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Post by kajouka on Dec 28, 2008 21:53:02 GMT -5
Guinevere stood in the doorway of the study. The servants were finishing setting up three tables for the ladies whom she had invited. The sofas in the study had been pushed aside to make room for the three small tables. Each table was covered in a cream colored tablecloth, plain with no lace or decorations. Around the tables were a number of plain chairs. Atop the tables were cups, saucers, plates, and spoons, along with a napkin for each setting.
Guinevere had sent invitations to the other women of the city to join her for tea. With war looming on the horizon, some of the woman may lose their husbands, or sons, or if they chose to fight in the battle, even their own lives. She wished to provide a calm and pleasant gathering, where she and the others could relax and enjoy another woman's company.
The servants finished up their preparations and left to be sure the tea was brewing and ready for serving. Guinevere had also requested croissants and other rolls to be baked as well, and perhaps even some cookies for dessert.
She stepped into the study, walking around to survey the preparations. She had to admit she was pleased with the work of the servants. Now, she only had to wait for the women to arrive, so they could begin.
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Post by jez on Jan 23, 2009 19:14:58 GMT -5
Jezibella was not sure why she was going to go and sit around with a bunch of females. She had gotten an invitation to come have tea with the Queen and other ladies of Britan. She just wasn't one for liking big social gatherings. It had to do with her history and such. Only one person knew the true reason why she didn't like being around crowds and he was the one that told her to go. Of course if only for a little bit. She was fine with that. She loved her Queen so of course she couldn't say no to going and at least having some tea with her. The process of finding what to wear and getting there was a different story. She needed to look like a proper young lady and that could sometimes be a very hard thing for her to do. She liked being dressed down so to speak. And she had to remember her manners as well.
She finally came out of her room in a light light blue dress that was very befitting of her. He hair down with silver star barettes holding it back from her face a bit. She was sure she looked like the proper young lady. She didn't ask any approval as she moved towards the castle of course on foot. As she got closer to the castle grounds she showed her invitation to the guards who let her pass some without even having to show proper identification in a way because they knew who she was. Other were surprised to see her in a sense dressed up. She walked inside.
"My Queen," she bowed as she entered the parlor where they were going to have tea and other such things. [/center] |
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Post by Marina Tertius on Jan 31, 2009 14:27:03 GMT -5
Marina opened the invitation from the Queen, sighing as she muttered. ”To go, or not to go.” Lancelot and the other knights were gone for the day, riding the borders; she had nothing better to do than sit in her quarters and contemplate going to the tea. ”Might as well go.” She said, standing up and began to get ready, allowing a few of her servants to help. Marina finally came out of her room, wearing a dress that befitted her, a Roman dress, like those that Aurelia wore. A servant adjusted the straps of her dress, and curtsied before leaving the room. Her wavy locks were pulled back behind her shoulders, with a hair piece that Aurelia had given to her during one of her previous stays.
Walking down the corridors of the castle, she nodded curtly to the guards as she passed them. She felt sub conscious, the young lady was not used to wearing such formal clothes. It was usually a dress or a button up shirt and breeches for her; being a knight and all, she had to be comfortable when she trained them younger ones. Marina walked past the guards, without having to show her invitation or identification, she lived in the castle so everyone knew her. She stopped right before she entered the parlor, taking a deep breath, telling herself that she would be ok.
“Your Majesty, Jezibella.” Marina said, bowing quickly, and then raising back up. She sent a warm smile in Jezibella’s direction; Marina had spoken to her a few times, but not all that much. [/size] |
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Post by Princess Aurelia Augustus on Jan 31, 2009 14:39:25 GMT -5
Aurelia smiled happily, as some of ladies in waiting brushed through her dark brunette, wavy, locks. ”Claudia, fetch my royal blue dress.” She said, handing one of the ladies a golden hair piece, to pin up strands of her hair. Turning her head back and forth, she looked at herself in a mirror, and smiled warmly at them. ”Thank You.” Standing up, she waved the women out of her quarters, and began to dress in a royal blue dress, one that her mother had sent to her before she came to Britain. A few minutes later, Aurelia emerged from her quarters, and nodded to acknowledge those who waved to her, as she roamed the castle.
