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Post by Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha on Feb 23, 2011 7:40:29 GMT -5
There was this nagging feeling in Yassia’s guts that something was afoot. Something highly unpleasant. Ever since Lady – Queen Morgana had taken up the crown of Camelot such unpleasant things occurred on a daily basis. Yassia didn’t belong in Camelot, it shouldn’t be her concern. But since Sir Leon was her uncle, everything about him WAS her concern! He had only just escaped death, had caused the wild chase after the Cup of Life by his loyal honesty, and now: where was he? Of course no one would tell her anything, not where he was now that the foreign soldiers had taken over the citadel, nor how he fared, if he even was still alive. The lot of a mere woman, she presumed. And then again, another woman had caused all this, where was the justice in that?!
And now she had been summoned before the new queen, two grim guards with the crest of the new regime on their gambesons accompanying her. The tree… not the red dragon anymore. It was not right. She felt more like a prisoner than a guest all of a sudden. All this reminded her too strongly about the time after her father’s sudden death. When Guifré had acted like the crown was all for him, or his son. Outwardly, he had been showing kindness towards his grieving niece, but she had seen it in his eyes, he wanted her either gone or safely married off to Gonçal. Would Ailantha, now that she had been gone for almost a year, bear his coat of arms instead of the old king’s? Why had this all found a way of sneaking up on her again? It was a horrid distorted picture of her own life: Now a woman SAT on the throne, but it didn’t look like this would benefit Camelot in any way…
What did Morgana want with her? They had reached the throne room now, a familiar place for Yassia, where she had watched King Uther reside, framed by Arthur and Morgana many times. Now Morgana was sitting on the main throne, looking down at her nose at the approaching figure, her face a mask of regal arrogance. What had happened to the kind face Yassia had come to know? Now the contrast of the black lined eyes, her pale skin and the lurid red mouth made her look more like a puppet then a human being. One of the guards ushered her to kneel, and Yassia obliged after an irked glare. She didn’t like this. A few days ago, the two of them had been all but equals, Yassia maybe even a bit above her! Yassia was the daughter of a king, Morgana was only a ward… or not. The revellation that had shaken the court to the bone was still to new to grasp: Morgana was Uther’s daughter.
But for now, with being crowned queen, however injustly in Yassia’s eyes, Morgana had the upper hand and she had to play along. So she waited, inwardly fuming, for the new queen to speak.
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Post by Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha on Feb 22, 2011 20:29:43 GMT -5
Yassia loved to be in a bustling city such as Camelot. Thankfully it was bustling again, after all the horrible events that had come to pass in the last few weeks and months. One catastrophe chasing the other and finally reaching a summit in the attack of King Cenred's immortal army, with Morgana taking up the throne of Camelot. Cenred... rumors had it he was dead, which Yassia could only rejoice in. It had been almost a year now, but her meeting with this sleazy man was still a vivid memory and stuff of many a nightmare. Another topic of her bad dreams had been the unknown fate of her uncle Leon, second in command after Cenred's men attacked the border. He had been missing, then miraculously revived by the Cup of Life and in the fights for Camelot he had been captured again. Yassia also vividly remembered the nightmarish scene when she thought she had to watch him being executed for his loyalty for Camelot.
But everything was alright again now, Leon was healthy and as high in anyone's regard as ever, maybe even more, as he had been one of those few knights around Arthur recapturing the citadel. Yes, everything was alright... except one minor detail.
Yassia still was in the wrong country.
Almost a year and yet she had not come one step closer of recapturing her rightful place on the throne of Ailantha. The stars only knew what was going on in her homeland ever since she left. Did they even think her alive still? Was her uncle Guifré ruling with an iron fist? Had she been outlawed, forgotten? Had everyone moved on? The sheer thought alone was unbearable and so Yassia welcomed even the tiniest distraction, in this case the marketplace. Slowly the trading business was turning back to normal, and people were selling and buying as ever. Colorful cloth in all colors and fabrics, tools and jewelry, booth for booth, stand for stand, it was a splendid sight that should make every girl's heart leap.
But Yassia hadn't come here for trinkets, she was more interested in the booths selling herbs in every state of treatment: dried, fresh, chopped, even made into remedies already. It wasn't happening often people asked her for help, but Gaius, the court physician, had appreciated her assistance a few times already. Deep in thoughts as she was, slowly sauntering her way along the stands and squeezing through a mass of people, she didn't notice a pouch falling from her heavily loaded arms as she walked on.
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Post by Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha on Feb 22, 2011 16:44:51 GMT -5
She didn’t know what was going on. All she knew was that this was not right. Not right at all. Just two hours ago, she had been walking unknown woods supposedly on her way towards Camelot, and then suddenly there had been these men breaking from the underbrush, seizing her almost without a word. First she had thought them to be bandits, but they were no savages, however brutal they acted. No, their weapon were good, and they had horses, behind them had to stand a mighty master. That had eased her panic a little, as at first she had been strongly reminded of what had happened to her mother and brother, being slaughtered by mercenaries because of their obvious wealth. Yassia didn’t look wealthy at all, and those men looked soldiers commanded by some master. It just didn’t make any sense!
