The Worlds of Katherine Kurtz

FanFiction => Evie's FanFic => Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered => Topic started by: Evie on July 11, 2011, 12:30:45 PM

Title: Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered--Chapter Twelve
Post by: Evie on July 11, 2011, 12:30:45 PM
   Chapter Twelve

   June 21, 1134
   The St. Nicholas Sanctuary for Women and Orphans, the Earldom of Derry


   "What is he doing here?"  Lady Jennet stared at her father in shock.

   "Looking for you, dear."  Countess Celsie gave the baron of Levington a polite nod before turning back towards his daughter.  "Your father arrived at my door yesterday evening.  Apparently, when you ran away from him that second time, he sent directly to the King in Rhemuth in hopes of securing Sir Sextus's services to find you and bring you back once again.  Of course, since the two of you never stopped in Rhemuth on your flight from Levington to Kinlochan, Kelson told the messenger to seek Sir Sextus out in Kinlochan instead.  He, of course, had no knowledge that you were still in Sir Sextus's keeping."  She glanced briefly at me.  "At least I don't think he knows that yet.  As far as anyone knew at that point, Lady Jennet had simply escaped her chambers and run off again, and your departure that same morning was purely coincidental.  Wasn't that the case, Lord Garulf?"

    The baron of Levington studied me with a jaundiced eye.  "Yes, my lady.  But once my messenger returned stating that Sir Sextus was nowhere to be found in Rhemuth, I grew suspicious, for one of my guards had told me Sir Sextus had received a message that morning with an urgent summons back to Rhemuth on King's business.  Since the King said nothing to my messenger of this, I began to suspect some sort of ruse, so I rode directly to Kinlochan to confront him." He glared at me before continuing his story.  "I got there not long after his departure.  I was told by one of the stewards that Sir Sextus had ridden to Desse in the company of the dowager baroness of Kinlochan and a fair young maiden whose description matched my daughter's.  After inquiring further, I was told that their party was hoping for an audience with you...something about seeking sanctuary.  So I made haste to intercept them."

   "And riding unencumbered by a large party and the need to draw a coach and carry a lot of baggage, you made better time in your journey?"

   "Indeed, my lady."  He glanced at his daughter.  "And I'd like my daughter back now, if you please."

   "Of course, my lord.  I have no grounds to prevent her from returning to her legal liegelord.  But if I might ask, what have you to say about her objections to marrying Lord Odwyn?  You realize that, when it comes down to it, you can't actually force her to the match, or she will have grounds to seek sanctuary if she's coerced into a marriage against her will?"  She glanced at Jennet.  "Though not here, dear; I'd suggest a convent for the purpose, and it would be best if you're willing to at least consider taking holy vows."  She turned back towards the baron, her expression expectant.

   Lord Garulf shuffled his feet, looking sheepish.  "Truth be told, my lady, I've had a falling out with Lord Odwyn.  I suppose I don't mind giving Jennet her head in this; I've decided Lord Odwyn won't suit after all."

   Jennet looked shocked.  "You've fallen out?  Why?"

   Her father shrugged.  "Odwyn got all in a huff when I said I was going after you, sweeting.  Said it was decent weather for a hunt, and he didn't see the need to go haring off after some wayward wench when we could be out snaring hares instead."  Lord Garulf favored his daughter with a lopsided smile.  "It was good hunting weather, but you're a bit more dear to me than a brace of coneys.  And you might be a wayward wench, but you're my wayward wench!"  He studied his daughter thoughtfully.  "What would you say to marrying Lord Benedict instead?  He's in need of a wife as well, and his lands are convenient enough to Levington.  Not so close as Lord Odwyn's, but close enough."

   "Lord Benedict?!"  Lady Jennet made a small moue, then shrugged.  "Well, I suppose he's not that bad, and at least he knows what a handkerchief is for.  But...he's a bit old, isn't he?"

   Her father chuckled.  "No, lass, I meant Benedict the Younger, not his father.  He's not old at all, maybe around Sir Sextus's age, and while he ain't as much of a pretty-boy, I don't reckon he's too hard to look at, though I'm hardly the best judge of that sort of thing.  And he's said to be a patient, steady sort.  Hopefully he's got a fair bit more sense than Sir Sextus."  Lord Garulf shot me another killing look.  I held my tongue, deciding silence was my ally.

#

   The audience was over.  Father and daughter were escorted into a nearby chamber to continue their reunion in private.  Countess Celsie rose, walking up to me and patting my cheek.  "You poor dear," she said, an undercurrent of laughter in her voice.  "Aren't you glad that's over?"

   "You have no idea!" I murmured feelingly.  

   She turned to Lady Avisa with a curious smile.  "If I might ask, are you actually betrothed to Sir Sextus, or was that merely a ruse?  You seemed to be stating the truth earlier, but then again, from all I've heard about Sir Sextus from his sister-in-law, hearing he'd accepted your offer was rather surprising...."

