|
Post by Ringulf on Oct 16, 2010 22:33:46 GMT -5
Omensinger woke as he felt the gentle tickle of her golden locks upon his chest and he realized that even though the room was chilled and he was exposed, he was also quite warm.
“Good Morning, Love!” and reached up to caress his cheek. The activities of the night before were fresh in her mind and she smiled even broader. “You are truly amazing!”
His smile could not help to match her own as he reached down to draw her once more to him.
Mmmmm. Good Morning my Angel...if that were so it would only be due to you." He said and kissed her warmly on her lips.
"I know neither of us lack experience with the opposite sex, but I must confess in all honesty, I have never experienced before what we we experienced last night." He held her tightly and pulled the covers up over them. "Must we move from this place? I would not open that door again for a week if we did not need sustenance or relief!" He said as he nuzzled her neck and kissed her cheek, then nibbled on her earlobe.
|
|
|
Post by Brandwyn on Oct 19, 2010 11:21:43 GMT -5
"I know neither of us lack experience with the opposite sex, but I must confess in all honesty, I have never experienced before what we experienced last night."
“I was thinking the very same thing.” She looked at him gravely then, as if just realizing the impact of their meeting. She knew better than to say anything about any kind of permanent relationship, but she found herself thinking that it would be very pleasant to grow old with the debonair man lying next to her. She smiled again at the thought.
"Must we move from this place? I would not open that door again for a week if we did not need sustenance or relief!" He said as he nuzzled her neck and kissed her cheek, and then nibbled on her earlobe.
Lea giggled as he tickled her neck and she nipped playfully at his shoulder. She was warming up nicely between him pulling the covers over them and his nibbling on her earlobe. “Well, I do have this room for two more days.” She grinned at him and winked. “Perhaps we can have food and a chamber pot delivered – preferably not at the same time.” She laughed and then ran her lips across his chest and up his neck and pulled on his earlobe. “Or maybe we can figure something else out.” She said huskily.
Lea knew she should really get back out to keep a watch on the Thornbury Estate, but she just couldn’t seem to tear herself away from Omensinger. Still, she’d had it drummed into her head during her training that she was always on duty and there was a fleeting moment when she entertained the idea that perhaps Omensinger was deliberately keeping her occupied so that she would miss the departure of all those weapons and items for outfitting an army. She dismissed the idea, because he had seemed far too interested in finding out about what was in those crates as well.
That led her to another thought as she continued to play her lips across his skin on his chest, neck and arms. Why was he so interested? Had she not been so distracted by this attraction to him, she would have been a bit more suspicious of his motives. He had to be more than a simple minstrel. Should she come right out and ask him? No, she decided against the direct approach. She figured it would be a lot more fun to find out on her own.
Although she was enjoying their snuggling, she just couldn’t seem to keep her mind off her duty and she found she was ravenous. They hadn’t eaten anything since the picnic and they’d had quite an active night. She sat up and rested her hand on his chest.
“I am afraid that I am going to faint away from lack of sustenance should we pursue this right now.” She rose, pulling the top blanket around her like a toga and stepped to the corner of the room. There was a bell pull string and she tugged on it twice.
It only took about two minutes before there was a knock on the door. Lea opened it a crack and saw a young boy standing in the hallway, “May I get you something, My Lady?” he asked in a high pitched voice.
Lea nodded, “Yes, breakfast – a sample of everything they have available at this late hour – enough for 4 if you can manage it. “ The boy nodded and turned to trot down the hallway to toward the kitchen. “Don’t forget something to drink as well.” Lea called after him and then closed the door.
She leaned against it and studied Omensinger lying on the bed, a happy grin on her face. She danced over to the bed and pounced on it, barely, though deliberately, missing certain parts of his anatomy as she landed on her knees and then leaned forward to half lie across his chest. She rested her elbows on his chest and intertwined her fingers, resting her chin in them. “Well, we should have plenty of food in a few moments, but the chamber pot is conspicuously absent.” She pouted cutely. Then her expression grew more serious. “I suppose we should get going though and keep a watch on that estate. He is going to likely be moving all that stuff out at some point, don’t you think?”
She thought about the goods Omen had described to her that were in Thornbury’s warehouse, along with the fact a Baron from Gallica was involved. “If most of that stuff came from overseas, it was likely brought here by ship. Depending on where it is going, I would think it would be shipped overland from here – deeper inland, otherwise there wouldn’t be much sense in off-loading it here in the city where it could attract attention.” She mused. “Besides that, they are going to have to send it off in small shipments for the same reason… unless…he puts it in a merchant caravan. He could ship a lot of it that way and I saw on the schedule in the guildmaster’s hall that there is a caravan due to depart in three days. I can’t remember where it is going though.” She looked excitedly at Omen. “That’s exactly how I would get that stuff out of the city if I were him.”
So now the question was, what to do? She needed to send a report to Dougal, who was still in the city, most likely in the hospital at Sir Katrina’s bedside, if she had read those signs correctly. How to get away from Omen long enough to do so, without raising his suspicions? She pondered the dilemma for a moment. She couldn’t just send Dougal a letter, mainly because she didn’t know how to read or write much at all and it was too easy for letters to be intercepted. She needed to speak to him in person.
She would have to use Sir Katrina as an excuse and convince Omen that she needed to visit the injured Lady Knight to see how she was doing. She couldn’t think of any other thing that would tear her away from their tryst here in this snug little room.
“Oh Darn!” she exclaimed, her face clouding up with worry. “You, My Love, have my brain so addled that I completely forgot!” She looked at him accusingly but a smile played around the corners of her mouth to let him know she was teasing again.
“I really must tear myself away from your loving arms for an hour or so.” She pouted again, seriously this time. “I have a dear friend who was injured severely and her man-at-arms was near death the last time I visited and I really should go see them. If he did not make it, then she is going to need some comfort and I told her I would be back yesterday if I was able.” Lea explained. “She is going to be worrying what happened to me if I don’t pay her a visit up at the hospital.” Lea leaned forward again and stroked his handsome cheek with one hand. “I don’t want to leave you though.” She kissed him sweetly on the lips, all of her feelings toward him flowing through her lips into his like a controlled bolt of lightning. It was going to be far harder than she thought to tear herself away from him long enough to deliver her information to Dougal.
|
|
|
Post by Ringulf on Oct 19, 2010 12:48:02 GMT -5
The dazzling young woman was very endearing in her morning playfulness. It was a rarity that Omensinger got to see this part of the trysting as normally he was gone long before dawn. He normally wanted to keep from becoming to involved and also did not enjoy sharing breakfast with his lovers husbands.
But this flirty playful Lea was so charming it gave him deeper thoughts of what possible way this relationship could progress without heart ache.
After she had ordered breakfast, he detected a subtle change in her demeanor. She was very smooth but he had been on the other end of this conversation many times.
"Wow I can't believe it she is trying to get rid of me!" he thought to himself.
He felt strangely he very rarely had his ego bruised in this way, "I suppose turnabout is fair play after all."
