Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 422
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Post by Kallie on Jul 18, 2014 19:19:19 GMT -5
Actually I need to go down to the harbor for a bit this afternoon," he answered her question. "It seems the Barons of Seacliff and Greenfield have noticed ships going missing when they go around the southern cliffs and through Hibernia waters. That's actually why I am here, investigating an overland trade route between the two fiefs and up into Whitby fief before the great fair at the end of the summer," he explained. "Normally it is easier to sail around Araluen to move cargo, but the last four months hasn't seen a single Araluen ship make it through from one side to the other. We suspect pirates, so I need to go question some captains and see what ships are in the harbor."
Olivia nodded in understanding as she listened to him. "You also might want to ask around to see what other kinds of ships are there now. Also it might be prudent to ask what kind of cargo the ships are carrying when the disappear as well. Might give you a better idea as to why and the situation. But I'm sure you already knew that."
"Do you want to stroll the harbor with me, or are you going to move your things down to the stable room and stay with Mara?"
"I was planning on doing that yes. I also have a book to finish as well. I'll probably do that until evening."
"Or if you have some message that needs delivering that's kind of on the way to the harbor, we could take care of that on the way to the docks," he suggested casually.
She gave him a look and told him in a very superior voice. "I am on vacation I will not be doing any more work for at least another day and a half." then she went back to being normal. "But it might be nice of you to ask the head of the Diplomatic Service here if she needs any help." She coughed into her elbow and drained the last of her tea. "I don't think I should be around to many people. I don't want to get anybody else sick. You go on and ask your important questions. Then tomorrow morning after you finished writing a decent and to my standard report that you will go to Crowley and report." she smiled at him sweetly. "I can help you write it if you like." She knew how he hated to write reports. Most rangers did, a lot of them would snag her if she was around to help them. He wasn't the only one who could keep people busy, only while he was trying to keep her here she was trying to make him move to get on with his duty.
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Post by Brandwyn on Jul 20, 2014 21:59:44 GMT -5
Olivia nodded in understanding as she listened to him. "You also might want to ask around to see what other kinds of ships are there now. Also it might be prudent to ask what kind of cargo the ships are carrying when the disappear as well. Might give you a better idea as to why and the situation. But I'm sure you already knew that."
Actually Marcus hadn't thought of that, probably because his heart wasn't really in the mission like it should be. He'd been too distracted with Olivia's illness to think about the shipping problem. That was probably not a good thing, but he'd always put family before his job unless there were innocent lives on the line and this issue of pirating didn't seem to fall into that category. He didn't really put much stock in rich people's problems of lost revenue. Money wasn't that important in the grand scheme of things.
"Good idea," Marcus answered. "You are very clever, that's why I love you!" he grinned at her.
"Do you want to stroll the harbor with me, or are you going to move your things down to the stable room and stay with Mara?"
"I was planning on doing that yes. I also have a book to finish as well. I'll probably do that until evening."
"Now I think that's an outstanding idea," Marcus countered. "Walking around down by the harbor in the damp salt air would probably not help that cold at all. You should ask Cook to send you out some hot coco or coffee. It'll help ease that sore, croaky throat of yours."
She gave him a look and told him in a very superior voice. "I am on vacation I will not be doing any more work for at least another day and a half." then she went back to being normal. "But it might be nice of you to ask the head of the Diplomatic Service here if she needs any help." She coughed into her elbow and drained the last of her tea. "I don't think I should be around to many people. I don't want to get anybody else sick. You go on and ask your important questions. Then tomorrow morning after you finished writing a decent and to my standard report that you will go to Crowley and report." she smiled at him sweetly. "I can help you write it if you like."
"A whole day and a half, huh?" he asked skeptically. "I know you are very strong-willed, but it's amazing that you can order your body to cure itself by a specific date and time," he teased, but so sincerely it didn't sound like he was joking.
He considered her suggestion while she coughed into her elbow. She showed great common sense when she said she shouldn't be around people. "That is very responsible of you," he commended her, this time quite sincere. "In fact you were amazingly reasonable, right up until that last bit." He started to take another drink from his mug and remembered it was empty. "If you are so concerned about how my reports to Crowley look, why don't I just dictate it to you and you can write it?" he asked calmly, raising one eyebrow. Did she think he didn't know how to write a report?
"As it happens, what I need to report shouldn't be written down, Miss Smarty Pants." He waggled a finger at her. "That's why as soon as you are better, I am going to escort you to Araluen Castle - uhh, if that's where you are planning to go next, that is." He hoped that was her next destination. "I need to give Crowley this report verbally," he explained. "It is not time sensitive, however. Well, within reason I suppose." Why did he feel like he was digging a hole under his feet and was sinking fast? "Anyway, I report back to him in person every few weeks normally, to get my next assignment since I don't have a regular fief right now. But he leaves it up to me to know when I need to report."
He now had another reason for wanting them to go to Araluen together. He wanted her to meet his family and they lived in Araluen City Merchant Row. "I thought maybe you would have enough time when we get there to swing over to Merchant's Row with me and meet my family," he said hopefully. He recalled the letter he'd written his mother within days of first meeting Olivia.
He stared into his empty mug for a moment, debating what he should tell her. He decided to tell her everything. "I wrote my Mother about you, as I said before, but I am afraid I didn't tell her anything more than 'Mother, a few days ago I met the woman of my dreams. She's everything any man could hope for and far more than I dreamed.' I am afraid Mother has been pestering me ever since for more details, but I wanted her to meet you and judge for herself if she thinks we are meant to be together for the rest of our lives," he said, lifting his eyes to stare into hers intently. "You need to meet her soon. I am not sure how long I can keep putting her off without telling her everything about you," he smiled sheepishly and ran his fingers through his hair again. "I hope you don't mind I told her what I did, but all I said about you is true and I meant every word."