   Avisa gave me a wry smile.  "Sweet Jesú, no, my lady, it wasn't that sort of offer.  I'd hate to see him gnaw his own leg off just to escape my leg-shackles."  

   Celsie laughed out loud.  "I thought as much."  She turned her winsome smile up at me.  "Really, Sir Sextus, you're far too much like my Derry.  Marriage truly won't kill you, you know.  Not if it's to the right woman."

   "I suppose not," I answered noncommittally, bowing over her hand.  "Hasn't killed my brother yet, at any rate.  Though Lady Sophie is a rare treasure."

   "Indeed she is.  Do tell my heart-sister to visit when she can.  I'm dying to catch up on recent events, but my children and my work here keep me from returning to Rhemuth very often.  Are you ready to visit your sister Javana now?"

   "I'd like that, my lady."

   She glanced over at Mistress Minerva.  "Mistress Min will show you where to find her."    

#

   "So there was your Uncle Seisyll, perched precariously on the roof of our manor house, inching his way across to rescue that dratted cat, when what do you suppose your father did?"

   Grub giggled at her aunt.  "Moved the ladder?"

   I peeked into the chamber.  Javana grinned down at Grub's upturned face as Denis, seated behind her, slowly shook his head in remembrance of the event.  To my surprise, he had a faint hint of a smile tugging at his lips.

   "You are his daughter, aren't you?  Yes, he stole that ladder away, and at first no one knew where he'd gone off to with it.  Seisyll, of course, didn't notice that at first, he was so busy edging his way towards the cat, but then with a startled hiss that cat leaped straight through the air...."  Javana's hand sketched an arc in front of her watching audience.  "And she landed on the nearest branch of that same tree that she'd climbed up to get there in the first place."

   "And she got back down on her own?"

   Javana snorted. "Well, you didn't see a cat skeleton up in a tree while you were at Tre-Arilan, did you?"

   Grub giggled.  "No, my lady."

   "That's because cats are smarter than men."  Javana glanced at Denis, who returned her wry smile with a chuckle of his own.

   "So how did Uncle Seisyll get down from the roof?" Grub asked them.  "Did he climb down the tree too?"

   "Oh, no," Denis told her, taking up the story.  "The closest branches were far too small to support even a young boy's weight, and Seisyll was quite close to manhood by then.  He had to wait for the ladder to be returned."

   She giggled.  "When did Six return the ladder?"

   Denis rolled his eyes.  "He didn't.  I did...after giving him quite a thrashing for borrowing it without permission.  He'd needed it to steal apples from the manor orchard, you see."

   "And it wasn't even harvest time yet," Javana added.  "So in addition to a sore bottom, he had quite a sore stomach afterwards from eating green apples."

   "That was stupid," Grub remarked.

   "I return to my original statement about cats," Javana joked, noticing me standing in her doorway for the first time.  "Ah, there you are, Sextus!  I see you're relatively unscathed.  Celsie must have decided to be merciful."

   I glanced at our uncle. "Denis must have told you of my fool's errand, then."

   "That he did, yes, but actually I knew about it before he even told me.   The Baron of Levington arrived just before suppertime yesterday evening, and after hearing his story, the countess called me in to ask after the best way for dealing with you."

   My eyebrows rose.  "And what did you tell her?"

   Javana's blue-violet gaze skewered me.  "That there is no 'best way' for dealing with you; you're a law unto yourself.  I said it would be best to just pitch you into the moat and have done with the business."  A faint grin softened her words, and she stood to give me a sisterly embrace.  "I am glad to see you though, you scapegrace.  Just tell me you didn't...." A glance at my daughter caused her to pause before continuing, with a slight alteration of phrasing, I imagined.  "You didn't take advantage of the...situation with the Levington girl, I certainly hope?"

   "No, of course not!"

   Grub, not taken in by the more obscure phrasing for an instant, smiled reassuringly up at her aunt.  "Don't worry, I chaperoned him.  Lady Avisa said I could share his pallet.  She said it was an important job, keeping Six out of trouble."

   I stared at the child.  So that was why she'd spent every night with me after that first night of the trip from Kinlochan!  She'd told me she'd had nightmares, the lying little runt!

   "Avisa Moreau?"  Javana's eyes sparked with sudden bright interest.  "Lady Avisa is the dowager baroness of Kinlochan?"

   I glanced back up at her, startled.  "Yes, she is.  You know her?"

   My sister gave me a speculative look.  "Not really.  Not well, at any rate; we've only met twice, and that was years ago."  She picked up her needlework, toying with it as she continued.  "It was during one of my early trips back to Rhemuth after marrying Walter, and he didn't approve of me mingling with the other Court ladies—he was probably afraid someone might discover I was under his mental control if they got to know me well enough—so occasions to meet other courtiers' wives were quite limited.  Lady Avisa made a special effort to call upon me once when she'd heard I was in the city.  I'm not entirely certain why, though I was so starved for female companionship, I was grateful for the effort.  She came by the apartment a couple of times while Walter was up at the Castle on Court business, but then Walter and I returned to Caerdraig and our paths haven't crossed since."  She tilted her head, studying me curiously.  "Was she calling on me on your behalf?"

