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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 5, 2018 1:04:20 GMT -5
Lenna glanced up and smiled as she spoke. “I think you have the standard view of the likeness of a Lady. Much of the women in this Kingdom do exactly as you said. They are entitled” she chuckled “but the Lady and Lords of this Kingdom are the foundation of this society. They fund almost everything… That is why the taxes are so high. The Lords give a lump sum once a year, but the monthly income comes from the people…” she paused “The Lords play a political game with each other because that monthly sum reflects ‘how much they support the king’… that is where the term kiss ass comes into play. I asked you this because… You will kiss so much ass you’ll know every freckle that the King and Queen have on their bum” she chuckled. “This is the reality though. When you become an official Lady, you too will have to pay, and support the King and Queen in that way” she paused. “But you are famous in a way, is the expectation. You attend the balls, the events – to sort of promote yourself. In a fashion they use the Lords and Ladies as a way to bring the Kingdom together, but this aspect is something I am trying to change…”
She jotted down a few notes. “I am glad you are asking questions though. Wisdom is the key to this world, and you can’t get it if you are afraid to ask…” she smiled and nodded.
“To answer your question… what do I see as a Lady? In this Kingdom it is a political game of fakeness and power. Where I come from… Ladies are educated, they are quiet and kind, the gentle soft loving nature of the Kingdom. The balance to the men, truthfully. The issue in this Kingdom is men rule with brute like fists, and the women succumb to them. The reality is it should be even, and balanced. You cannot support a Kingdom on just 1 beam, you need both.” She smiled and nodded.
“My Kingdom sacrificed Power and money for education. They are focused on being scholarly, and wise. Though there is a battle for ‘who is the smartest’ much like ‘who is the strongest’ here. However, over time the King has grown cold to other ideologies, assuming himself as the smartest of them all. It is… going down hill, unfortunately. Power corrupts even the wisest… But, that is why I can write. We are all taught to read and write, this is the rawest form of intelligence. I will teach you, if that is what you wish” she spoke and then dug for another quill.
“I like Apple Pie, the kind that sits in the window and the entire neighborhood can smell it” she chuckled and then sat back in her seat. Her page was full of scribbling, her hand hurt slightly.
“To be truthful – I am not a born Lady. I was rising quickly as one of the more radical Scholars in my Kingdom. When they had the opportunity to strike peace with Strathmore – I was quickly sold.” She laughed then “They lied and told the Queen that I was a Lady, and I was the most they could offer. But… it was a win win situation” she shook her head. “I grew up much like you, we did not have much… I befriended the Librarian, and was able to gain access without having to pay. I spent so much time there, that I watched my family widdle away from sickness, without even saying goodbye” she titled her head. “but this is a secret I trust with you…”
“There is a story” she thought for a second. “Once that rings across all Kingdoms, surely. Of the Woman – Kadylana – The Lioness. You surely know her name. The woman who wielded a sword like no other, who bested in the art of war, and the art of wisdom. Many believed that she was the Goddess of War, Athena, for the longest of time. But… she was a woman much like yourself. Trying to prove herself amongst a world driven by men, making a difference for what she believed was right. She went down in history as the Ender to the Maleficent Wars, where all Kingdoms lashed in rage… You know of her of course…” She smiled then “Someone has done it before, who is to say it cannot be done again?”
“So, you play the role of a Lady. A position of power… now you cannot be ignored. You prove yourself amongst the men. You will not be thrown away – because the moment the people cheer for you – is the moment you gain the most power. The people support you, you support the King.. you become that woman you wish to be. Recognized, and even honored… Do you see?” Lenna scratched on the book some more.
“So then, aside from writing… can you list me 5 things you wish to learn, and possibly why?”
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 5, 2018 1:19:11 GMT -5
Rhys listened, she tilted her head slightly as Lenna told her story. From rags to riches, in a simple trade with a flourish of a lie. She listened to the rest of her speaking, she’d read a bit of the lioness, but she couldn’t afford the library. She only had an old book with torn pages that had been her mother’s. “Five things…” She pondered for a moment, thinking.
“To narrow all of my questions down to five things.” She let out a bit of a laugh. She then fell quiet as she thought she looked to the beautiful quill the Lady Lenna used. “You are right, I would love to learn the art of writing, and I’ve only read so little in my time….I myself cannot afford the library…”
She shifted slightly and took in a breath. “I…also have only been to one ball, it took nearly everything I had to keep up with Dorian as he danced.” She chuckled. “He spent months teaching me to dance, I may be nimble on my feet in the art of battle, but the arts of entertainment that Ladies are required to attend, I’ll need to know more of that.”
