Post by Janice Olivia Monroe on Jan 2, 2011 20:57:08 GMT -6
Master Julian Monroe
When the night is still, and the sea is calm, Lonely SHadow, you fall upon me. Lay by my side, fear not tonight, Lonely Shadow, you'll find a new light. The candles had been lit on the tree, held there by carefully placed perches on each branch, and the ribbon of the yule tree was tied in little bows while the red star flowers adorned each branch like the night sky. The eve of the season's most precious day filled the streets with sweet carols and the evening air with the warm scent of dinners a plenty. Jean-Claude had seen to it their celebration lasted well into the night, but when the doors closed of their home Julian was happy to be home. His face hurt from smiling, his chest hurt from the laughter, but eased with the draw of his nightly bath, where he would read or listen to the birds in the night as he dreamed against the side of the copper tub while the water steamed hot in the cool air. He missed her reading to him, joining often to laugh as he tickled her feet under the water, and would be happy to 'married' again. Most of all he missed her most at night, and often would sit outside her door for hours listening to her sleep inside her chamber door. However, tonight would allow them a few more hours, and he was bursting with the package wrapped in his hands. Returning from his room freshly bathed, and dressed for night. (d
Lady Janice Monroe
O holy night! The stars are brightly shining.. Above the city a curtain of diamonds came through to peek in the curtain of winter dark silk. Below them people adorned the earth for its own radiant show, all manner of bonfires littered the countryside, braids of wheat in St. Brigid's Cross and God's Eyes protected from any evil that dare think to linger. How could it? Processions of churches, the bells tolling to bring others to the midnight mass, but tonight God would be inside of the little house that had no light in it until it came home again. Janice was humming all around, putting away the left overs that Jean-Claude insisted on bringing even if Janice was more than pleased to have a reason to do domestic chores again."Merry Christ's mass eve to you all, Please..here.." The ruby necklace adorning her throat was like a heart on her sleeve. In to the cups of carolers she poured drink, gave soul cakes, and coins to the poor. When the last guest left, the last caroler silenced a note she turned to press her back against the door. While in seperate rooms they resided, she was guilty of watching him walk away just to make sure it was only to his room. Remembering what it was like to hold his hand. That was all she wanted again. Her own careful ministrations completed she sat before the fireplace running her fingers through the last of bits of hair to dry. When did it fall down to the middle of her back, when had it come to be so long? (d)
Master Julian Monroe
The package he held was large enough to need both hands, though it was in no way heavy, but when he set it on the floor he was careful with it. His job had always been the hearth, and with it a certain pride each night when the fire roared in its safe haven. He could master the very reason and doubt that came along with the cold, and press it away with the stirring of life to the flames. To the outside world she was still his wife, and though the actual papers could be questioned he felt himself still very much her own. Between the ball and now he had cut his hair, but not nearly as short having never been against the idea of having it grow out. He was worn from the day, from the week, and well the year. Yet, the Young Master felt his spirit sour seeing her again undone from the finery of the French, and her hair down. What sin was this? To see a woman so bare, so natural to the world--this was one reason he was thankful to still feel very much the part of her husband. Coming to sit before her, he pulled his legs under him and set the book down on the stone of the hearth that he was reading.With a smile, it was nearly bursting on his face to keep what was inside the packages for her. "I can not make you wait til morning, Janice Olivia. It would be cruel." In more ways then one. (d
Lady Janice Monroe
She watched the fire and then the tree. Never had a tree been within the home, and it was a custom moving from courts to inside of homes. Little handblown ornaments made of glass, flowers, and candles. Some people gave the evergreen tree adorned in fruit to the bonfire but Janice intended to enjoy the object as long as the season allowed. A soft frost began to decorate the window pane as snowflakes were flicked by unseen angels playing games."The gift giving is upon the morn, not the eve...what can you not wait for?" Whenever he talked, she stopped to watch his mouth move. The muscles in his fce. Was she really speaking to her husband again? The outside world wondered at the reconcilation unknowing that a tender courtship was beginning the night of the ball. Devoid of any cosmetic to pinken the mouth or lighten the face, nothing to dress her hair. The rubies at her throat were gone so that it was as naked as hand. A shawl over her shoulders, he was as only he knew her. "Mmm..show me?" She found she giggled (d)