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Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 422
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Post by Kallie on Jul 25, 2014 9:48:05 GMT -5
"Now I think that's an outstanding idea," Marcus countered. "Walking around down by the harbor in the damp salt air would probably not help that cold at all. You should ask Cook to send you out some hot coco or coffee. It'll help ease that sore, croaky throat of yours."
"Mmmmm coffeeeee. Coffee sounds really good right about now." she loved coffee. She was as hooked on it as any ranger and she didn't care either.
"A whole day and a half, huh?" he asked skeptically. "I know you are very strong-willed, but it's amazing that you can order your body to cure itself by a specific date and time," he teased, but so sincerely it didn't sound like he was joking.
She smiled at him. "Well you know what they say: Mind over matter."
"In fact you were amazingly reasonable, right up until that last bit." He started to take another drink from his mug and remembered it was empty. "If you are so concerned about how my reports to Crowley look, why don't I just dictate it to you and you can write it?" he asked calmly, raising one eyebrow. Did she think he didn't know how to write a report?
She paused but only slightly. She had offended him somehow. He was in fact of the matter one of the better rangers at writing reports. She hadn't intended to imply that he didn't know what he was doing. "If you want i would be happy to. I only brought it up as a mere suggestion of something we might do together is all nothing more."
"As it happens, what I need to report shouldn't be written down, Miss Smarty Pants." He waggled a finger at her. "That's why as soon as you are better, I am going to escort you to Araluen Castle - uhh, if that's where you are planning to go next, that is." He hoped that was her next destination. "I need to give Crowley this report verbally," he explained. "It is not time sensitive, however. Well, within reason I suppose." Why did he feel like he was digging a hole under his feet and was sinking fast? "Anyway, I report back to him in person every few weeks normally, to get my next assignment since I don't have a regular fief right now. But he leaves it up to me to know when I need to report."
She raised an eyebrow at him. "I'm not a smarty pants. I don't wear pants." she crossed her arms over her chest. "Marcus how many times do I have to tell you? I don't NEED to be escorted anywhere. I'm fine on my own." she sighed a little and coughed into her elbow again. "Besides I'm not going to be heading that way for a couple of more weeks yet. Maybe even a couple of months. I need to get situated in Meric before i make an official report to Lady Pauline and the King.
"I thought maybe you would have enough time when we get there to swing over to Merchant's Row with me and meet my family," he said hopefully. He recalled the letter he'd written his mother within days of first meeting Olivia.
She reached over and placed her hand over his her voice was gentle and kind. "I'm sorry Marcus but I just can't right now. Things are usually very lively for me no matter the time of year and with this new commission its going to take some time I'm afraid for everything to readjust. I'll write to you when I know when I will be headed to Araluen Castle to make my reports then we can go and meet your family. All right?" Her eyes searched his knowing she was disappointing him but there was little else she could do. She wanted to meet his family very badly their whole friendship kind of depended on them approving of their relationship. But she just couldn't every thing was picking up fast cold or no cold in less than a week she had to move into Meric castle and take over as head of the Diplomatic Service there. She hoped he understood.
"I wrote my Mother about you, as I said before, but I am afraid I didn't tell her anything more than 'Mother, a few days ago I met the woman of my dreams. She's everything any man could hope for and far more than I dreamed.' I am afraid Mother has been pestering me ever since for more details, but I wanted her to meet you and judge for herself if she thinks we are meant to be together for the rest of our lives," he said, lifting his eyes to stare into hers intently. "You need to meet her soon. I am not sure how long I can keep putting her off without telling her everything about you," he smiled sheepishly and ran his fingers through his hair again. "I hope you don't mind I told her what I did, but all I said about you is true and I meant every word."
Olivia was silent a s she processed this information. She was a little surprised. And a little unsure of herself. By nature she tended to like to keep to herself most of the time. She wasn't quite sure how she felt knowing that a total stranger knew she existed and knew Marucs had feelings for her. She of course wished that Marcus had asked for permission first but it didn't really matter because it was already done and you couldn't undo the past. "Oh." She licked her lips a little. "Well I suppose you'll just have to tell her that she will meet me soon I guess. I uh." she scratched her head. "I don't really know how to respond to that in all honesty.
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Post by Brandwyn on Aug 1, 2014 20:57:09 GMT -5
Marcus felt a bit bad when Olivia said she just wanted to do the report together. He'd thought she was still chastising him about apparently shirking his duties. "Oh, well maybe later." he answered, not sure how to respond.
"As it happens, what I need to report shouldn't be written down, Miss Smarty Pants." He waggled a finger at her. "That's why as soon as you are better, I am going to escort you to Araluen Castle - uhh, if that's where you are planning to go next, that is." He hoped that was her next destination. "I need to give Crowley this report verbally," he explained. "It is not time sensitive, however. Well, within reason I suppose." Why did he feel like he was digging a hole under his feet and was sinking fast? "Anyway, I report back to him in person every few weeks normally, to get my next assignment since I don't have a regular fief right now. But he leaves it up to me to know when I need to report."
She raised an eyebrow at him. "I'm not a smarty pants. I don't wear pants." she crossed her arms over her chest. (which was exactly why Marcus had called her a smarty pants, but he wasn't about to point that out to her right then.)
"Marcus how many times do I have to tell you? I don't NEED to be escorted anywhere. I'm fine on my own." she sighed a little and coughed into her elbow again. "Besides I'm not going to be heading that way for a couple of more weeks yet. Maybe even a couple of months. I need to get situated in Meric before i make an official report to Lady Pauline and the King.
"well I know you don't NEED and escort," he replied, feeling like she really did need an escort with the chances she kept taking. "But I thought maybe you would have enough time when we get there to swing over to Merchant's Row with me and meet my family," he said hopefully. He recalled the letter he'd written his mother within days of first meeting Olivia.
