The Guest Sitting Room

Caitilin hesitated but a moment before drinking the small glass of distilled plum juices. At once her eyes teared and her throat burned. Taking a deep gasping breath she coughed. The tears rolled down her cheeks. In a hash whispering voice voice she said, Thank you and took the apple juice from Baldar to put out the fire. Breathing slowly she looked at Baldar. Innocent plums, indeed!

She graciously accepted the glass for Diablo.

I would be happy to try Grappa, m'Lord Diablo. What have I got to lose but my faculties. It has been a long time since spirits have passed my lips. Cait looked at Baldar with a grin. She whispered. I hope I don't get tipsy. We have yet to have dinner.

Accepting the glass from Diablo, she held for a moment. Cait took a deep breath and drank. The clear liquid warmed instead of burned. Feeling the room start to spin, Caitilin took hold of Baldar's arm. My love, perhaps I should sit down. It seems the combination of the two drinks has had an affect on me. Gentlemen thank you for the drinks. She smile at Diablo and Darrexus and looked for the nearest place to sit.

My thoughts exactly Lord Baldar, he smiles, who would have thought a plum would do this.
And other fruit at that. We make spirits out of grapes, apricots, apples, pears, cherries, everything. Believe it or not it all started with a spirit made out of honey...
He was going to eat something before continuing with wine before don Luciano awoke his curiosity with the grappa, and watching lady Caits reaction as she is taking a seat, Darrexus looks at the grappa glasses, then at lady Cait.. then at the grappa... then at lady Cait.... then at the grappa... then at don Luciano...
Count me in!
He takes a glass.
Alla Salute!
He drinks it in one, sipping some apple juice afterwords.
Nice! And doesn't lack the punch at all. Say, does it have something to do with grapes? Hehe, gave my head some weight in any case.
A maid serves a food plate.
Just in time, these spirits sure opened my appetite.

Darrexus wrote:

My thoughts exactly Lord Baldar, he smiles, who would have thought a plum would do this.
And other fruit at that. We make spirits out of grapes, apricots, apples, pears, cherries, everything. Believe it or not it all started with a spirit made out of honey...

Cait looked up from the chair that she occupied. Honey? Then it is mead? Ahhh... Then it is fine. Ohhhh! Her complexion paled and Cait closed her eyes and placed her head in her hands. The dizziness continued.

Marie entered and took one look at Caitilin and rushed to her side. M'Lady, you need to rest. You are not well. Come I'll take you to your room. Marie helped Cait to her feet. As she passed Baldar, Marie whispered. Lady Caitilin will be fine she just needs some rest. The day has been too much for her. Cait's maid led her to their room for a much needed rest.

Irish wrote:

Irish stepped into the sitting room and spotted her cousin sitting there amongst a group of men.Walking over Irish leaned over and placed a friendly kiss on her cousins cheek, Good evening Gentlemen,I trust you are all enjoying yourselves. Cornish, I was wondering,since Ice couldn't make the trip here with me would you be kind enough to provide me with a bit of ,erm, arm and eye candy? Besides I believe there is a meeting going on in the conference room with ideas and information we could both take back home to Wiltshire.

*I grab my tankard and off my arm*

"Of Course not.. it will be my pleasure"

Come then,. There is a meeting going on with all of the foriegn Trade Ministers and I think we can get some ideas that will help Wiltshire. If nothing else maybe we can get ideas to help the mayors. I wonder if they have any ideas for international trading. It would be great now that Southampton has it's port finished.
Irish took the arm Cornish offered and let him lead the way.

After grabbing one of the books from the library, I walk into the room and just sit in the nearest and most comfortable looking chair, making sure I get some light from the fire. I then immediately open the book and start reading, not wanting to intrude on anyone's conversations where I'm obviously not a part of.

Entering the sitting room with Lady Trisalene, the young fellow ushers his guest to a large chair, saying, H..here we are. On behalf of the family, please be welcome in this house. Make yerself tae home. Will you take sommat tae drink, whilst I bespeak Marie and the cooks for something to eat? As he speaks he gestures toward the well stocked liquor cabinet.

Stepping over to the liquor cabinet, the young man takes two of his cousin's goblets and fills them with one of the pale wines that are always kept in stock. Offering a goblet to Trisalene, he says It is a lot quieter here, with the cousins. A..and this place is grand, compared to where one was raised. Border hamlets tend tae be a bit...err...rough hewn...compared to this. But I do like it herre b..better. W..would you care for a bite tae eat? Surely I can find Marie an' arrange sommat.

"Oh yes... the food." Trisa takes the wine and shakes her head. "Forgive me, the wind is still in my ears as it seems. Just something light and hot would be excellent, thank you."

