Post by Lady Eirian Gwenyth Apollius on Jul 6, 2008 15:49:52 GMT -6
Eirian: It had been ten days since the carriage was put away, the horses put out to run in the pastures, and Eirian left to remain in the Valley of Stars, in the house of Arianna Hymerodraeth, The Silver Empire. The manor home was as intimate as a humble country cottage the way the women of the estate filled it with good food and laughter. In their presence, the Lady of the Estate had more mothers and aunts than she knew what to do with! She helped them cut the vegetables for suppers as they gave her things to eat or drink, asked of children's names or what colors she would weave in to the clothes and linens. "Shades of blue, purples, pinks, oranges. Sunrises and twilights I think. A dream." The eldest among them would pat her belly affectionatly and hope his son would have 8 such children! (d)
Caden: Caden had spent the day training with his sword, for once by himself in the solitude with Anna laying in the grasses beside him. When the sun had begun to set he put his sword away and went inside making his way to his room wher he bathed and changed, snagged a random book off his shelf, this one a tale of fairies, and went in search of his Lady. Each night he had taken to sitting beside her, reading to her and little hope. He cherished those moments like no other and he had a spring in his step out of anticipation. Anna sauntered along beside him until they reached the room where his lady sat surrounded by women, then she would push her way through them and just put her pretty white head upon Erian's knee while Caden leaned against the door frame to watch. (d)
Eirian: A white tiger, a wild beast in a circle of women ought to have inspired a choice selection of shrieking to fill the early evening yet Anna's appereance had diminished in the ability to startle. Hands withdrew as the tiger claimed her dew, leaving Eirian to laugh as she bid pardons for the great creature, "Anna, did you not bid your pardon first, or did you simply wish to make it known you had a place among the women of the house?" Her hand scratched behind Anna's ear. As for the eyes of the women? Caden's appearance rendered them in curtsy with warm smiles for the young master of the house, for they knew no other male relation save for him! "Supper is nay ready yet!" They squealed playfully, rushing back to their work, leaving Eirian to laugh as she grinned through a curtain of black bangs to her guardian knight, brother at heart, and cousin. It was a good life here, and ten days of it? Why, they were hungry for more, always country folk at heart. (d)
Maahes: The sun was high in the sky when he had started this journey. One would think finding the Artisan's house would be a breeze, but no..everything Maahes set out to do on his own proved a challenge. Here, M'lord I shall draw you a map. Was the voice of a child as he had finally stopped and asked for directions. She had not been afraid, even when his most pleasant tone seemed brash. Etched upon a small bit of paper, the work of art seemed more like a Picasso then that of a map. The line started with where they stood and winded through marked only by a flower to represent the meadow and a star to end his trek. As now the sun was setting he had come to the end of his wits as well the map. Perhaps he would have enjoyed the walk if he could be free from heavy armor and the clang of steel as he moved. The leather work was in dire need of mending, and only proved so as it started to fray as he continued. A sigh of frustration left him, like the breeze rolling over the hills. Night was dawning quickly and with no sign of life Maahes was about to do something that very rarely came to the General's mind--give up. His steps stilled and with it his heart. High above the cry of a falcon billowed chills to chase his spine, and the hairs on the back of his neck stand. Fighting the draft, the bird fell from the sky and the Avarian would turn his wrist upward. Leather wraps would soon find themselves a perch as the bird with one eye found her master. Though she had no name, she was a gift a long time ago from a woman who seemed more and more distant to him as the days passed. Maahes was growing without Tommy's protective eye, and shaping into a man she would soon not be able to recognize. He started to think on his own, take charge not just lives, and over all he started to open. This caged beast finally started to let the world see what was really under rock hard flesh. The bird peered at him with her one eye as if scolding him all together. Missing half her feathers she looked like a rare sight, but he had once thought he had lost her so this was better then nothing. He took a deep breath and lifted the now crinkled paper and the bird looked it up and down as if reading it from bottom to top. She would soon find the air again as the wind brought life to a massive wing span, and in the right direction she would pass. A window in the manor would soon find a friend. (d