   I shook my head, baffled.  "No, I hadn't met her at the time." Well, actually I had, come to think, though that one brief meeting had been a few years earlier, and I'd not thought enough about it to even remember her name.  Surely I hadn't made that much of an impression on Avisa during that short tour of Rhemuth's grounds?  No, there had to be some other explanation, something much less far-fetched than that.  After all, it was quite possible that Lady Avisa hadn't even been aware that Javana was an Arilan, much less my sister.  Besides, Lady Avisa had married in the same summer my sister had, so if they'd met during one of Javana's early trips back to Rhemuth, surely Baron Edgar's bride would have long since forgotten about any girlish fancies she might have harbored for me before her marriage.

   Javana looked a trifle regretful.  "She must have thought me a cold, distant sort, but there really was a limit to how much I could respond to her overtures of friendship, given the compulsions I was under at that time, and my fear that any outside relationships I might form would draw Walter's attention.  I didn't want any harm to come to her.  Would you tell her for me that I was grateful, even if I was unable to show it?"

   I gave a mental sigh of relief.  Finally, something I might be able to do right on this trip!  "You could tell her yourself, if you'd like.  She's here in Derry.  Shall I arrange a visit before we head back to Kinlochan?"

   My sister gave a startled glance at Denis, then back at me.  "She accompanied you through the Portal from Dhassa?  Is she Deryni?"

   I wasn't certain if Lady Avisa meant that information to be shared or held in confidence, even from my own family, so I merely grinned.  "She just couldn't bear to let me out of her sight," I joked.

   "Yes, because it seems that when I do, the numpty drags home damsels in distress," a voice good-naturedly groused behind me as Grub giggled.  I whirled to see the lady in question standing there, raising her eyebrows at me before looking past me to smile at my sister.  "Well met again, Lady Javana.  I hope you don't mind the interruption of an extra party, but it seems my newest steward is a wayward sort and tends to get himself into trouble if I take my eyes off him."  She crossed her arms, grinning at me challengingly.  

   I laughed, relieved to see her jesting about the matter rather than harboring lingering anger at me.  "I'm sorry, my lady, I didn't realize you'd followed me over from Countess Derry's withdrawing room!"

   "Oh, you meant to leave me waiting on you there?  How ungallant."  Lady Avisa looked as if she might be stuffing down a laugh as she glanced at Denis.  "I'm certain you taught him better, my lord bishop."

   "Indeed," Denis affirmed with an admonishing look at me.  

   I blushed.  "I meant, I thought you were walking through the grounds or something.  Taking in the sights...."  My voice trailed off.  In truth, once the whole ordeal with Lady Jennet had come to its unexpected close, I'd been so relieved to be free from her that I'd only had thoughts of a quick visit to my sister in mind, and then a hasty retreat back to Dhassa to prepare for our journey back to Kinlochan.  The fact that I'd left the dowager baroness of Kinlochan standing around in a stranger's hall without escort, I'd completely failed to notice.  "I'm sorry, Lady Avisa.  I simply didn't think."

   "Apology accepted.  The Countess was delightful company."  She gave me a teasing grin.  "We talked about you, but since you deserted me so abruptly, I won't tell you what you missed."  

   My sister watched the exchange with great interest.  "How did my brother end up in your employ, Lady Avisa?" she asked.  "Have you known him long, or how did you meet him?"

   "Only a few months, really," my patroness said, turning her attention back to my family.  "I made his acquaintance at a couturier's shop while helping him order gowns and undergarments and other female fripperies."  At my sister's startled look, she added, "For Amanda, of course.  Sextus would look quite silly wearing a woman's bliaut."

   Denis gave a reluctant grin.  I knew he was envisioning just that from the devilish gleam in his eyes as he looked at me.

   "You're quite right," Javana added, her voice desert-dry but with an amused glint in her eyes.  "He hasn't the figure to carry it off at all."

   "No, I favor the 'Gates of Hell' myself," I joked, referring to the sideless surcoats that some ladies of fashion had taken to wearing over closely-fitted gowns that showed off their feminine curves to best advantage.

   "You would," Denis retorted with a roll of his eyes at me.

#

   The Lady of Kinlochan was soon seated in the relative comforts of Javana's small chamber.  I leaned against the wall just inside the door, watching quietly as she continued to charm her way effortlessly into my family's good graces.  Even Denis looked utterly besotted. There was the occasional jest at my expense, but all were made good-naturedly and I responded in kind.  Mostly I just watched, troubling thoughts arising as I watched the tableau play out before me, because I had just awakened to a disturbing truth.

