Lorna de Saquell(I)
Inactive
House Saquell- Widow
Whichever road you follow, the obstacles are never more than you can handle...
Posts: 193
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Post by Lorna de Saquell(I) on Jul 9, 2008 13:43:25 GMT -5
I had wandered out of my lodgings little more than an hour ago, and I was beginning to get rather thirsty. I was in the middle of a lower part of the City, and spinning around slowly, I took in the sight of the establishments near to me. I spied one that looked promising, the Cockeral. Impulsively, I wandered in, ordered a glass of white wine, and found a small table, tucked away in a corner. I would just go with the flow, and observe for a while. I would find myself in this City more often than naught now, and it would be good to learn the habits of the people; where they frequented, where was the best food and drink to be had, and where the best shopping was! I sat back, sipping my wine, and sighed.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Jul 9, 2008 13:53:12 GMT -5
The plague had the whole City on edge and all but the doorstep closed down. After many weeks of such with only my duties at the Palace to amuse me I was starting to be not unlike a caged animal. Thus I made my way to the Cockral to get some fresh air. I went fully armed which was a practice I had been getting away from but with the illness and desperation sweeping the City people became dangerous. I quietly slipped in the door and paused to let my eyes adjust as I took in my surroundings.
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Lorna de Saquell(I)
Inactive
House Saquell- Widow
Whichever road you follow, the obstacles are never more than you can handle...
Posts: 193
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Post by Lorna de Saquell(I) on Jul 9, 2008 14:49:05 GMT -5
I heard the door open over the quiet rumble of people, and saw what was unmistakably a member of the Shahrizai family slip in. Aside from the piercing blue eyes, I noticed what seemed to be a scar upon his face, although with the shadows of the tavern, it was hard to tell for sure. I watched him quietly, wondering if his reasons for getting out were similar to mine.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Jul 9, 2008 14:56:04 GMT -5
I felt eyes upon me and turned my head squarely meeting the gaze of a dark completed woman who looked to be Tsingano. She was rather striking of course I had a taste for dark complexions as well. I gave a small inclination of my head in acknowledgement as the rest of the patrons did not pay me much heed. I had been in the City long enough now that I hardly warranted notice and my reputation was such that even on the Doorstep no one would try my blade.
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Lorna de Saquell(I)
Inactive
House Saquell- Widow
Whichever road you follow, the obstacles are never more than you can handle...
Posts: 193
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Post by Lorna de Saquell(I) on Jul 9, 2008 15:10:20 GMT -5
I saw his deep blue eyes turn towards me, and he gave a nod of acknowledgement. I smiled. I hadn't been out at all since I came into the City, and I had few friends or acquaintances, if any. This whole world I had been thrust into was so... new and strange. After another sip of wine, I stole a glance to look back his way.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Jul 9, 2008 15:15:31 GMT -5
I noticed she looked back as I procured some brandy and I in turn made my way in her direction. With the plague and the subsequent closing of most my normal haunts I was not too proud to admit I was more than a little company starved. Managing to avoid catching my sword on any obstacles I stopped near her perch and tilted my head in silent questioning if I might join her.
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Lorna de Saquell(I)
Inactive
House Saquell- Widow
Whichever road you follow, the obstacles are never more than you can handle...
Posts: 193
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Post by Lorna de Saquell(I) on Jul 9, 2008 15:35:51 GMT -5
I watched him as he got himself a glass of brandy, and began to move in my direction. He cut a strong figure, moving through the crowd towards me, and I noticed that he carried a sword. My mind instantly leaped back to memories of Seb, as he would spar with his fellow mercenaries. But that could be thought about later; as for now, I was more than happy to be gaining some company.
His expression seemed to ask permission to join me. I met his eyes, and with a slight grin, motioned to the seat next to me. "Its nice to escape the grip of the plague, if only for a short while, isn't m'lord?"
