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Post by Joe on Aug 15, 2022 17:35:52 GMT -5
An involuntarily laugh escaped him, "C-consort? Truly?"
His brother was dead and he felt without Andal their future was uncertain, but somehow his heart sang and tears of joy welled in his eye. "I thought... surely I had lost you."
Cartell looked into her eyes, hesitating before placing his palm against her cheek, "No man, no kingdom, no sorcery could stay my heart from loving you." Her beauty drew him in, he wanted to fall into her, get lost within her.
Realizing himself, he pulled back, clearing his throat and casting glances at the crowd around them, "There is much to do. We've sent word to your vassals and even now great companies of your subjects flock to us here, ready to restore this great city and serve you. Yet..." he lowered his voice sheepishly, "I hope to speak to you again before the night is done."
Lord Ondreau sighed as he watched the two, scratching his neck where the bandages had been tied. "Alas, the lady's heart has wandered from me. Still, love is beautiful no matter-"
Klaus clapped him roughly on the back, "Aye, a wonderful thing to see our sweet lady happy again."
Tristan hissed in pain, closing his eyes and grimacing yet holding his tongue against the jolly giant, "Indeed my lord, indeed."
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Post by Jenny on Aug 15, 2022 17:49:03 GMT -5
Lord Blackwell pursed his lips and looked away, frowning, not quite celebrating the occasion along with the rest. He had not noticed his dog companion had disappeared once again, creeping off to gods knows where...
Serena blushed as Cartell placed his hand against her cheek, her eyes shining. "You never lost me, not once." She said quietly. "All right, I'll speak to you 'ere we sleep."
Ro smiled wistfully, happy for the two young lovers. Her eyes cast one last longing glance at the pyre, rose from her seat, and cleared her throat. That was all that was needed to rouse everyone from their reverie.
Serena nodded and smiled at Ro, and laughed lighty, her heart soaring.
"Let's find shelter where we can for the night. I hoped not to spend the night under the stars, even if we all are becoming used to life on the road, but I cannot think to sleep in the castle, not just yet, dark and cold as it is." She smiled and looked towards it. "Still, there is a growing light that brings comfort to all. Dark stones and burned villages, not much to start with... but we shall restore this kingdom to full glory, I am sure of it!"
High color flushed to her cheeks, and not simply from the chill air. She looked hopefully around her company.
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Post by Joe on Aug 15, 2022 21:48:56 GMT -5
Cartell smiled and nodded to Ro as she spoke. "I fear our best option is the palace. We must also consider the safety of our queen, and there is currently nowhere safer."
He ordered the retainers to begin setting up a camp in the throne room. Guards were posted at every entrance, though with so few they could not extend far. Makeshift beds were set up lining the walls. Not fires were lit, as the light and warmth spilling from the duskwell kept them all in relative comfort. Serena's bed was made just in front of the throne, on the marble landing overlooking the duskwell.
Cartell sat near her bed on the edge of the landing, his feet dangling above the well. He looked about for Serena, wishing to speak with her once more.
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Post by Jenny on Aug 15, 2022 21:57:05 GMT -5
Serena had enough privacy in a curtained off alcove where she could undress and change into something more suitable and roomier for sleeping. She insisted on brushing and braiding her own hair as to not cause a fuss. As she stepped out, her fair blonde hair shone in the light of the duskwell. She looked around and saw Cartell sitting near her makeshift bed. It looked comfortable enough, and she was so tired. Not so tired as to not talk to Cartell, who awaited at the well. She walked to him, hurrying even. Her step light as her heart. She didn't take her eyes off his face as she too a seat on the edge of the well where it was sturdy enough.
"You look well, Cartell. I'm so glad to see you again at last. It's been quite the day. Both filled with victory and with loss. How do you fare this evening?"
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Post by Joe on Aug 15, 2022 22:36:51 GMT -5
Cartell smiled at her as she sat down, "I must admit to some anxiety... with Andal gone it feels like my duties have increased three-fold."
He sighed and held out his hand to take hers, "I shouldn't complain, not when you're here beside me. I wanted to ask you... what are your dreams for this kingdom? What is your vision?"
As he awaited her reply he peered down into the duskwell. With Serena so close its light had grown, feeling now as if a warm fire sat before them.