Eirian: Blue eyes to blue eyes peered across a kitchen in towards the heart of family to prove one in the same. Long roads across fields and around hills, through the forests could prove difficult if the direction was not straightforward. Travail was the essence of life; pain the process to understanding comfort, sadness the way toward joy. Humanity was endless clay to mold with different tools at all hours until Death revealed the masterpiece of a life completed. This was all that was certain in the world: birth, death, and life inbetween. How would it be filled? Divinity, if one embraced it, could offer comfort in the knowledge of a beautiful world gone on for generations beyond measure. The General of Avaria would perhaps know his destination at last when the hillsides of the Cullin Mountains became the fertile valley rampant with the scent of water, earth, and trees. Cottage hearth light littered in settlements above and upon the floor. Grass waved, brushing his knees as the wind played on it. No clouds here tonight - the way lit with the source inspiring the name Bant chan Ser, The Valley of Stars. If the land was manicured it was only for crops, and even those seemed to blend in, as if one stumbled into a pastoral dream. Upon the window sill the bird would land and to it walked a little girl who marveled at it as though the bird seemed to wish in. Across the sky came the refrain of a Peregrin's call, wings beating rise of the moon as bird and orb were eclipsed for an oddity in birth made one the same shade as the other. (d)
Maahes: Step after step repeated over and over until it became more then just a walk. It became a way of life. One foot after the other until the journey grew into a destination. No he did not have Apollo's carefree will, nor the Pirate's desire for adventure, Maahes walked the same path. A stone cold ruthless man, who deep inside carried more fire then the two men combined. There was such desire behind that determination that battles could be won by his passion for survival alone. So when the world breathed life around him, the desert born took in everything with hungry eyes. Arianna was a new sight a beauty that even in the failing light could be proven. In the window sill the Falcon turned her good eye to the child. It's head like a rhythmic tick as it read from left to right. Up down, up down her black eye took in everything about the room and what would be inside. For generations falconers had been key in wars and life in the haunted Isle he called home. However when their Overlord betrayed them, most birds were shot down, captured, or burned alive in their nests while the rest of the world slept. When Maahes first came to be with his
realized what it was like to have a mother. Burn scars still found the underside of the bird, down half of one wing, and opened back up around the back of her neck.
Eirian: "Poor bird, where is your other eye, pretty bird." The little girl tapped the glass as if to tell the bird she saw it, wondered at the plights of life. Her mother tilted her head while one of the other maids opened the window for the insistant creature's entry. Another arrival was being indicated that the pair of cousins took diligent note of. Caden was first to turn on his heel, but Eirian caught up to him. "Tis allright, we can stand upon the entrance together." Life in the kitchen resumed with the talk of women, the laughter of a small girl, and the addition of a bird. Anna became again the shadow of Caden's steps. In the hall, Eirian leaned to a table, plucking up a leather glove to slide comfortably over her right hand, going all th eway up to the forearm. Her ears had long been better than her eyes as the call in the sky told her the moon-white bird too foretold of a coming. Heavy knocks sounded on the doors of tall wood with brass handles fashioned in swirling water and clouds. It wasn't customary for the Lady to answer the door herself, often the Steward did so, or one of the women, but as it was the Steward was in another portion of the manor with his son overseeing security, so it would be the combination of Caden's strong arms to open the door and Eirian's form revelead that would greet him. The Artisan had not been seen by many for two weeks as it was beyond Scholars Hall or the Guild places, so another ten days away from Turas Lan made it interesting to see who would come to call. (d)