The Roman Princess was used to gatherings of these sorts; she didn’t mind going to have tea with Guinevere, or the other women who would be there. In a way, she hoped Marina would go, but Aurelia knew the young knight would most likely be out training the trainees, or at the pub. Aurelia held up her invitation to the guards outside of the parlor, holding back a laugh at their puzzled looks; where were all of these women coming from?
Aurelia bowed before Queen Guinevere, as she entered the room. ”Your Majesty, Marina.” She turned around, looking at a young woman, probably early –mid twenties; Aurelia had seen her face before, but never really had the time to talk to her. ”I don’t believe I know your name.” She said, turning to face the young lady. [/size] |
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Post by kajouka on Jan 31, 2009 16:07:02 GMT -5
Guinevere rose a Jezibella entered the room. She realized that despite their common woad herritage, Guinevere knew relatively little about the younger woman, because the girl grew up closer to Rome than Britain. Guinevere wasn't even sure when or how Jezibella returned to Britain, but resolved that she would find out. The tea she was hosting served more than one purpose - comfort and calmness before the storm that Guinevere knew was coming, as well as an opportunity for her to better know those who had come to serve her husband and the royal family. "I'm pleased you could join me, Jezibella," Guinevere began, before making a motion toward the table. "Please find yourself a seat and I'll have the tea poured shortly."
Just then, Marina entered the room. Guinevere masked her surprise with a pleasant smile. Guinevere had not expected her friend to attend, even if they were close. The woman was much like herself, preferring the warrior's attire to that of a lady of the court. With the knights training for the suspected battle against the Saxon's, Guinevere had seen relatively little of Marina in the past few weeks, and perhaps the lack of content was the reason Marina had come.. "Welcome and have a seat," she told her friend, just as a third woman entered the room.
Guinevere had met the Princess of Rome numerous times, when Aurelia would make her trips north to the Wall. "Aurelia," Guinevere said politely, "I am pleased to see you here." She moved to take a seat at the table, indicating the others should all sit as well. "I hope your trip here was not too difficult during the colder weather?"
Guinevere paused as her serving lady stepped in, as if on cue, and walked around the table with a pot of tea, pouring a steaming hot cup for each woman. She left the ladies the option of flavoring it sugar or honey. There were even a few lemons, cut into six slices each, that had been shipped north resting on the table. Once the serving lady had left, Guinevere reached for the honey and dropped a small spoonful in her tea, then added a squeeze of lemon. "I am glad you all could join me," the queen began. "I feel like I don't spend enough time nurturing my feminine side these days." She ended the last statement with a smile. The queen was known, after all, for spending more time in pants than a dress. "Please, tell me what you have been up to."
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Post by jez on Jan 31, 2009 17:06:49 GMT -5
Jezibella smiled as the Queen stood to greet her. She moved to sit when she was told. She looked around the parlor. She did not like the indoors much which was probably the reason why it had taken her so long to get here and everything. She loved to be outside and doing things with her hands. She never thought that fighting or anything like that was just strictly for men. Of course all of her thinking was a product of the way she had grown up. She was still learning as well expecially the formalities that went along with being a Lady or a warrior and leading seperate lives in a sense. After all the young girl was still a child in a sense. Sure she could be thought of as an adult at the lively age of sixteen but things still confused her unlike the older ladies that were going to be around her.
Speaking of such as she sat she saw Marina enter. She gave a small smile and a nod of the head to Marina when she addressed her. In situations such as this Jezibella did not talk very much. She always felt somewhat less intellegent then all the rest. A second later Aurelia walked in. She did not know this lady very well. She had seen her maybe once or twice but nothing more than that. Plus the living on the outskirts of Rome didn't allow for her to know many Roman's for that matter. Least not when she was a young child. By the time she had gotten to the age that Tristan had found her she and her group were moving closer to the North of Britan for safety so to speak and people who could teach them what they could not teach themselves.
