Post by jazzyjess on Feb 21, 2010 18:08:07 GMT 10
Title: Ademptio (Part III)
Rating: PG
Length: 719
Competitor: Owen
Round/Fight: 1/D
Summary: “A taking away.” Kel and Owen take dinner. Part three of ?
-
When at last Owen let her go, Kel ducked her head as she pulled away, not looking around at him until she was sure he’d had time to brush away his tears. As she’d suspected, he was clearing his throat, brushing a hand through his hair, and straightening his tunic when she finally stood back to get a good look at her friend. Those gaunt cheeks and sad eyes immediately reached out to her, and Kel cursed herself for not making better time.
“I’m sorry it took me so long,” she blurted out. “I only got your letter a little less than a month ago, and it took this long just to get here from the Tyran border.”
Owen gave a quiet smile and reached out to touch her arm. “It’s all right. At first I didn’t know where you were stationed, so I sent the letter to my lord.”
“Yes,” Kel answered, nodding. “I received a brief message from Lord Wyldon as well. You did well to go to him; he is perhaps the most informed of us all.”
“At first I didn’t think you would come.” Owen’s voice broke and instantly a look of mortification at his lack of composure crossed his face. Hurriedly, he moved on. “I hope your trip was pleasant, despite the rain. This really is beautiful countryside, especially in the springtime.”
The change of topic didn’t surprise Kel, and as if nothing had happened she responded dryly, “Oh yes, of course. Fantastic trip. Loved the view. Though I would have loved it even better if Tobe hadn’t been whining all the way about wet clothes and poorly maintained roads.”
At the words ‘wet clothes’, Owen gave a start and stepped back. “Of course, you’re still soaked. I’ll let you hurry up to your bath – my matron can show you the way. We’ll meet again at dinner, of course. I’ll have someone sent up to fetch you after the bell.”
As she left, Kel shook her head ruefully. Bells on the hour at Jesslaw, she thought. This must have been why he had no problems adapting during training.
--
The meal was a quiet affair. Owen and Kel sat together at one end of a long table, and she wondered just how lonely he had been, eating here by himself for what had to have been months. As if he guessed what she was thinking, Owen told her, “For the past several years my father has gone to court during the season. He does return occasionally, but he largely leaves the fief to me. For training, he says, when one day it will be mine.”
“You’re alone every evening, then?” she asked dubiously, frowning at the table and the large, empty room. “This is not particularly the most pleasant – if you’ll pardon my lack of another word – of atmospheres.”
A ghost of a smile flitted across his lips and drew Kel’s attention back to him. “As a rule, I don’t eat in this room alone. You’re right. It is too depressing.” To the questioning look on her face, Owen added, “I take my meals in the kitchen. Cook has known me since I was a boy; she doesn’t care when I come and go.”
Inwardly, Kel kicked herself. What had she thought, that Owen would have elaborate dinners sent up to his quarters? She too took frequent meals in the kitchens at Mindelan when she was given brief leave and her family was in Corus for the summer.
Owen sighed, catching Kel’s attention once again. “I don’t mean to be rude, Kel, but it’s been a dreadfully long day and I’m knackered. I think it’s time for me to turn in for the night.”
“Oh,” she said, startled, standing as he did. “Of course.”
Quickly, he added, “Really, I’m sorry. Don’t feel like you have to go to bed just because I am. We’ve a library on the second floor, got lots of histories and things, or, well, matron can show you about?”
Affectionately, she tugged a longer, greying curl near his ear. “Now, don’t you be worrying about me. Off to bed with you. Sleep the night through.”
“Not likely.” With one last tired smile, Owen left the dining hall, leaving Kel to watch his retreating back with a frown on her face.
(To be continued...)
Rating: PG
Length: 719
Competitor: Owen
Round/Fight: 1/D
Summary: “A taking away.” Kel and Owen take dinner. Part three of ?
-
When at last Owen let her go, Kel ducked her head as she pulled away, not looking around at him until she was sure he’d had time to brush away his tears. As she’d suspected, he was clearing his throat, brushing a hand through his hair, and straightening his tunic when she finally stood back to get a good look at her friend. Those gaunt cheeks and sad eyes immediately reached out to her, and Kel cursed herself for not making better time.
“I’m sorry it took me so long,” she blurted out. “I only got your letter a little less than a month ago, and it took this long just to get here from the Tyran border.”
Owen gave a quiet smile and reached out to touch her arm. “It’s all right. At first I didn’t know where you were stationed, so I sent the letter to my lord.”
“Yes,” Kel answered, nodding. “I received a brief message from Lord Wyldon as well. You did well to go to him; he is perhaps the most informed of us all.”
“At first I didn’t think you would come.” Owen’s voice broke and instantly a look of mortification at his lack of composure crossed his face. Hurriedly, he moved on. “I hope your trip was pleasant, despite the rain. This really is beautiful countryside, especially in the springtime.”
The change of topic didn’t surprise Kel, and as if nothing had happened she responded dryly, “Oh yes, of course. Fantastic trip. Loved the view. Though I would have loved it even better if Tobe hadn’t been whining all the way about wet clothes and poorly maintained roads.”
At the words ‘wet clothes’, Owen gave a start and stepped back. “Of course, you’re still soaked. I’ll let you hurry up to your bath – my matron can show you the way. We’ll meet again at dinner, of course. I’ll have someone sent up to fetch you after the bell.”
As she left, Kel shook her head ruefully. Bells on the hour at Jesslaw, she thought. This must have been why he had no problems adapting during training.
--
The meal was a quiet affair. Owen and Kel sat together at one end of a long table, and she wondered just how lonely he had been, eating here by himself for what had to have been months. As if he guessed what she was thinking, Owen told her, “For the past several years my father has gone to court during the season. He does return occasionally, but he largely leaves the fief to me. For training, he says, when one day it will be mine.”
“You’re alone every evening, then?” she asked dubiously, frowning at the table and the large, empty room. “This is not particularly the most pleasant – if you’ll pardon my lack of another word – of atmospheres.”
A ghost of a smile flitted across his lips and drew Kel’s attention back to him. “As a rule, I don’t eat in this room alone. You’re right. It is too depressing.” To the questioning look on her face, Owen added, “I take my meals in the kitchen. Cook has known me since I was a boy; she doesn’t care when I come and go.”
Inwardly, Kel kicked herself. What had she thought, that Owen would have elaborate dinners sent up to his quarters? She too took frequent meals in the kitchens at Mindelan when she was given brief leave and her family was in Corus for the summer.
Owen sighed, catching Kel’s attention once again. “I don’t mean to be rude, Kel, but it’s been a dreadfully long day and I’m knackered. I think it’s time for me to turn in for the night.”
“Oh,” she said, startled, standing as he did. “Of course.”
Quickly, he added, “Really, I’m sorry. Don’t feel like you have to go to bed just because I am. We’ve a library on the second floor, got lots of histories and things, or, well, matron can show you about?”
Affectionately, she tugged a longer, greying curl near his ear. “Now, don’t you be worrying about me. Off to bed with you. Sleep the night through.”
“Not likely.” With one last tired smile, Owen left the dining hall, leaving Kel to watch his retreating back with a frown on her face.
(To be continued...)