Rhys thought another moment, “Could you also teach me how to go about changing the minds of the men. If you say I can do it…how would I? I know that I will be a Lady, and that is a vital key, as I would be nobility. But I’ve won a tournament and the king lashed out at me, I am lucky to be alive…” She spoke softly. “I wasn’t careful enough.” She spoke and shook her head. “How will my days look? What will I be expected to do? How will I pay the king? If I am to support him with money. I have nothing but the money that I am being provided by the contract…most of the lords and ladies own businesses or homes that they collect coin off of….” She took in a breath and sighed. “I’m not sure what to ask for, Lady Lenna…I have so many questions…” She then shook her head.
Rhys fell quiet for a moment. “You told my father you’ve been studying me. Why?” She looked to her curiously, “Why were you so interested in the story of my mother?”
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 5, 2018 1:28:51 GMT -5
Lenna smiled “I am glad though, you are asking the right things… You can’t want the things you don’t know” she set her quill down and tilted her head. Her gears were turning for a moment, thinking of the proper words.
“Well, I am writing a thesis on what makes up a success Kingdom. Part of my studies is the suggestion of adding a developmental program which will allow woman to rise up to their full potential. Men can be become Knights – woman should get an opportunity like it. So, I want to study your progress, the cause and effect, the most proper way to go about it, from a psychological stand point.” She closed her book, after she was sure it was dry.
“In order for me to help you – I must learn what drives you. You are motivated by family. The story of your mother is what drives you to care for your father as you do. He Is the last of your family, and you fear losing him as well. If I can figure out what drives you – I can… in a good way… use that to encourage you to do well. Does that make sense?” she paused and then tilted her head. “In due time – it will all come together.” She smiled and stood up.
“What do you think of learning the trade of your mother? Apothecary, medicinal preparation…There are only a few souls about that still practice this. Perhaps it would draw you closer to her, even let you cherish her memory rather than mourn it?” she questioned. “I know a thing or two” she smiled and stepped to the kitchen.
“But.. first, blueberry pie. There is a cluster of blueberry bushes not far, would you like to collect them with me?” she questioned.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 5, 2018 17:09:47 GMT -5
Rhys watched Lenna as she spoke. The thesis, her scholarly ways. She was always studying it seemed. She thought for a moment and shifted slightly when Lenna asked if she would like to take up the trade of her mother. She was silent, her thumb moved over the hilt of the dagger, taking in all of the etchings and lines. “I would like it.” She spoke and looked back to Lenna. “I used to help my mother gather when I was young, just outside of Strathmore.” She had a gentle smile after this, it was a fond memory. “Though, where do we start? My mother’s books were all burned…her shop was destroyed in the raid...everything except her necklace fell to ashes.” She brought her hand up to the beautiful necklace that hung around her neck. “It took a lot of polishing to get this back to what it should look like.” She smiled, “Father worked on it for days…”
Rhys then let out a soft laugh. “Mother knew all of the recipes by heart, she hardly ever opened a book. She chopped up the herbs and tossed them into the pot. I remember the smells of the shop the most. I’d sit behind the counter as she worked and I would greet customers as they came in.” She smiled. “She was always hard at work in the back kitchen brewing up another potion.” She stood slowly as Lady Lenna went to the kitchen. Though she didn’t move from where she was at the table. She grinned when Lenna mentioned the blueberry pie. “That recipe I know by heart….” She paused a moment. “Do you mind?” She asked and slipped passed Lenna into the kitchen where she grabbed a wicker basket. “We can gather more this way.” She smiled.
They headed out into the fields. “I can see that blueberry plant from a mile away.” She chuckled as they came upon it. She began picking the small berries off of the plant and soon enough the basket it was full. She smiled and popped one in her mouth, it was perfectly sweet. Rhys looked out over the quiet valley then looking over the beauty of nature, solitude. “This is an astonishing view.” She spoke softly, taking it in. She stood frozen for a moment, the breeze kicked at her hair, it smelled of the pines and of the nearby stream. She was so used to the smell of the burning charcoal of the forage. Or the smell of fresh bread from the nearby baker. She started back toward the cabin then. “You’ve done so much in your lifetime it seems, Lady Lenna.” She spoke, a soft smile on her lips. “I’ve only gathered charcoal for my father and pitchers of ale.” She let out a laugh. “Sure I’ve foraged weapons, but my father has to take credit for it, the king found out I was foraging and he came down on father pretty harshly…a maiden is not to be involved in such an act…” She sighed softly, “Lady Lenna, the hardest thing for me is…I have foraged some immaculate blades, some that my father tendered quite a bit of money from that lasted us a few months even. Only because he claimed that they were his own. If I have such talents, why must I be a man in order to carry out the task?” She then laughed. “When it comes to dancing and walking properly, I feel as though I do a fairly poor job of it. I do try…but it just doesn’t come as easily. I’ve held a blade in my hand since I can remember. I’ve always helped mother and father…” She sighed softly as they came to the cabin door. “I wish our kingdom would see that women can be intelligent that they are not as much of an object…” She spoke as they came into the kitchen. She set the basket down and pulled a few spices from the spice rack. “Do we have flour?” She asked and awaited the be shown.
