Fantasy kingdom of Karth re-boot

[dawnfire321]

Elayna was unsettled by her conversation with Sir Korilus. She turned away from him, feeling confused and a little distressed, to look for her family. She saw her mother was walking across the hall with purpose. She thought it best not to disturb her; Winnamine was anything but comforting. Julian was dancing with one of the princesses. She knew that her mother had plans to marry Julian to one of them, so she thought it best not to interrupt them. She decided she needed some air and hurried out of the ballroom and into a hallway, walking without direction, hoping to find her way outside.

 

[giraffesarebetter]

Illia nods. "Yes, I can see your father in you. I was very sorry to hear of his death, and I offer my sincerest condolences to you and your family, Sir Julian." Once they're out on the floor, Illia places a hand on his shoulder, near his neck, and holds his in the other, stepping closer. "Shall we?"

 

[dawnfire321]

Julian placed his hand on Illia's ribcage and started to dance. He was very good, he'd been taking dancing lessons for the past two years, for this very reason. His mother had always planned to marry him to one of the princesses, or so it seemed. "Thank you, your highness. We were very sorry to see him go. My father was a good, kind man. But we move on." Julian said, almost emotionless. "Forgive my manners, I have yet to offer you condolences for your own loss. Your father was a good king. He'll be missed."

 

[Vamanara]

Riiker did not feel good about what he just did. but he knew he was right, and so did she. maybe he could try and become the queens advisor? put this understanding to good use. the wandering stopped when he spotted some karthian delicacies, and someone near them. he took the offer of both of them. he had already offended two important people, he couldn't bugger up a third. she wasn't important, politically, anyway, some lavarious family.

 

[giraffesarebetter]

Illia smiles sadly. "Yes, we all loved him dearly. I must say, Sir Gastov you are a fine dancer." She was just as good of course, as Princesses were required to learn to dance as soon as they could walk. Her mother always said that a lady was only as good as her partner. She was glad to have a good one; she hated dancing badly.

 

[DannyrVanKipp]

His hand met his chest as he bowed. "Your gracious greeting honours me, my lady. I am Teni Beaumanoir." Teni's deep voice had a slight accent to it, though his red velvet clothes were regional. "Forgive the boldness, but I find it hard to believe such a lovely lady has yet to find a dance partner." It was always best to be flattering at frist; most people who did not enjoy such talk would tell him so.

 

[dawnfire321]

"I have a good partner." Julian told her, smiling at her The song was drawing to an end and another was starting. "You are a wonderful dancer. I'd hate to let someone else steal you away for the next dance. Say you'll dance with me again."


***


Winne glanced down, then flicked her eyes back up to Teni's face. "You flatter me, my lord. I am an old woman. I haven't been considered lovely in years, I'm afraid." Her words, her actions were all carefully calculated to disarm. All the while her mind was racing. Beaumanoir. She remembered that name. Ah, yes. Lord Beaumanoir was one of her husbands friends. A kind man. He had an adopted son, if she remembered correctly. That makes Teni from common stock. Unfortunate.

 

[DannyrVanKipp]

"Ah, then this men are either blind or liars." He gave a smile, warm but not too open. "Are you enjoying the festivities? Quite a celebration." A lot of people to impress. Or intimidate. But this lady was not for intimidation. She may have been too old to bear children, but she had a daughter. And Lady Winnamine did not seem like the type to bow to intimidation, anyways. That piqued his interest and made him think she might be a powerful ally.

 

[giraffesarebetter]

"Thank you. Of course I will dance with you, my Lord." She looks up at this man, a knight, who's father was a friend to hers, who seems to enjoy dancing but does not seem to want to be here, wooing a Princess. He was quite handsome, she supposed, and her mind wanders breifly to the fact that he was not married already. "Tell me about yourself."

 

[dawnfire321]

((afk)) 
"You silver tongued devil, you are making me blush!" Winnamine cried, laughing. "I do love a party. The dancing, the people." Winnamine sized up Lord Teni, trying to figure out what sort of man he was. He was much like her, she concluded, skilled at keeping his true nature hidden. She would have to get to know him better. "What about you? Are you enjoying yourself, my lord?"


***


"There isn't much to tell, Princess. I'm a simple knight from a good family. I enjoy fencing, riding, archery. What about yourself?" He asked.

 

[giraffesarebetter]

Illa smiles. So much to tell. She sticks to the basics. "I fear the same goes for me. I am the middle child, as you know. I enjoy a good book, I love horses dearly, and I love to watch jousts."

