Wound Up In The Past (Yassia)

[Caitrin de Archer]

Where did Caitrin see herself in the future? Well, this was defiantly a more interesting topic than needlework wasn't it? She gave a small smile which probably betrayed her true feelings. Her future life was something she hadn't really given much thought to until quite recently. Usually she had been one for living in the moment, but now she had paid some thought to the future. There were many things which Caitrin wished to happen in her future, though she was sure only a few of these things would become truly recognised. "Well hopefully I will be married soon." With any luck Griff would propose sooner rather than later, and then they could truly be each others. Her heart fluttered at the mere thought. Jesu, she usually wasn't such a romantic but Griff usually had this effect on her. "Children?" She then mused thoughtfully, "I do want children yes, I think perhaps a large family." She giggled slightly and put her hand to her mouth, "But don't tell Griff that just yet." She winked softly at her friend, "I think perhaps that you will be back in Ailantha before I have the pleasure of starting a family." That was said with a little bit of sadness. though Caitrin had only really got to know Yassia this evening, she was sure they would become great friends. Of course she would want such a friend to witness her family, but she knew that Yassia's fate did not lie in Camelot. "Tell me Yassia, where do you see yourself in the future?" Of course Caitrin did not want to sit here and ramble on about her hopes and dreams for the future all evening, she wanted to hear her friends hopes and dreams as well.

Caitrin laughed as Yassia voiced that she was too much of a push over to let anyone be scared of her. "I think I hold my own too well for anyone to push me around, and that includes Griff." She voiced to her friend with a soft wink. She was glad to hear that Yassia could hold her own, she had figured as much because after all, she would have to be quite forceful if she hoped to win back her throne. "I am sure that attitude will help you in your quest to win back your throne." She smiled at her friend, hoping that one day she would be able to see her friend become Queen.

The servants had probably put up with a lot worse than having two women listening to them practice. She knew how demanding her Uncle could be on their services so spending their time playing music would probably be the equivalent of a night off. "I'm sure they will not mind us listening in." She assured Yassia and grinned as she too stood up, Yassia certainly was eager. Straightening down the front of her dress, "Come, lets go into the other room." She extended her arm to her friend and began to lead the way into the other room where music was already starting to sound quite loudly from it. As she opened the door the servants all ceased playing and inclined their heads towards her. "Please don't mind us, we just want to hear what you have come up with."

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

A gleeful chuckle escaped Yassia as she listened to Caitrin’s hopes and dreams put into words, and her eyes started gleaming. Oh it was wonderful to have such happy prospects to look forward to, and for a happy moment, any thought of jealousy was utterly banned from her mind. She just felt glad for her friend and enjoyed picturing it as well. Griff, even thought she had not met him yet, seemed such an important part of Caitrin’s future that Yassia couldn’t help but including him into this relationship. She really hoped she would get to know him soon.
”Don’t you fear, my lips are sealed”, she chuckled and let go a dreamy sigh. “Wouldn’t want the husband-to-be to get cold feet, because he doesn’t see himself as a father figure, right? But I am sure, if you break it to him slowly, you will get your large family eventually. That’s the good thing about families, they grow naturally, and you can’t really do anything against it.” Well, a healer could, at least some of them, and Yassia had the dangerous knowledge of plants that could hinder a conception. But she also knew that the real reason for why she was rambling now and forcing her thoughts in this particular direction, was because she wanted to escape answering Caitrin’s question in return.

But in the end, she did reply, and slowly a smile crept over her face. A girl was allowed to dream, yes? No one had said this was what she KNEW was to happen in a few years time, she could as well tell Caitrin where she WANTED to be…and that was easy.
”Well, in a few years time… I see myself ruling over Ailantha, either alone but better with someone that I truly love and whom I can trust. I would use the knowledge I gained on my travels to let Ailantha become a wonderful place!” She beamed. “Maybe I could… decree that travellers can claim sanctuary in every house, that it is more than a duty to help them out… it’d be the law. Because I have witnessed first hand what it means to travel without any help at all.”
She took another moment to think. “About children… It’s funny, of course I want children, but… I can’t actually see myself having them. Maybe I’m not the mother type after all… or I need to find the one that makes me want to have children first.”

Yassia nodded her head fiercely and winked. No, she really could not see anyone able to push Caitrin around. She would probably teach them a lesson they would never forget!
”I do hope it will help me… but it makes me sad to think you might not be there to witness it.” She sighed and squeezed her friend’s hand. “But then, Ailantha might be far, but it is not the end of the world. I am sure we can stay in touch, one way on the other. And who knows how long it takes for me to get help? It could be a while still.”

With a jovial wink, Yassia took her friend’s arm and let herself be led towards the other room. How funny it must look to an outsider. They had only just met, but now they were walking like year old friends would and it didn’t feel in the least bit wrong!
Even before entering the room, Yassia heard the music and was quite impressed as to how well she already could feel the difficult rhythm pulse through their melody. It was different from anything Yassia had ever heard, probably Albion tunes with an Ailanthan or rather even Andaluse rhythm, but it was far better than what she had expected.
She, too, smiled at the servants and nodded her approval. “Yes, keep on playing, please, it sounds wonderful already.” Turning to Caitrin, she added: “Where shall we sit? Do you have a favourite place in here?”

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin found herself chuckling as Yassia promised that her lips were sealed. She and Griff weren't even married yet, so perhaps it was a bit quick to already be thinking about children and of getting married. However, it was a dream, and Caitrin could cling onto that because they were her dreams and no one else's. She wondered, now that she thought about it, whether Griff had similar dreams, and whether he saw himself with her in those dreams. She hoped that he did, and she was pretty sure that he did. Of course she didn't like to assume anything. "I never really thought of myself as the motherly type." She admitted to her friend, "But the more I think about it, the more I'm warming to the idea." The idea of children running about the estate certainly was something she could picture happening in the future.

She knew of course that ruling Ailantha would rate quite highly on Yassia's hope. Ailantha still seemed like a sort of fairy story to Caitrin, but the way in which Yassia spoke left Caitrin with no doubt in her mind that the woman would make an exceptional ruler. It was an almost inspirational thought and Caitrin just beamed at her friend. She knew that she would one day rule her homeland the way in which it should be ruled, and one thing Caitrin was sure she wanted to see. "I will have to visit your court once you are Queen, I am sure it will be quite a sight to behold." Caitrin had no idea whether that would be possible, but it would be lovely if it was! As for Yassia's thoughts on children, Caitrin found herself somewhat amused. "I suppose only time will tell whether you will want children, though you may not have a choice." She winked softly of course not all women chose to get pregnant, and she assumed Yassia would have to get married at some point.

Caitrin squeezed Yassia's hand back as she voiced her hope that she keep in touch. Caitrin did want to visit Ailantha one day, and she hoped that circumstance would allow it. "I will make every effort to visit you in your homeland." She promised softly, "But you must promise to keep in touch when you go back home." Promises were easy, but Caitrin was sure that Yassia would keep this one.

