Post by Lady Kessa on Jan 13, 2009 14:00:53 GMT -6
Franz Castellan: ::he had been in his rooms, he was generally plotting and had formulated a plan on how to deal with the end game of the missing free woman::he still had no idea where she was and he would enter the hall with a bright smile as he saw his Kessa::
Lady Kessa: The gloves of soft supple leater were pulled off her hands and she smiled back. "Tal, Franz." Laying them aside, she walked toward him, head up and her dark blue woolen hem brushing the top of her feet. "Hungry?" Inquiring in a polite tone, her hand set onto his arm.
Franz Castellan: ::he patted her hand then, they were like that with each other but one only had to look to see how they felt::he smiled at her::stew if you have some, some good old fashioned dunking the spoon in stew ::he was sat in his seat and looked around the Hall he would have his men train hard again soon, despite the winter months::
KyrstenErikdotir: ::walks up to the hall and knocks on the door, several blankets folded neatly over one arm::
Lady Kessa: "As you like." Her eyes betrayed any hope of seeming aloof and above it all. Sidestepping the bondmaids she moved into the kitchen to get it herself. The guards outside the door gave mannerly bows of their head to the woman, though they did not move from their sentinel post. Inside, the doors would be opened by the guards within and the woman bade enter. Once she had, they were closed tight again to seal out the chilly weather.
KyrstenErikdotir: ::smiles at the guards and thanks them, then approaches the Jarl:: Tal. I brought some of the blankets my daughter and I agreed to make as our contribution to the festival. You undoubtedly have more storage space in your hall than we do in our longhouse.
Lady Kessa: The tray in the kitchen was laden with a large turned bowl of rich stew, long simmered to a state of flavorful coagulation. A loaf of yellow bread, a chunk of cheese and a crock of butter beside it, she filled a tankard with cool clear water and carried it out. Spying the woman, she smiled brightly. "Tal, Lady." She would not further interrupt the conversation at the moment, but set the food down before the High Seat and then moved back to reclaim her leather gloves and sit back down, working on the task of braiding the needle-tree branches into the garland that so far stretched halfway down one of the long dining tables the Jarls usually congregated around during meals.
Franz Castellan: Ah..::he smiled at the approaching lady whose name he did not know yet::I am afraid my memory is lapse::he tapped his head:you are..Elise's mother ?
KyrstenErikdotir: Yes, I am Elise's mother, Kyrsten. She contracted us to supply blankets in a few colors for the festival before she so carelessly went wandering and got herself captured. ::frowns at that::
Franz Castellan: Ah..yes..so I hear ::he motioned for her to join them at his table::please sit ::he smiled in that..you can trust me manner all men had in an emergency:: it is being dealt with
Lady Kessa: Fingers twitched, her rhythm lost and she set the work down for a moment, flexing and then set her hands into her lap, fingers weaving with fingers, clenching faintly before she returned to her work. "That was a great shock. I am not ashamed to say I am quite upset." She cut a look toward Franz and then to K yrsten. "Would you like some tea, Lady Kyrsten?"
KyrstenErikdotir: ::takes a seat on one of the benches near him and sets the stack of woolen blankets, all dyed a bright scarlet, next to her:: Tea would be welcome, thank you.
Franz Castellan: :he smiled brightly::thankyou for the blankets
Lady Kessa: She lifted a branch, not large or heavy, just a snippet of needletree, and flicked it at Tempest as she passed. "Tea." Spoken with a subdued amusement as the bondmaid worked to fish the clingy evergreen from her hair where it had clung a bit. The girl did as she was told though, and made haste back to the kitchen to fetch the tea for the Jarl's guest.
KyrstenErikdotir: ::takes the tea and waves the bond-maid away, taking a sip, then setting the cup on the table:: You are welcome.
Franz Castellan: ::he dunked his spoon into his bowl and drew out the stew::
KyrstenErikdotir: If we get Elise back, I have suggested to her father that he take a strap to her for her foolishness. ::wants her daughter back? Definitely. Counting on it under the circumstances? Not::
Franz Castellan: So...has there been anymore contact regarding your daughter..I am still somewhat at a loss to comprehend what happened
KyrstenErikdotir: ::sighs:: All I know is she went farther from home than she should have with but a single guard and was somehow captured. And that they plan to keep her until a ransom is paid.