Trisa smiles, bringing the goblet beneath her nose and swirling the pale liquid to bring the bouquet up to her... breathing in the aroma. The goblet tilts with a curve of her wrist as she tastes the wine. Usually preferring red, she finds the white is actually quite tasty.

Setting her cloak over the arm of the chair then, Tris turns her gaze toward the hearth while she waits for Seamus to return.

Falcon enters after a long ride and see's Lady Trisalene in the sitting room. Bowing to the Lady he says' good to see you in here on a chilly night. Pouring a drink, he motions for James to put up her coat. It is a pleasure to have you Grace our humble abode. I hope you find it and everyone accommodating milady.

He hears Seamus and Marie talking in the kitchen, sounds to me like you will be here for dinner .

After speaking to Master Seamus Marie hurried off to the kitchen. The cook was alerted to Lady Trisalene's presence and was already preparing a late dinner for those that would be hungry.

Will this family ever eat at regular times? Hannah mumbled. But her skills always produced the finest eatables anywhere. Marie prepped the tray as Hannah pull from the fire a roast pheasant. The skin golden with butter and herbs. Fresh fruit, cheese, bread and a light wine were set on the trolley for delivery to the honored guests. There! I hope that will satisfy. Hannah removed her apron and looked at Marie with a smile.

Marie returned her smile and winked at the cook... There is never a dull moment in this family you know that and it is what keeps us here. She added the wine, large plates, knives and forks and fine linen napkins to the trolley.

She curtsied as she re-entered the sitting room.

My Lady, Master Seamus and Lord Falconfire, if you please, the cook has prepared a light supper for your enjoyment. With her usual flare Marie set a large table with the offered fare.

Roast Pheasant.....


Bread, cheese, fresh fruit and a light wine to compliment the roasted bird....

Turning Marie curtsied low. If there is anything else you require please do not hesitate to ring for me.

At the door she turn and with a small bow she left and closed the door.

I'm sure Seamus will be here shortly, my Lady, and I would hardly classify you as just any visitor. Please just call me Fal if you would. May I pour you some more wine, we do keep some quite nice red wine from a private vineyard in France.

I really appreciate the offer for dinner but I really need to take care of a few things and I ate earlier. I will just keep you company till my nephew arrives if you don't mind. He should know better than to leave such a lovely Lady alone, smiling. If you have some time on your visit I would like to talk with you about our present military, as you might well no this family is a military one. For now please relax and make yourself at home.

Seeing Serilina, the chamber maid, Falcon excuses himself to the Lady Trisalene and walks over to her and informs her, we will be having a guest tonight and to please get a guest suite ready. Miss Serilina this is no ordinary dignitary, she might well be the one to save England one day, winks. If you could find those sweets you like to put out and some fresh flowers please. We have to take good care of Seamus's friend .

Returning to Lady Trisalene, so what brings you out this way tonight?

Having made arrangements, the young man returns to the sitting room and sees his uncle talking with their guest. "Ello, Uncle. How goes the Realm today? I see you've met our guest. With a grateful nod and smile for the departing Marie, he steps over near the table and murmurs Lady, wilt a..allow one tae serve yer meal? Fal is right, a good red would be just right fer a late evening dinner. So saying, he stands ready to prepare a plate for the lady.

A faint chill seems to pool around the small table, and the guest there. The light of the fireplace and candles grows dim, as a faint mist seemingly wisps from the very stone of the walls. In the flickering light, a watcher might imagine that they see the figure of an old grey man standing ramrod straight, dressed in well worn steel studded leather armor, with a pair of gold spurs glittering at his heels. This seeming shade appears to be eyeing the lady guest fiercely, it's visage appearing as if carved from the very granite of the highlands where the shade grew up. As the light continues to flicker, the figure seems to flicker also, appearing now in unadorned black shirt and kilt, with a familiar blue and white tartan, a silver torque round its neck, and a single great ruby glittering on its right hand. A faint whisper of sound comes, seemingly filtering up through the stone of the keep, sounding as if it comes from some vast distance...Sssooooo...ssspeak lass...who be ye...who are ye that comes herre bearing the colors of England graven in yer bones?.... As the faint light steadies, the visage of the shade now appears in plain black, with torque and ruby ring, but with the silver filet of a noble about its brow. A watcher might take the impression that whomever was this shade in life, the man was one fully in command of his surroundings. A wisp of air stirs, as the shade seems to gesture slightly that the lady guest should sit at table and speak.

As the young man stands ready to wait on the lady guest, a faint chill and the feeling of a distinct presence becomes almost tangible. Seeing a flicker, he peers round, and his eyes lock upon a near-transparent figure to one side. Eyes wide as dinner plates, face gone white as fresh cream, the young man takes no notice of the plate he had held breaking on the floor, as his fingers instinctively curl in the ancient sign of warding. Eventually a strangled whisper breaks past his lips...Mother of Trees...