The servants commenced playing as Caitrin settled them to the fact that for now she and Yassia were only listening. Caitrin looked about for somewhere to sit and then realised the window seat, which had some cushions already laid on them, would probably be the most comfortable place to sit. "Perhaps on the window seat?" She suggested and began to lead the way, straightening out her skirts as she took up her seat. "So what do you think of the music? Does it resemble anything close to the music you are familiar with?"

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

For a moment, Yassia actually pictured Caitrin surrounded by a bunch of red head children, boys and girls alike and the the mental image made her smile. She could not tell yet what hair color Griff would have, but somehow Yassia thought this promiment haircolor as dominant as its bearer. Surely Caitrin would be a wonderful mother, as she already had more experience with large families than she probably even admitted to herself. Growing up in a large family herself would help her there, Yassia was sure of it. And she just could see her friend getting through anything successfully, it seemed to be in her nature. Maybe there would be minor setbacks, but the princess was sure that the stars shone down in favor on Caitrin and would give her the life she deserved.
”I can see this to be a thing taking time”, she agreed softly, smiling. “But then, it must be in our blood somehow, yes? I don’t think any woman was born to be a dead end, so to speak. You will be a wonderful mother, I am sure of it, and I would give anything to see one of your children one day.” But that was truly a long way off and only the stars knew what would happen until then.

Yassia’s eyes lit up as she saw her friend sharing her excitement so openly and as Caitrin spoke about coming to visit Ailantha. How wonderful that would be! And it was not impossible, it would only take a lot of planning and time. Time they hopefully would have once things had settled down. There was no way she could invite Caitrin before she had been firmly settled as the queen of Ailantha without any ongoing struggle. And however optimistic Yassia was, she knew it might take a little, if her uncle had taken over in her absence – and the chances were high he actually had.
”Oh, please please do!” she beseeched her friend though. “We will make it happen, no matter what it takes! And Ailantha might not be as grand a sight to behold than maybe Camelot, but you will love the people! They can be stubborn, but they are loyal… maybe the one also causes the other?” she finished with a jovial wink. But it was true… the loyalty of her people was something she dearly counted on. She could not imagine them to accept Guifrés rule so easily.

She didn’t think it would be wise to point out that if she only wanted, Yassia would truly have a choice. In fact, shortly Yassia had considered agreeing to a marriage with Stéphane, but preventing herself from bearing any children. That would insult his honor quite a bit, and it would prevent the new line from prospering into another generation. But what then? In the end it would only cause more chaos, and so she had chosen to flee.
Then she thought about a possible way to truly stay in touch with Caitrin over such grand a distance. Messengers would take horribly long and she truly could not burden any poor man with such a journey back and forth for her own personal gain.
”I’m sure we will think of something until the time comes”, she assured her friend with a sigh. “There IS a way, and I’m sure it will come to us. Let’s not burden ourselves now with problems the future holds, for now we can very well keep in touch!”

Following Caitrin to the window seat and sitting down, Yassia then shook her head. “Not quite. The rhythm is the same, but the melodies they improvise are completely different. But that makes it somehow… enchanting to me. It is a mixture of both cultures”, she smiled and leaned her head against the wall.”Like I am.”

[Caitrin de Archer]

Although Caitrin was sure that her family would have one or two things to say about her marriage with Griff, she couldn’t really help that she was already falling for him. She was sure that if her affections were matched that she and Griff would be spending their lives together. It was both a daunting thought and one which excited Caitrin. It was a match as well that would eventually bear fruitful she was sure, but that perhaps was quite a long way off in hers and Griff’s thoughts. They weren’t even engaged yet after all. It was nice to dream though, as Caitrin had no idea what she would be like as a mother. She did want children after all; just not at the moment. There was so much to experience before she entered into motherhood, and of course she would want Griff firmly by her side for that journey. “I’m sure that you will be a wonderful mother as well, when the time comes.” Caitrin said softly, returning the compliment with relative ease. Caitrin already knew enough about Yassia’s personality to know that she would make an excellent mother. Perhaps Caitrin would one day get to meet the family she was sure Yassia would create; though that was some time away.

The way in which Yassia’s eyes lit up when a visit was mentioned gave Caitrin the opinion that the effort to make the visit to her homeland would not go unappreciated. Caitrin really did want to see Ailantha, and she would make it one of her ambitions. After all, there was so much more to the world than Camelot, and as she had not been brought up here so she had that keen eye for everything that was out there. It was exciting in a way to picture the land beyond those hills, and to one day travel that path. “I shall come and visit, and I’m sure Griff will come as well.” Griff probably wouldn’t have much say in the matter, and she would make sure that he came as well. Anyway if everything went to plan she and Griff would be married long before Yassia returned home, so it would be his duty as well to accompany her. “It will be interesting to see how the Kingdoms compare.” Of course she would have three kingdoms to compare with which was a rarity really, but something which Caitrin was quite proud of.

Yassia was right really, there was no point in worrying about a problem tonight which could easily be solved in the morning. The issues of communication would be solved, Caitrin was sure of it. There would be a way round it, but that would be something to think of for another day. For now there was no issue in how they communicated as they were both in the same room. “I’m sure we’ll be able to keep in touch with ease.” Someone would have some idea to make their communication easier.

Caitrin wasn’t too fazed that the melody differed from what Yassia was used to. After all it wasn’t supposed to be note on note perfect, it was more like an improvisation and that was all it was supposed to be. They sat listening to the music for some time until Caitrin was sure that the musicians were confident in what they were playing. At that moment Caitrin pushed herself out of her seat and wandered into the middle of the room and spun around to face her friend. “I am sure this dancing will be nothing like you are used to either.” She grinned and slowly began to move her feet and body in time with the music. She began to extend her arms and shifted gently in time with the music. Solo dancing was always something of a scandal, but as long as Caitrin kept her posture then she was sure that she could pull it off with ease. “Come and join me.” Caitrin offered to Yassia with a grin and spun around artistically; a smile on her face as she enjoyed every moment.

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

Yassia grinned fondly at her friend as she told her she would be a wonderful mother as well. Having children on her own one day was truly something very far from her mind still, as the circumstances were surely not favorable. Not only that she didn’t have a man she wanted children with yet – whether or not her own will had any say in this was still to be decided as well – but also the fact that she couldn’t give them any secure future as of yet. She didn’t know what the stars would hold in store for her next, and even if she hoped for the best like everyone did, she had learned not to expect it as a given and prepare for something far worse. Children were always a sign of the future, but they needed a secure present to be that light of hope. Did commoners have similar problems? Well, for them it might be even graver, a matter of survival more than rank and standing. Under her disguise, Yassia had talked to many a common woman and what they had told her, about losing eight children out of ten, had shocked her quite a bit.
”I would probably spoil them to no end”, she joked to distract herself from too many gloomy thoughts. “Too much love can be as bad as too little sometimes. I’ve seen what can become of spoilt royal brats – maybe I was one too, I never had to deal with myself after all.”

