675-06-20 - Dark Clouds of Loneliness

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Dark Clouds of Loneliness
Summary: Baldwin receives an unexpected visitor, is asked about Rayne and hears about a surprising offer.
Who: Baldwin Ivounel and Barbeta Brais
References: re:Erek Ivounel, re:Livessa Ivounel, re:Rayne Devantry
When: June 20th, 675
Related Logs: Recent Rayne and Baldwin logs
Date of RP: 20/06/2014
Where: Ivounel Manor - City of Equis, Duchy of Athereyne
Room Desc: The entrance hall is rather modest, with only one tapestry with the inverted colours of House Lenouvi covering one wall. A pair of windows offers a bit of light during the day, and the stone floor is covered with a rug of green colour. Right ahead is the main room, with a large table of oak surrounded by eight chairs of good quality but plain style. The dramatic backdrop for the area where meals are had, however, is a huge tapestry that covers almost all of the wall, on which the ancestor and first Ivounel, Sir Maric is shown in his epic fight during the 'Melee of Equitaine', in the year 632, against three knights, one of House Fennim, one of House Istivean and one of House Galtiblar. A fight from which he would emerge as the victor. On the other side of the room is a hearth with three comfortable chairs and a small table where sometimes a flagon of wine can be found beside a few cups of clay. The stone floor is covered with a few rugs, and at the walls are sconces with torches, offering a flickering light. A door leads out into the garden, and a stairway leads up to the private quarters of the family members.


It is the afternoon of the day that followed the return of the second ship of the delegation. With the ship, one of House Ivounel had been welcomed back as well, although that welcome had been rather luke warm. Anyway, Baldwin is back, and having reclaimed his room he is in the salon right now, speaking with his younger brother Verlak. The tones are hushed, and the smile he offers the squire quite fond, yet lacking maybe the ease that would be expected.

A quite breathless chunky handmaiden totters inside the salon. She remainds a hamster from her fetaures with these beetling cheeks. However, these cheeks have quite a lovely crimson from her recent physical activity. It becomes even more vivid, when she notices the man inside the room. She gasps quietly and grabs that black wool of her dress in order to offer a proper deep curtsy.

"My lord..." she whispers and moves deeper inside the salon, letting the princess and another handmaiden step inside too.

That other handmaiden looks like could easily hide behind the birch. She is so slim, only skin and bones. She even looks pale as if she would be sick. Though, it may be that simple black dress, which emphasise the paleness of her skin. She offers the curtsy too and they both move into the farest corner.

Barbeta offers just a smile, though, "Good day, my lord. Welcome back home! I hope the journey was not too tiring?" She asks smoothing the posh and glinting blackness of her dress.

Baldwin's head turns when the handmaiden enters. His brow is raised in a sient question, when she fails to announce the visitor, next he jumps to his feet when Barbeta enters. "Princess Barbeta," he greets with a courteous bow. "You honour this house with your visit." A glance is shot towards his brother who hurries to follow the knight's example.

"The journey was long, and I am glad we are back," Baldwin replies evenly. "Maybe you would like some refreshment...?" Now gesturing for one of the servants to get Barbeta some wine and perhaps a small snack. "Won't you have a seat?", he inquires next, all politeness as he indicates a comfortable chair in their vicinity. "Is there anything you would require of me?"

"Thank you very much. Indeed, some wine and snacks would be great," the girl nods, before slipping to take an offered seat. She presses her legs together, lowers white hands on her own lap, but keeps sitting straight with the chin risen as if she would be wearing a very fragile crown now.

"Well..." she drawls,curiously following the man with her gaze, "I would like to speak with you, my lord. It won't be an official talk, so don't worry. I mean, you can relax and forget the difference of our titles." She leans her head to the side, adding, "Do you have time?"

The reply seems to take Baldwin a little by surprise, at least the part about her visit being unofficial. "Certainly, your highness," he replies, shooting a glance next towards his brother. "Verlak, will you continue your exercises in the garden?" The squire nods, his gaze is curious though as he offers a bow before he disappears. "I will not forget the difference in status, though, if you don't mind." His father would never forgive him if he did. A shadow falls over his face, briefly, but then he smiles. "What is it you want to speak about?"

"I wanted to speak about you, my lord. How are you feeling? All wounds healed? I am really sorry for my outburst in the Isles, when I visited you. But I am happy to see you back in one piece!" The young princess does not let the laugh out, but it was a joke, which lighted her eyes at least a little bit.

"About me, your highness?" Looking still a bit confused, Baldwin smiles and nods. "I am well enough. Perfectly healed, aye. Why do you ask?" The servant arrives with the wine, and some bits of cheese and smoked ham to go along with it. He pours Barbeta a cup and hands it to her, before he disappears again.

Barbeta takes the cup and sips some wine, "Mmmm..." She drawls, "Very tasty!" And the young princess takes a tiny slice of cheese. She chews it slowly, while studying the man in front of her. Just when the piece is swallowed, she continues. "Well, if you decided not to forget the difference in status, I will allow myself to use my status by letting myself to be a little bit too much curious, my lord."