Maahes: In the field of battle often features became like stones, the embodiment of fear and the factor of intimidation. A soldier could use the heat of anticipation and turn his entire form into a monster. Maahes lived his life like that. Everything about the man spoke of sudden death and the pure fury of an untamed beast in the wild. His tall frame swallowed up the doorway, and armor only added bulk that was never needed. The flesh on his bare arms came alive under the light of the fire, speaking in bronze voices of his heritage without a word. Having once been a man who spoke only when spoken to, he suddenly couldn't find words, but perhaps it was the face before him that truly stilled his speech. He had come to speak with Caden, having heard of the boy finding shelter here he had not expected to see his future Queen. Suddenly a demand would soon turn into a Can Caden come out and play? If only he could find his voice. (d)
[b]Caden:[/b] Caden looked up at the massive Maahes, noted his sudden silence despite having been very determined to begin with while knocking. He flashed the General a dimpled grin while Anna pushed her head beteween Eirian and Caden. " Goo' Evening General, Dae come in." He was rather surprised the man had walked so far, and was not certain why but then he frowned realizing perhaps something was wrong despite the fact that the man did not look to be in a rush or overly worried. " Is all well?" Asked as he stepped aside to allow the man admittance. In Caden's hand he still clutched the book he had chosen to read to Eirian and the baby. Anna saw Caden Stepping back and so moved aside as well. (d)[/color]
Eirian: The difference between distance from the capital city to the Valley was not far by the standards some took, such as the Lord Marshall's ride of nearly a whole half day, but some number of perhaps fifteen to twenty miles was a substantial way to walk. Curiosity did not seem the reason for his adventure unless the fertile valley crescent captivated him the moment he saw it in from the city's high places. " Please, be welcome, General. What brings you tonight?" Welsh lit. A melody, of all the Celtic languages it had been deemed the most poetic, for indeed the Welsh were fond of poetry and Eirian had it in her veins, in the sound, in her eyes. She stepped infront of the little party at the door and spoke her native tongue to the sky, " Hysbryd , d ata." The falcon's cry became lower as she descended to the gloved arm offered her for a perch. The peregrin was the bird of royalty, of kings, and most ladies kept merlin or kestrel hawks, but the white peregrin was either an albino flaw or as her former husband had said, bred for her rarity. She was an observer, a guardian. Eirian could hunt with her and have her deliver messages. Indeed, she was white as a ghost, much like her name. Spirit (d)
Maahes: There had always been a time in a man's life when one could wish to replace time. Rewind! Dark eyes passed from Caden to Eirian as he took a few steps inside. Though they both spoke, not a sound would escape him as Maahes searched There had always been a time in a man's life when one could wish to replace time. Rewind! Dark eyes passed from Caden to Eirian as he took a few steps inside. Though they both spoke, not a sound would escape him as Maahes searched the interior with just a hint of amazement flickering behind the sandstone color of his eyes. His stance remained much of the same as he squared off to take the small group in. "I.." He started a small flush rising to his face as he tried to fight out words. SPEAK Maahes! Anything! Talk about the tiger!! Something. "I got lost." Stare. "Forgive me for coming so late, it had not been my attentions." Good cover up, now run. "I've come to speak with Sir Caden if you could spare him for a moment?" (d)
Caden: One blonde brow rose curiously as he asked to speak to Caden himself. Though the question was aimed at Eirian, and so he would not answer but from the look on his young face he was obviously curious as to what the General wanted to speak to him about. One hand reached down to rub Anna's ears to which she leaned against him and purred deeply panting a little her silver eyes half closed in contentment. It was obvious that the young knight was freshly washed for his blonde hair was still damp from his bath just before coming down the stairs, the sides brushed back while the top was left to curl wildly atop his head. He would, after a moment glance from Maahes to Eirian to see what she would say though he was pretty certain he already knew the answer, he would not answer for her. (d)
Eirian: "The hour is not so late, tis only just beyond the sunset. If you have come to see Caden, please, let me hinder you both not from the business of men," She canted her head in deep respect to them both, closing the door behind Maahes. His feathered friend was the delight of a little girl's attention in the kitchen, while the white bird upon her arm studied him through her deep, dark black eyes. She called out, spreading out a wing, tilting her head , "No, he has not come to be your looking glass, Spirit." Eirian would put her hand gently atop her cousins, "Should you both need anything I will be at my loom for a little while longer." Sapphire hue for a moment disappearedbehind a fall of lash and lid, soft as a butterfly's wing beat. Attired only in the frock of a country woman, it was no wonder she made the silks of her station flutter. It came naturally, as if she were made from ethereal substances. (d)