Other thoughts of the future were not quite as tagged with a question mark, as for Yassia it was now a sure thing she would show Caitrin Ailantha one day. Even if she had to become queen only for that, it would happen! Maybe doing this not only for herself and the benefits of her people, but also for some more lighthearted reason would be an effective way to give her enough determination? There was no harm in trying anyway.
”Well, of yourse Griff is also very welcome! It’s odd, even though I haven’t met him yet, it feels like I know him already, through your words. It will be funny to compare the real one to the image I have created in my mind.”
As for the comparing kingdoms, Caitring was surely right. Yassia had seen much on her travels, and she would have never thought how much the differences and similarities she saw fascinated her. Not enough to become a wanderer forever maybe, but certainly enough to remember her journey with more than just hardship and pain.
”You’ll be quite versed then, and surely have a lot to tell to those staying behind”, she suggested. “Like your uncle for example… or your kids one day. It’s surely far more than most of the other ladies do, they never see past Camelot, as don’t their minds.”

Yassia couldn’t help but watch in absolute awe as Caitrin began her dancing. She was right, it was nothing like Yassia was used to, but that was entirely beside the point. Caitrin had said before she loved dancing, but hearing it was another thing than seeing it. Seeing the grace, the aptitude and more even the excitement practically radiating from her friend was nothing like she had ever seen before, but she enjoyed every minute of it. Even though not used to the rhythm, Caitrin worked with it perfectly, seemed to simply FEEL it. Had Yassia been a man, she might have been thoroughly bewitched, but she was already caught well enough without hormones interfereing.
She didn’t even process Caitrin’s suggestion of joining her in the first place, too occupied with watching, and so she blinked and shook her head with a sheepish grin.
”Sorry, I have to say you spin my head round, Cait. You’re amazing! Okay… I’m coming!”
Rising quickly, Yassia approached Cait and put herself in a distinctive posture, weight resting on the left foot, while the right one was a little set out. Raising her left hand over her head with the fingers set into a certain fashion, she kept the right hand down in the same posture and then cocked her head, listening and waiting for the right moment in the rhythm to start.

Once she had reached the sequence, she closed her eyes and began to move her feet in a fast rhythm though staying at one place more or less. Her hands were wrung around each other, up and down in an intricate pattern. “Sometimes women also do have little pieces of wood between their fingers and the clacking adds to the rhythm”, she explained over the music.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Although Yassia was concerned that she would spoil her children too much, Caitrin was adamant that she wouldn’t even think about spoiling her children. She wouldn’t be too hard on them, but she knew the problems with spoiling children too much. After all, her elder sisters had been spoilt no end by their mother, and then suitors after they became of age. They had always insisted on a new dress to wear, and matching jewellery to decorate themselves with. Caitrin could never understand it, she had been happy as long as she had her bow and arrows, and trees to climb. Her sisters had been insufferable when they had been growing up. They could never appreciate the simple things in life, and Caitrin didn’t want her children to grow up with the selfish attitude that they both had held. “I think I would try and get the balance just right.” Caitrin said thoughtfully, “But I suppose I’ll never know until I actually have children.” They could sit here and debate on the proper practices of child rearing until they were blue in the face, but it didn’t actually mean anything until they actually had a child to inflict these practices upon. As long as Caitrin knew her children were going to grow up with the right morals, and that they were going to grow up and be happy, she was sure that was all she wanted.

It was a given that of course Griff would have to join Caitrin if she ever made the journey to Ailantha. It was quite a long journey after all, and she would rather experience it with a friendly face. It was quite sweet of Yassia to invite him already as she had not even met him yet. She hoped so much that Yassia and Griff got on together, it would mean so much to Caitrin. “Well I am sure the real image will surpass the image you have.” She giggled, Jesu she sounded like some love struck teen, and it was a new sensation. “I am sure it will, and I hope you will both get on.” She was sure that they would, Griff never really didn’t get on with a good looking woman, and Caitrin was fine with that. After all, she wasn’t about to give up her ways just yet, so she wouldn’t expect Griff too either so long as nothing came of either excursions.

Caitrin nodded along with Yassia’s words. She knew it was quite unusual for a noblewoman to have even left her kingdom of birth unless she was Royalty of course. Caitrin knew she was unusual in that way, but she enjoyed that aspect of her personality. It allowed her to see past Uther’s court, and see how other Kingdom’s conducted themselves. The main issue of course was that of magic, of course Camelot was the strictest on sorcery, and it was still something which worried Caitrin. Perhaps Ailantha would prove interesting in this aspect. “I am sure I will be able to enchant everyone with my stories.” Caitrin agreed softly and took a swig of her wine, before beginning her own little take on the dancing.

Caitrin was still able to sway her body with the beat, despite being unfamiliar with the tune. Her dancing had always been something she had been complimented for, and it was one way she had attracted men in the past. Of course it was just natural now, and she was only showing off in front of Yassia rather than using her dancing to attract male attention. Griff hadn’t been able to keep his eyes off her when she had been dancing, but she hadn’t been able to keep her eyes from him either. That was one passion they both shared. They could show their affections for each other through the medium of dance. Her feet switched in time with the beat, and her arms moved in an almost sensual way about the air as she stretched out one of her arms and swayed with the beat. She loved the way she could almost just escape into the music, and leave all her troubles behind.

Flushing slightly at Yassia’s compliment, she was nothing but glad that her friend had come to join her. “I only hope that I did the music justice.” She expressed as she began to move in time with the music, and her friend. Dancing in company was of course much preferred to dancing by ones self. As Yassia explained about the pieces of wood Caitrin frowned, they had no such things here, but she did have an idea, “Perhaps we could clap to mimic the sound of the wood?” She suggested. This was all about improvisation after all.

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

Caitrin couldn’t be more right with her comment. Nothing really counted until it was real. Reality had such a different face from all the dreams and imaginations you could have, as nothing could ever turn out the way you planned it. Planning was nothing but a rough direction, a setting of statements and personal preference, so you had at least a rough guideline. No one could tell if any of them would ever have children, and if yes, how the circumstances would be. Maybe the matter of spoiling them wouldn’t even be evident, as there could be far more important things on their mind than overindulgence. Yassia herself couldn’t even be sure she would be able to raise her children in a sense of royalty, or if she would end up a beggar on the street and would have to find a low and graceful soul to give her some love. Nothing was sure in this world. A lightening bolt could fell one of them the next day, or a river could drown their hopes along with their bodies. Yassia had never thought she would set a foot out of Ailantha in all her life, and look what had happened since!
”That’s so true”, she agreed with a sigh, but then an impish smile played around her lips. “Though I will relish in the day when I can give you advice from mother to mother. Don’t you think that women always know best when it doesn’t concern their own offspring?”