This was difficult for him as he really had started to fall for this girl, more than he should have, but it seems her sense of duty was even more acute than his own. "Well that is not hard, I never signed up for this spy business, if it were not for all the training and the rest of the water under this shaky bridge I would have told King Swyddned to kiss my bum a long time ago!"
There was something about it though that did appeal to him, he was making a difference and his life was much less aimless. Omensinger loved a challenge, enjoyed a riddle to solve. he needed to stretch his mind as well as his body regularly or he got very restless and as he was always told "idle hands are the tool of the devil" Which is why I suppose his hands became filled so often with like minded females trying to busy their own hands as well.
"My angel I understand fully your need to visit your friend, would that I could go cheer her myself but alas I also have some business to attend to after our breakfast and Gryphon needs some attention too. So perhaps we should meat together later this afternoon for dinner at that little tavern where we met yesterday morning, I will wear a red carnation so you will recognize me! hee hee."
He kept up the smile and charm but for the first time in many years he felt a stabbing pain in his heart. He also felt the birth of a curse upon his profession and its ownership of his free will. A will that at the moment wanted Lea much more than Swyddned, much more than Duncan.
"I never thought the one person who would lead me to Duncan would be the one person I would forsake all kings and countries for." He thought ruefully.
"Remember Mon fis fate has a way of putting zings in our hands but we must decide what to do wis zem" came the voice in his head.
After the had merrily eaten the large breakfast Omensinger embraced her warmly and gave her a deep passionate kiss.
"Until this evening ma Cheri!" he said and lifted her hand and kissed it.
As he left through the Bronze bound dark oaken door and heard it close behind him, He wondered if he would ever see her again, if she would show up in the little waterfront tavern, if he would feel her touch, her kiss, or embrace again.
"Curse you Duncan for a fool to be snatched in the night like some farmers daughter! And a pox on you Swydnedd you old swamp-fox, for being the one who sent me on this mission to begin with!"
|
|
|
Post by Brandwyn on Oct 19, 2010 14:11:40 GMT -5
Lea sensed that she might have hurt him and bit hid her eyes for a moment until she got the regret under control. She definitely did not want to hurt him and she was very surprised at how badly she wanted to stay with him. ‘Damn! I wish I could just stay here forever and Damn Dougal for his stupid training that won’t let me sluff off my duties and follow my heart.” She thought, but managed to maintain her alluring smile. She hoped he would forgive her when – if- they met again.
"My angel I understand fully your need to visit your friend, would that I could go cheer her myself but alas I also have some business to attend to after our breakfast and Gryphon needs some attention too. So perhaps we should meat together later this afternoon for dinner at that little tavern where we met yesterday morning, I will wear a red carnation so you will recognize me! hee hee."
He didn’t waste any time arguing with her, though and that made Lea wonder if maybe he had been looking for an excuse to get away from her after all. She laughed at his mention of the red carnation, “Oh I think I could recognize you no matter how little you were wearing!” She snickered and winked at him. “I shall be waiting there with bells on!” Lea vowed, she planned to be there for a very early dinner and hoped that he would show up. She’d heard many a lover promise to meet again, only to find that they had no intention of ever continuing the relationship. Given her previous line of work, that was normally not a problem for her. She was actually more surprised by those that kept their promises. She had felt something quite significant for Omen, however, and she hoped fervently that he was not toying with her. She would much prefer him to just come out and say he had sampled her goods and that was enough for him, than to lead her on and leave her dangling.
After they had merrily eaten the large breakfast Omensinger embraced her warmly and gave her a deep passionate kiss.
"Until this evening ma Cheri!" he said and lifted her hand and kissed it.
Lea reeled from the kiss and clung to him as long as she could, not wanting to let him go. She tried to convey that want in her kiss and her embrace, to tell him that she really did want to stay with him, but duty called.
Her eyes lingered on his as he kissed her hand and then he stepped out the door. Her heart gave a wrench with a sudden stab of fear that she would never see him again. She’d never experienced that sensation before and it stopped her cold in her tracks while she examined the feeling. She longed to run through the door and stop him and beg him to stay – which was also a very new sensation to her.
Once, many years ago, she had thought she was in love, but what she’d had then had been a very nice working friendship with fringe benefits. She had been devastated when the man had been murdered, but as she recalled her feelings for him and compared them to her feelings for Omensinger, she saw vast differences. She knew in her heart that she was falling madly in love with the minstrel-whatever-else-he-was and knew that if he didn’t show up at the tavern, she would have to track him down if for no other reason than to tell him her real feelings for him.
Eventually she tore herself away from the door and got dressed and tidied up the room, sending the empty dishes back with the page. She put in an order for a large bathtub with hot water to be brought up at sunset and then slipped out of the room dressed in a simple, yet elegant long dress with a high neckline and satin buttons down the arms. Under the dress she wore her riding pants and boots, as well as a sleeveless underdress. Her hair was done up in a veil, as was the current style of most noblewomen. Her knives were concealed in their proper locations about her person as she strolled out of the castle and made her way to the hospital not terribly far away. She watched everything covertly to make certain she wasn’t being followed by anyone.
She found Dougal next to Katrina’s bed, just as she figured she would and pulled him aside near an empty cot not far from Katrina and spoke softly and briefly, telling him what she had learned so far. The most important information she thought she had though, was the identity of the one who made the clay pots that contained the explosive compounds.
“The seal on the explosives was the same as our supplier.” Lea explained. “So either he is double dealing and selling to the black market, which we both know he signed an agreement that he wouldn’t, or someone in our unit is selling our explosives to this Lord Thornbury guy.” Either way, it was not good news for the SWC and she figured Dougal would not be too happy with it. She concluded with, “I am not sure how, if it all, this leads to the King’s abductors, but there is definitely something going on here and it involves nobles in Gallica which makes me very nervous. That cruel Baron I told you about is apparently at Thornbury’s estate – or his agent is and I swear I saw that giant from the arena board a ship carrying a sack over his shoulder. I suspect someone may have hired him to kidnap the King and the King was loaded on one of those three ships. I got down there too late, though, to see which one.” Lea said regretfully.
She answered Dougal’s questions very quickly and then they both returned to Katrina’s bedside where the knight had been watching them with interest. Lea talked with her for quite some time, even shooing Dougal out of the room so they could talk privately. They didn’t’ really know each other all that well, but now that Lea had met the knight, she found she was really liking her and she thought Katrina was exactly the right person for Dougal.
Katrina asked how Lea knew Dougal and Lea gave her the tame version of their working together as well as some insight on Dougal’s training methods which made Katrina laugh, as she was beginning to be all too aware of his training methods.
Lea parted then with a promise that she would visit again as soon as she could, but it might be some time and then exited the hospital. To anyone that was just watching, it would have appeared to be a normal conversation. Lea hoped that if there was someone watching her, she had hidden her lips enough to foil any attempts at lip reading. She had this nagging feeling that perhaps Omensinger had followed her to see if she really was going to the hospital to visit Katrina. Hopefully her conversation with Dougal had looked like her asking about Katrina’ condition and him filling her in.