She reached over and placed her hand over his her voice was gentle and kind. "I'm sorry Marcus but I just can't right now. Things are usually very lively for me no matter the time of year and with this new commission its going to take some time I'm afraid for everything to readjust. I'll write to you when I know when I will be headed to Araluen Castle to make my reports then we can go and meet your family. All right?" Her eyes searched his knowing she was disappointing him but there was little else she could do. She wanted to meet his family very badly their whole friendship kind of depended on them approving of their relationship. But she just couldn't every thing was picking up fast cold or no cold in less than a week she had to move into Meric castle and take over as head of the Diplomatic Service there. She hoped he understood.
Marcus looked down, unable to hide his disappointment. "Months?"
"I wrote my Mother about you, as I said before, but I am afraid I didn't tell her anything more than 'Mother, a few days ago I met the woman of my dreams. She's everything any man could hope for and far more than I dreamed.' I am afraid Mother has been pestering me ever since for more details, but I wanted her to meet you and judge for herself if she thinks we are meant to be together for the rest of our lives," he said, lifting his eyes to stare into hers intently. "You need to meet her soon. I am not sure how long I can keep putting her off without telling her everything about you," he smiled sheepishly and ran his fingers through his hair again. "I hope you don't mind I told her what I did, but all I said about you is true and I meant every word."
Olivia was silent a she processed this information. She was a little surprised. And a little unsure of herself. By nature she tended to like to keep to herself most of the time. She wasn't quite sure how she felt knowing that a total stranger knew she existed and knew Marucs had feelings for her. She of course wished that Marcus had asked for permission first but it didn't really matter because it was already done and you couldn't undo the past. "Oh." She licked her lips a little. "Well I suppose you'll just have to tell her that she will meet me soon I guess. I uh." she scratched her head. "I don't really know how to respond to that in all honesty."
Marcus chewed on the corner of his mouth and looked over across the nearly empty great room for a moment. This conversation seemed to be going wrong. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly to collect his thoughts. Then he looked at her and reached for her hand, "I am sorry if telling my Mother upset you. It didn't even cross my mind that it would." he looked a little embarrassed. "See I am pretty close with my Mom. She would have known something was up anyway. I have discovered over the years that it is easier just to tell her what is going on. She always figures it out anyway." He gently rubbed her knuckles with his bow fingers which were hardened by calluses from pulling the bowstring back. "I think it is going to be a bit of adjustment for both my Mother and me, because that is your roll now. You are the one I write to and tell you everything and that is how it should be between a husband and wife." He smiled that half-apologetic, half boyish charm smile, "Mother has already sensed the difference and she is fine with that, in fact she almost seemed relieved in some ways the last time I was up there," he added thoughtfully, looking at their clasped hands, as if surprised at the realization. "I guess she may have been wondering if I would be a bachelor all my life like the majority of rangers are."
He didn't know if Olivia was any happier about telling his mother about her, but at least she now might be able to understand why he'd done it. "I am sorry for telling her about you. I didn't think it would bother you - no, actually I didn't think about how you would feel about it at all," he corrected himself. "And that's worse than the deed itself. I am terrible," he admonished himself. "all I can say is that I will consider your feelings in the future - well as much as I am able to," he amended. "You know us men, most of the time it just doesn't occur to us, but I will try."
"That doesn't solve our immediate problem though," he continued. "Months? really?" He couldn't get over that word. "Olivia, if you don't schedule this visit in, you won't ever get around to it." he said earnestly. "I know your schedule and the work load. There never will be a good time to get away." He let go of her hand and sat back and stared at her for a moment. Was she trying to duck out of meeting his family? Did she really want their courtship to drag out? They weren't even at that stage yet actually. She had made the condition of not courting until they met eachother's families. Now she was dragging out that meeting time. Maybe she didn't really want to court him, though he had a hard time believing that. He could see this situation dragging on for years if they weren't careful.
"Okay, so you need some time to get settled into Meric," he suddenly switched gears. "That's fine. I can understand that. However, I think if we don't set some realistic deadlines, we won't ever get married. Do you agree?"
He paused, studying a tapestry hanging a few feet beyond Olivia's head. "How about two months from today? There is that little festival coming up. We can both arrange our schedules to get four or five days there to meet our families." He didn't want to dictate to her, especially since that opened the floor for her to dictate to him. He wanted her to be his partner, for them to be equals and to that they both had to respect and honor each other. "What do you think?"
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Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 422
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Post by Kallie on Aug 3, 2014 11:28:19 GMT -5
......"I guess she may have been wondering if I would be a bachelor all my life like the majority of rangers are."
Olivia nodded slowly and smiled a little, it felt a little weird but i was fine really. Marcus was a grown man and all that. She shrugged. "It's all right I mean she is you're mother of course you wanted to tell her all about me. I'm totally fine with it." and she was her voice and words were sincere. What she didn't say was that Marcus was freaking her out with all of his talk about marriage and husband and wife stuff.
"That doesn't solve our immediate problem though," he continued. "Months? really?" He couldn't get over that word. "Olivia, if you don't schedule this visit in, you won't ever get around to it." he said earnestly. "I know your schedule and the work load. There never will be a good time to get away."
Olivia looked at her bowl hoping that there was some soup left in it. Of course there wasn't so she let her eyes drift back to him. "That isn't necessarily true. It could take only a few weeks to get everything situated in Meric instead of months. I think that you are just exaggerating. Besides it' snot REALLY a problem you are just making it one." She cut herself off before she could say more and possibly hurt Marcus.
"Okay, so you need some time to get settled into Meric," he suddenly switched gears. "That's fine. I can understand that. However, I think if we don't set some realistic deadlines, we won't ever get married. Do you agree?"
