|
Post by Niamh mac Igrainne on Jun 9, 2010 23:00:25 GMT -5
Week five of winter, Year two of Queen Sabrina's Reign
Since I had been in the City, it had become my habit to take Oisin out into the forests surrounding it to run and hunt. I took the time to hunt as well, occasionally coming home with a rabbit or three. I got odd looks in the City proper, but I cared not, for I enjoyed these excursions too much to think of stopping. I had considered inviting Fin or Decimus along with me, but something stayed me. Perhaps it was the solitude, which seemed hard to come by since coming to Terre d'Ange. The City seemed like it was so full of people that one could hardly even think!
This day had dawned cold, but clear, and I knew it was a good day for getting out of the City and hopefully avoiding any foul weather.
"Come on, Oisin," I said, pulling on a pair of breeches and an old tunic. I rummaged in a pile of clothes in the corner, coming up with a long black cloak, trimmed with fur, that I had brought from home. I pulled my thick red hair back and plaited it into one long braid that hung down my back. Oisin was at the door already, practically prancing in his excitement. "All right, but stay close until we get out of the City," I admonished. He gave me a look but I knew that he would behave, he had learned well since we'd come here.
Once we were out of the City and in the forest, I finally began to relax. I had my bow and arrow, and a hunting knife, and I though I was not serious about catching any game, I did have my eye out. Who knew what Oisin might flush out of the brush?
|
|
|
Post by Felix de Thoire (I) on Jun 9, 2010 23:46:29 GMT -5
As it happened, Oisin flushed me out.
I did not know his name then, of course. How could I? Freshly emerged from a day of scholarly seclusion, I was simply pleased to be out of doors. Usually, I took my mare for a tour of the city on a daily basis; after missing one of our rides, she and I were both unusually energetic. My riding clothes, dark brown with a heavy cloak of deep blue, blocked out the day's chill, freeing my mind to enjoy the excursion. Before I quite knew what I was doing, we were out the gates and wandering the forests of L'Agnace, breathing the heady freedom of the wilderness.
Thus was my state of mind when we encountered the wolf. I must beg credit for my part; lone wolves do not frighten me overmuch. I know they hunt in packs, and prefer not to engage an enemy who might injure them. We were safe so long as we stood our ground.
My mare, of course, disagreed. In the fraction of a second it took for these rational thoughts to pass through my mind, she spooked. Her eyes rolled back, showing the whites, and she bolted through the forest. Years' worth of experience in mounted battle stood me good stead; I kept my seat, though I lost the reins.
How long we ran, I do not know; it could not have been longer than a few seconds, though, as anyone who has been in a dangerous situation can attest, those seconds can stretch to hours in one's perception. Eventually, she skidded to a stop, nearly sitting on her haunches. I took the opportunity to catch the reins in my hand and speak to her in soothing tones, wishing I still had a second hand to pat her neck reassuringly.
My steward had chosen this horse for me, when I was freshly injured and granted my minor title, based on her stable personality; it did not take much to calm her. Satisfied that we had both calmed, I gathered the reins up properly in my hand and looked up to continue.
And beheld a red-haired girl in breeches, the last thing I would have expected.
|
|
|
Post by Niamh mac Igrainne on Jun 9, 2010 23:52:51 GMT -5
I was humming a little too myself - a sure sign that I was not interested in actually catching anything. Oisin, however, had other ideas, and I heard him bay from afar. Wondering what he had found, I began to meander in the direction that I had heard him, when there came the sound of a horse's hooves. Well, it would not be the first time I had encountered riders in these woods, being so close to the City, so I was not alarmed.
I could not say as much for the poor mare that appeared, her nostrils flared and her eyes wide with fear. She must have caught sight of Oisin, and I was immediately contrite ... her rider must not appreciate my pet very much right now! I stepped out of the brush just as the man calmed his beast, and looked about ready to be on his way.
