awendela
Awendela had been down by the shoreline, walking along. Now she came into view, a small figure against the blue line of the horizon. Hair lashed her face in the chill breeze, but it didn't seem to bother her, not really. Dressed once again in her tavern wench attire, she looked...normal, as opposed to the deerskin she had been attired in the other night that made her look wild. Bare feet ankle-deep in the sand, she glanced up, noticing a few others on the docks. Maybe she was too far away for them to see the smile she wore, but it was of little moment. She was headed their way anyhow.

Beathag
"Ye are just nay in pratice child tha's all..let's see 'ere.." Beathag knelt down by where the boy stood, peering through the murky gray waters to see the silver glint of his hook. It didn't seem to deep. Rolling up the sleeve of her shirt up to the elbow, she then lay on her belly enough to take the hook string up within the water. A twist, a tug..a bit to the left went the sequence. Strange no, a Queen so content on her belly? "Ah ahahaha..here we gae lad. Twas tha' rock tha' was wedgin' it in tae the wood more. Now!" Up came the prize, dripping with sea water. She rubbed her chemise over her arm before settling on her rump. "If ye cast it a little bit yon, then ye may settle without worryin' o 'the dock wood. Boats scare off the fish but ye ne'e rknow, may get lucky. Why nay come n' sit, try again." Her children were aging, but at the very least she could look forward to this age in her youngest three, of which one was a boy. Parliment resolved the matter and decided to fish. "Ah hear ye give lovely sermons n' prayers, Brother Diarmuid. Ah shall have tae come down one Sabbath n' hear them. Ye look tired..is all well?" (d)

Wilhemia/Edward
Well if the one lady to do so had drawn attention it was an absolute certainty that the Queen herself doing so.. drew some eyes as well. Though none dared to let their gaze linger long, not with a man of God right there to report them directly! Edward watched her and leaned a bit to watch how she wiggled the hook free. He grinned up in awe as she managed to earn it free. " Thank ya Ma'am. "he ducked his head and parked his small backside right back to the planking of the pier. It didn't matter if she were a queen or a hermit..she got his hook free! Mean watched the pair with the endearing smile as her hands folded behind her. The eyes were drawn off only a moment to the single form that walked along the beach. She lifted a hand to wave at the ebon haired woman. Yet her gaze shifted back to the others as they spoke. <d

Brother Diarmuid:
There was a moment's pause, a hesitation. Before he would off a quiet smile and incline of his head. He would not give voice to a lie, although he sorely wished to speak about what he endured. And yet, it was a quandary. Who did a priest go to, when they were riven by weakened faith? And God's answer ... was silence. Or the sound of waves. It was folly, perhaps, to think that the divine might use the words wrought by human. Was it fair to say that if he was in a better frame of mind, that Brother Diarmuid would have seen the true answer of the waves. 'Take heart,' the voice of God-in-the-waves said, 'For I am all about you.' (D)

Awendela
As she approached, she saw that wave, and waved back in her own curious half-circle. It was the way her people greeted one another. Coming upon the small party on the dock, hair dripping with sea-spray, the girl didn't seem to be
bothered one bit by appearing like a drowned rat in front of company. Of course...she wasn't aware of any Queen in her midst either. Nor of what a Queen even was. If someone would explain that Bess was the Chief, she would find that
odd - because only men did that. And yet, calling her the First Wife would be inaccurate. Poor Dela had a lot to learn, but she usually learned with a smile.

