The Gardens

Ghost smiles at Seamus. I was told growing up it was foolish to dream. A sure way for disappointment to find one.

I hope you get your dream, she said after a pause, thinking about what he had said about his clan. Fine indeed it would be for you.

Looking round them Ghost thought how peaceful it was and smiled contentedly. I like it here Seamus, she said turning her face back to him smiling, and then thinking briefly she raised her eyes to his. Is there anything else you would like to know?

At the lady's comment on foolishness in dreaming, young Seamus unconsciously comes fully erect in his posture, and his eyes take on a fierce, yet flinty, gleam and he speaks, also unconsciously, with the tone of absolute authority that his late cousin or his own father would have used as clan chief "Foolish?? Therre be noo shame nor is it the practice of fools tae drream of better things. Gently, he takes both her hands, and looks her squarely in the eye, and continues Dream yer dream, lass, an' hold to it. For tae drream is tae hope. An' tae hope is tae know life. Realizing his action, he blushes deep scarlet, and lets go her hands. Err...Pardon. I shouldnae hae laid hand on yer person wi'out yer let. Forgive me, My Lady.

Ghost was surprised by Seamus' reaction to her comment and looked up at him as he stood erect, seeing the authority he commanded and listened to his words. She held his eye as he looked at her squarely, her hands clasped by his hands, not pulling back or away as he spoke. She understood what he said and seeing his embarrassment as he released her hands she smiled softly at him.

No, it's fine Sir, I took no offence, she said quietly, her hands seeming to tingle from the contact. There's nothing to forgive. I've clung to dreams always Seamus, yes hope they are indeed.

A quiet nod and smile, and Seamus asks the lady Sae. Ye be comfortable, an' enjoying yer visit tae our home, hey? If nae, I shall fix it, just tell me what be lackin'.

Ghost laughs softly. There's no need to fix a thing, she replied genuinely. I am finding my stay very pleasant indeed, including the present company. She smiled at the young man shyly, unable to find the Stryke home lacking in anything.

A smile. A self deprecating shrug. A new thought, and he says Did ye know tha' right now, this verra minute, therre be not less than three members of the Knights of the Realms of England in this house? Any more, an' Caiti weel hae ta' ask th' Knight Commander tae make this an outpost of the orrder. A humourous grin, and twinkle in the eye says he is most pleased by his realization.

Ghost smiles at his amusement, seeing the twinkle in his eyes as she listens to him. Three members? Who might they be Sir? she asked thinking she had seen none there as she looked round the Hall earlier.

Brows raised slightly, just slightly surprised that his companion did not know the answer to her question, Seamus quietly says, Dame Caitilin de Lusignon, Sir Baldar de Lusignon, an' me ain humble self, Seamus, Lairrd Rood, a simple yeoman, an ' not yet sworn squire tae a knight sponsor. We dinnae much advertise our affiliation. According to the Code, it is called being "covered", in other words only the smallest hint of it. Some might also say incogito, though tha' is nae right. Caiti an' Baldar, believe have the order marshalled upon their coats of arms, an' I will hae eventually. But otherwise, we dinna generally announce it. I merely thought ye might be interested tae know.

Ghost nodded as she listened to Seamus and tried hard to look serious, but a smile breaking through and she gave up and laughed. Make that a fourth Sir, she said laughing softly. I, myself am a Knight of the Realm... just for many reasons have not been extremely active. Ghost looked down, feeling ashamed at her lack of activity. She also was looking for a new Knight, one who would teach her properly. In all the time that she had been KoTR she had had very little guidance from her previous Knight.

I don't advertise my membership... my now dead husband didn't like my affiliation to anything but himself. Ghost looked down blushing.

Raising a brow, he says, Lass, ye might wish tae get hold of Sir David. He is returned to the Realm, and thinks ye've moved on, an' no longer are his squire. A gentle smile, Aye, lass. I knew. But we dinnae advertise, hey?

I already sent word to the Knight Commander and to Cait about that very subject Sir, she smiled. I have seen what has been said and yes when they knew my circumstances... well it doesn't matter. Sir David knows I haven't moved on.

Ghost sighed and looked away. She had so much to correct due to her long time absence.

Listening to Lady Ghost, he takes on a warm expression, and makes bold to give a hug, murmuring In tha' case, welcome back sister

Blushing Ghost hugged Seamus back, quite moved that he had been so bold, but not minding in the least.

Cait has prepared apartments for me and my daughter, she told him smiling. I believe my training will begin soon...

