Raise Your Glass (Yassia)

[Lady Roslyn]

Well, they had finally found the lady Morgana then? Roslyn had almost given up hope, much like most of Camelot she imagined. Well, no one would ever say such a thing, but she had been missing almost a year. Trying to find someone in Albion was about as easy as finding a needle in a haystack. Roslyn wondered what the woman had seen in her year away from the comfort and safety of the castle, then again, she wasn’t even sure she wanted to know. Men could be cruel, and disgusting creatures, god knows what most of them would do with a beautiful woman if they got the chance. Roslyn shuddered with the thought and looked around her. She doubted half the women here would be able to imagine such horrors. Maybe they pictured kidnapping as quite glamorous, where you could be saved by a knight in shining armour at the end of your ideal; that your captors wouldn’t harm a hair on your pretty little head, and that they would respect your virtue. It made Roslyn ill to think people could be so stupid, and it would mainly be the women. Then again, not everyone could be as worldly wise and mature as Roslyn was, and she knew that all too well. Raising her chin slightly, she looked at the rabble in front of her. One day she would probably be expected to marry someone from his hall. That was a daunting thought. She would rather choose a man herself than have her father dictate to her. These were thoughts for another day though, and right now she needed some more wine.

Looking up at the royal table, she could see Morgana looked suitably beautiful, and the Prince and King looked well in their attire. This was how Roslyn liked it; everyone was in their proper place. It did irritate Roslyn to an extent that this was not just a gathering of Camelotian nobles, but rather a hodgepodge of people who decided to turn up in the kingdom, and leech off their protection. One such woman was the red haired Mercian noblewoman who had been here for so long that everyone had seemed to forget her origins, and the fact that Camelot’s relations with Mercia were still shaky. What place did she have here? Even worse, there was a man with her that Roslyn didn’t recognise, which meant he wasn’t Camelotian. Fabulous. It felt like their little haven of Camelotian nobles was being threatened somewhat. It did make Roslyn slightly uncomfortable, but she wasn’t stupid enough to say anything. Roslyn had no interest in making enemies. There was no use in making obvious enemies. You kept your friends close, but your enemies closer.

Unfortunately for Roslyn the woman she had been sat with wasn’t of Camelotian birth either, or if she was her family had done a good job of hiding her. She was a pretty woman, with dark hair and tanned skin. Roslyn considered her for a moment before taking a sip of her wine, “The festivities are beautiful aren’t they?” She asked the woman with a smile, “Forgive me I don’t believe we have met, my name is Lady Roslyn Griffin, it is a pleasure to meet you my Lady.”

Tagged: Yassia
Timeline: During the Tears of Uther Pendragon
Location: Great Hall
Time of Day: Evening[/color][/size]

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

She hadn’t been in Camelot for little more than a week or two, and already there was a feast to attend. Yassia was nervous, there was no denying it. Even though she had been raised in such a kind of environment, she also knew that customs and ceremonial codes could differ from kingdom to kingdom, and a country as far away from her own as Camelot surely must be different from the Ailanthan ceremonial. She really wouldn’t want to cause a scene or drop any bricks, but sadly her uncle was a little buttoned-up and moody about this particular subject, and she had been under the impression he didn’t care much for politeness and courtesy before she had seen him at court. What she needed was someone around her own age, a female counselor, who would ease her way into the Camelotian society. Not that she planned to stay long enough to have to sit through more than just a few of these social gatherings, but at least for these she’d like to be well-prepared and a little less nervous. Even more so as this was supposed to be quite a joyful celebration. Every now and again Yassia couldn’t help but sneak a glance up at the royal table, where the happily returned Lady Morgana was sitting together with King Uther and Prince Arthur. Whatever had happened to the young woman, Yassia could highly sympathize with her. Hopefully one day she’d have a similar feast in her own castle as well, celebrating her safe return and the victory over her uncle’s schemes.

