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DerynifanK

March 17, 2024, 03:48:44 PM
Happy St Patrick's Day. Enjoy the one day of the year when the whole world is Irish.

Forgiveness - chapter 3

Started by Alkari, April 18, 2011, 04:26:42 PM

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Alkari

FORGIVENESS

"Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you ... For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."  Luke 6: 36-37

Previous chapter: http://www.rhemuthcastle.com/index.php?topic=698.msg4050#msg4050


  CHAPTER 3.    

Rhemuth Castle, morning, 27 July 1128

Kelson visits me after breakfast and is delighted when I tell him that I'll be attending the state dinner this evening.  

"Please don't hide yourself away at the far end of high table though, Mother – all our guests will want to see you."

I shrug and smile.  "Darling, they are much more interested in seeing you, not to mention our future brides and bridegrooms and their families.  Oksana will be dying to show off."

"They're not as important as my mother.   And Jolyon is not yet formally a duke, so he and Oksana may have to take their places accordingly."   He grins.  "I could always sit her next to dear old Ewan - as a senior duke and Earl Marshall, she couldn't complain about that."

I give him one of my looks.  "Well, maybe we won't inflict her on Ewan.   I'm sure Lord Rhodri will arrange the seating appropriately."   He gives me another hug and leaves, chuckling.
   
Although I have resumed taking my meals in the great hall, I still prefer not to be seated at Kelson's side under the full gaze of hundreds of people, so decide to make my wishes known to Meraude or Lord Rhodri.  I summon Sophie to discuss my gown for the evening: it is oddly exciting to be considering court finery once again and deciding what to wear, and suddenly I feel years younger.  Leaving Sophie and young Eloise happily fussing over gowns and jewellery, I go in search of Meraude.

I find her hard at work in the small chamber adjoining their apartments, brow furrowed as she checks one list against another.  Like Kelson, she's pleased that I am going to join the festivities.  "Everyone will be glad to see you, and you always used to love these occasions.   We might even see you dancing," she enthuses.  Dancing!   Good heavens, it is years since I danced at court, and the suggestion makes me nervous, for I have no idea what the latest court dances might be.  There is certainly no likelihood of me doing that this evening.  

"There's so much to do though," Meraude continues, half exasperated, half amused, quickly initialling one list and signing two other documents before handing them to a waiting page.  "The Tralian wedding ship is due today or tomorrow, and people still seem to be arriving by the hour. Half of them want to bring extra servants too."  

"Well, let me help you more.  I seem to have been doing nothing but sewing for weeks," I offer.

"Thank you, though I know Rhodri and Pemberley will have everything well under control.  They are always so efficient.  I'm going down there now to check on a few things, so come with me."

The corridors are full of bustling servants, pages and squires in assorted liveries, royal guards and various visitors as we make our way to the Lord Chamberlain's working room.   It's a medium sized chamber, wood-panelled and furnished with chests and cabinets for various records, two large tables and a number of chairs.  The occupants rise as we enter – Lords Rhodri and Pemberley as expected, Master Norton the butler and, to my surprise, Richenda.

"We came to see whether you had disappeared under the demands of all our guests," says Meraude as we take seats hastily drawn forward by Master Norton.  

"Not yet, Your Highness," smiles old Rhodri, "though Duchess Richenda has suggested that a few of the more difficult visitors could perhaps be moved to campaign tents in the outer bailey!"

"Campaign tents?"  

"We'll keep the dungeons in reserve for the worst offenders," replies Richenda dryly.  "I believe we already have a few names on the likely guest list."

Rhodri beams at us.  "Duchess Richenda came to check arrangements for one of the guests from Lendour, and stayed to help with other matters, including the seating for this evening.  Now we're reviewing stores and menus for the coming week, and re-checking some aspects of the wedding festivities."

"Oh bless you, Richenda," exclaims Meraude. "You are such a godsend!  And Rhodri, Her Majesty will be attending tonight's dinner, so please make arrangements for the high table."

"Not right next to His Majesty," I say firmly.  "I'd prefer some of our guests to be given more prominence."  

"I'm glad you will be coming, Your Majesty," says Richenda with a genuine smile.  "It should be an enjoyable evening, especially as Gwydion ap Plennadd will be singing.  Lord Rhodri prepared some seating proposals in the hope you would attend."  Rhodri hands me a sheet of parchment: I agree to the second arrangement and sign my approval.

"So, apart from the dungeons, have we accommodated everyone so far?" inquires Meraude.