   I had somehow, over the past several weeks, managed to fall in love with the damned enchantress before me, or at the very least I was in grave danger of tumbling over the brink of that steep precipice, and I had no idea what to do about the problem.  And it was very much a problem.  I couldn't very well offer for her, after all, at least not in any sort of respectable way.  What could I possibly have to offer to a woman who was my primary source of livelihood?  Nearly everything I held, aside from my daughter and my horse, my arms and armor, and the clothes upon my back, was in my trust solely because this woman, for reasons known only to God I suppose, had seen something in me and entrusted them to me as her steward.  And as her steward, it was one of my duties to guard my lady from fortune-hunters, not to become one.

   Not that her fortune and properties meant anything to me, aside from my gratitude that they enabled her to offer me a position that would allow me to raise up Grub in the way my daughter deserved.  Technically, aside from the dower lands which would remain her own even after the need for her regency had ended, I supposed the entire lot belonged to her son Aldwyn, and as his regent she was simply as much a steward of his possessions as I was.  Still, that hardly made me any more worthy of her.  Even if she were willing to consider a mere knight errant as a second husband, she knew my flaws far too well to ever seriously consider granting me that privilege, no matter what girlish fancies she might have once entertained as a young maiden dazzled by her first visit to Rhemuth Court and feeling the initial stirrings of womanly desire and hopes for romance.

   Not, of course, that I really wanted to be anyone's husband.  I enjoyed being a carefree bachelor far too much to settle down with just one woman, no matter how captivating I found her.

   At least, that's what I told myself.  With any luck, eventually I might start believing it again.

#

   We ended up staying in Derry longer than I'd expected, returning to Dhassa just before nightfall, and only then because Lady Avisa reluctantly reminded Denis that if she remained any longer, her men-at-arms were sure to question her prolonged absence and might start to worry.  

   The Kinlochan men were just returning from their own explorations of the holy city as we returned to the Bishop's Palace.  They were not surprised to discover that Lady Jennet was no longer among us and that there had been an alteration to our travel plans.  Earlier in the morning, I had briefly discussed with Denis whether to inform Lady Avisa's men-at arms of our plans to finish the final leg of our journey via magical means, but as I neither knew what her men might make of that, nor was Denis ready to make it general knowledge that Dhassa's palace had its own private Transfer Portal, we'd decided to inform them that the Bishop had made certain arrangements to convey the maiden on the remainder of the journey, as he also had business of his own to attend to in Derry, and therefore our entourage was no longer required for the purpose.  That explanation proved quite sufficient to allay their curiosity, bolstered as it was with a mild mental suggestion to consider the matter closed and be grateful we'd be returning to Kinlochan a few days sooner than expected.  As for Lady Jennet's own knowledge of the Portal, the countess had taken a few brief moments, as she said her farewells to her guests from Levington, to blur those memories ever so slightly, so that the damsel had left Derry remembering only that the journey from Kinlochan to Derry had been tiring but uneventful, the travel fare mediocre, the camp bed less comfortable than it looked, and my presence altogether too maddening.  In short, she remembered everything quite clearly aside from her brief hop through Denis's Portal and her arrival at the Countess's Portal in Derry.  And as for her father, he'd not actually seen us arrive or leave, so he had no reason to assume there was  anything remarkable about our arrival or departure aside from the speed of our travel while encumbered with a full entourage.

   Denis invited Lady Avisa to join Grub and myself for a private supper in his chambers, while the Kinlochan men, having already dined during their outing, made ready for our departure from Dhassa the following morning.  Although my uncle had graciously invited the dowager baroness to stay as his guest for another day so she could enjoy the sights of the famous city before returning home, she'd declined the offer with equal grace, expressing her hope to return again on some other occasion, but as for this visit, she felt her absence from her sons had lasted long enough, and she also hoped that if we left early enough on the morrow, we might make a detour along our way back to Kinlochan to visit her dower lands.  This was the first I'd heard of such a plan.

   "Where are your dower lands, my lady?  Are they close to Kinlochan?"

   "Not all that close, but not all that far either.  From Chateau de Moreau to Godwyn Hall, it's about a day's ride east and about a half hour north of the Molling River, near the source of one of the streams that feeds into it."

   I thought back on our route.  "Not all that far out of Swinford, then?"

   "No, not far.  Had we arrived in Swinford an hour or two earlier on our way here to Dhassa, I'd have suggested swinging north and spending the first evening of our journey in the comfort of my dower house, but we had barely enough light left to set up camp as it was."  A wry smile.  "And that would have meant coming upon the household unannounced, for which they'd hardly thank me."

   "Not to mention an extra hour's travel in Lady Jennet's company.  I'm not certain which of those would have been the greater trial."

   Avisa gave a mirthless chuckle.  "Is your arm longer now than it used to be?"

