Post by lizity on Sept 13, 2012 21:59:39 GMT -5
Once Cauldwyn had escorted her party back to the main contingent of troops following Clare she’d found sleep as quickly as they’d shown her a tent that she could use. She hadn’t even bothered to stop and try to clean up from the long days that her brother, the guards they’d managed to get out with them, and herself had been on trying to catch up to them and put more distance between them and the capital of Kaldara. It wasn’t until she’d gotten up the next morning that she’d realized how much she wasn’t cut out for this kind of life and how soft she really was. It made her sigh but it was true. She’s spent her life being trained for court life, not battle life and it made her respect women like Clare all the more.
After she’d eaten, cleaned up and put on a fresh shirt and pants she moved through the camp in the small respite they all had for traveling. She found Clare’s tent and asked the guards to request an audience with the princess. Once she was allowed in she stepped inside the tent and smiled, giving Clare a curtsy even in the pants. Some habits were hard to break.
“Thank you Princess, I’d hoped we’d be able to talk before starting out again. My Queen would like to talk about an alliance between you and her. She’d like to help you take back what is yours.”
~~
She hadn't been sleeping much since they left the capital. She knew that things would only get worse and Cauldwyn made her to go to bed when it became dark to at least try and rest. They both knew she slept fitfully, spending most of the night lying awake and tried to figure out what to do. But it seemed like there was no solution.
The morning that one of the guards came to her and told her that the young Lenora Arryn wanted to meet with her, she had only slept a few hours the night before and was tired. But she put on a smile as she welcomed the girl into the tent. She wanted to get out and stretch her legs, but Cauldwyn suggested that she take meetings in the tent. It didn't offer absolute privacy, but it kept her safe from wandering.
"Of course, Lenora. Please."
She tried to make herself comfortable on one of the large pillows that were substitutes for chairs. She'd rather be standing and nearly sighed in annoyance.
At Lenora's words, her gaze lifted and she examined the girl. She knew she was of noble birth and trained as a Priestess in their religion of worshipping the dragon. "Your Queen is very kind to want to assist us." She wasn't quite sure what to say. She could use the help of Ashenmore, surely. "I'm not sure I have anything to offer your Queen in return, though."
~~
She smiled to Clare, picking up easily on her unease. She seemed the type that felt better doing something than sitting and talking. They were such opposites and it struck her as funny though she suppressed the laugh that tried to come bubbling past her lips and instead kept it as a smile on her lips.
“Thank you Princess.”
She took a seat, curling her legs to the side, her long blond hair braided and hanging over one shoulder.
“You have more to offer than you believe. It’s in my Queen’s best interests to see you take your throne. Kaldara is rich in things she can buy and sell, and friends are never a bad thing to have. Plus cooperation between the countries only brings good things to everyone involved.” There was a cleaver glint in her eyes.
“Queen Aslith has always been good at looking to the future.”
~~
Leona was the picture of courtship. She'd seen so many of them at court. She actually looked more a Princess than Clare ever did. Even in dresses, she still had a rougher edge. At least, she thought. There were times when she knew she looked the part of Princess, but she always wanted to be out on a horse, not sitting on a throne. What good could she do there?
"Your Queen has always been generous with Kaldera. We have always appreciated her…friendship."
She tilted her head as she examined the blonde before her. There was something about this girl that made Clare pause. Had it been any other courtier, she would have dismissed the entire meeting with a polite apology. But she could see the way Leona was thinking, pulling her thoughts together as she played out the meeting.
"Ashenmore's friendship would be greatly appreciated at this time, Leona. As I'm sure you're well aware of. But I have to be honest - I'm a little uneasy about making alliances on the road like this. Especially with…someone new…"
~~
She was silent for a moment, her eyes unfocused though she was looking straight at Clare, her smile perfectly in place. Then she nodded after a few beats as if someone had been whispering in her ear. “Then as friends, my queen would like to aid you. No strings attached. Conceder it an old debt to be paid. A very long time ago when Ashenmore was a different country they took much for Kaldara. While it may not be the debt of current leaders, the queen believes that all things happen for a reason. This is her opportunity to right the wrongs of the past.”
She folded one hand in her lap, the other reaching up to pet down her braid, making sure it was still in the place she wanted, a nervous habit though she hid it well.
“There are a great many things that can be offered to you from our country, some things that you might want very much. We have our own magic school. It’s not spoken of often outside our own country, it’s not something we like to many others to know but you would be welcome if you ever wished to see it.”