As she was leaving the hospital, she got a bit turned around inside the building and ended up exiting through a side door. There was a little courtyard and inside it, along a wall under the walkway leading around to the front of the building was a stack of small crates. There were six of them and at first Lea only just glanced at them. Then the seal on them caught her eye and she examined them closer. They all sported Lord Thornbury’s seal just under the handles on one end. Lea looked around and no one seemed to be paying her any attention, so she approached the crates.
“Now, what have we here?” she said softly to herself.
“Medical supplies, so I’ve been told.” The rather loud, bass voice behind her nearly made Lea jump right out of her skin.
“Hey, don’t sneak up on people like that!” She glared at the large hulk of grizzled man that had slipped silently right up behind her. He had a sour look on his face, and just arched an eyebrow at her. “Terribly sorry, Ma’am.” He said. “I didn’t mean to startle you.” He stepped around her. “Thanks for reminding me about them crates. I got to go find some boys to move ‘em. Darn heavy they are,” he said as he moved off down the walk. “They been sitting out here for two days.” Then he stepped through a doorway and was gone.
Quickly Lea looked around to ensure she was alone and then pried the top off one of the crates with her dagger. She peeked inside and whistled softly in wonder. She moved some of the straw packing and picked up a solid gold ingot stamped with the Araluen Royal seal. Nine more ingots were packed in the box. Upon closer inspection, Lea could tell that the royal seal was a fake. She replaced the ingot and the lid, tapping it back down with the hilt of her dagger and quickly slid away from the crates to continue walking normally around the end of the hospital and headed back down to the waterfront.
She was so deep in shock from what she had seen that she wasn’t really paying attention to see if she were being followed or not. She stepped into the tavern, a mere hour and a half after leaving her room in the castle and looked around for a seat with a good view of the door. The tavern was nearly empty, but apparently they were not used to seeing noble women in this establishment. The tavern owner hurried to her side and said something about this being no place for a Lady.
“I am sure.” Lea said disdainfully, covering her mouth with her gloved hand, the bells on her wristlet jingling merrily. “Nevertheless, here I am and here I shall stay until the person I am supposed to meet shows up or I am certain that he is not coming.” She looked around again, playing up the nobleman snobbery. “Perhaps you could wash off that table and the chair too, there by the fireplace, and bring me a glass of fruit juice.” She slipped the tavern owner two copper pieces, a rather stingy tip for a noble person, but it sent the message to him that she was not pleased with the general state of the tavern and he could do better.
Then she took up a seat at the tavern and waited patiently for Omensinger to arrive, her stomach doing butterfly flips and whirls as she jumped from excitement and anticipation to seeing him again, to fear that he would not return and she would not see him again.
|
|
|
Post by Ringulf on Oct 19, 2010 17:34:08 GMT -5
He had to get his head clear! He had to shake this melancholy nonsense or he would not be able to do his job. Omensinger thought about waiting and hiding to watch Lea and see where she went, but he decided against it.
"I would be following her to determine her identity and her motives, but mostly for my own benefit to see if she was honest with me. That is selfish and not at the top of the list of priorities. She is not what she appears, that is obvious, but that does not mean that what she and I felt was necessarily counterfeit! It is also obvious that we are on the same side even if we are working for different masters. So my addle pated little bard what do you do next?" he thought.
he watched a large man tromp by on a horse his armor glistened in the sun.
"Ah! Thornbury's Noble guest! I know there is something going on there that must tie into the disappearance of the King. Perhaps I shall make a trip to the stable, Gryphon is in need of some exercise I am sure!" Omensinger thought his eyebrow raising.
He took one more look back at the castle and thought of Lea, then steeled himself to press onward to his duty. He walked briskly to the stables that boarded Gryphon his black hunter. He marched into the stall saw that Gryphon was already awaiting him with anticipation.
"Ah clever boy you heard me comming didn't you!" Omen teased
Then he produced an apple he had secreted from the breakfast tray for later and gave it to him. As the powerful animal nibbled on his treat Omensinger fetched his tack and saddle and got him ready for a run.
About a half hour later Omensinger sat on the Gryphon's back in the pastureland adjoining the Thornbury estate. He had passed right in through the main gates and up to the stable and the Stablemaster said,
"Good Morning Sir Reginald I trust you slept well?"
Omensinger looked down his nose with a disdainful snort and lewdly remarked,
"I slept like a rock once the wench had her fill of games, but I must say I could use a bit of sport to clear my head after yesterdays spirits and last nights debauchery." He touched his head with the back of his hand in an effeminate gesture of discomfort. "I say is that knightly gentleman from Gualica planning on taking the air today?"
"Oh you mean Lord Valentigne!" The Stablemaster chimed taking the bait, "Oh he is already out beyond the pasture hunting his falcon."
"Ugh on that monstrous white and black behemoth of a horse no doubt!" Omensinger drolled rolling his eyes.
"Why yes of course, but that is a very rare and impressive bit o' horseflesh there, that is, don't you know?"
"Oh?...do tell! What makes him anymore than any other thunderous draft horse these knights seem to want to fight from? Why the next thing you know they'll all be fighting from the backs of great pachyderms like they do in the far east!"
"Well firstly Sir Reginald, and meanin no disrespect, "fighting" knights," (the poke at "Sir" Reginalds title brought a sharp look down upon him) "... need a strong but agile horse to carry them into battle and to be able to maneuver, The Barron's breed of Gaulic destriers are some of the finest warhorses in the world!"
"Oh! That would be Barron Chambray of Ravage?" Omensinger asked pronouncing the Gaulic fluently.
"No, no not Chambray, no his horses are big but have no were near the agility of Barron Rathbone's"
"Ah yes Rathbone, Rathbone not a very Gaulic name I would think, someones bastard I presume?" Omen quipped conspiratorially.
"Well best I know his father was a councilor to the former king of Araluen, but was executed for treason or some such thing. The Barron landed on his feet though as I think his mother was some noble Gaulic woman."
"Well once again you have been of immeasurable assistance..."
"Chester." The stablemaster said, "Chester Barnstable."
"Well Chester again many thanks I will see if I can't catch up with this Valentigne chap and see what measure of a man rides such equine perfection!" He laughed and spurred Gryphon into the meadow.
Omensinger's thoughts came back to were he was standing in the field and just as Gryphone snorted he saw the great black and white warhorse coming out of the forest.
"Yes boy I see him, lets go introduce ourselves." Omensinger said playfully to his mount.
Gryphon gobbled up the yards as he flew at full gallop toward the knight. Omensinger pulled up about 30 yards before he got to him and trotted in to greet him.
He raised his hand in a salute to the knight. The knight with the falcon on his wrist and a string of three ducks in his pommel saluted back.
"Good morning Sir knight you look sufficiently blooded for the day, the bird did well I see!"