Maahes: He had once overheard Apollo speaking of Eirian's beauty and perhaps he had once been prepared, but as she moved away eyes could not help but follow. Though his hand rose to motion Caden on, his face would have to catch up. "Let's step outside, Sir Caden." He would lay a hand on the much smaller frame of the younger man as to keep in time with his steps. Once they were outside and the darkness fell around, the cool air came at him chilling away the heat that rose to his flesh. A thousand fires could never compare to the heat that was forever embedded into this skin, as ice would melt with a single touch. "I've come to ask a favor, but this must stay between us." Instantly he reverted from a speechless wonderer to the brash beast as before. "My son has befriended you, and I hope the feeling is returned. Galen at home does not carry such friends." Maahes stilled in his steps and turned to face the boy as hands came to tuck under the folds in his arms as they crossed over his chest. "He gets his quick temper from me, and I do not wish it to remain here. When I am gone, will you promise me to look after him?" Yeah he walked all the way for that, but the love he had for that boy didn't run as deep as perhaps it should. However, it was there. (d)
Caden: Caden stepped outside with him, Anna close on his heels though once outside she would begin to stalk things in the grass and wander some viewing Maahes as a non threat at the moment. Caden listened intently to his request andsmiled. " Aye I will keep an eye on him. I have asked him to become my Valet, as I have let my first one go." His blue eyes darkened a moment at the mention of Ruben, anger still simmering over the reasons the boy, only slightly younger then himself, had been sent to be his Valet in the first place. He shook it off though and met Maahes gaze steadily. " I indeed consider him a friend, and I enjoy running around with him. (d)
Eirian: Eirian was not ignorant of the effects her present had, but as one with a bushel over her lamp, modesty made her blush when it was pointed out. Soon the air was filled with the sound of a soft clicking whir, the clack of the loom as strings went from being independent to interconnected. Should Galen come to reside in the walls, he would be given the same education as Caden received when his dreams were first becoming real. He would be cared for, made to be as if he were family. He would make a fine valet, in time a squire, and no doubt Galen would be a good knight. Such scenes now were what she made into the thing being woven on the loom. (d)
Maahes: "Just so long as he keeps to his training, Galen is much like his sire when it comes to putting play before work." There was a look there inside steady heated eyes that was proof he would not be talking of himself. As his attention was directed over the landscape the beauty was taken in, but just as it left he would return to Caden. "I have faith in you, and trust you. Caden you will be filling my place before long, I have not a doubt." The words ran together with the roll of his accent. The sounds of the loom entered the shell of his ear and his eyes fell back inside, and questions soon filtered through the puzzle of his mind. There was a moment of silence before he half way broke from his thoughts. "Does she speak of the King?" Was he fishing for answers? News of his King? Neither, there was always the fear of their once Overlord, and his return to their lives. Eirian would be prime target, and it was not hard to see why. (d)
Caden: Many questions to which he would answer in the order they came. " Aye he will be kept training and learning, If I have tae endure long indoor teachings with Lady Eirian sae does Galen." Of course Caden enjoyed their lessons thoroughly so it was not near the chore he teasingly made it out to be. " Training will be done diligantly it will be good tae have someone tae pratice with who is willing tae practice." Only the guards they had brought with them and a few others around the place had the skill to truly train with and unfortunately Caden was highly skilled and there were not many that could best him, well around Eirian's home anyway. So Teaching Galen would be refreshing. The last question came to him and he frowned a ittle thinking. " Nae often, her relationship with King Apollo is verra private and nae something she lets me intae." (d)
