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Post by Guest on Mar 26, 2010 15:28:18 GMT -5
The journey to Denerim was not one that Siri could say was enjoyable. She had to dodge being captured by the soldiers of Bann Dyson who had learned that Siri was seeking the aid of the King to return the lands that were illegally seized. She hoped to catch the King and a few other nobles who knew of her family during some sort of meeting. If she could appeal to their better nature perhaps it would cause the dispute to end peacefully rather than carry on as it has for the past year. She took a deep breath as she approached the gates dressed in one of her dresses that signaled her noble status and on her finger was the signet ring of her family. At first the guards were reluctant to let her pass but after seeing she truly was no harm she was escorted to the entrance where the guards from there took her further inside.
She had only been in the Palace one other time during the Landsmeet but then she was in full armor rather than a dress that showed she was a lady and not some hardened woman with a good shield bash. As she followed the guards she ran over her plead in her head while her eyes scanned around for any signs of deception. She didn't think she would be betrayed by the King but she still had to be cautious. The risk she took by coming alone without her father's knowledge was bad enough. Her hands were starting to sweat and she closed her eyes for a moment to utter a prayer to the Maker for help and asked for guidance from her mother. When she heard the loud creek of the doors opening she opened her eyes and focused herself on the task at hand. She could already hear nobles arguing over an issue she didn't understand and as she finally was shown into the main meeting chamber she felt scared.
Several eyes fell on her and she could feel them inspecting her. She remembered how her mother told her to not pay them any mind. Her father always told her to be brave and never let them see you're afraid. She moved into the room and let the page announce her.
"Lady Siri Ravyn of Raimir."
The room was silent for a moment aside from several whispers and looks of disdain. Siri was well aware of the rumors that her family betrayed their oath of fealty. It was like blood in the water for the sharks but she was not going to let them run her out based on a lie. She kept her composure as she approached and as the people parted to let her by she had to wonder what the King had heard of her family, if anything at all. Her eyes didn't dare look to the sides and she listened to a few whispers that stated she was probably here to upstage the daughters of several higher nobles. The idea made her want to roll her eyes but she held it back. She looked ahead to see the King before her and from the look of him he was nursing a headache or was wishing he was anywhere but here. In all honesty she didn't blame him. Hearing the bickering of nobles who had problems that were not a major concern compared to her family's or that of others in similar situations would give her a headache too.
She stopped several feet from the throne and gave a proper curtsy before addressing him, "Your majesty, I am Siri Ravyn. I have come to ask for your aid in a grave matter. Will you please hear me out?"
While she waited for the King's answer she could hear the gossip and bitter words behind her back. Her eyes shifted down and away hearing how some spoke of her father and her mother who passed. It took all of her strength not to speak against them or give them more to use against her family. Instead she took a deep breath then let it out slowly before looking at the King. Her eyes were welling with tears and she seemed to have lost all hope.
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The Maker
The Maker
The Creator of All
For there is no darkness, nor death either, in the Maker's Light.
Posts: 168
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Post by The Maker on Mar 28, 2010 0:25:11 GMT -5
Alistair had a headache. The tension and stress of the day seemed to be manifesting itself physically, right in the sensitive spot just over his eyebrows. He sighed, listening to the silly group of men bickering in the courts about this and that. He was fed up with this; what was the point? When was the last time anything had truly been worked out this way? Why couldn't they speak logically and respectfully like men instead of spreading rumors and hearsay and acting like gossiping little girls? Alistair amused himself at the thought of them sending in their daughters to argue instead. Just about as much would get solved, if they all didn't attempt to rip off his pants first. Perhaps he was safer with the old men after all, even if they gave him grief. 'To think I thought being King might have it's perks,' he thought to himself, resting his chin in his hand, seated in his throne.
He thought perhaps the Maker had answered his prayers, when all at once the old bickering nobles stopped their yammering for a moment. Alistair looked up to see the chamber doors open and a pretty little woman enter, though she had a nervous and hesitant expression on her face from what Alistair could see. 'So, this prayer came in the form of a lady,' he thought, smirking just slightly, hoping this was not another noble's daughter to pester him over a marriage arrangement. He may consider it, he made a note, since she was actually rather attractive. Still, being a noble's daughter, based on his experience with others, left you with the brain of a nug. He watched her curiously as she approached the throne. It seemed rather brash and confident to Alistair, but certainly got his attention. He could hear whispers now from all corners of the hall, and suddenly Alistair felt as if he should know who she was, but he didn't recognize her by any means.