Yassia was not worried she somehow would not get along with Griff. If things were to turn out that way that her friendship with Caitrin would deepen even more, then fate would not throw in Griff as an irritant. That absolute faith in the ways of the stars might be a bit naïve, but it didn’t cost you to be optimistic… until you fell again flat on your nose of course. But she was all but sure that wouldn’t happen here.
”You think anyone can really NOT be friends with me?!” she asked in mock offence and opened her eyes wide. “Look at me: I’m the epitome of kindness, fun, elegance, eloquence and… what else? Oh, modesty of course!” she finished with a laugh and a wink. “Nah, seriously. I don’t see any problem there!”
For even if Griff and her should have some problems in getting along, they would both bite their tongues and try to make it work for Cait’s sake. It was never easy to be torn between two people, and she should never have to choose between one and the other. Yassia was sure Griff would think the same.

She hadn’t expected to find such joy in the dance. How long since she last danced anyway? That must have been months at least, and the single dance with the quick movement of her feet brought back memories and thoughts of happiness from her childhood. When her worst concern had been being found out whirling through her bedroom together with her handmaid, laughing and gasping until her sides hurt and she collapsed on her large and soft bed, completely worn out but blissfully happy. Back when everything had been as it should be. The dance couldn’t bring back the old times, but it could bring back the same feeling, and Yassia welcomed the surge with open arms, closing her eyes and immersing herself completely in the music and the joy it brought her, while her feet still kept to the fast and driving rhythm.

When Caitrin interrupted her thoughts though it was a welcome interruption. She wanted her friend to take part in this too, to not be alone. She had enough of being alone anyway, and a friend in happiness was as needed as a friend with mutual sorrows. Caitrin appeared to be just that, and it amazed Yassia still how alike and yet different they were.
”You did more than that”, she assured her friend with gleaming eyes. “You honored the music! I almost wish there could be more people seeing and appreciating it, but here between us is good as well!”
The idea of using their hands instead of the wood didn’t even sound so bad. Of course, the sound would nearly be the same, but it was not like perfection was the goal here, the goal was having fun. Nodding vigorously, Yassia started to try it out, clapping her hands in an offbeat rhythm that seemed to merge with the music still coming from the playing servants. “If you try to counter my claps with your own, let’s see if we get a fast, driving rhythm of our own… while still dancing!” she challenged Caitrin. It was not easy doing so many things at once, but even if they failed – what did it matter. The worst that could happen was them completely going against the rhythm and ending in a laughing pile on the floor. And that wasn’t so bad, was it?

[Caitrin de Archer]

Even though Caitrin had only known Yassia for such a short space of time, she felt as if she had actually known her for a lifetime. They were so at ease with each other that now Caitrin was finding it hard to picture Camelot without Yassia. However, she knew that day would come one day, because Yassia had to go back and reclaim her kingdom. Caitrin already knew that she would be sad when that day came, because they were getting on so well. She would be glad when her friend regained her birthright though, she was sure of that.

Caitrin wished that she would be able to have someone like Yassia by her side when she was bringing up her children. She was sure that Yassia would be gone long before then, but she was already missing that interaction in such circumstances. Caitrin wasn’t sure when she and Griff would have children, but she knew that she did want a family. For years she had told herself that she didn’t need any of that, after all, her large amount of siblings had been enough to put anyone off childbirth. However, now she was sure that she did want a family. Perhaps she would be able to convey her messages about the family with Yassia when they were forced to part. After all, there were ways of conveying messages across kingdoms. “In truth I have never commented on how any woman raises her child. But then again, neither have I had the opportunity.” She shrugged softly, she had never really come across any pregnant women in her time. Well, none that were intimately known to her. “Have you?” She asked softly, her words lined with curiosity.

It wasn’t Yassia getting on with Griff that Caitrin was worrying about, it was more the other way around. Caitrin was already learning that she and Griff weren’t that conventional, and some didn’t appreciate that. She just hoped that Griff would make the effort, even though she was sure he would. “I’m sure you will both get on with each other famously.” She grinned and gave a short laugh, “We shall have to arrange a meal or some such event so that you both can meet.” Caitrin would or course organise that at everyone’s earliest convenience as it would be quite a joyous event for all involved. Even her Uncle might make the effort to join them for a course or two.

Dancing was always good for the soul, or at least that was what Caitrin believed. It was whilst dancing that she had realised her true feelings for Griff. They had been so wound up in each other during the dance that there had been little thought for the world around them. Between them both, and as clichéd as it sounded, nothing else had mattered. Time had just stopped, and she had replayed that scene over and over in her mind. But that dance was in the past, and for now she was dancing in the company of a friend. The fact that Yassia too was enjoying the dance was encouraging, and Caitrin smiled across at her as she continued to move in time with the beat. She beamed as Yassia said that she was complimenting the music. “I’m sure we can get more to enjoy the music.” She clapped her hands together, excitedly, “At some private function or some such, we could always strike up a tune or two.” Caitrin had heard of other nobles throwing small get togethers in their noble households, though her Uncle had often been opposed to such things. Well, when she and Griff were eventually married then Griff would have some say in the day to day running of the household.

Nodding at Yassia’s suggestion, she obliged her friend as best she could with her rhythm, and achieved what Yassia had been suggesting quite quickly. It sped the music up quite quickly, and those who were playing the instruments began to also speed up the beat. As they did, Caitrin found her feet moving in time with the beat, and her skirts wrapped round almost artistically and she could not keep a grin from her face.

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

It was the first time in a really long while Yassia felt truly relaxed, and she welcomed that feeling with open arms, having almost forgotte how it felt like. She had been in Camelot for just a little while now, and until now she had always felt a little on edge, not belonging, a foreign body in a perfectly functioning cosmos that just kept on existing without her. She had even broken into her uncle’s life like an unexpected whirlwind, turning everything upside down and reopening old wounds. He had told her he was happy to see her, but they both would need time to adjust to this new situation. But here, with Caitrin, she didn’t feel foreign at all. She was given time to wholeheartedly be herself without having to watch every step quite as carefully. She would have thanked Caitrin already for that, did she know what to say. Like this, she could only try to make it clear how much she enjoyed her company by other means. Talking enthusiastically maybe? Oh well, she would have to see how well that went.

Grinning, Yassia leaned back and took a minute to let a few incidents of her journey pass her by. She hadn’t tried yet to sort many of the incidents out she had had there, but Caitrin and her questions were seriously helping with that. She did even have a quite amusing story for the ‘tell others what to do’ category.
”Indeed I have… well this one incident was just too obvious, I couldn’t stand by”, she chuckled. “There was this woman in the village… I guess she was like the landlord’s wife or something. She was scolding her little daughter who cried and cried, and seemed too afraid to even tell the reason why. That woman didn’t even seem interested, but when she turned to me, I saw that the hem of her skirt was decorated with horse droppings…” Again Yassia had to stiffle a laugh. “Turns out she told her daughter to clear the courtyard because she herself was too lazy or whatever, and then she had stepped right into the pile without noticing it. So I told her to not overstrain her little girl in the future, as she was not her cheap servant.”

