CH. 17 - Spring Fling

[Daos]

A month has passed.  Ladonna and Lillian step out into the courtyard on a beautiful spring morning.  The sun shines above, there's a cool and refreshing breeze in the air, and the flowers are in full bloom in the gardens, making the air itself smell sweet.  In a few weeks, Ladonna is scheduled to be married to Relken.  A short time after that, Liala is scheduled to be married to Ardis.  Ingot's wedding is not until next year, much like Lady Henna's, but nevertheless, wedding prep is on everyone's mind at the moment.

But it's not the only thing on people's minds.  While there is a feeling of anticipation, a feeling of new beginnings...it is tainted with an undercurrent of fear and trepidation.  Whispers of war snake about the castle, spoiling many moods.  So far, there has been no further word of Amodeo or Calabria.  But a couple of weeks ago, a Calabrian merchant ship attempted to dock and was denied entry.  When it refused to depart, citing a need to resupply, the fortress fired a warning shot across its bow, forcing it to turn around.  This incident has only heightened tensions further.  Word is the queen has started building an army and sending them to the Calabrian border to protect it.  In a strange way, all this darkness has caused people to focus on upcoming weddings even more so.  Partly to help distract them, but there's also a sense of urgency--that people need to get married quickly, because there's a real chance they'll be sent off to war soon.

On a more personal note, Ladonna still has not received any word from her serfs yet.  Lillian received word from Buho that Ser Mereida Waelnod had passed away recently, thus absolving her from her ill-written contract.  And Lady Henna is in an all-day etiquette class with Countess Solan, so the two have the day off.

As the two are stepping out into the courtyard, they see Ser Relken approaching them hurriedly, looking rather distressed.  "Ladonna!" he calls, rushing over, waving to get her attention.  When he arrives, he pauses to catch his breath.  "What is the meaning of this?  I just got word myself.  Do you know anything about the wedding being cancelled?!"

=================

It is Saffir 10th, 10 AM.  Ladonna may choose new spells for the day.

[GravityEmblem]

Lillian is about to ask Ladonna about joining her court when Ser Relken arrives and asks his question. She frowns at the both of them, unsure of what to make of it. Perhaps Ladonna had called off their wedding in secret, or perhaps the Count had stepped in and broke it off, or perhaps Relken is completely mistaken. Lillian holds her tongue for the time being, awaiting Ladonna's response.

[HorizonsDream]

"The wedding is canceled?" Ladonna asks in surprise. She was honestly surprised too because she hadn't heard anything about it at all. "Who told you that?" she asks curiously. "I haven't heard anything."

1st: Burning Hands, Read Magic, Charm Person, Sleep, Detect Magic.
2nd: Same
3rd: Same

[Daos]

"Then...it wasn't you who canceled it?" Relken asks, looking a bit relieved, but also confused.  "I thought...well, with your sudden rise in popularity, that perhaps you felt you could do better and...well," he looks away, a bit embarrassed.  "Anyway, I overheard two servants discussing it in the castle.  They said the Count himself is going to declare it canceled this very day."

[GravityEmblem]

Putting aside the idea that the servants were mistaken, Lillian asks, "Why would he do that? Surely there's no reason to prevent the marriage."

[Daos]

"I am not certain; it makes no sense," Relken agrees.  "That's why I thought, perhaps, it was Ladonna who asked to cancel it.  But if that is not the case...then I am truly flummoxed."

[GravityEmblem]

"Someone should consult the count about this," Lillian suggests. "You, or Ladonna, or both."

[HorizonsDream]

"But I was certain that the preparations for the wedding were still taking place?" Ladonna asks. She was about as confused as Relken when it came to this whole wedding situation. "And servants could be wrong. Lillian is right though. We should probably have an audience with the Count. Do you want to come with me?" she asks.

[Daos]

"Yes, of course," Relken says.  "We should clear this up straightaway."

[HorizonsDream]

Ladonna looks to Lillian. "Relken and I need to go take care of this, so I guess I'll see you later," she says. She doubted that Lillian would want to come with her on this matter, and she could update her later as to what happened. She walks over to Relken's side, and walks with him to go see the count.

[GravityEmblem]

"Very well," Lillian says, turning to leave. With Ladonna too busy with her own marriage to discuss Lillian's, she'll have to pursue some of her other goals. She makes up her mind to speak to Sidhanar about Ruara, and leaves the courtyard to search for him.

[Daos]

Ladonna
Ladonna and Relken head back inside the castle, and upstairs to the Judgement Chamber, where the count was currently with his advisors discussing the Calabrian threat.  In addition to Count Solan, also present are Eric Talbot, Redna Kellerman, Quill Sern, Miranda Foxmore and Fannah Winters.  They all sit at a large table.  Standing before the table is Baron Bartholomew Ainsley, looking rather distressed.  "My lord, I must insist on being heard on this matter.  If the Calabrians attack, it will be upon the River Dark.  Which means my lands, including the town of Bri, will be the first casualty when they arrive.  We need protection.  Bri does not have the stone walls or the military power that Hart does!"

Count Gladwell Solan raises his hand to signal the baron calm down.  "Your concerns are heard, Baron Ainsley.  In the event of an attack, I will see to it that the town of Bri and the surrounding lands can be evacuated, and its people take shelter here in Hart."

Red-faced, the baron sputters, "My lord!  You would have us abandon our lands, my home, to those foreign devils?"

It's at this point the count looks past Ainsley and notices both Ladonna and Relken standing by.  He frowns slightly, then turns his attention back to the council.  "Perhaps we should take a short recess.  We'll reconvene this afternoon.  All of you are dismissed."

The council members all stand and depart, along with Ainsley, although the count remains in his seat.  He beckons Ladonna and Relken forward.  "The two of you here, together...I would say this is convenient, as I have something important to tell you both.  But I suspect you have somehow already learned of it..."

Lillian
Lillian recalls that after the party inadvertently got Sidhanar fired from his job as warden of the Sunwoods, he now works in the guest stables located in the outer courtyard.  So she makes her way there.

The stables can hold up a hundred horses at once, although there aren't nearly that many currently here.  But there's enough that when she steps inside, it causes a bit of an uproar.  Horses neigh and stomp in protest at her presence.  They are currently all in their stalls, so at least she doesn't cause a stampede or anything, but it is quite noisy and disruptive.  Sidhanar is there, along with several young human stableboys, and all are trying to calm down the horses, unsure of what is suddenly causing them such distress.

[GravityEmblem]

"Oh, dear. Perhaps I could help?" Lillian offers, startled by the uproar. "Do they like music at all?"

[Daos]

Sidhanar only now notices Lillian's presence, and just shrugs helplessly.  "I've never seen them act like this before.  It's like they smell something...unnatural.  If you think music will help, by all means!"

[GravityEmblem]

Lillian sits down and plays a soothing, calming melody. Hopefully, it will cause the animals to be a bit less agitated.