The King was just about to ask one of his advisors to tell him who she was when she curtsied politely before him and spoke. "Your majesty, I am Siri Ravyn. I have come to ask for your aid in a grave matter. Will you please hear me out?" she asked, quite politely if not sounding a tad desperate. This caused the whispers and gossip to increase in volume and number as Alistair watched the poor girl well up. Ravyn... He knew the name and was just trying to place it in his memory. One of the families of the Bannorn, but he couldn't remember more details. As the girl nearly began to weep and looked up at Alistair imploringly, the King waved his hand at the men in the chamber, sternly bellowing, "Hold your tongues. You disgrace my court." Old bastards. All they cared about was monetary gain. It was all social politics; nobody really cared what was right or what was beneficial, they all just wanted to improve their status in their social circles. It drove Alistair mad, especially to see them make a young woman cry for seemingly no reason at all, at least for a reason he did not know. Nevertheless, the voices quieted, and finally Alistair could speak to the woman without the obnoxious and jeering comments from the peanut gallery.
"I have heard of the name Ravyn," Alistair began, now speaking just to Siri. "I will hear you out. What matter is it you speak of?" he asked, trying to be as kind but diplomatic as he could be in front of his peers while still desiring to help out the distressed woman.
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Post by Guest on Mar 28, 2010 9:01:55 GMT -5
The hush over the room made Siri feel slight better but more exposed at the same time. Her first time attempting to be diplomatic in a royal forum was rather unnerving. She blinked away the small tears that attempted to form in her eyes when she heard the jeers and gossip from earlier before she nodded slightly to Alistair to thank him. She stood straight and tried not to let her inexperience show as she began, "The matter involves the Bannorn of Raimir. Raimir has been in the Ravyn family for many generations and at one time was a wealthy family that supplied the horses to Ferelden until Orlais slaughtered them or stole them for themselves."
She paused for a moment and wet her lips feeling the nervousness starting to rise. Her hands moved in front of her and she held them to hide the nerves, "We lost these lands illegally a little over a year ago during the feud over the throne. Teryn Loghain decided that my father was not honoring his oath of fealty and allowed Bann Dyson to take our lands by force to add to his own." Her lips slowly formed a frown, "Bann Dyson slaughtered innocent people in his charge to claim our lands and with my mother in poor health from the loss of my brother..."
Her voice trailed off and she felt a lump in her throat. She never spoke of her brother until now. Her twin brother that she always looked up to and died to protect them from going to Ostagar. She closed her eyes and tried to calm herself before the doors opened to let in the one man she loathed, Bann Dyson. He swaggered in with his entourage and pointed Siri out, "Do not listen to that little siren. She will enchant you with her sweet voice and looks before she runs you through, your majesty."
Siri opened her eyes and the anger started to seep through to the surface. She looked at Alistair and while keeping her voice as calm as possible it was easy to see the hurt and anguish in her eyes, "This is the man who stole my family's lands and left us in the cold for over a year. He is the reason my mother is dead...and my brother's memory dishonored for what he has done at Ostagar to fight beside King Calian."
"Lies!" Bann Dyson shouted and made his way towards Siri. His men cleared the path for him and his arrogance showed. As he reached Siri he grabbed her by the arm and turned her to face him, "Thinking you could sneak away and spread lies again? I will show you once we return where you place is you churl."
Siri jerked her arm away from him tearing a bit of her sleeve in the process, "I am not yours and never will be." She ended up striking him with a right hook to his jaw. The crack of her fist hitting his jaw was enough to truly silence the room. Siri felt pain in her fingers and held her right wrist while looking at her fingers. The signet ring left a good impression in Dyson's cheek but Siri's fingers and possibly other bones were broken. She winced when she tried to move her fingers then looked at Dyson then to Alistair, who seemed stunned at the events before him. It was Dyson's move now and he chose to backhand Siri knocking her to the ground, her well styled hair fell from its intricate bun and fanned out around her body. She was hit hard enough to render her unconscious and she laid still.