“Queen Asilith would like something from you if you’re willing. She has business with Garanor that she would like me to attend to. Since you’re already heading for the capital she asks that I might join you for the full trip there. My brother with most of my guard will be leaving once we reach the northern edge of the mountains and it’s safe for them to travel around and back home.
“In return she would like to offer a ship to go to Valdera to bring back your supporters that have fled there. You could send someone of your choice to help locate them of course. The person in question could travel with my brother back to our capital to take the ship as soon as they arrive.”
~~
Clare's eyes narrowed slightly, focused, as she watched Clare. The response came after a moment. It took Clare only a minute to realize what had transpired and her own eyes widened. "You can…you're talking to Queen Asilith right now?" It was amazing. She'd heard rumors of this…magic. That people could speak through their minds across distances. She'd never believed it, though.
She shook her head, trying to clear her now addled thoughts. It was impossible, but Leona was an interesting…if a bit odd..child. It made sense, then. The rumors she'd heard about Ashenmore's "gifted." She bowed her head slightly, her eyes closing. Cauldwyn would surely laugh at her, but she had to trust her instinct. They'd not failed her before.
"On behalf of Kaldera," could she still say that? "I would be honored if Queen Asilith would offer any assistance to us. She will be a great friend to have." She nodded at the request. "Of course, Leona. You are welcomed to join us on our trip to Garanore. I will make sure you are well protected when your brother and guard separate for their journey."
She smiled. It was genuine. There was something about Leona that was different, that drew Clare toward her. She wasn't sure how to describe it, but she felt drawn to the girl suddenly. Like someone to be protected and admired. Maybe, like Clare, she had her own destiny to fulfill.
~~
“I’m listening to her yes but I haven’t mastered how to speak back to her. But she can see and hear through me. If you’d like to speak with her yourself I can arrange that. I only need a bowl of water and something sharp enough to prick my finger. As I said, we have our own school of magic.”
She gave a little laugh that was more childish than womanly and a grin that matched but magic often had that effect on people. Even in their own country people were amazed at what those with the gift could do and it never failed to make her grin at their amazement.
She paused, listening for a moment before answering. “Queen Asilith says she’s honored as well. And any time you wish to speak to her she would be pleased to do so. She hopes that when there is time you’ll come visit our capital. She also sends her thanks for my safe keeping. And you have mine as well.”
She hesitated a moment but it wasn’t because she was listening this time. “You’ve studied some magic correct. Perhaps we could talk about it sometime on the trip? Perhaps I can help you learn some things or teach you some of ours. I’m still studying but I know a few things.”
After she’d eaten, cleaned up and put on a fresh shirt and pants she moved through the camp in the small respite they all had for traveling. She found Clare’s tent and asked the guards to request an audience with the princess. Once she was allowed in she stepped inside the tent and smiled, giving Clare a curtsy even in the pants. Some habits were hard to break.
“Thank you Princess, I’d hoped we’d be able to talk before starting out again. My Queen would like to talk about an alliance between you and her. She’d like to help you take back what is yours.”
~~
She hadn't been sleeping much since they left the capital. She knew that things would only get worse and Cauldwyn made her to go to bed when it became dark to at least try and rest. They both knew she slept fitfully, spending most of the night lying awake and tried to figure out what to do. But it seemed like there was no solution.
The morning that one of the guards came to her and told her that the young Lenora Arryn wanted to meet with her, she had only slept a few hours the night before and was tired. But she put on a smile as she welcomed the girl into the tent. She wanted to get out and stretch her legs, but Cauldwyn suggested that she take meetings in the tent. It didn't offer absolute privacy, but it kept her safe from wandering.
"Of course, Lenora. Please."
She tried to make herself comfortable on one of the large pillows that were substitutes for chairs. She'd rather be standing and nearly sighed in annoyance.
At Lenora's words, her gaze lifted and she examined the girl. She knew she was of noble birth and trained as a Priestess in their religion of worshipping the dragon. "Your Queen is very kind to want to assist us." She wasn't quite sure what to say. She could use the help of Ashenmore, surely. "I'm not sure I have anything to offer your Queen in return, though."
~~
She smiled to Clare, picking up easily on her unease. She seemed the type that felt better doing something than sitting and talking. They were such opposites and it struck her as funny though she suppressed the laugh that tried to come bubbling past her lips and instead kept it as a smile on her lips.
“Thank you Princess.”
She took a seat, curling her legs to the side, her long blond hair braided and hanging over one shoulder.
