Luria Nova DantooineVeronica was passing through Danturn Town, it was at most what she expected from a rural region. She had a small escort with her, after leaving most of her troops in Lupa Lapu.
Mikael had passed command to one of his subordinates, and insisted on accompanying her. Veronica pulled her cloak tighter around her. She was starting to dislike the ocean, the cold wind tugged and pulled at her and she felt the chill right to her core, Winter didn't seem to want to dissipate with the coming of Spring.
She was over the worst of her bought of sickness, though she still felt sluggish. So when she heard about the invitation to attend festivities at Sea Cliff Keep, she knew she had to get out of the cold miserable camps she found herself in. The more she thought about it the more she realized she was not made for the front line.
And really all this talk of monsters she has yet to see one face to face, they couldn't be such a menace if none was ever sighted. So she would order her troops to do what needed to be done, but she would go where she pleased, she was a Noble after all.
As the small party approached the Keep, Veronica's eye caught the cliff drop leaning to the ocean, she felt a chill again. A great watchtower could be seen and she noticed movement on top of it, her approach had been noticed.
Mikael spurred his horse closer to her as a guard stepped out to bar their way. Veronica pulled up her horse as she glanced at the guard making his way towards them.
"Hold, you approach the Sea Cliff Keep, state your business!"Veronica turned to Mikael and then realized that they had not actually displayed her banners on approach.
Pulling down the cowl of her hood she brushed some of her hair out of her face and smiled down at the guard.
"I am the Lady Gardarr of House Gardarr hailing from Askileon on invitation from the Earl of Dantooine, Solomon Greybrook." Veronica noticed another guard behind him talk to a young boy who immediately set of at running speed.
The guard lowered his head and spoke
"Milady forgive my tone.." Veronica cut him off.
"There is nothing to forgive, you are doing your duty as you should, but if you would be so kind it has been a long trip and I would like to get out of the cold, please make arrangements for an escort to take us to our accommodations." Veronica pulled up her hood again as she slowly spurred her horse on and followed the guard as he made arrangements for an escort.
Roleplay from Emyhr le Craint
Yesterday Evening:
After the evening meeting had passed, once the questions had been answered and the first course of food same through, Emyhr enjoyed talking with people of different backgrounds about the fundamentals of faith. However, time had caught up on the young knight and he had to leave the gathering for his other duties.
Emyhr gave his thanks to the priest and bid farwell to Sir Donald and the gathered minor nobles. Emyhr stepped out into the cold evening, jovial from the food and wine, he made his way to the main gate bidding farwell to the city of Askileon.
The Following Morning:
As the sun crested over the hilltops of the border regions of Nid Tek and Dantooine, Emyhr now warn out from the journeying that he had undertake that previous night with very little rest. Before long, the sight of the sea cliff keep came into view. It seems Emyhr was not the only one to arrive early as a small party led by a female noble was waiting at the gate, Emyhr did not recognize the crest of the noble that was waiting at the gate but none the less would approach with the normal formalities.
As Emyhr neared the gate, he could over hear slightly what was being said nearer the front.
"I am the Lady Gardarr of House Gardarr hailing from Askileon on invitation from the Earl of Dantooine, Solomon Greybrook."
Emyhr pondered over that name, he had heard of this recent arrival however had yet been able to meet here. Hopefully, Emyhr would be able to introduce himself before or during the event. For now, he allowed the dame to continue with entering before Emyhr would approach the gate.
"Earl Emyhr le Craint, here at the invitation of Earl Solomon. I have arrived early after requesting it of the Earl."
The guard looked the noble up and down before turning and shouting at the guards behind the gate. He waved Emyhr through the gate, unlike the previous noble, Emyhr was without a retinue bringing only his horse with him. Stepping through the gate, Emyhr looked around admiring the work that had been done by the earl since his succession, the keep that had been in ruins when the land was reclaimed was now beautifully rebuilt with grey stone.
Emyhr guided his horse to the stables that had been built within the courtyards, brushing it slightly before tying it up and leaving it within the hands of the stable boy. The Dame was now gone from his sight, Emyhr made his way out into the courtyard finding a place to sit and take the weight of his legs. Emyhr sat and waited for the earl, allowing the dame the first introductions, he admired the work that had been undertaken by Earl Solomon.
Roleplay from Solomon Greybrook
Two New Arrivals - Sea Cliff Keep Ball (Dantooine)
Veronica pulled up her hood again as she slowly spurred her horse on and followed the guard as he made arrangements for an escort.
Solomon was sitting at his desk, working through some necessary paperwork when a guard came in and informed him that Lady Gardarr had arrived.
Excellent.
With a spring in his step, Solomon put on his cloak and headed to the front gate of the Keep. For the ball, Solomon had his beard trimmed again back to the sharp stubble and slicked back hair. Furthermore, his black doublet with a grey linen shirt were complementary to the subtle but ultimately fashionable appearance - there wasn't too many occasion military noblemen such as he had opportunities to look their best outside of court. He had ensured previously that his outfit for the ball was prepared by numerous peoples in Giask and refined in Dantooine.