"Ze bird deed not do as well as it could have monsuier but I can't complain to loudly! are you out for sport yourself?...."
"Ah forgive me I have you at a disadvantage! I am Sir Reginald Vanderveer of the Redmont Vanderveers and you are Sir Valantigne am I correct?"
"Why yes but.."he started in confusion and a bit of suspicion.
"I had seen your fine mount in the stable yesterday and I inquired with Chester who it belonged too." Omen said solidifying his characters validity for being on the Thornbury estate.
"Monsieur Barstable has a loose tongue, I am afraid. He needs to ferme la bouch!"
"Well Don't be too upset with the man I plied him unmercifully to get the information, So you are the servant of His Excellency? Is he here in Araluen?"
"You obviously know little of him if you ask such a question Monsieur!" said the man with some indignation at being called a servant.
"Well it is just that I have not had the pleasure of meeting him in person and I hear he is a formidable horseman!" Omensinger once again through out a logical assumption.
"He is formidable in all respects Monsieur I assure you, now if you don't mind I must go! It was nice to make your acquaintance Sir Reginald!" He started to move past him but as he neared he let the bird fly and drew his sword saying,
"Sir Reginald indeed!" and he took a vicious slash at the bards head.
Omen saw the change in demeanor and posture but when the falcon flew he knew the gig was up the sword slashed at his head and he folded himself down next to Gryphons whithers spurring his mount to fly. He ran for the woods with the knight close behind him.
"That beast is pretty fast for it's size lets see how agile he is among the trees." Omen said with grin.
they chased around the trunks and through the brambles Gryphon leapt like a deer but the warhorse matched him move for move but with great power.
"How the hell long can he keep this up!" Omen thought.
He did not have to wonder long as he looked back forward, he was swept off of Gryphon's back by a bushy low hanging branch.
|
|
|
Post by Ringulf on Oct 20, 2010 0:42:58 GMT -5
Instead of fighting the branch and trying to remain in his saddle Omensinger rolled back over Gryphon's rump. He landed on his feet but his forward momentum forced him to dive into a forward roll or fall on his face.
As he rolled he tucked his head and right shoulder and turned his forward roll into a shoulder roll to the right, which was fortunate as the Gaulic Knight was hot on his heals and he only had time to pull his maine gauche with his left hand and parry the murderous swing of the knights sword.
The parrying dagger saved his neck but the strength of the hit sent it flying from Omensingers hand tumbling through the air to embed itself about 8 foot up the trunk of a large chestnut tree about 12 yards away.
Omensinger drew his own sword, his left hand was numb from the knights heavy blow, He had to eliminate the knights advantage the momentum of that warhorse combined with the heavy sword was going to make this a short contest, and not in his favor.
As the knight spun his mount around and spurred him to charge at the bard again, Omen singer stayed toward the knights right hand side seeming to defend against the next deadly sword blow.
Just as the Gualic warrior raised his hand to deliver the cut, Omensinger did another dive roll over the right shoulder in front of the destriers enormous hooves, popped up on the mans left side and slashed with his scalpel sharp sword slicing hi boot, his leg but more importantly his stirrup.
Unbalanced and wounded the knight could not keep his seat and without the stirrup to place even weight on the follow-through of his sword cut, he was carried to his left and born to the ground.
He crashed in a pile and Omensinger was on him in a flash.
"You honorless pig/dog, Vous et un sac du merde! I don't know who you are but a knight you are not or ever will be!" the Gaul spat vehemently at Omensinger.
"I will take that as a complement my noble Friend if you are the measure of Chivalry! but please, you say I have no honor? pick up your weapon sir knight and let us finish this as men!" Omensinger said with a challenging gleam in his eye.
The Knight got to his feet and bent to pick up his sword his head lowered, but as he grasped the hilt he rose quickly in a lightning fast uppercut that threatened to open the bard from crotch to chin.
That is if he had still been there. Omensinger had known exactly what treachery the Gaulican was up to when he lowered his gaze.
"Eef a man puposely takes hees eyes from you een ze midst of battle expect treachery for the deciept of the heart ees always mirrored een ze eyes." came his master's voice.
Omen had stepped to his left and it made the knight turn on his wounded leg to face him as he did so he leveled a crossing slice at Omensingers neck.
Omensinger bent back allowing the sword to pass inches in front of his throat but before the knight could recover his stroke the bard had thrust his sword into the top of the knights abdomen, just below the rib cage, the knight staggered back as Omensinger pulled his sword out and down. Sir Valentigne aimed a last clumsy stroke chopping down at Omensingers head, but once again the bard was too quick for him as he parried the blow to the right grabbed the knight by the back of the collar and drove the point of his sword down into the center of the Gaulicans chest.
The Knight fell to his back and dropped his sword, but with blood oozing from his lips he spat one last rebuke at his combatant.
"You will never win! you swine even now the Barron has your foolish king! and he will never...cough...nev...he will...cough...
Omen watched death glaze his eyes as his head fell back and his spirit left him.
Omensinger shook his head, he hated killing but this time it was kill or be killed.
"Well my Friend let us see if you can tell me more dead than you did when you were alive!"
He walked to the big white and black warhorse and took his reigns then he led him back over to the knight. he checked the knights belt pouch and found a large stack of gold coins which he was not adverse to putting in his own purse, then he checked his saddlebag and found several commonplace items along with a book and a leather tube. He also reached down to the knights right hand and slid the large crested ring from his finger.
He whistled for Gryphon who came trotting to the bards side immediately.
He threw the black leather saddlebags up over Gryphon's rump and settled them before he mounted the long legged hunter in one fluid movement and then walked him to the tree and pulled out his Maine Gauche.
"Thanks allot you big Lummox, you didn't see that branch?!" He scolded Gryphon.
The horse looked back over his shoulder a bit mornfully.
He looked around him and realized it was almost dark.
"C'mon big fella, we have a dinner date, and I do not wish to be late for this one!" He said and spurred Gryphon to a gallop.
They rocketed out from under the canopy of trees and across the meadow but instead of going back to the Estate he veered off to the left to find the main road into town. As he neared the road they flew over the hedge with an astounding leap and landed on the dirt road, Omensinger pulled Gryphons head around to the right and the agile hunter turned in place and sped off down the hill at a gallop.
The pace was quick but they both loved the exhilaration and in moments the had reached the edge of town. He trotted down the now cobbled stone street toward the waterfront and up to the Tavern.
Omensinger and Gryphon passed the front with it's warm lights gleaming through he many pained window and they walked to the rear where the stable was. He flipped the stable boy several coins and said, "Wipe him down, blanket him and give him his feed there is more for you when I come out if you've done a good job lad!"
"Yes Mr. Omensinger! The stable boy said and took Gryphon's reigns.
Omen hurried back around the building to the front door, he looked in the glass and smoothed over his wind blown hair to make himself look presentable, dusted off his clothing, took off his riding gloves and opened the door.
He entered the common room and as his eyes adjusted to the light the barkeep got his attention.