Beathag
It was a strange world where the principle of who governed was not dictated by sex but by merit as the Salic Law of the time here in had been cast aside for what was deemed far. It didn't come without work but the Queen felt that with the premise of equal rule she shared with her husband in ritual, true exactness, and practice that the rest stood a chance. AS she watched the boy get ready to cast again she smiled up to Diarmuid, then out ,out toward the woman of earth skin she'd seen haunting the outskirts of so many gatherings as she tried to find her place. It made Beathag think she wrestled with freedom - that she had been a continental slave - not realizing it was an incomplete journey on the latter thought (d)

Wilhemia/Edward.
"Good day to you Awendela " She offered with a dip of her head. " How has the day faired for you?"She asked, The expressions on the Brother's face had been noted, more.. it was the unusual body language of the priest's that brought a momentary quirk of a frown but she'd let that ease away at the arrival of the unusual foreign woman. Edward threw out the line and waited. <d

Brother Diarmuid:
Brother Diarmuid would turn to regard the woman that seemed crafted of river clay, there was a cant of his head. It was a curious shade of skin, he was he more familiar with the olive skin of those who lived in the Mediterranean
and the dark shades of the Moors. There was a broad smile, an incline of his head, "Blessed day, to you."

Beathag
She wanted to say good day, but it seemed the distance for a little increased again in two ways. Diarmuid settled in to himself, and the one called Awendela was smitten with the sea. Who could blame her? So she turned her head up to Wilhemia to ask after her instead .It was overdue since she seen her in the Valley. A nagging voice spoke in the back of her mind until it became a dull roar "Are ye settlin' back in yer home alright?" (d)

Wilhemia/Edward
She looked back to Bess and gave a small nod. " Yes, its a bit odd to sleep in Father's old room..but I don't exactly fit in the loft. "She chuckled softly and seated herself on a nearby small crate. " And between the pair of us..we are figuring things out. "She admitted. Which of course Edward gave a small indignant snort. " She made me milk a cow.. an.. bundle grasses.. " He wasn't real thrilled about the hard labor, but the boy's pale skin was at least starting to take on a more healthy hue. " Doh..Mean made some o' them rolls da otherin day.. "He grinned and gave a small nod. " she says she's gonna makes more. " He leaned a bit to look at her. " Mean, ya oughts brin somes here.. fer da Lady.. " Mean looked at him and laughed softly. " Edward, you won't catch anything if you don't do so quietly. "She pointed out. <d

Beathag;
"Twill be good n' time, better yer Father's room than no where we can nay find ye. Though on ye o'er the years wondered if ye were well n' good.How ye fared n' the like.Had tae deal with grief in yer own way." She could appreiciate that, having the disgusting capability to excell at grief. "Well Edward work is good fer ye, make ye big n' strong, broaden yer back n' if yer good ye get special treats like th erolls." The boy made her laugh, turning from hard thoughts to gentle ones in an instant. "Talkative ,yer house must have enough sound fer as many children as Ah've got with just the one." Of course the boy had to involved in every aspect of the conversation. Beathag lifted her hand, gently rubbing Mena's back "Ah'm just glad ye are well. Does m'heart good tae see it, the mind peace tae know it. Yer entitled tae yer father's pay. Ah know ye will use it as ye see fit. Ah won't crowd in on yer way o' life. Just...live well? Dun nay scare me like tha' again." (d)

Brother Diarmuid:
There was a smile, a touch of laughter. "Be thankful that is all she makes you do...." It had been a far harsher life in the percetory at Clontarf. One of spiritual studies and hard, taxing manual labor. There was a smile, as he went over to see if he could help the boy to fish. He smiled, listening to the conversation. At least Mean had taken his advice, going once again to those who had missed her. (D)

Wilhemia/Edward
She made a small face and shook her head. " It wasn't just the grief, M'lady, I had to see Him, face to face. It was not what I had expected.. I thought my appearing in Rome would have changed His mind.. made things.. suddenly better. "She explained softly. " I arrived, and he took one look at me.. then suggested I return to Augusta's household. and be a good girl like my Mother was. "She stated with a small note of steel within that sort voice. Bess would understand exactly what it meant to be in Augusta's household, or the reference to her mother. " I didn't mean to upset anyone.. certainly not to harm them either. "She gave a small nod for the rub to her back as she blinked and looked at Bess oddly. " My father's pay.... "She was at a loss there for a moment, perhaps it was hard to breath. It would certainly help, there was no question of that. Edward looked up at the priest. " Ya says that but ya e'er touched a cows...ya know? Feels odd. "He whispered and gave a nod. <d