It might be impossible for Yassia’s ears to perk up at the mentioning of food though she just had eaten, and yet it was the case. Before leaving her home she had never been a hearty eater, but nearly starving for almost two months had quite changed her point of view on this subject. She had had to work hard on her table manners again once she had settled into her uncle’s home. It wouldn’t do for a princess to gobble like a cowhand, now would it?
”As long as there is good food I am sure I will get on with everyone petfectly, even Griff”,she joked though. “As long as he doesn’t steal my food, now then I can become quite … nasty. You can warn him beforehand though that I can get very territorial of late when it comes to food.”

The idea of getting more people to join in such a dance was quite an inspiring one, even though Yassia still had her doubts.Would anyone else really be that open to a foreign and slightly scandalous dance like Caitrin had been without a second of hesitation? From the top of her head,Yassia couldn’t name anyone else, but then she hardly could call herself versed in the Camelot society already. There were only a few faces she knew by name, let alone as well as she already thought to know Caitrin. Maybe Caitrin had other friends that were like her and would gladly jump at the chance of suchlike entertainment.
”Oh yes, I would love that!” she exclaimed and beamed. “Nothing against a little private fun, but… the dynamic of a larger group is just not comparable.” She had watched people dancing excitedlyin groups before, on her travels when she had stayed in taverns,but she had never thought it appropriate to be a part of them. They were not her world. And yet here was Caitrin, suggesting that something similar could be happening here…in her world. It was almost too good to be true.

As the rhythm grew faster and faster, Yassia felt her heartbeat accelerating along with it,until the blood started to rush in her head, nearly crowding out the music. She had never experienced a frenzy before, but suddenly she could understand what was going on in the people she had watched dancing on the market-places until they dropped. It was like a drug, the rhythm, the melody, the moving of her own limbs,everything weaved together into a feeling of utmost freedom and bliss.Nothing reallymattered at this moment, not who you were and what had been, just THAT you were… and that you danced!
Without thinking twice about it, Yassia jerked her head back and let go a trilling yelp, shouting out everything that had accumulated within her. Sweet stars was that liberating!

[Caitrin de Archer]

Although this was the first real dinner which Caitrin had hosted, she believed it was going quite well. That however, she believed, was only partly down to her hosting skills. After all, Yassia was quite obliging with all that Caitrin had to offer, which was a breath of fresh air. She hoped that many more dinners would proceed between the pair if they were having this much fun at their first real meeting. Caitrin already classed Yassia as a dear friend, and hoped that the woman obliged her with the same honour. Though Camelot was not Caitrin’s native home, she hoped that she had helped to make Yassia feel a little more comfortable in this part of the country. She knew herself how hard it was to adapt to a different culture, and she had only just crossed over a border really. Caitrin couldn’t imagine how hard it had been for Yassia to even start to adapt to Camelot’s way of thinking.

Listening to Yassia speak about this woman and her daughter, it made Caitrin think that when she did regain her birthright, Yassia would never let her children take it for granted. Perhaps she was seeing too much into it, but she doubted that there would be many Royal brats walking around Ailantha when Yassia was Queen. Now that would be an odd sight to behold in later years, perhaps they would both have a child or two when Caitrin did make the journey to Ailantha. She was sure that her children would always have a place in that foreign kingdom, as Yassia’s children would always have a place in her home, no matter what. “Children shouldn’t be used as cheap labour.” Caitrin agreed softly. As rough as her childhood had been, her father had never imposed any form of work upon her, and she would treat her children in the same way.

Caitrin gave a warm laugh as Yassia said to her that as long as Griff didn’t steal her food, then they would all get on just fine. “I’ll make sure to tell him that.” She assured her friend softly and winked at her. It was quite an amusing thing which Yassia was rather territorial over, and Caitrin was now glad that she had not stolen any of her friends food in jest over the course of the meal.

Her face lit up as Yassia expressed her agreement. Excellent! Caitrin would now have to just persuade her Uncle to let her play host to such an event. They had a large enough solar anyway for dancing and suchlike, and Caitrin often thought that it was a crime that such a large manor house often went unused for most of the time. Perhaps now was the time to breathe new life into the place. “I shall look to arranging it, and I’ll let you know in due course.” Caitrin replied enthusiastically, perhaps they would be able to persuade some of the other Camelotian courtiers to join them. She was sure it would be a special evening either way.

The dance was starting to get faster, and faster. Caitrin’s main accomplishment was that she was able to keep in time with the beat. Her feet were moving so quickly, and she was spinning so much, that the room was starting to become a blur. She couldn’t keep a smile from her face, and she just ended up laughing, as right here and now, she was truly happy. She was quite shocked at Yassia’s sudden burst of enthusiasm, but perhaps that was more a cultural thing than anything. As she did, the dance began to spiral down to its close, as the musicians finally broke off the beat. Caitrin looked back to them and thanked them, “I don’t think I have had so much fun dancing in a long time.” She was still laughing, and she ran a hand over her head as she was breathing heavily. “Should I call for some wine?”

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

Wasn’t it almost magical, or a true miracle, that Caitrin and Yassia seemed to agree on so many things? Of course, it should be in anyone’s interest and will that no child should be abused whatsoever, and never used as an excuse for the parents’ shortcomings, but that had not been all there was to it. Throughout this long conversation, they had already found so many similarities, sometimes even in their life stories, it was well-nigh unbelievable. They seemed to want the same things and wanted to avoid the same things… and that made Yassia think of an ancient phrase she had once heard, but couldn’t remember exactly who had taught her this same phrase:’To desire the same things, and to reject the same things constitutes true friendship’. Well, whoever had once made this true observation must have had experienced the same blessing as Yassia did now: Finding a true friend in a random acquaintance. Really, who would have thought that a simple dinner invitation would turn out so wonderful! And to think a few hours before she had even hesitated to go! She had felt so self-conscious and nervous, and it had been her uncle persuading her with wise words. She would have to thank him so much when she came back to the Manor!

”Never!” she agreed firmly with her friend. “I mean…children surely are not there to fulfil their parent’s ambitions either, though I fear especially in our kind of world that is almost a given.” A thoughtful expression crossed Yassia’s face for a second. “I wonder how my cousin Stéphane would really be if he wasn’t constantly pushed by his father and his treacherous high goals. Who knows… maybe he could be even nice. Not nice enough to marry, but still…”
Too late she realized her thoughts had been wandering away from Caitrin, and she gave her friend an apologetic smile. Hadn’t they said to leave the past behind for this evening? That didn’t only include their mutual… acquaintances, it should entail her own troublesome past as well!