Eirian: The loom was combined with another thread, her voice. "Set a name upon the night, one to set your heart alight. With it make the darkness bright..paint the sky with stars." The voice could have been lost if one knew not how to listen for it, one sound amidst a hundred: water flowing, rushing, trees rustling in the wind. A nightingale on a branch? No, it was her singing invoing that comparison towards the back of the home, yet with so many open arches it was no wonder sound traveled. (d)
Maahes: Music only ever existed in the sounds of drums sounding before war to the Avarian General. Even in the sands of his homeland, had he only ever known harsh bitter tones with the deep base of a stretched skin. Bess played her harp, and Maahes let himself go. Often when the rest of the castle was asleep he could hear the sweet sounds of the strings and Aislin's ni ni juice would not be needed. However the words to each tune were left to his imagination, but now..."Thank you Caden, that is all I had come for." His eyes ran down the length of the halls in hopes to get a glimpse of this bird of song. However as a black shadow fell over his body the screech of the falcon mother was almost like nails down a chalk board. She was at alert of the tiger in the brush, and danced on the now branch she had taken to. Wings flapped as if air could push the feline away, and all hopes of the sweet song became lost. She could wake the entire town. (d)
Caden: The cry of the bird drew Caden's attention and he sought out Anna who was now stalking the bird since she had brought attention to herself. He chuckled. " Anna, Come." The large tigress gave a reluctant growl but then abandoned her prey and returned to Caden pushing her head agianst him with affection. " Ye are welcome. Why don't you come inside and stay th' night, rest for a while afore returning, tis a long treck and there is more then enough room." he invited knowing that his lady cousin would not mind. " Dinner will be served shortly and twould be a simple matter of setting an extra place." (d)
Eirian: Spirit was saved from the stalking or concern - It's okay I have it all - with her perch beside her beloved mistress as she wove and sang. The commotion towards the front made her wings open, feet shift as she took up a place a little higher up just to be safe. Eirian turned her head toward them before returning to the work. Soon she would be called, and she would serve dinner as the other women did. For now, the clicking of the loom went on. Should Caden seek her out it would be easy enough to follow the sounds. (d)
Maahes: "I do not sleep well, Caden. I would keep you and your mistress awake." He spoke over crossed arms as he turned his attention back to the boy. "but I would like to tell her good bye, will you lead the way?" He darted his eyes to the Falcon as the bird shifted in the trees, for she had gotten her way. Using the tiger as an excuse to bait the General's attention away from the woman and in the direction of home..clever bird. (d)
Caden: Caden nodded with a grin. " This way General." He said turning and moving into the house Anna on his heels as usual. The sound of the loom would guide his path, he tapped the book still in his hand against his thigh lightly as he walked. He opened the door after a brief knock and poked his head in. " Eirian, General Maahes would like to tell you good eve before he leaves." (d)
Eirian: Caden was free to address her by her birth name, as any who knew her were. Most however found it a horrible breech of ettiquete yet the girl of the country never did quite ease into the woman of court. The mechanisms at work bound hand made strings together. On the walls were other results of the loom, the needle. Anulia was often a breathing example of her work to be worn but to see it upon walls was to see roses in bloom, stars falling, and the mystery of old stories from the deepest recesses of imagination; the woman could write, could sew, could paint the world around them or the world beyond. "Tis so late, why not stay for supper, rest? The city is several hours away, General." She turned around to look at them both, inviting them in with a wave of her hand before resting it on the full moon of her belly (d)
Maahes: "I am not a good guest, Your Highness, I walk the floors when the rest sleep." Proof there with the sunk in set of eyes, the dark lashes seeming only to be lost. "I'm not so sure your guardian would allow it." He spoke with a glance"to the tiger. Though he had seen Anna before, he would always have to marvel at the tame nature. There was a growling then that escaped him, though for once it was not from behind his clenched teeth, and once again he found himself with a slight tint. However, here was the war he was waging. Stay and make a fool of himself for being so unmannered, or leave and feel the pains of hunger. Couldn't he just get it to go? (d)
