A Sabbath Day Ride

[Master Claramae St. Laurence]

LadyStLaurence: "A masterful city, with many fine districts. The High Street," she reflected to the company in companionship, contrasting comparisons, "Aestethic. Very pleasing. Yes, very pleasing." The Countess conspired to jog a jaunt atop the Freesian thoroughbred in lieu of the ride to host a good route through the district. One must never do these sorts of things unprepared! Riding before her was the incomprable Master Maxamillion beside a guide of some good repute. The trio of them came to rest outside of a building some three stories in height, housing suites that could be rented for a variety of purposes. Her own? A temporary, yet luxurious residence of course. The entire upmost story of moderate sized structure built in a rich cottage fashion was under her sway, housing herself and the servants that traveled. A woman by the name of Bromhielde carried her madame fresh gloves to replace the worn ones from the morning. Two thick, long blonde braides were wrapped like two buns on either side of her head, her severe dark brown and grey attire in stark contrast to Claramae's velvet green riding frock. Mustard yellow underlay of skirts flowed over the side of the saddle, was pulled onto hands in worked leather gloves. Atop her head was a hat of sorts, a green cap withfeathers in place. (d)

WhisperedSpirits: Settled upon the back of a European Baroque, with hair as black as night and brown patches upon it's left leg and chest, Anulia was at a height of happiness. Why would she not be? The animals was wonderful, sweet and gentle with her even though Anulia had the hang of the beast thanks to some training with it. Dressed in the breeches of creamy browns and a tunic of lace and white cotton with flowers upon it, she looked a bit more like a lady or had hoped in such with Eirian's thread work upon her body. Both muscular legs were stretched and parted to straddle the horse and the saddle upon it's back making Anulia watch Claramae closely as the woman rode with both legs off to one side. `` Lady Claramae...how do you stay upon the horse like that or control it? Do you not need the help of both lower limbs for such?`` Anulia was tempted to try it, but she did not understand the nature of it and she could feel the sway of the creature's body under her making her believe that it may not be in her best interest and that Claramae, might have been doing the action for some time now.

LadyStLaurence: So far the little party would become a quartet with the presence of the mocha-skinned innocent who so amused Claramae the evening before. Her talk of socks and the male phallus was so wholly innocent it was deliciously humerous, her candor unblemished by structure. It was droll, at once one could not blame her, for it seemed she was learning of the cultures while apart of it all at the same passing. Velvets fell over the left side of the horse, with her right leg about the pommel of the saddle and secured by the placing of the horn over toewards the left, where that foot was caught in mixture of hard leather and an iron foothold. This allowed for the preservation of modesty while needing no male page to lead her own. Instead of being a passanger, she could control the horse on a variety of speeds, while for most women it was slow. The Countess had never been among the common breed of even the nobility. "My saddle is created for that sort of writing, do not attempt it on yours, my dear, lest you fall and become quiet hurt. I am able to turn with the reigns, and Croseacus, too, is adjusted to the side saddle fashion and full astride" "How are you this day, Mistress Anulia?" (d)

WhisperedSpirits: Chocolate hues remained upon the woman with such fancy clothing. Anulia had only recently started to see the use of feathers within the dressings of women and she had to admit that it did make women seem more delicate, though when a robust woman wore them, it remained her of a pregnant bird perched upon her eggs. Claramae only encouraged Anulia farther to not attempt the process she was using, so Anulia took the words of advice to heart and settled as she was, perched with both legs wide. `` I understand and will not try such. I do well today. Better then I was told I would be. A slight..humming is within the ear, but other then this, I do well. And you Lady Claramae?`` Anulia was very much the type of person who gave all of her attention to someone when speaking. She had to, because even though she had been here for some time, it was much easier to learn when you watched other's expressions. `` If I may ask, what is your duty Lady Claramae? What do you do to pass the time?``

