Angelos Adrastos
Military
Private Guard for Prince Galen and Princess Kyra de la Courcel
Posts: 17
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Post by Angelos Adrastos on May 21, 2010 16:40:17 GMT -5
3rd Week of Winter, Year Two of Queen Sabrina's Reign
The five of us arrived just previous to the third week of winter and found ourselves a quiet, inexpensive lodgings and settled in. We occupied two rooms, Althea and the babies in one room and myself and Alexsandr in another. The Inn Keeper had looked as us strangely at first, our group a bit strange looking indeed; I explained that Althea was my wife and Alexsandr her brother and that we were here looking for work. He glanced between Alexsandr and I then smiled and nodded saying; I have a brother like you then handed us a set of keys and told us to enjoy ourselves. I wasn't sure what he had meant at first, but I was not too soon after that reminded that Terre d'Ange was much like Kriti where men were lovers with other men. Except here in Terre d'Ange it was almost near expected; it made me feel a little uneasy around Alexsandr, but for the most part it was uneventful.
It was only a few days after that, that I began to ask around the city, first asking about jobs, then began to talk with the others about gossip, and by the weeks end I had found out that the Prince was indeed staying in the city for the winter; we were in luck.
Packing up our belongings and the last of our money, we rented a carriage to take us and our things into the North Borough and right to the Prince's house. I had hoped that he would be home but I was a little worried he wasn't. I knew that Althea bore a letter from our mistress in regards to the situation which had brough us. But we had agreed that it might be confusing for the Prince to understand unless we explained why he was reciving a letter from Kriti, only to have the group of us show up the next day. It only added to the frustration that either Alexsandr, Althea and I had very poor skill with writting in D'Angeline and we had no idea if the Prince could read Kritian.
As the carriage began to wind around the streets and drew closer to the North District, I couldn't help but stare a little as we past. I had never really thought about Terre d'Ange, and when Medousa had asked me to go for her with the request to stay and help protect the babes, I had simply agreed with out thought. Now here I was thinking about it, I thought about what would happen if Prince Delaunay was a cruel man, if perhaps Medousa had been tricked by him. Of course he had been to the Tenemos when the children had first been born, but I didn't see much of him, nor talk to him. I wondered if he would tell us to go home and that he didn't want us here, or if he would truly take us in and allow us to do as Medousa had asked. I wasn't sure what was in the letter to him, but it suddenly made me wonder if I really would have to get a job just to survive.
When we finally pulled up to the Prince's house I stepped out first, followed by Alexsandr and then he and I took one of the babes each before Althea was helped out by the foot man. This was it, this was the end of the road, and once again I was struck with strange thoughts and feelings though my face was masqied with my always present calm.
It was decided that Altheawould speak to the Prince first; she spoke the best D'Angeline and she bore the letter from Medousa. Alexsandr and I stood back by the carriage and nodded to Althea then watched her walk up the large steps to the manor.
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Althea Asterius
Citizen
House Asterius
Caretaker to Galen & Kyra de la Courcel
Posts: 21
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Post by Althea Asterius on May 21, 2010 16:53:04 GMT -5
The days I spent waiting for Angelos to locate the Prince were some of the most nerve-wracking of my life. I had gone over and over in my head what I would say to him, but I was worried about his reaction to our news and our presence. From what Medousa had said, I was sure he would be thrilled to see his children, but the reason behind them being here was another matter. And would he keep us on as she had requested? I had not even the coin to get home if he did not, and the idea of being stuck so far from home in a foreign country was profoundly unsettling to me.
Aleksander had helped, when I'd opened up to him about my fears over dinner one night, pledging to stay with me no matter what and make sure that I got home if I had to. It was cute, I thought, and the mere offer heartened me.
Today we were again in a carriage, the last of our coin being used to get us to the Prince's home. I could not help but stare at the fine houses, so different than the homes we lived in, though I had grown up around much finery myself. I was struck the most by the weather - colder than I was used to, and the air much dryer as well.