"Know your place, girl." Dyson snarled as blood trickled from his lip. He gestured to his men, "Pick her up and take her away." His eyes then shifted to Alistair, "I apologize for this horrible display, your majesty. I will make sure she is properly punished."
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Post by Guest on Mar 28, 2010 11:21:32 GMT -5
Aedan silently entered the the King's court from one of the many side doors as Siri Ravyn spoke in earnest about her family's plight. He recognized the name Raimir and recalled hearing of Bann Ravyn's youngest daughter as one of his father's choices for an arrangement for himself, though Dalilah had been favored due to his father's close friendship with Howe. The traitorous bastard, Aedan thought once more.
Aedan made a brief bit of eye contact with Alistair but did not join the King by the throne. He maneuvered through the men of court and stood not far from Siri as Bann Dyson angrily interrupted her. The right hook was well laid by the young woman and it made Aedan grin, until of course the Bann demanded his guards deal with her. The sound of starfang sliding out of its sheath startled the room. "Any man that should touch Lady Ravyn again while in the King's court shall lose their hand. Guards, pick up Bann Dyson and set him on his feet. We will have order before the King," Aedan declared angrily. What in the name of the Maker was Dyson thinking to take such liberties in the King's own court?
He held his sword in his right hand and with his left reached a hand down to Siri, his eyes meeting her's, "Are you alright, Lady Ravyn?" He noticed then that she wasn't just laid out by the hit, but unconscious entirely. "Someone call for a healer," Aedan said, kneeling and checking the woman's pulse.
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The Maker
The Maker
The Creator of All
For there is no darkness, nor death either, in the Maker's Light.
Posts: 168
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Post by The Maker on Mar 29, 2010 6:15:01 GMT -5
Listening to her plea, Alistair sympathized with Siri, though he knew that unrest such as she described was not unheard of in the Bannorn. Banns constantly fought each other for land and wealth. Still, it stirred something inside of him to hear of the deaths of innocents. Only warriors should fight a war, he thought to himself. The innocents should not have to pay for the greed and aggression of their lords. Alistair let out a sigh; it seemed Loghain's tyranny continued to effect Ferelden even after his shaming and death. He could see the anguish and hurt in the young woman's eyes and he ached to heal whatever hurt she felt, just as he did with anyone he saw in pain. His protective instinct was strong, moreso over women and those he felt deserved or required it. The defenseless, the meek, or the underprivileged. It was a personal moral that brought much annoyance to Alistair's advisors, but he could not and would not stop. It was in his very blood. Alistair simply watched Siri for a time as she spoke, his concentration only being torn from her as Bann Dyson made a rather vulgar entrance.
Alistair caught a glimpse of Aedan moving through the room, clearly anticipating something bad to happen as soon as Bann Dyson entered the room. Alistair felt it himself too, though he didn't expect him to raise his hand at her in his anger. Shocking enough was the girl giving him what looked like a hard blow to the jaw, but moreso was watching him strike her down before the entire hall. Watching Siri fall into a heap on the floor unconscious sent Alistair into a rage, his emotions taking hold of him as they so commonly did. Regardless of whatever circumstance, there was never a reason to hit a woman. Alistair stood from the throne, a look of disgust and anger on his previously calm face. He charged toward the Bann as Aedan spoke and tended to the woman. Just before he reached the Bann, Alistair motioned to a guard and commanded him to find a healer. Just as Dyson finished speaking "I will make sure she is properly punished," Alistair curled his fists around the man's collar and lifted him from the floor, his stature imposing and threatening. "You will do no such thing. How dare you strike a woman in my court?" he bellowed, scarcely able to contain his will to return the favor to him.
"When I say someone shall speak in my hall, they shall speak. You will do well to remember whom is King, Dyson." and with that, he released him from his grip, sending the Bann tumbling clumsily to the floor. "What sort of insolent coward of a man strikes a woman? In my presence?" he said incredulously, making his way over to Siri and awaiting the arrival of a healer. "Get him out of my sight," he commanded after a moment, motioning to the Bann and his entourage. "You will hold your tongue the next time you are in my court, Dyson. And if I hear of any retaliation against this girl's family over this, you will find yourself in a most unenviable position." Alistair's reaction had been shocking and excessive, yes, but the Bann had truly picked the wrong day to put a toe out of line. Most of the faces throughout the hall hung agape in the silence as the King knelt down beside Siri and Aedan, his anger melting into concern.
