|
Post by HorizonsDream on Jun 4, 2019 19:39:57 GMT -8
"Where will we staying, Ser?" Ladonna asks curiously.
|
|
|
Post by GravityEmblem on Jun 5, 2019 3:16:43 GMT -8
Lillian waits, as she also wants to know the answer to Ladonna’s question.
|
|
|
Post by Daos on Jun 5, 2019 11:37:07 GMT -8
"Traditionally, guards of guests remain in the garrison," Kellerman replies. "Or perhaps the guest house."
"I would prefer my people stay close to me," Helen says. "You'll need to take that up with the count then, my lady. We...weren't expecting so many of you."
|
|
|
Post by HorizonsDream on Jun 5, 2019 20:22:37 GMT -8
"I think it is perhaps something that we will need to speak about since there are so many of us, my lady," Ladonna says to Helen. "We should concentrate on meeting the count for the moment," she suggests.
|
|
|
Post by GravityEmblem on Jun 6, 2019 3:10:28 GMT -8
Lillian nods in agreement.
|
|
|
Post by Daos on Jun 6, 2019 11:31:12 GMT -8
Helen frowns, but nods in agreement, as well.
As they approach, Kellerman says, "This is the main entrance, but there's another on the west side that leads directly into the chapel. Services are every Rockday, if you are curious. But you can show up any day if you need something, including healing or divination. There's always at least one priest about." They arrive at the main entrance, to a pair of large double doors carved from walnut, inlaid with brass and silver. There are two porters guarding it, and they both snap to attention at the sight of the castellan, then step aside to let the party pass.
The entrance hall alone is quite large, at least 40 feet by 30 feet. The walls are hung with rich tapestries showing great events in the history of the castle. A fireplace in the corner warms the place and provides light at night, although right now it sits empty and cold. A grand staircase with a central landing leads to he second floor. It is made of polished marble and has a railing made of the same material. A huge painting of a blazing sun decorates the wall atop the landing.
"That's the sigil of House Solan," Liala notes to the others, having made a study of heraldry.
There's a hallway to the left and two doors to the right, one on either side of the staircase. There are also another set of double doors directly ahead, also guarded by two ushers and a herald. Upon seeing them enter the room, the porters open the double doors to let the herald in.
"Count Solan and his family are currently having breakfast in the great hall," Kellerman explains. "This seems like a good opportunity for you to meet the whole family at once. I trust you are hungry after your journey. Just wait a moment here so the herald can announce our arrival."
|
|
|
Post by HorizonsDream on Jun 6, 2019 14:50:05 GMT -8
Ladonna turns to Helen, and smile slightly to the woman as she knows that she has to be nervous about this. "Are you okay, my lady?" she asks quietly.
|
|
|
Post by GravityEmblem on Jun 6, 2019 17:33:00 GMT -8
Lillian turns to Helen to see how she reacts. I’m
|
|
|
Post by Daos on Jun 6, 2019 17:47:29 GMT -8
"Certainly," Helen replies, smoothing out her dress. "I'm just going to be meeting my soon to be husband for the first time, and his entire family...all at once," she adds, her voice growing increasingly strained, as is her smile. Her left eye twitches slightly, her spine is ramrod straight, and her smile is so forced she looks a bit horrific now.
|
|
|
Post by HorizonsDream on Jun 6, 2019 22:09:33 GMT -8
"If I may make a suggestion, my lady,"Ladonna says, trying to not laugh at the poor woman. "Take a couple of deep breaths, and let then out slowly. It should help you relax. "I know it is very intimidating, my lady, but you can do this. Your father prepared you as best as he could for this, so just remember your etiquette, and you will be fine, my lady."
|
|
|
Post by GravityEmblem on Jun 7, 2019 3:12:20 GMT -8
"I could play a short little song if it would help, milady," offers Lillian.
OOC: Could I use an Enchantment cantrip to help Helen feel a bit more calm and/or confident?
|
|
|
Post by Daos on Jun 7, 2019 12:52:45 GMT -8
While Lillian plays a light, soothing melody on her lute, Helen follows Ladonna's suggestion and takes a couple of breaths. She seems to relax a little. "Yes...of course, you're right. Thank you both," she says.