He paused, studying a tapestry hanging a few feet beyond Olivia's head. "How about two months from today? There is that little festival coming up. We can both arrange our schedules to get four or five days there to meet our families." He didn't want to dictate to her, especially since that opened the floor for her to dictate to him. He wanted her to be his partner, for them to be equals and to that they both had to respect and honor each other. "What do you think?"
Olivia wanted to sigh but she didn't instead she nodded. She wanted to say 'no you don't understand' but she didn't instead she said. "Yes that sounds like an excellent idea. Two months from today I shall meet you're family. But um could we just stop talking about marriage? Just for a little bit? You might make me way to excited to sleep for weeks." she smiled at him naturally it was a happy smile but she was a courier and she had excellent practice at faking sincere smiles. She scooped up her bowl and mug then snagged his as well. "I'll go put these in the kitchen then go to the stables to rest. I'll see you when you get back from the docks. If of course I'm not passed out asleep by then." She winked at him, "Stranger things have happened." She got to her feet and blew him a kiss then went off to the kitchen. She nodded her thanks to the kitchen staff and went out to the stable she went over to Mara's stall and reached out to stroke her soft nose. All of these thoughts of marriage and family meeting reminded her of her father.
She had wanted to leave because she hated hiding things from Marcus. Yes she was happy she had Marcus, yes she was happy that someday she would get to marry him. All of these thoughts of marriage and meeting family reminded her of her father. She bit her lip. How was she to explain anything to Marcus? How was she ever going to explain to Marcus that the festival wasn't a happy occasion for her family? It had been the week of the festival when her father had had that accident he had died from his severe injuries before the festivities had even ended. Olivia had never been to a festival since how in the world was she going to explain that to Marcus? She never spoke of her father and his untimely death, she still couldn't bring herself to talk about it. Even to her mother and it had been five years now. She remembered her father really well. she smiled a little even though a tear escaped her eye and traveled down her cheek. She missed him, oh so much. He had often talked about any man who thought he was good enough for his daughter had to go through him first. He would also say that he would sob like a baby as he walked her down the isle so she wasn't allowed to cry. How in the world could she explain that to Marcus? She couldn't he wouldn't understand she clung to his memories as if they were as precious as gold. Somehow she told herself she would get through all of this. She sniffed and coughed into her elbow. She realized that ti wasn't that she COULDN'T"T explain it all to Marcus she just didn't want to, she couldn't quite bring herself to even try in her mind to play out that conversation.
She took a little breath and hoped Marcus wasn't skulking around behind her but actually doing his job and going tot he docks leaving her alone for a little while. She wiped her eyes with her sleeve and forced herself to stop crying,tears never solved anything she told herself in fact they usually made things worse. Besides she had cried enough today for the rest of the year. She picked up a comb and started to comb out the many many tangles in Mara's mane. The repetitive and easy task helped soothe her and her thoughts drifted toward her new life in Meric. Well it wouldn't be a new new life but a different life than the one in Norgate she was going to miss it. The people the rugged landscape, yes the adjustment was going to be a big one but she knew she could do it. She started to hum a little as she worked.
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Post by Brandwyn on Aug 4, 2014 19:03:50 GMT -5
Olivia wanted to sigh but she didn't instead she nodded. She wanted to say 'no you don't understand' but she didn't instead she said. "Yes that sounds like an excellent idea. Two months from today I shall meet you're family. But um could we just stop talking about marriage? Just for a little bit? You might make me way to excited to sleep for weeks." she smiled at him naturally it was a happy smile but she was a courier and she had excellent practice at faking sincere smiles.
Marcus had made her nervous. He could tell. He gave her a half smile, "Okay, if that's what you want." He didn't think she sounded too excited however. Doubt crept in and started gnawing at him, but he tried to hide it.
She scooped up her bowl and mug then snagged his as well. "I'll go put these in the kitchen then go to the stables to rest. I'll see you when you get back from the docks. If of course I'm not passed out asleep by then." She winked at him, "Stranger things have happened." She got to her feet and blew him a kiss then went off to the kitchen.
He smiled at her and nodded, "Sure. I need to get to work anyhow and stop pestering you because you do need to rest." He winked back at her. He watched her leave and the smile slipped away from his face after she exited the great hall. He sat there for several minutes trying to figure out what he'd said that would have upset her, but he wasn't sure what had gone wrong. That she was upset he had no doubt. He debated for several more minutes whether he should follow her or not and finally decided that she had wanted to get away from him for some reason and he should respect that. Besides he didn't want her to think he was following her around like a lost puppy - well any more than she already thought that.
For several minutes after that he raged an internal war alternating between flashes of anger and hurt with guilt over something he had no idea about. Why was he feeling guilty for hurting her when he couldn't for the life of him figure out what he'd done to hurt her? Why was she always so difficult? Did she really love him? Was she sorry she'd admitted it? Maybe she didn't want to be with him at all and was even now heading out the castle gate, in spite of being too sick to travel.
For a moment he almost jumped up and ran to the stables to make sure she was there, but he fought the urge down and remained sitting at the empty table and staring at the kitchen door, not seeing anything in the room around him, he was so lost in thought.
"M-my Lord?" a timid voice asked hestiantly at his elbow, "c-can I h-help you?"
"What?" Marcus quipped and looked around. A young servant was standing a few feet away and staring at his hands, a look of terror on her face. She seemed to want to be anywhere but next to him. Marcus couldn't figure out what she was afraid of. Then he looked down and saw his throwing knife in his hands, flashing back and forth through his fingers, catching the afternoon sunlight on the flat of the sharp blade. He'd never realized he'd drawn it, let alone that he was twining it between his fingers so fast the blade was a blur.