Approaching the gate, Solomon saw the Lady stand guard alongside one of the watchmen and another soldier that he did not know. Probably left command to a subordinate in Lupa Lapu. When within speaking distance of the Lady, Solomon stopped short and made a slight bow:
"Welcome Lady Gardarr to Dantooine! I hope the travelling was not too harsh. With the end of Winter, the weather should be easier to handle. However, the sharp chill from the sea breeze may take some getting to used to! I do not believe we have directly met before on a social basis, I am Solomon Greybrook, Lord of Dantooine and Marshal of Luria's Wrath. You are the first guest from the higher aristocracy to arrive for the ball on Monday. I believe there will be many more to come and that Luria will enjoy some rest-bite - at least for a few days. Your accommodation will be in the Guesthouses to either the right or left of the Keep. Please just make sure that you inform a scribe which one you are staying in. Each room is fit for purpose with thick rugs and duvets as well. There is a common room for each Guesthouse - which is only for aristocracy. There may already by some local nobles as well in the lodgings - there is plenty of room. Please feel free to explore the estate. If there is anything that you need assistance with, please just ask me personally or hail a local servant. The Greybrook Guard to my right will escort you. I look forward to talking to you more in the coming days my lady."
The Dame was now gone from his sight, Emyhr made his way out into the courtyard finding a place to sit and take the weight of his legs. Emyhr sat and waited for the earl, allowing the dame the first introductions, he admired the work that had been undertaken by Earl Solomon.
As Solomon was talking to his new arrival, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Earl Emyhr ride to the stables. Solomon walked and talked to Lady Gardarr for maybe a minute before excusing himself. Seeing the Vice-Marshal in the courtyard, Solomon walked towards him with a slight grin on his face and embraced his friend:
'Earl Emhyr! I am so glad that you have arrived. Come, walk with me around the estate. Tell me about your adventures or events that have occurred since we last spoke!"
DantooineSolomon walked and talked to Lady Gardarr for maybe a minute before excusing himself.
Veronica tilted her head and glanced at the earl as he walked with her.
"Earl Greybrook, I thank you for the welcome, and i would like it if we spoke some more later, it has been a long trip and I believe I will retire for the day." Veronica noticed the Earls attention waver to a man riding towards the stable's. She felt a little bit irritated with that, but she smiled none the less as he left her to attend to the new arrival.
Following the guard she decided on one of the guest houses on the left.
Captain Mikael made arrangements for her baggage to be taken to her room and her guards stationed themselves in the common room. Once in the room she dropped onto the bed and pulled a thick duvet over her, it was quite chilly still.
Roleplay from Emyhr le Craint
Not a moment passed by when Emyhr once again spotted the Dame however this time she was being guided by a familiar face. Watching them walk, Emyhr could see the refinement in the clothing between the two, for the first time meeting nobles who were dressed for a fanciful occasion rather than battle was soothing to the young knight. The two separated and Earl Solomon who was guiding the lady headed towards Emyhr.
'Earl Emhyr! I am so glad that you have arrived. Come, walk with me around the estate. Tell me about your adventures or events that have occurred since we last spoke!"
"Earl Solomon, it is good to see you again my Friend. I would love to join you, to be able to see the work you have put into this fine place would be an honour. I must apologies for my outfit, I have not had time to return home however I have sent word for my attendant to bring my outfit for the ball and he should arrive this evening."
Emyhr held out a hand in greeting, the two firmly shaking. Having their last meeting been their swordsmanship match, the atmosphere had a more refined feel with the preparations for the ball completed.
"It has been some time since our last meeting, matters have kept me busy and well traveled I must say. Just yesterday I stumbled upon the meeting organised the Priest Turin Eriksson, I accompanied Sir Donald as curiosity got the better of me. Now that the influx of beast is calming down, it gives me a chance to commit to these social occasions to which I am glad to be able to attend."
Emyhr looked over to the direction that the lady had headed towards before his eye caught a glimpse of the view created by the keeps placement.
"It seem I am not the first to arrive, I had not met Dame Veronica since she arrived however she has made quite a name for herself, I am sure she has some interesting tales to tell. I am impressed at your design capabilities, should I need an architect in the near future I know who to ask it seems. The keep is remarkable, a veritable impregnable fortress while keeping to the beauty of the area. Once the other nobles arrive for the ball I am sure this place will create a wondrous atmopshere."
Emyhr stopped for a second, now coming towards the entrance into the main building, he turned around to catch a glimpse of the entire courtyard.
"I must admit I am quite excited for this ball, never before have I attended such formal event. I even looked up a dance teacher during my visit to Askileon to prepare myself. Like you said, this will be a gathering of the finest men and women of the realm, it would be a disaster should I have not prepared. Enough about me though, how fares yourself? We are on the verge of great changes this season, as Earls ourselves we must be at the forefront of these changes to maintain our lands."