   I looked up from my meal in puzzlement.  "My arm?"

   "From your damsel in distress clinging incessantly to it.  You must be relieved all that weight is gone."

   Grub looked up from where she was nearly nodding off over her food.  "Six, do I still have to sleep on your pallet, or are you safe now?  If I have to share a pallet, I'd rather sleep with Lady Avisa."

   So would I. I hastily suppressed the thought.  "Why, do I snore?"

   She giggled.  "No, but you steal all the covers."

   "Oh, does he now?"  Lady Avisa grinned at me.  "Have you tried nailing the edges of the blanket to the bedframe?"

   Denis gave an amused snort.  "Mercy, lady, don't tell her that!  She's her father's daughter; she might actually do it!"

#

   By the time we'd finished our late supper, it was time to retire and rest up for the morning's journey.  A young priest on Denis's staff led the baronial men-at-arms to a nearby dormitorium within the palace which had guest beds prepared for their use, and a novice awaited Lady Avisa and Grub in the corridor just outside the bishop's private apartments, ready to escort them to a convent guest-house just across the courtyard below.  To my surprise, Denis had invited me to stay in his private apartment for the remainder of the night, saying I could sleep as comfortably there as in the dormitorium.

   The Bishop ushered his female visitors towards the door, bidding them both a pleasant evening.  Lady Avisa bowed over his ring in preparation to take her leave.  "Thank you so much for your hospitality, Bishop Arilan, and for all of your assistance earlier today.  It has been an absolute delight to meet you and to rekindle my brief acquaintance with your niece."  She paused at the outer door of his apartment, her gaze landing on the luxuriant foliage of a potted plant easily visible through his open study door.  She caught my eye, suppressing a grin.  "Oh my, how lovely!  Is that a Bird of Paradise in your study, my lord bishop?"

   Denis, after a startled pause, followed the direction of her gaze.  "Why yes, it is, my lady."

   She turned an angelic smile up to the bishop's look of inquiry.  "How surprising!  I never thought to see one thriving in a bishop's palace.  Do the Archbishops know?"

   His jaw dropped as he stared at her, looking as if he were unsure he'd heard her correctly.  She turned to me, her grin breaking free and her eyes sparkling with deviltry, and stepped out into the corridor with Grub, leaving me roaring with laughter at my stunned uncle as the door closed behind them.


Chapter Thirteen:  http://www.rhemuthcastle.com/index.php?topic=738.0 (http://www.rhemuthcastle.com/index.php?topic=738.0)
Title: Re: Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered--Chapter Twelve
Post by: Jerusha on July 11, 2011, 01:13:51 PM
A nice wrap-up to this chain of events and I loved the return of the Bird of Paradise.

But surely, things will NOT unfold smoothly from here.............
Title: Re: Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered--Chapter Twelve
Post by: Evie on July 11, 2011, 01:22:33 PM
Smoothly?  In one of my stories?  Surely you jest!   ;D

Sure, things might appear to have calmed down for the moment, but remember, he'll still have to go back to Rhemuth eventually.  And Kelson seems to have a way of finding out about things....   ;)
Title: Re: Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered--Chapter Twelve
Post by: Jerusha on July 11, 2011, 02:49:57 PM
I appreciated the opportunity to check in on Javana.  Perhaps some day there will be a follow-on Javana story?  :)
Title: Re: Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered--Chapter Twelve
Post by: Evie on July 11, 2011, 03:09:12 PM
I don't know yet if there'll be another story that's specifically about Javana (though if an idea ever comes to mind for it, that's certainly not out of the question), but you'll get another glimpse of her at least once more in this story, plus I've got another story in the planning stages that it's quite possible she'd fit into.
Title: Re: Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered--Chapter Twelve
Post by: AnnieUK on July 11, 2011, 03:30:33 PM
I think Avisa has a wicked sense of humour about her.  Sextus had best watch his step if he is to fall in love with her - I suspect she may be more than a match for him!
Title: Re: Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered--Chapter Twelve
Post by: Alkari on July 11, 2011, 04:46:41 PM
Quote from: AnnieUK on July 11, 2011, 03:30:33 PM
I think Avisa has a wicked sense of humour about her.  Sextus had best watch his step if he is to fall in love with her - I suspect she may be more than a match for him!

With Avisa and Grub as allies, I don't think poor Sextus would have a chance.  :D

I am glad the Baron chose to be 'reasonable' about his daughter, though I wonder if sympathy cards are required for young Lord Benedict  ...

Title: Re: Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered--Chapter Twelve
Post by: derynifanatic64 on July 11, 2011, 06:02:16 PM
Avisa has a very naughty sense of humor.  She can also hold her own against Denis.   I believe that she has Denis already wrapped around her finger.
Title: Re: Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered--Chapter Twelve
Post by: Elkhound on July 11, 2011, 10:34:00 PM
Lord Benedict the Younger is going to have to learn two important words:

"Yes, dear."