Soon enough Rhys was working away at the pie. She had a few bits of flour on her cheek and a bit of it on the front of her tunic. She smiled as she made it, she hadn’t gotten to make pie in such a long time. They couldn’t afford the time for such a luxury, always working. She moved back and forth to the pot that was over the fire, stirring and adding in spices, she didn’t measure, she knew exactly what to add. She smiled as she pushed the pie into the wood fired oven that she’d lit. “There.” She looked to Lenna. “I bet you’ll love it.” She nodded. “Father does.” She looked back to the crackling flames that rest beneath the ceramic pie pan. She let out a soft laugh, "He says it is why he married mother." She shook her head.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 5, 2018 17:34:20 GMT -5
Lenna looked toward her as she spoke of her mother’s shop. She smiled as she pictured it herself, a cozy little shop with herbs and teas, incents and candles lined about the room… Those sort of shops were her favorite. However, over time many people connected it to magic, making it a dying art. It was science though, chemistry of the natural world…
“Very well, let’s go” she smiled and followed Rhys out the door. Sir Henly followed behind them, but quite a distance away. He remained quiet, but observed everything. They came upon the bush and they both began to pluck away at the round blueberries. She ate a few, chuckling along with Rhys.
She listened as Rhys spoke of how she had been belittled. “It sounds like you already know the answer…” she stepped over a raised root, and continued onward. “If we take a look at the history of humans – before there was writing and basically intelligence, all there was brutality and strength. Naturally our body builds cannot compete. An example – When you fight those men in combat… you are analyzing them for their weakness. Most of the time they are large, slow, and do not try and predict your next move. So you use that to your advantage… are you physically stronger than them? No, but you are smarter.” She glanced to Rhys.
“I’ve watched you in battle before, you are precise and strategic. Remember Sir Lanvor? You bested him with speed, and cunning. You knew he raged easily in battle, so you spat words in his face when ever he missed. He would get more and more angry…” she chuckled. “Men might have started the world, but women will rule it in time” she winked and then shook her head “One day the world will be balanced, but it won’t be for hundreds of years. We naturally look back to history as a means to guide our future, and sometimes that is correct, but most often… change must ensue. However, the change we are asking puts the most powerful out of place, why would they ever accept something that would derule them? Does this make sense? We must assume the worst of people, unfortunately. Will our rulers ever let go of power? No, it has been bred to be apart of them. They would never know how to function without it…” she sighed. “I am rambling now…” she smiled weakly.
They came back to the cabin, her eyes watched as Rhys artistically made the pie crust, her hands moving over the rolling pin, her face covered in flour. Lenna chuckled and then walked around to the pantry and pulled out a bottle of wine. She poured two glasses and took a sip from hers..
“I am sure the pie will be delicious” she smiled and leaned back in her seat, as she sat before the kitchen counter on a bar stool. “I never really learned any fancy recipes, I know the basics, but my mother and I didn’t quite get along” she chuckled and shook her head. “My family needed me to work, but I lost many jobs because I didn’t care, or didn’t show up” she laughed. “I was silly, I suppose. I put my own wishes infront of my family.. I wanted to be something I wasn’t.” she leaned forward. “But you are something.” She took another sip of her wine.
“After their passing I sat back and realized my mistake, and to be truthful – it haunts me to this day. That is when I took up the study of Psychology, I wanted to understand why I did what I did. In my studies I made a connection – A Kingdom is as good as its people, not those who rule it.” She paused and then took another sip. “But enough about studies and what not” she shook her head. “I am sure you will grow tired of listening. You say I’ve done much, but the reality is – I have done very little. I study, and I think, and that is all I’ve done. I’ve wrote papers that have been thrown away into the trash, and I failed at almost every job I’ve had. So much that I was sold to another kingdom.” She took another sip – finishing her wine then.
“In the past year is when I have made the most in my studies, and my work. I understand why now… I had to leave my past behind me, and enter a new world. That is why we are here, away from the castle. To become something new, we must clear all that is familiar” she pushed her wine glass forward a bit. “You though – have much more to say about yourself than me.” She smiled. “I may be a Lady, but you are the better person. And that is the reason why I’ve done what I have. I want to show the Kingdom what taking care of the honest hard workers – really means, and why we should do it.”