Or it DID make sense, but the sheer thought was so dreadful she put it away immediately in a far corner of her mind. She was so close to her destination, she could not be seized by her uncle’s long arm, reaching all the way across the continent and over the channel! It simply was ridiculous! Some terrible misunderstanding, that was all! They had cast her over a horseback like a sack of flour, without any dignity at all. She didn’t look the princess part and therefore couldn’t expect such treatment, but this was working against all conventions of hospitality. She didn’t even know what she had done wrong, for crying out loud! And as she had been gagged and blindfolded, she neither could protest, nor actually say where they were headed.
She only could trust her hearing, and after two hours of the dull thumping of horsehooves on either grass or leafy ground, she suddenly was aware of crossing wood, and then the distinctive clacking of iron horsehoes on stone, echoing from some surroundings. A courtyard? Then Yassia had been dragged up stairs, always stumbling and roughly being jostled, and then, finally, she had been cast on the ground. It hurt as her knees scraped over straw covered stone, and she gasped and coughed as the gag reminded her annoyingly that sounds were forsaken to her. Then… nothing. For a few moments no one spoke and she just heared moving around the room. Defiantly the princess lifted her head, as if she could see through the rag covering her eyes, staring forward.
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Post by Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha on Feb 21, 2011 18:47:34 GMT -5
Somehow she must have fallen asleep after all. There could be no other explanation, because she definitely woke up and admitted to herself that the had no memory of the past few hours aside from disturbing undefined dream flashes. Yassia refrained from groaning and tried to move in her sheets. Her whole two arms hurt, and it took the princess a few moments to remember why. She must have fallen asleep with her hands still tightly pressed on her ears. And with a sudden surge of unease she also rembered WHY she had been covering her ears. Gwaine and Linda... making love just a few meters beside her...! uuurgh ...
Then something else occurred to her as she was trying to distract herself from all too vivid memories. She had been woken by something... an out of place sound, somehow... a growl... When you slept in the woods you were alert to such sounds, as they could be your undoing. Wild animals were anywhere and they were often enough mightily hungry! But somehow her sleeping brain must have made the connection still that wild animals were rare to break into closed cottages, hence why she didn't panic. But what was so similar to such a growl it could be caused by the two people she knew where in this room with her? Sweet stars, don't let them start all over again!!!
But then Yassia simply resigned to listen, and she heared quiet shuffling in the room. One of the two must be up, or both. Her instincts told her it was very early still, so she wondered. And she realised she was mightily thirsty. A night spent grinding teeth and biting down screams of frustration apparently could do this to you. Hmm... but did she want to meet them just now? She was not only angry, she was embarrassed too? Talking to any of them would be awkward! In the end, thirst won over her considerations and bashfulness, and Yassia got out of bed as silently as she could, wearing her chemise only.
Suddenly a tall, half-naked figure, only covered with a very short towel came into view and it was enought to make Yassia jump and gasp quietly in shock. Oh no... how embarassing! "Gwaiiine", she protested in a hushed tone, turning away, face red. "Is it not enough I had to listen, do I have to watch now, too? Sweet stars, cover yourself if you please?!"
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Post by Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha on Feb 21, 2011 11:10:22 GMT -5
Yassia might not be an expert in reading people she didn't know, but she had been around too maby polite lies not to know when she saw one. Romily wasn't fine, but she also didn<#t seem to want to delve into her misery. The princess did respect that, she could very well relate to that as well. She had only put on the mask of a commoners girl for a considerably short time, just adjusting it whenever she met people. But she had no intention of staying with them anyway, and as soon as she was alone, the mask dropped. Yassia couldn<#t even begin to imagine what it was like to live a constant lie, pretending every waking hour to be sonething you were not when every little slip could be your undoing. It had to be so very hard! But she was also sure Romily wanted anything else but pity.
"How long have you been here?" She asked hestitantly. This question was roughly the summary of all that had been going on in her mind. But then she changed the subject for Romily's sake, adopting her joke. "Oh and no doubt you would have! I'm sure you're quite feared here for being so adamantine in certain behalves." She made a show of backing away from her friend, fake fear in her eyes, then chuckled herself. She would not say it to not deepen Romily's discomfort, but this kind of resolutness you were born to. It came natural with growing and being able (and allowed) to give orders.
Yassia listened to Romily's words with a serious face, sighing inwardly. Now everything she had feared to be the case was more than confirmed. She could very well imagine her to be tired of it all. "I see!" she mused, cocking her head and extending a hand to touch Romily's forearm. "It feels like you're stuck, right? With no alternative to go to. I felt like that before my stepbrother suggested asking my uncle for help. Now I have an alternative, but I can only hope it'll pay off. But... maybe that sounds lame, but alternatives often come in the most unexpected way and time. At first they might not seem as such, but then suddenly there's a way... and a place where you belong!"
Now that she thought about it, the subject of friends was more or less a blank page for her as well, at least the female aspect. Mircea had be both, a friend and a brother, the only one she could talk to about certain things. Now that he was gone and she was away from all she knew, the hole he had left was an empty crater. Romily's frank confession warmed her heart. It felt good to be considered a friend, someone trustworthy. "I can only give that back"[/color], she said with a warm smile. "I have told no one in a very long while who I am... let alone someone that could give me away. But I know you won't and not only because you're in a similar situation."
She stood up, nodding. "Alright, let's go there then, but just say when you need to go to bed, you have a long day tomorrow!" Yassia would have as well. A long arduous day of walking walking walking. How far until Camelot? She really wished she knew.
