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Post by Marcellin nó D'Eltoine (I) on Jun 13, 2006 12:37:58 GMT -5
I paused a moment as she started walking, lost in my anger, and attempting to shed it quickly. I look up with a start, and have to hurry a bit to catch up, attempting to answer with honesty, and yet to reassure at the same time.
"Highness, I can assure you, my trainers have never had any complaints, even to say that they would have like to seen me stay with my studies, for I had the most potential they hard ever seen. I received commendation for my actions along the border, which your brother surely knows... it was in the letter of introduction. But guarding someone's life is immensely different from being a soldier. I am good with my weapons... but I have not a Cassiline's skill."
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Post by Queen Coretta de la Courcel on Jun 13, 2006 12:50:34 GMT -5
" Guarding is not quite what I had in mind. Can you teach as well as you learn? Do you have any objections to teaching a woman? My twin and I have been offered lessons in arms by my sister's paramour. My brother is taking them as an outlet for his grief. I wish to learn so that when the killers come after us, I will die taking as many of them to Hell with me as possible." My steps slow to another stop as I look at him, searching his face.
I am just a woman, a spoiled girl at that, but please, let him be willing to teach us, Elua.
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Post by Marcellin nó D'Eltoine (I) on Jun 13, 2006 13:03:51 GMT -5
A sparring partner and a teacher? Would that I was trained to the blade for no more than that, but I knew it was not the case... This time, when I looked at Coretta, it was not her beauty I was admiring, it was to see if she was physically capable of learning what I had to teach. Hmmm... the Camaeline ways would not suit her, but the Cassiline?
"You have but to order it, and I would teach you all I know, you know this. But if I were to presume to advise, I would suggest you learn the daggers, and not the sword, m'lady."
Of course, to learn the Cassiline ways, one must learn the circles... will she let me inside hers?
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Post by Queen Coretta de la Courcel on Jun 13, 2006 13:13:35 GMT -5
"I will learn whatever you deem fit, you are the expert here, not I. I know how I must look to you as well. A soft royal, who's never suffered a day of hardship in her life. This is true. But I am smart, I have taken instruction in tumbling and dance from a former Eglantine adept for the majority of my life. I will learn whatever weapon, or fighting style you want, as long as I can kill to defend myself and my brother." Something wriggled in the back of my mind, someone I was forgetting.
"And Renee. The orphan Princess my Mother birthed. Especially her." I smoothed the fabric of my gown and felt the sharp pricks of the beads along my hands. So much was happening and I was so lost. I had no purpose, not anchor, for Moon was just as adrift as I, and seeming drifting away from me. I needed something to ground me.
"I think we will train in the afternoons, in private. I want no one to know that I am taking lessons in arms. What must I do to prepare?"
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Post by Marcellin nó D'Eltoine (I) on Jun 13, 2006 13:27:18 GMT -5
Renee? Another life to safeguard... ironic that neither of them have mentioned Sabrina... ah, well. And as for a way to hide her lessons... well that would be easily enough explained... just hope I don't get summarily executed for what I am about to suggest.
"M'lady, I will acquire the necessary materials for training... Your doing it would arouse suspicion. And mayhap we should train at the townhouse? I don't believe it would not be found out if you trained here. You could perhaps say you are..." My voice grows a bit nervous here... "spending time with a suitor?"
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Post by Queen Coretta de la Courcel on Jun 13, 2006 13:41:37 GMT -5
My eyes widen in surprise and my mouth opened, but nothing came out. A suitor? I'd dreamed about having a suitor, but knew the reality of it would be far different. I was Sabrina's Shadow, the baby sister. The pawn. Sabrina would have suitors, especially now as Queen. She could choose her lovers and future consort. I... I knew I would be sold in marriage to whichever Prince needed a political alliance with our land. It was my duty, despite how much I hated it.
My blush set in then and I looked at my slippers, the dainty black toes peeping out from under my skirts.