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 5, 2018 17:53:54 GMT -5
Rhys took up her glass of wine and sipped at it. She brushed the flour from her tunic and face. She listened and looked away slightly when Lenna mentioned that she’d failed every job. She couldn’t see it. She saw Lenna as successful. She waited until Lenna finished speaking and then gave a nod. “I’ll do as you ask of me, I want the king and queen to see that this is something that they should invest in.” She smiled then. She soon turned and pulled the pie from the oven. She set it up into the window to cool. The scent of the delicious pie wafted through the entire cabin and surrounding area.
Rhys sat down and sipped her wine. She didn’t speak though, she seemed to be thinking. Bringing up her mother brought up the old memories, both the good and bad. Her brain played them over endlessly as she sat there. “Do you think the king could ever see me as a swordsman?” She asked then, “He has fought me over it since I was a child. He taxed my father heavier one month when he caught father teaching me swordplay…” She took in a breath. “You’re right, I’m not stronger than the men in the tournament, but what I lack in strength I can make up in agility. All of the knights I fought were slow…” She spoke and shook her head.
Rhys yawned slightly, the wine was tugging at her eyelids. Her cheeks were rosy pink. “So, tell me Lady Lenna.” She spoke as she poured another glass and took a drink from it. “What shall I expect as a Lady? What should I learn?” She looked to her curiously. Her eyes heavy. She was on the edge of tipsy and drunk. She wasn’t much of a drinker, her family couldn’t afford the fine wines, but when she’d had them she loved them. The taste was smooth and delicate. Something she thoroughly enjoyed. “What will I be doing at the castle?” She asked then as she leaned against the table slightly. She took another swig of the wine. “Swordplay really isn’t an option, as much as you say you want to help me grow to what I wish to be. The king will not allow it. So I am to be a Lady.” She chuckled then. “A damsel in distress really.” She ran her fingertip along the rim of the wine glass.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 5, 2018 19:11:26 GMT -5
Lenna looked to Rhys and then chuckled “Well the first thing we’ll do is teach you how to hold your wine better” she winked and corked the wine bottle, she moved to the cabinet and stored it. “I think you have what it takes to prove the King wrong, but it will take time. The first thing we need to do is, yes, teach you to be a Lady, and help you gain support…” she stood then and reached for her pouch on her hip.
She lifted a large red jewel and set it on the table. “I want you to pick up that jewel, and think of your mother… don’t ask any questions… just do it” she smiled and watched.
It took a moment – but the Jewel began to glow bright red. Lenna smiled then and reached forward, taking the Jewel from Rhy’s hand. As she held it – it began to glow bright red again. “Just as I thought…” she spoke and then set the ruby down. “Do you know what this is?” she questioned and glanced to it.
“It is a Philosophers Stone” she picked it back up and turned it in her fingers. “An ancient old stone, it has many uses. But tell me – do you know anything of it?” She questioned, her eyes studying Rhys.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 5, 2018 19:24:25 GMT -5
Rhys smiled and let out a laugh when Lenna mentioned that she needed to learn to hold her wine better. “I haven’t had much of it to become accustomed to it.” She chuckled and then looked to the stone. She reached to it and turned it over in her fingertips. As she thought of her mother it began to glow, her eyes widened slightly. She looked to Lenna when she took the stone back. “Philosopher’s stone…” She thought a moment. She was silent as she remembered the times she’d spent with her mother. “My mother had something like it…almost the same, the stone was just as red.” She searched Lenna’s eyes. “She told me it helped her when she couldn’t remember the recipes.” She let out a soft chuckle. “Though, when the raid happened, when she died, the thieves must have taken it, I couldn’t imagine that melting in the fire….” She took in a breath. “She’d let me hold it, that feeling it gives you.” She smiled it. “It reminds me much of the warm rays of the sunshine.” She then shook her head. “Though, I know I had it one time when I was young and a customer came into the shop, he started shouting that I was a witch…that our whole family was doomed to hell…” She shook her head. “Magic.”
Rhys lifted her eyes to Lenna then. “Such fear of magic, even the books don’t exist.” She moved and cleaned her glass in the water bucket. “My father used to tell me stories of dragons, and mages.” She smiled as she pondered the thought. “Just fairytales though.” She shook her head. “My mother wasn’t a witch, she wasn’t ‘magic’ as the man claimed. She mixed herbs and created things that would heal, and give vitality. The things that she created and sold were amazing. But it isn’t magic. There’s no such thing.” She shook her head. “Even father said that magic is non-existent, just something made up in fairytales to entertain the mind.”