Bp. Denis is finding himself very much off balance; which will be a learning experience for him.
Title: Re: Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered--Chapter Twelve
Post by: Alkari on July 11, 2011, 11:47:27 PM
Quote from: Elkhound on July 11, 2011, 10:34:00 PM
Lord Benedict the Younger is going to have to learn two important words:

"Yes, dear."

ROFL.  And then quietly do exactly as he wants?!   Perhaps young Benedict should compare notes with Jolyon, given the latter's experience with the crockery-throwing Oksana.   ;)
Title: Re: Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered--Chapter Twelve
Post by: Elkhound on July 12, 2011, 03:32:38 PM
Of course.

And Oksana got more or less what she wanted in the end.  Her daughter isn't a queen, but she's a royal dutchess and a vicereigne, which is the next best thing.
Title: Re: Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered--Chapter Twelve
Post by: Evie on July 12, 2011, 04:07:04 PM
Let's just hope Noelie didn't inherit her mother's habit of throwing crockery when she's mad.  Or if she did, let's hope Rory has the good sense not to put up with that and that he gives his new bride some lessons in growing up!
Title: Re: Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered--Chapter Twelve
Post by: Jerusha on July 12, 2011, 09:05:24 PM
Or learns how to duck!  ;D
Title: Re: Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered--Chapter Twelve
Post by: Elkhound on July 12, 2011, 09:11:42 PM
Quote from: Evie on July 12, 2011, 04:07:04 PM
Let's just hope Noelie didn't inherit her mother's habit of throwing crockery when she's mad.  Or if she did, let's hope Rory has the good sense not to put up with that and that he gives his new bride some lessons in growing up!

Has Gwynned developed any sports of the aiming-and-throwing sort, like baseball or cricket or Aunt Sally?

(What was that children's book about the group of cousins who were using metal figures of Midaeval knights and ladies to act out "Ivanhoe", and then were magically drawn into the story?  There was one episode where during the day the boys were using the tin knights to act out a baseball game they were listening to on the radio, and then at night they found the characters from "Ivanhoe" playing baseball outside the castle.)
Title: Re: Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered--Chapter Twelve
Post by: Evie on July 13, 2011, 09:29:47 AM
I have no clue what book that would be, but it sounds like one I'd like to read.   :D

The only "sport" of the aiming-and-throwing sort that comes to mind at the moment might be spear throwing.  Football was known (not the American version, but a game probably closer to UK football or rugby, and which was apparently a pretty rough sport considering how often it was banned due to the frequency of player injuries), but if they had something similar to baseball or cricket, I'm not aware of it.  I'm sure there were people who came up with the idea of games involving an inflated pig's bladder and a stick, though, but whether those games caught on in any widespread form rather than locally, I have no clue.  Might be an interesting topic to research.
Title: Re: Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered--Chapter Twelve
Post by: Evie on July 13, 2011, 09:56:56 AM
Briefly Googling the keywords "medieval tossing games" gave me this tidbit, referenced on at least two different websites so far:

"In medieval Britain there was an egg throwing festival held in the churches at Easter. The priest would give out one hard-boiled egg which was tossed around the nave of the church and the choirboy who was holding the egg when the clock struck twelve would get to keep it."  (Cited from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egg_tossing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egg_tossing))

I can just imagine Duncan doing this!   :D

Also, now that I'm thinking a bit more broadly than "ball and stick" throwing and aiming games, they had the game of bowls, which would be essentially the same thing as bocce today (that game where you throw or roll larger balls towards a smaller ball that's the target, and you're allowed to knock someone else's ball out of the way to get yours closer to the goal), and there was ring tossing (tossing rings at a stake in the ground) and a game called queeks, in which children were supposed to predict beforehand if their pebbles would end up in a light square or dark square before tossing them at a piece of cloth that was woven in a checkered pattern.  (Or one could use a chessboard for the purpose, though Mom and Dad would probably get a bit upset at their kids flinging rocks at the family game board!)  Tennis had early origins, though I don't know if they go back to the Middle Ages, but it was already around by Shakespeare's day.  I'm sure there'd also be stone throwing contests, and possibly competitions at aiming at a target with a sling.  And children probably knew how to skip flat stones over water just as I used to do (although I wasn't born quite as long ago as the Middle Ages!  ;D )
Title: Re: Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered--Chapter Twelve
Post by: Elkhound on July 13, 2011, 10:30:32 AM
Quote from: Evie on July 13, 2011, 09:29:47 AM
I have no clue what book that would be, but it sounds like one I'd like to read.   :D

