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Post by Terion, King of Ireland on Feb 10, 2008 21:47:55 GMT -5
Terion figured that there would be limitations and he found one when she pulled away. She kicked the horse and then began to ride it through the forest and out into the plains. Terion noticed then that even though he was on the horse, and it was his horse too. He was the experience rider, not to mention the King. He wasn't going to let her so easily manipulate his animal. He thought to himself before he acted. He already knew that she enjoyed his kisses, so why not try something else. He was having a bit of trouble staying on the horse because up until this point he wasn't hanging onto anything. So, he moved a bit closer, bringing his head against her neck a bit; she could feel his warm breath on her neck. Then he moved his hands gently to her shoulders and very slowly, almost seductively, ran his hands down her good arm and to her hand holding the reigns, slowly taking the reigns from her hands. His other hand went to her waist and wrapped around to her stomach, slowly pulling her closer.
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Post by Kayla on Feb 10, 2008 22:08:20 GMT -5
His presence loomed behind her. She could sense it as he leaned up against her. The horse kept moving, not having received any indication to stop. His arm slipped around her waist, pulling her close, and his other hand slid down to take the reins. Being so close to him was intoxicating, in a way, and yet also a bit unnerving. Kayla had never been this close to a man because she had never allowed anyone to get this close to her. But this king was different. Which was why she let herself be drawn closer. Maybe it was because of the way his touch made her feel, or maybe it was that her arm hurt and she just wanted human comfort, but whatever the case she allowed his hand to rest on hers. But she did not help him at all, didn't snuggle against him. She kept her posture and her dignity with it. The village got steadily closer as they came near, and yet not close enough for anyone to have identified them yet.
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Post by Terion, King of Ireland on Feb 10, 2008 22:14:45 GMT -5
Terion saw the village getting closer and closer and he knew two things. The first was that his men probably moved on and therefore would not be there to greet him. Secondly, he knew that Kayla was not going to be want to be seen in the arms of another man in front of her friends and those of the village. Apparently she had worked up quite a reputation for being stubborn and free spirited. Well, Terion knew that she was free spirited but he hadn't figured that no man had ever gotten close to her. She was far too gorgeous for that. She was stunning and it would be amazing that she would not be approached by men and suitors. As they drew closer, Terion kissed her neck very gently a few times before he withdrew his hand from her stomach and just held onto the reins, riding into the town and stopping in the center. He dismounted before her and offered her his hand. She was injured and didn't want her dismounting on her own.
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Post by Kayla on Feb 10, 2008 22:25:47 GMT -5
Oh yes, men had approached her, but Kayla had turned them away. The bakery was her life, running it with her parents was what she loved. Marrying would mean they would be left without her to help them, because she would have to move in with her husband and care for him. So she refused any offers or advances. Kayla was not aware that her mother despaired of finding a man for her. Her father merely chuckled and maintained that Kayla would find her own man and settle down in time. She was not yet twenty, after all. There was time. As they approached Terion kissed her neck a few times before the children swarmed over, their faces worried. "Back, back from the horse!" Kayla warned, not wanting another incident like the one with young Mara, "I'm okay!" The children backed off just out of range of the horse's hooves, then stood there waiting for her. She could see her mother and father behind them, faces concerned and panicked. Kayla was forced to take Terion's hand, for there was no way to get down without the help of another. Feet steady on the ground once more, Kayla was swarmed by the worried children as they all clamored for her attention. "Miss Kay! What happened! Your arm is hurted! We thought you would never come back!" Kayla moved through them, falling into a mother's hug as Ariana embraced her. Instantly noticing her injured arm, her mother led her back to the bakery, alternating between asking questions and scolding her for taking another's horse and running away. Kayla couldn't help but glance behind her at the young king. Then she went inside the shop. Her father, Gemello, approached the king a bit nervously. "Thank you, thank you, king, for returning our daughter. She is a trouble sometimes, I am sorry for your troubles. Your men moved on; they said you would follow and that they would keep recruiting. The next village is a day's journey; I must insist that you stay with us for the night and sup with us," he offered with a broad smile. He had not missed the looks the king had given his Kayla; maybe the bold girl had finally found someone after all.
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Post by Terion, King of Ireland on Feb 10, 2008 22:39:34 GMT -5
No sooner had Terion helped Kayla off her horse was he approached by people and Kayla was quickly taken from the streets and into the bakery. Kayla’s father approached him and this was the first time Terion really took a good look at the man. He had seen bother Kayla’s mother and father and he had to note that they didn’t look anything like Kayla. He wondered about her youth and if she had been adopted or not. Terion looked at the man as he spoke to him, the man was still very cautious of his words around Terion and he noted this as the man spoke to him. Terion didn’t want to stay any longer than needed because he had said that he was going to beat his men to the next village. “I am sorry sir. I can not stay.” Terion thought about Kayla for a moment, “However, I would like to know if I could take Kayla with me.” Terion said, being rather bold in his request. He knew the man was her father, or at least her guardian and he loved Kayla. He didn’t know if he would allow her to go with some stranger, even if he was a king.