LadyStLaurence: Her eyes were brown, too, but so light in content they seemed infused with a light gold or hazel. They swept over Anulia in one crisp, polite gaze as lips curled into the same sort of smile. "How good to hear, though I do hope your ear stays that way, you should have it examined by a healer, I am told this city is rife with the finest of many professions for hundreds of miles." Reigns were snapped, Croseacus jogging over toward Anulia's mount. "Come, let us ride this fine street. The guide just here will show us a plethora of wonderful sites." The cobble stoned streets, the homes and shops in rows. Streets lacking vast amounts of rubbish and refuse, even the scent of the city lacked urine or excrement. Aquducts, medicine. This would be an advantagous alliance for Avaria on a variety of fronts that she would certainly relay to his Majesty if he saw them not on his first visits. "I am well, thank you for asking, Mistress. My duty? I serve Their Majesties of Avaria, the King and Queen. I have known the King many a year now, and am honored to pass the time in ambassador's slippers, and in other guises his majesty may see fit. Some militant ventures, too." (d)

WhisperedSpirits: The Jungle beauty had been told that it was due to the poison she had takent he night before, or the alcohol as others called it. It was a small price to pay for such a wonderful taste, though Anulia would welcome her body being back to how it always was. `` Yes yes, the healers here are wonderfully skilled. Beyond things I have seen with my...travels. `` Anulia had never seen streets that held fecal manner about it's cobble stoned ground. Had she ever seen such a sight, Anulia might have had a much different prospective of the cities she had seen thus far. `` Ambassador. That sounds like a very important duty. Is it like, a advicer? Aman-ud-Din, the male with the wrappings about his frame from head to boot that I had introduced you to before, he was once the Advisor for Skye. A duty that kept him busy often and had him meeting many people. What does, an Ambassador do?`` Anulia had only recently learned about structure within cities as large as these. She still struggled with the difference between Duke and King, or Duchess and Queen, but she was learning slowly.

LadyStLaurence: "It is similar in some ways, I give advice on matters between one place and another, how to welcome them, what agreements we will make on trade or military. Visiting and overseeing certain aspects. Militarily, my occupation is somewhat similar, save for the certain amounts of violence or the hazards of that thereof." If Anulia did not know what the military entailed, surely Maahes or others would venture it soon enough. It was not good talk for the Sabbath or for polite company. They turned to the left, riding up a wide street of houses, shops, to the sound of the church bells chiming. Gardens awaited them not far beyond. "I still have yet to meet all of the court, God willing mistress, that is my goal today." (d)

WhisperedSpirits: The noises of the great city were a comfort that Anulia had grown accustom to over time. The bells had once been much too loud for her, but now were a welcome that she was not alone and sometimes, they were something to keep her on task. The smells of breads, stews, animal hides and sometims even melted metal could be inhaled as the shops passed by. A woman with her children around her was hard at work cleaning the front end of her wicker and weaving shop, to make sure it was appealing to any who passed. Sometimes, there were wagons set up and items of purchase neatly displayed for those who passed by. Anulia did know some about the military, but only with those who were in it. She had listened many times to the Lord Marshal, the calvary commander, the general and others she came into contact with. The sound of the trotting shoes of the horses against the cobbled path made Anulia strangley started to hum low under her breath before she smiled wide to Claramae. `` Such a large amount of duties, how exciting it must be. Dangerous.. perhaps the real danger is in the fact that we are all mortal and frail to a point within the eyes of higher above. Does this mean you will be attending the ball once more then tonight? Have you met the Duchess and Duke as of yet? Wonderful people. So caring about the city. You are from Avaria yes? Does that mean, Apollo is your King?``

LadyStLaurence: "Yes, tis quite large but it disuades me not. Talion Apollius, or Apollo as he is often called is my King, Lady Eirian Apollius is my Queen, and years have I known her, too. My country is Avaria now and may God Keep it. I have not yet had time to speak with Their Graces, but the Duchess, too, has changed o'er the years. My, my. How we are all so grown in different direction." Croseacus breathed as he lifted his heels in a high prance down the lane, showing off with little effort what came natural. Broad chest, thick thighs tapering to firm feet. Muscles shifting under ebon coat. A thoroughbred horse, as much as the woman who sat atop him. (d)

WhisperedSpirits: The fact that she spoke of Eirian made Anulia's face light up slightly more then it had been. How could it not have when the talk of her best friend was in place. Claramae had known Eirian, so that had in turn put Claramae in a much more interesting light. Eirian was sweet and would not harbor someone who was of ill nature. `` You knew the Duchess before she was such? Tell me, what was Lady Beathag like before she was the Duchess? I hear stories some times, but have yet to truly be able to ask her what she was before, what duties did she preform..when did she come to Skye and why. Everyone has a past, some are good, some bad. I believe it is nice to know the past of others sometimes, for it could tell you why they are as they are. What did you do before becoming what you are now?`` Always with questions it seemed. Anulia had a string of them, never ending unless someone said they could speak no more on the topic at hand.