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Post by Guest on Mar 29, 2010 10:55:06 GMT -5
Siri was moved just enough to prop her up against Aedan who seemed to check her over for any other wounds. Her fingers on her right hand seemed bent from hitting Dyson so hard but it would be up to the healer to determine if they were in fact broken or if she merely bruised her hand. Some blood trickled from the corner of her mouth and she barely heard the fuss being made over her as she started to come around. She could hear Dyson storming out with his guards and she tried to open her eyes. It was as she started to open her eyes she felt a cool hand on her forehead then another on her right hand that made her wince. She wasn't too sure what happened next but she felt better as if cool water washed over her to mend her small wounds along with a few others she had from a small skirmish before coming to Denerim.
As she finally opened her hazel eyes she took a moment to focus then realized who was surrounding her which made her blush deeply from embarrassment. She had let her temper get the best of her before the King and now she had Aedan Cousland watching over her as well. As she attempted to get up the healer set her right back down and tended to her hand, wrapping it properly while muttering about her not using it for sometime. She frowned, "So much for using a sword any time soon...Perhaps I will just have to practice using my left."
Her comment caused the healer to give her a look with a raised brow but she just looked innocently at the healer. She shifted her gaze to Aedan and Alistair before she lowered her eyes in respect. Her voice turned soft and she frowned again, "Forgive my temper...I usually do not lose it in such a manner. My mother would be cross with me for displaying such anger." Her eyes stared at her hand that was now wrapped. There was still an ache in her fingers and wrist but whatever the healer had done made it feel tolerable. She looked at the two men, "Thank you for protecting me from him. If he was allowed to take me from this court he would have forced a marriage to make the matter moot. At one time I was to marry him and he seemed to be a good man but his mask was all we saw. Once Teryn Loghain discovered that my father would not side with him due to what was said at the Landsmeet...My father sided with Bann Teagan and Arl Eamon feeling that it was right to support the Theirin line since it was King Maric who our family swore fealty to."
It was almost as if Siri had a second wind as she continued to speak, "The marriage contract was voided by my father and Bann Dyson's father because it was seen as marrying a traitor's daughter. Just prior to everything that happened in Raimir and at the Landsmeet we learned of the loss at Ostagar and I lost my twin brother during that battle...My mother Lady Evelyn fell ill at the loss and once we were forced off our lands she succumbed to the illness. Everything my family worked hard for was lost in one night...I suppose you could say it was similar to what Ser Cousland was exposed to when he..." She stopped there and closed her eyes. Her head shook and her hair fell over her shoulder almost hiding her face in a curtain of long chestnut colored hair. Once she finally regained her composure she looked up at Alistair.
"There has been so much suffering and none of it is your fault, your majesty. I do not wish Bann Dyson to be hanged or to lose his life...It would be best if he suffered as my family has. Give his lands to another more deserving and who understands what true nobility is..."
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Post by Guest on Mar 29, 2010 22:00:51 GMT -5
If anyone had the distasteful desire to make a joke at either woman's or Dyson's expense, they showed a profound desire to keep their heads on their shoulders and did not say a thing of it. Aedan was silently pleased that Alistair had let his stack blow off at Dyson. It had been even better that he had not given into any desire to throw the man into irons.
Aedan let shifted his weight as Alistair knelt by the woman and began to help her. He carefully slid his sword back into its sheath and waited with his friend for the healer. He was fairly sure she would be fine, though the healer would tell the truth of it shortly. Arl Eamon was watching with interest, as were several other supporters. Perhaps to judge the King's response and devising the best solution to propose to Alistair.
It was a game to some, but not to Alistair. Aedan knew it was more a moral code with the former Templar. He smiled thinly at Eamon and nodded his head before turning his head as the woman spoke. He listened intently to her tail and thought it would be best to continue the talk in a more private setting, and when she had been more properly attended. He was silent, however, as she mentioned his family's own unfortunate near demise.