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Post by Jenny on Aug 15, 2022 22:52:32 GMT -5
"Yes, I am feeling much anxiety as well, for I will soon have a whole kingdom to rule." She chuckled. "I believe in your strengths, Cartell. You have taken on the mantle well, if this evening has anything to say for it. Look for yourself." She beckoned around them. All of this had been done, perhaps for her, but Cartell had handled the soldiers and company well. This makeshift camp inside the castle walls had all been put together swiftly under his own guidance.
"Your people listen to you, they look to you as they once looked unto your brother. You have done very well."
She slipped her hand into his easily, looking down at their hands, together. She looked back up at him, her brow furrowing thoughtfully.
"I wish for this kingdom to be free of tyranny and strife. I wish everyone to worship who and what they will. I would not wish for anyone, serf or soldier or noble alike, to feel the same fear I had when facing the tribunal of the tyrant king, to tremble under his grasping hand. I felt such darkness and fear there, standing bared before them, at their ultimate mercy. 'Twas then that Andal rescued me, and even though I did not trust them, you all proved my salvation and for that I will eternally be grateful. I had been misled my whole life, sequestered away, hidden, stifled. I would not see that in my kingdom. But I would also not have our people see me as some divine being. I can't be that, I am not in any way omnipotent, nor will I pretend to be. If I may, I would like to create a council of noblemen. Have you heard the old tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, by chance? I read the tale in secret, at the nunnery's library. Oh, what a story! The king ruled with knights as his equal. He listened to them, accounted to each of them for their own experiences and wisdoms. I would not pretend to know how to rule, I will need advice. If Andal was with us, he would be at my side at this round table, but he is not. I can only count one hand those I have met that I would have by my side to help advise affairs. I would have you help assist me in choosing the right men and women for the role. At least, that is my hope. I am still so naïve, Cartell. I have much to learn about the ways of the world, but I believe."
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Post by Joe on Aug 15, 2022 23:06:59 GMT -5
Cartell carefully listened to her. Her wishes were a treasure to him and a shared endeavor, but more than that he saw them as commands to fulfil in his station.
He chuckled softly, "You've seen how the people react to you, your humility does you honor but this land already views you as divine." He gently stroked her hand with his thumb, "Andal often told me of the magick your family possessed. Some things are beyond temporal, and you are one of them."
"Don't you feel it?" He moved his hand to her wrist, holding her palm over the golden rays of light sparkling up through the dusty hall.
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Post by Jenny on Aug 15, 2022 23:11:27 GMT -5
But me, divine? She could scarcely dare to think, not compared to the sonnets and scriptures she studied in the covenant.
"I feel... so much warmth. But magick? How will I wield this magick by birthright if I have never learned about it? Are there any that may teach me?"
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Post by Joe on Aug 15, 2022 23:23:42 GMT -5
Cartell watched her face as she felt the light. To him she in all ways seemed to somehow grow brighter, her eyes almost changing to an impossible amber shade.
"I'm afraid I don't know. If they exist, we'll find them, or perhaps they'll find us. I imagine in some ways it may be beyond your control. Your will may simply change things." He leaned into the light of the well, his dead eye tingling from some unknown stimulant.
"It is said the royal family also drew power directly from the well. As it grows, so should your strength, though I wonder how bright it can grow with just you alive." Implying her parents were dead. Cartell cursed himself and gave her a contrite look.
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Post by Jenny on Aug 15, 2022 23:30:52 GMT -5
She smiled at him and nodded hopefully.
"From the well..." she breathed out, repeating partly what he said. The royal family also drew power directly from the well. As it grows, so should your strength, his voice seemed to echo in her head.
"Just me?" She furrowed her brow. "Have you no hope that my parents still live?" She looked down into the well, looking sorrowful. "I don't know if I can give up on the thought that they may still be alive somewhere."
She pulled her hands back, and grasped his hands in hers. "Not all is lost while we still have hope, even if my parents died before their time. Even if they're gone. Perhaps there are tomes, tapestries, not all could be in tattered ruins. Such things could have been burglarized, but others may have taken and treasured them. Perhaps if we searched...?"
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Post by Joe on Aug 15, 2022 23:52:44 GMT -5
"I have hope they still live. I have less hope we'll find them, but if it's your wish, we shall search all of Cairnewn and to distant shores." Cartell nodded reassuringly. "If your family yet lives and we can gather them here, who knows what may happen."