Master Julian Monroe
He laughed lightly watching her come to life as he once knew her. She was rested, she was well, but most of all she was beyond everything he had loved. To find one thing he adored most would ask him to solve only one problem, to think of the world as it was once was, and not as it was in the now--how could he? "Must we keep to tradition in everything?" A small pull of his lips would have him drop his head at the nature of his joke, and his own wet strands would follow; the few that were not held at the very small hardly held tie. She glistened in that moment, the candles in her eyes filled with the joy of what he hoped would be forever. "Can I give you just one then? Really, I am afraid it will not keep til morning, and my sanity needs you to have it." He would raise enough to reach for the package--careful as he brushed her shoulder. "We can make it our own tradition." Placing the careful held together bit of ribbon wrapped gift within her hands, one would think he to let her hold a sacred object, or perhaps a child the way he was very careful to keep it up right.The red ribbon of the bow on top made the box it was held within seem strangely obvious to what was inside, but did she notice the holes punched into the top? "Go ahead." He was eager to devour her reaction, worried she wouldn't like it, but more so concerned she would burst with a true childlike happiness when she found out what was inside. When the box was settled on her lap, would she feel the little motion inside? (d
Lady Janice Monroe
When he laughed she laughed all the more! It was strange returning to the house; he bid her not to sell it so in the night she gave consideration that something more than pain was here, but life. Life was anywhere they dared to put it. He didn' tknow it but she opened his door, too, in the night. She wanted to make sure he hadn't changed his mind to leave, or that he wouldn't awake in fever, chills. Part of her worried even if it was over part of his body would always be afflicted ,but it wasn't. His sleep was so sound she wanted to crawl in to be in his arms. He wanted so much to be a proper gentlemen, to bequeath to her the right to be held in the highest esteem that her thoughts wanted to take it from him! No, she left him to sleep secure in the knowledge each of them had arrived home. "If it should so please you, one may hurt nothing! Our own tradition? I like that Julian. Making new traditions just for us.." Careful hands held a little wrapped object. The first gift he'd ever given her was held in his hand, in little tissue paper. Had he noticed that the little sparrows had been cleaned up, repaired? They sat on her vanity, waiting for new ribbon or chain. "are you more excited than me? I..I am terribly excited...here I go!" She curled her feet under her, put the thing on her lap and opened it.Once the ribbon was undone, the lid shifted itself! "Oh! Oh my..what is..oh..oh! Oh!" She took off the lid and melted! The little ball of white fur mewled with wide eyes, wanting to be loved "Oh so precious, oh my goodness! Oh I am so fond of cats, ever so! The Master has a cat, the Brother..oooooh Julian....oh she's darling!" She lifted the little creature out and in to her arms, and one arm flung around Julian before she could even think, her lips to his face and a quick peck to his mouth. "Oh Julian thank you! Ooh I am in love with her. Oh hello.hello precious!" (d)
Master Julian Monroe
There was a certain torture the very moment as well as the very blessing of it. Her lips, her skin, the closeness...the way she smiled and laughed. Jean-Claude had tried to talk him out of the kitten, with everything in him he felt his Master to hate all creatures. Adelaide's cat was a constant thorn in his side, and now this one? It wasn't a child, but they both would grow to think of it so would they not? When he was finished with the spare room perhaps they would build a sanctuary to their new child, but for now the white ball of fluff was happy to be free--happy for the affection. "She is very sweet." Brushing behind her ear the kitten purred, "She will sleeps on uour back." As he slept on his chest. He wasn't ready to take the moment away from her, "We will have to train her to travel well, but think of the Brother's cat. How many roads has that cat crossed?" He held everything to the Brother now, respect, thankfulness, and debt. He would forever be in the debt of the friar, and