Beathag
From one father to another, from spirit to flesh, bone, and blood. Being a woman who's birth father toppled backwards to oblivion to end up another man's father, leaving her with a man called Ahmlaid whom loved her with no reservation she understood how long lineage could be when it involved more than one cause. To look at Him was to look at herself, to see herself in origin with the hope it could be her beginning. Augusta's home was not the place for a young woman who breathed, who lived. Having witnessed, if not employed extremists at the very least with certainy she could say she would rather have the likes of St. Laurence and deAquitaine at the head of the darker causes than a woman like Augusta, whom for all her papal piety was the real devil. That woman would kill the Pope himself if he crossed her on the wrong day. "aye, yer father's pay. It can be delivered discretly, should ye wish it, month by month. Tis the pay o' a Chief Baliff, n' he was such. Ah feel itis my responsibility, if nay m'privelege, tae see tha' those he loved are cared for with exception. He was a member o' my service, a member o'the Griffin. A man at court nay matter hwo much less her he thought himself. " (d)

Wilhemia/Edward
She blinked and caught her breath and gave a small nod. " Thank you , M'lady. "She managed to get out. And Augusta was more then a product of her environment, she was an environment all her own. And to say that the Pope wasn't aware of Augusta's abilities to get to him.. or any other there within his own circle? The man was not so much of a fool. She was influencial and knew how to use it with an efficency as a warrior did a blade. Such a place was not for the likes of Willa. She had to plan her escape from the woman, another reason for her hiding in the underdark as she had. " How do I thank you enough, Bess? "She looked at her just.. in awe of the woman. Years ago she had stood up to Odis to allow Willa to be apart of the courts.. again when it came to Dmi, and now? Willa knew that regardless of whatever happened, she would spend a lifetime in the woman's debt. <d

Brother Diarmuid:
Brother Diarmuid would chuckle, "Oh yes, I have..." And he would tick of a list of chores that had been his bread and butter, before the subprior had seen fit to assign him to the martial studies. Many were the task a farm boy might be called upon to perform -- but that Edward had not yet been assigned. Did the young boy squirm? As it was, Brother Diarmuid would quiet for a time. Offering pointers now and again on how to fish. (D)

Beathag
She let the priest offer pointers on man advice towards Edward whilst the women spoke of life, or something like it. "Ye needn't thank me at all, or if ye feel ye must, just live well." She would hope Augusta was done with the girl, that fate could let it be. The Templars had settled unto themselves, the men wishing to touch nothing of disaster after what two zealots had done in attempts to re-establish them on the continent by way of Spain. Did she not grow tired? Even Christendom could grow tired. A part of her thought to ask which members rode through the countryside on patrols, to replace the common man with the one of the Outriders on a Talon recommendation. Was it foresight or merely worry? Ah well. (d)

Wilhemia/Edward
" As you say. "She pointed out with a sigh. Though her eyes moved to the boy that was listening to the Priest as he gave him pointers. " Ya knowed a lot . " he gave a small nod and tried to do as the good Brother pointed out. The small smile touched Mean's face as she sighed softly. " If there is anything however , Bess.. "She left that open and the glance to given. How she may have wished to going back to being that sweet naive girl that threatened great warriors with pastries.. that part of her was gone. But didn't mean she wouldn't do everything she could to keeping Edward protected from that sort of life. The boy however looked up at Diarmuid . " Can I go on your walks with you? My Mean says you go an talks with people.. an makes em at peace.. " He delighted in blurting out whatever popped into his head. <d

Brother Diarmuid:
It was fair to say that he had been caught off guard, by Edward's rather honest question. After a moment's thought, he said, ".... As long as Mena approves, I do not see why not." While Brother Diarmuid would take the boy around, it was most likely to involve 'work' too -- such as helping gather donations from the bread makers in the evening. Or following him on his circuit in the market, when he would occasional engage in street preaching or checking on those of his flock. (D)

