More plans of mice and women..

 In this scene, Ciara meets with Ruby and Wynter. An attempt is made to bring the two of them on the project.

 

Late night in the Rose and Crown. The pub is, as always, busy and bustling. The warm glow of candles and any fire places providing heat and light throughout. A random minstrel playing with a lute of some sort. The wenches moving back and forth, taking orders, server drinks, slapping some jackass for being a bit to grabby hands, et all.

 

Against the wall though, where the booths lay, a young woman with raven black hair and icy blue eyes sits, a book splayed out on the table in front of her as she sips on a drink. She is clad in a long, flowing, light blue dress with a soft golden sash rested about her waist. Nearest that booth though, are two individuals clad in full plate armor. Swords on their hips, and shields on their backs, they stand silently, guarding the young woman as she reads and enjoys her drink. They are both female by first look, and anyone approaching Ciara must first get nearest these knightly figures.

 

Ruby darkens the doorstep for a moment, giving way to a couple that are deciding to continue their evening with a walk, the minstrel having inspired them. Ruby gives them a second glance, watching them arm in arm, before venturing inside and taking in the ambiance. Murmuring, and thereby spreading a little of the gossip she's heard, a server nods and then directs Ruby's attention towards the booths with a head toss, her hands being full. Digging out a coin, Ruby slides it upon one of her trays and mutters a grunting thanks before heading towards Ciara and her formidable protection. That has Ruby walk towards the booth a little more slowly. Coming to a halt before the two knights, Ruby places her hands on her hips and raises her chin. "Must be 'ot in those." Tilting her head to peer past them, she adds, "Any chance, this be tha Countess? Countess Cuchlia?"

 

Wynter is entering not far behind Ruby grinning at the couple leaving and sighing as Ruby moves on ahead of her. Still the Pathi woman smiles as Ruby steps up and introduces herself in a Ruby sort of way. She adjusts the sword on her belt, hand on the hilt to ensure she doesn't bump it along on tables or people as she walks up beside Ruby, nodding a greeting to the guards in armor and the woman having a drink. "Good evening." She says, hand slipping from the hilt of her blade.

 

The knights, are well, knights. Fully and completely devoted to protecting Ciara, and for reasons that are not readily apparent. They both place their hands on the hilts of their swords as soon as they lay eyes on Ruby, and then Wynter. Though, their hands go off of their blades when Ciara speaks up, "Sarah, Galia, stand at ease." She says this while still looking at her book, and as she takes a sip of her ael she looks up at Ruby and Wynter with Ice blue eyes and smiles warmly at both of them.

 

"Sarah, Galia, how about you two go check up on the rest?" Ciara asks of them. One pipes up almost instantly, "But, but your grace we.."

 

Ciara raises a hand to interrupt and smiles, "You do your utmost to keep me safe, but you're scaring the locals and I would rather have you nearby than standing right over my head. So, off you go.." she says to them as she waggles her fingers in a dismissive way.

 

Both the female knights bow, and in unison they say "As your grace commands.." and make their way outside.

 

Ciara then, looks back to the two woman and motions for them to join her at her booth. "I am the Countess of Cuchlia, and you are welcome at my table. Please, sit." Pause, beat, "Do you have business with me?" she asks of the both, still a warm and welcoming smile on her face.

 

Ruby watches the two devoted Femme-at-arms take their leave, and a harsh jealous spark swats an envious look on her face. "Can't buy tha, can ya...Nah, ya can't. Tha's duty." Ruby composes herself and opens her yap wider to start yammering. She aborts and then blinks, gesturing towards Wynter before attempting to start again. "This be Wyn'tah. Wyn'tah Chantris, Mistress 'o Air an Pathi. I doo 'ope we can 'ave busy-ness. I be Rubeh. I gots big ears an 'eard there moight be 'ard work available. Strange epic works. Deep works tha be no easy undertakin. If it ain't easy, I interested in such things."

 

Wynter nods as pushes Ruby gently to have a seat with the Countess. "Yes. Wynter. Thank you Countess. And just to be clear I'm Chantris by adoption rather then actually by blood. Thank you for seeing us without a appointment. Ruby likes a goo challenge and I like to see strange and new places. Thus we've been a few places together and done a few outlandish things." 