Kaye was sulky and quiet as ever, sitting on her right side, and trying to look not too much out of place, while her left side was occupied by a young noblewoman she hadn’t seen before – which was of course not very surprising, as she had spent most of her days on Falconeyrie, waiting for Kaye to bring in his influence in ensuring help for her country. She hoped it all would be only a matter of weeks, but right now, she was in no mood to rack her brain any more about it, so she returned her attention to the truly splendid feast and the delicious food. She was no overly shy woman, but right now she didn’t feel in the position to start a conversation yet, she didn’t want to appear overbearing after all, being a guest. It must be odd enough for the Camelotian society to have a foreign princess so suddenly in their midst.

But to her surprise and relief it was the other woman who broke the ice and introduced herself as Lady Roslyn. Her tone was friendly, even though Yassia thought to dected a certain reservedness behind it. Or maybe she was just being paranoid, after having had to look over her shoulder constantly during the last few months. She might have well become a misfit for the normal royal and noble society, and she wondered quickly, if the Lady Morgana would be feeling the same.
Turning to the woman with a smile, she said:“They are indeed splendid, and I think suitable for such a joyous occasion. And it is absolutely right you could not have met me before, Lady Roslyn, as I have only been here for little more over a week. I am Princess Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha, it is a pleasure to meet you!”

[Lady Roslyn]

The feast really was in full swing and Roslyn was somewhat glad of the lively atmosphere. It had been so dreary and miserable given the state of things. The kidnap of the Lady Morgana had left Camelotian society almost in a sort of limbo. No one was quite sure what to do, or say. There hadn’t been much reason to celebrate, and all the knights had been constantly out looking for the Lady in question. It had been a long year, and Roslyn for one was glad to see it come to an end. This wasn’t just a celebration of the fact the Lady Morgana was safe with them once more, it showed the strength and diligence of the Camelotians as well. They had sent the knights out to look for the woman, even after many of the waves of attack had been cut down. Everyone had believed in them, and they had repaid that belief.

The food had also begun to be circulated around the room. It had been so long since there had been such a jovial feast that she had forgotten all the glorious dishes and smells that the kitchens of Camelot could produce. It was hopefully a sign of better thing to come and Roslyn hoped that it was a sign of her future as well. She needed to get an engagement under her belt soon, one which was advantageous enough to settle her need, but also she wished to at least like the man. After all, why would she want to settle down with a complete stranger, especially an ugly one with a bad personality. Her father would eventually settle a man on her, she was sure of it. So she had to beat him to it, he was too lazy to worry about it in the immediate future, but Roslyn knew she couldn’t rely on it for too long. Perhaps now the knights would not be being sent off in pursuit of the Lady Morgana all the time she would have a chance of ensnaring one of them.

Well she had been right then, the woman sat beside her wasn’t from Camelot. Roslyn felt quite defensive all at once, why on earth was she sat here next to her? Urgh. However, she was a princess, so perhaps that suggested that she didn’t intend to make her stay permanent like some nobles did. Once again her gaze slipped to the irritating Mercian. It was scandalous that a woman like that should get more attentions at the court than a Camelotian born woman like Roslyn. “You must forgive my ignorance princess, but I have never heard of Ailantha, is it quite far away?”

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

Even after spending two weeks at Camelot, Yassia was still at odds whether she liked the court society here or not. She had found a few differences between the ladies she had grown up with and those she had seen from afar in Camelot until now, but real conversations had be far and few between, and she yearned for a little more insight. She might not be here to make lifelong friends and merge with the Camelotian court, but depending on how long King Uther would need for his decision, it would be nice not to spend this time in total isolation. But what would possibly be a way she and some other lady could relate? She hadn’t had this problem before, and feared that while she might be treated nicely as a guest, there might just be no interest in getting beyond exchanging pleasantries. At least the language would not be a huge problem, but like it always was when you started to be nervous, suddenly Yassia was very aware of her accent, when she compared it to how the people here spoke. Would someone think badly about her, because she pronounced certain vowels differently and had more trill when voicing the ‘r’?