He flushed slightly and quickly sheathed the knife above his saxe blade. "Sorry," he mumbled and then scowled at the kitchen door, embarrassed that he'd been so absorbed with Olivia that the girl had crept up on him unawares. Some ranger he was.
"C-can I heeeelp you, SSsir?" she asked again, edging away from him a step. Apparently someone had seen him and sent her to check on him.
Marcus shook his head, "no," he stated. She turned to leave in a rush, "wait!" he changed his mind. "Can you tell me where the castle's courier's office is?" He'd promised Olivia to check in and see if he could help out while she was ill. Perhaps it was time he got to work and let her stew for a couple of hours.
The girl nodded and showed him the way. Several minutes later he was walking down toward the coastline and the docks of Seacliff, winding his way down the steep steps cut into the cliffside. He had a satchel full of letters and packages, each bundled for a different ship and destination, with a note on the fees to collect for the mail service.
Part-way down the cliff was a flat of stone cut into the rock wall with a stone bench so travelers could rest during their climb. He paused here, remaining standing and studied the ships visible in the harbor, at the docks and saw there were two out beyond the breakers. One appeared to be leaving and the other arriving. From this distance he could not make out many names painted on their hulls. Ever on the watch for the pirate ship, the Krackatowan Razor and her notorious captain, Tony the Razor, Marcus studied each one carefully. It didn't appear that particular ship was in port at the moment.
When he reached the bottom of the stairs he stepped out onto the planked boardwalk and strode to the Harbor Master's Office. It was easy to find, what with the cluster of sailors, merchants and immigrants clustered around it. He wasn't in the mood to wait and used his rank and forbidding presence as a ranger to move to the head of the line. Normally he would not have even considered pulling rank, but once people saw the grim look on his face, the ranger cloak and the weapons he carried, they naturally gave way before him, so he just went with it.
He turned over the packages and collected the money from the Harbor Master, letting him collect from the ship captains or merchants whatever he wanted to send off the letters overseas. Apparently that was how this particular group of packages was normally sent. Marcus figured this was just a service provided to the commoners and nobles and not the normal important messages couriers usually handled.
He asked about the pirate ship, and for any problems the Harbor Master was encountering, recording the long list in his pocket sized hand-bound leather book that he kept all his notes in. The act reminded him of Olivia's suggestion to help him with his report to Crowley and he felt a stab of guilt at being miffed at her for suggesting he couldn't do it himself. He clamped down on those thoughts and concentrated on his job at hand.
Soon he was strolling down the docks and listening to the talk around him, gleaning what information he could, sometimes striking up a conversation with various people to find out if they knew why ships were disappearing when they sailed around the Southern Cliffs and Hibernia. It proved to be an interesting afternoon.
But his thoughts continually kept coming back to Olivia and slowly his hurt and anger gave way to confusion as he tried to puzzle out what was eating at her. He was anxious to get back to her, but forced himself to stay a bit longer, talk to one more person, get just one ale at the local sailor's tavern. He had the barkeep water it down and then followed it up with several mugs full of fruit juice while pretending to get a bit tipsy. People spoke more free when they thought their listener wouldn't remember it in the morning.
By the time he climbed back up to the top of Seacliff to the castle, he actually was just slightly drunk and his head was spinning with several accounts, real or imagined, of what could be happening down south of Araluen. It was nearly full dark and already past the normal hour for supper. He needed to sort out all the information he'd gleaned and get it down in his notebook, so he went directly to his room in the castle, ordering a bath to be brought up and after washing off the saltwater grimethat covered everything at the docks, settled down by lantern light to jot notes in his journal. He sent a message to Olivia via a servant that he would stop by and check on her and Mara in a little while.
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Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 422
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Post by Kallie on Aug 5, 2014 10:11:50 GMT -5
Olivia spent the rest of her afternoon in peace and quiet. When she was finished combing out Mara's tail and mane she went to the garden and retrieved the book she had abandoned there. She sat on the bench by Mara and finished the book, then she went to the library and searched for a new book to read. She grabbed more than one figuring of nothing else she could read for the rest of the time she was laid up here. When she was younger she used to be something of a book worm but when she got older and started her training she had fond that she no longer had the time to read. She set her rather large stack of books on the table in the stable guest room then went back to her room in the castle to gather her things. She sat on her bed when she was finished arranging her things in her new room and sighed a little. She yawned and felt really tired but it wasn't even supper so she didn't even entertain the thought of sleeping just yet. Instead she picked up her quill laid out some paper and began writing a letter to her mother.
Dear Mother. I apologize for the space in time my letters appear at your doorstep. I would try to plead the I'm busy working excuse but I know you would never stand for that so I won't even try. In my last letter I mentioned a certain ranger in which I had taken an interest in. Well his name is Marcus Blackwater, he is kind and sweet and very much a gentleman. Father would have approved of him I'm sure. Mother I don't know why but this Ranger Marcus wants to marry me. I have no idea why. He proposed! To me! Of course I said yes, I like him very much, so much so that I think I have fallen in love. I know that seems weird coming from me especially after what Auntie Minta said last year, that I was to sensible and intelligent to fall in love and that is why I would remain a lonely girl until I became a spinster with a lot of cats. Well she was wrong and you were right. I just had to find the right man out there who wants a intelligent and sensible girl. We agreed that we should meet our respective families first before we make any plans of marriage. Around the festival in two months I'm going to meet his family when that is over with I will come home. I should be home in time to go to the grave yard with you, I'm not sure if I will bring Marcus or not. He might manipulate his way into coming you know how rangers are. I should tell him about father, but I don't think I can just yet I'm not sure he would understand. I miss you and everyone else give lots of hugs and kissed and please place a flower on Father's grave for me. Love, your Livvy
With a small smile she placed the letter on the table so the ink could dry then she got up stretched and went to check on Mara. Her horse was sleeping she patted her neck and kissed her forehead making sure she had food and water. Then she went back to her room and and changed into her nightgown and slid into bed. She decided that she could wait to eat until breakfast. She wasn't particularly hungry, she pulled the covers up and picked up a book she started to read. As she read she slid her body down more and more until she was flat on the bed her eyes began to droop when she was half way through the book she forced herself to keep reading keeping her eyes open. Then without warning her eye s closed of their own volition and she fell asleep the book fell softly against her chest open she coughed a little and then was still out cold.