would be there to the man's calling whenever he would wish. When he did pull back his attention, and open the books beneath his fingers he was surprised at them, though pleased. Very pleased. The Master was an amazing man, and he wished he would have met him. Julian was not so much a dreamer, and often simply perfected what was already there. His true talent was finding flaw in everything, and often when it mattered the most; a strange title, but it was his own. Turning the pages he was stunned and eager to pick up where the Master left off. His eyes glazed over with that deep devoured departure from the world that came about when he fell deeply into a book. He would have thanked her had they not captured him, but would he need to? She would know he loved them dearly. (d
Lady Janice Monroe
Much to Jean-Claude's chagrin the world around him adored cats: Brother diarmuid's little friend was blessed by mary, Claramae had a creature named for the devil yet was truly a playful thing at heart (Even if he had poisoned gold tips for his claws if his mistress desired) and Janice loved them all, loving them to curl at her feet, to purr.Now she had her own ball of white to shower with the same affection and to companion. It seemed a fitting sort for intellectuals. While some saw the cat as a tool of Satan and slaughtered the creatures, at least in Scotland it too could enjoy a Renaissance! "Oh yes. She must go where we go, look at her playing with that bit of ribbon! Mmm...do you know, as silly as it seems she must have a name that begins with J. Julia, or Janet. Perhaps Jeanine. Such an angel, oh she will win hearts where e'ere she goes, and such a lady." Bright blue eyes and thick white coat? A Prima Donna of a creature. Jean-Claude must have shunned it. Now it was Julian's turn to marvel at the collection in his hands, Janice explained "I wanted them to be a belated wedding gift, but they were taking me so long to translate because the Masters italian penmanship was so dreadfully poor and tiny! It is by no means all of his great secrets but things he wished to remember to replciate I think. I am certain a great much of it appears around our beloved central hall. In her library at Northampton , St. Laurence has an archway built as one of his old ones, to remember him. At any rate..the covers are original the pages of his drawings his..but the pages to explain them are new..again his writing is terrible." She played with the ribbon blushing "The master always did so he was better at speaking than writing. But..you like it?" (d
Master Julian Monroe
"I have been calling her Gato." He smiled rather proud that he could recall the Spanish word from memory. "Her name will come when the time is right." The kitten was curious of her surroundings, wanting to explore and stepping out to fancy herself of the room--make herself at home. She would return after she was finished, but for now the couple would be given the moment. Julian smiled thinking of Sorchal, wondering if they were anything alike, but they were different in one way, "I'm better at writing then speaking so perhaps I'll go easy on the flaws in the logic, if any are found of course." There were so few mistakes in the design of anything that man had touched, and what work he did on the hall was all simple common steps in keeping it all smooth. Julian spoke from the pages, though he didn't pull his eyes from the text long enough to even wonder. How could he not love it? "Baby, thank you. I'll enjoy these so much." He held one to his chest to smile at her forcing himself from the book. "Perhaps you would do me the honor of going over the text with me when I can hold you again..by the fires after dinner." Already he dreamed of the future, and tried to escape quickly back into the book so that he would not burst on the inside out. "Duchess Juliet." The kitten came to his feet for a moment before exploring further into the room."I've been meaning to ask Master Laurence about him..they say he stood where Jean-Claude does now, but it is hard to imagine any other there. They are so fierce when they stand close, and listening now to the court I am not the only who thinks so." (d
Lady Janice Monroe