"I apologize," I said, planting my long bow down in the dirt and leaning against it, "If Oisin has disturbed your mount. He means no harm, he does not understand that other species do not always enjoy the company of wolves. I trust neither of you are injured?"
|
|
|
Post by Felix de Thoire (I) on Jun 10, 2010 0:09:39 GMT -5
I stared, for a few moments, in silence. I could not help it. Eloquent conversation was not exactly my forte, and my first instinct was always, always to assess a new arrival for the threat they presented. Quickly enough, I decided she meant me no harm, in spite of her weapon; still, I can't say I encountered pretty, armed girls with dangerous pets in the forest often enough to have an automatic response at the ready.
"It is no problem at all, my lady," I finally managed, albeit in a moronic tone. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I recalled that I carry a rather severe countenance by default, and made an effort to smooth my features to pleasantness.
"I'm sure she and I both needed the exercise," I added with a wry smile. "The wolf is yours, then?"
|
|
|
Post by Niamh mac Igrainne on Jun 12, 2010 10:33:51 GMT -5
I was relieved when he smiled, as I had no wish for conflict at this early hour, and not really having much idea how D'angelines handled such things.
"Yes, or rather, I am his." Even as I spoke, laughing softly, I could hear him coming up behind me in the brush. When he reached my side, he lay on the ground at my feet, his chin resting on his crossed paws. I shook my head, glancing down at him with affection, before continuing, "As you can see, he is a lazy brute, and has me quite well-trained." At that, I leaned forward and scratched his ears. If he had been a cat, he would have been purring!
"Niamh mac Igrainne," I said, straightening up with a smile, "At your service."
|
|
|
Post by Felix de Thoire (I) on Jun 13, 2010 23:51:08 GMT -5
If her appearance did not give away her heritage, her name certainly did. I felt a familiar surge of curiosity, as I had not encountered many Eiran folk in my day. I had certainly not conversed with any.
And there was still the wolf.
My mare tensed as he approached, but luckily for me, her trusting nature prevailed, and she did not try to bolt again. I swung off her back, looping her reins over her head, vaguely remembering the days when I had had trouble performing such simple tasks one-handed. I would not say that I never missed my arm anymore, but I thought about its absence far less frequently than I had.
Ah, Elua, I have always botched introductions. As soon as an acquaintance is formalized, it seems, all semblance of grace flees my body, all wit abandons my tongue. Once on the ground, I swept Niamh mac Igrainne the best bow I could manage. "Well met, Lady Niamh. I am Felix de Thoire." It seemed the right thing to say. I was never sure.
|
|
|
Post by Niamh mac Igrainne on Jun 14, 2010 0:20:27 GMT -5
When he slid off of his horse and looped her reins, I noticed belatedly that one of his appendages was cut short. Others might have balked at such, but I had been raised around warriors and was no stranger to the types of injuries that required sometimes for the limbs to be severed. Once I had held a man while his foot was cut from him, a horrifying experience for both of us.
I smiled when he bowed, counting myself lucky to have made the acquaintance of someone who had some manners. I had come across quite a few D'angelines who stared at me oddly or tried to kick Oisin or other such rudeness, and I was relieved that this man did not seem to be of their ilk.
"Well met, my lord de Thoire." Oisin lay quiescent at my feet, which was a good sign, for he was an excellent judge of character. I knew, though, that he was just as deadly when relaxed - if this man posed a threat to me, Oisin would be alert in the blink of an eye.
"I am sorry that Oisin disturbed your ride, he is like a big puppy, no manners at all. I hope that he has not inconvenienced you overmuch."
|
|
|
Post by Felix de Thoire (I) on Jun 14, 2010 0:32:10 GMT -5
"Certainly not," I assured her quickly. "My horse is usually of an even temperament. Once she understands that there is no danger, she relaxes." I glanced over my shoulder, seeing the truth of my words made flesh. The mare was staying close to me, but not overly nervous any longer. I was about to make a polite farewell and mount up when my curiosity got the better of me. It does so often, I regret to admit, and once I give in to it even the slightest bit, I am lost.