When we arrived, I left the babes with Angelos and Aleksander, taking the letter from Medousa and going up to the house, where I knocked twice and then waited. A man answered, a servant of some kind, and I explained that I needed to see Delauney and that it was urgent, and my D'Angeline must have been good enough, for he allowed me inside and led me to a small sitting room and said that he would speak to the Prince and see if he would receive me, all as if it were not odd for Kritian women to show up on his doorstep. Well, maybe it wasn't, he had attracted Medousa, after all.
While I waited, I turned the letter over and over in my hands, wondering at what secrets it might contain, or had she told me everything? Somehow I doubted it, but time would tell.
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Prince Delaunay de la Courcel
Royal
His Royal Highness the Duc de Montespan, Prince of the Blood; House Courcel and Montespan *Voted Member of Worst Character Dynamic 2010*
Son of Prince Imriel de la Courcel & Laurette de Montespan.
Posts: 2,360
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Post by Prince Delaunay de la Courcel on May 21, 2010 17:19:08 GMT -5
The weather had been held fair for the past little while, so I had attempted to get out and enjoy the last bit of sun that I could. Today though, I was stuck inside with a mulitude of things to do. I had letters to write; to my parents, to friends, I hade things to sign and a letter from one of my council men regarding his feelings on a tax bill he proposed.
When Geoffry came to fetch me, informing me that there was some one at the door for me, a woman with an accent, the distraction was welcome. I thanked him and finished by signing said tax bill then rose and followed him out. My mind churned as to who it might be; I thought of all the women I knew that had accents and I just couldn't think any that would come to my house to personally contact me.
When I reached the lounge I was confronted by a stange face that I had never met, and I wondered curiously as to who she was, or whome she worked for. I could tell from her clothes that she was not D'Angeline and not dressed formally, so who could it be?
"Afternoon." I said at seeing the girl. "How may I help you?"
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Althea Asterius
Citizen
House Asterius
Caretaker to Galen & Kyra de la Courcel
Posts: 21
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Post by Althea Asterius on May 21, 2010 17:48:28 GMT -5
"Your highness," I said, curtsying low to him as Medousa had shown me. I risked looking at him, really looking, to see if I thought he seemed kind or cruel, but I could not tell by his face, which looked at me with nothing more than curiosity. He was beautiful to look at, as I had found that it was not an exaggeration that D'Angelines were beautiful people. To a man, it seemed, they all bore their supposed Angelic blood with grace.
"I have been sent by Medousa Asterius, bearing a message for you, my lord." I held out the letter, wrinkled with travel and was it my imagination, or was it still scented of the salty sea air? I awaited his response quietly, though my stomach turned nervously.
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Prince Delaunay de la Courcel
Royal
His Royal Highness the Duc de Montespan, Prince of the Blood; House Courcel and Montespan *Voted Member of Worst Character Dynamic 2010*
Son of Prince Imriel de la Courcel & Laurette de Montespan.
Posts: 2,360
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Post by Prince Delaunay de la Courcel on May 21, 2010 18:23:29 GMT -5
My curiousity turned to concern as she revealed herself to be the messanger of Medousa and I near snatched the letter from her hand, frantically tearing it open. There was something wrong, I could feel it, she wouldn't send a personal messenger, straight to my home, if there was nothing wrong.
The seal broke and I opened the folded letter till the words became clear to me, and thats when I began to read what Medousa had wrote.
"Oh dear gods." I said softly as I furrowed my brow as I scanned each line. "What in Gods name?!" I near roared as I turned and looked at the girl. "What is going on?" I had only made it half way through the letter but already I was loosing my mind with anger. I stormed over to the window and looked out to see two men outside, each one holding a baby; my children. My mind was boiling over and I looked to the letter again, needing to finish it.
"What?" I roared again as I got further down and then turned, heading over to where the girl was. "Is Medousa dead?" I demanded the answer as I looked at her, my voice raised in anger.