"Milord," Aedan resumed his more courtly title when not in private, "Might I recommend we adjourn to a more private setting? Lady Ravyn should be attended to and made comfortable in a guest room and then we might discuss the... events of recent past in Raimir."
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The Maker
The Maker
The Creator of All
For there is no darkness, nor death either, in the Maker's Light.
Posts: 168
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Post by The Maker on Mar 30, 2010 0:02:15 GMT -5
As Alistair knelt beside his friend and the lady Siri, he grew concerned for her well-being as the healer rushed in and went to work. He knew she would likely be alright physically, but it had still been a shocking thing to see, especially in front of him and so many of their peers. How audacious he was. Alistair sighed as a sort of healing light encircled the woman and she gained consciousness. The King let out a soft laugh of relief, looking between the healer and Siri. "Thank you for your service." he said to the healer, before turning his eyes back toward Siri. "Are you alright, Lady Ravyn?" he asked carefully. Of course she wouldn't be, but it was all he could think of to say. "Forgive my temper...I usually do not lose it in such a manner. My mother would be cross with me for displaying such anger." she began, Alistair smirking at her. "Don't apologize. I'd have hit the bastard as well." he replied very quietly so as to not let the many members of the court hear. He hadn't even noticed the Bann making his way angrily out of the hall.
Alistair looked upon the woman with pity as she she spoke of the marriage contract, serving the dual purpose of explaining her plight and giving Alistair some insight into the Bann's true nature. He made a note to speak to Eamon about this in private without so many prying eyes and ears about. Eamon would know more about her father and family history that Alistair regrettably did not. It pained his heart even further to hear of her losing her mother and brother, knowing that Aedan especially would know the experience all too well, and even though he rarely spoke of losing his family he knew that it touched Aedan's life in a profound way and would continue to do so for the rest of his life. "It would be best if he suffered as my family has." she finished, looking imploringly toward Alistair. "Do not worry, Bann Dyson will not get off so easily as to be hung. We will sort this matter out and bring the proper parties to justice." His words were very quiet, almost a whisper, so that only he, Siri and Aedan could hear. Alistair glanced at Aedan; he knew Aedan would have some thoughts on the matter.
"Might I recommend we adjourn to a more private setting?" Aedan suggested formally, almost as if reading Alistair's mind. Alistair nodded to him, replying "I think that would be the best idea," before pushing himself up to a standing position. "Lady Ravyn, are you well enough to walk?" he asked curtly. He wanted to be out of this wretched hall. It was simply full now of gaping mouths and quiet whispers. It made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. The majority of them weren't even worth bothering with in his opinion. His anger was still getting the best of him, even if he'd taken out his aggression on the Bann. People's lives were just a plaything, another bargaining chip for these people. As they stood and made their way out of the chamber, Alistair asked Eamon to dismiss the courts for now while they spoke to Siri in private.
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Post by Guest on Mar 30, 2010 10:52:29 GMT -5
With some help Siri was able to stand up. Her right hand would need to rest to heal properly and she knew it was best to leave it alone. She nodded her head slowly after tucking some of her hair back over her shoulder along with a bit behind her ear to show her face again. A red welt was still on her cheek but would fade thanks to the healing giving to her rather than letting her just lay there as Bann Dyson would have. She still felt embarrassed and was about to follow Aedan and Alistair before she noticed her circlet laying on the ground. With care she picked it up then just held it rather than put it back on. She felt to do so would make her seem vain or even prideful when she truly wasn't. If a man called her beautiful or even suggested she was pretty she didn't believe it. Having been surrounded by brothers all her life she really had no idea that she was considered such. Her mother was what she considered pretty and she felt that she was no where near as pretty as her mother.
As Siri moved to follow Alistair and Aedan she kept her eyes downcast, and felt the eyes of the other nobles judging her. She was guided to a private chamber that appeared to be some sort of study considering the walls were lined with books. It was a pleasant distraction as she moved towards the nearest shelf and began to look over the titles with curiosity. She smiled softly for the first time since arriving and started to feel all those nerves go away. As she moved her right hand to reach for a book that caught her interest she winced. Her left hand moved protectively to her right and she cradled the bandaged hand. Her head shook causing her hair to move with her shaking, "How silly of me to forget my hand."