Rhys shook her head then, “Tell me, what does that stone mean to you Lenna? Being from a different kingdom, it must mean something different.” She leaned forward as she sat on the barstool and looked to Lenna, her head cupped in her hand. “Could you imagine…” She spoke after a moment, she pondered before she spoke. “Could you imagine if magic were real?” She grinned then. “My father always used to scold me when I asked that question.” She chuckled. “I had an extraordinary imagination when I was a child.” She ran her thumb over the dragon design on her sword hilt. “I’ve always loved the idea of magic, my head is stuck in a fairytale, I suppose.” She shook her head and laughed. “My apologies, Lady Lenna I must sound mad. Please don’t think anything of it…” She looked away then.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 5, 2018 19:38:07 GMT -5
Lenna smiled and even chuckled at one point. She set the stone back down and leaned back into her chair. “And just where do you think these fairy tales and stories come from? Think about it… It is one thing for someone to make up a story, but throughout history there has been thousands of stories that all have the same themes. Magic, dragons, beasts, mages and witches…” she plucked the stone up in her hand and held it.
“Someone I love?” The stone turned Red, and pulsed with her heart beat. “Someone I admire?” The stone turned yellow and had a swirling motion inside. “Someone I appreciate?” The stone turned a dark blue and sparkled slightly. “Someone I hate?” The stone turned black, like flint. She set the Stone down and pushed it back to her. “You try” she spoke.
She watched as Rhys made the stone change colors. “Sir Henly” she called out. She plucked the stone from Rhys and handed it to him. “Sir Henly, hold this stone, and think of your wife” she watched then. The stone did nothing. “Think of the King for a second…” Nothing.
“What is this?” He questioned, handing it back to her.
“Oh, just some study I did, your response just now tells me much of your character” Lenna smiled and took the stone back.
“Eh? Did I pass? You and all your tests..” he laughed and then looked to the pie. “Is that for later?” he questioned, smiling wide.
“Aye, it is. But – do you mind chopping some fresh wood? It is supposed to get cold tonight, I want to make sure we have wood for tomorrow” she placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Right away, m’lady” he bowed his head and stepped outside.
Lenna looked to Rhys once more and handed her the stone. “The stone is an agent of magic. It responds only to those with it. And it is used as a conductor…it is a basic tool for those with it…” she set the stone back down. “The word witch has such a negative connotation…” she spoke and then shook her head. “It is an art, that was once heavily practiced. But, it goes back to what I was saying before. Those with power would have to change according to it – there for… it was snuffed out. It is a threat to them, in many fashions… but there is no shame..” she spoke and pushed the stone forward again.
“Don’t believe me? You tell me… how does a stone even change colors without the aid of magic?”
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 5, 2018 19:51:58 GMT -5
Rhys looked to Lenna her jaw loosened as she watched the stone change colors. She tucked her brows together as it was handed back to her. She did the same as Lenna, the stone changed a rainbow of colors, pulsing happily at each one. She looked back to Lenna as she once again took the stone and handed it to Sir Henly. Rhys tilted her head slightly as the stone remained the same. No change at all from his thoughts. Though she could see in his expression that he truly was thinking of the things that Lenna asked.
Her pulse increased slightly as she listened to Lady Lenna. Her questions all pointed to one thing. Her brows rose slightly as she pushed the stone forward again. “How…” She spoke then as she lifted it. The stone swirled with blue and golden colors. “What you’re saying…Lady Lenna…” She paused a moment, thinking of how to carefully use her words. “You’re saying that you possess magic.” She looked to her, “And…that I…” She looked away again and set the stone down, it returned to the beautiful red once more. “That I have magic as well…”
She took in a slow breath as she listened to the sound of the wood chopping outside. “This…” She pulled her brows in and let out a soft laugh. “You’re making a fool of me. I see.” She chuckled then. “You know the wine has gotten to my head, that everything feels fuzzy.” She smiled slyly. “I see.” Shook her head. “Was this a test as well then?” She asked and looked to the stone. “Or….”
Rhys fell silent again as she stared to the stone, her eyes looking over the perfect cuts. “Magic in essence is forbidden. My mother nearly was burned at the stake because of that drunkard.” She spoke and looked to Lenna. “Magic isn’t…” She furrowed her brows and looked back to the jewel again she reached out and turned it over in the palm of her hand. Suddenly the jewel swirled with fire. Rhys stared to it with wide eyes, the night of the raid. She could see it in the jewel. She quickly set the jewel down and stood, the bar stool she’d been sitting on clattered to the ground. Her chest heaved. “H-how….?” She looked to the jewel. “Lenna…” She shook her head. “This…” She paced slightly. “This has to be a dream…I must be dreaming…please…” She stepped to Lenna. “Lady Lenna tell me I am not mad…I feel as though I am lost in a dream…” Rhys searched her eyes. “This can’t be real…” She whispered.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 5, 2018 20:02:34 GMT -5
Lenna watched as Rhys began to question, and then even panic. She grasped the stone and slipped it into her pocket. She approached Rhys and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Now now…” she whispered and placed a hand on her back. “It is not as bad as you think…” she whispered.