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Post by Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha on Feb 17, 2011 17:38:49 GMT -5
You're SO right Arthur!!!! Every song on this album is to be loved to death!!! Each in its own individuality, I can't even pick a fav!
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Post by Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha on Feb 17, 2011 17:03:50 GMT -5
Bruno Mars RULES is all I can say!!!! xD
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Post by Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha on Feb 17, 2011 16:39:28 GMT -5
Just her job? What was that supposed to mean? Was walking out in a stormy night considered a job? Well, this was Albion she had seen stranger things happening… then again it could be her frozen mind suggesting such odd things… she was clearly too cold and wet for straight thinking. Hmmm… maybe she should ask, to clear the fog in her mind? That might pass the time and distract her from the fearful force of nature striking down all around her. If you met people in such circumstances, you better make the best of it, and this girl seemed nice enough by the first impression Yassia got.
“What’s your job if it involves being out in this kind of weather?” she asked and stiffled a sneeze, wringing out the lower parts of her long hair that were not covered with her hood – a futile thing to do, as the rain still kept coming, even through the elderbrush branches. “Sounds not very amiable to me if I can be so bold.”
The next statement was one very frequently used on Yassia, but she was surprised that the girl still seemed to be able to tell her apart in this semi-darkness and all covered up. It seemed she knew her crowd very well. In broad daylight, Yassia was easy to tell apart from the Albion people, mostly by her olive-toned skin so typical for the Ailanthians, though hers was a little lighter than that of the other nobles she knew or the commoners. Her mother had been from here after all, and it showed. She didn’t mind being asked in the slightest, though, it was not like being nosy, the question was a valid one. Passing strangers did not always bring good things, and people had a right to be suspicious, however much out of instinct and unintendedly.
“Well, I was passing this wood when the thunderstorm came out of nowhere”, Yassia explained, adjusting her sitting position to get more comfortable. “I’m on my way to Camelot, is it still far?” Realising she was speaking to someone she didn’t even know the name of, she offered her own. “I’m Yassia by the way, soaked travellor, pleased to meet you!”
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Post by Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha on Feb 14, 2011 18:16:02 GMT -5
It was a sorry fact about Yassia that ever since she had started on her journey, her sleep, ere sound and secure, not to be disturbed by an earthquake as her mother would have said, had become light, fidgety even. That was mostly due to the constant danger she felt herself in, while her life still seemed to be pending, teethering on knife’s edge, even with walls around her to shield her from the danger outside. Out into the woods, where she had slept most times to save money, only turning to a tavern if the weather was all too bad, you had to be alert to every little sound, or it might be the last thing you hear.
As a result, she did wake up briefly when the door opened and voiced whispered, but telling herself in half-sleep that it had to be Gwaine and Linda, and therefore nothing to worry about. She dozed off again, not knowing if it had been hours or mere minutes she had been asleep, but what she heard sent her alarm bells ringing. Some odd noises… creaking of wood… panting… moaning… was there a fight going on? Had someone entered the cottage, had her uncle’s men finally tracked her down and Gwaine was trying to hold them off? In complete darkness? Then another moan, higher pitched this time sent Yassia bolt awake and she realised with a gut-wrenching stab inside her groins that it was a completely different fight Gwaine was battling right now…
It felt like her insides would be turning right out, a nausea born out of shock and denial. No, this wasn’t happening, it COULND’T be happening! There was no way she could go back to sleep now, no way she could ignore it or tune it out, now that she knew what was happening. Gwaine… I’ll never forgive that! She thoughts angrily, grinding her teeth. With a muffled growl of anger she buried her head under her pillow, squeezing her eyes tight shut, and willed her thoughts into another direction. She would simply hum a song in her mind until this was over…
El gall i la gallina Estaven al balcó, La gallina s'adormia I el gall li fa un petó.
Did this help in any way? So far not really, and she was in desperate need of air. But along with the air came the muffled sounds and as innocent as Yassia might be, she didn’t need her eyes to imagine what was going on right now on the other side of the thin curtain.
-Dolent, més que dolent! Què dirà la gent? -Que diguin el que vulguin Que jo ja estic content!1
And the topic of the song she had chosen to sing in her mind didn’t help in any way either. Yeah, what would the people say… not that Gwaine or Linda did care! So what was it to be? Suffocating or enduring? Gladly just mere minutes later they both seemed to have fallen asleep, and after another hour of tossing and turning, Yassia did so as well.
~.~
1: The rooster and the hen Were on the balcony, The hen was falling asleep And the rooster gave her a kiss. -Naughty, more than naughty! What will people say? -Let them say what they want, For now I'm happy!
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Post by Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha on Feb 13, 2011 17:29:56 GMT -5
Yassia had not expected her goodbye from Gwaine gnawing on her so much. She had almost grown used to having a travelling companion again, and now he had taken his leave to resume his life as a tavern frequenter and scallywag. Granted, they had had their fierce arguments and fallouts, more than two people in so little days possibly could have, but his sheer presence had been a refreshing change to her otherwise dull journey. Now that he was gone, it seemed she had to learn being alone all over again. If anything, Gwaine had become another brother to her, though this closeness had always been tinted with keeping the truth from him. He might come to Camelot one day as he promised, but who would he find there? Not the Yassia he had met and protected, fought with and cheered up, no he would find the princess she truly was… and how could he possibly take that?