“You have more to offer than you believe. It’s in my Queen’s best interests to see you take your throne. Kaldara is rich in things she can buy and sell, and friends are never a bad thing to have. Plus cooperation between the countries only brings good things to everyone involved.” There was a cleaver glint in her eyes.
“Queen Aslith has always been good at looking to the future.”
~~
Leona was the picture of courtship. She'd seen so many of them at court. She actually looked more a Princess than Clare ever did. Even in dresses, she still had a rougher edge. At least, she thought. There were times when she knew she looked the part of Princess, but she always wanted to be out on a horse, not sitting on a throne. What good could she do there?
"Your Queen has always been generous with Kaldera. We have always appreciated her…friendship."
She tilted her head as she examined the blonde before her. There was something about this girl that made Clare pause. Had it been any other courtier, she would have dismissed the entire meeting with a polite apology. But she could see the way Leona was thinking, pulling her thoughts together as she played out the meeting.
"Ashenmore's friendship would be greatly appreciated at this time, Leona. As I'm sure you're well aware of. But I have to be honest - I'm a little uneasy about making alliances on the road like this. Especially with…someone new…"
~~
She was silent for a moment, her eyes unfocused though she was looking straight at Clare, her smile perfectly in place. Then she nodded after a few beats as if someone had been whispering in her ear. “Then as friends, my queen would like to aid you. No strings attached. Conceder it an old debt to be paid. A very long time ago when Ashenmore was a different country they took much for Kaldara. While it may not be the debt of current leaders, the queen believes that all things happen for a reason. This is her opportunity to right the wrongs of the past.”
She folded one hand in her lap, the other reaching up to pet down her braid, making sure it was still in the place she wanted, a nervous habit though she hid it well.
“There are a great many things that can be offered to you from our country, some things that you might want very much. We have our own magic school. It’s not spoken of often outside our own country, it’s not something we like to many others to know but you would be welcome if you ever wished to see it.”
“Queen Asilith would like something from you if you’re willing. She has business with Garanor that she would like me to attend to. Since you’re already heading for the capital she asks that I might join you for the full trip there. My brother with most of my guard will be leaving once we reach the northern edge of the mountains and it’s safe for them to travel around and back home.
“In return she would like to offer a ship to go to Valdera to bring back your supporters that have fled there. You could send someone of your choice to help locate them of course. The person in question could travel with my brother back to our capital to take the ship as soon as they arrive.”
~~
Clare's eyes narrowed slightly, focused, as she watched Clare. The response came after a moment. It took Clare only a minute to realize what had transpired and her own eyes widened. "You can…you're talking to Queen Asilith right now?" It was amazing. She'd heard rumors of this…magic. That people could speak through their minds across distances. She'd never believed it, though.
She shook her head, trying to clear her now addled thoughts. It was impossible, but Leona was an interesting…if a bit odd..child. It made sense, then. The rumors she'd heard about Ashenmore's "gifted." She bowed her head slightly, her eyes closing. Cauldwyn would surely laugh at her, but she had to trust her instinct. They'd not failed her before.
"On behalf of Kaldera," could she still say that? "I would be honored if Queen Asilith would offer any assistance to us. She will be a great friend to have." She nodded at the request. "Of course, Leona. You are welcomed to join us on our trip to Garanore. I will make sure you are well protected when your brother and guard separate for their journey."
She smiled. It was genuine. There was something about Leona that was different, that drew Clare toward her. She wasn't sure how to describe it, but she felt drawn to the girl suddenly. Like someone to be protected and admired. Maybe, like Clare, she had her own destiny to fulfill.
~~
“I’m listening to her yes but I haven’t mastered how to speak back to her. But she can see and hear through me. If you’d like to speak with her yourself I can arrange that. I only need a bowl of water and something sharp enough to prick my finger. As I said, we have our own school of magic.”
She gave a little laugh that was more childish than womanly and a grin that matched but magic often had that effect on people. Even in their own country people were amazed at what those with the gift could do and it never failed to make her grin at their amazement.
She paused, listening for a moment before answering. “Queen Asilith says she’s honored as well. And any time you wish to speak to her she would be pleased to do so. She hopes that when there is time you’ll come visit our capital. She also sends her thanks for my safe keeping. And you have mine as well.”
She hesitated a moment but it wasn’t because she was listening this time. “You’ve studied some magic correct. Perhaps we could talk about it sometime on the trip? Perhaps I can help you learn some things or teach you some of ours. I’m still studying but I know a few things.”