"I believe so, Your Majesty," assures Lord Pemberley.  

"I saw the party from Pelagog arrive yesterday.  Is old Countess Ilene happy with her new rooms?  I know they're a little small, but she found the stairs to her son's apartments a little difficult last Christmas."    

"Yes, she was very pleased.  I visited her yesterday evening after she arrived," Richenda replies.

"Good.  Oh - she didn't bring that dreadful yappy little dog with her again, did she?"

"Afraid so."  The two women exchange rueful glances with Rhodri and Pemberley.  "But I gently suggested that she should keep it in her apartment, and only take it out on a leash.  I explained that there were a number of large younger hounds around the castle at present, and alas, in their youthful enthusiasm they might not always distinguish nice little dogs from nice fluffy rabbits."

"Richenda!  You didn't?"  I join in their laughter.  

"Well, it's perfectly true that there are a number of new hounds."  Richenda puts on an air of mock innocence.  "And while Rory's and Dhugal's are well-trained, I can't vouch for the others.  Remember that wild hairy thing Earl Graham brought from Claiborne last year!   Anyway, Ilene was most grateful for my concern and I asked Brendan to see whether she needed us to find a little leash for it."

"That was thoughtful of you."  There's a glint in Meraude's eyes.  "Now then – is everything else proceeding smoothly for tonight?  No accidents to the special casks of Dark Marley ale, Master Norton?   No one has wrecked cook's finest subtleties or spilled a flagon of red wine on all the clean tablecloths?"  She smiles at the three men in turn.

"No Your Highness, but I'm afraid we made one small adjustment to the menu," admits Pemberley, passing her another list.  "We did include the dish with lampreys."

"Oh?"   Meraude frowns slightly as she hands it along to me.

"According to Noelie, they're a great favourite with Oksana and Jolyon.  I confirmed a few things again yesterday with her.  And of course, lampreys are plentiful at this time of year," explains Richenda with a rueful smile.  "I'm sorry – I meant to mention it to you, but you and Nigel were both occupied after the children's visit to the new chapel."    Her expression is mild and polite, but I catch the twinkle in her eye, and hide my own amusement.  

Meraude is equally bland.  "Oh yes, we must keep our guests happy.  I'll warn Nigel, but in the interests of diplomacy he can put up with one dish he hates."

There is nothing on the menu I particularly dislike, not that it would matter, as my appetite is much smaller these days and I know I will eat but little over the evening.  Pemberley nods politely at me as I return the list.   "Duchess Richenda has already asked me to ensure that we keep His Highness well supplied with some of the excellent Fianna red during that dish, and the same for Duke Alaric as he's not particularly fond of them either."  Ah yes, I have almost forgotten the fine art of discreetly managing husbands.  

"Excellent!  Now my dear," Meraude smiles at Richenda,  "would you like us to take over here, or can I perhaps beg you to continue with all - this?"  She waves her hand ruefully at the table stacked with stores books, scrolls and various parchments.  Richenda assures Meraude she is happy to continue working, freeing us to attend to our guests and other duties.  

Meraude and I walk in silence towards my apartments.  A month ago I would have been offended at Richenda's presence and obvious authority here.  But now I am starting to see her in a new light: whatever I might say or think, Meraude clearly values the assistance of another high ranking woman as she deals with all the daily complexities of the royal court.  In truth, the simple routines of convent life have long removed me from the burden of everyday tasks required for running a palace.   Guests in the dungeons and nice fluffy rabbits – Richenda's mischievous sense of humour was unexpected.   I think I could come to like her ...

"Richenda stayed in Rhemuth when I was pregnant with Eirian.  She took over much of the work to help me," says Meraude, as if reading my thoughts.  "I was so grateful to her."

That was the summer when I had first met Richenda, the summer of the Mearan campaign.  I had been at war with myself and the danger to my soul when I used my own powers to help Nigel avoid the Torenthi assassins.  On my return to St Giles', I had spent months praying for God's forgiveness.

"You and she are friends," I say slowly.  Not to mention that she and Nigel have always been staunch supporters of Alaric Morgan.   

"Yes."  We reach my apartments and she follows me over to the window seat.  "I've liked her since I first met her, before she married Alaric.  You know how it is, Jehana – it's difficult for people in our position to find true friends and people we can confide in.  There's so much scheming and gossip at court, with people manoeuvring for influence and favours.  Richenda of course has no need for any of that.  It's a relief to have someone to share with, and she can be great fun."    She cocks her head at me.   "You know, she would be your friend too – if only you would let her."