So deep in thoughts was she, she almost missed a little riding party coming her way. But she heard the hearty laughter of men, and that didn’t necessarily have to be a good sign. She had had too many half-encounters with bandits to take any risks now, it was better to hide first and see who was approaching, before she could become entangled in a rather unpleasant surprise. So Yassia left the path and hid behind a large brush, once again thankful her travelling clothes had no outstanding colors to give her away. As the group approached, Yassia could make the men out as soldiers, and that was enough to put her a little more at ease, yet not enough yet to leave her hiding. They might be guarding a noble woman, as she now realised, but that didn’t necessarily mean their intentions were good.
Unfortunately, the party did seem to have chosen the very place of her hiding for some sort of rest, and that meant she could not very well leave it until they were gone. It was just typical she had chosen a very uncomfortable ground, and when she tried to shift a little, a dry branch gave way under her with a loud cracking noise, sending one of the soldiers closest to her spinning around. "Who goes there? Show yourself!" There was no other way, Yassia had to leave her hiding, anything else would be admitting some kind of guilty conscience she had no part of. So she stood up, slowly to not alarm those guards further and stepped forward, her hands showing outwards, to make them see she had drawn no weapons. “Just me, a harmless travellor. I do not wish to cause any inconvenience.” Though her words were of humble meaning, her voice automatically had adopted a slightly regal tone, like she had been used to use on soldiers.
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Post by Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha on Feb 13, 2011 14:11:18 GMT -5
Yassia was glad he took her suggestion so good-humouredly. Not everyone could fare so well with her sense of humor that was often self-mocking and mildly offensive. She had just suggested that Gwaine better lied but he didn’t seem to take offense. And now he asked for her permission – as if he needed it! That just showed how he wanted to keep her in the joke,draw it out. Oh, she would do him the favor! It had been too long since she last had joked around with someone quite as freely, when all her concerns and her anxiety didn’t matter for a little while. But Gwaine just seemed to be the type of carefree soul she needed to do just that, he was of the material to lighten up any black mood anyone might be in. “I, Yassia, will gladly permit you to spread this tale all over Albion!”, she said in her most regal manner, lifting her chin and looking down on him in the parody of a stuck-up noble.It didn’t take much to get the expression exactly right, as she had grown up amongst such people. How odd it was to mock her true self…
The best male friend you ever have… now that was something! It only showed how close the two of them considered each other without anything like love or passion involved. Just a moment ago Yassia wouldn’t have thought it possible that such things existed, but Gwaine, with his simple grace of stepping down, taking a no with good intentions and meaning it, had convinced her otherwise. Still, the last one with a true claim to be her best male friend had been her stepbrother Mircea, and following in his footsteps would be a hard legacy. Yassia told him as much. “Woah, quite the high stakes you set yourself there, Gwaine! But I think I learned before that you are by no means afraid of heights”, she winked and leaned back into her chair. “But it’s not like you have any competetition right now”, she added and a quick shadow crossed her face. “So you might have an easy job there.”
It was significant of just how tired she really was that Yassia didn’t put up much of an objection to Gwaine’s suggestion, but only nodded, getting up from the table and taking a few dishes herself. A few months before the princess would have objected to even lift a single finger in housework, but that had changed as well, amongst many other things. She might still see it as stooping very low to maybe take up the job of a barmaid to serve other people, but this, simply cleaning up from her own mess, almost was natural to her now. The less people noticed her attitude, the better anyway. Looking at the clean and freshly made bed, Yassia nodded with a very grateful smile. “How very sweet of Linda indeed! I can count the times when I was able to sleep in such a good bed lately at the fingers of one hand.” That, too, had changed. Yassia was sure, whenever she arrived in Camelot she would not take the luxury that was her due for granted.
“Sleep well, too, Gwaine”[/color], she called after him. “And, once again, thanks for everything!” With a relenting sigh, Yassia started to undress, getting rid of her worn out travelling garments, only leaving on the chemise that would serve as her nightgown. Oh how she wished to finally have the chance to take a proper warm bath and to change her dresses daily! To some things you just couldn’t attach quite so readily as to others. But with Gwaine’s help and a little good fortune she would have all those things ready at her service pretty soon. She dozed off after mere minutes, a happy smile on her face – something she hadn’t thought possible a mere hour ago.
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Post by Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha on Feb 10, 2011 22:03:22 GMT -5
It felt so much better now she and Gwaine had made up and tried to talk through their difficulties. As much as Yassia was short-tempered and could explode within a minute, as much did she hate actual differences or arguments once she had cooled off a little. It made her be so shabby, so unforgiving, so rude and she yearned to make amends. Until now, gladly enough, no argument had been so severe she had not been able to put it right again, and that this was the case even with Gwaine filled her with much relief. A lot could have been destroyed by this misunderstanding. From the moment Gwaine had spoken up for her in that tavern, calling her his sister to save her from those men, Yassia had believed she could trust him. His… actions with Linda had blemished this perfect picture maybe, but it hadn’t destroyed it. She still liked Gwaine, in all his loud and completely shameful manner, however different they may be.
