Owen remained still while a blonde woman approached him. His hand rested casually on the hilt of a short sword - more for decoration by the ornate handle and scabbard - while she performed civilities that were due to him by his rank. A curt nod of his head signaled his acknowledgement of her respectful address to him. Blonde brows pulled towards one another in a subtle frown as he immediately recognized her accent.
He ‘humphed’ in a growling sort of way in the back of his throat at her welcoming of him to Veridian, as he had concluded they were not so welcome. Not the woman could say such a thing to him. His eyes tracked her as she moved to accept the invitation from his deputy who leaned down in his saddle to hand it to her.
Owen remained silent still as she explained her position and the absence of the queen. The Emperor wasn’t pleased. His free hand spread outwards in a gesture of frustration to Holland. “A handmaid.” He complained as if the woman weren't standing before them. The Emperor had yet to have suffered to be greeted by someone so ‘lowly’ as he would consider a handmaid. Usually a deputy, a lead steward, the head of a household guard. Someone important addressed the Emperor. Not handmaidens.
Holland quickly dismounted, landing gracefully on stone underfoot.
“Thank you Miss Maeve for extending us the Queen’s humbling generosities.” He bowed his head politely to the attractive blonde trying to smooth over the displeasure of the Emperor. Apparently it wasn’t good enough to the fiesty leader to be given access to a city and castle under a false invitation. Holland having also pegged Maeve for Eskran, worried at what Owen must think of one of their own in service to a foreign queen. “We will certainly find ourselves comfortable and would very much enjoy a good meal, won’t we My Lord?” The young adviser baited the Emperor, subtly reminding him of their station as guests.
“Yes. Yes.” Owen mumbled. He snapped his fingers and the men who hand accompanied him began dismounting and moving about. Some actually took up posts as if to secure the castle for him. Others moved to his side, flanking him, as he waited to be led into the castle.
“Strafford!” The emperor barked a name, which produced a bright eyed guardsman ready to accept his instructions. “Go to camp and tell the officers they will dine with me. Tell them to bring me some ice for fucksake." The Emperor was soaked with sweat beneath his armor. He could feel it pooling at the small of his back. "Give the men have leave to go into the city as they wish. Remind them they are to pay for all services and goods they enjoy while we are here. No exceptions. No foreigners in camp. Understood?”
“Of course, My Lord.” The man took his leave of the Emperor, remounted his horse, and rode off back into town at a gallop.
The Emperor gave his directives and turned back to Maeve. “There will be twenty five additional guests when my officers arrive. I trust you will make the proper arrangements. I will be relieved of my armor first and we’ll take supper when I’m ready.” He waved his hand that she should lead on, but captured her arm and used his index finger to lift the sleeve of her left arm confirming the suspicion that she had been branded in the slave trade. He released her and continued on as if nothing had occurred, “I will have some ice blocks sent up from camp. I should like to have rum over ice, rather than wine. We brought the ice as a gift to your queen. I’m afraid if she doesn’t arrive soon, this heat will ruin our efforts.”
The Emperor had the gall to sound put out by the absence of a woman who wasn’t expecting his company. As if it were the queen's fault they had brought gifts that quickly expired in the heat of her country. To be fair, a gift of ice was considered a rich and rare bestowal. A high compliment. But typically one is invited first before coming bearing impressive gifts.
He ‘humphed’ in a growling sort of way in the back of his throat at her welcoming of him to Veridian, as he had concluded they were not so welcome. Not the woman could say such a thing to him. His eyes tracked her as she moved to accept the invitation from his deputy who leaned down in his saddle to hand it to her.
Owen remained silent still as she explained her position and the absence of the queen. The Emperor wasn’t pleased. His free hand spread outwards in a gesture of frustration to Holland. “A handmaid.” He complained as if the woman weren't standing before them. The Emperor had yet to have suffered to be greeted by someone so ‘lowly’ as he would consider a handmaid. Usually a deputy, a lead steward, the head of a household guard. Someone important addressed the Emperor. Not handmaidens.
Holland quickly dismounted, landing gracefully on stone underfoot.
“Thank you Miss Maeve for extending us the Queen’s humbling generosities.” He bowed his head politely to the attractive blonde trying to smooth over the displeasure of the Emperor. Apparently it wasn’t good enough to the fiesty leader to be given access to a city and castle under a false invitation. Holland having also pegged Maeve for Eskran, worried at what Owen must think of one of their own in service to a foreign queen. “We will certainly find ourselves comfortable and would very much enjoy a good meal, won’t we My Lord?” The young adviser baited the Emperor, subtly reminding him of their station as guests.
