Post by jazzyjess on Feb 20, 2010 18:40:12 GMT 10
Title: Ademptio (Part II)
Rating: PG
Length: 696
Competitor: Owen
Round/Fight: 1/D
Summary: “A taking away.” Kel and Owen are reunited. Part two of ?
-
Kel and Tobe arrived at the edges of Jesslaw land just as the spring was going out like a lion. The toiling weather rather suited her mood – they had been waylaid no less than three times by crown stations on the road. Kel had been forced to flash the Mindelan coat of arms with its distaff border each time, and twice had to dole out bribe coin when the men preventing her from continuing without a check of baggage – in case of any illegal smuggling – had looked upon the distaff without the slightest recognition. Now her purse was four gold nobles lighter and on top of it all, the oiled packs on her horse’s saddle were doing little to keep the rain out. She hadn’t worn fully dry clothes in more than a week.
“You remember my friend Owen, don’t you?” Tobe looked at Kel warily; she had been rather quiet and withdrawn over the course of their trip. “Of course you do. We’re his guests now. You must be sure to show proper respect.”
“Lady,” Tobe answered as politely as he could, “I’m no slovenly backcity whelp. Leastways, not since you came ‘round.”
Even as she sent him a small frown as a reminder about the use of proper language, Kel was urging her horse forward. “Let’s go. The quicker we get there, the quicker we can get a fresh change of clothes and a hot bath. I’ve been looking forward to one since the day we left.” Obediently, Tobe turned his own horse after her.
Jesslaw was a small fiefdom, so it was only nearing their second hour within property boundaries that the manor house itself came into sight. To his credit, Tobe kept a straight face, as if he’d seen this kind of place all the time, but Kel barely paused to admire the elaborate stone manor before waving a greeting to the soldier on the sheltered watchtower and trotting in through the open front gates. A hostler dressed in Jesslaw colours hurried into the rain to take their reins as Kel and Tobe dismounted, and a liveried serving man, also hastening through the rain and wind, ushered them into the manor and into a sitting room with a cheery fire blazing in the corner.
Passing the serving man a copper, Kel instructed him to take Tobe to their guest quarters and run him a bath. To her boy she added, “And don’t you dare get out until you smell like a daisy and look like one too.” Meekly, he left, promising to leave her some hot water so that she could go up next. The servant gave her a small bow and left her presence, Tobe in his wake.
When they were gone Kel simply stood still, taking a deep breath and for the first time, allowing herself to wonder what she would say when Owen saw her. The crackle of the logs in the brazier drew her, and she stood with her back to the door, letting the fire warm her hands and face. She lost track of how long she stood there, but she was startled from her reverie by the a voice that was both familiar and strange at the same time.
“I apologise for keeping you waiting in your wet clothes, sir,” Owen began, but broke off as Kel turned around. At first she didn’t recognise him. There were heavy grey streaks in his curly hair, and his face had lost the roundness of youth that she remembered so fondly. How long had it been since she’d last seen her friend? One year? Two?
For a moment the silence was awkward. Owen was the first to move – he strode across the room and wrapped his arms around her so tightly that Kel could barely draw breath. “You came,” she heard him whisper into her hair.
“Of course I did,” she whispered back, hugging him back as hard as she could, pretending not to feel the wetness on her neck. If this were the same boy she befriended in childhood – and he was, even if he didn’t look the same – then he would not appreciate comments on his tears.
(to be continued...)
Rating: PG
Length: 696
Competitor: Owen
Round/Fight: 1/D
Summary: “A taking away.” Kel and Owen are reunited. Part two of ?
-
Kel and Tobe arrived at the edges of Jesslaw land just as the spring was going out like a lion. The toiling weather rather suited her mood – they had been waylaid no less than three times by crown stations on the road. Kel had been forced to flash the Mindelan coat of arms with its distaff border each time, and twice had to dole out bribe coin when the men preventing her from continuing without a check of baggage – in case of any illegal smuggling – had looked upon the distaff without the slightest recognition. Now her purse was four gold nobles lighter and on top of it all, the oiled packs on her horse’s saddle were doing little to keep the rain out. She hadn’t worn fully dry clothes in more than a week.
“You remember my friend Owen, don’t you?” Tobe looked at Kel warily; she had been rather quiet and withdrawn over the course of their trip. “Of course you do. We’re his guests now. You must be sure to show proper respect.”
“Lady,” Tobe answered as politely as he could, “I’m no slovenly backcity whelp. Leastways, not since you came ‘round.”
Even as she sent him a small frown as a reminder about the use of proper language, Kel was urging her horse forward. “Let’s go. The quicker we get there, the quicker we can get a fresh change of clothes and a hot bath. I’ve been looking forward to one since the day we left.” Obediently, Tobe turned his own horse after her.
Jesslaw was a small fiefdom, so it was only nearing their second hour within property boundaries that the manor house itself came into sight. To his credit, Tobe kept a straight face, as if he’d seen this kind of place all the time, but Kel barely paused to admire the elaborate stone manor before waving a greeting to the soldier on the sheltered watchtower and trotting in through the open front gates. A hostler dressed in Jesslaw colours hurried into the rain to take their reins as Kel and Tobe dismounted, and a liveried serving man, also hastening through the rain and wind, ushered them into the manor and into a sitting room with a cheery fire blazing in the corner.
Passing the serving man a copper, Kel instructed him to take Tobe to their guest quarters and run him a bath. To her boy she added, “And don’t you dare get out until you smell like a daisy and look like one too.” Meekly, he left, promising to leave her some hot water so that she could go up next. The servant gave her a small bow and left her presence, Tobe in his wake.
When they were gone Kel simply stood still, taking a deep breath and for the first time, allowing herself to wonder what she would say when Owen saw her. The crackle of the logs in the brazier drew her, and she stood with her back to the door, letting the fire warm her hands and face. She lost track of how long she stood there, but she was startled from her reverie by the a voice that was both familiar and strange at the same time.
“I apologise for keeping you waiting in your wet clothes, sir,” Owen began, but broke off as Kel turned around. At first she didn’t recognise him. There were heavy grey streaks in his curly hair, and his face had lost the roundness of youth that she remembered so fondly. How long had it been since she’d last seen her friend? One year? Two?
For a moment the silence was awkward. Owen was the first to move – he strode across the room and wrapped his arms around her so tightly that Kel could barely draw breath. “You came,” she heard him whisper into her hair.
“Of course I did,” she whispered back, hugging him back as hard as she could, pretending not to feel the wetness on her neck. If this were the same boy she befriended in childhood – and he was, even if he didn’t look the same – then he would not appreciate comments on his tears.
(to be continued...)