676-01-03 - By a Frozen Pond
| By a Frozen Pond | |||||||
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| Summary: King Barret meets Lady Aeryn and Master Marcus by chance in the Castle Gardens, and engages in a conversation about Aeryn learning Ningo language and Marcus' plans of travelling there. | |||||||
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A early afternoon it is, and the King has found a moment to extricate himself from his duties for a little stroll in the Castle Gardens. He is clad in Brais reds and blacks, a warm cloak of fur and wool worn against the chill of the season. The crown is absent, as the king wears it usually only on official occasions. And so he walks, hands folded at the back, his mien thoughtful, pausing here and there to study the beauty of a garden that is in part covered with snow.
Aeryn is clad in a white wool dress, tall boots laced up tightly over white stockings, and a white coat with red and black scarves. She glides along the iced pond, kicking with one foot, then the next to keep going. A swirl here and there, a one-legged twirl in circles. She certainly seems to have excellent balance on the ice. She herself seems to be waiting for someone to arrive.
It is around this time that Marcus does arrive, was told the gardens and so here he comes into the gardens. Now he is dressed way better than he had before when he first met Aeryn, at least the clothes look nicer than what he usually wears. Over all this is a large cloak or pelt that was turned into a cloak, it is thick and seems to keep him warm very well. So as he enters he spots Aeryn first, nodding to her if she looks in his direction and if not he speaks loudly. " Lady Aeryn, I have arrived, as you have requested."
<FS3> Barret rolls Perception: Moderate Success
The king does notice Aeryn, and for a moment he will watch her elegant gliding on the frozen pond with amused fascination. He seems almost about to walk over there to address her, when another figure arrives. Furry brows are raised, before Barret decides to walk over indeed. After all, these are the gardens of his castle. He is curious as to who may want to meet the close friend of the family Brais, and it is more than legitimate for the King of Two Rivers to offer polite greetings, as courtesy demands. "Good afternoon," he says, inclining his head towards Aeryn with a smile. "And a cold one at that. I am impressed you are not intimidated by the chill, Lady Aeryn. But not surprised, really." Marcus receives a fleeting glance, although the chap does look familiar. A few guards and retainers follow in the King's wake, as usual.
Aeryn looks up as she hears the King's familiar voice, and immediately dips into a curtsy. She's also gliding, so it's a curtsy performed while gliding to the left. Well, that's a first for her, a mobile curtsy that is. "Your Highness, welcome!" Her feet step onto hte snow from the ice and she heads over. "Well..ah' do hunt in this weather. White is the best to blend in with. I had a nice conversation with sir Argon earlier. Oh!" She waves Slider over. "I asked someone to come who knows Ningo. Since Ester has a strain on her time I wanted to free her up as much as possible. I've asked him to teach me while he can. He intends to ask to visit Ningo and it's lands. He seems to know them pretty well, and Ah' thought that it might be a good idea for you to meet him. I've offered to pay his fee as it was reasonable, and Ester's time right now is well worth the coin I beleive. I hope you don't mind, your highness but it seemed a very good investment in time, and opportunity. He seems like someone that would be beneficial to have around th' castle for the moment."
Marcus does notice the king, he has seen him on several occasions before this and so he goes down to one knee, though he did coem alittle closer. he says nothign as they speak, he moves nothing as he knows and respects royalty as it should be. So now Marcus waits to be spoken to and nto about, though there is a smile on his lips.
Barret smiles towards Aeryn, obviously quite entertained by the mobile curtsey she offers. Her explanation has him raise his brows, brown eyes shifting from her to Marcus. "I remember you," he states after a moment of studying the man intently. "You were the one Lord Bainsworth hired for that mission, if I'm not mistaken? After you committed some valorous deed in the Isles to recover a noblewoman of Two Rivers who had gotten lost there?" He recalls the name but decides against mentioning it. His gaze drifting to Aeryn when she mentions Argon and he nods. "Aye. He seems to be a good choice. I believe he learned the Ningo language, while he was on this mission. Isn't that right, Master Marcus?" The name springs to his lips, when his memory finally provides the name of the commoner man.
Aeryn steps off of the ice onto the snow and approaches towards the King and the semi-stranger. "Ah'm glad yae' agree, your majesty. I thought he was just a resource too good to pass by on. He wants to visit Ningo, and the isle of trade that's being set up. I told him I could see if Princess Barbete's husband would meet with him, I seem to be on pretty good terms with his son. But with his status with the Ningo I don't think it'll be a problem to get a meeting set." She looks to Marcus "So you wanted to settle on the isle eventually didn't you?" Looking back to the kind she asks "What do you think, your highness? It seems like he would be a good candidate and has ties to both kingdoms. He seems to know how to manage men and adventures, so he could do rather well at managing talent and fighting men, especially since he has personal experience. That is my thought on the matter."
