Reception for the World Conderence Guests

Rothar bow's politely. Greetings Lady Merlyna,

Walks over and says hi to the young lady.
Please tell me does it all go well in Worcestor?

Motioning for Marie, to give Roth a refill of whiskey.

Approaching his Excellency with a smile on her lips...which was rare for the elder retainer, Marie presented Lord Rose with with another glass and a bottle of Lord Hagman de Stryke's specially blended single malt Scottish whiskey. One of the few bottles that still remain in the De Stryke cellars

Cait made her way across the room to to greet a few of the arriving guests. Lady Tasite, good of you to come. I hope all is well with your family. How are things progressing in Cumberland? You know we have spend so much time there over the past year or so, Baldar and I feel it is our second home. So much so that we will be moving there.

She spied the young lady from Ayr and smiled as she joined her and Roth. Becki it is a pleasure to have here. You certainly look refreshed after your rest. I hope this scoundrel is introducing you around. I want you to feel at home here. Cait gave Roth a wink.

Becki grinned at Roth then looked around to see if there were a servant nearby, "If you are having Whisky I might have some too." Seeing Cait approach she smiled again, "I am glad to be here. I am feeling refreshed thank you. I just arrived a few moments ago so I haven't had a chance to be introduced around yet, but do not worry, I will pester Roth here to do the job or do it myself. I have been made to feel most welcome here so far."

Rothar rings the bell, Marie can you get Lady Becki a glass of your Scottish Whiskey please.

Becki let me introduce you the following people.

Well lets see:

You've already met Caitlin, and baldar - hostess and host.
Marie, Loyal family servant
Lady Roberta - possibly from Somerset.
Aiiane de Grey - I think from Cumberland.
Merlyna - Chancellor of Worchester
Tasite - Chancellor of Cumberland

Becki smiles at everyone as they are introduced. "Very nice to meet you all. Tasite...have we met before or am I thinking of someone else? We might have a common friend-Krezlar? If thats the case maybe I have just heard him mention you."

Aiiane smiled warmly and inclined her head gracefully in Lady Becki's direction. "Most pleased to make your acquaintance. And indeed, Lord Rothar, I am from Cumberland currently although originally I hail from Stafford."

Lady Caitilin, thank you for asking and yes all it well with my family, how is your lovely family doing. Cumberland things are progressing, well but you know that can always change in a moment notice especially up north. Smiling, it will be great to have you and your family in Cumberland to living up the place.

Tas moves to greet other in the room staring with one familiar face Lord Roth how wonderful it is to see you again, Lady Becki no we have not met yet but we do have Krezlar in common, it is wonderful to finally meet you, Krez talk of his family and friends all the time. Lady Aiiane how wonderful it is to see you once again I hope all is well with you. Lady Roberta and Lady Merlyna it is a pleasure to meet you.

Giving Tasite a gracious nod, "We have suffered recent losses with the death of Princess Gabrielle, followed by that of her loving husband - and my cousin, Pieter. Yet, our silver lining is the delightful child, Josina Hamilton-de Grey. Gabby was tending to her after the death of her brother - Josina's father - Serdan, who was briefly married to my niece Lady Brianna, who passed away many years ago. I am now learning to be a mother, not a role which I am best suited, I fear."

Rothar, smiled he hadn't seen Lady Tasite for a while
he called into Carlisle to visit his friend.
But the capital looked deserted and he sat alone in the tavern.

But he was very pleased to catch up with Tas again.

What has the fine Lady Tasite been up to recently?
Roth sips on whiskey and listens intently.

Baldar had left the room, to see to certain things in the castle, he made his way back to the room,
goes to stand near his wife,and greets the guests that had arrived I could do with some whiskey, marie can you get me a drab??

smiling to Lady Aiiane, you will be a fine mother,mi Lady, and we are all saddenend with the princesses departing we will miss her turning to his guests

I hope everyone is fine and continue to enjoy there stay here.

The next few days I will be organising a hunt as we have deer and boar in the forest, I hope some of you will join me and Cait. he takes a sip of the whiskey, tis a fine whisky.

Remmi's ears perked up. "Did someone say hunt?" He grinned and bumped into Rothar. "So many lovely ladies here. This will be a great conference."

Your Grace, Remmi

We are delighted you could attend the conference.
Rothar says,"Everyone I'd like you to meet Remmi - Duke of Ayr County, Scotland

I hope you will stay around, and meet several of the ambassadors.
Also the host Caitilin and Baldar who were generously enough to
invite us all to this esteemed event.

Roth, grins yes the ladies here are delightful to watch.

Aiiane you simply must bring Josina here for a visit. The boys have very little chance to play with other child. Motherhood is a mix of laughter and empathy. you will do wonderfully.

Cait slipped her hand in Baldar's and smiled as he announced the hunt. For those who wish, our stables are at your disposal. We have many fine steeds for the hunt.

Baldar wrote:

he takes a sip of the whiskey, tis a fine whiskey.

Caitilin leaned close to her husband. It is one of Hagman's special blends.

When the Duke of Ayr was presented, she curtsied. You are most welcome your Grace.

Smiling at Cait, "I am most grateful that Gabby laid a good foundation upon which to build. Josina is well-mannered with a very inquisitive mind. I'm sure it shall keep me upon my toes."