Yassia was glad Caitrin had taken the food joke in good grace. Really, Griff must be a wonderful man to be deserving of a woman like Caitrin. Her anticipation and curiosity grew with every little tidbit she learned about her friend’s intended. How fortunate for her to be able to marry for love. She had truly made the best out of being sent here, and it was good Caitrin’s uncle seemed not opposed to the match. Maybe that had been Caitrin’s reason of coming here after all…so that she could meet Griff and fall in love with him. Sometimes the stars worked their schemes in very peculiar ways and they planned things a long time in advance, as for them even years were only blinks in time. Yassia herself had been wishing on a falling star that she would meet Oliver again, no matter the circumstances, and deep inside she allowed herself to hope for it. But not every fate was made for a path of happiness. The stars probably knew best.

Caitrin’s confirmation to plan such an event of dancing and merry get-together in the future filled Yassia’s heart with joy and she couldn’t force the bright smile off her face even if she had wanted to. That made it official! Her time in Camelot, however long it would be,would not only be filled with idle sitting around and hoping. She would have events to pass her time with,and maybe by the end of her stay she would be as sad to leave as she was happy to return home. Those were glorious prospects indeed!
”That would be wonderful,Caitrin! And if you need any help in arranging it, any help at all, just call on me and I’ll be glad to be of some assistance.” After all, her time in Ailantha hadn’t been all dull and dense. She had had her fair share of balls and little soirées as well, and she knew how to care for a large household. That was what a princess who had been meant to make a good wife to a duke or second son of a kingdom had been brought up to from an early age.

She had surprised herself with the quite scandalous yelp, something she had often heard in the lower towns at night, sounding up into the night air from their many gatherings and merrimakings. Experiencing almost nothing else but peace,Ailantha had been a prosperous and happy kingdom in Yassia’s memory. She was not sure what would be left of that when she came back,but she was war too exhilarated to care for that now.
When the music stopped, Yassia found herself waking as if from a trance and stood in the middle of the room, one arm still raised over her head. Slowly it came back to her where she was,and she blushed self-consciously.
”I’m sorry… I don’t quite know what came over me, but… I guess that sound belongs to the dance. I never danced it so freely before, so I didn’t know the hold it can have over you.”
Fanning herself with her hand to give her flustered face a little relief, she finally joined in Caitrin’s laughter. Chuckling, she replied: “I’m glad you had fun! And yes,wine sounds good, but I fear it might go to my head very quickly now. Believe me, you don’t want to see me drunk!”

[Caitrin de Archer]

Although Caitrin did not show it, Yassia’s words rung true with her. Children were often used for the advancement of their families. Caitrin’s own family had used nearly all the family to advance the de Archers’ own position. Both her sisters had been married off to men they neither knew or loved, and Caitrin had only been spared the fate because the man she was intended to marry had died, and therefore released her back to the world. When Caitrin became united with Griff, whenever that happened to be, it would not be for her family’s ambitions, but it would be because she wanted to marry him, because she loved him. “I will never use my own children for my family’s advancement.” Caitrin finally said firmly, “As unconventional as it is, I would want my children to marry for love, and not because I believe I will have something to gain from the union.”

Caitrin just beamed on at her friend, and nodded gently at her. Of course she would let her know if she needed any assistance. Already she was considering who they could have round for some dancing and jovial antics. Perhaps she could persuade some of her fellow courtiers to join their little get together. It would be so much more fun if there were a variety of partners available. Perhaps she would even succeed in making Griff a bit jealous once more. It had been so amusing the first time, though she had been jealous of the woman he had been dancing with. They both played the opposite gender so well, that they often made each other jealous without even realising it. “I shall let you know if there is anything that I will need assistance with.” She assured Yassia gently, and smiled softly, “But I think first I will need to think of some guests.” She grinned and began to rack her brain. Perhaps each of them could invite a select group of people, because then they would have a variety of people there.

Caitrin brushed aside Yassia’s words, as she quite enjoyed the fact her friend was quite so passionate about the dance on the whole. It was always interesting to Caitrin to see different cultural approaches to dancing. They were sometimes graced with different cultures at court, and Caitrin always welcomed those times because it gave a bit of variety to the dances. “Do not worry about it.” She said softly, and smiled at Yassia. “I mostly enjoy free dancing, it makes the dancing feel more alive.” Caitrin did of course prefer it to set piece dances as it allowed you to move with the music in a way that you chose, rather than the way in which everyone else chose.

Wine was defiantly the answer to the end of the dance. After all, they needed something to bring down the speed of the evening now, as both of them seemed quite exhausted after the dance. It had been quite intense, though Caitrin had enjoyed every moment of it. Dancing was after all one of Caitrin’s favourite pastimes. The servants came back with a goblet of wine for both her and Yassia, and Caitrin took the liberty of handing the goblet to Yassia herself. She was after all the host for this evening wasn’t she? As she took a sip, she hoped that her Uncle wouldn’t mind them using some of his wine for the evening. She supposed he wouldn’t when she explained about Yassia’s status. If it had been Griff, then Rouland would have hit the ceiling at the thought of his wine being used.

In the spur of the moment, Caitrin walked over to the small window in the corner of the solar, and pulled the curtain back so that she could look outside. She took another small sip of her wine, and looked back to Yassia with a wide smile. “It is a clear night outside, would you like to stargaze?” She asked he softly. In Mercia, they had come up with different names for the different shapes that the stars took. It was their way of course of telling the different seasons, and it was all round quite good fun. There was a way to get into the back yard not far from the solar, and they could probably get some blankets to wrap around their shoulders if they were cold.

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

What Caitrin said now were her firm beliefs, and with any other person Yassia would have smiled and thought: ‘Let’s talk about that in a few years time’, but here she was all but sure Caitrin would never change. Whatever the price, she would make it happen, because she was simply too stubborn to envision anything but the perfect childhood for her children. And the most amazing thing was that it probably would happen. In Yassia’s eyes, Caitrin had a wonderful gift in her determination and her kind heart. She deserved a happy life and that is what she would get. Her children would have to call themselves lucky indeed, and they surely would appreciate the care their mother bestowed on them. Or they would not. It was a peculiar twist in life that you only found the true meaning of a blissful childhood when it was gone, if you had it you usually took it for granted.
”There should be more people like you on this earth, Caitrin”, Yassia mused with a warm smile. She meant that. “It would make it such a far better place.”

In the short time she had come to know Caitrin, Yassia already felt very strong towards her. That might be because they seemed so different and yet so similar. They had been through some of the same things, and somehow Yassia couldn’t get rid of the feeling that Caitrin was here so she could learn a few things from her friend. People said that, didn’t they? That you were led towards those who could help you become a better person, or the person you were destined to be. Caitrin might have her flaws, but Yassia saw the heart of gold. And surely many people would see that as well, right? There was no question about that.
”I don’t think you will want for people coming to such a gathering, yes?” she said with a jovial wink. “I am sure you are the center of the Camelotian society!” Someone with Caitrin’s spirit and kindness just had to be, even though she was not originally from here.

