Another Traveler: round 3, episode 3

The young Duchess Raederle of An felt a little isolated in her quiet castle, and longed for romance and excitement to find her, as they had her friend Kia. The spring days passed slowly, even though she tried to fill them with painting, spinning, weaving, and other womanly arts. Finally she had had enough of her solitude.

“What can I do, Clover?” she demanded of her faithful housekeeper and friend. “If I don’t see some new faces soon, I believe I shall go mad!” Clover smiled at the girl’s spring fever, but suggested that she consider riding into Kyrth to commission some new gowns, since she was now a young woman, and should dress as such.

The very next day, they set off together, accompanied by a man-at-arms for protection. Reaching Kyrth, they left their horses at an inn, planning to walk to the nearby seamstress’ establishment. Just then, Raederle saw a young man, armed and clad in mail, hurrying out of the inn. He stopped short at the sight of her, staring so hard that she blushed and tripped over her train as she almost ran into the shop. Later, telling the story to her friend Lady Auber of Meremont, Raederle couldn’t stop rhapsodizing about the stranger’s wide shoulders, his eyes, and the way he had gazed at her, as if regarding a vision.

At her description, Auber was able to tell her that the man must be Lord Spirel of Hlurl, recently arrived with messages from the South. He was a friend of Baron Heureu's from the College of Riddles in Caithnard, and came bringing tidings for Ymris, although no one knew the exact nature of the news. However, his armor and soldierly bearing left no one in any doubt that war was resuming along the coasts. Lady Auber was to meet Spirel when he and Heureu came to Meremont to confer with Lord Astrin.

In a couple of days, a messenger arrived with an invitation—would Raederle like to visit at Meremont for a few days? There would be entertainments, a traveling troupe of jugglers and musicians—and Lord Spirel would be present. Duchess Raederle lost no time in sending her acceptance, and rejoiced that her new, grown-up gowns had arrived from Kyrth just in time for the festivities.

The visit went wonderfully, with feasting, walks in the spring gardens, games of chess in the great hall—and soon Raederle and Spirel were inseparable. When it was time for Raederle to return to Castle An, Lord Spirel begged to accompany her, to "ensure her safety on the ride." When they arrived, he kept her outside for a few moments after Clover had gone in.

Quickly, his voice trembling a little, he told her that he must leave soon. He had conferred with Heureu and Astrin and it was his responsibility to take their tidings and plans to allies in the south. Yet, he had lost his heart to Raederle and couldn’t bear to leave without telling her of his love, and asking her to marry him.

Their future would be uncertain, with separation coming upon them almost at once, but Raederle did not hesitate to say yes.

So in the earliest days of summer, when the roses were blooming everywhere in the castle garden and with her friends around her, Duchess Raederle of An wed Lord Spirel of Hlurl and gave her heart into his keeping.

And during the feasting and rejoicing which followed, the community could not help noticing that at least one noble house would be welcoming a new member before too long. Duchess Raederle could not help hoping that although her new husband would be leaving all too soon, perhaps she, too, would soon be anticipating the birth of a child.

Next post: http://kerrysims.blogspot.com/2007/05/round-4-episode-1-summer-strategy.html