"You needn't worry," Kellerman adds. "The Solans are decent folk. And young Lord Eowin is a good lad. You'll get along well, I'm sure."
|
|
|
Post by HorizonsDream on Jun 7, 2019 23:25:17 GMT -8
"You're welcome, my lady," Ladonna says. Feeling that Helen is about as ready as she is ever going to be, she looks to Kellerman. "I think we are ready, Ser."
|
|
|
Post by Daos on Jun 8, 2019 12:59:25 GMT -8
Kellerman nods and the group waits in silence for the herald to return to announce them. This would have been an opportune moment to ask further questions about the Solan family, but perhaps it is better to be surprised, as the party opts to wait quietly.
After another minute or so, the herald returns and ushers them into the great hall. The room is two stories high. Its north side has a railed balcony, which is set flush with the wall. Two great chandeliers hang overhead to light the room. A huge fireplace is set in the south wall. There are four long tables with benches on either side. But currently only one table is occupied. The Solan family sits together, entirely on one side of the table, facing toward the party as they enter. The count and his wife sit at the middle, with the boys left of the count and the girls right of the countess.
"My lord, my lady, may I present Lady Helen Escott, Daughter of Baron William Escott, of the Barony of Buho, and company," the herald announces.
None of the Solans get up, but the count gestures for the party to approach. "Come, sit, eat," he says in a rich, baritone voice. "I'm sure you're famished after your travels." There is a large feast of all kinds of Tardish breakfast foods spread out on the table before them. There's bacon, sausage, eggs, bangers and mash, shepherd's pie, cottage pie, fish and chips, roast beef, cheese, and bread among other things, as well as several large pitchers of tea.
Helen approaches the table, curtsies, and says, "My lord, my lady," before sitting down directly across from the count.
Count Solan is a tall man, trim in the waist and hips, but broad in the shoulders. He is 38 years old. Those who see him for the first time are mildly surprised at his wild tangle of curly red hair and deep green eyes. Somehow they all expect him to be clean shaven, blond and blue-eyed. Well, he's clean shaven at least. He's dressed fairly simple, in well-tailored clothes. One would expect something a bit more ostentatious for a noble, but despite the fact that his clothes are clearly well made, they are not at all flashy but quite modest.
His wife sits next to him. At 37 years of age, she stands 5'5" tall with a trim physique. Her hair is naturally white, not blonde or grey, and her eyes are startlingly blue. Her features are delicate and fine. She wears a very finely made, modest dress that shows as little skin as possible.
Sitting to the left of the count are his four boys. One is a strapping youth of about 15, who is a spitting image of his father, but has his mother's white hair and blue eyes. He has a warrior's build and is 5'11" in height, making him already taller than his mother and nearly as tall as his father. Another boy looks to be around 11, and stands out among his kin as he has neither red or white hair, but brown. The next boy looks around 9, with white hair and blue eyes like his mother. And the final boy is perhaps around 5, with bright red curls and green eyes like his father.
Sitting to the right of the countess are two girls. One is more of a young woman than a girl, at least 17 years old. She does not resemble either of her parents closely, either in facial features or physique. With a height of 5'9", she is tall for a woman. She has long, straight red hair, darker than her father's. Her eyes are deep blue. Her features are strong, without being unappealing, and her figure is robust and full. The other girl is much younger, perhaps around 7, with pale blond hair that cascades in waves down to her shoulders.
The herald and the castellan excuse themselves, and Helen waits patiently for her companions to sit before touching any food.
|
|
|
Post by HorizonsDream on Jun 8, 2019 14:09:18 GMT -8
Ladonna looks over the large family sitting at the table for about a second before she curtsies like Helen. She doesn't want to appear like she is sizing each of them up. "My Lord and My Lady, I'm Dame Ladonna Marche, and it is truly an honor to be invited to have this meal with you and your family," she says with a charming smile as she sits down next to Helen.
|
|