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Althea Asterius
Citizen
House Asterius
Caretaker to Galen & Kyra de la Courcel
Posts: 21
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Post by Althea Asterius on May 21, 2010 18:59:24 GMT -5
I had to wonder how Medousa had phrased her letter, when the man seemed to completely lose his temper. I flinched when he approached me again, after looking out of the window to see that his children were here, and safe. I didn't know what the laws were like here, he was a Prince and as far as he knew, I was nothing but a messenger. I decided then that I was going to heed Medousa's advice and keep my lineage secret, as I had been undecided until that moment.
"No," I answered, drawing myself up. I might not be planning to tell him that I was of the royal family, but that did not mean that I could erase it from my bearing. "Medousa was well when we left, but she felt that the children would be safer here. She asked me to escort them, and to stay on and help care for them, if you will have me." I hoped that my calm would temper his anger and hopefully calm the situation.
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Prince Delaunay de la Courcel
Royal
His Royal Highness the Duc de Montespan, Prince of the Blood; House Courcel and Montespan *Voted Member of Worst Character Dynamic 2010*
Son of Prince Imriel de la Courcel & Laurette de Montespan.
Posts: 2,360
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Post by Prince Delaunay de la Courcel on May 21, 2010 19:11:41 GMT -5
"Then why does this letter say she is?" I asked and reached down, my hand picked up hers and pressed the parchment in to her hand. Sure enough, near the bottom it said;
By the time you read this I will be dead and will have most likely been murdered some time after Althea left for Terre d'Ange. Message only likely come if the weather holds true and the sailors are able to depart from each port.
Erratis, I'm so sorry to have unloaded such a burden on you, but you must keep them safe. Althea is a trusted friend and she knows Galen and Kyra well; please considered keeping the three of them to watch over and protect out children.
Please know that, I love you, I will keep you and our children in my thoughts for all time.
Medousa
I moved past her once the letter was firmly in her hand and went to the front door and went through to the outside, heading straight of my children.
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Althea Asterius
Citizen
House Asterius
Caretaker to Galen & Kyra de la Courcel
Posts: 21
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Post by Althea Asterius on May 21, 2010 19:32:27 GMT -5
I took the letter from him, reading over it ... when I came to the bottom, I gasped, pressing my hand to my mouth. She hadn't told me ... why hadn't she told me? Would you have gone if you had known? Of course not, and Medousa well knew it. I blinked back the tears. Not now, not now, I told myself, trying to reign in my shock and grief.
I was suddenly aware that he had gone, leaving me alone in this sitting room with a letter that told of the death of one of the people in life I was closest. I realized suddenly that maybe it wasn't true! Just because she thought she would be dead, it did not mean it had come to pass. I took in a few deep breaths, I would send a letter home as soon as possible. I had already sent her one to let her know that we had arrived safely, but I had not asked her for a response.
I breathed easier once I had made this determination, telling myself that she had simply been dramatic in her letter - nevermind that that was completely unlike her, and that her visions had always told her true.
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Angelos Adrastos
Military
Private Guard for Prince Galen and Princess Kyra de la Courcel
Posts: 17
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Post by Angelos Adrastos on May 21, 2010 19:42:30 GMT -5
Althea went into the house and Aleksander and I just looked back and forth at eachother, he had been slighly distracted by Galen while I kept my eye on the house. I say the figure of the prince in the window after a few moments, looking out to us before turning inward again.
I watched him walk away from the window then all of a sudden he came storming out the door and when he reached us, the look in his eyes, told me he was coming for the children. I held out Kyra for him, knowing I had no right to stop him, no matter how upset he looked.
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Prince Delaunay de la Courcel
Royal
His Royal Highness the Duc de Montespan, Prince of the Blood; House Courcel and Montespan *Voted Member of Worst Character Dynamic 2010*
Son of Prince Imriel de la Courcel & Laurette de Montespan.
Posts: 2,360
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Post by Prince Delaunay de la Courcel on May 21, 2010 20:05:50 GMT -5
One of the men, the older looking one, offered up Kyra to me; I took her into my arms and couldn't believe how quickly time and gone, the last time I had held her she was just born. I looked to the man as I held my daugher to my chest and then to the other that held Galen.
"Come inside, please, I'll have your things brought in." I turned then and walked toward the house entering back into the sitting room where the girl was.