Caden: Caden turned his gaze from Eirian to Maahes. " Ye can stay General, as long as yer nigh' tme wanderings dae nae lead ye into m' lady's chambers I will nae object to you staying." Humor glinted in his blue eyes letting the General know he was teasing and knew full well he would keep himself from the lady's chambers. The growling was picked up , even Anna perked her ears at the sound. " Stay and Eat. Ye will feel better for it. (d)
Eirian: "I was born in the country, and was a shepard's child, an inn keeper. I have fed soliders and been beloved of Generals. There is little you could say, do, or present that would surprise me, General Maahes, and besides..you pace the floor? Caden and I read. If we sleep nothing could wake us save the next morning," She looked to Caden and grinned. Both of them were infamous night owls in the manor if the mood struck them, and if sleep took them it was with good reason, "Supper is done, the vegetables are good from the gardens, the milk rich n' sweet. There is meat of hare and deer for your bird, and the valley sounds might quell that night walking of yours. Stay, I will it so," she teased, " and please, Lady Eirian if ye must be formal. I wasn't baptized your highness." (d)
Maahes: Caden's remark had taken him back, "I have no business in her chambers, why would I go there?" His voice was a little dry, but soaked in a hint of disappointment? Eirian was beautiful he had no doubt in that, but at the moment she was simply that, another beautiful woman. There encounters had always been brief and honestly the only thing he knew about her is she is pregnant. His sense of humor was not like most so perhaps it was a joke and he had missed it. Though, he had no doubt made a fool of himself. He instantly regretted returning the question and had to remind himself that not everyone thought him to be a ruthless savage. "but Master Caden, I will be just fine sleeping in the barn, I would not wake anyone there." Plus he wanted to be outside, still not fully able to rest inside a structure since the dungeon. Maahes never really gave a damn about his appearance, but suddenly he wished he did. Rusty wellworn armor bore heavily down on broad shoulders, boots were caked in mud, and darn near everything he owned look as if they belonged to the people in the streets. "Lady Eirian," He started to extend his hand to help her stand, but the days work left dirt clinging to the tips of his fingers all the way over the back of his hand, and he would instantly pull it back. "thank you." He spoke under his breath, slipping back into his shy self. (d)
Eirian: "You are a gentleman, General, I am safe from the rogues who would enter my room even more so now with such men as yeself and Caden about" She laughed though he missed the joke, shaking her head as she watched them interact. Now talk of a barn? "General Maahes, you are a man of service and honor, not one of the sheep. Not the barn." Two slippered feet found purchase, a rock forward she was able to stand. The hand he withdrew she reached out for and gently shook, "It is dirt, so you are close to God's earth and work hard. Again, I have seen worse and you are no worse for wear. You should see us after a good day in the garden, we look as if we've gone swimming in the soil. We can call for water, you can wash your hands, the world won't end, I promise." Cooked meats, vegetables, gravy, breads, fruit. Scents drifted through the house manifested all types of allure, "Caden can show you to where we take our supper while I help the women carry it out(d)
Maahes: Her words entered and a smirk escaped. There was a darkness there inside those amber orbs that could tell her otherwise, but that was the child of inner demons that clawed their way to the surface. He withdrew a few steps to allow her room to rise, seeing that the moon had truly grown since their last meeting. As the rest would part for dinner Maahes let his body slowly turn to give the room a once over. His steps stilled as the contents of the room started to spill into his memory. What was that? His head cant back, and for him that wasn't a motion he had to do very often. From floor to ceiling he found art, be it of the foundations or from her hands. The silver rings that wrapped the thicker parts of his dreads clang together as the motion caused them to roll back over his shoulder. Though he would remain silent for now, the shyer part of him pulling through; the questions were there. When she spoke of dinner he would nod lightly and follow wherever Caden would go. (d)