When the servant came to deliver the message she poked her head in and saw that Olivia was sleeping she didn't even stir when the maid knocked on the door, she closed it and went back to Marcus and told him that the Lady Olivia was sleeping pretty soundly.
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Post by Brandwyn on Aug 7, 2014 21:07:53 GMT -5
When the servant came to deliver the message she poked her head in and saw that Olivia was sleeping she didn't even stir when the maid knocked on the door, she closed it and went back to Marcus and told him that the Lady Olivia was sleeping pretty soundly.
Marcus thanked the girl and dismissed her with a small coin for her trouble. He had finished his notes and wanted to discuss everything he'd found out with Olivia, but she needed her rest to get over the cold and so he didn't want to disturb her. He sat there for several minutes debating with himself on the pros and cons of checking in on her himself.
In the end his stomach won out and he headed down to the kitchens to find some food since he'd missed supper. It was there he found out that Olivia had not ordered anything to eat either and so he had the cook fix up two plates of leftover cardamon chicken and steamed beets with greens in a buttery almond sauce. He snagged a full pot of coffee and two large mugs with cream and sugar and carried the entire meal to the stables on a large tray. 'Maybe if I come bearing food she won't be mad at me for waking her up,' he thought. She needed rest, but if she didn't eat, she wouldn't get well either, at least that was the excuse he told himself.
Spirit gave a low whinny in greeting and he sat the tray on the bench long enough to check on his horse and Mara. She seemed to be doing better, though she was still wheezing with chest congestion. He rubbed more of the ointment on her chest and tucked the little pot into his belt pouch. He fed both the horses and spent a few minutes pampering Spirit while gathering the resolve to wake Olivia.
Taking up the tray of food he stepped to Olivia's door and listened before opening it. He didn't hear anything so he quietly opened the door and peeked in. She was laying on the bed with an open book on her chest. He smiled at how child-like she looked.
Marcus gently closed the door with his elbow and crossed to the little table to set the tray down. There was a piece of parchment on the table next to a quill and ink and he picked it up carefully as he set the tray on the table. He glanced around for another place to set the document and as his eyes glanced at the paper his name seemed to leap off the page to catch his attention.
He couldn't help himself from reading once he saw it was a letter to her mother, even though he felt guilty for spying on it. Very quickly he scanned the letter.
Dear Mother. I apologize for the space in time my letters appear at your doorstep. I would try to plead the I'm busy working excuse but I know you would never stand for that so I won't even try. In my last letter I mentioned a certain ranger in which I had taken an interest in. Well his name is Marcus Blackwater, he is kind and sweet and very much a gentleman. Father would have approved of him I'm sure. Mother I don't know why but this Ranger Marcus wants to marry me. I have no idea why. He proposed! To me! Of course I said yes, I like him very much, so much so that I think I have fallen in love. I know that seems weird coming from me especially after what Auntie Minta said last year, that I was to sensible and intelligent to fall in love and that is why I would remain a lonely girl until I became a spinster with a lot of cats. Well she was wrong and you were right. I just had to find the right man out there who wants a intelligent and sensible girl. We agreed that we should meet our respective families first before we make any plans of marriage. Around the festival in two months I'm going to meet his family when that is over with I will come home. I should be home in time to go to the grave yard with you, I'm not sure if I will bring Marcus or not. He might manipulate his way into coming you know how rangers are. I should tell him about father, but I don't think I can just yet I'm not sure he would understand. I miss you and everyone else give lots of hugs and kissed and please place a flower on Father's grave for me. Love, your Livvy
Guiltily he set the letter on top of the stack of books and glanced at Olivia, hoping she was still asleep.
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Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 422
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Post by Kallie on Aug 8, 2014 17:47:14 GMT -5
Guiltily he set the letter on top of the stack of books and glanced at Olivia, hoping she was still asleep.
Her eyes were open and staring at him with a mixture of utter shock and deep betrayal. She had drifted into consciousness when he'd come into the door. Her mouth which had slipped open at seeming him reading her letter, she closed abruptly her teeth snapping shut with a slight click. She didn't want to believe this she wanted to think that none of this was true. That she hadn't just seen what she knew for a fact she had. She'd been around people and children long enough to know a guilty look when she saw one. She closed her eyes and looked away then instead of looking at him picked up the book on her bed marked her page with a bit of ribbon and placed it on the shelf. Then very deliberately she looked at him her expression was neutral. While looked at him she picked up her letter and very deliberately folded it.
"Is there something I can help you with Ranger Marcus?" her tone had taken on a formal tone but she desperately hoped he wouldn't ask questions. "Surely it can wait until the morning? I think it is highly improper for a man to be in a ladies bedroom at this time of night. Don't you? As a high standing official I do have a reputation to protect."
She then pulled the covers up to her chin as if to protect herself from him and what he might say or do. As if the covers could protect her against the on onslaught of emotions he was about to unleash and the tide and feelings rising up in her. Threatening to break apart her very fragile core. She was angry, but she also understood how he would be curious, but a grown man like him and a ranger to boot who as a general rule all had distinct discipline should have known better. She had trusted him, true her trust had been thin ice nevertheless he had broken it and she was unsure if he could gain what little he had been given back. She often said that Trust was hard to gain easy to lose and once lost sometimes you never could get it back. She was befuddled and confused why such a simple thing mattered so much to her, it was late and she was still very tired form he r very emotional day. She really wished he would just apologize and leave her alone again so she could sink back into her pillow close her eyes and just forget it had ever happened.