The majority of those not on guard were now in their beds and resting.
"Serena, there's one more thing. Before we commit to this, you should know. I..." He sighed, hanging his head, "I'm a bastard. My mother was a servant. I'm not even truly a noble. There are many of your vassals who will grumble, and perhaps more, to hear I am your choice for consort. Especially in the matter of your... heir."
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Post by Jenny on Aug 16, 2022 10:34:45 GMT -5
Her face lit up as she beamed at him. "You'd do that for me?" But then her head fell, sounding sorrowful. "But we have work here, don't we? Can't afford to stretch resources as a war is still going on..."
She listened to what he had to say carefully, fully digesting it's full meaning." She was quiet for a time but then smiled, reached up and took his head and pressed her forehead against his own. "You are a noble at heart, true and steadfast, and willing to give your life for the causes you believe in. It matters not that you may be a bastard child, because you are more of a noble by deeds alone than many another."
She turned his head gently to look at the camp inside the castle walls. "Look at what your leadership has done. Your men respect you, listen to your commands, trust you. There will be more, as you are my right hand."
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Post by Joe on Aug 16, 2022 11:28:50 GMT -5
As Serena's forehead touched his he closed his eyes, tears again spilling from the corners of his eyes. That awful feeling was in his stomach and he brought his will to bear against it, stifling the urge to sob.
"Thank you." Cartell managed to mutter without losing control. He pulled her closer for a moment, drying his tears on her shoulder as they touched.
"Now I pray you sleep, I have made you tarry here too long. Tomorrow we shall be engrossed in the management of this place. " He motioned to her bed and gathered himself.
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Post by Jenny on Aug 16, 2022 13:03:04 GMT -5
"You are very welcome.. my love..." butterflies fluttered in her stomach as she called him the new term of endearment, testing out how it sounded to both their ears. It made her smile as he pulled her closer, and felt a bit of moisture permeate her sleeping shift. She was touched he was feeling such emotion.
She drew from him reluctantly as he bid her sleep. "All right, I will do my best to have peaceful dreams, for there are many things to hope for starting on the morrow. Good night, Cartell."
She smiled up at him as he moved on, and rose from her seat herself, going to slip into the makeshift bed that had been so carefully set out for her. It was more comfortable than sleeping on the road since they had stacked several bed rolls atop one another to try to make the cushioning as soft as possible. She drew the blankets over herself, watching Cartell's distance form as he too settled in for the night. She didn't know if he could still see the smile that had spread across her face.
So she slept, as did the others. What dawn could be seen further alit the throne room, twining with the duskwell. A shoulder roused Serena gently, and she was all to glad to rise, for she was excited and there was much to be done.
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Post by Joe on Aug 16, 2022 13:36:12 GMT -5
Her words for him soothed his heart as he made his way to the base of the path to the throne, lying down on his own bed. Cartell couldn't believe his fortune, despite all he had lost, having her love made all seem right. Sleep came easily after the trials of the day, and he went with a smile on his face.
The next morning the throne room had emptied as news spread. All had gathered in the surrounding courtyards outside the palace, staring up at it. The palace's glow had grown even stronger, now a visible luminescence spread from it. Surrounding dead vegetation has begun to regrow, even some of the ancient statues and monuments had begun to somehow shed their rust and decay. The soldiers and servants all stood in awe of the manifest power of the first kings.
Cartell had made his way to the gates of the palace to welcome coming emissaries. The first was a welcome sight.
"Eyan!" He nearly dropped his ledger as his uncle rode up and dismounted.
The grey old man threw his arm around Cartell, "Didn't think I'd forget about you, did ye lad? And look what we've brought." They wheeled around to see the caravan that had arrived with Eyan. Dozens of wagons loaded with goods and liveries to fill the palace, along with scores of men and women.
Cartell couldn't help but grin, "Amazing, uncle!"
"Aye and we've heard tell of many more such hosts. Once word reached us that Lady Belmont had arrived at Duskwell, the land came alive with pilgrims." Eyan placed his hands on Cartell's shoulders, "I mean to pledge myself to our lady's queensguard, I've left our lands in the care of Lord Foller and his children, I wouldn't worry on that count."
As Eyan made his way inside to find Serena, the caravan began to be unloaded and put away within the palace, the many scores of people filtering throughout the nearby city to establish their presence.
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