Eirian: The white peregrin bird flew from her higher perch to settle atop Eirian's shoulder without letting her talons puncture the skin. One would have thought Anna and Spirit common house pets the way they followed about their keepers; four legged, feathered friends proved to be just different members of the little family in the walls. Her home did not employ a multitude of servants and those who came were given land to grow, to build, and to reside on which meant the ample grounds could be given to proper cultivation. The ground's steward, his son, and their wives resided within the home with a scant few more. She was proud to use her own hands to erect a basin and pitcher of water,set up the soap for the guests to wash his hands. Long tables in extravagant halls were not the call of the evening, simply a round table of three chairs in a cozy room with a fireplace. In this room one could see painted fields of Wales upon one wall and the village of Struan on Skye upon another. As the men would take their seats after washing hands, Eirian came forth with a tray she settled down with a choice of lamb chops, roast beef, or ham. Cakes were made of hashed brown potatoes, and there were glazed carrots in honey. Pitchers of beer, mead, cider, and water came next (d)
Maahes: This was almost too much. Maahes never felt he fit in, even in the arena of the barracks he often felt like the outsider doing what he did best. Yet, in settings like this so relaxed yet formal he felt as if he should simply bolt out the door and return to the mud pits. Cleaning at best he could, and being relieved of the heavy leatherwork at least he could relax. Every house was so different, some had assigned seating, some seats were thrown through the air in fits of rage (mostly in taverns) When he had found his seat, that instant Eirian passed through the door and he would rise again. It was custom right? If so why was he the only one standing? Passing a glance to either side he slowly eased back down to his chair which cried out under the weight. "..." He parted his lips to say something, anything! What do you say in times like this? The chair is nice. Yeah Maahes comment about the chair. Did he talk about Apollo? Had she seen as much as they had of him? Little to none. He and the King were not on the best of terms right now after everything with Tommy. Would she know that? What about the baby, talk about the baby. As dinner started he took a small breath and speared something with his fork. "You've put on some size since we last met." Did he just call her fat? His words were spoken in his raspy voice, but somehow seemed to carry down the hall as some stopped to listen.(d)
Eirian: If he considered it a humble inn in the country, perhaps it would do better for him? By no means did they live as expectations of a court life would have it be. Caden smiled with the ease of his age and a certain sense of comfort. Both cousins set the table for plates, cups, and utensils. The young knight would talk of how later he planned to read his book of dragon tales to the child to which Eirian said Hope seemed to enjoy the sound of his voice matched to such an excersise. Maahes sought for something to say as Caden pulled out Eirian's chair signfying the start of supper along with a comment some would find rude! Looking up from her plate she only beamed and tapped the round of her expanded womb, "The seventh month of being with child will do that to a woman. The little girl is anxious to be born, though." (d)
Maahes: "You know it is a girl?" A black perfectly arched brow rose in question, but there was a hidden smile there behind stone hard features. Yet, it was the look of how that crossed his gaze that seemed more out of place. Polite wasn't part of his DNA, so the next question perhaps should not have been asked. "I would think Apollo would want another son since his first did not live up to his standards." Yeah, maybe that was a little harsh, but he was ignorant to the situation, and ignorance is bliss right? (d)
Eirian: "Aye, I know. We have spoken in dreams. Her name is Hope Olwyn." Forthright was better than politeness or tact for one never learned anything dallying around bushes instead of walking straight across the lawn to the proverbial otherside. "I am certain he will have a few sooner or later. A home filled with sons and daughters. He looks rather sweet with the village children of Sleat on his knee, they adored him while he remained in the main castle for a time. Tis m'first child and it was within me before I came to Avaria to see him, so he lets it continue to grow as a girl." (d)
Maahes: There was a confused look that crossed him only for a moment, was she speaking of Apollo? "Does he spend a lot of time in Sleat? I have only known him there once, and that was during the battle." He sat back in the chair a moment lifting his chin as an arm draped lazily over the back of the chair. He could see Apollo much older and gray keeping track of his children from just where she had painted. Though somewhere in that little image, there was one of muchdarker flesh. How often he would think of the future and envision what his own life would be like. (d )
Eirian: " He goes there from time to time, most others he has returned to Avaira or other places to keep his eye 'pon things or to acquire knowledge. He was here the week before this one, for a pair of days or so." (d)[/font]
-TBC-