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News » History of Mardon Castle - 12A
History of Mardon Castle
Chapter Twelve
Part 1
...
Terniff looked around, and seeing that she and the viscountess walked alone made a comment, “You don’t seem to be doing well making friends.â€
“I am not developing a social circle, but I am making friends. I actually like the bluntness of Mardon. The conversations at my socials are much more diverse than I remember occurring back home.â€
“But you are often seen moving about alone.â€
“I am the female authority in this land. I find too many consider me a pretty face. I want it known that I can stand alone. I will not allow others to group me with the other possessions that those of Mardon brought back from the war.â€
Our two main ladies again have an encounter.
History of Mardon Castle
Chapter Twelve
Part 1
Terniff stopped as the voice of Nalisha said, “I am amazed at how well you can appear. I need at least two maids to help me into my garments. I however do not believe that you even have one.â€
The hallways in the castle were rather wide, but that was in recognition of the fashion of the female nobles. The expansive ornate skirts demanded space to move safely. Terniff looked up and down the corridor accepting that statuary and other elegant features of the corridor provided places where one could safely watch her, but could not believe that Nalisha, who also would be wearing such voluminous clothes, would not be easily seen.
The viscountess had a smile on her face as she moved up a staircase. Terniff felt a little embarrassed, as she was heading towards the way down to the main floor. Instead of considering the steps as a place of safe viewing, she had ignored it. Nalisha continued to have a grin on her face as she approached.
“I would appreciate it if you would accompany me to the evening meal.â€
Terniff moved up while saying, “I actually would like to speak to you for a time. I had Renwyn helping me during the war, and he helped me into this dress. I do however feel that I need to gain a maid before I leave with my husband. Don’t I remember you having a couple of maids accompany you home from the war?â€
“They were farm girls whose home was devastated. They had nowhere to go, and convinced my mother that they could make their life supporting me. Luckily, there were no requirements during the war. There really are none here, as Mardon does not have the social standards like those on the other side of the mountains. My maids thus are sufficient.â€
“I believe that I will be entering the land of those higher fashion expectations.â€
“Don’t let them bother you. Find your own circle of friends.â€
Terniff looked around, and seeing that she and the viscountess walked alone made a comment, “You don’t seem to be doing well making friends.â€
“I am not developing a social circle, but I am making friends. I actually like the bluntness of Mardon. The conversations at my socials are much more diverse than I remember occurring back home.â€
“But you are often seen moving about alone.â€
“I am the female authority in this land. I find too many consider me a pretty face. I want it known that I can stand alone. I will not allow others to group me with the other possessions that those of Mardon brought back from the war.â€
Terniff really did not know how to respond to that statement. She did consider the smaller lady as a possession from the war, although had to also credit her for establishing her legitimacy in being the true wife of Tasbirn. Terniff also did not consider Nalisha to rank higher than her, but again there was no doubt that the viscount claimed the foreign lady as his mate, which gave her the superior rank. While most of the soldiers were rather rude to the young lady when she first joined their camp, they quickly silenced any statement of disrespect as Tasbirn showed his support for her. Terniff knew that grumbles continued, but had to credit Nalisha for proving herself able to handle the aggravation. What she still could not do however was match the tones of bluntness that were common in Mardon. She still tried to use the subtle phrasing of those beyond the surrounding mountains. Terniff felt that Nalisha’s words were intended to be taken personally, and the taller lady displayed no hesitation in making it clear that such would not happen.
“I will give you credit for having been seen moving about town, but I don’t remember anyone speaking of you slogging through the swamp.â€
“You believe wearing the dress to be difficult? Wait until you get pregnant to find out how restricted you can be. I tried to simply go spend time around my farmers, but found my soldiers trying to carry me instead of letting my shoes touch the soft ground.â€
Terniff could not keep herself from replying, “Well, they could carry you. I don’t know how well they could carry me.â€
“I have seen Renwyn carry you.â€
A smile came to Terniff’s face as she nodded. Her man could indeed carry her. While she considered Nalisha’s light frame to be a disadvantage, Terniff had to admit that she was a light feminine presence next to her husband. She however felt she still had an advantage that the viscountess did not.
“My husband might be able to carry me, but he knows that I can put up a fight.â€
“I believe that I can as well, but I am new to the land and too far along in my pregnancy. The soldiers mean well, and in fear of risking my child I am unwilling to overexert myself. I hope to have better established my identity by the time I am with my next child.â€
Nalisha turned her head to look up and down the grand hallway. She then moved to look above at any that might be moving on the walkways above. Seeing Terniff watch her, an explanation for the actions was given.