"Psst! hey Omen, that pretty one is waiting by the fireplace been here all afternoon, you better get over there!"
"Thanks Jocko, Come over quick will you I am starving!"
He wasn't of course but it seemed a good plan to have some diversion in case the reunion did not go as planned.
He stepped in his eyes now adjusted and his heart skipped a beat as he saw her at their table by the fire.
|
|
|
Post by Brandwyn on Oct 20, 2010 11:21:34 GMT -5
Lea sat quite patiently near the fire where she could see the people passing out in front of the tavern. At least she appeared to be the model of patience on the outside. Inside her stomach was doing flipflops and her mind was racing down all kinds of pathways of what she would do if Omensinger didn’t show up. She worried that he may have thought she had been trying to get rid of him this morning because she didn’t want to be with him and that if she saw him again, how was she going to erase that doubt from his mind?
She had hoped he would come back early, but as the afternoon wore on and the sun sunk lower in the sky she began to wonder if he was coming back at all. Maybe she really had scared him off. She was starting to debate the best avenue to take to track him down when she saw him appear before the window and smooth his hair and dust himself off.
Her heart did a sudden leap out of her chest at the sight of him and she couldn’t help the smile that ran across her face as she watched him enter and speak briefly with the tavern owner. He made his way over to the table she was sitting behind and Lea locked eyes with him, her heart doing this strange faint fluttering rhythm as if trying to catch her attention by saying ‘here he is! He’s the one!’ She couldn’t help herself, she was so happy and relieved to see him again that she stood up and launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around him, a big grin on her face. “Omen!” She breathed and then her lips sought his. Not caring that there were many people watching the two of them, Lea threw all caution to the wind and kissed him passionately in front of everyone. She put all of her desire and her feelings into that kiss and tuned out the clapping and cheering that erupted around them. The only one she cared what he thought about her was Omensinger, the rest of the people didn’t matter.
When they parted she stepped back and looked him over. There was a patch of grass with dirt hanging from it on his side and she brushed it away, “you missed a spot.” She smiled at him, her eyebrow rose in question, “have you been tossing other wenches while we were away?” She grinned at him, teasing – well for the most part teasing. She hoped he hadn’t left her for another tryst with some other wonton hussy. She found that the thought made her quite jealous. She wanted to be the only hussy he was fiddling around with.
She captured his hand and led him around the table to join her next to the fireplace. She flushed a bit and looked down at the table for a moment, not sure what to say. She wanted to let him know that she had been worried he wouldn’t come back, but then again, she didn’t want to appear desperate and needy. Finally she decided to go with her feelings. “I am so glad you kept our dinner date.” She looked into his sparkling blue eyes and saw something there, perhaps it was some hint of his recent skirmish left over in his eyes that made her cock her head to one side and study him closely. “What have you been up to?” she asked impetuously, “that is if you don’t mind me knowing.” She didn’t want to seem nosy, but she just got the sense that she may have missed out on some adventure. Maybe life around him was always an adventure. ‘One can always hope’ she thought. “You don’t have to tell me, but it just seems like maybe you had yourself a bit of fun while I was off to the hospital.” She smiled at him.
“I had a pleasant, though rather dull, visit with Sir Katrina. The good news is that her man-at-arms, Henry, looks like he is going to pull through, though he has a long road ahead of him to recover. I think Katrina has more damage emotionally than she does physically.” Lea mused. “She seemed far more upset that she went berserk at the ball, than she was about the slice in her stomach. I wasn’t sure what to tell her to comfort her, not having ever experienced the berserker rage that some fighters get.” Although Katrina was a new friend, she found that she was really concerned about her. Probably more for Dougal’s sake than Katrina’s at this point, but she was still concerned. She had found she liked Katrina and they had likely gone through very similar experiences being female warriors in a man’s world, even though they came from very opposite backgrounds. She had already decided to visit Katrina again, news for Dougal or no news, just for the sake of helping Katrina get well.
While Lea talked, she couldn’t help but keep physical contact with Omensinger, as if she were afraid he wasn’t real, or he was going to slip off into the night and be gone. She either held his hand, touched his knee or thigh or leaned against his shoulder and when the barkeep came over to get their order, she was almost resentful of the interruption. She really had only one thing on her mind and it certainly wasn’t the catch of the day or the soup special. She wondered if Omen shared her thoughts or if he was trying to figure a way to extricate himself from this budding relationship.
“I did find out one or two interesting things that might relate to our little quest.” Lea said mysteriously, “but I think they should probably be discussed in a bit more – intimate setting.” She looked up at him with an inviting smile. Leaning forward she breathed in his ear, “I believe there may be a hot bath waiting in my room.” She winked at him and smiled coquettishly.
|
|
|
Post by Ringulf on Oct 20, 2010 14:02:27 GMT -5
“Omen!” She breathed and then her lips sought his. Not caring that there were many people watching the two of them, Lea threw all caution to the wind and kissed him passionately in front of everyone. She put all of her desire and her feelings into that kiss and tuned out the clapping and cheering that erupted around them.
Omensinger was warmed by more than the fire, his heart was warmed by her reception and his entire body warmed by her kiss.
"Perhaps she wants me around after all!" He thought to himself. as he returned the embrace with equal joy.
When they parted she stepped back and looked him over. There was a patch of grass with dirt hanging from it on his side and she brushed it away, “you missed a spot.” She smiled at him, her eyebrow rose in question, “have you been tossing other wenches while we were away?”
He hugged her and put his lips to her ear and whispered steamily,
"What mere wench could compare with you my Angel, the woman does not exist."
“I am so glad you kept our dinner date.” She looked into his sparkling blue eyes and saw something there, perhaps it was some hint of his recent skirmish left over in his eyes that made her cock her head to one side and study him closely. “What have you been up to?” she asked impetuously, “that is if you don’t mind me knowing.”
"Oh I took an exhilarating ride with Gryphon and had a Gaulic lesson as well" Omensinger Quipped with a sparkle in his blue eyes.
“You don’t have to tell me, but it just seems like maybe you had yourself a bit of fun while I was off to the hospital.” She smiled at him.
"Well that's what you get for missing staff meetings...never mind it's an inside joke." he said with a smirk. He hoped that by missing out on what she might have thought was fun she would think twice before electing to spend time without him, he hoped...
While they sat by the fire and she told him of her afternoon's visit with her friends he was thrilled by the way she physically showed her affection for him. he once again felt that rise of passion as he look deeply into her intoxicating gaze.
“I did find out one or two interesting things that might relate to our little quest.” Lea said mysteriously, “but I think they should probably be discussed in a bit more – intimate setting.” She looked up at him with an inviting smile. Leaning forward she breathed in his ear, “I believe there may be a hot bath waiting in my room.” She winked at him and smiled coquettishly.
My Darling! I am absolutely amazed at the connection we have established, it is as if you read my mind thought for thought! Aside from that I have some interesting things to show you from my afternoon as well, however I agree that it is better done in private." He shook his head and chuckled to himself "...right down to the bath, word for word..." he looked back up at her as she waited for a response.