I stare out the window at the sunny garden.  In the sheltered far corner, the rich green foliage of an orange tree contrasts with the soft creamy grey stonework of the castle.  Most of the beds are formally edged with box or lavender, but yellow, white and pink daisies tumble profusely over the edges of the garden beneath the great hall windows.  There were daisies in Barrett's garden.

"I think – I think I have – wronged her," I reply slowly. "I am  ... Father Nivard has opened my eyes to many things."   Meraude knows of my meetings with him, though I have not mentioned Barrett.   I'm not sure I am ready for that revelation just yet.  

"Yes, you have wronged her."  Meraude can be very direct at times.   "But she's not the sort of person to hold grudges, and you've been friendly since she arrived this week.  After all, we have common interests when it comes to Nigel and his grandchildren, as well as Kelson and Araxie."  She laughs, then takes my hand and squeezes it gently.    "Give her a chance, Jehana – no, give yourself a chance, now you are starting to see things differently.  It's never too late to change."

And to say you are sorry, I hear her unspoken words. But I don't know if I can do that.  Apologising has never come easily to me: I have been too proud as well as blind.  

"I will try."


*     *     *

Rhemuth castle, later that evening.

A grim-faced Kelson tells me of Morag's murder, calling on me before the urgent council meeting he's called.  "Please don't say anything to our guests at present," he says firmly.  "I'll announce it formally tomorrow morning. I've asked Father Nivard to say Masses for her soul for the next three days.   You may wish to pray for her, Mother, but especially pray for Liam."

For those of us who know, the news casts a pall over the coming dinner.  It is an odd thing, knowing I will have to put on a brave face, to smile and be sociable, welcome guests and inquire after friends and families, when underneath I carry a cold pit of fear and worry inside.  I barely knew young Liam, and had never met Morag: my worries are for Kelson and the implications for Gwynedd.  Kelson and Meraude have faith in Liam, but can he possibly stand against those hidden forces in Torenth that still oppose him?  Are Count Matyas and the new Council there in Beldour sufficiently strong?  Are they all loyal to their new young king?   Would some of them prefer the older, experienced Teymuraz rather than a fourteen year old boy?   But Kelson was only fourteen when he inherited the throne, a little voice tells me, and he survived.  He had loyal council lords and stood against the might of Torenth and the Church in Gwynedd.  Liam at least does not have to fight the Church.

I am one of the first to arrive in the withdrawing room behind the great hall, where Kelson and his senior nobles will gather with the most important guests before proceeding into the hall.  Kelson, Nigel, Meraude and Rory are already there; Meraude is putting on a brave face, but I can sense her sadness.  "Poor Liam," she whispers as she kisses me in greeting.  "To have this, after what he has already been through."

Richenda and Alaric Morgan arrive.  "Good evening, Queen Jehana," he says with his customary detached politeness where I am concerned.  

"Good evening, Duke Alaric," I reply quietly, extending my right hand to him, though I cannot quite manage a smile.  He hesitates and I sense his surprise, then he takes it gently and bows with formal grace, measuring me with one raised eyebrow as he straightens.  I haven't offered him my hand in greeting or called him anything other than "Morgan" in more than twenty years.  

"Good evening, Richenda."  I do smile at her, which she returns as she rises from her brief curtsy.  She has the same air of carefully fixed composure as Meraude but there is no time to speak further, for Dhugal McArdry arrives escorting Savile, Sivorn and her older daughters, and they in turn are quickly followed by the Ramsays.   Last to arrive is old Ewan, leaning on his grandson's arm.  

The dinner passes pleasantly enough. As requested, I'm seated between Ewan and Savile:  Ewan is a little deaf in one ear by now, but his other is sharp enough and the conversation is easy between old friends.  Entertainers appear between courses, and to the delight of our guests, troubadour Gwydion sings several love songs from Meara, followed by a popular ballad from Tralia.  His reputation is well-deserved and there is wild applause as he leaves the hall in a flurry of theatrical bows and flourishes.   By this time I am tired, and as servants and pages surge through the hall once more to refill goblets, I excuse myself from the table and slip away.  But my feet take me first to the chapel, where I make my way to the front and light a candle before kneeling in quiet prayer, regardless of my court attire and jewels.  

I do not truly know for whom I am praying – myself, Kelson, Morag, Liam - but I feel more peaceful as I start back to my apartments.  As I enter the lower corridor, a figure clad in pale green emerges from the garderobe near the withdrawing room and I realise it's Richenda.  She looks tired, but smiles as we say hello.