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Post by Brandwyn on Aug 18, 2014 16:45:20 GMT -5
"Is there something I can help you with Ranger Marcus?" her tone had taken on a formal tone but she desperately hoped he wouldn't ask questions. "Surely it can wait until the morning? I think it is highly improper for a man to be in a ladies bedroom at this time of night. Don't you? As a high standing official I do have a reputation to protect."
She then pulled the covers up to her chin as if to protect herself from him and what he might say or do.
Marcus flushed a bit red and looked at her with true remorse in his eyes, "I am sorry, Olivia. I didn't mean to read it," he said contritely. "I was just moving it to find a place to set the food and saw my name leap off the page." He ran his hand through his hair again and then plopped down in the chair at the table and looked at the floor and shook his head. "I couldn't imagine why you would be writing about me unless you were...ummm... maybe sending something to Crowley about me." He looked up at her in anguish. "I couldn't help it! I just skimmed - but I shouldn't have. I never should have looked at it. Please? Forgive me?" In a very small voice he said, "I only meant to bring you some dinner and talk about the stuff I found out down on the peer, and now I've ruined everything!"
He was angry with himself for letting his curiosity get the better of him and even more worried that he'd driven a wedge between them that may never be dislodged. He didn't want to leave with this hanging between them, though. He knew it would only grow worse through the night and she would be even more frosty with him in the morning. "I am sorry I hurt you," said softly, not looking at her, but staring at the floor.
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Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 422
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Post by Kallie on Aug 19, 2014 10:14:44 GMT -5
"I am sorry, Olivia. I didn't mean to read it," he said contritely. "I was just moving it to find a place to set the food and saw my name leap off the page." He ran his hand through his hair again and then plopped down in the chair at the table and looked at the floor and shook his head. "I couldn't imagine why you would be writing about me unless you were...ummm... maybe sending something to Crowley about me." He looked up at her in anguish. "I couldn't help it! I just skimmed - but I shouldn't have. I never should have looked at it. Please? Forgive me?" In a very small voice he said, "I only meant to bring you some dinner and talk about the stuff I found out down on the peer, and now I've ruined everything!"
Olivia looked at her lap and didn't say anything for a couple of minutes. He seemed so sorry that he had read the letter she would have felt like a big jerk if she didn't forgive him. And of course she would forgive him because that's what friends did, and she wasn't really the type of person to hold a grudge.
"I forgive you Marcus."
She coughed into her elbow, she just felt so tired she yawned. She really wished that this cold was gone it was really kicking her in the butt.
"Marcus I appreciate that you thought of me but I really am tired, could we just discuss your findings tomorrow? I really just want to sleep right now. I'm not very hungry, besides m,y throat hurts to much to eat anything. I'm sorry you went through all the trouble, but really I just want to sleep."
she sounded desperate, the more she thought about it the more tired she felt she could barely keep her eyes open. He had after all interrupted her from a deep sleep. Right now she didn't want to think about anything, not him reading the letter or whatever it was that he had found out at the docks. What she wanted was to close her eyes and fall back into the pure bliss of sleep.
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Post by Brandwyn on Aug 19, 2014 16:29:27 GMT -5
"I forgive you Marcus."
She coughed into her elbow, she just felt so tired she yawned. She really wished that this cold was gone it was really kicking her in the butt.
"Marcus I appreciate that you thought of me but I really am tired, could we just discuss your findings tomorrow? I really just want to sleep right now. I'm not very hungry, besides m,y throat hurts to much to eat anything. I'm sorry you went through all the trouble, but really I just want to sleep."
Marcus looked at her with relief, but felt just a hint of doubt. He supposed she must be very angry with him, and he couldn't expect her to just turn that off, even if she did forgive him. He felt terrible and didn't know what to do or say, so he just did as she asked, hoping it was the right thing. He set the mug of coffee by her bed along with the jar of ointment. "This might help that sore throat. Mara is already looking better and she ate a little bit. I just rubbed some more ointment on her, so she should be fine until morning."
He picked up his own tray of food and left hers sitting on the table. "Please try to eat something, you need to keep your strength up." He opened the door and then looked back at her. "I am sorry," he said miserably. "Sorry I woke you, too. Goodnight and send for me if you need anything."
With that he walked out the door and closed it with a soft click. He knocked on the stable master's office door, noticing the light spilling out from under it across the hard-packed dirt of the stable floor. Master Cariadoc told him to come in and have a seat. Marcus shook his head and handed him the tray. "Just wondering if you are hungry."
Cariadoc eyed him for a moment and then nodded his thanks. They chatted a bit about the horses and how Mara was doing and then Marcus slipped back out his door and down to Spirit. He threw a bridle on and easily jumped up on him bareback and trotted out the stableyard and castle gate into the surrounding sea town. He just wanted to ride and sort out the jumbled thoughts and guilty feelings. Soon he was swallowed up in the never ending night life down near the docks, thoughts of food and sleep miles from his mind.