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Jul 9, 2008 15:39:42 GMT -5
“Especially when one is in service to the Crown during such times” I replied to her and took a seat near but not too near. I was not hunting so to speak, at least not yet and did not overtly crowd her. I took a sip of my drink and then offered her one of my smiles that thanks to my heritage always had a predatory edge to it “My name is Gadleon’ I offered simply there really was no need to give the last.
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Lorna de Saquell(I)
Inactive
House Saquell- Widow
Whichever road you follow, the obstacles are never more than you can handle...
Posts: 193
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Post by Lorna de Saquell(I) on Jul 9, 2008 15:58:07 GMT -5
His smile was definitely unique. It had a certain double edge to it; it was friendly, and yet a firm reminder of who he was. "Lorna de Saquell. Well met, m'lord." I inclined my head slightly before taking another small sip of my wine. "You are in service to the Crown, you say? How so, if I may ask?" I could not help my curiosity. I only wanted to gain some knowledge on how everything in this City worked. "Unless you prefer to escape from your work at this time, m'lord?"
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Jul 9, 2008 16:02:04 GMT -5
“A pleasure” I intoned as I pondered a bit “your appearance does not quite match your name” I added in observation and then shrugged my well muscled but not bulky shoulders. “Palace guard at present, before that I was posted on the Skaldian boarder.” I grinned a bit more “After this who knows? I suppose it depends on where whim takes me. I have been toying with the idea of guarding trading caravans or the like.” I simply answered her as I had no real desire to escape that much and I was generally pretty open when I could be.
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Lorna de Saquell(I)
Inactive
House Saquell- Widow
Whichever road you follow, the obstacles are never more than you can handle...
Posts: 193
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Post by Lorna de Saquell(I) on Jul 9, 2008 16:15:57 GMT -5
I flushed slightly as his remark. "That is a story in and of itself, m'lord. My husband was a mercenary, with a small estate just outside the City. We were in love, and almost ready to start a family. He was killed, while guarding a caravan..." At this, I drifted off just a bit, took a deep breath, and continued on. "He took a rather fatal wound, but he managed to get me a safe distance away from the attack, and... there wasn't anything I could do..." I took a sip of wine, forcing the memories down. "Anyways, after he died, his estate became mine. I hope to raise horses."
I smiled slightly at him, hoping I wasn't boring him. "Were your days on the border exciting, m'lord? I imagine its a fair bit colder than here."
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Jul 9, 2008 16:21:59 GMT -5
I listened to her tale and made sympathetic noises though it was not that unusual of a tale. Those of us who earn our keep with the riddle of steel are all very familiar with mortality. No ne gets out of life alive and that is simply the way of things. Though the mention of horses made me smile a bit “I enjoy horses even my own ill natured beast that he is.”
I then raised my glass to her and winked “And yes they nearly excited me to death thus why I came to the City.”
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Lorna de Saquell(I)
Inactive
House Saquell- Widow
Whichever road you follow, the obstacles are never more than you can handle...
Posts: 193
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Post by Lorna de Saquell(I) on Jul 9, 2008 17:01:16 GMT -5
I giggled a bit. I found him rather charming, and I felt a bit better to tell someone about how I came to be here.
"I was always raised with horses. I was of a mind to have a good few days in the City after I had seen that our mares had been bred successfully, but on my third and final day here, I found that travel had been restricted, due to the plague. I have never been one to be kept in one place against my will, so after being cooped up for a while, I decided to wander and ended up here. And I'm glad I did too, for I seem to find myself in excellent company." I flashed him a smile and finished my glass of wine, motioning the barkeep for another glass.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Jul 10, 2008 5:59:04 GMT -5
I gave her another smile and a wink and downed the rest of my glass motioning for a refill as she did her own and picking up the tab. "Yes, I am afraid the restrictions have me feeling rather like a caged animal." I sighed "One of the advantages of being a third son and not in on any of the family's schemes is that I have generally had a life of answering to my whims."
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Lorna de Saquell(I)
Inactive
House Saquell- Widow
Whichever road you follow, the obstacles are never more than you can handle...