She addressed Aurelia before she addressed the Queen's question. "My name is Jezibella." She smiled at the other lady and then turned to her Queen. "I have been up at the wall lately just watching." In a setting like this it was not likely that the Queen would get to know anything about her. [/center] |
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Post by Marina Tertius on Feb 2, 2009 15:53:52 GMT -5
Marina turned around once Guinevere had finished speaking, as another person entered the room; Aurelia. She smiled, nodding curtly to the Roman Princess, before saying. ”Aurelia, I haven’t seen you in a while.” Marina pulled up and took a seat at the table, thinking to herself. The younger girl, Jezibella was it? She seemed shy and nervous, Marina wouldn’t push her though. Nodding her thanks, Marina watched as the serving lady poured the tea into the other cups. The young lady dropped a spoonful of sugar into her tea, and a added a squeeze of lemon, listening as Guinevere spoke once more.
Marina turned her gaze to Jezibella as she stated that she had spent time up at the wall, she sounded like Marina. ”Eh, I’ve been helping the other knights with some trainee’s. What about you Aurelia?” She asked playfully, smiling at the Princess. Everyone knew that Aurelia and Galahad had something to do with each other; Marina’s guess was that they spent more time with each other, than anyone else. She could tell by the way that her friend gazed at the fellow knight, that she was love stricken. Raising the cup, Marina took a sip of the tea, enjoying the warmth as it slid down her throat. [/size] |
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Post by Princess Aurelia Augustus on Feb 2, 2009 16:18:22 GMT -5
Aurelia smiled as Guinevere inquired about her trip, true it was cold, but she would rather be here than in Rome. ”There were some delays with some allies of the Saxons as we passed through Gaul, but other than that, it was fine.” The young Princess had ran into some allies of the Saxons, and now to her knowledge, they blocked the way road to home when ever she decided to go back. Aurelia nodded her as the younger girl gave her, her name. ”Please to meet you, Jezibella.” Pulling up a seat beside Marina, she cast a playful grin at Marina; in a sense, they were like sisters. When she was little, Marina somehow managed to become Aurelia’s playmate.
Aurelia dipped her head in thanks to the serving lady, and dropped a dollop of honey into her tea, stirring up with her spoon. It seemed as if everybody had been spending there time at the wall, or either preparing for war, but Aurelia couldn’t say much. ”I’ve been spending time with some loved ones, and enjoying my stay here.” Aurelia shot Marina a glance, she already knew that Marina had found out about her and Galahad, it seemed as if everybody knew. The young woman raised the cup to her lips, taking a sip, and then placed it back on the table. [/size] |
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Post by allison on Feb 2, 2009 21:14:06 GMT -5
The scratch of the pen was the only sound in the cramped room. Aly was hunched over her desk, her compact scrawl overing every inch of the parchment. At her left elbow was a stack of papers and letters from various people, many acquired through unethical or illegal means. To her right was a much smaller stack of parchment, mostly notes in the spies hand writing and several important documents she had shifted from the stack on the left. A nearly empty inkwell was in front of her, a large map taking up the rest of the desk, on which were dots and numbers and calculations.
A knock at the door caused Aly to jump, splattering ink across her hand and paper. Cursing under her breath, she stopped, listening. "Your going to be late. Guinevere invited you and some nobles to have tea, you recall? The dress is on your bed," Peter snickered, before departing down the hall. Normal he'd haunt the hallways until she came out and give a couple of wolf whistles and taunts, she unable to retaliate without having to go back and fix the dress. Aly stood regretfully, not wanting to go to the meeting. Still - it would be helpful to someone in her profession, an excellent time to get to know the nobles of the castle. She grimaced at her hands, the fingertips of which were a midnight black. Scrubbing thoroughly in the sink (OOC: Might be historically inacurrate - I know the Romans had plumbing, maybe not in the medieval times though..), she managed to lightening the color to a light blue. Good enough, she'd have to go to the tea party with light blue fingers. Oh joy.