"Gato? You remember your Spanish. I never thought you'd seek to, you refused to talk to so many." Her nose crinkled as she wrapped up the shawl tighter over her shoulders before leaing on the wall before the fire. How was everything so effortless - it was the wrong word, true, but it felt as if this chance could not have been made by any but God. Nothing mattered tonight but there here and now. "The flaw in the logic is in his vocabular, not his work. Julian you would have been as marveled by him as any of us. He was a man who could be politician, showmen, always a showmen. He performed great feats of magic in Blue Castle and for the Queen. In truth may I tell you?" She had made them hot chocolate, pouring now from a pot that long sat on a table, cooling. "It is deAquitaine who stands where St. Laurence was. You see, he came to this island and she followed there after, for St. Laurence was in the keeping of the Avarian King. Avaria was falling, she could not have held her post as a spy anymore since the royal family had fled aloft it was too dangerous in the Stewards employ. She said of all the places she has gone, the islands in this ocean see mmost fond of direct contacted blood shed. She is not so fond, but when situations call for it she is very capable. She was the Avarian's major. She outranked her husband, the Duke Vincere. At any rate it is said that stumbling on to the way of things here they crossed paths at different venutres. He had to flee England at long last, and they say it was she who orchestrated his installation as the court's spymaster , then when Avaria fell and St. Laurence was here for asylum, she gave her services to the court that kept than anyway as part of the treaty. Imagine, her, part of a treaty. She took orders from Sorchal...to some extent. Letting him lead, following, letting him trust his instincts even with her about. They are tied irrevokably to the other, he owes her for his humanity for not turning to the dark, and perfecting what vittergaust installed. She owes him, a constant friend he has been and he is five years her younger ,if not more so..and he told me he viewed her as the eternal heroine. But there was a woman he knew, long before Jean-Claude did. The woman he knows now. Master Sorchal had that. I saw them together.He made her smile, laugh. Played long games of chess with her. I will never be able to pay Jean-Claude and the others for saving her..what because ofher..her..back..her sickness a few years ago. Master Sorchal, saved her from that. It is why Gottschalk was all that might scare her, and the Alderman
Their..obsession." She sighed softly " Do you know," then she smiled, " she said to Sorshcal before he left she was finding a family. Before all she really had was her husband, Sorschal..and even them were on distant placesShe has changed. We all have changed. To see all of us at the ball, laughing before the court. Being of the court! I do not ever wish to lose that aspectno matter what duties we must have. It is a beautiful thing .Life." She turned to the wandering cat with a grin "Do you not think so, Duchess Juliet?" (d)
When the night is still, and the sea is calm, Lonely SHadow, you fall upon me. Lay by my side, fear not tonight, Lonely Shadow, you'll find a new light. The candles had been lit on the tree, held there by carefully placed perches on each branch, and the ribbon of the yule tree was tied in little bows while the red star flowers adorned each branch like the night sky. The eve of the season's most precious day filled the streets with sweet carols and the evening air with the warm scent of dinners a plenty. Jean-Claude had seen to it their celebration lasted well into the night, but when the doors closed of their home Julian was happy to be home. His face hurt from smiling, his chest hurt from the laughter, but eased with the draw of his nightly bath, where he would read or listen to the birds in the night as he dreamed against the side of the copper tub while the water steamed hot in the cool air. He missed her reading to him, joining often to laugh as he tickled her feet under the water, and would be happy to 'married' again. Most of all he missed her most at night, and often would sit outside her door for hours listening to her sleep inside her chamber door. However, tonight would allow them a few more hours, and he was bursting with the package wrapped in his hands. Returning from his room freshly bathed, and dressed for night. (d
Lady Janice Monroe
O holy night! The stars are brightly shining.. Above the city a curtain of diamonds came through to peek in the curtain of winter dark silk. Below them people adorned the earth for its own radiant show, all manner of bonfires littered the countryside, braids of wheat in St. Brigid's Cross and God's Eyes protected from any evil that dare think to linger. How could it? Processions of churches, the bells tolling to bring others to the midnight mass, but tonight God would be inside of the little house that had no light in it until it came home again. Janice was humming all around, putting away the left overs that Jean-Claude insisted on bringing even if Janice was more than pleased to have a reason to do domestic chores again."Merry Christ's mass eve to you all, Please..here.." The ruby necklace adorning her throat was like a heart on her sleeve. In to the cups of carolers she poured drink, gave soul cakes, and coins to the poor. When the last guest left, the last caroler silenced a note she turned to press her back against the door. While in seperate rooms they resided, she was guilty of watching him walk away just to make sure it was only to his room. Remembering what it was like to hold his hand. That was all she wanted again. Her own careful ministrations completed she sat before the fireplace running her fingers through the last of bits of hair to dry. When did it fall down to the middle of her back, when had it come to be so long? (d)