Laughing and joking together felt good too, it erased the awkwardness from just moments ago, and so Yassia was more than happy to take him up on the joke, teasing him almost fondly. “Now, don’t you men all love your many battlescars, however petty they may be? Just think about it: you can show that around in the next tavern and brag about the fierce fight you had with a foreign wildcat.” The image in her head was actually quite funny to behold. She was sure, Gwaine could make the most of it, as he seemed to always be able to make the most out of everything. Even if he did that in her presence – ever assumed he was still willing to accompany her to Camelot – she would not be angry at him for telling lies. No, that was just too interesting and funny an idea!
Of course Gwaine couldn’t resist to bring up the kiss one last time, almost like a little sideblow in hopes to make her blush again. Whether that had been his intention or not didn’t matter, it was working. But she chose not to be angry or even annoyed at him this time, but simply took his hand, grasping it firmly with a smile. Starting anew did sound very good indeed, and Yassia hoped they would manage – for at least the rest of the evening they spent awake. How long that would be she didn’t really know, she was starting to feel the exhaustion of the day more prominently. The stew might have helped with that, it made her feel all warm and settled. “Friends it is, Gwaine”, she assured him, nodding gravely. “And I would be most glad to have you as my guide towards Camelot. You seem to know your way around here quite a lot, and I don’t want to risk getting lost again.”
Surpressing a yawn, even stiffling the very inkling of it politely with her hand as she had been taught to do, she smiled at him apologetically. “I am not saying I want to retire just now, Gwaine, don’t let my reactions dishearten you. If you are still up for more talking, it would be my pleasure to keep you company for a little while longer.”
[OOC: sorry that took so long Gwaine, I had a bit of a writers block with Yassia in general!]
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Post by Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha on Feb 5, 2011 17:55:10 GMT -5
Yassia felt there was more to what Leon said. His whole demeanour gave away a certain inner agitation, though he surely hid it well. But Yassia had been brought up in a world were even the slightest twitching of the mouth or the flicking of the little finger could tell a whole story. Emotions where not supposed to be weared on one’s sleeve, be they of positive or negative kind. But seeing her uncle like this made her wonder just what he had been going through the last twenty-or-so years. Her mother had never answered the question truthfully why she had left her former life so thoroughly behind her after she had been taken from it. It had seemed to be some matter-of-fact decision Rhiannon never wanted to delve into again. Now that Yassia was older she often wondered if it might have been shame. The fear of facing her family again after all that happened. Shame had always been a great issue for the Queen of Ailantha, something she feared above anything else. The only reasonable way must have seemed to move forward, not back, starting anew with the unbelievable luck she had had.
“I could never understand why she didn’t even write to you”, she murmured impulsively. “You had a right to know! I can only imagine, half a life wasted with needless mourning, it’s not how it should have been!” Her voice had risen with fervor and determination with every word, until she almost found herself calling out. Some knights were staring over. She realised and quickly lowered her eyelids, blushing the tiniest bit. “Forgive me. My rash temper gets the better of me often enough. It’s just that I… always felt fiercely about this matter. But there was no reasoning with her about this point. She was determined to not burden you or your parents with the knowledge of what has happened.”
This could not make up for it and Yassia knew it. But she and uncle Leon where only getting started. There would be much time during the following days to talk things through, to get to know each other better and to answer many questions preying on their minds. But first, she would have to crush his hopes again, as he would need to know that even though his sister had survived an abduction, bandits had gotten the better of her in the end, after so many years of being safe. “Uncle… I do have to tell you though that it’s been some years since… she has not been with us any more.” Six years to be precise, and still Yassia felt a lump in her throat when having to say it. “Maman got killed by a band of roaming mercenaries, as was my elder brother Ramon. It happened six years go. I’m… I’m so sorry!” Her lips were quivering now, but she forced it down with all her might, this unseemly upheaval of emotions. She was a princess, made to be queen, she could not afford to be sentimental!
Hiding her trembling hands behind her back, she stood upright, nodding once to acknowledge his apt notion. “Yes, there is another reason to seek you out, a matter of urgency though the extent of this urgency has diminished a little given the time I have spent travelling here…” She broke of, sighing. “It’s a long story. I will try to put it short. My father died recently, leaving the throne of Ailantha vacant. I am the rightful heir as there are no other children left, but the Ailanthan law says I will have to marry first to claim the throne. Now, my father’s brother Guifré, he always yearned for power, and as he couldn’t seem to get it one way, he choose the other… forcing me to marry his son, my cousin. I… I couldn’t bear the thought and so I fled – to seek for any possible help I could think of… you.”
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Post by Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha on Feb 2, 2011 9:47:00 GMT -5
Fine??!! Since when did crying alone in the night count as fine? It seemed like her first notion of Romily had not been thoroughly right after all. It was not like her friend didn't care about what had happened to her, she just was a pro in hiding it. It was only consequent she didn't want anyone to know about this show of weakness and already Yassia felt uncomfortable she had happened upon this scene. She really would like to help Romily, but was not sure how. She might just be a needless bother.
„Are you sure?“ she still asked, not quite ready to leave things like they were. Romily had helped her so much tonight, cheering her up to the point where she almost felt content and even happy, and now she was feeling sad herself. It was not simply an obligation to return the favor, it was a desire. Romily did deserve way better than feeling like this, living like this, making the best out of nothing just because she had been the one breaking out. Sometimes the phrase 'anything is better than this' didn't quite fit in hindsight. Yassia had had such moments before, and she wondered if Romily was reaching such a point right now, when she rather turned back time and accepted what before had seemed inacceptable.