"I hope I can slip away soon too," she admits after I confess that I'm retiring for the evening.   "I've rather lost my appetite.  But I'm sitting next to Jolyon and he's enjoying himself, so I must stay a little longer."

I suddenly recall that Morag had been imprisoned in Coroth after the Mearan campaign.   "You knew Morag, didn't you?  Wasn't she in Coroth for a while?"

"Yes, she was held with us. I was careful to keep my distance, though there were times when even Morag appreciated a woman's company." She sighs.  "We would never have been friends of course, and I suppose we'll never know whether she had a role in Prince Alroy's death, or how deeply she was involved in the attack on Liam at his coronation."  A shrug.  "I don't think I will ever understand how a mother could possibly sacrifice her own children for personal ambition.  We kept her informed about Liam's welfare when she was in Coroth, but who knew her true feelings, or what happened after she returned to Beldour and young Ronal.  Poor boy – he's only ten and seems to have been used as a pawn for most of his life.  He must be feeling very lost and confused.  Frightened too, I'd think."  

I shiver, drawing my shawl closer round me.  "Torenthi politics have always been so bloodthirsty."

"You must have been very worried when Kelson went to Beldour.   And you fear what all this means for him."  She regards me with unexpected sympathy.

Hard to admit that most of my fears were because of the Deryni, and not just those in Torenth.  I meet her eyes, see that she understands this and more.  "Children grow up, but they are still our children," I murmur.  "Even when they are kings, and even if we disagree with them at times."

"Yes."  Again that look of gentle understanding.  "But it's Liam I feel for most of all now," she continues softly.  "He is a fine young man, and great friends with Brendan and Payne.  Meraude and I became very fond of him while he was here in Rhemuth.  To have his mother murdered like that, so soon after he had to fight for his own life against some of his family at his coronation ..."   She shakes her head and sighs once more.  "I'll pray for him, and for those who stand beside him.  I'll be at Mass for Morag tomorrow of course.  But now I'd better be getting back – Alaric and Jolyon will start wondering what's happened to me.  Good night, Jehana."

"I'll be at Mass too.  Good night, Richenda."    


____________________


Next chapter:  http://www.rhemuthcastle.com/index.php?topic=772.0


Evie

Another good chapter.  Though I'm glad I'm not sitting at Kelson's High Table in that esteemed company, because it probably wouldn't be the done thing to leave an entire barrel of Fianna red beside my place at table so I could wash down the taste of those lampreys....  ;D
"In necessariis unitas, in non-necessariis libertas, in utrisque caritas."

--WARNING!!!--
I have a vocabulary in excess of 75,000 words, and I'm not afraid to use it!

Jerusha

I vote for two barrels.  How could anyone like lampreys.  Eeww! 

This story on the other hand, is very enlightening as the difficult relationships begin to mend.
From ghoulies and ghosties and long-leggity beasties and things that go bump in the night...good Lord deliver us!

 -- Old English Litany

Alkari

Lampreys were an extremely popular medieval dish!   They are apparently still eaten in parts of Europe.  Though I usually love all sorts of fish, I think I'd probably be drinking the red wine with Nigel and Alaric  :D

derynifanatic64

I guess lampreys in the 11 Kingdoms are analogous to anchovies for us.  I also have a feeling that if Duncan had been at the high table--Evie would have been sitting there too.
We will never forget the events of 9-11!!  USA!! USA!!

Alkari

LOL @ Evie.   Of course she would have been!   That is, if she couldn't persuade him that it would be much nicer for them both to have a quiet supper in his study instead ...  ;)


Evie

"My lord bishop, I'd be delighted to bring some of those wine-braised conies you love so much if we could skip feast tonight and just spend a quiet evening poring over ancient Deryni writings in your study...."

Hey, works for me!  I'm sure I can find a recipe for wine-braised conies...um...somewhere....    :D

Having sat at High Table (in the SCA) far too many times to count, it would take a major inducement right up there with Duncan McLain being there in person to lure me back up there again!  There's a reason that "staring game" I wrote into A Time to Heal was invented.  High Table is boooorrrrringggggg....   