Marcus does come a little closer towards Aeryn and the King and once again bow his head in the presence of the man. He lets Aeryn and the King speak for a bit but as soon as the Kings refers to him he picks up his eyes to look at the man. “ Yes King Barret I was one of Lord Bainsworth men that headed up to….yes, that was I. As for the rescue, anyone of the Two Rivers would have done the same King Barret. It is ones duty to do what is needed to make sure all goes as smoothly as possible, even perhaps rectify it.” As Aeryn speaks about Marcus, there is a slight smile to his lips. “ Lady Aeryn , you speak to highly of me, I am a simple man that has some knowledge of the Ningo, wich I do want to rectify that by in time and if allowed to visit their lands and learn more about their customs. Though it is true, I have learned the Ningo language, I only speak it’s tongue.” then he goes quiet, seems it is Aeryn that needs to convince the King.
Barret raises a brow at the information given by Aeryn, brown eyes shifting to Marcus to regard the man with friendly curiosity. “You mean to settle at Unitas?”, he inquires, looking intrigued. “An interesting prospect, Master Marcus. And one I will not keep you from. I am sure Lord Bainsworth would be very interested to hear that.” And yes, perhaps Lord Bainsworth may have a task for Marcus, if he should agree to it. The King glances towards Aeryn, the kind expression remaining in his features. “That gives you limited time to learn the language, dear Lady Aeryn. If Master Marcus will depart soon. As I don’t assume you plan to accompany him there…?” His gaze becomes a touch thoughtful. “Luanda needs you here, you know that. Especially after all she has been through of late…”
Aeryn gives a quick nod to the King. “Yes, o’course your highness, I don’t plan on heading anywhere at the moment! I tend to pick up things rather quickly, so ah’ll just have to learn what I can from Master Marcus before he is on his way, should that be the way things go. I’d like for him to stay at least two or three weeks though if that wouldn’t be a strain, yet I will take what time I can get. He had asked me to tag along, however I feel guilty enough for not having been there for what happened to the Princess. I’ll be sure that something like that doesn’t happen again.” She frowns at the thought but it’s a mere moment or two. A smile comes back to her lips “Oh! It’s just come upon me that I’ve been terribly rude! Your both out here in the cold while I have been traipsing around on the ice having a grand time in my own little world. Can I bring something warm to drink? Or perhaps if further discussion is to happen it might be best to discourse inside the warmth of the inside?”
Marcus looks between both Aeryn and the king, making sure to speak only when spoken to at this time. He knows his place here and so he listens and finaly he nods to the King. “Oh yes Lord Bainsworth, I remember the man, leaves a good impression. I can speak to him when ever he is available, perhaps in a couple of days. I have a errand to run which I have let go for far too long.” then looking at Aeryn he smiles and then nods slowly. “ I will stay as long as I am no bother and useful, though I will seek accomodations just in town and come every day if so required.” then ast probably going inside because of the cold he smiles and shakes his head. “ The cold does not bother me as much as you think Lady Aeryn, I have warm clothing on and dress for the weather, been in Two Rivers for many years.” Though he does wait for the king now, see what he wishes if anything, Marcus could even be sent away now as well, he will wait.
“I did come out to enjoy a bit of fresh winter air, Aeryn,” the king clarifies with a goodnatured grumble which may as well be a laugh. “So when I retreat, it will be to resume tedious business I have needed to take a little break from. Matters of the kingdom, and the like,” he shrugs. “But thank you for the kind offer. As for going to Unitas… I will not deny you the right to pay it a visit, when things are more settled there. Still. Luanda needs you at the moment, to be here, at her side.”
Barret’s attention shifts from Aeryn to Marcus then, and he smiles. “I am sure Lord Bainsworth will send for you soon. He is a very curious young fellow, it comes with his office, I fear.” The king chuckles, his spirits raised, apparently. Speaking of the master of information, a young lad that works as secretary for the man appears from the direction of the courtyard, offering a deep bow before he murmurs some words to the king.
“Well,” Barret says with a light frown, an apologetic glance shifting from Marcus to Aeryn, “I regret my little break already seems to be over. I will be curious on how your language lessons will progress, Aeryn. And now all is left for me is to bid you a good day, as my presence is required in the Royal Council…” A last smile is offered, before the king turns and heads back towards the courtyard.