"What's your name?" I asked her, bouncing Kyra gently in my arms as I looked at the blonde haired stranger.
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Althea Asterius
Citizen
House Asterius
Caretaker to Galen & Kyra de la Courcel
Posts: 21
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Post by Althea Asterius on May 21, 2010 20:21:47 GMT -5
He came back in shortly, with Angelos, Aleksandr and the twins in tow. He seemed to have calmed somewhat, and I smiled a little when I saw that he held Kyra in his arms. The babies did have a soothing effect, I reflected.
"Althea," I answered, "and this is Angelos and Aleksander." I gestured to them each in turn as I spoke. I raised Medousa's letter with a slight frown. "We should write to her, to see if this is true. I do not like to believe it." I could tell my D'Angeline wasn't as good as it could have been, in my distress I wanted to lapse into my native tongue.
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Prince Delaunay de la Courcel
Royal
His Royal Highness the Duc de Montespan, Prince of the Blood; House Courcel and Montespan *Voted Member of Worst Character Dynamic 2010*
Son of Prince Imriel de la Courcel & Laurette de Montespan.
Posts: 2,360
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Post by Prince Delaunay de la Courcel on May 22, 2010 13:07:01 GMT -5
I kissed the brow of Kyra and looked over to the two men that had followed me into the house before I looked back to the girl, Althea. "I'll send word right away, but its likely it won't reach Kriti for some time, and even then a reply would be months as well." I sighed softly glancing to the three of them. "You're welcome to stay in my house, and if you want I'll take you in as staff." I looked to Althea then. "I don't have a room for them set up, of course, but I have a guest room that should be big enough, its across the hall from my room. You and the children can stay there till I figure something out. This isn't my only town house in the city, so I may move us depending on the next few days and how they go." I pressed my lips to Kyra's head and closed my eyes as I sighed softly.
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Althea Asterius
Citizen
House Asterius
Caretaker to Galen & Kyra de la Courcel
Posts: 21
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Post by Althea Asterius on May 22, 2010 14:16:56 GMT -5
I bowed my head in acquiescence, saying, "I should love to stay on. I have grown rather fond of the twins." So saying, I reached out for Galen, holding him tightly as he gurgled and pulled at my long braid. "And Angelos and Aleksander are excellent guards, they have done a wonderful job in keeping us safe."
I rocked slightly back and forth as I held him, finding his presence soothing as always. "We do not need much. After being on the road so long, even a bed is an improvement." I smiled at him, then, hoping that we would find that Medousa was indeed alive and that this would all work itself out with no harm done. Perhaps it was a foolish optimism, but I needed it right now.
"Thank you for your hospitality. I know Medousa would be relieved to know that her children are well cared for, and will have people in their life that can teach them some of her culture and remember her to them when she cannot be here herself."
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Angelos Adrastos
Military
Private Guard for Prince Galen and Princess Kyra de la Courcel
Posts: 17
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Post by Angelos Adrastos on May 22, 2010 14:34:06 GMT -5
I glanced to Aleksander who looked warily back at me before I followed the dark haired Prince into his home. Althea was there holding a letter and the Prince and she spoke, something about Medousa being alive; I was confused but decided best to leave that conversation till I was alone with Althea and could ask her what was going on. Either way I too turned to the Prince and offered a bow.
"Your Highness," I said softly. "It would be an honor to be kept within your house. I am well trainned and will lay down my life for your children should it be needed."
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Prince Delaunay de la Courcel
Royal
His Royal Highness the Duc de Montespan, Prince of the Blood; House Courcel and Montespan *Voted Member of Worst Character Dynamic 2010*
Son of Prince Imriel de la Courcel & Laurette de Montespan.
Posts: 2,360
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Post by Prince Delaunay de la Courcel on May 22, 2010 22:59:30 GMT -5
I nodded. "Thank you." I said looking to both the men. "I'll have you set up in rooms close to the children once I know how I'll arrange things, for now you can stay in the servant's quarters." I sighed softly looking at Galen within Althea's arms.
I wasn't sure where things would go, but I knew my life had just changed in a monumental way.
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