"I-I would have to consult with my Brother on this. I- I've never had a suitor, so it would be understandable that my sister would want to know about him, and I would be closely watched, and you would be as well. But mayhap it could work, I just- I've never...been courted." Gods! I was stammering and near incoherent. It wasn't like he would really be courting me, just using it as a ruse to train me. Still, I blushed a little harder.
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Post by Marcellin nó D'Eltoine (I) on Jun 14, 2006 0:10:50 GMT -5
Oh Elua... what tangled webs we weave. A small smile crossed my lips, oh so very briefly, as she blushed. Too late I realized that I could be construed as taking advantage, her grief not allowing her to make rational judgements... Of course, I do not even know what I mean. Did I truly mean to court her? I could bring nothing to the family, nor to her, other than the feelings that threaten to pour from my own fragile heart.
In a barest whisper, I reply... "Highness, you do what you deem best. I shall not speak of it again soon, or at all if you do not wish it. Perhaps it would be best if you were to show me to my quarters, or have someone do so? We can carry on this conversation at a more... opportune and discreet time."
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Post by Queen Coretta de la Courcel on Jun 14, 2006 0:46:25 GMT -5
I closed my mouth and quickly regained my composure. He had given me and out, and I would take it.
"Yes, of course. We can work out the logistics of it later. Come, this way will lead you to the main part of the Courcel Wing. We are the east wing. North is the Queen's chambers and other state rooms. South is the foreign guest suites and west is the Trevallion quarters. Messier Jean-Alain Tessyer is the Chief Butler. I'll take you to him now. If you have any other questions, or wish to speak with my brother or I, we share a suite of rooms down that hall." I roughly pointed out the major areas I had spoken of, waving my hand and wishing the blush would leave my cheeks.
Turning down a side hall I found Messier Tessyer's usual haunting grounds and saw him ordering a pair of footmen about. They had baby furniture and trunks and were moving toward Sun's new domain.
"Jean-Alain, a moment please."
He came over and gave me a deep bow, a small smile on his face. He knew me well, I had harassed him my first few days mercilessly until the furnishings in my room were just so. "Highness, always a pleasure, what may I do for you today?" He was irritated with me. I almost smiled.
"Messier, this is Marcellin Buonard, the new-" what? Blast, Moon hadn't told me what rank he was to have. Fib, correct later. " The new Captain of the Vermandois Guard. My brother has just instated him and I would have him quartered nearby and fitted for livery. New livery will be commissioned to my brother's specifications at a later date, but for now, see he's outfitted and housed. Thank you, Messier. I'll try not to trouble you too many more times today." Ghost of an impish smile.
I turned to Marcellin and bowed my head. "You should be in good enough hands, sir. Come find us if anything is amiss. I would also recommend fetching any personal belongings you may have. Again, we thank you for your loyalty and for joining our service."
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Post by Marcellin nó D'Eltoine (I) on Jun 14, 2006 15:01:44 GMT -5
It seems Jean-Alain's irritation transferred to me. With a look of barely disguised distaste, he motioned for me to follow. Bowing to Coretta, I followed after him down the hallway to a doorway. Handing me a key, he turns without a word and strolls away.
Using the key, I open the door to find a smaller chamber. It would suffice, but would need re-arranging to allow for practicing my forms in private. With a sigh, I begin straightening the room to the best of my ability, awaiting my next summons.
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Post by Queen Coretta de la Courcel on Jun 16, 2006 18:09:44 GMT -5
I watched as he was lead down the hall by an irritated Jean-Alain. So strange, all of this was so strange and surreal.
Something in me told me not to go back to my rooms. Moon. Part of me wanted to disregard the warning, brush it off and find out what Moon was so preoccupied with. But my heart wasn't really in it.
So instead I turned toward Sun's new chambers. And Renee. I'd lurk around there until she arrived. My baby sister... for whom both my parent's had inexplicably died. Renee.
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