You should probably never drink wine against thirst, Yassia once again realized as she felt the excellent liquid going right to her head, raising her spirits even more. She felt the need to giggle like a twelve year old, to just keep on dancing until she dropped, though she wasn’t exactly far away from the dropping state. Maybe it was the exhaustion that kept her in check, but Yassia knew she still needed to be careful. Not that she now destroyed in a few minutes what had been building and forming all evening: a solid friendship that would last through a few storms. But who knew what happened if these storms were induced by alcoholic craziness.
”This is an excellent vintage!” she lauded the wine and raised her glass in a toast towards Caitrin. “My best regards to your uncle. I heard the rumors that Albion wine tastes like sour rain, because it rains more than anything here, but apparently you can’t trust rumors.”

The wine made her unsually chatty and bouncy, and when she heard what Caitrin suggested next, she couldn’t suppress a completely uncourteous yelp of joy. Excitedly, she grabbed her friend’s arm and dragged her towards the door. “Oh, yesyesyes! We must do that! The stars are so beautiful, are they not, and they carry a great deal of meaning for my people! Looking at them gives me the feeling that they watch over me, and over everyone else.”
Yassia still had enough sense to grab the shawl she had been using for the dance earlier and put it around her shoulders again. If they were to go outside it would probably be a little chilly, though right now Yassia felt very warm inside. It was probably the wine. Grinning, she took yet another big gulp and felt the slightly floating feeling inside her head increase.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin grinned at the compliments that Yassia was giving to her. “Thank you.” She said at the first, not really sure what else to say. She wasn’t used to such compliments from a woman. She was used to compliments from men, and she knew how to handle those, but compliments and friendly words from female company was harder for Caitrin to get a grasp of. It didn’t mean she didn’t appreciate Yassia’s words of course. “I certainly make myself heard in the court.” She replied with a grin. No one could be ignorant of the fact Caitrin was present at court, she was loud enough, and she always took to the floor with a variety of partners throughout the dances at the various feasts held in the castle. It was always good fun of course.

Caitrin was sure that Rouland would have a few things to say to her when he found out she had taken some of his wine. She’d done it in the past, and she would continue to do so. Her excuse was that drinking was bad for his health, if she drank it then he wouldn’t be able to. Needless to say, that excuse hadn’t worked at all in her defence, and meant Rouland had to think of more elaborate hiding places for his favourite drink. He did however have a taste for the better wines, and it was always something that Caitrin admired him for. Her Uncle certainly had good taste in wine. “I shall pass on your compliments to him.” She said with a sweet smile. Of course she wouldn’t be breathing a word to her Uncle because that would be an admission she had stolen more of his wine.

Spurred on by Yassia’s enthusiasm, Caitrin was more than convinced that the pair of them should go out and look at the stars together. It wasn’t a pastime which Caitrin got to indulge in all that often, but that didn’t mean she didn’t enjoy it. From her earliest memories, she had always thought the stars were magical in a way, and enjoyed the patterns they carved in the night sky. In Mercia, she had often lay under the sky, and made up names for the different patterns she could spot. It was still quite an enjoyable pastime, even in adulthood. She had felt silly at first for suggesting it, but Yassia seemed nothing but enthusiastic, and Caitrin guessed that she wasn’t just humouring her and going along with it for the sake of her host’s dignity. No, Caitrin believed Yassia’s words were genuine. “You must tell me what they mean to your people.” Caitrin said, matching the young woman’s enthusiasm. To Caitrin, different cultures were always fascinating. After all, Mercia and Camelot had their differences as well.

Caitrin grabbed two blankets, so that they could wrap them around their shoulders as they lay outside. It was quite a mild evening, but still, the evening chill was there. She handed one of the blankets to Yassia, “Just wrap it round your shoulders, it’ll give you something to lie on as well.” She explained. It had been a dry day, so the ground would not be muddy, but still she was sure the woman didn’t want to get her dress dirty. Caitrin led the way out of the solar, and into her Uncle’s garden at the back of the estate. It was private enough, and it allowed them a perfect view of the night sky. Caitrin was glad to see it hadn’t clouded over, and she beamed at Yassia, and set her blanket down a couple of paces into the garden. It was perfect enough, and she lay down, wrapping the ends of the blanket around her shoulders. The cold didn’t bother her that much, it was a lot milder in Camelot than it ever had been in Mercia. “So, are the stars quite important to your people?”

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

Yassia welcomed the slight chill of the night air with a glad heart, feeling wonderfully upbeat and carefree, not only caused by the wine she just had drunk, but also by the dance that had happened before that and by the sheer knowledge of being in wonderful, understanding company. The star gazing would be a perfect ending to an already perfect evening. Wasn’t it simply splendid how an evening could turn out to be just so much more than you had expected, just because you didn’t have high explanations at all? Good things in life, Yassia was slowly beginning to understand, didn’t announce themselves with a flourish, they sneaked up on you quite inconspiciously and only revealed their true colors in their own due time. Before you knew it, you were right inside living a wonderful moment, and all you could do was accept it with as much enthusiasm and gratitude as you could and pray for it to last just a little while longer.
Putting her fringed shawl around her shoulders again like a blanket, Yassia followed Caitrin’s lead outside into a beautiful little garden. It wasn’t as neat as she remembered manor gardens to be, but its distinctive charm lay just in this air of wilderness surrounding it. It made you almost wish to take off your shoes and feel the soft grass under your bare feet, but that of course was neither sensible nor dignified.

Copying Caitrin’s movements, Yassia lay down and stared up at a richly starred sky, giving her eyes a few moments to adjust to the darkness outside, and one by one the dimmer stars also made their appearance and completed the intricate pattern they had formed on the sky ages and ages ago. They usually never changed, and yet sometimes it could happen that a star wandered over the sky with a flaming tail. These moments were highly important to Yassia’s people, and you were fortunate to witness them, as they were moments of grace.
When Yassia’s eyes had completely adjusted, she turned her head and smiled at Caitrin, shifting a little on the grass, to be more comfortable.
”The stars are of utmost importance to my people”, she began her explanation, “as we believe they guard our fate. They are ancient souls who look down on us, watch us, guide us, and forever have the life of everyone written on their paths. My mother, when she decided to stay in Ailantha, adopted this belief, but she always told me the different names you have for certain constellations. This is the Plough, you say, right?” she pointed upwards on a very bright shining constellation. “It never vanishes from the sky. We call it the Silver Carriage”

Then her eyes travelled a little more to the southwest direction and again she pointed up. “I think you call this one Boötes or something, but for us this is Gabriel, the greatest king Ailantha has ever seen, and right next to him there’s his crown. The Silver Carriage is his as well, as he was told to have riches beyond compare, but they did not only belong to him, they belonged to the people as well.”
Yassia grinned, realizing she had started to chatter quite a bit. “Now, what constellations can you show me? And the stories connected to them?”