Master Julian Monroe
The package he held was large enough to need both hands, though it was in no way heavy, but when he set it on the floor he was careful with it. His job had always been the hearth, and with it a certain pride each night when the fire roared in its safe haven. He could master the very reason and doubt that came along with the cold, and press it away with the stirring of life to the flames. To the outside world she was still his wife, and though the actual papers could be questioned he felt himself still very much her own. Between the ball and now he had cut his hair, but not nearly as short having never been against the idea of having it grow out. He was worn from the day, from the week, and well the year. Yet, the Young Master felt his spirit sour seeing her again undone from the finery of the French, and her hair down. What sin was this? To see a woman so bare, so natural to the world--this was one reason he was thankful to still feel very much the part of her husband. Coming to sit before her, he pulled his legs under him and set the book down on the stone of the hearth that he was reading.With a smile, it was nearly bursting on his face to keep what was inside the packages for her. "I can not make you wait til morning, Janice Olivia. It would be cruel." In more ways then one. (d
Lady Janice Monroe
She watched the fire and then the tree. Never had a tree been within the home, and it was a custom moving from courts to inside of homes. Little handblown ornaments made of glass, flowers, and candles. Some people gave the evergreen tree adorned in fruit to the bonfire but Janice intended to enjoy the object as long as the season allowed. A soft frost began to decorate the window pane as snowflakes were flicked by unseen angels playing games."The gift giving is upon the morn, not the eve...what can you not wait for?" Whenever he talked, she stopped to watch his mouth move. The muscles in his fce. Was she really speaking to her husband again? The outside world wondered at the reconcilation unknowing that a tender courtship was beginning the night of the ball. Devoid of any cosmetic to pinken the mouth or lighten the face, nothing to dress her hair. The rubies at her throat were gone so that it was as naked as hand. A shawl over her shoulders, he was as only he knew her. "Mmm..show me?" She found she giggled (d)
Master Julian Monroe
He laughed lightly watching her come to life as he once knew her. She was rested, she was well, but most of all she was beyond everything he had loved. To find one thing he adored most would ask him to solve only one problem, to think of the world as it was once was, and not as it was in the now--how could he? "Must we keep to tradition in everything?" A small pull of his lips would have him drop his head at the nature of his joke, and his own wet strands would follow; the few that were not held at the very small hardly held tie. She glistened in that moment, the candles in her eyes filled with the joy of what he hoped would be forever. "Can I give you just one then? Really, I am afraid it will not keep til morning, and my sanity needs you to have it." He would raise enough to reach for the package--careful as he brushed her shoulder. "We can make it our own tradition." Placing the careful held together bit of ribbon wrapped gift within her hands, one would think he to let her hold a sacred object, or perhaps a child the way he was very careful to keep it up right.The red ribbon of the bow on top made the box it was held within seem strangely obvious to what was inside, but did she notice the holes punched into the top? "Go ahead." He was eager to devour her reaction, worried she wouldn't like it, but more so concerned she would burst with a true childlike happiness when she found out what was inside. When the box was settled on her lap, would she feel the little motion inside? (d
Lady Janice Monroe