"Suddenly my appetite has changed entirely though I am still hungry, why don't we skip dinner for now and go straight to desert?" he said with a mischievous smile.
|
|
|
Post by Brandwyn on Oct 20, 2010 22:05:03 GMT -5
“My thoughts exactly,” Lea agreed. She tore herself away from his side just long enough to tell the barkeep to pack up their meal and they would return the dishes tomorrow. Their food was soon finished cooking and the barkeep handed it to them in two baskets.
“Shall we My Lord?” She asked Omensinger and held out her hand to him. “I suspect you know the way now?” She winked at him and grinned, tossing her chin as they went out the door of the tavern, each of them carrying a basket of food.
Back at the castle they made their way to Lea’s room to find a huge bathtub half full with lukewarm water. Lea had the page order some more hot water to be brought up and while they ate, the bath was restored to its original steamy condition with the addition of a bubble mix that Lea added to the water so it foamed up when they poured in the additional hot water. The tub was just big enough for two people, as long as they didn’t mind being cozy. There were several towels laid out on the bench next to the tub that sat in the middle of the room.
The whole time the servants were in the room, Lea didn’t say a word. She stared at Omensinger with a mischievous look on her face as she delicately and sensuously picked at her food. She popped a grape into her mouth and peeled it with her tongue, showing it to Omen. Every move she made was suggestive and she grinned at his response.
The servants finally left and they had the room to themselves. Lea had little hunger for food at the moment, but felt in desperate need of the bath. She continued her silence and her alluring behavior by standing up and moving toward the bath tub. She checked the water by running two fingers around the top, just barely in the water as she walked around it. With her other hand she pulled off the veil and the pins holing her hair up. It fell about her shoulders and she shook her head to fluff it. In her hand were two tiny daggers that had been stuffed into her hair. She flicked her wrist and both daggers flew to the corner of the room and stuck into the corner of the bedpost. She smiled sweetly at Omensinger.
Deciding that the water was quite pleasant, she started to unbutton the dozen buttons on each sleeve. ‘This could take all night!’ she thought and nearly rolled her eyes in exasperation, the dress that looked so nice, foiling her attempt to be sensual. Finally she got the sleeves opened up enough to be able to get her arms out, along with the moderately long daggers that had been stuffed up each sleeve and dropped them onto the floor. Then she tried to undo the knot on the lacings down the back. Again this dress was proving difficult and so she danced back to Omensinger and pouted, “I seem to have a problem getting out of this contraption.” She looked up at him and blinked innocently, “help please?”
“Now I know why noble women have servants. They need them to get in and out of all this paraphernalia,” she said sourly, pulling out the skirt disdainfully by her thumb and index finger, her pinky extended.
She had wanted to slip out o the dress right in front of him and step into the tub, but her plan was foiled by the silly noble woman’s attire, not to mention the arsenal of knives on her person. She looked at the dress distastefully. Even though it made her look nice, she felt uncomfortable in it and should she be caught pretending to be noble, she could get thrown in the stocks. She’d been there once, long ago. She didn’t care for a repeat performance.
She turned her back to Omen so he could undo the lacing down the back of the dress and looked at him over her shoulder. So as not to loose the mood, she slowly moistened her lips by running her tongue over them. Suddenly another idea popped into her head of what she could do to him to keep the mood going. She grinned, ‘oh we are going to have some fun tonight.’ She thought, and waggled her shoulder at him.
She should have had her mind on her quest for King Duncan, but her heart was just not in that. All she could think about was Omensinger and how she just wanted to spend as much time with him as he would allow. She had to agree with his earlier assessment that morning about staying in the bed for a week. ‘I would like nothing better.’ She thought. She was curious about the black saddlebags Omen had been carrying with that Baron’s crest on it. Obviously he had gone on some adventure without her and she was rather disappointed she had not been part of it. She wasn’t going to ask right now though, she would let him tell her about it when he was ready to. She was hoping that he would want to discuss business after they took some time for some pleasure.
|
|
|
Post by Ringulf on Oct 20, 2010 22:58:35 GMT -5
“Shall we My Lord?” She asked Omensinger and held out her hand to him. “I suspect you know the way now?” She winked at him and grinned, tossing her chin as they went out the door of the tavern, each of them carrying a basket of food.
"I would not forget the way to your door my Lady. too many good things are to be found behind it for me!" he said as he wrapped his strong arm around her waist. The dress she was wearing was quite beautiful on her in fact she looked exquisite. She could easily be mistaken for a noble even without her charm and acting ability. They passed out around the building.
"Come with me my Angel I want you to meet a good friend of mine!" and he tightened his grip on her waist and whisked her down the dark alley.
"Do not fear Lea I don't plan on forcing myself on you or taking advantage of you in a dark alleyway, though the idea does excited me somewhat! No I want you to meet..." and he pulled her into a dark shed-like building "...Gryphon! Hey big fella how are you doin after all that excersize? Did the boy put you up right?" He put his arms around his neck and gave him a nuzzle and checked the way the groom had put the big blanket on him.
"Nipper did a good job he should be fine against the chill. Lady Lea this is the only family I can introduce you to. Gryphon, what do you think I told you she was beautiful!" The big horse whinnied and put his nose up to his ear. "Oh really?" Omensinger said "He thinks you would make fine colts but you are a very lovely Philly for a human!" Omensinger said with a smile.
"So what do you think of her on a scale of one to five?" He asked the black hunter playfully. The horse stamped his foot once, twice, three times, then a fourth. Then he stopped!
Omensinger looked aghast and put his hands on his hips and looked at him sideways. The horse looked at him turning his head slightly then looked back at Lea and tossed his head shook his main and started stamping his two front feet in a quick patter step.
"OK that's better!...four huh?...what are you daft?..your forelocks need cutting?"
He slapped him on the whithers affectionately and held out his hand to let him nibble up the two sugar lumps he had hidden in his palm.
"Ok see you in the morning fella I am going to go for another kind of ride and your not invited!"
He once again grabbed Lea around the waist after he swatted her playfully on the behind.
"He likes you! That's a good thing I would never fall in love without my horses approval!"
Back at the castle they made their way to Lea’s room to find a huge bathtub half full with lukewarm water. Lea had the page order some more hot water to be brought up and while they ate, the bath was restored to its original steamy condition with the addition of a bubble mix that Lea added to the water so it foamed up when they poured in the additional hot water. The tub was just big enough for two people, as long as they didn’t mind being cozy. There were several towels laid out on the bench next to the tub that sat in the middle of the room.
The whole time the servants were in the room, Lea didn’t say a word. She stared at Omensinger with a mischievous look on her face as she delicately and sensuously picked at her food. She popped a grape into her mouth and peeled it with her tongue, showing it to Omen. Every move she made was suggestive and she grinned at his response.