Of course she would not have heard about Ailantha, no one she had met on her journey and whom she had trusted enough to reveal to where she was from, had ever heard about her little jewel of a kingdom. Ailantha had no ambitions to be known either, they didn’t yearn for international significance, just strived to make their subjects happy and prospering. They never had let themselves be provoked into a war, except for once, when Yassia’s father had started a vendetta against maraudering mercenaries. So, someone telling her they didn’t know Ailantha would never offend Yassia in any way, she rather felt encouraged by the lack of knowledge, as that was also a lack of prejudices, and that was always a good thing. Like this, Yassia could try to promote her kingdom a little, as a small gem between large other kingdoms that may be of greater European significance.


“Yes, it is quite far away, the journey took me two months all in all, but it might well be done sooner, if the circumstances had been more favorable. Ailantha is a small kingdom on the continent, in the southwest in a mountain valley or plateau.” A wistful smile crossed Yassia’s face. “I wouldn’t have left there had the circumstances been different. But it is also a great opportunity to finally see the family from my mother’s side. Sir Kaye, next to me, is my uncle.” Kaye must undoubtedly have heard her speaking of him, since he was not engaged in any other conversation, but he showed no reaction, perhaps just wanting to be left alone as usual. Well, she would not pressure him.

[Lady Roslyn]

Roslyn could think of so many other people she could have been seated by tonight. Then again, that worked both ways. She would have had to use all her restraint to not say anything to that stupid, arrogant little Mercian. She could feel herself getting angry, and took a few moments to relax herself and took a sip of her wine. She had no idea why so many intended on now settling within Camelot who had not been born here, and the crown just allowed them to. After all, they had crops to spread around and husbands to find. They couldn’t accept every wayward person who wanted a piece of Camelot surely? But what would Roslyn know, she was only a woman after all. She would have preferred to be seated next to a knight, or an eligible bachelor of some description. She needed a husband, before her father became too restless and imposed one upon her. She wanted to at least like the man she was going to have to live with, and bed of course. Flushing such crude thoughts from her mind she turned her attentions back to the princess by her side.

Well, of all those Roslyn had met within Camelot this woman had come the furthest, but whether that was admirable or stupid was yet to be seen. Roslyn couldn’t imagine crossing such a large amount of land on her own, after all, guards and the knights of Camelot protected the citizens in Camelot on a daily basis, so they never had to consider facing such dangers personally. That said, the city always seemed to be in some sort of peril. The southwest of the continent? Jesu that was so far away, “How did you pass such a way by yourself?” She asked, trying to sound impressed but she was also weary. Those from outside Albion were known to use sorcery and other such tricks, so why not this woman as well, princess or no? “I mean, it is just I cannot imagine having the strength to come such a way by myself.” She added, just to emphasise the innocence in her words. She didn’t really want to sound like she was accusing Yassia of anything, because she wasn’t, she was just curious and that was all.

Oh so she had family here too, that was quite unusual. After all, hardly anyone knew those from outside the five kingdoms, nor had any interest to. So it was quite rare to find such a connection here, “I know of Sir Kaye, I have great admiration for the knights of Camelot.” Roslyn said rather sweetly as she took a sip of her wine. The knights of Camelot seemed to be one of the few things that were stable and traditional at the moment. Everything else seemed to be changing in little ways, and Roslyn didn’t much care for it. “How are you finding Camelot, princess? No doubt you have been introduced to many new faces since your arrival.”

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

Lady Roslyn wasn’t by far the first to voice her almost unmasked surprise to hear her say such things, that she had really made such a long journey all by herself. Truth be told, had Yassia been in her position, happily staying at home and living her life, she might have been the first to think a woman odd that had made such a long journey without protection and all on her own. The few … unpleasant happenings on the way had only fuelled the thought that a woman, and especially a woman with a secret and in need to be undercover, could well be considered fair game. She surely didn’t want to relive a good few moments of her journey, and she would make sure not to travel back completely on her own – given she would receive the help she needed, of course - but then it hadn’t all be doom and gloom. Some encounters she would always think back on with a smile… and some had become a dear treasure to her heart, for those moments when she allowed herself to dream at night.