“Yes. Yes.” Owen mumbled. He snapped his fingers and the men who hand accompanied him began dismounting and moving about. Some actually took up posts as if to secure the castle for him. Others moved to his side, flanking him, as he waited to be led into the castle.
“Strafford!” The emperor barked a name, which produced a bright eyed guardsman ready to accept his instructions. “Go to camp and tell the officers they will dine with me. Tell them to bring me some ice for fucksake." The Emperor was soaked with sweat beneath his armor. He could feel it pooling at the small of his back. "Give the men have leave to go into the city as they wish. Remind them they are to pay for all services and goods they enjoy while we are here. No exceptions. No foreigners in camp. Understood?”
“Of course, My Lord.” The man took his leave of the Emperor, remounted his horse, and rode off back into town at a gallop.
The Emperor gave his directives and turned back to Maeve. “There will be twenty five additional guests when my officers arrive. I trust you will make the proper arrangements. I will be relieved of my armor first and we’ll take supper when I’m ready.” He waved his hand that she should lead on, but captured her arm and used his index finger to lift the sleeve of her left arm confirming the suspicion that she had been branded in the slave trade. He released her and continued on as if nothing had occurred, “I will have some ice blocks sent up from camp. I should like to have rum over ice, rather than wine. We brought the ice as a gift to your queen. I’m afraid if she doesn’t arrive soon, this heat will ruin our efforts.”
The Emperor had the gall to sound put out by the absence of a woman who wasn’t expecting his company. As if it were the queen's fault they had brought gifts that quickly expired in the heat of her country. To be fair, a gift of ice was considered a rich and rare bestowal. A high compliment. But typically one is invited first before coming bearing impressive gifts.
Bitch, I'm limited edition.
The following 1 user Likes saronym's post: megs
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Love & War [Closed] - by megs - 12-16-2016, 02:18 PM
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RE: Love & War [Closed] - by megs - 01-02-2017, 11:48 AM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by saronym - 01-05-2017, 10:16 PM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by megs - 01-07-2017, 02:21 PM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by saronym - 01-11-2017, 03:46 PM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by megs - 01-12-2017, 11:36 AM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by saronym - 01-16-2017, 09:41 PM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by megs - 01-17-2017, 11:16 AM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by saronym - 01-17-2017, 10:39 PM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by megs - 01-18-2017, 10:06 AM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by saronym - 01-19-2017, 09:08 PM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by megs - 01-20-2017, 02:11 PM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by saronym - 02-14-2017, 09:10 AM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by megs - 02-18-2017, 11:30 AM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by saronym - 04-12-2017, 08:40 PM
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RE: Love & War [Closed] - by saronym - 05-07-2017, 01:59 PM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by megs - 05-07-2017, 09:28 PM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by saronym - 05-10-2017, 11:49 PM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by megs - 05-15-2017, 06:25 PM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by saronym - 05-30-2017, 08:25 PM
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RE: Love & War [Closed] - by saronym - 12-17-2019, 01:33 PM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by megs - 12-17-2019, 05:29 PM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by saronym - 12-28-2019, 08:44 PM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by saronym - 01-12-2020, 07:10 PM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by saronym - 01-14-2020, 07:14 PM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by megs - 12-29-2019, 02:17 AM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by megs - 01-14-2020, 06:11 PM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by megs - 01-17-2020, 02:35 PM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by saronym - 01-17-2020, 05:02 PM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by saronym - 01-31-2020, 06:36 PM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by saronym - 02-06-2020, 06:24 PM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by saronym - 02-21-2020, 05:59 PM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by megs - 01-20-2020, 04:42 PM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by megs - 02-01-2020, 02:51 PM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by megs - 02-07-2020, 02:26 PM
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RE: Love & War [Closed] - by saronym - 03-01-2020, 05:47 PM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by saronym - 03-10-2020, 07:28 PM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by saronym - 07-04-2020, 12:48 PM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by saronym - 07-25-2020, 12:57 PM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by megs - 03-02-2020, 11:19 AM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by megs - 03-14-2020, 12:34 PM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by megs - 07-23-2020, 09:57 PM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by megs - 08-25-2020, 11:02 AM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by saronym - 09-12-2020, 01:02 PM
RE: Love & War [Closed] - by megs - 09-25-2020, 01:11 PM