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Post by Kayla on Feb 10, 2008 22:51:36 GMT -5
Now this startled Gemello. He had expected the first part; young men did not like to feel as if they needed protecting or had to slow down. This young king probably had all on his mind about getting up with his small posse. Little did the king know it yet, but his posse was three larger. Three of the older village boys had joined and gone on with them. But the second part he did not expect. This man wanted to take his Kayla? His only daughter? Take her on the long and hard campaign trail, take her with a score of men for who knew how long? Gemello didn't want any harm to come to her. And yet this man was the king. He would protect her, make sure she was cared for. Still, Gemello was not so easily convinced. Hemming and hawing, he finally came to a decision. "Well," he started hesitantly, his dark brown eyes on the ground, "that is halfway up to her, your highness, for as you have noticed our Kayla is a stubborn one. Rarely can you force her to do that which she does not wish. But I have a feeling you might bring her to reason. It would pain me to lose my only daughter, but I would allow her to leave if she wishes. But only on one condition." Here Gemello felt a bit nervous, making demands of the king of Ireland. "I insist that you stay for dinner at least. I will not have it said that the baker of the village let the king go off without a meal. I already gave your men a few provisions; I shall do the same for you." Without waiting to hear any arguments, he toddled off into the bakery, motioning for the king to follow.
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Post by Terion, King of Ireland on Feb 11, 2008 8:58:50 GMT -5
Terion wasn’t that surprised by Kayla’s father’s response and he took it. Her father could only speak so much for Kayla, especially because Kayla was a person that liked things to be done on her own accord and not on the account of others, even if it was her father. Terion did not expect to be beckoned to stay for dinner. Terion was planning to leave shortly after reaching the village, not staying for a lengthy meal. He needed to catch up to his troop and join the march. There were only two more villages that they needed to reach before they returned to the castle which Terion called his home. Terion didn’t have a choice when the man just started to walk away from him. That was a bold move, to turn your back on a king. Oh well, Terion was an unusual king so he didn’t really care. He followed behind him and into the bakery. He looked around and smiled as the scents of the cooked bread and pastries reached him. Ah, it had been a while since he had smelled something this good, with the exception of earlier that afternoon.
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Post by Kayla on Feb 11, 2008 12:39:07 GMT -5
Gemello motioned the young king upstairs. This part of the bakery served as the small family's house of sorts. The first room one saw upon going up the narrow staircase was a sitting room. A small couch, a bit battered and worn through time, but clean, sat underneath a circular window. Adjacent to the small room was the kitchen. Through the doorway could be seen a small stove, pots bubbling merrily over the flame and bread sitting on top, fresh from the oven. "Dinner should be ready in about five minutes, your highness," said Gemello a bit nervously. They had never had a king to visit, and he feared their accomadations were rather sparse and humble. The small table in the middle of the room sat four, and there were already three plates and cups there, as well as a jug of water. In the middle was the centerpiece, a small basket cascading with yellow and purple flowers. The bright arrangement brought color and life to the otherwise dull interior. Gemello scurried into the kitchen, beckoning his small wife who stood there. With glances at the king he explained their situation. Ariana was thrilled. To have a daughter marry a king! But then she remembered. There was much to be explained.
Upstairs, Kayla sat getting ready for dinner. Her old dress was torn from the fall she had taken, and it needed washed and repaired. She was about to slip into another simple dress when her mother hustled up the stairs. "No, no," she scolded, "not that dress for dinner. Wear the green one!" Kayla's eyes widened in surprise. The green dress was her best dress by far, her special occasion dress. Ma and Da had gotten it for her on her eighteenth birthday. Though she had possessed it for over a year, she had worn it twice, at Christmas. "But why?" she asked, all the while reluctantly drawing the dress from the back of the closet, "this dinner is no different!" But she put it on anyways, while her mother bustled about, fretting over the ties in the back, trying to tame her daughter's wayward curls into a nice arrangement. Finally they were done and she hustled Kayla downstairs. No daughter of hers would look shabby before a king.
