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mistral4543 · 08-01-2006, 10:35 AM

Stunned, she could only lean against the wall for support as she tried to absorb what she had just heard.

"Tis true, my Lady. His Lordship just charged down the corridor not a few minutes ago, and he was in the pink of health." The parlour-maid darted a nervous glance at her mistress. "Is something the matter, ma'am?"

She shook her head, not trusting herself to speak. How could it be that Gerald had been fully restored? She had witnessed his pathetic state less than half an hour ago, and all the servants were prattling about the same thing: their Lord was up and running about, about to enter a battle! It was infuriating to know how she had played the situation badly, and nerve-wrecking to consider how it could be salvaged.

Gerald... I must get hold of Gerald... Barely noticing the stupefied look on the parlour maid's eyes, she lifted her skirt slightly and scrambled down the staircase.

Reaching the doorway, she ignored the expostulations of the doormen and guards, pushing them aside imperiously. I must know right now... before the start of this battle of goodness-knows-what. Her heart was screaming frenziedly at her miscalculations as she thrust aside who seemed to be a greenhorn and the hero that had arrived at Gerald's invitation a couple of nights before.

Has he changed his will? Are his possessions still coming to me when he dies? For if this battle proved to be fatal, there was no hope of reversing the beneficiaries if he had just amended them...

A firm hand halted her steps and she turned, expectantly. But it was only a protective knight, and she had no use of him. Angrily, she shoved his hand away and craned her neck further, searching for her beloved husband. Where could he be, this person who meant most to her? Perhaps he was playing their usual game of hide-and-seek.

By now, she had gone far ahead to discover that the space around her was quite empty, save for a few gallant warriors who were prepared to lay their lives for Alesbridge. Spinning around, she thought spotted someone familiar... yes, it was the right build and height, and the Mehlingard sword and armour!

"Gerald!" Her face reflected a mixture of contrition, relief and enticement as she approached him slowly, observing the expression in his eyes and mouth. What she saw filled her with dread, a term that had never been associated with her dealings with him.

"I know that you'll find it hard to forgive my rational words just now, but..."

"Silence, woman!" The revulsion in those eyes, and the loathing in his voice stopped her in her tracks. "This is hardly the right occasion to speak of private matters, and besides..." His tone grew icier by the second. "I have nothing to say to you."

"You don't mean that, Gerald." The tears which squeezed out of her eyes were those of panic. "You can't, not after what we've been through, all these years." She risked a step forward, and stopped again at his livid expression. "I would have expected you to say the same things to me, had I been in your condition." To her left, there was a chorus of cries which irritated her. "This was an arranged marriage, Gerald. Made by logical, sensible adults." The shouts were getting louder and she sensed shadows somewhere in the movement. "I would not have wanted to live on, being a burden to you. You deserve better..."

Gerald, her darling Gerald, was at last responding! The earnestness in his eyes filled her with some confidence and she opened her mouth, but before she knew it, he had sped right past her, a war-cry in his mouth and his blade singing in the air. Reality finally sunk in and she turned around to see groups of men slashing at spotted large cats and looming bears, and she staggered backward, her heart in her mouth.

False move again, Yasmine! Or rather, ill-timing. Why did the battle have to start so soon? How was she going to make it to safety in time? No time to berate all this... get going, girl!

Weaving in and out of the chaos, she tried to ignore the screams of agony and terror, the flying limbs and the sailing weapons that crossed her path. Looking around, each step she was about to take was laden with danger.

[ 08-01-2006, 10:49 AM: Message edited by: mistral4543 ]

08-01-2006, 10:35 AM	#220
mistral4543 Ma'at - Goddess of Truth & Justice Join Date: September 5, 2001 Location: House of Freelight Age: 48 Posts: 3,159	Stunned, she could only lean against the wall for support as she tried to absorb what she had just heard. "Tis true, my Lady. His Lordship just charged down the corridor not a few minutes ago, and he was in the pink of health." The parlour-maid darted a nervous glance at her mistress. "Is something the matter, ma'am?" She shook her head, not trusting herself to speak. How could it be that Gerald had been fully restored? She had witnessed his pathetic state less than half an hour ago, and all the servants were prattling about the same thing: their Lord was up and running about, about to enter a battle! It was infuriating to know how she had played the situation badly, and nerve-wrecking to consider how it could be salvaged. Gerald... I must get hold of Gerald... Barely noticing the stupefied look on the parlour maid's eyes, she lifted her skirt slightly and scrambled down the staircase. Reaching the doorway, she ignored the expostulations of the doormen and guards, pushing them aside imperiously. I must know right now... before the start of this battle of goodness-knows-what. Her heart was screaming frenziedly at her miscalculations as she thrust aside who seemed to be a greenhorn and the hero that had arrived at Gerald's invitation a couple of nights before. Has he changed his will? Are his possessions still coming to me when he dies? For if this battle proved to be fatal, there was no hope of reversing the beneficiaries if he had just amended them... A firm hand halted her steps and she turned, expectantly. But it was only a protective knight, and she had no use of him. Angrily, she shoved his hand away and craned her neck further, searching for her beloved husband. Where could he be, this person who meant most to her? Perhaps he was playing their usual game of hide-and-seek. By now, she had gone far ahead to discover that the space around her was quite empty, save for a few gallant warriors who were prepared to lay their lives for Alesbridge. Spinning around, she thought spotted someone familiar... yes, it was the right build and height, and the Mehlingard sword and armour! "Gerald!" Her face reflected a mixture of contrition, relief and enticement as she approached him slowly, observing the expression in his eyes and mouth. What she saw filled her with dread, a term that had never been associated with her dealings with him. "I know that you'll find it hard to forgive my rational words just now, but..." "Silence, woman!" The revulsion in those eyes, and the loathing in his voice stopped her in her tracks. "This is hardly the right occasion to speak of private matters, and besides..." His tone grew icier by the second. "I have nothing to say to you." "You don't mean that, Gerald." The tears which squeezed out of her eyes were those of panic. "You can't, not after what we've been through, all these years." She risked a step forward, and stopped again at his livid expression. "I would have expected you to say the same things to me, had I been in your condition." To her left, there was a chorus of cries which irritated her. "This was an arranged marriage, Gerald. Made by logical, sensible adults." The shouts were getting louder and she sensed shadows somewhere in the movement. "I would not have wanted to live on, being a burden to you. You deserve better..." Gerald, her darling Gerald, was at last responding! The earnestness in his eyes filled her with some confidence and she opened her mouth, but before she knew it, he had sped right past her, a war-cry in his mouth and his blade singing in the air. Reality finally sunk in and she turned around to see groups of men slashing at spotted large cats and looming bears, and she staggered backward, her heart in her mouth. False move again, Yasmine! Or rather, ill-timing. Why did the battle have to start so soon? How was she going to make it to safety in time? No time to berate all this... get going, girl! Weaving in and out of the chaos, she tried to ignore the screams of agony and terror, the flying limbs and the sailing weapons that crossed her path. Looking around, each step she was about to take was laden with danger. [ 08-01-2006, 10:49 AM: Message edited by: mistral4543 ]