When he laughed she laughed all the more! It was strange returning to the house; he bid her not to sell it so in the night she gave consideration that something more than pain was here, but life. Life was anywhere they dared to put it. He didn' tknow it but she opened his door, too, in the night. She wanted to make sure he hadn't changed his mind to leave, or that he wouldn't awake in fever, chills. Part of her worried even if it was over part of his body would always be afflicted ,but it wasn't. His sleep was so sound she wanted to crawl in to be in his arms. He wanted so much to be a proper gentlemen, to bequeath to her the right to be held in the highest esteem that her thoughts wanted to take it from him! No, she left him to sleep secure in the knowledge each of them had arrived home. "If it should so please you, one may hurt nothing! Our own tradition? I like that Julian. Making new traditions just for us.." Careful hands held a little wrapped object. The first gift he'd ever given her was held in his hand, in little tissue paper. Had he noticed that the little sparrows had been cleaned up, repaired? They sat on her vanity, waiting for new ribbon or chain. "are you more excited than me? I..I am terribly excited...here I go!" She curled her feet under her, put the thing on her lap and opened it.Once the ribbon was undone, the lid shifted itself! "Oh! Oh my..what is..oh..oh! Oh!" She took off the lid and melted! The little ball of white fur mewled with wide eyes, wanting to be loved "Oh so precious, oh my goodness! Oh I am so fond of cats, ever so! The Master has a cat, the Brother..oooooh Julian....oh she's darling!" She lifted the little creature out and in to her arms, and one arm flung around Julian before she could even think, her lips to his face and a quick peck to his mouth. "Oh Julian thank you! Ooh I am in love with her. Oh hello.hello precious!" (d)
Master Julian Monroe
There was a certain torture the very moment as well as the very blessing of it. Her lips, her skin, the closeness...the way she smiled and laughed. Jean-Claude had tried to talk him out of the kitten, with everything in him he felt his Master to hate all creatures. Adelaide's cat was a constant thorn in his side, and now this one? It wasn't a child, but they both would grow to think of it so would they not? When he was finished with the spare room perhaps they would build a sanctuary to their new child, but for now the white ball of fluff was happy to be free--happy for the affection. "She is very sweet." Brushing behind her ear the kitten purred, "She will sleeps on uour back." As he slept on his chest. He wasn't ready to take the moment away from her, "We will have to train her to travel well, but think of the Brother's cat. How many roads has that cat crossed?" He held everything to the Brother now, respect, thankfulness, and debt. He would forever be in the debt of the friar, and would be there to the man's calling whenever he would wish. When he did pull back his attention, and open the books beneath his fingers he was surprised at them, though pleased. Very pleased. The Master was an amazing man, and he wished he would have met him. Julian was not so much a dreamer, and often simply perfected what was already there. His true talent was finding flaw in everything, and often when it mattered the most; a strange title, but it was his own. Turning the pages he was stunned and eager to pick up where the Master left off. His eyes glazed over with that deep devoured departure from the world that came about when he fell deeply into a book. He would have thanked her had they not captured him, but would he need to? She would know he loved them dearly. (d
Lady Janice Monroe
Much to Jean-Claude's chagrin the world around him adored cats: Brother diarmuid's little friend was blessed by mary, Claramae had a creature named for the devil yet was truly a playful thing at heart (Even if he had poisoned gold tips for his claws if his mistress desired) and Janice loved them all, loving them to curl at her feet, to purr.Now she had her own ball of white to shower with the same affection and to companion. It seemed a fitting sort for intellectuals. While some saw the cat as a tool of Satan and slaughtered the creatures, at least in Scotland it too could enjoy a Renaissance! "Oh yes. She must go where we go, look at her playing with that bit of ribbon! Mmm...do you know, as silly as it seems she must have a name that begins with J. Julia, or Janet. Perhaps Jeanine. Such an angel, oh she will win hearts where e'ere she goes, and such a lady." Bright blue eyes and thick white coat? A Prima Donna of a creature. Jean-Claude must have shunned it. Now it was Julian's turn to marvel at the collection in his hands, Janice explained "I wanted them to be a belated wedding gift, but they were taking me so long to translate because the Masters italian penmanship was so dreadfully poor and tiny! It is by no means all of his great secrets but things he wished to remember to replciate I think. I am certain a great much of it appears around our beloved central hall. In her library at Northampton , St. Laurence has an archway built as one of his old ones, to remember him. At any rate..the covers are original the pages of his drawings his..but the pages to explain them are new..again his writing is terrible." She played with the ribbon blushing "The master always did so he was better at speaking than writing. But..you like it?" (d