 

[DannyrVanKipp]

"Indeed I am. After all, the start of a new rule is such a...joyous event, after all. I understand you have children, my lady. Have they made the trip with you?" Being under many noble's radars gave him a chance to brush up on the important families in the lands. Of course, Teni didn't know everything about everyone. But that was why he was here, wasn't it?

 

[dawnfire321]

"If her majesty sticks with tradition and holds a joust to celebrate her coronation, perhaps you could watch me." Julian suggests, twirling Illia. He pulls her close again and wonders just how much longer he should dance with the princess. What would be proper? It would be rude to monopolize her time, but just as rude to leave her to abruptly.

 

[giraffesarebetter]

"I would love nothing more, Sir." She says, a bit breathless after the twirl. Gods, he was a good dancer. She wished to dance with him all evening, but knew there would surely be more men wanting to dance with a Princess.

 

[dawnfire321]

"I have a son and a daughter. They are both here. Thank you for asking, my lord." Winne replies, for the first time in the conversation her words were entirely genuine. "Do you have children yourself?"


***


The second song was coming to an end. Julian bowed and kissed Illia's hand. "I have taken up too much of your time, your highness. I'll let someone else be lucky enough to share a dance with you."

 

[DannyrVanKipp]

"No, unfortunately." The sorrow in his voice did not quite reach his eyes as he said, "My dear, late wife sadly passed before she was able to experience the joys of motherhood." As if she were able to. Once the physicians had determined that she was unable to conceive, she somehow succumbed to bad meat. Teni had hated to ruin such a lovely dinner, but one did what one must.

 

[giraffesarebetter]

Illia curtsies, sharing a smile. She had enjoyed that more than she would have liked. "Perhaps we will meet again tonight." At that, she wanders off, taking a goblet of wine from a servant and sipping it.

 

[dawnfire321]

"I'm sorry to hear that." Winne said, the mask coming back up. She put a consoling hand on his arm. "She's with the gods now. Jach protect her."


***


Julian exhaled in relieve. He hated the jumping through hoops that seemed to go hand and hand with any other official event. The conversation was always carefully polite, kept light, each answer expected. In other words, forced.

 

[giraffesarebetter]

Illia finishes her goblet as a mercanary from some provience she doesn't care to remember asks for a dance. She agrees, of course, and dances with him, though he was not very good.

 

[DannyrVanKipp]

"Indeed, she is. But tonight its a night for happiness, and she is long gone. Let us enjoy the night, my lady. Though, if you will forgive me, I believe I should be off. There are many people I have to meet. Though," he said, bowing once more but this time taking her hand to kiss her knuckles. "I shall be keeping an eye on you."


((ugh I have to go, I have to be up early for work tomorrow. goodnight!))

 

[dawnfire321]

Winne watched the man go, then turned to look for her children. Julian was leaning against the wall looking lost. Elayna was no where to be seen. She strode over to her son. "What are you doing standing over here in the corner? You need to be out there, you need to mingle." She hissed at him.


"I was dancing with Princess Illia." Julian protested. He didn't understand his mother's harsh tone.


"Good. Now go dance with one of the other ladies now. Or ask the queen." Winne hissed. "Where is your sister?"


"I'm not sure." Julian said. "She must have gone upstairs." Julian turned away from his mother and went to go ask one of the ladies to dance.

 

[giraffesarebetter]

Illia sighs, sick of getting her toes stepped on. She grabs another goblet and exits the ballroom, running into Elayna. "Oh. Sorry." She was glad that her wine had not spilled.

 

[dawnfire321]

"No, no. Forgive me, Princess." She curtsies deeply. "Elayna Gastov, at your service, your highness." She says with a blush. Elayna knew most of the nobility by site. Her mother had spent much of the coronation pointing out the more influential, or more wealthy, nobles to her and Julian so that they could know who to socialize with. It had been suggested to Elayna that she make friends with the two younger princesses.

 

[giraffesarebetter]

"Oh, yes, you are Sir Julian's younger sister. Nice to meet you." Illia curtsies shallowly, not putting a lot of effort into it. She seems to remeber something about the girl being closer to her sister's age than hers, and puts that information aside, planning to introduce them. Her sister could use a friend.

 

[dawnfire321]

"Yes, your highness, that's right." Elayna says, surprised. She hadn't expected the princess to know of her. She realizes that the princess must have been on her way somewhere, and worries that she might be keeping her. "Were you going somewhere, Princess Illia?"