She turned away from the shelf and figured she could look some other time once she felt better then looked at the two men. It dawned on her at that moment she was in the presence of two handsome men that were heroes of Ferelden. She blushed feeling like some silly girl would looked away to the fireplace that warmed the room, "If you have questions I am willing to answer them as best as I can. My father does not even know I am here asking for help, nor do my remaining brothers. I thought it was easier for me to slip away to find the help we need and was unsure if I would be looked upon as another daughter of a noble to be paraded before the King or even the Grey Warden like some prized horse or treasure." When she looked back at the two men she looked at them both with sympathy, "I have heard from travelers what happens in court but we can talk of that another time."
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Post by Guest on Mar 30, 2010 21:00:48 GMT -5
Aedan stood outside as Lady Ravyn and Alistair went into one of the Palace's many studies. He glanced at Arl Eamon and they spoke briefly before the Arl disappeared to attend to matters of state. Aedan waved to a page boy and told him to bring refreshments to the study suitable for the Lady, the King and himself. He entered the room after the page ran off to see to his orders and found the woman holding her bandaged hand.
"I do hope that doesn't hurt too terribly. A spirit healer might be summoned," he glanced at the hand and then into Siri's eyes. "I asked a bottle of wine be brought. I find it... dulls the pain," he smiled faintly at her, "and some cheese to make it more palpable." He knew that would perk Alistair up.
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The Maker
The Maker
The Creator of All
For there is no darkness, nor death either, in the Maker's Light.
Posts: 168
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Post by The Maker on Mar 31, 2010 5:17:44 GMT -5
Alistair's manners left him as he made his way ahead of Siri and Aedan into the study, not even offering a hand up to the woman. He left it to Aedan to do that. It was not that he was trying to be rude, he was simply still worked up from the altercation with the Bann and completely distracted from the situation at hand, his mind racing with thoughts of repercussions for the Bann, who was right or wrong in the situation, who this Siri actually was... Certainly, it was more exciting than the rest of his morning had been, but for the wrong reasons entirely.
Alistair paced the study for a moment, completely oblivious to Aedan and Siri. It wasn't until she spoke that he snapped out of his trance and sat down for a moment. He was in a daze, looking between Siri and Aedan as they both took turns speaking. It took him a few moments before he realized that the woman had even offered to answer questions for him. He thought over what he could ask; nothing really came initially, but he had to think of something. He would feel quite rude if he didn't.
"Forgive me, Lady Ravyn, but I do not know much about your family history, even if I've heard of the trouble in the Bannorn. I'd meant to ask Eamon or even Aedan here about it before all of... this happened." he said in a monotone voice. He watched her move about the room, his mind still racing on a number of topics. He truly did hope she was alright, and hoped he hadn't caused too much drama for himself and his court by confronting the Bann the way he did. The prospect of wine delighted him greatly as he waited for Siri or Aedan to step in and enlighten him.
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Post by Guest on Mar 31, 2010 9:04:17 GMT -5
Siri blushed slightly from the concern that Aedan and Alistair expressed for her. She wasn't sure how to react to it seeing as it was not typical for her to be in the presence of such people. Manners she had been taught were more towards how she should act rather than how others should treat her. She spent a year as a fighter and even faced Darkspawn to save Denerim, a memory that still gave her nightmares occasionally. "I must admit I am a little hungry and shaken still...Thank you Ser...Lord Cousland. I did not address you right earlier, my apologies." Her eyes shifted to Alistair as he spoke and from the sound of his voice he she wondered if he felt unprepared. She felt the need to make him feel better and moved over to join him.
She set her circlet down on a small side table then sat down, smoothing out the creases in her skirt before resting her hands on her lap. The warmth of the fire was welcome and she glanced at the tear in her sleeve. She figured she could fix it later. It didn't leave her indecent which was her main concern though she wondered if the two men would end up even more angered by Dyson's actions from seeing it. She turned her attention away from the tear and tried to focus again. Her eyes fell on Alistair to address him as she favored her right hand by shielding it with her left, "It is not your fault, your majesty. With everything that has happened no one could blame you for focusing on Denerim first as it was hit the hardest by the Blight. I remember the day all to well and still have nightmares about the Darkspawn at times. The their faces and screams..." She shuddered at the memory then sighed before continuing, "My family was there to fight for Denerim and when it was over we had hoped that the past events would have caused Bann Dyson to return our lands, but we hoped for too much."