Romily's question took her by surprise. Did she really think she had come down to complain about something? Well, that probably was what she was used to by other customers, like they had just talked about a few minutes ago. But at least in case of Yassia that notion needed to be corrected. „No, no, really, like I said everything is perfect up there, please don't worry!“ Not worry anymore than she already seemed to do that is. „I just couldn't sleep and figured I might as well keep you company for a little while longer. Though“, she shrugged, a little uneasy, „if you rather be alone, just say. I don't want to intrude.“ she half turned back towards the stairs. „I just would want to know if there's anything I can do... to make it easier, if not better.“
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Jan 31, 2013 12:42:51 GMT -5
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Post by Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha on Jan 31, 2011 20:41:57 GMT -5
Trouble? Well that was one way to put it, a very apt way to be sure, but it still didn’t half way cover it. She hadn’t exactly run away to escape the trouble, but to put it right if she could. Yassia would have rather travelled in everyone’s full awareness of her being a princess who not had to sell her medicin to earn a living or be reliant on other people’s goodwill and open hands and houses. Alas, she had needed the secrecy in the first part of her journey and misfortune had ripped her of everything that would still make it believable if she told someone who she was. It was a wonder Amber even did! Again she wondered how much she could actually tell her, how much she could confide in her without taking risks. Did Amber even want to hear the complaints of another unfortunate princess?
“You could say that…”, she finally answered and tilted her head from side to side in a pondering motion. “I hope my walking away and returning will resolve it. It’s a matter of state affairs combined with my personal future… but I don’t want to bore you, Amber. I’m sure you’ve got enough on your own plate as it is.” That surely was the case, with her being pregnant and some other difficulties Yassia didn’t even dare to fathom in fear of digging too deep where she was not wanted. Perhaps Amber had as much if not even more ‘if only’s to deal with than the princess and future queen of Ailantha. If only her father hadn’t died… if only Ramon was still alive… if only her uncle was not such a power-hungry devil… “Admit it, the cause of all of our problems are men”, she said with a little laugh, following her thoughts and trying to lighten the mood.
Amber was from Camelot? Well that was good news indeed! So she would be able to tell her exactly how long she still needed to travel – and it couldn’t be that long, right? Amber didn’t look like she had been marching for days and days! “Oh, really?!” Her voice gave away much of her excitement, born out of being dead tired of wandering around. She yearned for nothing more than to finally reach the castle. “Is it far from here? How much longer will I need to get there? And do you live in the castle there?” It was unlikely given Amber’s whole demeanour and also her clothing style, but it was not unheard of so she dared a guess.
Yassia was determined to do this for Amber and put it away as a very important mental note. As soon as she had reestablished her position, or maybe even before, as soon as she had reached her castle, she would go into the map room and search for Kathra. It couldn’t be that difficult! “I promise I will look into it!” she said warmly, nodding to underline her statement. “Just give me the address of a place where I can send a note to, and I will do so!”
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Post by Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha on Jan 27, 2011 20:35:04 GMT -5
Had she known Albion was a country prone for tempests and rainstorms, COLD rainstorms to be precise, Yassia maybe would have thought twice about fleeing here, uncle or not. What was it, the third time she had been caught in such a weather unexpectedly?! Or even more?! Well, the number didn’t matter, it was the result that counted and this result was always the same: She was drenched, shivering cold and scared out of her wits! Tempests had seemed alright, even a bit adventuresome when you had the strong walls of a castle around you, to protect and shield you from the worst, but out here, in this nightmare, any step could be your last – even more so as she was inside a forest. There was this unspoken rule of lightning bolts always hitting trees and while the branches at least formed some sort of roof, albeit a holey one, those bolts now had ample choice to strike a tree – and by another unspoken law it was always the tree the poor wanderer had sought shelter under… Just great!
Eventually, Yassia had striked lucky after all, as while stumbling through the slippery forest she had happened upon an elder bush. Now every child knew that the friendly spirit of Mother Elder living in every bush protected the thicket and even the trees around it from catching on fire, and so the dripping princess had crawled beneath it, of course asking permission beforehand. Sadly enough there were not many leaves left to keep the rain off her body and face, but then again, there was not a dry spot left on Yassia, it didn’t really matter. On the down side, the eldertree was growing in close proximity to several gooseberry bushes, and the thick branches, adorned with thornes of which some had the length of her little finger, teared at the fabric of her cloak and dress whenever she so much as moved. Happy entangling later!
And then, just ten minutes before Yassia had been experiencing one of the most sever shocks of her life when a tree had given way to the storm, smashing on the ground just a few yards away, making the ground tremble with the impact. That could have been another tree, nearer to her, and then even Mother Elder would not have been able to help her. Shivering, she wanted to draw her soaking wet cloak a little tighter around her small frame, but of course the thornes intervened again. Muttering a curse in her mother tongue, she teared at it to get free – when suddenly a voice was heared over the rolling thunder, nearly giving Yassia another heart attack.
"What in God's name are you doing here?" Hmm… what did it look like? Given, it was not the wisest thing to be caught out in a rainstorm such as this one and so the question was valid, still, Yassia couldn’t quite help her black humor taking over. “Oh, the usual I guess”, she greeted the shadow, probably a girl judging from the voice with a tired smile and a muffled sneeze. “Getting drenched, hiding out from lightning, what people do who are unwise enough to get surprised by a thunderstorm. You?” Even if this stranger could prove a threat to her, Yassia was beyond caring. For all she knew Heaven was a dry place.