Lady Kessa: Like plaiting hair, the boughs were wired together, the hall's air filled with the pungent scent of evergreen, her ears open as she listened to the conversation at the next table, sliding down the bench when need called for it. If it were not for eavesdropping she'd hardly know anything about it, and the subject obviously vexed Franz so she hadn't asked outright.
KyrstenErikdotir: Olaf said only that there were two tarnsmen who raided and snatched her. He was wounded trying to prevent it. My companion and my sons are very upset, as well, but the work of the farm still has to be done. ::and a larger portion of the female tasks has fallen to her with her daughter missing, of course, since men are not about to spin or weave or sew::
Lady Kessa: "Tarns? Oh, how horrible." She shuddered visibly. Her dislike of the creatures was not a secet. She paused to watch Kyrsten. She felt great sympathy for the woman. She knew though that women of this land were very hale and not much for charity.
Franz Castellan: Perhaps we can provide you with one of the slaves from the pens to compensate your loss::he looked at Kessa and nodded::Even I..and forgive my language would take a crap at the sight of a tarn and I am not a coward, they are dangerous creatures :he ...had a bad habit of interrupting when people spoke, and he stayed quiet then::
Lady Kessa: Looking toward Franz she nodded. "Even one of the Hall's girls. They're clever and well trained. I am sure they would be small consolation, but if they could remove some of the weight your shoulders bear, you are welcome to them." She smiled. "And if you've as many sons as I hear tell, they'd be thrilled to keep such company, the wicked things." She couldn't help but smile a little.
KyrstenErikdotir: ::smiles:: The loan of a bond-maid would be helpful if you can spare one. It would let me concentrate more on making those blankets. We do have two of our own but they are most often out herding during the day. The herds are more important than a few dishes piling up in the sink.
Franz Castellan: So::he smiled brightly::it is settled, who shall we give them
KyrstenErikdotir: ::thinks her sons certainly won't object to another bond-maid in the longhouse::
Lady Kessa: She thought over it, knowing them well enough to consider who would be the best help in what a woman such as Kyrsten would need. "Franz, do you think Sweetness would be best? She was once free, after all, and knows a bit more than the others when it comes to the kitchen." Not to mention Sweetness was named such not just for her liking of pastries. She was even tempered and slow to frustrate.
Franz Castellan: ::he turned to Kessa::I think it would be a good idea
KyrstenErikdotir: ::smiles:: If she's a good cook, that would save me a lot of time and effort. Dishes can wait, but hungry men have to be fed. ::winks at Kessa:: They get so irritated when they are not.
Franz Castellan: If Elise returns we should make sure she is back to good health before returning to my farms
Lady Kessa: Setting down her work and extricating herself from the coiled wire, she stripped the gloves off and smoothed her robe. "She is a fine cook, and a good girl. If she gives you trouble, you have only to send her back and we'll know she's been found wanting." She turned to head back to the kitchen to inform Sweetness and get her prepared to go to the longhouse of Haraldr. Within half an ahn, the Rubenesque strawberry blonde would be dressed for the trip, a bag of given things settled upon her hip. Some 'starts' for dinners and a change of kirtle as well as the comb and brush that were given to her as hers to use.
KyrstenErikdotir: ::finishes her tea and hands the empty cup off to a passing bond-maid::
Franz Castellan: ::he raised that spoon again and chewed on the meat, succulent::it filled his belly and then he reached for the bread, dunking it in to suck up the juice, he would raise the bread to lips and take a chunk off with his teeth:::
Lady Kessa: Taken with bowed head, Fire gave a look of peevish jealousy toward Sweetness who was going to tend to the Jarls of Haraldr who were fine men if the rumors were true. Hips swaying as she flounced off to the kitchen to wash the cup. Kessa passed her with a pot of tea and poured her own empty cup full again, setting the pot down. "Thank you, again, for the blankets, Lady Kyrsten. I am sure that when our guests arrive they will be more than thrilled to have such a warm thing to wrap around themselves. " She knew it was likely cruel to take pleasure in the thinking about those poor Cosians shivering away in what she found quite tolerable, though just above freezing, weather.
Franz Castellan: Ah..have we had any more response to our festival Kessa?::he was interested to see who would come or not::-
Lady Kessa: "There is the delegation from Cos, of course. The Administrator and his scribe at the least. Then there has been, of course, great outpouring of the local peoples." She smiled to herself. She knew that it had been a bad time here before Franz came, and the idea of someone who cared about the people and wanted the best for the village and not just his own purse, well, that alone was cause for celebration to some.