Beathag
"Ye can visit me now n' again sure Aimlee would like tha' ye remember Aimlee dun ye? She still be about, she's daein me the civic joy o' carin fer the children sae their mother can remember wot it is tae move her own arms." The likes of Aimlee and Heather were fine companions, as Heather had been about for the birth of Davina, and since then assisted not only the Queen but the children. When the woman was not in affairs of state, she remained close toaffairs of the hearth. No, the children royal of Skye hadn't their own households the Queen saw only when she went about on Progressus. The royal children belonged in their birthplace, with those that loved them best. It set her apart distinctly from the continent. That, and with the King' spenchant for keeping his wife with him in bed instead of expelled elsewhere, and no mistress? (d)

Wilhemia/Edward
No mistress..was he ill? ahem. The soft chuckle was given as she gave a small nod. " I do remember Aimlee.. she and I got into a bit of trouble with Father from time to time. "She grinned and looked toward Edward. " I have no issue if he goes with you, Brother Diarmiud. It would be good for him to see the goodness that you do. "She gave a small nod. The boy grinned brightly and looked up at him. " An you can tell me stories! " He declared. That and he figured it would get him out of working on the farm. Bundling grasses for the roof was hard work.. he didn't care for that at all! <d

Brother Diarmuid:
Poor boy. Had no idea what he was getting into, following an Augustinian about. There would be work, and it would be hard, but it would be worth while Brother Diarmuid supposed. After all, he'd be another helping hand. "it is settled, then. I shall call on the farm tomorrow morning." Early morning. (D)

Set In Her Way: "She gets in tae less trouble makin sure mine stay out o' it." She laughed hard at the idea of youth turning over to mind the younger. So it was with age. Beathag looked up at the Augustinian "Good thin tae follow the Brother, ye will learn much n, get agood appreciation o' bein' thankful for wot ye have n' life young one. Brother ye dun quite seem yerself taeday. Less vigorous. Ah hope wot e'er it be ye will feel better soon." (d)

Wilhemia/Edward
The boy grinned and looked at Willa like HA.. though he was suddenly less certain of that victory of his when he saw her only offer a small smile of her own. " I do appreciate you allowing him to go with you, Brother. "She admitted
vmirrorIrorrimv: with a duck of her head. Not to mention it would give her a little time alone to work on things at the farm. She kept her silence when Bess spoke, the small look of concern touched her face with that question, it wasn't just she that noticed? Good! <d

Brother Diarmuid:
"Not at all," Brother Diarmuid said, "I would favor his help....." Yeap, labor was in the boy's future. Even if he did not know it. Although, compared to farm work, it was easier to do. (D)

[Wilhemia]

Mena only smiled as the boy seemed excited to do something other then the chores at the farm. " I'll have him up and ready at dawn, if you wish. "She offered. The boys smile flickered a little but, it was difficult enough to release the idea of being around the good Father. Besides he had the best stories! The twine was all but forgotten in his hands while he listened to the adults talk.

[Queen Beathag Aberdeen]

Beathag listened as the world opened up for one small boy who would have been lost in the undertow. When she arrived to Turas Lan again those five years ago, it seemed few people went without. Systems of fosterage among the guilds seemed to ensure that children would not be lost to the dark, nor their adult counterparts. It was a fool's dream, really, to believe that the most extreme examples of poverty didn't exist. Water was pure. She watched it turning, cleaning the world while not really knowing it, oblivious to purpose. In company was a man who would help the boy in spirit and education, cared for by a young woman who gave despite how much she had lost.

Odis was recalled then; the memory was vivid, stoic as his silence before it was broken with his gruff turns at humor. She smiled in silence to herself before leaning against one of the nearby poles. Wind blew, making the edges of her shawl billow outward. "Life is beautiful," she mused aloud, "very beautiful."