She looked down to stare at her hands and fiddled with the bandage tie that was slightly frayed like a child would. Despite all her experience with a sword and shield she still felt inadequate to be in the presence of the King and Grey Warden. When she looked back up her hair fell out of place again but she didn't correct it as she spoke again, "My family is not as important as it once was and even then we were not so proud as to turn away those that needed aid or were less fortunate. Our lands were once used to raise horses before the Orlesian invasion. Once Orlesians came...They destroyed took away the horses by either slaughtering or taking them for themselves. The loss could have destroyed Raimir but we had to adapt and began to shift towards cattle and more farming. The losses my family had caused us to be unable to buy horses to replace the ones that were lost. Bann Dyson's family and ours helped each other out but it seemed that their intentions were not to be friends, at least not Bann Dyson himself."
Siri heard the door open and a page was coming in with the wine and cheese that Aedan had mentioned earlier. She smiled a little then looked back to Alistair and Aedan who seemed to be listening to her carefully. Her right hand moved to tuck her hair back behind her ear before she winced then set it back down feeling foolish for forgetting her injury again. She waited for the pain to fade before she continued, "When my mother told me of the marriage contract I was furious but never expressed it to my parents. I suppose I was going to do what was right out of a sense of duty though on the meetings I had with Dyson I could see that his intentions were not for love but for power, money...His father had been fooled by Dyson's claim to have fallen in love with me saying I was meant to be his. That all changed when he discovered that Thomas, my older brother was to marry another noble's daughter from Amaranthine. I suppose Bann Dyson intended on disposing of my brothers to lay claim to Raimir once my parents had passed...Just as he disposed of his own father before going to support Teryn Loghain."
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Post by Guest on Mar 31, 2010 20:16:14 GMT -5
Aedan shook his head in utter disgust. If she was correct in her assertion, then Dyson was also guilty of patricide. It complicated matters, but not dramatically so. He lifted one of the glass goblets that had been brought and slowly sipped at the red wine. Dyson was certainly a trouble maker and a former Loghain supporter, but they could not arrest everyone who had once supported the deceased Teryn of Gwaren. Those that continued to do so, on the other hand, were fair game.
He drummed his left hand's fingers on the table subconsciously. He was contemplating what he might advise Alistair in this matter, but he believed that Arl Eamon's advise was likely the wiser council to seek out. If they forcibly returned Raimir to the Ravyns, then Dyson and the Loghain supporters could put the Kingdom on the verge of civil war with false claims. They might yet, Aedan thought with a shake of the head.
"Where is your father and family now, Lady Ravyn?" Aedan asked at last, his eyes focusing on her as he slowly lifted the plate of small snacks to offer them to her.
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The Maker
The Maker
The Creator of All
For there is no darkness, nor death either, in the Maker's Light.
Posts: 168
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Post by The Maker on Mar 31, 2010 20:48:49 GMT -5
Alistair stood near her now, hovering in an almost protective fashion. He fidgeted a little and moved on the spot unable to stand still; the after effects of his surge of adrenaline. He listened as she spoke, Siri looking directly at him, perhaps reading the concerned expression that was etched upon his face. "It is not your fault, your majesty. With everything that has happened no one could blame you for focusing on Denerim first as it was hit the hardest by the Blight. I remember the day all to well and still have nightmares about the Darkspawn at times. The their faces and screams..." Alistair bowed his head now. He felt ashamed. It was his fault; he couldn’t help but feel that if he was a better King this wouldn’t have gone unnoticed by him. Yes, Denerim had been his main focus as well as the Blight. However he still should have thought and focused upon the people of this land… Shouldn’t he?
He quickly shook the thoughts from his mind. Now was not a time for living in the past, it was a time for the present and for action. He promised himself at that moment that once the cleanup operation was complete, and everything was back to normal, never again would he let this kind of injustice go unnoticed. He remembered it too... Denerim, that is. “We all have our nightmares. It is nothing to be ashamed of, my lady. You were very brave. I know of fully grown men who are twice your size that would have fled in such a situation. You did yourself and your family a great honor.” he said reassuringly, feeling the urge to place a comforting hand on her shoulder at that moment but refraining.