 

Again Ciara motions for them both to sit. Seeing Wynter nudge Ruby, she makes sure to state it again. "Please, sit.." she says softly before leaning back against the booth backing. She folds her arms just under her bustline and against her chest and crosses her legs. To Ruby first, she smirks and nods. "Aye. I've just sought out an Engineer from Begma to help draw up the plans for a multi level deep-shaft mining operation, a tunnel through a mountain range, and a Library. So, if any of that catches your interest, then yes, we more than likely have business with one another. Consider your food and drink on me."

 

To Wynter, she turns and smiles, "No, nothing to thank me for. I made my desire to seek people for this project well known and planted myself here in hopes people would come looking. Though, the types of people and the reasons are random, so, I have my guards with me as a precatuion. I'm sure you understand, but that is here nor there." She nods to Wynter, "Aye, I can imagine as such. Well, if you and I manage to form an agreement, than I'd give you romm and board in Cuchlia while we work on the project."

 

Ruby takes the proper cue after appropriate application of physical reminders. Ruby maneuvers her stature in a place at the booth, pursing her lips and a muscle twitching at the B-word being uttered. "Forcin a path through solid an strange rock definitely gots me attention." She chomps at the bit to say more and then offers tonelessly, "Begmah...aye? I see. Well, I doo know one or two...sane...blokes tha know 'o their arts. They, uh, they really foine people." She manages to get that out without suffering an aneurysm and offers a tight smile. Pausing to listen to Ciara address Wynter, Ruby interlaces her fingers and regulates her breathing and collars her bias of all things Beggish. "Obviously, you know what you want. I don't get a lot 'o opportunity tah goo deep unless there already a fissure or crack 'o doom. Good ores down there for smithin. I gots needs for 'ard tah get metals for certain weapons an whatnot. Maybe we could assist each othah. I not...keen on workin with Beg machinations though. Prefers 'onest...I mean...physical labours if possible. Moight find a use for me workin in concert though? I don't know as mooch as Earth mages or Gozar, but I know me way around underground vaults an forgotten places. Places where it gets 'ot an pressure be loike leagues undah tha sea."

 

Wynter seems amused by Ruby's lack of tolerance with Begman things and folks. Nodding to the other things the woman has to say. "I can attest to Ruby's skill and knowledge at the forge and with thngs metal. She has taught me the was of the smith. She's skilled in weapon and armorsmithing and those principles often translate to the building of tools and more common items.

 

"Your needs are wide, your Excellency. Perhaps what are your greatest needs in these new endevours? I believe Ruby and perhaps myself can assist you in those top needs."

 

Ciara looks to Ruby first, "If you are willing to take on this project with me Ruby, you can name your wages. The ores we have found are quite rare and apparently substantial. They dot the entire mountain range and well, if you'd be willing? I'd love to build a new Forge in the city under the Castle. You'd have your pick of apprentices and ores, as well as being able to name your prices. I'd pay you well if you managed to be able to supply my people with tools and weapons. As to the deep road, that should be simple enough. Siobhan, my Engineer, will draw up the plans for the tunnel, and I wager you and yours can find a way to make it happen?" she asks.

 

To Wynter she turns and waves her hand, "Lady, My'Lady, etc works just fine, no need for formalities." She takes a slight break to gather herself there, obvious lack of sleep and stress on her facial features. Back to Wynter, "They are indeed. Right now, the two most important prospects are the creation of the mine, and the building of the tunnel through the Mountains. Once that's complete, we focus on a smithy and forge, and a halfway station built in to the tunnel for over land traders to stop off at. That, and I imagine as Ruby said, that her working along side begman creations could substantially speed up the over all project. What do the two of you think?"

 

Ruby tries to picture it, her eyes going a little unfocused. The project sounds immense. But magnificent in its daring. "'Ow long you forecastin for this? You gots access tah a port where supplies can be offloaded? Anyone got an interest in seein these projects fail?" Ruby rapidly questions without expecting an immediate answer. Because she's ready to add on more words. "If you pull this oof, sounds loike you doo your realm a great service. Improve things. I'd loike tah 'elp. Money ain't an issue for me. Cherry pick a few ores would doo me plenty. Ain't afraid 'o 'ard work, but I don't got a nose for where tha good stoof is, so you 'elpin me oot. Maybe I get lucky an there be a valuable one tha'd make a good tool or weapon. An tah be truthful, this sounds loike proper work. Honest sweat."