KyrstenErikdotir: How many are expected to come? Will there be many foreigners?
Lady Kessa: "It was kept quiet. So only the delegates from Cos and a few friends of our guests. Everyone may invite whomever they like, but we did not go so far as to send notices to be tacked up in all the cities." Speaking of the oft-read notice boards that so many used to know the news from all around. "When the festival is over, we're planning to depart for the Se'Var faire. Will your family be sending anyone?"
Franz Castellan: ::he listened to the two chit chat as he ate, drank and..occupied his stomach::has there been any word from my Brother Taz?
KyrstenErikdotir: It will be a long trip. Someone would have to stay behind and tend the farm. More than one, likely.
Franz Castellan: ::he was a little concerned he had not heard from him in a while and ..he figured no news was not good news::
Lady Kessa: "Well, if even a few wish to come, they are welcome to share our ship." She smiled with warmth and then glanced over to Franz. "No, my own, no word from Taz yet." She hoped all was well in Ko-Ro-Ba. She hadn't heard otherwise, but the Towers of Morning were always said to be very independent.
Franz Castellan: ::he turned to her then ..Kyrsten that was::well, not everybody from the Hall will go. Essential jobs still need to be done, livestock tended, the docks need to be looked after, ships maintained...
Lady Kessa: "Thank Odin that we've got Ivan..." Her hands twisting the garland before her as she bit back a smirk. "He's always so ...handy." She did not dare lift her eyes, for she doubted that Franz would be as amused as she was. But if she did not tease him now and again, she'd probably wither away. Love her or leave her, she was who she was.
Haraldrs inga: ::arms loaded with garlands, she pads her way to the Jarl's hall, long curling blond hair pulled away from her face by twine, sleeveless kirtle covered by wool cloak, she smiles at the guard by the door:: greetings Jarl, I've brought garland for the Mistress ::her voice low and melodious as she speaks with the guard::
KyrstenErikdotir: ::nods to the Jarl:: Indeed. I would say at least three of our sons will have to remain home with one of the bond-maids.
Franz Castellan: ::he looked to the guards on the door..there was a girl he had never seen before talking to them. He turned then to Kyrsten::well I am sure your sons will do a fine job
Lady Kessa: The guards gave a subtle knock allowing the interior pair to know it was no one of consequence, and the bondmaid was given a nudge in, the door closed firmly behind her. "Tal." Kessa spoke as she rose, noting the garlands. "Set them at the end of the table." She motioned to the far side of the table, which was far from herself, but closest to the laden bondmaid.
KyrstenErikdotir: If they don't, their father will have the reason why. ::chuckles, glancing over at Inga when she arrives:: Did you go halfway to the Axe Glacier to find those, bond-maid?
Haraldrs inga: ::her smile bright:: yes Mistress, thank you ::carefully she sets the garlands on the table, laying them neatly side by side, she turns to Kyrsten her hands clasped behind her with a shake of her head:: oh no, Mistress, please forgive me for taking so long in bringing these to you ::she says nothing else since excuses are not acceptable::
Lady Kessa: She gave a non-committal sound of excusing the girl as se returned to her own weaving of boughs into decor for the hall. "We'll have the thralls all over..." She gave a slightly disgusted face. "But I am sure the girls will scrub up appropriately after." She lifted hazel eyes to Kyrsten. "To hand these up I mean." It wasn't a secret she did not care much for thralls. Glancing over at the bondmaid, she turned her eyes back to Kyrsten after a moment." Yours?" A lift of her chin in the direction of the garland girl
KyrstenErikdotir: ::nods:: One of the two I mentioned. This one is Inga. The other is Olga.
Haraldrs inga: ::again her voice low and pleading:: please Mistress, is there anything i may do here to help prepare for the festival?
KyrstenErikdotir: They're good enough for herding the animals and carrying dung to the fields. And adequate at household tasks. ::she would certainly never praise either of them for household skills, whether merited or not::
Lady Kessa: "If you wish, Inga may show Sweetness, the bondmaid there..." she indicated the one dressed for travel. "to your longhouse and she may start her chores before the men come in from work starving?"
KyrstenErikdotir: Will you need more branches, or is that good for now? I can send her out again to fetch more.
Lady Kessa: "I think I've enough, Lady Kyrsten. Franz has told me he fears he'll wake up and think he's been transported to the Forest in his sleep there are already so many." She was not offended by his teasing, for she knew his complaints, even when gruff, were coming from a place of good-nature. "But if you wish her to return once Sweetness is safe at your home, she may do so if it pleases you."