LadyStLaurence: "Her Grace is essentially what it is said she was, though when I met her, the woman's primary occupation was the co-keep of the inne in which Her Majesty owned. She truly has the quickest hands on any bar, finest kept place indeed. I was then, what I was now. We all have pasts and at times they tell us what the future may be, though for many they seek not to repeat it. The past is a diverse and often tangled tapestry but knowing how to walk the websMistress, is a fine way to learn. I have been in my professions for a great while now." She canted her head as they came around another pass. Maxamillion looked over his shoulder to see if either woman required anything. One eye looked through, the other covered by a patch. (d

WhisperedSpirits: Making sure to keep up with Claramae's horse, using her own, she looked to the woman, leaving the animal to guide her. Only now and then did she glance quickly to the left or right, seeing the views she knew so well before looking back to Claramae. The way the woman spoke was fancy, noble if Anulia would have guessed it, so she had to pay close attention to her so that expressions, if any would help her understand them. Anulia took 'Mistress' as another form of 'Lady' so she did not ask more on that. Claramae was right of course. Sometimes, people did not wish to repeat such things, but then they could always tell the person who asked , such. Anulia tried picturing Beathag as a tender of sorts, making merry with the production of Ales' meads and yummy foods. Much like Eirian and her sheep, Anulia could believe and see Beathag in the comfort of a inn, enjoying the simple things of life. `` It is interesting as well, how people seem to..I am not sure of the word. They can do many things well? Many positions suit them? I can see Beathag being very happy in a inn, much as Eirian enjoys the fields and her sheep. `` Eyes went to the male with a covering over his one eye and waved a small hand to him out of habit with her wide and full liped smile. `` I was once something higher held them I am now and strangely, I adore this life of being a...commoner.``

AIendral: As it happened, the Illusionist was out on the street today, a last minute supply run before the show. Having found that waiting till the last minute to get prepared was often an invitation to complete disaster, he had forgone any more casual wear and was actually partially in his 'showmen's outfit, a well tailored black coat-tailed suit and red-vest, which served to modestly downplay the Illusionist himself as well as provide any number of hidden pockets or otherwise secretive nooks to serve for whatever trick was necessary. The hasty moving this way and that was almost enough to take his mind off last night entirely... almost. As it was, the young Illusionist was carrying a wooden box that was probably a bit too large for one-man to hold reliably, various draughts of liquid as well as cloth materials and other assorted knickacks jostling noisly as he sidestepped everyone. One of these days, he considered
ruefully, I'll make a point to get my preparations in order before the bloody show.


LadyStLaurence: "If such simplicity is happiness than it suited them infinite. They seem to change. Yes, they can do many things well and have what are called talents. Surely, you have seen herMajesty's fine works or art or the Duchess' prowess in matters of boats? Each have things that make them special, unique. I do not know what it is to be one thing then to be another..what I am seems to have always been in the making." Truth woven with half-left portions to the wayside. A Baroness' daughter, A favorite Lord Knight's daughter. The thoroughbred of aristocracy, one thing did change the courst of life....."ah come now, shall we make our way to prepare for the evening festivities? Mistress, we shall have to ride forth again.." The black freesian passed the same place as the Illusionist on his way to make preperations."Good day, Master Sorschal, you look handsome." Genuine compliment captured his ears as she turned the horse slightly about."Your performance has already rippled up and down this street, many look forward to it." (d)

AIendral: Alendral bowed with the appropiate amount of flattery, but what unsettled him far more then that was the color that sprouted to his face at the barest compliment. The very idea that Alendral would become bashful was a shock even tohim. Alendral didn't blush, damn it, and yet even the simplest compliment from the veteran 'Countess' was enough to send him into fits. Get a bloody hold of yourself, Alen. "Such compliments from your lips is most humbling, Madam Saint Laurence, but greatfully accepted. and I do hope that I will meet the expectations of so many. " So he seemlessly fell into the Mask, the persona that he wore so expertly, recovering in smooth step to flash her a wry grin. "Perhaps I could entice you volunteer for one of my acts? I have the most splendid disappearing trick I could show you." Which was the second slip up in as many nights... like he would ever attempt to pit his old trade against hers.. Still, she had to have a sense of humor buried somewhere in there, he hoped.

