Post by Odette Lamberte on Nov 2, 2007 22:13:42 GMT -5
The path that we now traversed was well worn, with the evidence of such imprinted upon the earth by distinctive means of transportation. Here…a steady gate of a horse could be discerned. There…the deep ruts of a carriages passage lay raised and suspended in time, at least until the next rain, by peeks of dried mud that marked its journey heading away or to the city.
I glanced from the ever passing earth about my mounts hooves to gaze thoughtfully at the pair of men trotting lightly upon their mounts ahead and to the side of me. I had not desired their company at first, wanting to experience the journey on my own accord, for good or ill, though my father would not bend to my sense of independent adventure.
“I don’t agree with this style of life, Odette.” My father had spoken to me upon the morning of my journey, minus my sibling Joseph who was out on an adventure all of his own making and could not see me off that morning.
“Far better for you to keep here, than to dally in a land that you know naught of, daughter.” His voice was stern though his caring eyes spoke otherwise
“Father…” I took his withering hands into my youthful, soft hands and held them tightly, meeting his eyes. “I want to see…feel all that I may before befalling upon the title of old maiden.” My lips curved into a mischievous smile, a smile that my father would rather not see upon my face but I could not help but make it.
He mumbled lowly, “Old maiden…’tis not a title likely to grace your life though take heed to those who seek your…company. You shall travel with escort…’tis fitting that I see you off rightly and watch you through companions of my choosing…with a small pocket of coin and the dagger that I trained you with.”
Thus I ceded to his wishes, taking the dagger and coin thankfully, and traveled with two trusted, loyal friends of my fathers towards the City of Elua where I sought a new adventuress life, despite father’s protests.
The men were much older than I, at least a decade, if not more, and jested that I would find more than what I was seeking, finding a respectable lordling to take as a lover that would earn my father’s ire by merely being in his presence.
“A fright, one could suspect, to pay witness to your father’s temper when it concerns his sole daughter,” mused Alain the older of the pair who rode ahead of my mount.
“I wager that the Chevalier Bertram Lamberte, rested that he is these days, would test the might of the lad before allowing him entry onto the humble holding of your family, Odette, to fair converse with Bertram.” Gilles grinned sidelong at me as we continued to travel, I returned his expression.
“Ah…my father is protective and would give at least the berth of one footfall upon the holding before challenging a lad…at least!” I chuckled ruefully at the image playing out in my mind. Mayhap, I thought, it might come to pass though I’d certainly not hold a breath in waiting for such to occur. My life would abruptly end in my waiting, with a horrible discoloration to my face that no lady would fancy! For all their jesting, which I naught minded, they made excellent travel companions and I was inwardly grateful that my father retained them for the sake of my being on this journey.
Our progress towards the city was of no particular haste, for I was glad to enjoy the scenery from Siovale to a place where adventure awaited for me in the City of Elua. My pulse raced with the excitement of it all.
Eventually, the city was reached and I took a deep breath then exhaled as my adventure was now beginning. I would seek out the owner of Le Poulet Gauche later, when we were settled, to negotiate a means to support myself and speak of what was expected of me during my tenor there. For now…I was content to wander the streets in the good company of Gilles and Alain, at least for the next few days before they made ready to leave for Siovale, my homeland.
When they did finally depart, my heart ached for I had enjoyed their companionship but it was time to live my life…the way that I desired to live it and I was determined to lead it.
I glanced from the ever passing earth about my mounts hooves to gaze thoughtfully at the pair of men trotting lightly upon their mounts ahead and to the side of me. I had not desired their company at first, wanting to experience the journey on my own accord, for good or ill, though my father would not bend to my sense of independent adventure.
“I don’t agree with this style of life, Odette.” My father had spoken to me upon the morning of my journey, minus my sibling Joseph who was out on an adventure all of his own making and could not see me off that morning.
“Far better for you to keep here, than to dally in a land that you know naught of, daughter.” His voice was stern though his caring eyes spoke otherwise
“Father…” I took his withering hands into my youthful, soft hands and held them tightly, meeting his eyes. “I want to see…feel all that I may before befalling upon the title of old maiden.” My lips curved into a mischievous smile, a smile that my father would rather not see upon my face but I could not help but make it.
He mumbled lowly, “Old maiden…’tis not a title likely to grace your life though take heed to those who seek your…company. You shall travel with escort…’tis fitting that I see you off rightly and watch you through companions of my choosing…with a small pocket of coin and the dagger that I trained you with.”
Thus I ceded to his wishes, taking the dagger and coin thankfully, and traveled with two trusted, loyal friends of my fathers towards the City of Elua where I sought a new adventuress life, despite father’s protests.
The men were much older than I, at least a decade, if not more, and jested that I would find more than what I was seeking, finding a respectable lordling to take as a lover that would earn my father’s ire by merely being in his presence.
“A fright, one could suspect, to pay witness to your father’s temper when it concerns his sole daughter,” mused Alain the older of the pair who rode ahead of my mount.
“I wager that the Chevalier Bertram Lamberte, rested that he is these days, would test the might of the lad before allowing him entry onto the humble holding of your family, Odette, to fair converse with Bertram.” Gilles grinned sidelong at me as we continued to travel, I returned his expression.
“Ah…my father is protective and would give at least the berth of one footfall upon the holding before challenging a lad…at least!” I chuckled ruefully at the image playing out in my mind. Mayhap, I thought, it might come to pass though I’d certainly not hold a breath in waiting for such to occur. My life would abruptly end in my waiting, with a horrible discoloration to my face that no lady would fancy! For all their jesting, which I naught minded, they made excellent travel companions and I was inwardly grateful that my father retained them for the sake of my being on this journey.
Our progress towards the city was of no particular haste, for I was glad to enjoy the scenery from Siovale to a place where adventure awaited for me in the City of Elua. My pulse raced with the excitement of it all.
Eventually, the city was reached and I took a deep breath then exhaled as my adventure was now beginning. I would seek out the owner of Le Poulet Gauche later, when we were settled, to negotiate a means to support myself and speak of what was expected of me during my tenor there. For now…I was content to wander the streets in the good company of Gilles and Alain, at least for the next few days before they made ready to leave for Siovale, my homeland.
When they did finally depart, my heart ached for I had enjoyed their companionship but it was time to live my life…the way that I desired to live it and I was determined to lead it.