Aly walked swiftly down the hallway - dressed in a pale gray dress with long sleeves. Unfortunately, her profession came with several unwanted perks. She numerous scars - most of them quite small - most received as a child when she was learning to use a knife. Very few were from actual assignments. You either got out perfectly okay or you didn't get out at all. Stopping at last outside of the Queen's study, she prepared herself, smoothing the dress and brushing the blond, shoulder length hair out of brilliant blue eyes. "I apologize for my lateness, Queen Guinevere. I was -" She hesitated, "Preoccupied with other matters," She said calmly in her crisp voice as she entered the room.
She recognized some of the people in the room. Marina, of course, the fabled woman warrior. The Roman women as well, though not personally. The youngest of the four already seated around the table was new to Aly. She knew many of the people around the castle. Not personally, of course. She had, along with her fellow spies, had checked out most of the castles inhabitants. She continued standing, as if unsure of whether or not she should sit. |
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Post by kajouka on Feb 6, 2009 10:32:29 GMT -5
Guinevere sipped her tea as she listened to the light chit-chat between the women. While listening, she made a mental note to spend some private time with Marina, whom she'd barely seen the last month. Between preparations for the possible Saxon attack which involved extra correspondence work between herself and the kingdom's allies, and Marina's own duties as a knight, neither had made much time for visitation. Even so, Marina was the closest friend she had outside of her immediate family, and Guinevere did not want that to change.
Tilting her head ever so slightly, her attention turned to Jezibella. The queen realized she knew relatively little about the newcomer. That alone could pose a possible risk, for although Jezibella looked nothing like a Saxon, she also carried very few of the typical Roman traits that a woman from the South would have. Guinevere was half convinced that Jezibella looked more woad than anything, but that thought only reminded the Queen that she looked far less woad than a full-blooded woad should. Her initial thoughts to treat Jezibella diminished as she considered that appearances were obviously not the most reliable means of background identification. Instead, she'd simply get to know the woman.
Guinevere turned to Aurelia, concern in her eyes at the woman's statement. The light-hearted feeling she had vaporized with the word Saxon. I am glad you were able to safely evade them," Guinevere began, "But you must tell us more. We feel relatively certain that we know which peoples are Saxon supporters, but one can never be one hundred percent sure. Any information you provide us..." Guinevere paused as the door to the room open. She watched as Aly slipped in late, "No matter," Guinevere replied after Aly gave her vague excuse for her tardiness, "The topic of the Saxons just came up. Take a seat and listen. This information should be important to us all." Guinevere looked back to Aurelia. "Please, continue.
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Post by Marina Tertius on Feb 8, 2009 2:31:32 GMT -5
Marina turned her gaze to Aurelia as she spoke about a handful of the Gaulish supporting the Saxons. It seemed like the Saxon's were rallying more and more supporters, just what Marina needed. She had been so busy this month training and preparing for war, that she hadn't even made time to talk with Guinevere. Marina would stay later and catch up with the Queen, she needed some 101 bonding time. "Yes, tell us more. I have yet to hear about the Gaulish."
Glancing up, she watched someone walked into the room, speaking quietly; Allison Jacques. Marina hadn't ever really talked to her, she was always so busy, but from what she had heard, Allison was different. Marina said, taking a sip of tea before sitting it down once more and placed her fingertips upon her temples, massaging them gently. The past few days had been a major headache for herself and the other knights. It felt like you could slice through the tension with your sword, everyone was nervous.
"Are they still there, Aurelia?" Marina's mind was like clockwork as wheels began to turn. If they were still there, then was something else, the Saxon's were up to something. She thought to herself, diverting her gaze back to Aurelia. That also meant if they were still there, Aurelia wouldn't be leaving anytime soon, that would give Marina time to catch up with her also, and she positive Galahad would be happy. |
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Post by Princess Aurelia Augustus on Mar 7, 2009 0:58:21 GMT -5
Aurelia tilted her head to the side as everyone’s gaze turned to her when ever Saxon’s turned into the new topic. Thankfully, the Roman Princess managed to ride her horse past the group, and a few days later, her new caravan appeared, but for the rest of the trip, she found herself cooped up in a small caravan. ”Patience, my dear friend.” Aurelia said, smiling slyly, glancing over at Marina, as she took another sip of the tea, before sitting it back down.