I tracked it down.  It was Edward Eager's "Knights Castle":

http://www.amazon.com/Knights-Castle-Edward-Eager/dp/015202073X/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Title: Re: Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered--Chapter Twelve
Post by: Elkhound on July 14, 2011, 09:57:40 AM
Quote from: Evie on July 13, 2011, 09:56:56 AMAlso, now that I'm thinking a bit more broadly than "ball and stick" throwing and aiming games, they had the game of bowls, which would be essentially the same thing as bocce today (that game where you throw or roll larger balls towards a smaller ball that's the target, and you're allowed to knock someone else's ball out of the way to get yours closer to the goal), and there was ring tossing (tossing rings at a stake in the ground) and a game called queeks, in which children were supposed to predict beforehand if their pebbles would end up in a light square or dark square before tossing them at a piece of cloth that was woven in a checkered pattern.  (Or one could use a chessboard for the purpose, though Mom and Dad would probably get a bit upset at their kids flinging rocks at the family game board!)  Tennis had early origins, though I don't know if they go back to the Middle Ages, but it was already around by Shakespeare's day.  I'm sure there'd also be stone throwing contests, and possibly competitions at aiming at a target with a sling.  And children probably knew how to skip flat stones over water just as I used to do (although I wasn't born quite as long ago as the Middle Ages!  ;D )


When was croquet invented?  Most people think of croquet as a quiet, genteel sort of game, but it is really quite viciously competitive.
Title: Re: Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered--Chapter Twelve
Post by: Evie on July 14, 2011, 10:34:55 AM
Apparently, croquet dates back to the mid-1800s, but may have descended from pall mall, which can be documented back to the early 1600s.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croquet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croquet)

Bowls dates back to a few centuries earlier.  I have a bocce set that I sometimes bring to SCA events:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowls (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowls)

Title: Re: Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered--Chapter Twelve
Post by: Elkhound on July 14, 2011, 02:00:06 PM
I know that polo came from Central Asia/Iran/Northern India and was not introduced to Europe in our world until the British brought it back from the Empire.  But in our alternative universe?
Title: Re: Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered--Chapter Twelve
Post by: Evie on July 14, 2011, 02:51:46 PM
It's hard to say what might happen in an alternate universe (that is, of course I've got a fair bit of say in what goes into my own, but none at all over what goes into KK's!  :D) , but my gut says that horses were such a vital part of both chivalric warfare and agriculture, I can't imagine them being used for sporting purposes (which would increase the risk of injury to these valuable resources) unless that "sport" served some other useful purpose such as putting food on the table and helping build the necessary weapons skills needed for battle (i.e., an activity like hunting which, although recreational, was also far more than that in their culture).  Since I can't think of any particular useful purpose that the skill set needed for polo would directly relate to in some other vitally necessary non-gaming activity, my guess would be that any game such as polo wouldn't come into existence in Kelson's world until such time when horse ownership and riding became more of a purely recreational activity rather than one more closely connected to the needs of human survival.
Title: Re: Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered--Chapter Twelve
Post by: Elkhound on July 14, 2011, 03:36:45 PM
Quote from: Evie on July 14, 2011, 02:51:46 PMSince I can't think of any particular useful purpose that the skill set needed for polo would directly relate to in some other vitally necessary non-gaming activity, my guess would be that any game such as polo wouldn't come into existence in Kelson's world until such time when horse ownership and riding became more of a purely recreational activity rather than one more closely connected to the needs of human survival.

Wasn't polo originally invented as a training exercise for light cavalry skirmishers?
Title: Re: Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered--Chapter Twelve
Post by: Evie on July 14, 2011, 03:40:30 PM
/me goes off to look up the game's origins

Hm.  It appears it was.  OK, so it's much more applicable to warfare than I thought.   :D

In which case, I suspect it all depends on whether any of the warriors in the Eleven Kingdoms happened to think it up as a possible training exercise for cavalry, or if they imported it from one of the more eastern kingdoms. 
/me imagines Alaric playing polo....   ;D
Title: Re: Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered--Chapter Twelve
Post by: Alkari on July 14, 2011, 04:13:28 PM
Quote from: Elkhound on July 14, 2011, 03:36:45 PM
Wasn't polo originally invented as a training exercise for light cavalry skirmishers?

Yes, but it originated in Persia, and did not spread to the west for hundreds of years.  It was played by women as well as men.   Certainly not played in France/England in medieval times, though some of the knights returning from the Crusades may have seen it played in the middle east. 

The 'games' on horseback would have been those associated with military training, designed to develop skills with sword, lance and even bow and arrow, and also the abilities of horse and rider.  (Don't forget you also have to train the horse for combat!)  Ever seen the sport of tent-pegging?  Quite spectacular, because the teams have to be at full gallop and hold formation, doing one series of runs with lance, and then with a sword.  It wouldn't have been known by that name of course, but that type of equivalent equestrian skills would have been popular as training and also at tournaments.    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tent_pegging.