KyrstenErikdotir: Inga, take Sweetness to the longhouse and set her to work in the kitchen. She has been loaned to us until we can get my daughter back. Once you have done that, check on Olga and the herds. If she is handling them well, if they are not wandering uncontrollably, then return here. If she needs help, stay there.
Haraldrs inga: ::a quick nod:: yes Mistress ::she turns to Sweetness with a smile:: if you will follow me ::turning lightly on her sandle clad toes, hair swinging with her walk, she leads the way from the main chamber with Sweetness in tow::
Sweetness NPC: Sweetness nodded, then turned and bowed her head low, the strawberry blonde length brushing at the floor as she bade her good-bye before quickly moving after the other girl, clinging to her bag. Once she'd learned the kitchen, where all the things were kept and what food was on hand, she untied her bag and set to work, tying back her hair and humming to herself.
Lady Kessa: "I was, of course, heart-sick when I heard what occurred." Obviously speaking of Elise."I was once in a position where a tarn swept down from the sky." A small smile touched her lips. "I was in a panic and jumped behind the biggest thing I could find to hide... and that thing was Franz." She laughed again, shaking her head. "That is how we met, silly as it sounds." She sobered a bit. "Thankfully the tarnsman who landed was not seeking to snatch up people that day. I cannot imagine how it must be to lose your child." Her hands from her lap lifting only slightly, instinct of protection for a moment rearing its head. "Franz will do all he can to see her returned safely." Hollow, she supposed, at a time like this. But, still, if you lost hope, you lost everything.
KyrstenErikdotir: I would have thought she would have sense enough to leave the area quickly if tarns were spotted. Or that Olaf would have dragged her home. My companion is not pleased with him.
Lady Kessa: "It is sometimes hard even for the bravest men to keep clear-headed when those ... things appear." She shuddered again, her hand lifting to assure the shake had not dislodged any of her combs. "They aren't as common here, I have noticed. Likely she simply did not have the unconscious reaction to spring and hide as those who see them more often. " She did not think the girl had been wise either, but she tried to be as forgiving and empathetic as she could to everyone. "No doubt she has acquired it now though."
Haraldrs inga: ::once the bondsmaids reach the longhouse and Sweetness is safely and happily ensconced, Inga strides to the field to find olga screaming, Bojee pulling on her kirtle with a happy sleen snarl and a determination to play with this aparent new toy, the bondsmaid's screams brings Galen to the rescue, and with a short bark of an order, the sleen slinks away to continue his work as a herder, Inga looks at the Master, her eyes filled with adoration since this is favorite of the Masters, throws her arms around him with a multitude of kisses, once all is well and she sees the verr are safely rounded up and not wandering around aimlessly, she quickly turns to make her way back to the Jarl's hall::
Lady Kessa: The guards outside of the Hall were in the process of trading with their interior cohorts, a task done every half-ahn to keep the men from getting too badly frozen. Thus through the open door the bondmaid was ushered and the door closed behind her. Inside, Tempest and Comfort were in the process of bringing in firewood from the back, Delight was off doing what task the jarl who had plucked her up earlier desired, and Fire was still working on the kitchen to fill in where Sweeteness' absence would be most noted. Ilsa, the widow woman who served as the mistress of the kitchen was giving her a hard time over leaving spots on the floor unwashed.
Haraldrs inga: ::she returns to the main chamber:: greetings again Mistresses ::her smile warm and happy:: is there anything that needs to be done?
Lady Kessa: Looking over, she gave a quick appraisal of the girl. "If your Mistress has no other use for you, you may start sweeping up the rushes for the evening, I suppose." She gave a little flick of her wrist toward the door which lead to the kitchen and laundry and where the brooms might be found. Resuming her weaving, her pace grew more sure, more speedy with practice, glad she had the gloves to keep the thin wire from slicing into her fingers as she pulled it tight around the small limbs, careful not to knock loose the petite seed cones that still clung here and there. When the garlands were done, these would be touched up with gold when the gild-kissed fruits were added.
Haraldrs inga: ::she looks at her Mistress for permission to continue as commanded::
KyrstenErikdotir: ::nods to Inga to go about what she was told to do, then looks over at Kessa:: Would you like any help with making the garland?
Lady Kessa: "Oh, of course, Lady. Please, feel free." She motioned to the spot across from herself. There had been a phalanx earlier, so there were gloves sitting about to use if needed.