“We were discussing your husband, and I suddenly wondered where he was. He does seem to stay with you.â€
Terniff replied, “I told you that he helped me into this dress. He stayed behind to finish his own preparations. I then believe that he intended to find your husband.â€
“Oh, that reminds me. Tasbirn is quite pleased with your actions on the mission. While he seems to admit that you really did not have the intention of attracting the ghost, the fact that you took the initiative to act he felt provided the right influence. I heard him say that he is going to miss you.â€
“Well, I hope that I have more than earned my place of service to the land. Still, Nalisha, I will not be leaving behind as much as you. My parents are dead, and I really do not have that many friends.â€
“Most of my friends were taken in the war. My sister was as well. As for my parents, I heard them tell me too many times to keep my husband happy with me. I thus put my focus on Tasbirn and his land.â€
Terniff looked to the other lady realizing that she came to this land with the belief that it would be a happy home. The war had taken its toll upon her land before the forces of Mardon arrived. While Terniff knew of suffering and had memories of seeing others killed, she associated such acts with strangers of a foreign land. Nalisha had grown up knowing some of the enemy as potential associates, possible neighbors, and definitely powerful figures that would affect her life. The horrors thus came from those with whom she felt some attachment, and the damage inflicted disrupted what foundation she had grown up considering to be a good start for her life. Nalisha had thus sought the attention of the ruler of Mardon, because he represented a hope in a pleasant future that she no longer believed was possible in her true home.
Renwyn presented an entirely different future to Terniff. She did not consider the home of her husband to be better than her own. She also had to admit that she had not been taught to simply be the wife of some man. Being the eldest child, her parents had to allow that she could have ended up as the potential heir to Sekurd. Her brothers had done well, but their foolishness could have ended with tragic results. Terniff thus looked to Nalisha realizing that her distaste of the lady resulted from her being completely different in upbringing. Just as the viscountess, Terniff had to accept that she would be forced to acclimate to a different society in a different part of the world. While the land of Renwyn might not be considered as being better than Mardon, it had to be allowed that the troubles in making the move would be the same for her as it was for Nalisha.
“Renwyn’s land might need to do some adjusting to me, but I expect that certain things will require my own adjusting. I cannot deny that I must leave Tasbirn and the domination of Mardon to you.â€
“I have met your brothers, Terniff, so I can say that my husband will be kept from spoiling the land. If you return to visit, I promise you will feel at home.â€
While the words did sound positive, Terniff felt a weight that kept her from smiling. “I really don’t know how far Renwyn’s home is from here.â€
“Oh, it is about a week from my own home. If I send a messenger through the northern pass, he can make it to my home in slightly over a week. Thus, it will take less than three weeks to make it to Brigallick.â€
The voice of Tasbirn came from a distance, “What is that about Brigallick? Terniff, I cannot have you and Renwyn leaving at this time.â€
Terniff turned not to see the viscount, but her husband rush to her, and after a quick kiss he softly said, “I accepted a mission to get you back out of the castle.†He spoke a little louder as he proclaimed, “It is about time that I saw your home.â€
She replied, “That is true, my lord. I cannot allow us to leave until you are aware of what I am leaving.â€
“Truthfully, by the time that I return, I might have as much time adjusting as you. It has been a few years.â€
Nalisha said, “I feel certain that your people will be rushing to welcome you back.â€
“Thank you, but I want to have the notoriety of not only being part of those who gained victory in the war, but also of restoring a land. I thus promise that I will continue to support your husband.â€
“Well, before the two of you again go slogging through my land, I want your presence and the support of your friendship. That was what you interrupted, my lord and Renwyn. Terniff and I were actually realizing that we could relate to each other. I feel that we were becoming friends.â€
Terniff saw her husband glance at her with an expression of disbelief, so felt the need to make a statement. “I want to leave things at peace behind me.â€
Renwyn wrapped an arm around her and squeezed as he said, “That is a good thing.â€
Tasbirn went to the side of his wife as he said, “Yes, that is how things should be. I however also do not want the two of you wiping your feet when you leave my land. We have all started our married lives by traveling, and it would be a poor life if we never saw each other again.â€
“I feel that we are both accomplishing things, and will need to return to each other to brag on our later accomplishments. But let us not ever brag about friendship, but accept it as a firm truth.â€
Terniff spoke to support her husband. “We have suffered through the war together. Let us ever be joyful when life simply brings us together.â€
In the next installment, I try to give a broader view of events.
Posted by TerishD on Saturday, December 26, 2009 (12:13:26) (271 reads)
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