Posts: 193
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Post by Lorna de Saquell(I) on Jul 10, 2008 15:14:10 GMT -5
I thanked the barkeep as my next glass of wine promptly appeared, along with Gadleon's glass of brandy. Caught up in thought for a moment, I pondered. "I've never really been able to do that, till now." I smiled softly. "It must be nice, to have some measure of control over what you can do."
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Jul 11, 2008 6:21:09 GMT -5
I pondered as indeed it was the riddle of my life as well as the reason father saw to it I learned the blade young as I had no other way to make my way in the world. "There is good and bad to both. The freedom is nice but there are days I would like to not have to scratch so hard for my living." I raised my glass to her "Of course there are also days I would prefer to not feel like I have Shahrizai branded on my forehead as well."
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Lorna de Saquell(I)
Inactive
House Saquell- Widow
Whichever road you follow, the obstacles are never more than you can handle...
Posts: 193
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Post by Lorna de Saquell(I) on Jul 11, 2008 13:56:52 GMT -5
I glanced into his deep blue eyes and smiled. "I can imagine that it wouldn't be the easiest burden to bear, to be prejudged based upon your looks and families reputation. It makes it difficult to realize or discover your own identity." I paused for a moment to sip my wine. "Although from what I can tell, you seem to have established a distinct identity for yourself." I found myself drawn once again to gaze at the scar on his face.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Jul 11, 2008 15:55:55 GMT -5
I gave one of my predatory grins "It has its good and bad. I must admit to taking perverse joy in watching some squirm when they note my heritage. " I then met her gaze levelly "And I suspect you are not entirely unfamiliar with the phenomena."
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Lorna de Saquell(I)
Inactive
House Saquell- Widow
Whichever road you follow, the obstacles are never more than you can handle...
Posts: 193
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Post by Lorna de Saquell(I) on Jul 11, 2008 16:09:52 GMT -5
I flushed lightly, for he spoke truly. "Not entirely unfamilar, m'lord, but still not entirely accustomed to it either." His gaze upon mine was like a predator eyeing his prey. My pulse quickened slightly, and I took a deep breath and another sip of my wine.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Jul 12, 2008 5:53:26 GMT -5
I continued watching her close as she flushed ever so slightly and that in turn drew more of my interest "No one can ever be entirely accustomed to such things actually." I then shrugged "But all is as it should be I rather enjoy your look" I then gave her a roguish wink.
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Lorna de Saquell(I)
Inactive
House Saquell- Widow
Whichever road you follow, the obstacles are never more than you can handle...
Posts: 193
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Post by Lorna de Saquell(I) on Jul 12, 2008 15:06:41 GMT -5
A coy smile drew itself upon my lips, and I could only flush just a bit more. "I'm glad it pleases you, m'lord." Another sip of my wine and I continued. "Its nice to find that not everything in life has been turned upside down during such a bleak time." My pulse was now beating a steady rhythm in my ears, and I pushed a stray strand of hair behind my shoulder, wondering what he would do next that would catch me off guard.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Jul 12, 2008 19:12:02 GMT -5
I reached over and patted her hand and then leaned back and took a sip of my drink before speaking "Gadleon or Gad is fine I am not much on m'lords accept in certain situations and we probably should not get into details of those right now." I toyed with my glass a bit before looking back up at her and her flush which was indeed charming "As far as turned upside down goes a bit of that keeps things amusing but then again I seem to be one who is easily bored and needs a steady dose of minor disasters to keep me amused."
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Lorna de Saquell(I)
Inactive
House Saquell- Widow
Whichever road you follow, the obstacles are never more than you can handle...
Posts: 193
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Post by Lorna de Saquell(I) on Jul 12, 2008 22:11:15 GMT -5
"You definitely don't seem to be the type to prefer the mundane in life, Gadleon" His name rolled off my tongue, and it was pleasing to hear. I took a sip of wine, and continued. "I don't prefer my upside down to be disasterous, as much as I prefer them to be utterly surprising. Have there been any minor disasters in the Palace as of late? Or has the lack thereof made you consider your other options of employment?"