She was driving him crazy and it was all he could do to be discreet while the servants tended the bath but when they left he moved like a stalking jungle cat toward her and grabbed her from behind as she undid her sleeves and started to kiss the nape of her neck. He let go for a second and removed his tunic bearing himself till all he wore was his breeches and high boots. His state of enthusiasm was also most obvious the way he was dressed but Lea seemed to pretend to ignore that and playfully come to him and proffer her shapely back and said,
“I seem to have a problem getting out of this contraption.” She looked up at him and blinked innocently, “help please?”
Omensinger looked at her lasciviously and said, Let me see I'm not to familiar with these things but..."Twang, twang, zwip, twang, zwip, and the dress fell off her shoulders and down to her waist.
"Um I think that got it!" he said in mock innocence.
She unlaced the rest of the dress and said to him,
“Now I know why noble women have servants. They need them to get in and out of all this paraphernalia,” she said sourly, pulling out the skirt disdainfully by her thumb and index finger, her pinky extended.
"Well sevants...or lovers" he said as he pulled the garment down over her lithe body and started kissing her passionately all over.
|
|
|
Post by Brandwyn on Oct 21, 2010 13:04:03 GMT -5
"Come with me my Angel I want you to meet a good friend of mine!" and he tightened his grip on her waist and whisked her down the dark alley.
"Do not fear Lea I don't plan on forcing myself on you or taking advantage of you in a dark alleyway, though the idea does have merit!”
For one moment Lea was actually alarmed as he forcefully steered her down the dark alley, not that she couldn’t defend herself, but the thought crossed her mind that he was an agent for Gallica or someone and was about to take her out for knowing too much. Just for one split second – then the idea flew out of her head, dismissed as ludicrous, as he led her into a shed that smelled of hay and horses.
“…No I want you to meet..." and he pulled her into a dark shed-like building "...Gryphon! Hey big fella how are you doing after all that exercise? Did the boy put you up right?" He put his arms around his neck and gave him a nuzzle and checked the way the groom had put the big blanket on him.
Lea admired the horse and grinned at Omensinger’s obvious affection for his horse. She held out her hand to Gryphon and daintily petted his nose. “It’s so soft!” She said. She’d only been on a horse when someone else was steering and had never learned to ride one. Normally she managed to ride in a wagon or up behind one of the other soldiers on the few times when she travelled with the regular army or was forced to ride a horse. She wouldn’t admit it, but she was rather shy around horses because they were so big and you never knew what they were going to do.
"OK that's better!...four huh?...what are you daft?..Your forelocks need cutting?"
He slapped him on the withers affectionately and held out his hand to let him nibble up the two sugar lumps he had hidden in his palm.
Lea giggled and clapped her hands at the performance. Obviously they had played this scene on other damsels before, but Lea couldn’t help but feel special after that display. She stroked Gryphon’s neck as the horse gently blew a puff of air on her cheek, making her laugh.
“He is magnificent!” She said, her eyes glowing, but there was just a hint of apprehension in them as she couldn’t quite let go of her fear. “Perhaps you can take me riding sometime.” She nearly slapped her hand over her mouth, wondering whatever possessed her to say such a thing. She looked anxiously at the tall horse and swallowed. Now she’d put her foot right in it. Maybe he would decline, preferring that no one else ride the horse, she hoped, regretting now that she’d put the idea in his head.
"Ok see you in the morning Fella I am going to go for another kind of ride and you’re not invited!"
He once again grabbed Lea around the waist after he swatted her playfully on the behind.
“Hey!” Lea exclaimed and playfully punched him in the arm just before he slid it around her waist.
"He likes you! That's a good thing I would never fall in love without my horses approval!"
Lea’s heart skipped a beat. 'Had he just said he loved her?' She looked up at him questioningly, but he seemed to be glossing over the comment, so she just smiled at him, “I am glad I passed the test!” she said fervently. “I like him too, but not half so much as I feel for his master.” She hesitated slightly before the word ‘feel’, choosing that over ‘love’ just in case she’d heard him wrong. She didn’t want to scare him away and they had only just met. How was it possible that she was falling head over heels for this amazing, handsome man that she hardly knew anything about?
She was though, she had very little doubt about that. This relationship was definitely different from anything she had ever experienced before and she didn’t want to mess it up. She considered her feelings as they made their way back to her room.
Once there she had a great deal of fun making him squirm until the servants left them alone. She had been expecting him to act once they left, but his sudden assault on her neck left her breathless, or rather left her breathing very hard.
His expert dispatch of the lacings of her dress told her that he had obviously practiced that routine several times before and again she found herself feeling a bit envious, perhaps even jealous of the undetermined amount of women he had known before her. She couldn't fault him though. She had led a very similar lifestyle, though she'd had to earn a living that way for many years.
With her dress now in a pool around her waist, she was covered on the top half only by the sleeveless kirtle, or underdress as he voraciously kissed her. She sat on the edge of the bench by the tub and leaned forward, pulling up her skirts to show the black boots that came up just above her knees. She untied the right one and rolled the cuff down, revealing the hilts of two daggers, one inside her calf muscle and one on the outside. She pulled them out and looked apologetically at Omen, a quirky smile playing about the edges of her mouth as she set them on the floor. The second boot followed suit, with another two knives adding to the pile.
“A girl can never be too careful, you know.” She explained as the dagger tucked into the back of the neckline of her kirtle flew across the room and landed a foot below her ‘hair sticks’. She smiled sweetly again and winked at him. Then the Aslavian-looking one that had been on her bed the day before was placed gently on the bench next to her from its honored spot at her waist. This was the only dagger that had been in plain view when she’d been properly attired. She looked thoughtful for a moment and then hiked her skirts up even higher, exposing her bare thighs and the two small daggers in holsters strapped around her legs. She gave a tug on the straps on each and they fell off and landed in the pile of weapons at her feet. “One never knows when one will run into trouble and they can be ever so helpful for all kinds of situations.” She said innocently.
Having mostly disarmed herself, she sat up straight for a moment and ran her eyes over his form. He moved so gracefully and yet there was nothing feminine about him at all. His muscles rippled under his glistening skin and Lea found herself liking every tiny thing about him that she saw.
She marveled that such a specimen of perfect man could be even remotely interested in a wench like her. It was incomprehensible, and yet it seemed that he was. ‘Maybe he is having the same feelings for me that I am having for him and I don’t think it is just a passing infatuation.’ Lea thought, admiring everything about him.
He was charming and debonair in addition to being handsome, witty and fun-loving. He liked to take risks, obviously, and was very curious about things, just as she was. He seemed fearless and was able to think quickly on his feet and had amazing acting skills. His voice was divine and she loved to listen to it. How could she help but fall in love with him? He must have broken dozens of hearts all across the Kingdom and likely she was going to be his next victim. She didn’t care though. It would be worth it just for the time she was having with him now.
“Hmmm…” Lea murmured as he kissed her all over. “Yes, I believe I prefer the assistance of a lover over that of mere servants.” She grinned as she turned to face him and tugged on the lacings of his tall boots. “I believe the water is going to get cool again and I shall have to call in the servants to refresh it again.” she teased him just to see his reaction to that thought. She placed her booted foot up on his thigh so that he could pull the boot off her leg.