Master Julian Monroe
"I have been calling her Gato." He smiled rather proud that he could recall the Spanish word from memory. "Her name will come when the time is right." The kitten was curious of her surroundings, wanting to explore and stepping out to fancy herself of the room--make herself at home. She would return after she was finished, but for now the couple would be given the moment. Julian smiled thinking of Sorchal, wondering if they were anything alike, but they were different in one way, "I'm better at writing then speaking so perhaps I'll go easy on the flaws in the logic, if any are found of course." There were so few mistakes in the design of anything that man had touched, and what work he did on the hall was all simple common steps in keeping it all smooth. Julian spoke from the pages, though he didn't pull his eyes from the text long enough to even wonder. How could he not love it? "Baby, thank you. I'll enjoy these so much." He held one to his chest to smile at her forcing himself from the book. "Perhaps you would do me the honor of going over the text with me when I can hold you again..by the fires after dinner." Already he dreamed of the future, and tried to escape quickly back into the book so that he would not burst on the inside out. "Duchess Juliet." The kitten came to his feet for a moment before exploring further into the room."I've been meaning to ask Master Laurence about him..they say he stood where Jean-Claude does now, but it is hard to imagine any other there. They are so fierce when they stand close, and listening now to the court I am not the only who thinks so." (d
Lady Janice Monroe
"Gato? You remember your Spanish. I never thought you'd seek to, you refused to talk to so many." Her nose crinkled as she wrapped up the shawl tighter over her shoulders before leaing on the wall before the fire. How was everything so effortless - it was the wrong word, true, but it felt as if this chance could not have been made by any but God. Nothing mattered tonight but there here and now. "The flaw in the logic is in his vocabular, not his work. Julian you would have been as marveled by him as any of us. He was a man who could be politician, showmen, always a showmen. He performed great feats of magic in Blue Castle and for the Queen. In truth may I tell you?" She had made them hot chocolate, pouring now from a pot that long sat on a table, cooling. "It is deAquitaine who stands where St. Laurence was. You see, he came to this island and she followed there after, for St. Laurence was in the keeping of the Avarian King. Avaria was falling, she could not have held her post as a spy anymore since the royal family had fled aloft it was too dangerous in the Stewards employ. She said of all the places she has gone, the islands in this ocean see mmost fond of direct contacted blood shed. She is not so fond, but when situations call for it she is very capable. She was the Avarian's major. She outranked her husband, the Duke Vincere. At any rate it is said that stumbling on to the way of things here they crossed paths at different venutres. He had to flee England at long last, and they say it was she who orchestrated his installation as the court's spymaster , then when Avaria fell and St. Laurence was here for asylum, she gave her services to the court that kept than anyway as part of the treaty. Imagine, her, part of a treaty. She took orders from Sorchal...to some extent. Letting him lead, following, letting him trust his instincts even with her about. They are tied irrevokably to the other, he owes her for his humanity for not turning to the dark, and perfecting what vittergaust installed. She owes him, a constant friend he has been and he is five years her younger ,if not more so..and he told me he viewed her as the eternal heroine. But there was a woman he knew, long before Jean-Claude did. The woman he knows now. Master Sorchal had that. I saw them together.He made her smile, laugh. Played long games of chess with her. I will never be able to pay Jean-Claude and the others for saving her..what because ofher..her..back..her sickness a few years ago. Master Sorchal, saved her from that. It is why Gottschalk was all that might scare her, and the Alderman
Their..obsession." She sighed softly " Do you know," then she smiled, " she said to Sorshcal before he left she was finding a family. Before all she really had was her husband, Sorschal..and even them were on distant placesShe has changed. We all have changed. To see all of us at the ball, laughing before the court. Being of the court! I do not ever wish to lose that aspectno matter what duties we must have. It is a beautiful thing .Life." She turned to the wandering cat with a grin "Do you not think so, Duchess Juliet?" (d)