“Well, it was mostly a thing of sticking through it and hoping for the best”, she confessed with a little smile. “And, I didn’t plan to do it by myself, after the first fit of folly was over. But… fate chose for me I guess and the second half of the way, which took me the longest, since I was on foot and constantly lost my way, I was completely on my own. Such a situation can bring out the best in people… but certainly also the worst.” She left it at that however, details of that sort didn’t belong into a casual dinner conversation anyway, and most of these things she would not want to tell anyone. They belonged only with herself, someday hopefully forgiven and forgotten. “I can surely say such a journey teaches you something about yourself, the world and the people, so I might at least use this information for when I rule myself.”
Even if that right now was only a distant dream, Yassia had already made one resolution: In her kingdom and under her rule, there would be a sanctuary for wandering people. Everyone would have to show them courtesy for one night, and any maltreatment could be petitioned before the court… high hopes and dreams maybe, but Yassia wouldn’t wish the hostility and danger she had sometimes suffered on anyone.

Yassia nodded when Lady Roslyn said she knew Sir Kaye as a knight of Camelot, but she assumed the admiration was probably stretched towards the institution of the knights in general and not her uncle in particular, since Kaye really didn’t do much for being admired, rather was working against it, with his attitudes and airs of arrogance and gloom. Like she had expected it, Kaye was still ignoring this conversation rather studiously, but when she threw him a short sideglance, she thought to see him make this particular face he often used when he was annoyed by something.
“Oh, it hasn’t been too many, actually”, she replied and turned her attention back to the lady beside her. “Since my request has been heard, I’ve been residing on Falconeyrie, my uncle’s estate, most of the time, and there are not many visitors. But I’ve already had a nice chat with Lady Caitrin. Do you know her well? She promised to visit me soon, which I find absolutely nice of her.”

[Lady Roslyn]

Roslyn, in her arrogance, knew she was quite a quick and well learned woman, but it didn’t take any of that to wonder why Yassia had thought to travel here in the first place. Roslyn pondered on it for a few moments, after all if Yassia was a princess then she should surely be in her own kingdom, doing what royalty did best. Or if this was a royal visit then she would not have had such a solitary journey would she? There would have been an escort and a feast to announce her arrival. No, all was not well here and Roslyn felt it. She wondered what had led Yassia to come so far from home, Roslyn could only imagine it was something life threatening, or perhaps an issue with succession. Yes, it was always something like that. Royalty always came with their interesting stories, and none of them tended to be straightforward. Sometimes Roslyn was glad she was just of high birth, yet no higher than her current status. She was quite intrigued as the woman began to speak of such things as bringing out the worst in people. She resisted the urge to raise her eye brows, wondering what exactly the princess meant by that. “At least you reached Camelot safely, my Lady.” She gave her a little smile. It was nothing short of a miracle that she had, but who was Roslyn to comment on such things? She had no idea what the world was like past Camelot, and neither did she want to know. She was happy, and fine where she was. “I am sure you will put your experience to good use.” Again, Roslyn smiled and took in some of her wine. Well, of all the people she could have been sat with tonight she couldn’t have imagined such a colourful companion.

Roslyn was quite glad when the man beside Yassia didn’t think to join in the conversation. If he was anything like her father then his conversation would successfully kill the mood. The older generation, Roslyn had often reflected, often only enjoyed lecturing or complaining. She wasn’t interested in hearing anything relating to either. She had come here to enjoy herself, not be bored into submission. Roslyn just nodded as Yassia replied that she hadn’t heard from many at court. “Forgive me for asking my Lady, but what was your appeal for?” This was the first she’d heard of this, and though she didn’t want to appear rude towards her new acquaintance, she was quite interested.

Roslyn’s grasp on her glass tightened slightly as Yassia mentioned the Lady Caitrin. No, she didn’t know the woman well at all, mainly because she had no inclination to get to know her any better. The woman had a scandalous reputation she had no intention of hiding, and a Mercian personality to match, so why on earth would Roslyn get to know her better? “I regret, I do not know her well at all.” Roslyn finally replied, taking a sip of her wine before putting her glass back on the table. It wasn’t like Roslyn to divulge in gossip, but she supposed this wasn’t gossip, this was fact. “I think she is a little too liberal for my taste my Lady.” Roslyn gestured to where the woman in question was now laughing along with the two men she was sat with. She didn’t understand what the appeal was with her. Everyone seemed to love her, well, aside from those like Roslyn who saw her for who she really was.

