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Post by Jenny on Aug 22, 2022 17:05:42 GMT -5
She finished her bath and toweled of, then dressed for the day. It was something simple, as she had no hands to help dress her, as was the case with some of the more intricate outfits they insisted she wear. Serena left the washroom presently, quite clean and the finely-crafted soap had left her smelling nice. She raised her head as she exited, and spotted Cartell sitting down in the sitting room. He looked quite anxious and she sat down opposite him, her forehead creased with worry.
"Is aught amiss, my Lord? You look to have something on your mind."
She wondered if it had to do with the bad dream, or was something else, but their days had been so full of peace, she wondered what could be bothering him so. She reached out a hand for one of his, wishing to bring him some comfort.
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Post by Joe on Aug 22, 2022 22:34:41 GMT -5
Cartell gave her a smile still as she sat down, interlacing his fingers as he gazed out the arched windows of the manor.
"The house of my birth, Holland, has long been patrons of that thing they call the Outlander. Even among the former Golden Kingdoms it was considered occult and fringe." He looked back at her. "In my home, Dire Hall, there is a place. A place of... communion with the Outlander. In times past the communion was more symbolic, a gesture of appreciation for the being's role in our house's survival. But my father, and Andal, and even I... have gone farther. I'm not even sure how it works, but it becomes part of you. I thought it all gone when we fought that abomination at the duskwell, but I fear... it may still have some hold on me. It's not in me, but it sees me."
He sighed and looked down at his hands, "When we are done here, I must return to Dire Hall. I do not know what may affect it, but perhaps if I destroy that place, I will be free of it. I... know your majesty has many responsibilities now, and many who require you here, but... I need you."
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Post by Jenny on Aug 23, 2022 14:31:15 GMT -5
She ran her finger over the back of his hand as he spoke, nodding a bit to allow him to go on without fear. She winced at his mention of Outlander, but smoothed out her face soon enough.
"This Outlander has a hold of you still?" She was worried, and rightfully so. "I thought it had been destroyed..." She bit her lip, anxious. "I wish not to hinder you here any longer, then. Of course, if I can help in any way at all, and if it brings you comfort. Then indeed, I will come with you. We may move with as much haste as you wish. Shall we return to the castle to supply ourselves for the journey ahead? Perhaps some of our friends would come as well? We'll need all the support we can, if your mission proves dangerous."
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Post by Joe on Aug 23, 2022 16:35:01 GMT -5
Cartell smiled and squeezed her hand, "No, my love, we shant leave yet. I wish to linger here with you a while longer. It's just... something I have to do."
He stood and paced for a moment before clapping his hands together. "Right, I believe we'll be going riding today. Have you been practicing? I think the last time I saw you ride it was your first time."
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Post by Jenny on Aug 23, 2022 16:41:06 GMT -5
"As you wish." She smiled at him as he paced a bit. She beamed as he posed the question to her. "Yes, I got a fair amount of riding in, in fact! I will be able to keep up with you I believe, with little trouble at all. I only hope that you arranged for a woman's riding habit ahead of time."
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Post by Joe on Aug 23, 2022 18:14:52 GMT -5
"I'm sure I did... somewhere." He tapped his chin thoughtfully. Eventually he found it, in one of the cases offloaded from the carriage by the servants. Two horses were prepared for them, light brown and well toned. Cartell waited to help Serena on her horse then mounted his own.
They rode out of the manor and to the south, where the rolling plains around Duskwell eventually gave way to a temperate forest. Tall oak and pine trees surrounded them on the narrow dirt path, the small contingent of Imperial Guard accompanying them stretched out behind them. After a time Cartell ordered them to hold on the road and dismounted, removing a roll of cloth from his horse before leading Serena by the hand down a narrow side-path.
They emerged in a clearing with a small lake. A massive ruin of an aqueduct loomed over the clearing, still pouring water slowly into the lake. Cartell unrolled the cloth, laying the blanket on a patch of grass on a small hill overlooking the lake. He took a seat and looked up at Serena expectantly.
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Post by Jenny on Aug 23, 2022 18:45:34 GMT -5
She changed quick as she could, glad that he had planned ahead. She was glad for Cartell's help up atop the horse. Mounting and dismounting while riding on a sidesaddle wasn't so easy, but she was well off enough with his assistance, and gave him a wide grin, picking up the reins and patting her horse's neck. She rode behind Cartell on the thin trail once they reached the thin path of the forest. After dismounting, she squeezed Cartell's hand with a smile. Her breath was taken away momentarily as she spotted the aqueduct, and wondered how long it had been here. Did it once bring water into Duskwell proper, or to the crops?
She sat down beside Cartell, her hand reaching out to take his. "It's beautiful here."
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Post by Joe on Aug 23, 2022 19:22:49 GMT -5
Cartell smiled, glad she enjoyed his choice. He looked from her face to the lake, his eyes passing over the massive chunks of stone submerged and peeking over the surface of the water. He'd barely been eight years old when he first came here, escaping from his escort and exploring.