Every move they made was a dance of courtship, every word loaded and every gesture and look they shot at each other portrayed their obvious interest and desire. Lea had never had so much fun in her life and was loving every minute of it as she teased the poor bard mercilessly.
|
|
|
Post by Ringulf on Nov 6, 2010 8:34:15 GMT -5
“Hmmm…” Lea murmured as he kissed her all over. “Yes, I believe I prefer the assistance of a lover over that of mere servants.” She grinned as she turned to face him and tugged on the lacings of his tall boots. “I believe the water is going to get cool again and I shall have to call in the servants to refresh it again.” she teased him just to see his reaction to that thought.
As she worked on his tall riding boots it became Omensinger's turn to reveal some cutlery as she found the pummels of a long throwing dagger in each of his boots. He smiled mischievously and took one in each hand throwing them simultaneously at the headboard. They embedded themselves with a thud one in each bednob. Then Omensinger turned back to Lea who had gotten off the boots and quipped,
"I think we will be needing a bigger headboard!" he said chuckling evilly as he looked into the vixen's eyes.
She placed her booted foot up on his thigh so that he could pull the boot off her leg.
He removed them and all of the rest of the hardware that accompanied them and said,
"Now if you are divested of your armory I suggest you remove that lovely ensemble and join me beneath the suds!"
And with several swift movement his clothing was peeled of his muscular frame and he settled into the steaming hot bath water to watch her closely as she undressed.
"Oh I do so enjoy this part, please don't rush!" he said with a furtive smirk.
She completed her task expertly and Omensinger was so fascinated by the dance that he wished he could dress her again so she could do it all over. However that thought was eclipsed by the view of the statuesque physique that now stood before him to enter the bath.
Omensinger stood to help her in as any gentleman wood but in doing so the white suds clung to him and he looked like he was swathed in bubbles, rescuing his modesty had he had any to begin with.
They settled into the water together and the dance began anew. water splashed and suds found their way around and about the room amidst the sounds of growls and giggles until finally Lea turned her back to him and reclined against his burly chest.
Omensinger reached over to the small round table, no more than a night stand and drew it toward the tub. He had left a candelabra with several candles burning on it and the saddlebag of the Gualic Knight came with it. he reached over to open the flaps and withdrew a leather bound book and a tube of leather.
"This is the first opportunity I have had to read these and yet even though I have been curious I found that I was much more interested in opening other parcels tonight! Let us see what our kindly benefactor has left for us, shall we?"
|
|
|
Post by Brandwyn on Nov 6, 2010 20:17:24 GMT -5
"Now if you are divested of your armory I suggest you remove that lovely ensemble and join me beneath the suds!"
And with several swift movement his clothing was peeled of his muscular frame and he settled into the steaming hot bath water to watch her closely as she undressed.
Lea grinned at him and patted herself down, searching for more weapons with a mischevious look as she watched him disrobe and ease into the hot water.
“I think that may be everything, but I seem to have blades tucked into the most peculiar places.” She chuckled.
As he turned his head to watch her, she slipped a shoulder out of her underdress and moved to pull the other shoulder out, clutching the dress around her front.
"Oh I do so enjoy this part, please don't rush!" he said with a furtive smirk.
Lea giggled and gave him a little curtsy in reply and slowly, teasingly divested herself of her clothing and joined him in the tub where his attack on her began anew. She joined in the fray willingly until they were both a bit tired from their exertions. She leaned back against his chest and watched with interest as he pulled the table over to examine the contents of the saddlebags.
"This is the first opportunity I have had to read these and yet even though I have been curious I found that I was much more interested in opening other parcels tonight! Let us see what our kindly benefactor has left for us, shall we?"
“By all means!” Lea agreed, rubbing circles on his knee that was sticking out of the water next to her. “Perhaps you shall tell me how you came by such curious artifacts as well?” She raised an eyebrow in enquiry. She settled back against him as he pulled out the leather bound book and thumbed through it, holding it in front of her so she could see too.
Lea wasn’t sure what the book was about, however, since she could barely read anything. She didn’t really want to advertise that she couldn’t read, but she was curious so she asked, “What is it about?” Although the majority of commoners could not read, Lea had been around people of rank in the army enough to know that those who could read, often just assumed that everyone could and the nobility seemed to look down their noses at those who could not even though there were many nobles as well who could not read. Hopefully Omen wouldn’t think any less of her for not knowing how.
She looked up at him to see if he had noticed her lack of reading skill and to see his reaction once he figured it out.
|
|
|
Post by Ringulf on Nov 6, 2010 20:34:02 GMT -5
Omensinger sat with the comely sprite of a woman between his knees and her back pressed up against his chest. he looked over her shoulder as she thumbed through what looked to be a journal of sorts. It had many tables and diagrams as well as timetables and prices. all of which were written in Gualic.
"Well love it seems to be some sort of a combination journal and ledger. It is written entirely in Gualican so may be hard to decipher. I think I can read most of it and well all these tables and prices and all are fairly strait forward in any language."
He kissed her neck and whispered in her ear, "I find you ravishing when wet, pass me the soap and I will do your back."
Then he nibbled her earlobe and whispered again,
"This is a treasure trove of information and it seems to be the major doings of one Barron R. Falistir Rathbone The servant of which, the helpful fellow I persuaded to part with this tome, has captured very clearly every detail of his business and doings. I wonder what the document in the leather tube has to say?"
|
|
|
Post by Brandwyn on Nov 6, 2010 22:39:12 GMT -5
She could tell he had noticed she didn’t read, but it didn’t seem to bother him any. She was grateful he hadn’t made a big deal of it. Lea handed him the soap and leaned forward so he could wash her back off. She giggled as he tickled her earlobe, but a look of apprehension crossed her face at the mention of Baron’s name. “I think that was the same Baron I met in Gallica. He didn’t seem to be a very pleasant man. I heard tell that he was very – uh – rough on women.”
“I wonder what the document in the leather tube has to say?"
“Why don’t you take a look at the tube?” Lea asked him, “while I wash your back. Turn around.” She moved back and turned so she was facing him and picked up the soap after setting the book back on the table.
“I wonder if there is anything in that book to connect that gold I found in the hospital to the Baron,” she mused thoughtfully. “It was all stamped with a forged royal stamp. The custodian said it was medical supplies donated from one Lord Thornbury.” She told Omen as she rubbed the soap over his well sculptured back. “I don’t think he had looked in the boxes or he wouldn’t have had them setting out in the courtyard like that.” Lea pictured the crates in her mind again, “hmmm. The maker’s mark on the crates they were in was a Gallican royal stamp, very interesting.”
As she rinsed his back off, she ran her lips over his smooth skin, nipping him hear and there playfully. She wrapped her arms around him and rested her chin on his shoulder as she looked at the leather tube from over his shoulder. “Anything interesting?”
|
|