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

As far as Yassia saw this, it didn’t seem like Lady Roslyn was interested in much details of her journey or what had really moved her to make this unusual journey – or if she was, she hid it perfectly behind a very polite and courteous mask. Some things apparently never changed and weren’t different a few hundred miles apart. Yassia remembered this attitude from her earliest days, and she didn’t even think it that bad. In a courtly environment it was often necessary to hide your true emotions so you didn’t give others any reason to prey on you, attack your behind your back. Polite and distant, it was the correct way to deal with someone in a court you had only just met. A few people, like Lady Caitrin, were refreshingly different from that norm, but that didn’t make the norm a bad thing altogether. Yassia even smiled a little to herself as she listened to Lady Roslyn’s remark. This was terra firma, a safe ground to walk on, and there were definitely worse ways to spend your evening than that! Maybe they would also find some common thing they would talk about, something they shared, like a passion or a simple interest. Once they had opened up more, in the course of the evening, Yassia was sure this conversation would turn out to be splendid. And if not… well, then she would still have been spared the prospect to be teamed up with an overopinionated, boasting knight or a cavilling old woman. No, she really should not find anythign wrong with this, just because they were having a slow and polite start! “That is true, and I’m sure I will. There is nothing wrong with understanding the needs of your people, without being too lenient with them. I never would have expected to once be where they are, but I was, for a short amount of time, and I won’t negate the things I learned.” Because that would not only be immense stupidity, but also a crime.

Ah, now they were coming after all, the further inquiries, even though the lady still didn’t sound overly interested. This must be something so far from her mind, having to journey to a foreign court to make an appeal. Even from the things she had said and done until now, Yassia hazarded a guess that Lady Roslyn hadn’t had to want for much in her life. A few months before Yassia had been the same, but even then she had shown a certain interest in what lay beyond her horizon. Maybe that was in her blood? Her father had been out of his own kingdom, though not far, when encountering her mother first, and her mother had chosen to stay in a foreign land with the man she had fallen in love with, no matter what was waiting for her in her homeland. It was almost as if a circle had met his other end, now that Yassia was here. Hopefully though things would turn out the way they should. This was not her place to stay. “I’m appealing for a small military or at least solidary help in a matter of succesion”, she explained, putting it in court language. “You know how things are… sometimes all you need is the promise of help from a kingdom with a reputable name… to overthrow those who want to steal what is yours and seem to get through with it for now.”

Something in the young lady’s tone made Yassia’s ears perk up. It was a tiny nuance, just the hint of a tint, but Yassia hadn’t grown up at court for nothing. Lady Roslyn did definitely not like Lady Caitrin, and the fact that she proceeded with calling her ‘liberal’ which was the polite word for shameless, almost frivolous, only showed just how deep this animosity ran. That wasn’t the impression Yassia herself had got from Caitrin at all, but then she was new here, didn’t know things the other lady might. Gossip always surged up high wherever court ladies were gathering, and even though Yassia wasn’t one to like this or take part in it, she knew she wouldn’t be able to escape it completely. She only would be careful not to let this tint her own judgement of ther woman in any way. “Well, I don’t think I can allow myself any judgement there”, she replied softly, inclining her head. “I already realized she has yet to marry, and I also understand she is under the tutelage of her uncle and originally from Mercia, where things might be different. I am sure she means no harm in any way, even if it might come across a little… strange to others.”