 

Wynter eyes Ruby with a touch of concern. "You have a few months of that sort of honest labor, Ruby. Perhaps a few more then what I think knowing you. But eventually you'll have to take a pause." She says with meaning. She turns to the countess and continues. "I would approach the house Gozar. See if they can lend you builders. They are the top builders in all of Amber. The earth masters of Pathi would also serve you well if you can convince them to work with you. Earth masters can peer through earth and stone to give you a better chance to get through the mountain as well as the ability to slowly shape stone as well."

 

Ciara looks, well, intrigued over all. "Well, Ruby, yes. There are people who would like to see these projects fail, and as to how long I expect it to take? I figure it will take as long as it needs to. Other than that, I'm more than willing to give you your pick in ores as payment. So, I think we have a deal overall if you're in agreement?"

 

She turns to look at Wynter and blinks, "Why? Is something amiss with your friend here? If I can ask that is..." and she turns to Ruby a moment before turning back to Wynter. "Oh, well. I would do that then, seeking out the House Gozar that is. As to the Pathi, I would ask of you to be the one to mediate that introduction if you are willing miss Wynter?"

 

Ruby purses her lips into a pout, but can't disagree with Wynter's suggestions. "Aye, Gozar name carries a lot 'o weight. An those tha 'ave mastered Earth sorceries. Oh aye, they gots tricks. I can't deny. Don't understand 'ow they doo it, but I believe it. Seen it in action."

 

On matters of something the matter, Ruby raises a hand and gesticulates, as if to ward off concern with hocus pocus. "I think we gots a deal. Nothin tha'll stop me from puttin in a good effort towards yer project."

 

Wynter laughs softly and shakes her head to Ciara. "There's nothing wrong with Ruby. No. And there's not a harder working person I know. Once she gets started. And stronger then anyone I know as well." She makes a small face then. "As for mediating for Pathi." She hesitates but then continues. "The majority of Pathi is.. well.." She looks over to Ruby as if to as for assistance with a word but then supplies a few on her own. "They're a separatist lot. There are a few here in Amber that might work with you. Myself included. And there is at least one Earth master. Quina? I've not met with them. If you choose to look into Pathi assistance I would speak to Autumn, my sister. The ambassador for Pathi to Amber."

 

"Well then Miss Ruby, I'll forward to seeing you and Miss Wynter here in Cuchlia proper with in the week. Seeing as we have a deal, I'll need for you, myself, and Siobhan to have a meeting discussing how best to begin the project." She turns to Wynter then and nods, "Well, again, Miss Wynter..." pause "you know your own kind more than I do. So again, I request that you reach out to them and help to facilitate the introductions with any persons you think would be helpfull to me."

 

"I would consider our meeting finished for the evening ladies. Please see one of my knights and let them know who you are, where you come from, and when you intend to be in Cuchlia so that we can make sure we have accommodations made for you properly. As a note though, I have a boat preped to leave in three days. If you can, then you are welcome to make your way on it and travel with me then."

 

Broken hearts...

 In this scene, Ciara seeks out Harold of Monsalvet and chooses to confront him about his wife, Igraine.

 

The Embassy is quiet, this evening Harold is in the courtyard brushing his war horse Chessy. The Grandmaster, draws the brush slowly over the large animals flank.

        Ciara makes her way in to the Courtyard, the sounds of a great many soldiers following her as she does. There's quite a few of them outside the Embassy now, though they do not enter as she does, no, they stay outside. Ciara is here with a mission, a purpose, and shows her trademark determination. As she enters, she walks straight up to Harold and speaks his name, "Harold. I would request words with you" she asks of him, a slight pause as she looks around and then back to him. "In Private."

         Harold lifts a brow, "Certainly." he nods and his attendants. "In Lyonesse, in public, it is polite to use titles...calling me by given name, thusly is very familiar, as you are not my wife or sister...Ser Harold would have been more proper...but that aside, how may I help you?"

The attendants depart allowing private conversation.

        "I've not the time, or the patience, for tradition" replies Ciara plainly, standing firmly with her hands clasped at her stomach. "My using only your name, and forgoing your title, should speak to a great many things." She looks quite intense and and angry. "I am here, Ser Harold, as the Countess Cuchlia, to make an open and formal demand, and to state my intentions to you plainly, tradition can wait while lives are on the line. I have had many, many months, to think things over truly, and completely." She steps forward towards him again, "Will you hear my demands?" she asks. "Will you hear them and know that I do what I do for my people and for Lyonesse as a whole?"