Haraldrs inga: ::with a happy nod, she turns to find one of the brooms indicated by the Mistress, pulling off her cloak and her shoes, she bundles them up and places them in a corner of the kitchen before starting her sweeping, her hair falling around her face as she happily sweeps, not humming as is her usual tendency out of respect for the conversation between the Free Women. sweep sweep sweep sweep sweep, the gentle schush of the broom making a soft and hypnotic sound. She pauses for an ihn to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear before continuing with the sweeping. :the rushes all swept into a pile, she stoops to scoop it up, her hair falling over her shoulders, kirtle riding up on her hips, she straightens and tosses back her hair, carrying the rushes to the kitchen to place in a trash bin outside, she returns to the main chamber and scoops up the rest of the rushes, taking them also to the trash bin outside the kitchen::
Lady Kessa: "You can just throw them into the long fire net time." She spoke as the girl took the trouble to carry the dried rushes out. "The mud doesn't bother the fire much." Her smile one of amusement as she rose and fetched up the basket of dried and gilded pomegranates and sat back down, clipping bits of wire from the other end of the dwindling spool to be stuck through them so they could be wired here and there and provide decoration as well as loops that would give the nails something more than the bough itself to cling to. She gave a look toward the slit above the fire where the smoke rose and spilled out into the night, noticing by the darkness how late it was getting. She hoped she was not keeping the Lady. She, herself, would have to adjourn in a bit to tend to transcribing the day's accounts from the docks.
Haraldrs inga: ::she turns to look at the Mistress, blond hair sweeping back:: yes Mistress ::she goes into the kitchen for supplies for cleaning the floor of the longhouse, returning with two buckets, one filled with sudsy water and the other with clean water, placing them side by side in the corner of the chamber, she makes her way once more into the kitchen to return with a scrub brush and rep cloth, hiking up the skirt of her kirtle, she kneels on the floor to begin scrubbing it free of dirt::
KyrstenErikdotir: Inga, we should be getting back. I have more weaving to do and you must help Olga in the dairy.
Lady Kessa: She removed her gloves, the tips now damp and ruddy with the stains from the skins of the fruit. "It was good to see you, Lady. Thank you again for the beautiful blankets and if Sweetness gives you any trouble, do let us know." A polite bow of her head was given. "I should be tending to the paperwork that came up from the docks this afternoon myself. I wish you well. Know that if you need anything at all, or your family does, we are here."
Haraldrs inga: ::she lifts her head and looks at the Mistress, the front of her kirtle wet and clinging:: yes Mistress ::standing, she hands off the scrub brush and rep cloth to one of the Jarl's industrious girls drying her hands on the skirt of her kirtle as she goes into the kitchen to fetch her cloak and sandals, pulling them on, she goes to stand by the door to await her Mistress::
KyrstenErikdotir: ::rising from the bench, she snaps her fingers at the bond-maid:: I shall do that. Thank you for loaning her to us. ::gathering her cloak around herself, she walks to the door and exits::
Haraldrs inga: :;she turns and follows her Mistress out the door::
Lady Kessa: The gloves of soft supple leater were pulled off her hands and she smiled back. "Tal, Franz." Laying them aside, she walked toward him, head up and her dark blue woolen hem brushing the top of her feet. "Hungry?" Inquiring in a polite tone, her hand set onto his arm.
Franz Castellan: ::he patted her hand then, they were like that with each other but one only had to look to see how they felt::he smiled at her::stew if you have some, some good old fashioned dunking the spoon in stew ::he was sat in his seat and looked around the Hall he would have his men train hard again soon, despite the winter months::
KyrstenErikdotir: ::walks up to the hall and knocks on the door, several blankets folded neatly over one arm::
Lady Kessa: "As you like." Her eyes betrayed any hope of seeming aloof and above it all. Sidestepping the bondmaids she moved into the kitchen to get it herself. The guards outside the door gave mannerly bows of their head to the woman, though they did not move from their sentinel post. Inside, the doors would be opened by the guards within and the woman bade enter. Once she had, they were closed tight again to seal out the chilly weather.
KyrstenErikdotir: ::smiles at the guards and thanks them, then approaches the Jarl:: Tal. I brought some of the blankets my daughter and I agreed to make as our contribution to the festival. You undoubtedly have more storage space in your hall than we do in our longhouse.