[Lady Roslyn]

Roslyn wasn’t quite sure what to make of her guest just yet. She was quite enjoying the conversation so far, but it had been quite a while since there had been a fresh face in Camelot, so she wasn’t sure whether that was counting in Yassia’s favour more than anything. She couldn’t deny she felt a slight admiration for the woman. Not many men could say they had crossed such distances on their own, let alone a woman. However, she still felt safer knowing that they were always in the hands of the knights of Camelot. Roslyn smiled to herself and nodded at Yassia’s remark about putting her experience to good use. She wondered if the woman would ever hold her throne again, as this clearly wasn’t a social visit as it would have been properly announced which told Roslyn that things weren’t going swimmingly in this woman’s homeland. It would be interesting to watch this woman’s progress over the next few weeks or so, or until she was given the request she had mentioned earlier in the conversation. Roslyn didn’t really have anything against the woman, but it was one thing to say how one would rule, but it was something quite different to rule. Though Roslyn had no experience of it, she knew very well that you could set out with good intentions and cause the complete opposite. Perhaps that was a lesson Yassia was yet to learn. “Would you rule by yourself, or with a husband?" Roslyn asked curiously, "I know different kingdoms have different traditions with such matters."

In a way, Roslyn was quite surprised at how blunt Yassia was when telling her about the nature of her appeal, and it confirmed her thoughts that things were not going her way at all in her kingdom. Then again, the fact that she was here in the first place told her just as much. The request sounded like quite a large one, she was essentially asking for their own knights to rush to a completely different kingdom to defend her birthright. Though she supposed the threat of the knights of the Camelot would probably cause some kingdoms to quake in their boots. She smiled at the thought. “How many men would you expect to get?” She asked softly, “Or more, how many would it take to help you win back your throne?” If all she needed was a name then she wouldn’t need any men, but of course things were never that easy; any fool in the foregate knew that.

Another surprise lay in the fact that Yassia’s tone remained quite neatral, even when she was telling her about the Lady Caitrin’s many virtues. She almost wanted to laugh when she said that the woman was under the wing of her Uncle; he should be keeping a better eye on his ward. Caitrin was a few years younger than Roslyn, and it showed. The fact she was Mercian only made the situation worse, Lord knows what they let them get up to in the north; she had never had good experiences of the Mercian’s, it had to be said. “A little strange, is a good way to put it.” Roslyn conceded with a grin, “Forgive me my Lady, I am never one to divulge in gossip, but Lady Caitrin is anything but subtle.” The woman was probably perfectly lovely, but Roslyn had no intention of finding out anytime soon. There were many names for the Mercian who was currently laughing with the knight that was sat by her, but Roslyn was too much of a Lady to repeat any of those to her guest. “When did she invite you to dine?” Roslyn then asked, looking to slightly change the topic from the irritating red head, “Her Uncle’s estate is truly a beautiful sight to behold, if you intend to ride out there.” It may seem a little hypocritical of Roslyn to be speaking of Lady Caitrin in an unsavoury light, and then going on about the state of her home, but everything Roslyn spoke was the truth; even if some of it was a little difficult to stomach.

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

Ah, a good question, but also an obvious one. Yassia was guessing that Lady Roslyn was expecting the latter one, her ruling with an husband, and sadly that came too close to the truth. Yassia was not one overly waving the flag of independent women, but she still found it ridiculous that just because of her gender, she would need to marry before she could seen to be fit to rule. What would marriage change? Didn’t her love and her dedication for her people count nothing? But then, she maybe should be glad she at least could go THIS far and even expect to be queen and have real powers instead of just nodding to everything her husband thought up. She should be glad that Ailantha wasn’t principally against women rule, but they still had their firm principles, and this was what had opened the door wide for her uncle’s ambitions. She wouldn’t have had to go through so much hassle, if this law wasn’t in the heads of every single member of the crown council. So this was why her smile seemed a little thin-lipped as she replied:”We have a little bit of a difficult tradition, I am afraid. A woman can technically be Queen and rule, but she needs to be married to step up to the throne. I was not married… and there wasn’t a suitable match for me avaible. So… I had to find another solution.” Since in Yassia’s eyes, marrying her own cousin wasn’t a ‚suitable match’ even if he hadn’t been son of a powe-hungry man.

Was this a pre-interview of sorts?! Yassia really hadn’t expected her neighbor to be so interested in the details of her plea and what it all could entail. Was she maybe involved in it somehow? Not in the decision process of course, but maybe she had some private motives to want to know all this? Maybe some knight she had a fancy for? To be honest, Yassia hadn’t given the deeper details much thought yet, she still wanted to speak with Kaye about this, he had been a knight after all, and was good with tactics. Throwing him a cursory side glance, she explained: “Not too many, I suppose, I can’t and I won’t expect an army. Maybe a number of ten to twenty men, just so show my uncle I am not alone. I fervently hope that saber-rattling is enough for this. Of course it would also be good, if by that time I could also present the crown council with a man that could be my husband… but that is not my primary concern right now.” The stars prevent she was thrown on the market by a casual remark!