LadyStLaurence: Her fair, sweet company laughed openly with straight white teeth in a smile. Anulia was catching the humerous side of Master Maxamillion while Claramae noticed Master Sorschal going to school-boy bashfulness over a few little words thus coaxing the rare gem of a full smile of her own showcasing pearl behind full lips. "You are welcome, Master Sorschal. To volunteer for your acts? Mm..and not just watch. Master Sorschal, I would be honored if you would let me be privy even in some small proximity to the work of a true Master in his craft." Touche. One might say the game was set though the match had yet to be determined. An act of his caliber would be prudent for a further act of her own - making last night's elected target disappear. Leaning over the horse she would beckon him close (d)

AIendral: Alendral, who if nothing else always prided himself on being able to blend in seemlessly--to simultaenously demand attention and yet endeavor not the slightest look into what lie beyond the mask, he still felt like a mere cut-purse before a blasted master of her craft, layering her meaning within words that would not even arouse a moment's suspicision, not even to the most paranoid of Lords or ladies. To his credit, he betrayed nothing, fixing her with the confident grin of a man who believed himself earning a conquest, at her behest, he leaned forward as if to exchange some sort of Magician's secret, locking gazes with her with an expression that suggested anything but. "And it Alendral, who if nothing else always prided himself on being able to blend in seemlessly--to simultaenously demand attention and yet endeavor not the slightest look into what lie beyond the mask, he still felt like a mere cut-purse before a blasted master of her craft, layering her meaning within words that would not even arouse a moment's suspicision, not even to the most paranoid of Lords or ladies. To his credit, he betrayed nothing, fixing her with the confident grin of a man who believed himself earning a conquest, at her behest, he leaned forward as if to exchange some sort of Magician's secret, locking gazes with her with an expression that suggested anything but. "And it would be an honor of mine to demonstrate it, fair lady." He knew full well what this was intended for--he'd betrayed his hand last night, and now she would call him on it... Question was, how much of it was what he wanted her to see?

LadyStLaurence: She played the part of the curious woman who knew nothing about these mysterious male-oriented trades. Of course a woman ought be where she would be useful or out of trouble, such as perched pretty 'pon a horse, side saddle. Leaning forward the curve of her lip suggested amusement at some word he said, eyes sparkling with laughter. This was how a master layered one meaning over another. " I came here to look 'pon face, only, but it seemed my target had other ideas." It looked as if they talked about the decorations of the ball! How he would set up! "He is one of the clan, but his loyalty is by no means with Skye nor Scotland. He works for a man coming under the guise of forging peace treaties with England and France, he knows things Master Sorschal, things that stand to jeopardize a great many people. I believe he would know, too, about things of interest to the King of England." No need to say what those would be. They each could guess. It could involve a bounty either way one looked at it. "I must take him out." (d)

AIendral: Oh that was rich. The double-meaning was more then enough and suddenly Alendral realized he had some leverage. Of course, he only had enough to rub her face in it, but it was some amount of leverage all the same... Coming to this island was a mistake. I should have never doubted my own instinct... his expression hardened, subtly and he followed with exactly what one would expect--the fascimile of the love-struck, dazzled by young woman's smile, and otherwise too stupid to notice anything else going on. "But it simply won't do for an Ambassador to be missing during such unfortunate accident, no? I see. Seems we have a common interest then." he smiled ruefully at her. "So be it. I'll weave my illusion for you, Madam Saint Laurence, and you may, in turn, weave your own." This was of course, assuming that she wasn't lying about the whole thing, but instinctively he knew this wasn't the case--if she had wantedhim dead, there would be other, more direct methods then a feint... just this once, he mused. He wasn't sure what was worse--that he was being pulled back into his old life... or that the prospect of working alongside her again sent a vicious, cold chill down his spine.

LadyStLaurence: "Thank you, Master Sorschal. On principle I ne'er work upon the Sabbath but I would rather violate the command of God than risk being violated or seeing such befall others of the same school." One inch closer, one inch closer to him. "Be vigilant, Master Sorschal. A room full of masks hide many things. I must make myself ready, as you have already done. God keep you and we shall meet again soon." (d)

"Never soon enough." Entirely too soon.