Seamus nods, then says At least ye hae a knight. I cannae make a choice yet. Therre be several I feel drawn tae. An' dinnae keep callin' me sir, ie yer please. I keep lookin' fer me Da when ye say tha' worrd. An I am nae old enow tae be a sir, anyway. Fumbling about inside his ever-present belt pouch, he drags out a large silver chased briar burl pipe, which he holds up questioningly, murmuring Do ye mind, lass? I thought since we be relaxin' an' such tha' I might take carre of two birds, so tae speak.

Ghost giggled and looking at him thought no he was not old. Well if it's all the same to you I'll call you Seamus and not Sir, she laughed softly, her eyes twinkling. But please no more Lady for me too... its Ghost to my friends. She smiled and watched as Seamus took out a pipe from a belt pouch...

Please feel free, she smiled. I like the smell, but it's been a long time since I did... she paused thinking back to her father and his pipe. Felt so long ago, before she had left her first home, the home she had grown up in. It is nice out here, she smiled looking round them, enjoying the fresh air, glad to have not stayed in a stuffy Hall.

Now chuckling openly, Seamus says Ach. Ye could call me well nigh anything, e'en some mushy name, sae lang as ye dinnae call me late tae dinner Snickering at his attempt at a joke, he fills his pipe, then makes a tiny pile of sticks and twigs to work over with flint and steel.

Ghost laughed with him, relaxing more now, especially as they had got past the formaliities.

Oh nothing worse than being called to dinner late, for sure, she laughed remembering how her late brother used to tell the same joke. She smiled as she watched him prepare his pipe, how meticulous he was.

Will you show me the stables another day? she asked thinking. My horse Hessle will want a ride out for exercise I am sure, Ghost said, recalling the road she had come and the countryside surrounding the route and the Castle even. Ghost stopped, blushing she hoped Seamus would not think her too forward, but she felt comfortable enough with him to not be shy. Ghost smiled to herself how very often in big gatherings she was often at a loss, her soul needing the freedom of the outside.

Looking up from what he was doing, he murmurs O' course, Ghost. I mun show ye anathin ye want. Sae lang as it is nae locked, of course. We wouldna want tae gae bargin' in on sommat that's private. Finally a spark catches, and he nurses his tiny fire enough to get a burning twig to light his pipe with.

Ghost smiles at him. Thank you Si... Seamus, she stammers, nearly slipping up, blushing at her near mistake. Well I am quite looking forward to exploring the Castle more, she said chuckling. I hear the training hall is scary.

Ghost watched as finally Seamus had his small fire to light his pipe.

With a tiny smirk, he says Bah! Th' only fear in therre is what ye take in wi' ye. Though I should warrn ye, me late cousin told me all aboot Caiti's nasty habit o' using barfighting moves.

Ghost smiles as she listens to Seamus, her eyes going to his as he mentions Cait's tactics. Barfighting? Oh... she said quickly. Cait will have her work cut out with me, she giggled, a little nervously. I've never really had to 'fight'. My poor sword has rarely been used.

Ghost looked at Seamus' scimitar and wondered if it had been used much, of if he used a sword mostly.

Seeing Ghost's eyes flick to the scimitar at his hip, Seamus asks Aye, lass? What is it? I see th' question in yer eye. Having spoken he contentedly puffs his pipe to life, then very carefully stomps out his tiny fire, and covers it in earth with his foot.

Ghost looks up at Seamus and nods, realising he is quick, had noticed her looking at his scimitar.

Have you used it much? she asked quietly. Or do you usually use a sword, or other weapon when there is a need.

Slightly embarrassed by her questions she looks down at where he has covered his fire with earth.

Seamus' grows quiet for a moment. Honestly, I hae used whatever weapon was closest to hand, be it sword, axe, or boar spear and bow. At Carlisle, I used a normal longsword. As a personal preference, however, I prrefer th' curved blades, as I dinnae tend tae stay put on th' field. If I could find a hand-and-a-half version, or a small tulwar, I mun gae wie that instead o' the scimitar. In the meantime, this be a sweet blade, an' it werre just layin' in the armoury, sae I grabbed it.

Ghost listened and as the list of weapons grew she looked at Seamus a moment before asking, Do you mean hand-and-a-half of that? she asked pointing to the scimitar, unsure what he meant. Ghost looked at him and chuckled. The scimitar was just laying around? You'll have Marie after you, she laughed looking around. I'll hide ya' if need be Seamus.