Anything but subtle? Now that was truly an interesting turn of their conversation and it made Yassia even more curious to have a more private word with Lady Caitrin. Who knew, maybe she wasn’t that bad after all, or this was not all that confounded her. If Yassia had learned one thing from her journey then that people usually were not what they appeared to be on the surface. Being liberal concerning men and their affections might not be something Yassia would agree to, but she refused to let the positive picture she had been given by the lady so far be tarnished by gossip. Nothing in the world of ladies’ talk was ever said without a motive, and sometimes these motives were far uglier than the things that were being said. Not that she wanted to think ill of Lady Roslyn in return, but she still couldn’t help but wonder what exactly it was that made her attack Lady Caitrin in such an obvious manner.
”We scheduled it in three days, Lady Roslyn, and I’m very much looking forward to it”, she pointed out softly, a gentle and very kindly meant rebuke in her voice, a reminder that she’d like to form her own opinion, but didn’t begrudge Roslyn her sentiments. “And really? Then I must undoubtedly ride out there and let myself be amazed by its beauty. It is said that my uncle’s estate, Falconeyrie, is a gem under the manors around here, but I’m ready to stand corrected. Where do you live, if I may ask?”

[Lady Roslyn]

Roslyn was starting to enjoy the way this feast was turning out. She hadn’t met anyone as unconventional as Yassia in quite some time. The women in Camelot tended to be from one kettle of fish, and seldom differed from it. That wasn’t a criticism of course, it was nice to be around like minded women. The most radical woman at court was probably the Lady Morgana, well, excepting Caitrin, and she wasn’t radical in a productive way, she just flaunted her ways for all to see. Morgana was someone for the other ladies to look up to though, what with her fashions and mannerisms. Roslyn kept her smile on her face and took a small sip of her wine. She wasn’t sure what she would think of a woman ruling by herself; it had never been heard of in Camelot of course. There had always been a male ruler, and it was strange to think of a woman ruling without a husband. Roslyn pressed her lips together, and nodded at her new aquantances, “Will you marry before you return to your home?” She asked curiously, wondering now if she was indeed over stepping the mark. Roslyn didn’t want to leave the wrong impression of course, she just wanted to quench her new found curiosity.

Ten or twenty men? Roslyn would have probably been amused if someone had tried to take the throne of Camelot with so few men. She didn’t show any of this facially of course, she sipped her wine and listened as the princess spoke. She couldn’t understand the logic of it though, why come this far north for ten troops? Surely she could have just hired some mercenaries or have gained help in the south? Perhaps she had wanted to come here because of her family connections. Roslyn couldn’t think of anything else really. Then again, she wasn’t versed in succession or any of those matters. “I’m sure that everything will work out for you, princess.” Roslyn gave her a wide smile and inclined her goblet to her, “And I wish you good luck with wherever your appeal takes you.” She took another sip of her goblet and drained the last of it. She held up the goblet, and it was quickly filled by a passing servant.

Really, Roslyn could give Yassia a list of reasons why she didn’t approve of Lady Caitrin and the way she acted. It annoyed Roslyn that the Lady in question stole away most of the noblemen and she would eventually end up marrying one of them. She had no right to come into their kingdom and make a mockery of their culture. Roslyn reigned in her temper and pressed her lips together, sipping at her wine again. “The ride out there is beautiful, you’ll enjoy it.” Roslyn couldn’t deny the road and forests around there were beautiful. She did like riding out there on occasion, but she had always been to worried about running into the lady in question, which she had done a few times. “I live at my father’s estate, it’s only a ten minute ride south of here.” Roslyn grinned and reclined slightly in her seat, but so she was still holding herself in a ladylike manner, “Have you ridden past it? It is just called the Griffin estate.”