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Post by Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha on Jan 25, 2011 20:00:03 GMT -5
The silence really was an awkward one whenever either of them stopped talking for merely ten seconds. Was this how it would be going on all evening and potentially the next day as well, if she agreed on Gwaine showing her the way to Camelot? The prospect was almost a reason for calling it off! But then again, maybe not… it was never good to end an acquaintance on a sour not, so maybe they should both work on making amends, however difficult it might prove to be?
Accepting the glass of water with a thankful nod and a hestitant smile, Yassia now resumed to listen to Gwaine’s change of topic. It was good that he talked, so the silence would not come down on them like a thick blanket. Listening to the story he told, kept a few most embarrassing thoughts and memories at bay. However unfazed Yassia might appear outwardly, inside everything was turned upside down and it would need a while to settle. She could only thank her noble upbrining, concerning lessons of self-composure and countenance, for this apparent deceit of reality. The less Gwaine realised of her inward struggle, the better. He would only jump to the false comclusions again, and who knew what it might lead to this time!
The chosen topic though was maybe not the best in Yassia’s eyes. More lingering on the topic of Linda and Gwaine. Did she really want to hear the details? On one hand it was probably best if she was let in on the story, to understand the relationship they had even to a certain extent, but then on the other hand it made her realise even more how different mind sets could be! That a woman could practically BEG a man to take her, because she felt indepted to him was so beyond Yassia she could hardly grasp the meaning of his words. Weren’t there any other means of ‘payment’? Gwaine had said himself that they were nothing more but friends, so how could they even think of share something like that that was supposed to be for lovers and married couples! At least where Yassia came from… she couldn’t actually claim to be so very urbane…
“I see”, she therefore commented and made sure to keep all judgemental tone from her voice. “Yes, now that explains it… I think…” The new topic he was shifting on was even less suited to keep Yassia level-headed. Why did he HAVE to bring up the kiss again?! Her cheeks flushed deep red without her being able to do anything about it, and so she at least tried to hide her face under her long hair. This conversation was the most awkward she had had in all her life, it even rated above the one where her mother had told her about children and birth in course of her medical training… “It’s… it’s forgiven Gwaine”, Yassia said after she was sure she could trust her voice again. Forgiven, yes… but forgotten? Which woman who was made of flesh and blood would be able to FORGET that?
Awkwardly clearing her throat once again, she tried a makeshift explanation, to talk it all down. “You were angry… I was provoking you. We both acted out of line. I mean”, suddenly she can’t surpress a chuckle, “I was throwing laundry and shoes at you… not very well-mannered.”
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Post by Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha on Jan 24, 2011 10:26:00 GMT -5
Yassia felt the animosity Romily seemed to feel towards her younger stepbrother and chose not to dig deeper into the subject. Although she couldn’t help but wonder what she herself would think about such a fact in her own life. As far as she knew her father had never been unfaithful and didn’t have any illegitimate children. Mircea had been a totally different matter, he had been more of a foster brother than a stepbrother, as she was not related to him by blood in any way. He also never could have enforced a claim on the throne, and he had never wanted to either. Mircea had been content with serving as knight with honor and loyalty… Though if her father had lived longer, there might have been a stepbrother with better claims to the crown than Yassia, but even that would not have been so bad. She had never wanted the responsibility of it all, if her elder brother had survived, or if her younger brother had been born … if, if, IF! There really was no use in sulking over impossible things! She should take a leaf out of Romily’s book big time!
A warm glowing of gratitude towards Romily spread out inside Yassia, as she heard her new friends words. It was nice to think someone believed you good enough to deserve the best. Yassia was not so sure about that. Often enough she was headstrong, insulting and thoughtless. What she needed was a man who could put up with her occasional explosions and still had it in him to love her. And such men didn’t grow on trees… “Thanks for saying that! Though life taught me over the last few months that you very rarely get what you deserve. I might just have to learn to pull through on my own first, before I can think about love… if I ever am free enough to choose that is. At the moment the term ‘anyone but my cousin’ rates high on my priorities.”
Yassia laughed when Romily painted such a vivid picture of her customers peculiarities. She herself had witnessed such complains countless times, and if she was honest at first she had been amongst those never to be satisfied with what they got. Getting rid of this princesslike attitude had been a hard lesson to learn, but she had learned it alright. “Those idiots, truly! Alright, I’ll keep that in mind. Don’t wait for me though or anything, it might be I drop on the spot!” With another grateful smile she watched Romily leave and settled down in her room, putting some water in the bowl that was used for washing and – gladly – seemed to be standard here. One could really tell what Romily had been used to once, regarding the tidiness and homelike air of the simple room.
She retired to bed and expected to drift off to sleep soon, but somehow her mind was still buzzing like a whole beehive, trying to work out the day’s revelations and surprises. After a good ten minutes of tossing and turning, Yassia decided there was no use in trying any longer now, maybe she would call on Romily’s offer after all. Hearing soft noises from the taproom below, she decided the barmaid must be still working and didn’t even try her door. Slowly and silently she made her way down the steps, careful not to disturb any of the other guests for the night. When Romily came into view, Yassia took a moment to watch her idly, admiring the swiftness and grace of her routine evening work. She was just about to offer help, when she saw the woman’s shoulders trembling and imagined to hear a sob.