Title: Re: Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered--Chapter Twelve
Post by: Evie on July 14, 2011, 04:47:26 PM
During my very brief foray into SCA equestrian arts, I did tilting at rings, tilting at the quintain, and "Saracen heads" (i.e., riding slalom around a row of poles with a target set atop each that we had to knock off with our "swords" as we rode by).  Since I only competed in the beginner rider class, we took the targets at a walk, but my DH rode with intermediates or higher (I can't remember now if he ever competed at the advanced level), so they'd do their ride-bys at higher speeds.  I also recall we had a form of tent pegging that we called "pig sticking," which I think involved stabbing a styrofoam target on the ground with a spear as we rode by, but I don't recall actually participating in that one myself.  My husband built a portable quintain as a gift for a former Baroness for her Baronial Investiture once, since she owned horses and was quite involved in SCA equestrian activities.
Title: Re: Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered--Chapter Twelve
Post by: Elkhound on July 14, 2011, 09:10:20 PM
Quote from: Alkari on July 14, 2011, 04:13:28 PM
Quote from: Elkhound on July 14, 2011, 03:36:45 PM
Wasn't polo originally invented as a training exercise for light cavalry skirmishers?

Yes, but it originated in Persia, and did not spread to the west for hundreds of years.  It was played by women as well as men.   Certainly not played in France/England in medieval times, though some of the knights returning from the Crusades may have seen it played in the middle east. 

Yes, I know that.  I said as much in my post.  Did you actually read it?  I know how polo came to the West in our world.  But we know that the Deryniverse, although similar to our world, is not exactly the same. 
Title: Re: Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered--Chapter Twelve
Post by: Evie on July 14, 2011, 09:25:00 PM
Personally, I just want to see Alaric all sweaty and wearing a polo shirt ;)

Oh wait, that's even more alternate an AU than my own!   ;D

Title: Re: Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered--Chapter Twelve
Post by: derynifanatic64 on July 15, 2011, 03:12:04 AM
Quote from: Evie on July 14, 2011, 09:25:00 PM
Personally, I just want to see Alaric all sweaty and wearing a polo shirt ;)


I bet you would want to see Duncan all sweaty and wearing a polo shirt!
Title: Re: Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered--Chapter Twelve
Post by: Evie on July 15, 2011, 07:48:49 AM
Hm, yes, I could certainly learn to endure that....   ;)
Title: Re: Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered--Chapter Twelve
Post by: Elkhound on July 15, 2011, 09:35:53 AM
Quote from: Evie on July 14, 2011, 09:25:00 PM
Personally, I just want to see Alaric all sweaty and wearing a polo shirt ;)


Or, perhaps, all sweaty and NOT wearing a polo shirt?
Title: Re: Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered--Chapter Twelve
Post by: Evie on July 15, 2011, 09:59:30 AM
Quote from: Elkhound on July 15, 2011, 09:35:53 AM
Quote from: Evie on July 14, 2011, 09:25:00 PM
Personally, I just want to see Alaric all sweaty and wearing a polo shirt ;)


Or, perhaps, all sweaty and NOT wearing a polo shirt?

I suppose I could suffer that as well, if someone must.   ;D
Title: Re: Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered--Chapter Twelve
Post by: Alkari on July 15, 2011, 11:16:37 AM
Quote from: Evie on July 15, 2011, 09:59:30 AM
Quote from: Elkhound on July 15, 2011, 09:35:53 AM
Quote from: Evie on July 14, 2011, 09:25:00 PM
Personally, I just want to see Alaric all sweaty and wearing a polo shirt ;)


Or, perhaps, all sweaty and NOT wearing a polo shirt?

I suppose I could suffer that as well, if someone must.   ;D

You want to see Alaric without a polo shirt?  Fickle woman!  Here was I thinking you'd be hoping that Duncan would take to playing the game ... ;)

Title: Re: Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered--Chapter Twelve
Post by: Evie on July 15, 2011, 11:54:13 AM
The man has either been at one time and/or is currently serving as Royal Confessor, Prince Kelson's tutor, Earl of Kierney, Duke of Cassan, Auxiliary Bishop of Rhemuth, Viceroy of Meara, the rector of the new Schola, and now you think I should encourage him to take up polo?  When is the poor guy supposed to catch a little sleep?!   ;D
Title: Re: Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered--Chapter Twelve
Post by: Alkari on July 15, 2011, 12:02:35 PM
I thought you'd be encouraging him to have some healthy outdoor recreation.  Even an auxilliary bishop and rector can't sit around reading those books and ancient scrolls all day, every day you know ...    
Title: Re: Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered--Chapter Twelve
Post by: Evie on July 15, 2011, 12:24:36 PM
You mean something other than chasing after grandchildren and all the Schola pupils?   :D  Hm.  Well, I suppose the Castle parklands could be converted into a polo field, if Kelson is willing to relocate the pond.  That part of the Castle grounds would be quite convenient to the Royal Stables after all....   ;D