Kayla stepped downstairs and gasped. The young King Terion was there. No wonder her mother had been so flustered yet pleased. She was not aware of it, but the slight lift of her head, the small toss of her curls, and the rosy health in her cheeks made her look all the more wonderful. Her green damask dress was the same green as her eyes, a forest green that was deep and cool, yet invigoratingly brilliant. Her eyes glimmered and sparkled in the light of the window. The neck scooped to a modest depth, not revealing anything, but allowing the slender lines of her neck to show. The dress narrowed to show her slender waist, ending in a floor length bottom that swept the floor rather majestically. It was no wonder that she only wore the dress on the most special occasions. It truly made her look like royalty.
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Post by Terion, King of Ireland on Feb 11, 2008 13:19:02 GMT -5
So Terion had to wait for Kayla and her family to prepare the food for dinner. Terion looked around at the humble abode as he waited, noting Kayla’s mother’s reaction to his presence and she scurried out of the kitchen. He didn’t really know where she went and he thought about other things besides her. Apparently this family had never had a King in their presence and surely not had one to come and sit down to dinner. He hoped that they wouldn’t do too much to impress him because there was a limit to how much pampering Terion approved of. He liked it when people bowed to him and respected him as King, but when people started wiping his butt for him, he didn’t exactly enjoy it. Most people that he met were so impressed by who he was and what his title told them he could do; they never got a chance to know him. They would always refer to him as a king and not as a person. Kayla’s father and mother were an awful lot like that; however, Kayla seemed to be the opposite. So there was another thing that led him to believe that she was not these people’s blood daughter.
So Terion waited and waited and the five minutes were up. Oh well, dinner was still not prepared. It wasn’t like he was starving and couldn’t go a few more minutes without some sort of food. He wondered what they would prepare now that they knew they had a kind at their table. Terion hoped it was potatoes. He hadn’t had just original ordinary potatoes in an awfully long time. A minute or so later, Kayla came with her mother out into the dining room. Kayla was taller than her mother and, wow, she was gorgeous. Up until this point he had not seen her without flower on her or without a sling. He had not seen her in an elegant dress like the one she was wearing now. Her hairs were curled and she just looked amazing. Terion wouldn’t even deny it and his eyes wouldn’t either as he watched her all the way until he moved forward and pulled out a chair for her. It was probably odd for a King to attend to a woman or anyone, but Terion felt the urge to do so. He figured he was going to be catered to for the rest of the night anyway.
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Post by Kayla on Feb 11, 2008 23:10:41 GMT -5
Kayla was about to ignore Terion and go help serve dinner when her mother hustled over and motioned her down. Her father was one step ahead of her and came out, a large bowl in hand. Setting the stoneware down gently, he motioned for everyone to sit. Respectfully the couple waited for the king to sit first. As Kayla was already seated, after that they all sat together at the small table. "You must forgive us, your highness," stammered Gemello a bit nervously, "we are but simple folk and do not have vast stores to offer." The meal was a simple one, though cooked to perfection. The bread was fresh out of the oven, with a sweet crispy loaf and a fluffy interior. The bowl, which Ariana motioned for the king to sup from first, was a simple stew. Potatoes and carrots bobbed on top in profusion, the occasional chunk of savory meat showing in the thick, nourishing broth. It was still steaming from the stove, and Kayla had been simmering it all day. Water was the only drink they had, for they were not wealthy folk. "We may not be rich, Da, but we are honest," Kayla pointed out with a smile, "and we have each other." She had no desire for this young king to look down on them. "Now, let us sup," Gemello stated, "for the young king must get on his way to catch up with his men."
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Post by Terion, King of Ireland on Feb 11, 2008 23:25:46 GMT -5
Terion sat down to eat at the table and looked at the food that had been prepared for him. It was true that it was not the most fancy meal in the world, but it was a meal and Terion was grateful for it. Terion listened to them talk about how they were not rich and how they were completely satisfied with the life they were living. Terion began to eat what was presented to him once Gemello told them all to eat. It had been a while since he had eaten among common folk, but he enjoyed being amongst those that reminded him of where he came from. So often times Kings never saw the flip side of their palaces and nobility. Terion had come from this type of life and had never thrown it away. He smiled at Kayla's mother, "Very good, long has it been since i have had just a stew." Terion said with a smile. He then turned to Kayla and then her father, "But as i was saying sir, I would like to take Kayla with me." Terion said. He didn't look at Kayla because he already knew her reaction. He wanted to see her father's reaction.
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Post by Kayla on Feb 12, 2008 0:11:27 GMT -5
In mid gulp of water, this statement took Kayla quite by surprise. Sputtering, she set down the glass and looked incredulously from her father to Terion. Take her with him? Just like that? They had barely known each other a day! Gemello turned a bit red, flustered that the young man would ask the question as they sat there at the table. He refused to meet Kayla's eyes, instead looking steadily at the young man. Brown eyes met blue as he said quietly, "Before anyone makes a decision, there is something you should know, Kayla. Something that may pertain to both of you, especially if you go with the king, my daughter." His voice caught a bit on the last words, and he motioned for Ariana to continue as he got up from the table to fetch something.