In that moment a wave of magic flowed from herself and into Rhys. It would make her feel a pleasant feeling, like that of flying – a greatness, and freedom. Lenna helped Rhys to a chair. “This is your choice…. You can deny it, or you can accept it. I won’t ever bother you again with it…” she walked over to the window and plucked the pie up.
“Sir Henly, it is time for pie” she spoke, her head poked outside. Sir Henly turned and then smiled, nodding as he finished his last chop.
Lenna placed 3 slices on cute white plates and set them at the table. She poured three glasses of warm milk, which was simmering on the stove. She set them down on the dining table and sat down. “Ah, this should be lovely” she spoke and took a bite of her pie
Sir Henly removed his helmet and placed it on the back of the couch. He sat down and enjoy a slice as well. “Oh my heavens! This is amazing” he took another bite. “Rhys you made this?” he questioned and savored another bite. “I … I am honored to be in your presence for this is the best pie I’ve ever had…” he paused and then took a swig of his milk.
“I was thinking… Rhys – you are that knight, are you not? Do not fret, being Lenna’s guardian… I pretty much know everything. I accept it. I wanted to know if I would have the honor of sparring you? I figure if you are truly the swordslady they say you are… perhaps I could learn a thing or two from you?” He took another bite from his pie. “If you’ll let me, my Lady?” he looked to Lenna.
“Of course, there is no harm in a little duel hm? I will cheer you both on” Lenna smiled and looked to Rhys. “What do you say?”
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 5, 2018 20:26:26 GMT -5
Rhys took in quick breaths and watched as Lenna placed the stone away into her pouch. When Lenna placed her hand on her shoulder and the magic flowed through her. Rhys’ pulse began to slow, her breaths calmed. She looked to Lenna as she grabbed the pie from the windowsill and called Sir Henly in. She didn’t know what to say. Everything about magic outside of the fairytales…she’d only been told horrible things, the lynching that happened in a neighboring kingdom due to witchcraft. She sat at the table and took a bite of her pie. She finally smiled when Sir Henly became so excited about the pie. She chuckled. “It’s just an old recipe from where my mother came from, it’s been passed down in the family for years.” She spoke, her voice soft.
Rhys then perked up a bit when Sir Henly asked to spar. She looked to Lady Lenna when she gave the go ahead. “Of course, I would never turn down a good spar.” Rhys grinned then.
Sir Henly grinned back, “Then it is settled.” He took his last bite. “Shall we?” He asked.
Rhys finished up her pie and drank the last bit of milk. She felt better after getting something on her stomach. Though her head was still a bit fuzzy from the wine. She shook it off and they headed outside. Rhys looked to Sir Henly as he placed his helmet back upon his head. She took in a breath as she drew her sword, the red of the blade glistened in what was left of the daylight.
“That blade is a fine blade…” He spoke as he drew his own. “I am ready when you are, Rhys.” He nodded his head.
Rhys stepped forward she watched Sir Henly carefully, her eyes calculating. Just as he began to move for a strike she countered, her own sword clashed with his and she slipped around behind him. She elbowed him, though she held back. She didn’t want to cause harm. Sir Henly spun around and caught her off guard. He rushed forward with a flourish of strikes. Rhys blocked most of them though one managed to slice into her gauntlet on her wrist. She winced slightly, she could feel the burn of the cut. Rhys moved quickly then, forcing him back with her strikes. The clatter of their swords echoed off of the valley. She moved and then suddenly when she had him off balance she leaped up and kicked into his chest.
Sir Henly toppled back and landed on his back. Rhys stepped forward with her blade pointed to his throat, she had a grin on her face. She loved this. She loved the fight, the quick thinking. She then reached her hand down to him. Sir Henly accepted and chuckled as he stood. “Again.” He spoke and stepped back. He held his blade up. He rushed forward, using his brute force. Rhys dodged him easily and soon they were at it again, the clatter of blades sounded once more. She locked blades with him and stared up to his eyes, all the while she had a smile on her face. Sir Henly suddenly pulled back and then shoved her forward. Rhys stumbled, a bit from the wine, as well as being caught off guard. She spun around just in time to block an attack. They sparred this time until they were both breathless. A good half hour passed as they continued to counter moves. Soon enough though Rhys slipped to the side just a moment too soon. Sir Henly’s blade came down and he pushed forward with his shoulder. It caught Rhys in the chest. She stumbled and fell over a log bench to her back. She gasped for air, her chest was still heavily bruised from Sir Roderick.
Sir Henly grinned, happy at his win as he stepped forward and held his blade out pointed toward her neck. Though his grin fell when he saw a bit of blood trickling from her nose. “Oh…Lady Lenna...I didn’t mean to…” He glanced to Lady Lenna as he sheathed his blade and rushed forward.