[Caitrin de Archer]

The night air wasn’t as chilled as Caitrin had thought it would be. The wine had warmed her blood as she had expected it to, and she smiled at the thought of how this evening would be concluded. She hadn’t star gazed in some time, and they had a perfectly clear night for it. Perhaps she would have to convince her Uncle to take up the hobby with her once again, they were both from Mercia, so they hung onto little cultural traditional things. She wrapped the blanket around her shoulders. She was used to sitting out here by herself, or more with Griff nowadays, but the stars very rarely even passed her thoughts during those nights. No, if Griff was here then they had very different things on their priorities.

Though Caitrin found the star’s interesting, she couldn’t imagine it having that much influence on her life. She knew that there were God’s watching over them, or just one spirit depending who you listened to. She’d never really thought the stars had little bearing over anyone’s fate, but she couldn’t say that to Yassia. It would hardly be polite to insult the young woman’s culture in front of her would it? Caitrin just nodded at her friend, she was quite interested in the fact the stars held so much meaning for her friends culture, and it was something which was of course completely new to Caitrin. She just believed in praying to spirits to guide her on her way, and aid her, “See we believe in spirits, and praying to those who have gone to help guide our fates and paths.” Caitrin declared fondly, “But the stars, and the patterns they create, have cultural meaning for us.” Most constellations were to do with hunting and war; go figure, but that was the Mercian culture, and Yassia would have to understand that. It wasn’t to say all Mercian’s were all obsessed with war, but it was an important part of their culture. They were an impressive culture as well in other respects though.

Caitrin nodded, “We do call it Bootes, yes.” Now it had been a long time since she had had to call upon her knowledge of the stars. She did love the stories which were assigned to them, after all what wasn’t to love? These stories had been passed down through the ages, and she knew that her ancestors had been told similar stories, and it made her feel a bit closes to her Mercian roots in a way. She smiled to herself and pointed out a small constellation, “I don’t know what the continental name would be, but we call that one the Hunting Dogs.” She grinned softly, of course if it was anything to do with Mercia then it would be linked to the hunt. However, it made sense, they were a proud and driven people who used war as their outlet more than anything. “Of course there are many hunting stories told alongside it, many involve chasing after young women.” She winked at Yassia, the Mercian kings who had come before Bayard probably had fostered some of the stories, and it wouldn’t surprise her one bit if they had.

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

Yassia listened with interest to what Caitrin told her about their differing believes. A few things she knew already, because her mother had sometimes told her about the customs in her homeland, but the princess already had found out that though both part of Albion, there were a few very differing things about Camelot and Mercia, and she was learning something new every day, even though Caitrin was the only person from Mercia she knew. Even so, at the beginning of her journey, she might have been appalled by differing beliefs and people who didn’t see anything significant about the stars, but then crossing to so many kingdoms like she had, she had encountered people believing into even crazier things than spirits. It seemed quite reasonable in comparison to gods who lived in stones and trees.

“Spirits of the dead or just spirits in general?” she asked, never having been able to figure that particular point out. Then she realized and shook her head at her slowness. “Oh, dear, you said ‘those who habe gone’, so I assume you mean the spirits of the dead, right? It is not so very different with us, since the light of the stars is also the indication of the dwelling place of those who have died for us.” She chuckled. “It does sound quite complicated when I think about it now… I don’t think I ever tried to describe it in such detail. And in my eyes, there is nothing wrong with asking those who have passed on for help and guidance. They see more than we do now, so they are wiser.”
Yassia found she was fascinated by the idea of stars being connected with stories. Apart from calling a few constellations after famous persons that once had lived and therefore deserving more than just one star for their hearth, there were hardly any stories for them, because they were seen as too high an entity to talk about other than in reverence. So, a more casual approach could result in quite fascinating outcomes apparently.

Then she followed Caitrin’s pointing fingers and made out a little constellation next to Gabriel, or Bootes. An imaginative eye could really make them out to be the outlines of hunting dogs, but for Yassia they had always ‘just’ been the King’s Hearths, a cluster of stars next to Gabriel, his successors. Hearing the next comment of Caitrin’s Yassia gave an amused chuckle. Hunters and chasing after young women… yes, that sounded familia to her in some way. On a less merry and carefree occasion Yassia might have been a little appalled and definitely not as interested in hearing those stories, but the dance and the wine had made her loosen up quite a bit.
“You doooo know that you’ll have to tell me all about these stories now, yes?” she prompted, flashing Caitrin a grin that looked ghostly in the faint light. “Was it the knights of Mercia that used their hunting sessions for a bit of fun on the side? Or the young kings and princes? Did the women escape, or did they LET themselves be caught?”

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin had always been brought up with the belief that those who were gone watched over them, and that it was good luck to pray to them. She brushed her hand through her hair, in truth it had always just been second nature to her, she hadn’t ever thought there was another way to pray, though it was obvious there were other ways. She was quite interested in the fact not all people prayed in the same way, she had always just thought the spirits were what everyone spoke to when they needed help. “The spirits of those who have passed.” Caitrin confirmed and smiled at her friend, the religious views in Mercia differed sometimes from family to family, each having their own tradition, there were the God’s of course which watched over everything, and the spirits who were there to help. Caitrin smiled to herself as on more than one occasion she had found herself wishing and praying to the spirits. “So do you pray to the stars?” She asked softly, wanting to tread carefully and not end up offending Yassia in any way.

There were many stories she could tell Yassia, most she probably wouldn’t approve of. In fact, Caitrin doubted she would approve of many of the things she had to say in terms of her experience with men. Though she had only just met the woman, she guessed that in terms of men they were like chalk and cheese in that respect. She grinned across at Yassia and ran her hand through her hair, “The princes and the knights of course.” Like Oliver would let his friends have all the fun, well she had know what sort of attention he craved of course. Caitrin’s mind was alight with thoughts of Mercia, thoughts which hadn’t occupied her head for months. She didn’t really talk about her Kingdom, but not many people thought to ask really which was strange.

“The reactions of the women always differed, like my sisters used to make a point of being caught.” Her face screwed up slightly, her stupid sisters used to wait around all day in the forest, but luckily they’d never made her wait with them. After a while they’d decided to stop inviting her along, because she moaned and just wandered off anyway while they were waiting for the knights to ride by. Some women of course didn’t want to be caught, but she didn’t want to go into that. It was a darker side of Mercia and one that she didn’t want to speak about because she was sure the knights of Camelot wouldn’t act in such a way. “Some didn’t want to be caught.” She shrugged quickly, shifting off the topic, “But the women used to get dressed up, hoping that they would catch the eye of a young knight.” She smiled inwardly to herself, that method had never worked for her, she preferred the direct approach. “I never bothered with any of that.” She teased softly, her method had always worked anyway, she always got the man she wanted in the end. It was of little consequence now as she had Griff, but still. They were some of the only fond memories of her time in Mercia, and she was going to cling onto them.