On second thought, sitting at High Table playing the "staring game" with Duncan and making certain people wonder what in the world a total stranger and the Auxiliary Bishop of Rhemuth could possibly be whispering about them could be an awful lot of fun!  Maybe I could just push the lampreys around on the trencher and pretend I've tasted them while we're playing?  OK, maybe not.  Queen Jehana might be starting to unbend a bit, but I still get the feeling she'd lean over and rap my knuckles if I misbehave too badly at her son's High Table.  ;D
"In necessariis unitas, in non-necessariis libertas, in utrisque caritas."

--WARNING!!!--
I have a vocabulary in excess of 75,000 words, and I'm not afraid to use it!

Elkhound

As a gentleman, I can't raise my hand to a lady, but Jehanna has had a good slap upside the head coming to her for a very, very long time.  Could one of you ladies do the honors?

Evie

Well, there've been lots of times when I thought Jehana could use a good smack upside the head, but now that she's started to realize where she's gone wrong and is trying to make amends, seems to me that a head-smack might be a bit counter-productive at this late date.  Now seems more the time for gentle encouragement to keep her new open-minded attitude, rather than a smack-down for past bad behavior.

Now, if this were a story about pre-1128 Jehana, then sure, hand me the mackerel to smack the biddy upside the head with!  ;)
"In necessariis unitas, in non-necessariis libertas, in utrisque caritas."

--WARNING!!!--
I have a vocabulary in excess of 75,000 words, and I'm not afraid to use it!

Elkhound

Meraude gave her a verbal smack over her behavior towards Richenda.  Not a very hard one, but hard enough.

Evie

Oh, wait, you mean this bit?

Quote"Yes, you have wronged her."  Meraude can be very direct at times.   "But she's not the sort of person to hold grudges, and you've been friendly since she arrived this week.  After all, we have common interests when it comes to Nigel and his grandchildren, as well as Kelson and Araxie."  She laughs, then takes my hand and squeezes it gently.    "Give her a chance, Jehana – no, give yourself a chance, now you are starting to see things differently.  It's never too late to change."

If so, then yes, I agree that Meraude has been quite direct.  I think we're just reading the paragraph from different perspectives, though.  I don't see that as what I'd consider a "smack" at all, but as encouragement to do better.  Yes, she starts out by reminding Jehana of a hard truth that someone with less gumption than Meraude might not be willing to bring up, but Meraude's actions are very gentle and loving, not critical.  She's laughing and squeezing Jehana's hand with affection, and also being very careful to point out what Jehana has done right, which conveys in body language as well as spoken word that she's speaking up because she cares for both of her friends, not just for Richenda.  

To me, a "smack" would read more like "Yes, Jehana, you wronged Richenda and you ought to be ashamed of yourself!  She never deserved that sort of treatment from you! I hope, now that you're starting to show a bit of sense, you'll get your act together and apologize for your bad behavior at once!  You two really have a good deal in common, but you just can't see it yet because until recently you haven't had the sense God gave a billy goat."   Both paragraphs boil down to essentially the same thing, if you think about it, but hearing the sentiment expressed the second way would smart a lot more than the way Meraude chose to do it.

But communication depends as much on the perception of the recipient as the speaker too, so it could well be that, no matter how gently Meraude tries to deliver her message, Jehana would perceive it as a smack instead of as a stroke.  After all, it is a sensitive area Meraude is gently prodding at.  So I can see how that could be perceived as a smack even though I believe Meraude meant it quite differently.  :)

"In necessariis unitas, in non-necessariis libertas, in utrisque caritas."

--WARNING!!!--
I have a vocabulary in excess of 75,000 words, and I'm not afraid to use it!

Alkari

#11
Yes Evie, you got it right.     Meraude is very quiet and diplomatic and she always seems to have 'managed' Jehana extremely well, in terms of their own relationship, even though it's obvious that she and Nigel are longstanding friends with the dreaded Alaric Morgan.   So she's not going to come out and berate Jehana for her past attitudes, just quietly point out that Jehana now has a chance to make amends, and that Jehana might even find another friend.   Even having regard for the dificulties posed by her own rank, I don't think Jehana was ever a woman who would make many friends, as distinct from court acquaintances.