It was in that quick succession of seconds that when Sir Henly knelt down next to her Rhys slipped her dagger from her thigh and held it up to him. “Just because I’m a woman, doesn’t mean I won’t play dirty.” She chuckled, “Good spar.” She nodded.
Sir Henly chuckled. “You got me.” He smirked. He helped her to her feet then and grinned. “We should do this more while we are here. I could learn a lot from you, you’re very skilled, Rhys.” He looked to Lady Lenna. “If you’ll allow it, my lady.” He bowed deeply.
Rhys sheathed her blade, her breaths heavy. She had her hand held to her chest where he’d caught her. It would be awhile before her chest stopped hurting like it did. She wondered if her bones were broken from the blow of the lance against her chest plate. Rhys stepped inside and climbed the stairs. She paused a moment and looked to Lady Lenna. “I…” She furrowed her brows slightly as she thought. “I am afraid, but…” She looked into her eyes for a moment. “I want to learn more…” She turned then and headed down to hall to her room. She sat down on the edge of her bed. Her eyes welled with tears, she’d been hiding her pain the best she could. She held her hand to her chest and winced. She felt as though she couldn’t breathe without pain.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 6, 2018 18:06:06 GMT -5
Lenna sat down on a log outside, she crossed her legs and watched the two spar. She eye’d Rhys’s footsteps, they were quick and almost complex – but very strategic. Her stance would give her body the most power during a block, which would make up for her arm strength. That was the key – she could tell. The entire body blocks the attack, not just the arm. She watched as Rhys blocked an attack, which left Sir Henly staggering.
“Come on now Sir Henly, don’t be gentle!” She shouted, laughing as she cheered them on. When Rhys won the first fight – Lenna cheered. “Huzzahh! What an excellent match! It seems you have been bested Sir Henly!” she clapped her hands and then watched more. Soon the sun began to fall, the sunset lit their swords – their bodies moving fluidly together. It was almost like a dance.
“Ah, Sir Henly is the victo- oh, off your guard Sir Henly!” Lenna laughed then and stood from her seat. “Another round tomorrow perhaps, to declare the final victor?” she led them back inside the cozy home. She moved a few logs into the fireplace, while no one was watching – Lenna snapped her fingers. The fire began to start slowly, as if she had done it herself with flint and steel. “There we are” she spoke as she gave it some air.
“Should get a little chilly tonight…” she spoke to Sir Henly. “Sir Henly, would you go into the meat storage and fetch some venison?”
Sir Henly nodded “Right away” he spoke and stepped outside, to the small shack where they hung and cured their meats.
Lenna made her way upstairs, coming into Rhys’s room. She slowly made an approach – her hands moving to the tunic she wore. She lifted it, observing her back. “Sir Roderick really beat you up…” she stepped around to Rhys’s front side. Her eyes locked onto to Rhys and with a sly motion – Lenna pushed her hand up Rhys’s tunic, her hand resting now in between Rhys’s collar bones. “It may hurt but.. take a deep breath” she whispered.
Her hand began to glow then – a fresh wave of magic seeped into her body, and soul, and began to mend her bones. There was a loud cracking noise – a bone being placed, and then healed. Lenna lowered her head just as she finished, and moved her hand away. “Brand new” she smiled and then stepped back. “I am making venison pot pie – why don’t you get washed up?” she questioned and then bowed her head. “And… just so you know… I always knew… you had magic in you. I can feel it. I have been kind to your family, but I was drawn to you specifically for that reason…” she looked up then “Just keep your mind and soul open, because there is much for you to learn. Things that we have been taught to block out.” She turned then and bounded down the stairs.
Lenna stood in the kitchen, slicing up the raw meat, which was heavily salted. She then placed a skillet on the wood stove and then began preparing the dough.
Sir Henly pulled out some apple cider and handed her the bottle. “Would you warm this up too?”
“Oo, Apple Cider? What a delicacy” she smiled and nodded.
Sir Henly laughed and nodded “Don’t tell the others, but it is my favorite drink” he chuckled and then sat down. They traded small talk, laughing and joking. In the past year Sir Henly and Lenna had become close, rather good friends. He knew the truth about her, and guarded her secret as well…
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 6, 2018 18:36:08 GMT -5
Rhys turned and looked to Lenna when she entered. When Lenna reached forward and looked at her back, the bruising from falling off of the horse, she winced slightly. “That he did, I’ve never taken a fall like that before…” She spoke softly. Rhys looked to Lenna her eyes searching hers. In that moment Lenna pushed her hand up into her tunic. Her eyes widened and she took in a sharp gasp. Though she froze where she was. She never took her eyes from Lenna’s. She did as she was told and took in a shaken breath, her face filled with pain, she could feel the loose bone moving about.