She took a sip of her watered wine before speaking once more. "Thank you for the invitation. It would be my pleasure to bring Josina round for a visit. I'm sure she would enjoy it as well."

Rothar wrote:

Rothar rings the bell, Marie can you get Lady Becki a glass of your Scottish Whiskey please.

Becki let me introduce you the following people.

Well lets see:

You've already met Caitlin, and baldar - hostess and host.
Marie, Loyal family servant
Lady Roberta - possibly from Somerset.
Aiiane de Grey - I think from Cumberland.
Merlyna - Chancellor of Worchester
Tasite - Chancellor of Cumberland

It is nice to meet you Becki. Incidentally I am from Cornwall, close to Somerset.

A young scotsman enters the family sitting room quietly. Clad in unrelieved black tunic and kilt, his only ornaments an ancient braided silver torque about his neck, and a great ruby signet upon his right hand, the young fellow could easily be taken for a soldier or servant. Looking about, as he makes his way to a sideboard where resides a collection of goblets, wines, and spirits, he notes that a number of nobles, and other worthies have gathered. Greetings, Lairrds an' Ladies. Welcome to our home. Perhaps a mon might freshen yer drinks, or gie ye sommat tae start wi'?

Seeing Seamus, Cait smiles warmly at her cousin. She goes to his side and slips her arm through his. Ahhh cousin, I am so glad you are here. She grins and kisses his cheek.

Grinning at his cousin, young Seamus murmurs Of course I am herre, cousin. I wouldna want yerself tae have tae chase after all these folk yerself. Besides, he says, laying a conspiratorial finger along his nose, Mayhaps one mun see one or t'other of a certain pair o' lasses. One from Somerset, an' one from Sussex. Of course, I'll nae be admittin' tha' in public, dont ye know The last being said in a mock whisper, he gives his cousin a devious look and a broad wink.

With a feigned look of surprise at Seamus' comment, Cait looked about the room for the "lasses" in question. Ummm Somerset and Sussex. She scanned the room and then looked back to her cousin. Well Seamus, you certainly look dapper enough to capture the heart of any fair maiden. I'll leave you to your quest. Thank you again for your help. Caitilin patted his arm and moved to circulate among their other guests. She turned back and winked at her cousin.

Looking at his clothing, Seamus murmurs Bah...I dinnae look dapper. Merely comfortable. Taking up a butler's cloth, which he lays across his arm, he then takes up a flagon of pale wine, and begins to move around the room, looking to see if any of their guest need something to drink.

Aiiane had moved further into the room, until she had come to stand by an imposing fireplace. It had begun to burn low and a couple of servants had moved the screen aside to stoke it up and replenish the logs. Once the task was accomplished, they moved on to other duties and she remained, watching the bright yellow and orange tongues lick up at the wood. It was well seasoned, but from time to time, a bit of dried rosin would melt and making a hissing noise as it was consumed.

In the background was the drone of many voices, every once in a while punctuated with laughter or shout of greeting. By nature, she supposed she was a solitary creature, for her circle of friends was very small and she was always uncomfortable in these sorts of engagements, for she lacked many of the social graces that came so easily to others. She had never been good at trivial intercourse, preferring silence to idle chatter and only speaking if she truly had something she wished to say. Many found such silence unnerving, but those with whom she shared a kindred spirit did not find the long, companionable quiet awkward, such as Gour or even Gregarious.

An image came to her mind and she could not suppress a quiet chuckle - the talk, talk, talk of so many people came to her ears as the buzzing of so many busy bees around a hive - a sound which never failed to make her drowsy. Perhaps she would need to ask Marie for a cup of strong tea to insure she did not fall asleep and embarrass herself or the de Grey name.

Seeing a familiar face at the hearth, Seamus slips over, and stands in companiable silence for a moment. Standing quietly beside Lady Aiiane, he eventually murmurs Welcome to our home, sister. Ye'll be after wantin' a wee pot of tea, hey? Mayhaps I can sneak one away from Marie, in a bit. She gets a might irritable when a body messes about in her kitchen. Chuckling quietly, the young man lets his eyes drift around the room, as he watches the guests of the house mingling.

She sensed his presence, even before he spoke – the faint scent of his pipe tobacco announcing him more plainly to her than a trumpet. Then the soft brogue washed over her like the calm of the sea. Aiiane looked up from her musings, laughing softly – her green eyes warm and liquid as a highland lake. “Be ye fey, brother of my heart? For ye have read my mind as if I had spoken the words. I had thought watering the wine would be enough, but I fear if I am not to be found snoozing in some corner, I shall need a cup or three of strong tea. It must be that the discomfort of watch on a frigid night is all that can keep this solider awake.”

Aiiane nodded as he spoke of Marie, jealously guarding her fief, "I understand Marie completely. My dear Deeny, Jah rest her soul, was the same. She did not like one to meddle in what she considered her bailiwick."

A warm chuckle escaping him, young Seamus murmurs Na, Na, sister. I amnae fey, though me great grandma werre, or so the oldsters said. Tis merely tha' I know how comforting it is tae be in such warrm surroundings, and in presence of yer shieldbrethren at same time. Yer heart know it can trust enough tae relax, herre. Weel. Take yer ease an' be content, an' I shall see if I can slip round Marie, an bring a pot. An' perhaps a wee taste of sommat else too.