In an istant, Yassia glided down the remaining steps, calling out lowly: “Romily? Sweet stars, what’s wrong?”
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Post by Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha on Jan 23, 2011 19:54:54 GMT -5
Yassia had never heard that song before, but it was a beautiful one. The melody was catching and calm, elegant even and still merry. You could easily get lost in it, and also the singer’s voice itself was pleasant to listen to. She hoped he would get enough to earn his living for another day, he was definitely good enough to deserve it. Quickly she calculated her own meager money left, wondering if she could dare to spend some on him. Yassia would surely like to, but she needed to think about herself as well. Prices were very different in taverns, she had no idea how much she would have to spend. Could she really afford to give to him now?
Sadly enough the other spectators seemed to be tormented by similar thoughts, the poor minstrel didn’t get much out of his performance, and Yassia saw his brows furrow in vexation. She could relate to his sorrow, as her own money dwindled by day. Whenever the weather was pleasant enough she slept under the stars but those nights were not restful. Without anyone to watch over her, she jumped at every sound, always afraid someone might happen upon her by chance, robbing her of the little she had left and killing her afterwards, maybe even without her noticing it. Still, she had taken that risk on several occasions, not knowing how long her money would last if she carried on living like a princess still.
"Is there something you want?"
Well that sounded not too friendly, and Yassia was highly tempted to snap something at him about not letting his cranky mood offend others, but then she thought better of it. An argument was never the best way to start a conversation and it happened to her often enough. She might as well act on her reason as long as she still responded to it. So, instead of being as cranky as he obviously was, she tried a smile. “Well, no actually… just… maybe to compliment you on your play and voice. It really saved my day, I can tell you. That’s also why I was humming along, I hope you don’t mind?”
If he minded she would find out pretty soon. He might not be the easiest fellow to converse with, but during her long travel Yassia had come across many who just needed a bit of time to warm up first, and those usually turned out to be the most interesting. It was worth a try.
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Post by Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha on Jan 23, 2011 14:13:48 GMT -5
Finally Gwaine seemed to have caught on the actual subject of this whole tense encounter, that she was by no means jealous, just… not used to this and also never actually wanted to get used to it! His sincere apology even put her to shame, as she still felt like an idiot, exploding like that. It was always like that with Yassia, first she ranted and afterwards she felt sorry and craved to make things better, take back whatever she had said or done. “It’s all good, Gwaine!” she assured him with a little sigh. “I shouldn’t have lashed out at you like that either. It just”, she shrugged, “I think it’s in my blood. My father was like that, you know? And unlike you I cannot promise it won’t happen again… sorry!”
Her shoulders slightly hunched she entered the cottage again, directing an unsure smile at Linda, muttering a thanks and resumed to finish her stew. It wasn’t even cold yet, so the whole incident hadn’t last that long after all, even though it felt like a totally different life, or a dream for that matter. Had Gwaine really just kissed her? The sheer thought alone made her cheeks flush with embarrassment again and she lowered her head over the bowl, wanting to appear thoroughly occupied with eating. Maybe she needed a good nights sleep to think about it all, get her thoughts straight again and seperated from her emotions. Her insides were still slightly in turmoil and she hardly noticed she was eating, nor was she any more hungry. She just told herself she needed to eat and that’s why she did it.
Yassia wondered what the two of them would be talking outside, but she found it too unseemly to try and eavesdrop. She had behaves out of line enough for one night, maybe even enough for a lifetime! What would anyone knowing her from the past say if he stumbled upon her in that state? Oh yes, they would turn their heads embarrassed, walking past her as if they didn’t know her. Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha was a disgrace to her name and status! Maybe it was best she never got home again, resigning into a fate that hadn’t been hers in the beginning but now seemed to become at rapid speed. She seemed to change with every passing day. Would the young woman returning if all went well still be able to rule a kingdom?
But before she could wallow any more in self pity, Linda returned into her home, grabbing a few things. Yassia was dumbstruck. What was going on here? However much she had wished Linda to be nonexistant just a few minutes ago, now the thought of her actually leaving filled her with unease. Was she driving her out of her own house?! Yassia was never one to hold a grudge for long. Her temper was like a thunderstorm, quick to appear, causing maximal damage and frightening many of the fainter hearted but ever so quickly it vanished again, leaving her with the damage control. And damage control was what she wanted to settle on now. She smiled at Linda, warmly and a bit bashfully. “You’re right, that he is. Gwaine is a good man, and I am sorry to cause you both discomfort. I wish I could change who I am. It’s not my place to dictate you what to do and what to forbear. You have shown nothing but kindness and generosity to me, and look how I repay you!” She sighed deeply. “Thank you, Linda. For everything!”
Hardly looking up when Gwaine entered, Yassia carried on spooning her stew. She was still so very embarrassed and confused around him. The easy acquaintance of their first meeting hour was gone, and somehow that made Yassia sad and wondering if they ever could come to that level again. “Thanks, Gwaine, but no there is nothing else. I got all I asked for, a bed for the night and a meal.” An awkward little silence ensued and finally Yassia cleared her throat. “Where did Linda go off to? I’m sorry for all the hassle I cause!”
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