Lady Kessa: The tray in the kitchen was laden with a large turned bowl of rich stew, long simmered to a state of flavorful coagulation. A loaf of yellow bread, a chunk of cheese and a crock of butter beside it, she filled a tankard with cool clear water and carried it out. Spying the woman, she smiled brightly. "Tal, Lady." She would not further interrupt the conversation at the moment, but set the food down before the High Seat and then moved back to reclaim her leather gloves and sit back down, working on the task of braiding the needle-tree branches into the garland that so far stretched halfway down one of the long dining tables the Jarls usually congregated around during meals.
Franz Castellan: Ah..::he smiled at the approaching lady whose name he did not know yet::I am afraid my memory is lapse::he tapped his head:you are..Elise's mother ?
KyrstenErikdotir: Yes, I am Elise's mother, Kyrsten. She contracted us to supply blankets in a few colors for the festival before she so carelessly went wandering and got herself captured. ::frowns at that::
Franz Castellan: Ah..yes..so I hear ::he motioned for her to join them at his table::please sit ::he smiled in that..you can trust me manner all men had in an emergency:: it is being dealt with
Lady Kessa: Fingers twitched, her rhythm lost and she set the work down for a moment, flexing and then set her hands into her lap, fingers weaving with fingers, clenching faintly before she returned to her work. "That was a great shock. I am not ashamed to say I am quite upset." She cut a look toward Franz and then to K yrsten. "Would you like some tea, Lady Kyrsten?"
KyrstenErikdotir: ::takes a seat on one of the benches near him and sets the stack of woolen blankets, all dyed a bright scarlet, next to her:: Tea would be welcome, thank you.
Franz Castellan: :he smiled brightly::thankyou for the blankets
Lady Kessa: She lifted a branch, not large or heavy, just a snippet of needletree, and flicked it at Tempest as she passed. "Tea." Spoken with a subdued amusement as the bondmaid worked to fish the clingy evergreen from her hair where it had clung a bit. The girl did as she was told though, and made haste back to the kitchen to fetch the tea for the Jarl's guest.
KyrstenErikdotir: ::takes the tea and waves the bond-maid away, taking a sip, then setting the cup on the table:: You are welcome.
Franz Castellan: ::he dunked his spoon into his bowl and drew out the stew::
KyrstenErikdotir: If we get Elise back, I have suggested to her father that he take a strap to her for her foolishness. ::wants her daughter back? Definitely. Counting on it under the circumstances? Not::
Franz Castellan: So...has there been anymore contact regarding your daughter..I am still somewhat at a loss to comprehend what happened
KyrstenErikdotir: ::sighs:: All I know is she went farther from home than she should have with but a single guard and was somehow captured. And that they plan to keep her until a ransom is paid.
Lady Kessa: Like plaiting hair, the boughs were wired together, the hall's air filled with the pungent scent of evergreen, her ears open as she listened to the conversation at the next table, sliding down the bench when need called for it. If it were not for eavesdropping she'd hardly know anything about it, and the subject obviously vexed Franz so she hadn't asked outright.
KyrstenErikdotir: Olaf said only that there were two tarnsmen who raided and snatched her. He was wounded trying to prevent it. My companion and my sons are very upset, as well, but the work of the farm still has to be done. ::and a larger portion of the female tasks has fallen to her with her daughter missing, of course, since men are not about to spin or weave or sew::
Lady Kessa: "Tarns? Oh, how horrible." She shuddered visibly. Her dislike of the creatures was not a secet. She paused to watch Kyrsten. She felt great sympathy for the woman. She knew though that women of this land were very hale and not much for charity.
Franz Castellan: Perhaps we can provide you with one of the slaves from the pens to compensate your loss::he looked at Kessa and nodded::Even I..and forgive my language would take a crap at the sight of a tarn and I am not a coward, they are dangerous creatures :he ...had a bad habit of interrupting when people spoke, and he stayed quiet then::
Lady Kessa: Looking toward Franz she nodded. "Even one of the Hall's girls. They're clever and well trained. I am sure they would be small consolation, but if they could remove some of the weight your shoulders bear, you are welcome to them." She smiled. "And if you've as many sons as I hear tell, they'd be thrilled to keep such company, the wicked things." She couldn't help but smile a little.
KyrstenErikdotir: ::smiles:: The loan of a bond-maid would be helpful if you can spare one. It would let me concentrate more on making those blankets. We do have two of our own but they are most often out herding during the day. The herds are more important than a few dishes piling up in the sink.