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Jul 13, 2008 9:25:58 GMT -5
I shrugged "The current illness has been keeping things interesting but it is not like that is something I can draw a blade on." I smiled a bit once more predatory "Nor is it something I can make disappear like occasionally happens with certain problems. To be honest once this blows over I may take my leave like I have been considering and sign on escorting caravans."
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Lorna de Saquell(I)
Inactive
House Saquell- Widow
Whichever road you follow, the obstacles are never more than you can handle...
Posts: 193
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Post by Lorna de Saquell(I) on Jul 13, 2008 14:52:29 GMT -5
"Well, I wish you well with whatever you choose to do, Gad." I honestly meant it too, for he was the first to truly make me feel welcomed in this City. If he left, I'd definitely believe that I would miss him. "If you do pursue a more exciting venture, I do hope that you will still stop by the City every so often. I wouldn't mind seeing you again." I paused, hoping that wasn't to forward, and taking another sip of my wine.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Jul 14, 2008 9:13:23 GMT -5
I chuckled a bit “Well if I do move on I do not plan on calling the City utterly and completely quits so I am sure you can manage to see my charming features on occasion if you are so inclined.” I teased lightly “What can I say my family is sort of like vermin with all the years of structured incest to finely hone our instincts and depredations.” I was proud of my line in many ways but I was also not afraid to poke fun either as I considered one of the worst faults people can have as taking themselves too seriously.
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Lorna de Saquell(I)
Inactive
House Saquell- Widow
Whichever road you follow, the obstacles are never more than you can handle...
Posts: 193
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Post by Lorna de Saquell(I) on Jul 14, 2008 13:04:44 GMT -5
I blushed. I did find him rather charming, in a unique kind of way. His whole family was rather unique. You could always tell them apart, almost just by presence, even moreso than their looks. "It must be nice though, having a kind of network of family you can always go to if you need to." I paused for a moment. "Although I can see where you'd be coming from. Too many foxes in the henhouse sometimes, no?" I smiled.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Jul 14, 2008 13:09:08 GMT -5
“You have the gist of it” I saluted her with my glass and then downed the rest of it. It was nice to feel the brandy warming me and loosening the tensions from my body. “Though that is enough about me” I winked “why don’t you share some of your deep dark secrets of the amusing variety with me?”
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Lorna de Saquell(I)
Inactive
House Saquell- Widow
Whichever road you follow, the obstacles are never more than you can handle...
Posts: 193
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Post by Lorna de Saquell(I) on Jul 14, 2008 13:22:28 GMT -5
I thought for a moment and wondered where I should begin. "Well, I was the youngest of three sisters, in my kumpania. My father, who had wanted a son, but never got one, decided I was most impressionable and began to teach me things that girls shouldn't traditionally be taught. He taught me how to ride bareback, to hunt, the basics of leatherworking, mananging the books, maintaining the wagon... things that my sisters and my mother scorned. Shortly thereafter, we hit a run of bad luck..." I downed the last of my wine, and continued. "Our best horse was killed by coyotes in Siovale, one of my sisters became very ill, and came out of the illness to find she had become barren, my mother almost drown, crossing a river... and I was blamed. I was seen as bad luck, I had done wrong by learning all of these things that men should be responsible for. Then, when I was 17, I met a man at a horse fair. His name was Jareth, and we became fast friends. After talking with him, I figured I'd take my chances in the world, and... I ran away with him." I grinned slyly.
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Post by Gadleon Shahrizai on Jul 14, 2008 13:27:25 GMT -5
I ordered us another round and smirked “Is that all I thought you might have something interesting to tell me” I replied in dead tones. I was of course messing with her and testing her reaction a bit. I then carried on “I should introduce you to my horse he is a laid back and mild mannered old nag.” Who would bite and kick you just as soon as look at you preferably catching you with your back turned I added mentally as my smile bloomed a bit more.
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