Rhys grit her teeth and her eyes welled with tears as the fractured bones within her chest popped back into place. She nearly fell forward, though she was held there, frozen, her eyes never left Lenna. When Lenna removed her hand she finally took a few steps back, her hand went to her chest. The pain was gone. It was as if the injury never happened. She looked to Lady Lenna with curiosity in her expression as she switched and spoke of venison pie. Rhys took in a breath as she listened to Lady Lenna, she felt her magic. How? She watched as she left the room, her eyes locked on the door for a long moment as she tried to unravel everything. Did her father have magic too? Or her mother? How did Lenna feel her magic? She had so many questions. There was so much that she didn’t understand. She held her hand to her chest and pulled the tunic back slightly, looking to where the bruise once was. It was completely gone.
Rhys left her room and went to the washroom where she brushed away a bit of blood from her nose from the spar she had with Sir Henly. She took in a deep breath and dusted off her clothing. She ran a brush through her hair and the beautiful waves came back, curling about gently as it fell down below her shoulder blades. Rhys soon enough came down the stairs to meet up with the two. “Ah Lady Lenna, that pie smells incredible.” She spoke as she took a seat next to Sir Henly at the table. She looked to the mug that he drank out of and smiled to him. “Cider?” She asked.
“Cider, yes.” Sir Henly pushed the mug toward her, “Want some?” He smiled.
“Oh no.” Rhys chuckled, “I’m not much of a cider drinker.” She grinned to him then.
“No?” He asked and rose a brow.
“I have to keep you on your toes somehow.” She winked then before she looked outside. The stars twinkled in the sky, she could feel the cool settling in on the valley. Rhys looked to Lenna then as she cooked and thought about moment, how she’d healed her. It was an incredible gift. She had a look of contemplation as she stared at Lady Lenna, though she looked down and fumbled with her hands slightly as she thought. She remembered her mother as the Apothecary, there was an instance where a young maiden brought her husband in, he’d been attacked by bandits. He had horrible wounds. Gangrene even in one in his abdomen. Yet, her mother was able to save him with her potions. Was this magic? Or were her herbal mixtures that much of a miracle. She’d never thought anything of it…until now…
“Why the long face, Rhys?” Sir Henly asked, he took another drink of cider.
Rhys snapped out of her thought, “Oh.” She spoke and shook her head, she smiled to him. “Just hungry is all.” She spoke and then she looked to Lady Lenna as she cooked once again. How could magic be so bad…if it could heal wounds and save lives? Were there different types of magic? But of course, there had to be, if there is good….evil will always follow at its heels. Just as there are noble kings, there are also wicked power stricken kings that murder for gold and silver…
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 6, 2018 18:53:12 GMT -5
Lenna looked up from the pie crust – as she took a rolling pin to it. “Someone is just a little lost in thought” she chuckled as Sir Henly looked to Rhys as well. “A lot has changed in a little bit of time” she spoke as she laid the pie crust in a pan, folding the edges appropriately.
“All thanks to you” Sir Henly lifted his cup and nodded to her. “This world could use more women like you… I honestly believe it” he spoke, taking another sip.
“I’ve made a lot of mistakes in order to get here...” Lenna spoke and moved the meat to the inside of the pie, and then she filled with the gravy made from the juices of the meat. Peas and carrots… Then she lowered the top layer of crust onto the pie and tucked it.
“Humanity at its finest” Henly replied and then reached forward – gnabbing a carrot. Lenna chuckled and then cleaned up her mess. In some time the pie was ready. She pulled it from the oven and cut slices, serving it up. “Plenty for seconds” she spoke and set the plates at the dining table.
“Perhaps tomorrow you’ll go fishing for us, Sir Henly?” She questioned as she sat into her chair. “A good catfish filet, mmm, pair that with white wine.. There’s a lemon tree not far too… ohh..” she smiled and then took a bite of the pie.
“Oh, fishing – yes. It has been some time since I have, but I think that would be enjoyable.” Sir Henly smiled as he took a bite.
“Well you’ll have all day to get us at least 3” she winked and looked to Rhys. “Tomorrow we’ll head out to the fields, have a bit of a picnic, do some more question and answer. Practice the likes of a lady” she smiled.
“How is that faring? I remember becoming a knight – the training was tiring.” Sir Henly looked to the two.
“Hm, I say more of a brain exorcise. Being a Lady is no different than being a servant. You walk, talk, and do certain things… a certain way, to make everyone happy, no?” She chuckled then “such Is the reality”
“Aye, it is often the same for us. It is a shame, now that I think of it. How much acting is in it all, I should have been an actor” he laughed then. “Knowing me I’d just be a jester at that point” he finished his pie and then served himself another slice.
“What do you think of it Rhys? No shame in being honest” he smiled, looking to her.
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