Falcon standing there with wide open eyes, watching as Lady Trisalene speak to his dead brother. I think this would be a good time for me to go, nodding to the spirit before he turns to the Lady Trisalene. Jah I hate when he does that, it gives me the creeps! Milady he only comes around if things are important, I will leave you and Seamus to dinner and you to a conversation with my brother Hagman. I hope to see you tomorrow, see you later Seamus. Falcon heads to the upper level walking off talking to himself.............man I hate that.....brrrrrrrrr.......man!

Flickering slightly, and now nearly transparent, the seeming shade can be seen to narrow it's eyes somewhat. Peering as if through a thick mist, the visage of the spectre softens, just slightly, as Falconfire steps away. Turning once again to the lady guest, the shade of the old man appears to smile faintly. Once more, a whisper of sound, almost a memory of voice drifts through the room...Child of the land...sairrvant of England...an' what bring yerself tae this humble house of fellow sairrvants then?...Dinna mind me brother, nor me young coosin therre...Some dinnae take weel when I come tae call... Even as it speaks, the spectre seems to struggle to keep itself visible to mortals..Perhaps it is tiring to do so, or perhaps it is just those rules which apply to the recently dead...

Trisalene notes Fal's exit and then jumps slightly to the breaking of the plate on the floor before looking back to the wavering shade as the voice sounds again softly throughout the room. She swallows notably and her voice shakes just slightly as she answers.

"I...I have come to see your honored household... and your noble family here. W-welcomed more warmly than one would expect at this hour and unannounced. ..." She pauses, uncertain how to continue.

"You are one once called Hagman, yes? My lord... I... you." She pauses again, taking a breath in an attempt to relax the energy coursing through the room and herself with his wavering presence. She bows her head humbly. "Tis an honor to finally speak with you... be that it happen as ye have passed this life perhaps is unfortunate. Please... let that my presence here be not of disturbance. If i'tis I shall humbly take my leave, my lord."

Somewhat stiffly she turns her eyes downcast, unsure what his presence here means or whether hers had disturbed this house in some way without her meaning. Slowly she raises her emerald eyes toward the wisping mists.

Shaking himself hard out of his daze, the young man stares back and for twixt shade and lady, almost unbelieving. Finally summoning what nerve he possesses, he murmurs Cousin...why do ye rise? Surrely isnae a need, hey? Ye nigh gave uncle Fal hearrt failure...again. Tis ainly the lady herre, nae the Regent. Tis nae as if England hersel' werre come

As the young man speaks, the eyes of the shade seem to flash red fire, just for a split second, and a harsh peal of thunder rocks the castle. Through the rumbling, almost seeming born of it, a new sound can be heard wisping through the air, like a faint growl and a hard voice...Young churl, barrin' the presence of the Regent orr th' King's Own Pairrson, the Earrl Marshall IS England. Dinnae speak o' such things, boy, except that ye knoo wherreof yer speakin. As the shade speaks a crack of lightning outside seems to punctuate the words.

After several moments pass quietly, the shade peers once more at the lady guest, and it's voice sounds.
Ye've disturrbed naught, lass. Nor shall, neither. Twas merely that yer presence was felt by meself, an' I bethought me that I mun come see what brings sooch a one. Aye, tha' werre my name, though I were called many others, an' none sae kind. Dinnae fash yerself aboot it lass, it be we herre who are honoured by yer visit. Tha' young rapscallion overr therre hae made ye comfortable an' offered sommat tae refresh ye wie, has he nae?

Trisalene looks on, feeling the erupting of thunder to her core. As the specter's attention returns to her, her eyes seem to flicker with the resounding lightning beyond their view as she listens to the kind words offered to her. A resurgence of energy fills her then. Oddly, a sense of peace settles within.

"Aye, that he has... As for me, I am but one servant among many, my lord. ...Your presence and your words honor me more than I can say or know in myself. Let not false words of the living past linger with ye... for much love and honor remains upon you in your wake." With this, Trisa offers a warm, brilliant smile to her spectral host... gazing upon the mists without fear, as if he were of the purest light. "I thank thee, for ye have warmed this welcome greatly... Lord Hagman... passed, yet still strong in heart and spirit. As I felt upon the day you were laid to rest and yet unknown to me, I feel you truly still upon this eve. ...May I serve well, and keep those you watch over in what my humble self may offer."

She lets out her breath then and looks to Seamus, offering him a warm smile, feeling that this place has brought much more than she ever expected in her coming.

Welcome, an' well come are you then, lady. Be ye as kin in this house, an let yer cares g'way herre. For in this place am I still upon the watch. Dinna mind me young coosin, therre, for he be a guid lad at heart, an' follows sommat in me ain path, though he be young yet. With a deep courtly bow, a broad wink, and an impish smile, the shade fades from view entirely.