         Harold stops brushing his steed, and turns to face, "I am not your vassal, nor are you mine, I am not obliged to listen to any demands." he says very calmly, "as lives are on the line I will hear your request M'lady." he folds his arms across his broad chest. "I will decide the best course after you have said your peace."

        "Very well Ser Harold.." replies Ciara plainly. "I can not now, or ever, or anymore tolerate your relationship with your wife. Igraine is a Tyrant, and a monster, and I will see her in chains, behind bars.." she pauses "or dead." The last part said with all deliberate force of intent behind it. "My county may be small, and insignificant to Amber, and to perhaps many others, but I will fight for every inch of all twelve hundred square miles and for every strand of hair on the thousands of lives that call it home. We are incapable of standing against Igraine, should her black Knights raid or should she choose to bring the force of Albion, Ascalot and Brentinor down upon us and I know that, but what hurts worse?" she pauses to look at the floor, exhale deeply and then look back up to Harold.

        "Is that I respected you. I looked up to you. I saw in you the hope and the light of a nation. I even agreed with you when you said that Amber cared little for Lyonesse, but I can't help but wonder if Amber cares little for us because of YOUR actions and it pains me to see you continue to stand idle while Igraine keeps prepping to conquer more and more land" pause "and Ser Harold? I will never bow to you as King. Ever. You don't deserve that. You sleep with the enemy and call her wife as she plots to stab you in the back and kills hundreds. You sleep with her, warm and comfy in your bed, while she stands as a absolute enemy to everything you swore to me that you stood for. So today, I am here to say to you that Cuchlia counts itself no ally of Monsalvat, or your Knights, for as long as you continue to Call Igraine your wife."

        "Now, as it stands, I am willing to be proven wrong, and to be shown that all of what I think is inaccurate and based on false information, and I will even beg your kindness and grace in asking for forgiveness, but if what I know to be true is right? That you do nothing and continue to protect her? Then I must make the decision that is best for my people."

        Harold sighs, sadly he shakes his head, "From where did you get your information Countess?" he asks in a polite and formal tone, "You of course have some evidence that Her Majesty is massing troops for purpose of conquest?" he asks in another very polite tone. "If your information comes from an Ambrite princling, or perhaps a Solaris?" he shrugs, "you have been lied to, and are being used by." he says bluntly, "The Solaris family considers all the lands of Lyonesse to be theirs by right of birth...sadly their claim is no stronger than mine or your own...further Taran Solaris, my former squire committed treason against the Kingdom of Monsalvat, and broke the sacred vows of the Graal Knights, and was cast out." he draws a breath "further they swear fealty to House Chantris, who's Duchess is in league with Chaos...did they inform you of any of that?"

        "You assume just as much as I do Grandmaster, much and more." Ciara's retaliation there, a point of fact statement that shows all manner of politeness she can muster. "I am here, entirely of my own accord. Not to mention Ser, I have cast out House Chantris and House Solaris from my lands and declared myself independent from their machinations and publicly so, to the chagrin of the Duchess Chantris who saw fit to make a statement of my Independence, and to send such statement to the other houses of Amber. However, I am capable of seeing the error of my ways, and recognizing my mistakes, and I also take responsibility for my actions fully and completely. With out their support, Cuchlia has suffered much, but yet, it now prospers and perhaps there is a means to an end and a way to mend broken bonds, but again, I stand firm in my statements."

        "As to yours? What further proof do I need than the sacking and taking of Brentinor? That, as a note, I saw you do very little about to delay, or stop, though again I could be mistaken, but it's irelevant. Your WIFE, took the crown of a sovereign territory by force and even if you did anything? You did nothing of any worth or value to stop her from ransacking that land and I can't forgive that."

        "As to your comments about Taran Solaris? Is questioning your marriage to someone who is KNOWN to be the leader of the Black Knights and someone who has truly and honestly succumbed to chaos treason? If standing up to you and your nonsense is treason, than I command him for having the strength of will and character to do so. As to House Chantris, if you have proof that the Duchess is in league with Chaos, than show me, and that will again justify my reasoning for leaving that house behind me."