I gave in. I found myself pestering her with questions before I even realized I was speaking.
"If you don't mind me asking, my lady, how did you and Oisin come to be together? I have never seen anything like it."
|
|
|
Post by Niamh mac Igrainne on Jun 14, 2010 21:42:58 GMT -5
"Ah, well, that is a good quality in a mare," I said, stepping forward, around Oisin, to stroke the mare's nose. Her nostrils flared at first, but she smelled me and then nuzzled my hand.
His question caused a smile to break out on my face, I did love talking about Oisin, the love of my young life. I turned away from the mare to tell the tale, relishing the memories. "One day, the men of Innisclan were going for a hunt. My elder brother was in charge, so I was allowed to come along. We caught out prey, a boar, but then were set upon by a starving wolf. We killed it, but someone mentioned that she looked as if she had recently whelped. I kept thinking about the poor pups, alone in the icy winter, so when everyone else headed back, I followed her tracks back to her den. I found the pups, but they were all dead, save for one, at the very bottom of the pile. I took him home and begged my father to let me keep him, and of course since he can not say 'no' to me, he agreed. I fed him goat's milk from a bottle and slept with him every night, and he has been my stalwart companion ever since."
The tale all told, I smiled proudly at Oisin, as if he were my own son, all grown into the finest man.
|
|
|
Post by Felix de Thoire (I) on Jun 16, 2010 23:29:25 GMT -5
"That must have taken a great deal of dedication." Young animals were notoriously difficult to keep alive. I had never tried to do so myself, but I had heard tell of many horses who died birthing. Rarely did their foals survive.
I noted with pleasure that Niamh seemed eager to talk. This was excellent for me; I was nearly always eager to listen to any story which was new and unfamiliar. "What is 'Innisclan'?" I asked.
|
|
|
Post by Niamh mac Igrainne on Jun 18, 2010 0:24:44 GMT -5
I nodded, thinking back on the long nights spent waking every three hours to feed him, and the time that he had gotten sick and everyone told me he would not survive. I had never believed that, not for a moment, for I knew that Oisin and I were meant to be together.
"Yes, it was difficult at times, but I am quite stubborn, and so my will prevailed and he lived." I smiled at that, it was perhaps a conceit, but in general, my will did prevail.
"Innisclan is what you would call the 'capital' of Eire, I suppose. It is not really the same as your City of Elua, but a similar principal. The clans are more nomadic, but that is the one place we can always come back to. Because my father was a warrior of high standing, we spent a lot of time there, so I have always considered it my home. What of you, are you from the City or one of the other Provinces?"
|
|
|
Post by Felix de Thoire (I) on Jun 20, 2010 8:30:43 GMT -5
"I grew up in the City," I answered without hesitation. "I traveled over a great deal of Terre d'Ange as an adult, but most of my time was spent in L'Agnace." I realized, too late, that I had spoken in my crisp and official tone, as though delivering a report to a superior; yet another lifelong habit that was difficult to break.
"I love the wilderness best," I added, to soften my answer, "in spite of being reared within the City walls."
|
|
|
Post by Niamh mac Igrainne on Jun 20, 2010 14:37:20 GMT -5
I smiled, the way his voice sounded it was as if he had said those lines many times, and I had to resist the urge to tease him a bit; I did not know him as well as all that, though it was my nature not to take things too seriously.
"I love the wilderness too," I said, looking about me with a great fondness and a sudden longing for the wilds around Innisclan. It was not quite the same here, at least, not this close to the City. "I have an affinity for wild things, I think." I glanced at Oisin as I said this, then back to Felix. "Do you come out and spend time here often, even in winter?" For even in my fur-lined cloak it was cold, the air having a bite to it that would have been intolerable had it been windy.
|
|
|
Post by Felix de Thoire (I) on Jun 23, 2010 18:55:53 GMT -5
"We do," I said, sparing a look for my poor, patient horse. "We take a daily ride, usually within the city; but on a regular basis the wild seems to beckon, and we end up here before I quite know what's happening." I smiled a little. "That's how it happened today."
|
|
|
Post by Niamh mac Igrainne on Jun 24, 2010 22:37:55 GMT -5
"I tend to find myself wandering around quite a bit out here as well." I gave his horse a sympathetic glance and then gave Oisin an order in Eiran. He grinned at me in that canine way of his, then loped off.