He watched her now as she was fiddling with the bandage with her hand. He couldn’t decide if this was a simple sign of a fidgety nature or a more nervous disposition. However, he came to the conclusion that no one could judge her if she was feeling nervous. To come to the royal court uninvited was nerve-wracking enough let along being accosted by an overzealous bully once inside. She then began to talk about her family’s past, during the Orlesian occupation. It was a shame that such a chain of events could generate suffering generations still after the occupation had subsided.
His thoughts turned to Shalia and Jeremie as she mentioned the horses, and he pondered for a moment if the horses he had arrived on had any relation to those that had been taken from her family all that time ago. He sighed sadly for her as she continued feeling that he knew where the conversation would go next. As he pondered this there was a knock on the door. “Come in,” he called to the unseen person on the other side of the door. As he said this a page entered carrying a selection of cheese and a bottle of wine. “Thank you,” he said as graciously as possible to the page who bowed as he left. “No need to bow,” he added, slightly irritated as the page turned to leave. The sound of the slamming door let him know the three of them were alone again.
He listened as she continued her story about the arranged marriage. As she did so he walked over to the table where the wine had been place, and then proceeded to pour a generous amount into one of the pristine chalices that had been brought with it. “Arranged marriage, eh?” he said aloud, “I must say I’ve yet to find a good advertisement for arranged marriage.” he muttered this showing his disdain for the practice in his tone. He practically spat as he said it. After he finished filling the chalice walked over to her and held out his hand, offering it to her. “Here you go, and do not be shy to drink deeply. It will help ease the pain and reinvigorate you, my lady.”
He paused now. Contemplating his next move before speaking, “My plans regarding your situation may take some time to prepare, as I will have to consult with certain people. I hope you understand this. In the meantime, I would be happy to have you as my guest and afford you my protection until you return. I will also ensure the safety of your family and will do everything I can to make sure no harm befalls them.” He looked from the plate of cheese back to Siri. “Cheese?” he asked, offering the plate towards her.
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Post by Guest on Mar 31, 2010 21:20:20 GMT -5
"If I may ask this of you both please call me Siri. I still think of my mother as Lady Ravyn and as you can see I barely have practice to step into her shoes." She smiled softly then carefully picked a few bits of cheese from the plate offered to her from Alistair and some toasted bread from Aedan before thanking them with a smile followed by a nod. With care she ate the food then sipped the wine she graciously accepted from Alistair. It was a minor balancing act for her with her hand being sore but she did it gracefully despite it all. Once she had finished she answered Aedan's question of her family, "They would be hiding from Bann Dyson."
She set the chalice down then got up to move to the map of the Bannorn and pointed towards the Hafter River just where it joined to head into the sea. Her eyes followed the map as she pointed at Raimir, "We chose it because of the water source. A man can live without bread but without water? Bann Dyson has been searching the area though and is no fool. He may have seemingly gave his word to your majesty but he has no intentions of keeping it. He is not afraid and I believe he has help from another noble..."
As she finished she turned to look at the two men and not too long after a ruckus was heard along with the sound of a barking dog. At first she noticed the men wince slightly but at the door opened it was Siri's mabari carrying her pack. Siri blushed, "Forgive my companion. She must have been worried about me." The guards grumbled then left muttering something about crazy dogs.
Siri carefully pet the mabari and let it sniff her wrapped hand before a growl came from the dog. Siri soothed the mabari, "Easy Lily...He's not here anymore." Once she calmed the mabari she took the pack and fished out a piece of cloth that had part of an emblem on it. As she stood she offered the cloth to them, "Lily attacked some guard that was with Bann Dyson during one of the skirmishes we had a few weeks ago. He wasn't wearing the seal of Bann Dyson which is a fittingly enough, a snake. This looks to be part of another sort of animal. It could be nothing though."
As she let the two inspect the piece of cloth she moved back towards the fire and picked up the chalice to sip the wine again before feeding Lily a bit of cheese as a reward. She set the chalice down again and sighed heavily. Her head shook as she felt like there was little hope. As she turned to look at Aedan and Alistair, "I can remain here but I fear for my family...I do not know what to do anymore...I just want peace."
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