        "Besides that, I did all of that because of YOU!" she snaps, actually raising her voice for the first time during the conversation. "I swore of Chantris and Solaris, because of YOU! Because I saw the truth of what you taught me, what you showed me. I saw it! But I see now that your hypocrisy with your wife is well and truly your major flaw and weakness and it is a dagger in to my heart to see a man I looked up to, that I respected, that I REVERE!" yet again her voice is raised. "Stand by someone so, so completely horrible." She looks down to the floor and sighs, "She took my parents from me Grandmaster. She took and has taken, and destroyed many lives and I thought you, of all people, could see that she must needs be stopped by all costs. Seems, I was wrong.."

         "Dear Lady, Do know I am the White Knight of Lyonesse, I faced horrors that would shrivel the souls of most." Harold remains calm, "Albion's conquest of Brentinor, was because Brentinor supported Taran Solaris, and a group from Amber in trying to over throw Igraine, by invading Albion...they lost, and Taran was killed. Further, Your Excellancy, I offered my protection to Brentinor, and they suggested I turn my order over to Ser Taran...Ser Taran was not fit to command an army, he was out of he depth trying to take on Igraine...I had managed to contain her...prior to those events..." 

         Harold paces "There is so much you do not know or understand...Black Knights, White Knights, Red Knights, Blue Knights...these were not individual men, they were whole orders of Knights...of all those orders only two still remain...The Graal Knights, or the White order and the Black Knights...If one order or the other prevails Lyonesse may well be lost forever...do you understand a need for balance?"

        Ciara exhales and hangs her head to the floor, and at this point allows the drops of tears to fall from her face and hit the floor. She looks back up at him with tears in her eyes and red cheeks and simply says, "You are breaking my heart Ser Harold." She steps forward and pulls a dagger, hidden in her lower back, held in the sash about her waist, and hands it to him. "Take my life. Take it now and see me set free from having to look at a man that I revered, and to be forced to see him an Enemy. To be forced to no other course of action but to look him in the eye, and see him lost to delusion. Take this away from me, for no matter your justification, you allow an evil to prevail and go unpunished." She exhales again, deeply, "You simply containing her? It makes you just as much a monster and slave to delusion as she is and no reason you come up with Ser Harold, can justify you not doing your duty and ending her evil when you had the chance. So.." she holds the dagger up to him again.

         Well Harold is on Lyonesse, he is used to Grand gestures. He takes the dagger, using his thumb to test the edge, "Might I ask you a question...before I end your life?" he asks in a now forced calm tone. "What give you the right to sit in judgement of a woman you barelyknow, what insight tells you she is beyond redemption?" he pulls off his tunic, his heavily muscled torso is criss crossed with scars, "Here" he points "Igraines sword." he lifts an arm showing a badly mended scar on his ribs, "an ax blow, also Igraine...and she has as many, or more from my own blade...do you really think we have not tried to end one another?"

        "Nothing. Nothing gives me the right save my own desire to see justice done and to see my own vengeance acted on. Nothing save seeing Lyon rid of an absolute Evil that IS, beyond, redemption." When he pulls his tunic off, she looks at each scar and then looks up to him, and outright succumbs to her emotions. She stands there, balling her eyes out, but still standing. "Now I know you have, and you both failed, and perhaps on purpose." She pauses a moment to ready herself, fear in her eyes, because he actually took the dagger. "Though, now I know the truth. That you would take that dagger from me, and honestly seek to kill me, as I stand here unarmed, at your mercy and utterly heartbroken. You would kill me, and make excuses that you and Igraine both /Tried/ to end each other. If you choose to drive that dagger in to me, and kill me? You've made my point, truth."

        "That you can, kill, an unarmed woman as she stands before you simply because she asked you to, but you can't kill an unarmed woman as she lays in your bed."

         Harold shakes his head, and sets the dagger aside. "I do not brandish weapons lightly, and never for the sake of drama...I took the dagger so you would not harm yourself." he frowns more deeply, "you impune my honor." he says softly, "and it breaks my heart..." he pulls his tunic back on, "Good day your excellency, I have heard your /demands/ and I chose to let you believe what you will of me" he turns and again begins to groom his horse. 

        Ciara looks, utterly dumbstruck for sometime, before she bows and chooses not to take the dagger back. "In another life Grandmaster, I would have begged you to love me.." pause, sniffle, "and told you that my reverence for you had turned to love. I mean it truly when I say, that my heart is utterly broken." As she remains bowed, eyes to the floor, "As I said, if you prove me wrong, than only by your grace and kindness can I truly be forgiven for breaking yours. Be well grandmaster." She turns on heel and leaves the Embassy still in tears.