"There, he'll stay out of sight, so hopefully your horse can relax." It occurred to me suddenly that maybe he didn't want me hanging about during his daily ride and I colored slightly. "I can do that too, if I'm bothering you," I added, not being one for subtle hints.
|
|
|
Post by Felix de Thoire (I) on Jun 29, 2010 9:08:45 GMT -5
My own thoughts on the matter were so discordant with Niamh's that, in spite of her lack of subtlety, it took me a few moments to understand. "No," I said quickly; and then, rating myself, I shook my head. "I am enjoying speaking with you very much." A felt a lopsided grin rise, unsummoned, to my lips. "I don't speak to people outside my household very often. I suppose I hadn't realized how starved I am for conversation. If you don't mind a very random D'Angeline asking you a myriad of questions, I would be honored to walk with you for a while."
|
|
|
Post by Niamh mac Igrainne on Jun 29, 2010 18:42:49 GMT -5
I was pleased that he did truly seem to desire my company; D'angelines were often overly polite and it was sometimes hard for me to tell if they meant what they said or if they simply did not want to hurt my feelings. He seemed sincere, however, so I stayed.
"I don't mind at all," I said, "if you don't mind a woman who speaks as she feels and does not use a lot of flowery terms. And also," I added with a slight self-deprecating laugh, "one whose accent is atrocious."
|
|
|
Post by Felix de Thoire (I) on Jun 30, 2010 10:09:20 GMT -5
"Then you could use the practice," I suggested in a jesting tone, gathering my mare's reins more securely in my hand for the walk. "I'm sure you speak my language with far more grace than I would speak yours, in any case."
I shot her another curious glance as we began to walk. "What brings you to Terre d'Ange, my lady?"
|
|
|
Post by Niamh mac Igrainne on Jun 30, 2010 23:53:18 GMT -5
"Oh, I don't know about that," I said as we began walking. I slung my bow over one shoulder; I didn't think I was going to be doing any hunting today. "Your language seems so much more difficult." I lamented that I would ever sound as fluent as someone like Decimus or Fin.
"Wanderlust, I suppose," I said in response to his question. "My cousin Fin came here awhile back and I kept thinking about seeing more than just Innisclan and the surrounding lands. I talked my parents into letting me come to see Fin, so here I am. Although I've only seen Fin once since I've been here." Of course, there had been Decimus, but if I thought on that too much, I would blush to the roots of my hair.
"What about you? Do you reside in the City of Elua, or are visiting from elsewhere?"
|
|
|
Post by Felix de Thoire (I) on Jul 6, 2010 12:29:36 GMT -5
"I was born in the City, and I reside in it now," I explained. "All in all, I think I've spent most of my life in L'Agnace without questioning it much." I glanced at Niamh again, wondering if I were having a very odd dream and deciding that if I was, I didn't mind at all. "Whatever else we D'Angelines are, I think our weakness lies in our vanity and pride; it's easy to forget that there's a big world outside our borders."
|
|
|
Post by Niamh mac Igrainne on Jul 6, 2010 20:25:15 GMT -5
I smiled at his assessment, but I did not want to be too quick to agree, that would be rude. "I think it is a failing of many nations, to be insular to an extent, though it seems that that is changing these days. A lot of treaties have been struck and maybe that's a good sign for the future."
I skirted a large bush that was growing out into the path, adding, "We Eirans have a similar failing, and the Albans too, many of them believe that our gifts make us better than other people, regardless of our nation's standing. I for one do not believe a person is better than another simply by accident of birth, but that is just me."
|
|