Franz Castellan: So::he smiled brightly::it is settled, who shall we give them
KyrstenErikdotir: ::thinks her sons certainly won't object to another bond-maid in the longhouse::
Lady Kessa: She thought over it, knowing them well enough to consider who would be the best help in what a woman such as Kyrsten would need. "Franz, do you think Sweetness would be best? She was once free, after all, and knows a bit more than the others when it comes to the kitchen." Not to mention Sweetness was named such not just for her liking of pastries. She was even tempered and slow to frustrate.
Franz Castellan: ::he turned to Kessa::I think it would be a good idea
KyrstenErikdotir: ::smiles:: If she's a good cook, that would save me a lot of time and effort. Dishes can wait, but hungry men have to be fed. ::winks at Kessa:: They get so irritated when they are not.
Franz Castellan: If Elise returns we should make sure she is back to good health before returning to my farms
Lady Kessa: Setting down her work and extricating herself from the coiled wire, she stripped the gloves off and smoothed her robe. "She is a fine cook, and a good girl. If she gives you trouble, you have only to send her back and we'll know she's been found wanting." She turned to head back to the kitchen to inform Sweetness and get her prepared to go to the longhouse of Haraldr. Within half an ahn, the Rubenesque strawberry blonde would be dressed for the trip, a bag of given things settled upon her hip. Some 'starts' for dinners and a change of kirtle as well as the comb and brush that were given to her as hers to use.
KyrstenErikdotir: ::finishes her tea and hands the empty cup off to a passing bond-maid::
Franz Castellan: ::he raised that spoon again and chewed on the meat, succulent::it filled his belly and then he reached for the bread, dunking it in to suck up the juice, he would raise the bread to lips and take a chunk off with his teeth:::
Lady Kessa: Taken with bowed head, Fire gave a look of peevish jealousy toward Sweetness who was going to tend to the Jarls of Haraldr who were fine men if the rumors were true. Hips swaying as she flounced off to the kitchen to wash the cup. Kessa passed her with a pot of tea and poured her own empty cup full again, setting the pot down. "Thank you, again, for the blankets, Lady Kyrsten. I am sure that when our guests arrive they will be more than thrilled to have such a warm thing to wrap around themselves. " She knew it was likely cruel to take pleasure in the thinking about those poor Cosians shivering away in what she found quite tolerable, though just above freezing, weather.
Franz Castellan: Ah..have we had any more response to our festival Kessa?::he was interested to see who would come or not::-
Lady Kessa: "There is the delegation from Cos, of course. The Administrator and his scribe at the least. Then there has been, of course, great outpouring of the local peoples." She smiled to herself. She knew that it had been a bad time here before Franz came, and the idea of someone who cared about the people and wanted the best for the village and not just his own purse, well, that alone was cause for celebration to some.
KyrstenErikdotir: How many are expected to come? Will there be many foreigners?
Lady Kessa: "It was kept quiet. So only the delegates from Cos and a few friends of our guests. Everyone may invite whomever they like, but we did not go so far as to send notices to be tacked up in all the cities." Speaking of the oft-read notice boards that so many used to know the news from all around. "When the festival is over, we're planning to depart for the Se'Var faire. Will your family be sending anyone?"
Franz Castellan: ::he listened to the two chit chat as he ate, drank and..occupied his stomach::has there been any word from my Brother Taz?
KyrstenErikdotir: It will be a long trip. Someone would have to stay behind and tend the farm. More than one, likely.
Franz Castellan: ::he was a little concerned he had not heard from him in a while and ..he figured no news was not good news::
Lady Kessa: "Well, if even a few wish to come, they are welcome to share our ship." She smiled with warmth and then glanced over to Franz. "No, my own, no word from Taz yet." She hoped all was well in Ko-Ro-Ba. She hadn't heard otherwise, but the Towers of Morning were always said to be very independent.
Franz Castellan: ::he turned to her then ..Kyrsten that was::well, not everybody from the Hall will go. Essential jobs still need to be done, livestock tended, the docks need to be looked after, ships maintained...
Lady Kessa: "Thank Odin that we've got Ivan..." Her hands twisting the garland before her as she bit back a smirk. "He's always so ...handy." She did not dare lift her eyes, for she doubted that Franz would be as amused as she was. But if she did not tease him now and again, she'd probably wither away. Love her or leave her, she was who she was.