Then the girl pauses to take another slice of cheese. She doesn't look in a hurry at all. Maybe, she looks more like a snake, who likes playing with her prey, before digging her fangs into the flesh. So, she just prolongs the silence for awhile, before continuing, "Tell me, these wounds made by villains of the Isles were the only ones healed by that woman... mistress Rayne, if I recall her name right? Or there was something else, who was in the need of some potions and the woman was the one to make the best mixture?" The young girl leans back in her seat and crosses her hands on abdomen, tapping with the fingers on her arms gently. Her gaze is quite intent, though, curious and intent.

The mention of Rayne brings a flicker to those grey-blue eyes, and maybe a twitch to the corner of his mouth. "As far as I know, yes," he replies shooting Barbeta another bewildered glance. "She saw to my wounds, and treated them. The bandages were changed by Mistress Penderghast though two days later," he replies. "Why should you ask me such a question? She used some herbs for the disinfection of the wounds, I believe, and she gave me a vial with a fluid to dull the pain should I have trouble sleeping. But I hardly tried it, only once."

Barbeta rolls her eyes a bit playfully and shakes her head, letting her dark curls whirl around her shoulders and bared neck, "You are a true knight, aren't you? No poetry, no romantism! Well, of course, I might be the wrong girl! Silly me!" She gently slaps her own forehead,before raising a cup of wine to take one more sip. "I was asking if that healer found a way to push the dark clouds of loneliness from your heart, my lord..." And here the young princess boldly fixes her gaze on Baldwin's.

"Dark clouds of loneliness..." Baldwin echoes, at a loss for a moment on what Barbeta might be hinting at. After all he may be not that much of a poet, really. But then he frowns and lowers his gaze. "That is a rather personal question, your highness, if I understand you right... But I assure you, naught has happened between Miss Rayne and I." He pauses, hesitating to continue. "Nor will there ever be /anything/ happening between us in the future. If that was what you wanted to know." That shadow has returned the look of his mien sombre and brooding. Maybe this is not exactly the right topic to cheer him up.

"What?" Barbeta's shakes her head, "I wans't asking if something happened between you. That is clearly not a business for my nose. I was asking more... Do you love her? I was asking just about that simple feeling. Does your heart belongs to her, but your father forbids you to marry a commoner?" She takes another slice of cheese and chews on it for a moment, before adding, "I understand, that it may be quite a sad topic. However... Your sister spoke to me. She is quite a delusional young child, if I may tell so, delusional and incredibly envious. I fear for her, for you and reputation of our noble houses. Do you know, what she asked me so boldly? She asked me,what I know about witchcraft and if I could know if you are under a spell. She believes, that your friend used the blood of the dead to do something to you, because shortly after the murder in the isles, you became infatuated. All you could see as his duty was her, she told me."

Barbeta sighs and shakes her head slowly, "Her story is very logical, what surprises me. I told her that I believe in her. That I will try to cover everything up and she should stay quiet. Though, I am not sure if she will. Some more drastical commoners may hear her talks and your friend might be in danger then..."

Barneta leans her head to the other side, adding, "Love is witchcraft, my lord. Love is the most dangerous curse. It makes people be blind, it makes people become deaf... At some point, your sister may be right, yes. That is why I came here, just to make sure, that everyone will be alright, especially your sister, because she looks the most fragile in all this situation."

A bit of air leaves Baldwin's lungs in a sigh. "Does it matter really how I feel?", he retorts, with a bit of subdued frustration. "I am not to marry her. That is what my father tells me. I am intended for a more... presitigious match. But forgive me, I do not mean to emburden you with this." Then he falls silent, listening to what Barbeta says about his sister, shaking his head, at a loss for words for a moment. "I already suspected she had something to do with... some accusations that were raised against Miss Rayne in the Isles. But that she would come to you... I swear, I never was made to drink any blood of the dead..." A low mirthless chuckle escapes the knight. "Nor did she cast a spell over me other than that of her... unique personality."

Another pause follows when Baldwin hears Barbeta's assessment of Livessa's state of mind, and his gaze becomes more and more pained. "I fear you are right.", he concedes finally. "I... will need to speak with father about this." Oh another unpleasant conversation. "I thank you for the information, yet that's all I can tell you at the moment."

Barbeta stands up and nods her head, "People are aware of the way how I am used to deal and train my servants," she gestures toward her handmaidens. Yes, there were rumors between commoners t least, that everyone are afraid to work for Barbeta,who is a true perfectionist and does not allow any mistakes as she is so too old for her age, usually. Some even think, that she should be way more older, "The same happens with the ladies. My sister has many ladies in waiting already, who help her and she guides them to.... helping to become true proper girls. If you and your father wish, I could speak with my own father and Livessa could become one of my ladies-in-waiting. I am not much of a fun. However, the fun is the least thing she is in the need right now. Just consider this," then Barbeta turns to walk away. However, being beside the doors, she stops and turns back, "If you really love her and it is not just a moment of passion, my lord, you will find ways to be together, I am sure. Even if I do not recommend that..."

"A lady-in-waiting, your highness?", Baldwin inquires raising a brow, as he is obviously baffled by the suggestion. "Are you sure you want to do this...? Then I would advise you to propose this to my father. He may be... delighted indeed." The knight nods as he rises to offer her a bow in goodbye. As for her remark on Rayne, he does only incline his head, nothing more. "A good day to you, Princess Barbeta. And... thank you for your concern..."