But I also tried to write the chapter as amounting to a subtle rebuke on a very personal level.   In Deryni Rising, Jehana was a widowed queen, with a young and inexperienced son on the throne.   Sure, Kelson out-manouvres her when it comes to Alaric, and makes it clear that HE is the King.    But as Brion's wife, Jehana would have had many administrative responsibilities concerning day to day life in the palace, duties which she should have been carrying out as Queen Mother until Kelson married.  Yes, a short period of personal mourning would have been quite acceptable, but surely only a few months.  After that, she should have Returned to Duty, as it were.   Not that Kelson and co. actually minded her going away of course - life was very much easier without her around the Palace with all her anti-Deryni venom! :D  

But what did dear Jehana do after DR?  She just downed tools, stormed off in a regal hissy fit and hid herself away in a convent, except for those few occasions when she chose to come back in the hope of seeing Kelson married (TKJ and KKB).  So the whole burden of running things as chatelaine in Rhemuth was just dropped onto poor Meraude, who quietly and efficiently assumed the role, just as Nigel efficiently acted as Kelson's regent and backup when needed.  Meraude should have been back in Carthmoor, running things there in Nigel's absence.  And when Meraude was pregnant with Erian, it was Richenda who stayed in Rhemuth and helped her (yes, there were other reasons for her staying there too of course), and it's Richenda who has obviously become a friend and support to Meraude while Jehana was off indulging herself in soul searching.   Whatever her personal feelings, Jehana had administrative duties as a Queen Mother, duties which she effectively abandoned, and it was strong quiet Meraude who had to step in.  (As Kelson recognises in TBH, Meraude would have made a very fine Queen herself, had Nigel been forced to assume the throne.)

Meraude is never going to say this in exactly those terms to Jehana of course, though I bet she may have been sorely tempted at times!  But for all her gentle diplomacy, she has quietly made it very clear to Jehana in this chapter that she (Meraude) has had to wear an unexpected burden in the years since Brion's death: she has been doing all the things that should have been Jehana's own responsibility, it's Richenda who's provided backup, and the most senior staff in the palace are quite used to working with Richenda as well as Meraude.  (In medieval households, the butler was not a Jeeves-type figure but a senior person responsible for ensuring that there was enough wine, ale, etc for everyone, and storing / accounting for it all, given that these were the everyday beverages).

There is a reference to Richenda "keeping a low profile" at court in KKB so as not to disturb Jehana's peace overtures - well, if Jehana is off socialising with Sivorn and co and stitching up a storm of 'fripperies' for several weddings, I figured that someone had to do the boring stuff of checking stores and such, approving orders for this and that, ensuring that maids and servants are rostered appropriately for all the visitors, etc.  Two weeks of feasting and three weddings don't "just happen" even with Rhodri, Pemberley and the very best of Palace staff, not when everything has to be made by hand and thus planned well in advance.  :)

I figure Jehana has a LOT to think about right now!  :)


Shiral

Quote from: Alkari on April 19, 2011, 06:09:24 PM
Snippage
I figure Jehana has a LOT to think about right now!  :)



Yes and soon it will be Araxie inheriting all those headaches. :) I'm sure Meraude, Richenda and Jehana will help her learn the ropes, but I'm sure Meraude will be happy to surrender the castle keys to a new mistress of Rhemuth Castle. I'm sure Araxie has been raised with the expectation that would become the mistresss of some major noble household somewhere, but she really hit the jackpot in marrying Kelson. AND on top of it all, not only will she have a mother-in-law who is still somewhat high-strung and wanting grandchildren, she'll have the whole Privy Council nagging her to get busy with her dynastic duties.  :)

I'm enjoying this story though. Nice to see Jehana mellowing a little.  I'm sure Morgan WAS pretty shocked to hear himself addressed as "Duke Alaric" by Jehana without it's being immediately followed by  "You hell-spawned creature of Satanic Stews!"

If the dead Brion is watching his family from beyond the veil, he must be completely confused!

Melissa
You can have a sound mind in a healthy body--Or you can be a nanonovelist!

Alkari

#13
Quote from: Shiral on April 20, 2011, 12:45:10 AM
I'm sure Morgan WAS pretty shocked to hear himself addressed as "Duke Alaric" by Jehana without it's being immediately followed by  "You hell-spawned creature of Satanic Stews!"  

LOL - yes, a courtly bow and a raised eyebrow was masterly restraint on his part :D    "Kelson, I think we have an imposter here.  There seems to be a nice polite woman masquerading as your mother this evening."  

And if the dead Brion is watching, he's probably headed straight for the Celestial Bar for a few stiff drinks with St Camber and his companions.

Evie

Jass assures me that there's beer in heaven.

Of course, this would be much more of a comfort if I didn't loathe beer.   ;D
"In necessariis unitas, in non-necessariis libertas, in utrisque caritas."

--WARNING!!!--
I have a vocabulary in excess of 75,000 words, and I'm not afraid to use it!