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Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 422
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Post by Kallie on Aug 21, 2014 15:25:24 GMT -5
Olivia sighed a little as the door closed behind Marcus. She rubbed her face a little, why were relationships so hard? For that matter why were emotions so hard to deal with? She just didn't want to deal with this right now. She snuggled back under her covers closed her eyes trying to sleep but of curse sleep didn't want to come at all. She sighed heavily and got up then began to pace her small room back and forth back and forth. There were so many thought rushing through her head like a heard of galloping horse, it was hard to focus on just one thought. yes she still cared for Marcus, and yes she had forgiven him but there was still those doubt that crept in. He had read the letter that clearly was NOT addressed to him. Could she really trust him? It was just a letter! What harm could it really have done or did do? Not very much it HAD been out in the open. Her mind eased a little now that she had that settled. The next thought that popped into her mind made her pause, why had he come into her room? To check on her yes but maybe he had an alternative motive? She shook her head sharply now she was just being ridiculous! Marcus was well Marcus! Of curse he hadn't come in here with the intention of sleeping with her. Besides he was a ranger he had to keep up as much of a reputation as she did he couldn't just throw that all away by sleeping with her. Right? Of course right, besides she was a girl of principles she would never allow him to do such a thing, what had happened earlier was a one time only deal until they were married and that he was just going to have to live with. There, now with her thoughts more or less in order and her emotions balanced she crawled back into bed closed her eyes and fell instantly asleep.
She slept solidly through the night, her body just drank up the rest and she opened her eyes the next morning feeling very much refreshed. She stretched and got up, she fingered her hair a little and decided it needed to be washed. So she went back to the castle and asked the servants for some water and soap, they delivered it to her room in the stables. She washed her hair thoroughly getting all of the travel dirt from her journey out of it, when she was done her hair smelled liked lavender. She brushed out the tangled and squeezed out the excess water. She dressed folded up her letter and put it in an envelope, she checked on Mara who seemed to be doing much better. Her throat hurt abominably but at least she was coughing less, the ointment Marcus had given her really had helped a lot. She gave Mara fresh water and food then brushed her down, after seeing to her horse she went in search of a person of the mail service, when she found one she gave them instructions and the letter. Olivia went over to the great hall and got just one cup of coffee. She could barely drink it her throat hurt so bad, maybe she should go back to the healer and ask for something. But she decided against it she was fine she just needed time to heal. Eventually she abandoned her cup of coffee leaving it half full on the table, she debated weather or not she should look for Marcus, it was times like these in which she wished her mother were here she would know what to do. With a little sigh she decided to go to the horse master, she knocked on his door and when he emerged she asked him.
"Will you check on Mara? I think she is getting better when I checked on her this morning." Her voice was barely recognizable and she tried not to wince when she spoke, her voice was a deeper register and came out as a drawn out croak. It killed her to speak as well as swallow she was very thankful the ointment Marcus had given her was keeping her cough at bay.
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Post by Brandwyn on Sept 6, 2014 22:04:07 GMT -5
Master Cariadoc was delighted to see the lady courier up and looking much improved. He agreed immidiately to check on the mare with her. As he passed the stalls he glanced in each one, as was his habbit, making sure the horses housed within were all in good condition and the bedding was clean. The lads should have just finished feeding everyone, so most of the horses were finishing up their grain or munching on hay. Several poked their noses over the doors looking for attention as he passed.
But there was one stall that was surprisingly empty. The stall right next to Mara's. Cariadoc called in one of his stable boys. "Has the ranger already gone out this morning, Luke?"
"He never came back during the night,Master," Luke answered. "His horse was gone when I came on duty in the middle of the night."
"That's a bit odd," Cariadoc motioned Luke on with his duties. Then he turned to check on Mara. "It seems odd he would have left without his saddle and bow if he'd been going out on a mission," the stable master commented as he checked Mara's breathing. He knew Marcus had left the evening before bareback to take a short ride, but it appeared as if he had not returned since his saddle, bow and arrows were on the rack in front of Sea spirit's stall. "I wonder if we should be concerned." He took Mara's water bucket and strode out to the well in the stable square to get more for her. "She's doing much better, though it seems she is drinking a lot. Her breathing is very good compared to yesterday."
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Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 422
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Post by Kallie on Sept 7, 2014 16:18:51 GMT -5
"He never came back during the night,Master," Luke answered. "His horse was gone when I came on duty in the middle of the night."
Olivia bit her lip and felt a wight of heavy guilt descend upon her shoulders. It was her fault that he hadn't come back last night. She had made him leave.
"That's a bit odd," Cariadoc motioned Luke on with his duties. Then he turned to check on Mara. "It seems odd he would have left without his saddle and bow if he'd been going out on a mission," the stable master commented as he checked Mara's breathing. He knew Marcus had left the evening before bareback to take a short ride, but it appeared as if he had not returned since his saddle, bow and arrows were on the rack in front of Sea spirit's stall. "I wonder if we should be concerned." He took Mara's water bucket and strode out to the well in the stable square to get more for her. "She's doing much better, though it seems she is drinking a lot. Her breathing is very good compared to yesterday."
Olivia followed him like a shadow lost in her thoughts. She wondered where Marcus had gone, she hoped he was all right. She wasn't sure that if he was in trouble she could go and get him out. Thought it would serve him right if a women small like her had to go and get the proud and manly range rout of trouble. She sighed a little to herself.
"I'm not sure where he went, I don't think we should be worried." yet. she thought. "Marcus is a ranger after all I'm sure he is capable of handling himself." I hope. she said confidentially with a smile. He better return because I still have some words to say to him. I swear if I have to go after him I am going to drag him back by his hair.
"So Mara will pull through?" Olivia asked try as she might she couldn't keep the tone of hope out of her voice. She reached out and stroked Mara lovingly on the neck. her thoughts were still on Marcus she wondered why he had ridden away, had what h ad happened last night upset him that much? Yes she was still a little angry with him but that was to be expected wasn't it? He HAD read something personnel without asking after all, and he knew her well enough by now to know that she was by nature a very private person. At least she had hoped he would know that. She had forgiven him but if he was just going to run off and disappear like this every time they had a small hiccup well then maybe they should stop seeing each other romantically. Perhaps she wasn't ready for this if she made the one man who said he loved her run away from her so easily. She wasn't quite sure what to think or do, she felt tired and a little cold. She felt her forehead and was surprised at how icy her hand felt to the touch she shrugged it off though and continued to pet Mara.
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