"You see, dear, about nineteen years ago we were blessed to have a little girl in our house," Ariana began, "that was you, of course. But you were not from my womb. I had never been able to have a child, you see, so when you came along your father and I could not resist the chance to raise you as our own." Kayla gasped. She was not theirs? Then whose was she? What happened to her parents? Why had they never told her of this? All these questions tumbled in her head, none seeming to connect. Any previous concern about the young King Terion was forgotten. This matter was so much bigger at the moment, and Kayla was floored at the revalation of the most important part of her life.
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Post by Terion, King of Ireland on Feb 12, 2008 9:31:43 GMT -5
Terion wasn't totally surprised when her mother finally said tat she was adopted or at least, she was not of her own womb. Terion had drawn that conclusion in his mind prior to now and it was simply being confirmed by Kayla's mother. Now, Terion was still going to refer to Ariana as Kayla's mother and Gemello as Kayla's father. Even though they weren't her birth parents, they had done the work of such and therefore were aloud and had the right to claim their parenthood of Kayla. In any case, Terion looked over at Kayla to see her reaction and she gasped. He looked into her eyes and he knew what they meant. She was confused and she was searching for answers in her mind. The questions and the ideas that immediately began to flow into Kayla's brain had to be many and had to be confusing to her. Terion looked back at Ariana once she had stopped speaking, "Is there anything that shows where she might have come from, a trinket from her childhood, a birthmark, anything at all that could possibly tell us who her parents were?" Terion asked as he looked back and forth from kayla to her mother.
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Post by Kayla on Feb 12, 2008 13:03:10 GMT -5
In typical Irish style, Ariana would not cut a story short, not even for a king. It was eighteen years coming, and she would not rush the telling. "You shall see," she said, gazing mildly at him. Then she turned back to her story. "Nineteen years ago, it was a cold and harsh winter. We all stayed inside, waiting out the blizzard season. But one day, whether at night or during the day I could not tell, there was shouting in the square. Two travelers had staggered in, chilled to the bone and near to death. We took them in, your father and I, and the healer came, but he shook his head when he saw them. It was too later. They would not live. But they left something behind. In her arms, sheltered against her body, the mother carried a young baby. She was only about a month old, and weakly crying for her mother, for the warmth of summer to touch her skin. It was too late for her parents, but we saved her, Gemello and I, took her in as our own. I could not have children, it seemed, and this was a blessing from the Lord even as he took two lives to be with him. The father died first, followed by the mother. She managed one word before she died: Kayla. We assumed it was your name, and you have been known as such ever since. Only two things were left to you; we never used one, and you wear the other with you every day, though you have never questioned why." Kayla's hand automatically rose to her throat. As if in a trance, she slowly unclasped a slender chain and drew out the small pendant she had worn since before she could remember. The circular pendant swung as she pulled it free, dully gleaming along the strange crisscrossing runes that covered both sides. She let it hit the table with a small clink, and there it lay, three pairs of eyes upon it. Kayla could find no words to say, no questions to ask as she looked at it, truly wondering what it meant.
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Post by Terion, King of Ireland on Feb 12, 2008 13:31:30 GMT -5
Terion leaned back in the chair and listened to the she was saying. Ariana had a gift for telling stories and Terion could see that. He listened intuitively to her as she spoke about the blizzard and the family that had come into the village. Then when she said something about a pendant, Terion opened his eyes and watched as Kayla pulled the pendant out from underneath her dress. Terion hadn’t noticed it before because she had kept it concealed beneath her clothes. It sparkled in the light and the glint struck Terion’s eyes. He couldn’t help but be intrigued by the pendant and it looked somewhat familiar to him. Terion stood up from his chair and walked over to Kayla, who seemed to be in a somewhat entranced state of mind. He then had a chance to take a good look at the pendant and as soon as he did he realized why it was so familiar to him and why he thought he recognized it. Once someone becomes king they have to learn about previous king’s lines and heritage of different lords and nobles. Each one had a signature emblem or item that one of their kin carried so everyone would know who they were. “This, this is the pendant of the Ammadon family. They ruled Ireland thirty years ago but they never had an heir….” Terion paused, “I think I know why….” He said looking down at Kayla. The Ammmadon family came to the last, most of them died in war, but the one brother that lived died about twenty, apparently nineteen years ago.
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