"I was here once as a child. The aqueduct was mostly intact then. Likely the Illios destroyed it during their siege, trying to starve out the city." He looked down, regretting bringing them up. "I know you do not regret leaving them, but it must have been difficult leaving all you knew. Can you tell me more about your time in Illios? Is there... anything you remember fondly?"
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Post by Jenny on Aug 23, 2022 19:36:52 GMT -5
"I was very afraid, yes. However, once the Illios started to treat me unkindly, I wasn't so sure of them. I was thrown into the deepest dungeon after I was cast out of the convent for being rune-marked, and black pitch darkness was all I knew for a time. And something came to... I'm not sure if it was to attack or not, I just knew I was so frightened. Some... thing... ethereal and evil. It just felt all wrong. It was trying to get in my cell. My only friend tried to assist me, and pursued it... but I'm afraid," she shuddered and put her arms around her knees. "I'm afraid he was one of the enemies and he was quickly struck down before he had a chance to protest my treatment. He had been named the High Confessor of the Illios kingdom. His name was... Albrecht, and is my one regret."
"I am not truly certain if he would have spoken well on my behalf, but he seemed to dislike the ill treatment the Illios had shown me just as soon as I had been marked. I still remember that night." She shivered again, putting her head on her knees. "I didn't trust all of you at first. I didn't like Andal's coolness towards me. But that all changed once I met you. A look in your eyes made me decide to trust you outright. Your brother then began to earn my respect, then came the others. I INSTANTLY decided I liked Lord Klaus very much," she chuckled.
"But even before that, I wasn't treated well. Well enough, I suppose. But I was bullied a lot by my own peers. It was not pleasant, living in the convent."
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Post by Joe on Aug 24, 2022 7:55:49 GMT -5
Cartell frowned as he heard tale of the creature. Some servant of the Outlander, or something else? He was sure the Illios and Andal weren't the only ones seeking her. He didn't know the name Albrecht, and looked pained as she described him. A friend of her's, killed by his hand or by those close to him. Closing his eyes he concentrated on containing his emotion. He was a killer but all the while believing that part of him did not directly touch her. They had destroyed the one part of her previous life that had had meaning.
Seeing her draw herself inward he scooted closer and put an arm around her, hoping to calm her unease.
"The convent, had you any friends in this place?"
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Post by Jenny on Aug 24, 2022 17:44:32 GMT -5
She smiled at Cartell when he put an arm around her. She nodded a little. "When I was first placed there, the old matron nun used to sneak me sweets and say kind things. I had grown fond of her. But upon her passing, the next matron was not kind. Now, keep in mind I was but aged three or so when I was placed there, so not all of my memories are clear."
Serena chuckled only a bit, now able to reminisce more objectively about the bullying. "They used to dip my hair in ink wells when we were seated in class, or tug the ends so tight when I was supposed to stand still so much that it made my eyes water. Exchange sugar with salt. That sort of thing. I need not recall it all, for it is somewhat vexing still."
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Post by Joe on Aug 24, 2022 22:17:16 GMT -5
Cartell seethed at the sound of her treatment, "Forgive me for asking, I just... wish to know all of you. The good and the bad." He scooped up a rock with his free hand and threw it in the lake, venting some frustration. "Perhaps one day we'll return there and burn the wretched place."
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Post by Jenny on Aug 25, 2022 14:06:45 GMT -5
"Don't be alarmed. Children will be children. Some of them, it's the only life they know. Full of simplicity and faith. The convent, I mean, if we shall spare it. The kingdom, however, by all means." She raised a hand, and chuckled.
"I know not what your childhood was like, if you may indulge me. What treatment, what life, was yours there?"
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Post by Joe on Aug 25, 2022 15:34:05 GMT -5
Cartell scoffed and stared at the still waters of the lake for several moments before speaking.
"My mother was a scullery maid that my father fell upon one night when he was bored I suppose. I never knew her, my father paid her to leave the continent. I was sent to an orphanage to begin with, but my brother convinced my father to legitimize me. After that I expect it's like most other young nobles' lives. I squired, I studied warfare, fought in tournaments, learned proper table manners. The brightest parts are the time we stayed in Duskwell, away from my father. I was mostly allowed to roam and live as a child should. Then my father died and Andal became king, subsequently turning the realm upside down trying to find you. I joined with him and several years later..."
He waved his hand, sweeping the current events into the empty space around them.
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Post by Jenny on Aug 25, 2022 15:59:58 GMT -5
"You seem vexed, my love. Please, let us simply put the past behind us and live in the present. War is at the Golden Kingdom's door, soon to surely break out, hopefully not for some time. Let us instead focus on Dire Hall, and fulfilling the mission you have set out for yourself. I would have you at peace."
She rose, put her arms around him, and kissed him. "Do not fret, my love. We have the Duskwell to draw strength upon. We shall be victorious, I am certain of it." She smiled warmly at him, and ran her hand through his hair, trying to soothe him.
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