Aurelia turned her head to the side as another young woman appeared in the doorway, and ask for the Queen to pardon her tardiness. The girl dipped her curtly as a formal greeting, before looking to Marina as she inquired about the where bout’s of the Saxon allies. It looked as if Marina’s mind was already working like a clock, thinking of possible attacks and much more. ”To my knowledge, they are still blocking the pass, no one can get in or out that way, so it seems as if I’ll be staying here a bit longer.”
Glancing down, Aurelia adjusted the golden pendant that was located on the wrap over top of her dress, in a swift move. ”My question now, is what does Arthur plan to do about these Saxons?” Aurelia shot Marina a glance, before continuing on, ”A very dear friend of mine has stated that your borders are starting to become attacked daily, it seems as if we are on the brink of war, or do I stand corrected?” She asked softly, turning her gaze onto every person in the room. [/size] |
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Post by allison on Mar 7, 2009 12:20:44 GMT -5
OOC: Seeing as Jezibella hasn't been on for a while, so I suppose I'll post.
Aly nodded, taking a seat at the table as quietly as possible. Allison, although she wasn't very fond of tea, growing up in northern Italy for most of her childhood, poured herself a small cup tea to be polite. At the mention of Saxons, Aly's blue eyes lightened with interest, and she glanced up, considering Aurelia. Although she doubted that the noble could tell her more then she already knew, it was always good to get a first hand account. She had been, after all, researching for her up coming assignment. Always better to know your enemy's then to live in arrogant ignorance.
She dropped her gaze, seeming to focus her attention on the table top. Her expression, when Marina had mentioned the Gaulish, turned thoughtful and a bit apprehensive. The Gaulish supported the Saxons for various reasons, some out of personal allegiance, others because they had been promised land and money. Might be worth mentioning, put forth the idea of working out an agreement between Arthur and Gaul. However, it was dangerous talk, easily considered treasonous. But, nothing ventured, nothing gained. She would mention it later, after Aurelia had spoken of them.
She looked up once more as the Roman Princess spoke, before glancing back down. Everything checked out. No new information. Aly folded on arm across her stomach, other hand on the table top. Out of habit she started to tap, silently, one blue tinted finger on the table. Realizing what she was doing, she stilled her finger, hands now clasped together. As Aurelia commented on the fact that they stood at war's threshold, Aly looked up once more, nodding ever so slightly. "King Cynric promised the Gaulish money and land in exchange for their support. If King Arthur is willing, some could be coerced to fight for us instead of them for them, with the right amount of gold. It would it would lessen the unnecessary deaths when war comes." Well aware this could be taken as traitorous, her voice was passive. Her eyes, however, were hard. Almost challenging as she briefly glanced at the faces around the table, before settling on Guinevere's. |
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Post by kajouka on Mar 7, 2009 14:37:41 GMT -5
Guinevere listened as Aurelia spoke of the pass the Gauls were blocking. She nodded along, thinking back to some of the information that had come in from that Region. That Gaul was blocking access between Britain and Rome didn't surprise her, given that the Romans were more or less allies of Arthur's. The relationship the royal couple had with Princess Aurelia certainly helped things, but Rome was no friend of Gaul's either. Gaul would benifit if the Saxon's prevailed in Britain and then let a hand to aid the Gaulish people again the Roman's.
As Aly spoke of alliances made with bribes of money and land, Guinevere frowned. Arthur would never agree to such a strategy - he'd consider it a breach of his moral character. Despite the fact that the idea might have some success, it would not pass through her lips to him. Guinevere would rather find a way to trek to Rome and enlist their allies into attacking the rear of the Gauls in an effort to keep them distracted from the British/Saxon conflict.
"We have plenty of allies. I do not believe we need the Gauls, nor do I believe the Gauls would join us for bribes if they are already receiving those from the Saxons. After all, the Gauls are no friends of the Roman, while we," Guinevere tilted her head toward Aurelia, "Obviously are. I think we would do better to find a way to send someone in secret to Rome, where a message can be given to Aurelia's father for aid. The Romans have no love for the Gauls anyway." Guinevere took a sip of her tea, as she thought about how much more she wanted to say. She trusted these women, but who knew if a servant was really a spy.
"Unfortunately, Aurelia, you are correct about our borders. Cynric is readying to make his assault. I fear that we will soon be at war as well. We must all be prepared when the time comes..."
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Post by Marina Tertius on Mar 8, 2009 14:11:15 GMT -5
Marina narrowed her eyes playfully as Aurelia spoke of patience; she of all people, other than Guinevere, should know that Marina didn’t have the much patience. The trainee’s had pushed her patience to the test, yet she still managed to keep her head when she was training with them. Most of them knew not to test her, but there was a handful that didn’t know, and refused to work to become a knight. Her guess was if she put them on the battle field, they wouldn’t last five seconds at this rate.
Turning her head, Marina took a sip of her tea, before sitting down once more, listening to the group of women. ”The borders are beginning to become attacked daily, as you said. I have witnessed and fought in many of the brawls, I fear that the brawls are the borders, are the start of a war.” Marina tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear, before directing her gaze over to Aly, who had been quiet during the conversation, up till now.
She listened to Guinevere, keeping to herself as she racked her brain. ”Queen Laelia,” Marina said, glancing at Aurelia, before she continued. ”is now acting as consort of the affairs in Rome, until Aurelia returns to take her place on the throne.” She has been child hood friends with Aurelia, ever since they were little. She was there when news of Aurelia’s father’s death arrive, but returned to Britain shortly. The two had sent letters and visited each other over the past years, and when she was told of Aurelia’s arrival in Britain, she was happy, and a little suspicious. Over the years, Marina slowly found out why Aurelia chose to spend her time in Britain.
Marina glanced over Aly, as she called Cynric, king; the young woman fought to keep quiet. In her eyes, he was just a man who wanted revenge, he would never be a King in her eyes. ”Nicely said,” She said, pulling her lips into a smile as she looked over to Guinevere.
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Post by Princess Aurelia Augustus on Apr 12, 2009 20:11:20 GMT -5
Aurelia sat quietly to herself, occasionally taking a sip of the tea, but for the main part, she paid attention to what was being said. Bribe the Gaulish? Not only did Aurelia take that as slightly offensive, she was sure that Arthur would never agree to anything of that sort. Everyone knew that the Gaul’s were no friend of Rome, nor would they ever be. They despised the Romans, for what reason? Aurelia wasn’t quiet sure, but she had a feeling it was about her dealings with Arthur and Guinevere.
The Roman Princess turned her head in Guinevere’s direction, listening as she gave her opinion on the bribery idea. Sighing softly, Aurelia turned her gaze onto Marina as the lady knight glanced at her, before continuing on. Laelia only carried the royal title, because she was a previous Queen of Rome, but she did not have much power. She only had the power to effect Aurelia’s decisions. “Laelia has soldiers at the ready, but until they force the Gaul’s out of the pass, which will be soon, they will not be able to come to the ready as soon as I had hoped.”
Aurelia tilted her head to the side, as Guinevere answered her question in regards of the border. So, she was correct? She glanced over in Marina’s direction, laughing silently to herself. Marina would never regard Cynric as a king, even if her life depended on it. Marina was already roused up at the pass and the Gaul’s, they didn’t need her to be worrying about the borders. Not that it mattered, because Aurelia was positive Marina had, had her fair share of fighting at the borders. ” Cynric,” Aurelia made sure not to associate him as king, before continuing on, ” has been preparing to assault for a while, all he lacked was the capacity and supplies.”
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