Haraldrs inga: ::arms loaded with garlands, she pads her way to the Jarl's hall, long curling blond hair pulled away from her face by twine, sleeveless kirtle covered by wool cloak, she smiles at the guard by the door:: greetings Jarl, I've brought garland for the Mistress ::her voice low and melodious as she speaks with the guard::
KyrstenErikdotir: ::nods to the Jarl:: Indeed. I would say at least three of our sons will have to remain home with one of the bond-maids.
Franz Castellan: ::he looked to the guards on the door..there was a girl he had never seen before talking to them. He turned then to Kyrsten::well I am sure your sons will do a fine job
Lady Kessa: The guards gave a subtle knock allowing the interior pair to know it was no one of consequence, and the bondmaid was given a nudge in, the door closed firmly behind her. "Tal." Kessa spoke as she rose, noting the garlands. "Set them at the end of the table." She motioned to the far side of the table, which was far from herself, but closest to the laden bondmaid.
KyrstenErikdotir: If they don't, their father will have the reason why. ::chuckles, glancing over at Inga when she arrives:: Did you go halfway to the Axe Glacier to find those, bond-maid?
Haraldrs inga: ::her smile bright:: yes Mistress, thank you ::carefully she sets the garlands on the table, laying them neatly side by side, she turns to Kyrsten her hands clasped behind her with a shake of her head:: oh no, Mistress, please forgive me for taking so long in bringing these to you ::she says nothing else since excuses are not acceptable::
Lady Kessa: She gave a non-committal sound of excusing the girl as se returned to her own weaving of boughs into decor for the hall. "We'll have the thralls all over..." She gave a slightly disgusted face. "But I am sure the girls will scrub up appropriately after." She lifted hazel eyes to Kyrsten. "To hand these up I mean." It wasn't a secret she did not care much for thralls. Glancing over at the bondmaid, she turned her eyes back to Kyrsten after a moment." Yours?" A lift of her chin in the direction of the garland girl
KyrstenErikdotir: ::nods:: One of the two I mentioned. This one is Inga. The other is Olga.
Haraldrs inga: ::again her voice low and pleading:: please Mistress, is there anything i may do here to help prepare for the festival?
KyrstenErikdotir: They're good enough for herding the animals and carrying dung to the fields. And adequate at household tasks. ::she would certainly never praise either of them for household skills, whether merited or not::
Lady Kessa: "If you wish, Inga may show Sweetness, the bondmaid there..." she indicated the one dressed for travel. "to your longhouse and she may start her chores before the men come in from work starving?"
KyrstenErikdotir: Will you need more branches, or is that good for now? I can send her out again to fetch more.
Lady Kessa: "I think I've enough, Lady Kyrsten. Franz has told me he fears he'll wake up and think he's been transported to the Forest in his sleep there are already so many." She was not offended by his teasing, for she knew his complaints, even when gruff, were coming from a place of good-nature. "But if you wish her to return once Sweetness is safe at your home, she may do so if it pleases you."
KyrstenErikdotir: Inga, take Sweetness to the longhouse and set her to work in the kitchen. She has been loaned to us until we can get my daughter back. Once you have done that, check on Olga and the herds. If she is handling them well, if they are not wandering uncontrollably, then return here. If she needs help, stay there.
Haraldrs inga: ::a quick nod:: yes Mistress ::she turns to Sweetness with a smile:: if you will follow me ::turning lightly on her sandle clad toes, hair swinging with her walk, she leads the way from the main chamber with Sweetness in tow::
Sweetness NPC: Sweetness nodded, then turned and bowed her head low, the strawberry blonde length brushing at the floor as she bade her good-bye before quickly moving after the other girl, clinging to her bag. Once she'd learned the kitchen, where all the things were kept and what food was on hand, she untied her bag and set to work, tying back her hair and humming to herself.
Lady Kessa: "I was, of course, heart-sick when I heard what occurred." Obviously speaking of Elise."I was once in a position where a tarn swept down from the sky." A small smile touched her lips. "I was in a panic and jumped behind the biggest thing I could find to hide... and that thing was Franz." She laughed again, shaking her head. "That is how we met, silly as it sounds." She sobered a bit. "Thankfully the tarnsman who landed was not seeking to snatch up people that day. I cannot imagine how it must be to lose your child." Her hands from her lap lifting only slightly, instinct of protection for a moment rearing its head. "Franz will do all he can to see her returned safely." Hollow, she supposed, at a time like this. But, still, if you lost hope, you lost everything.
KyrstenErikdotir: I would have thought she would have sense enough to leave the area quickly if tarns were spotted. Or that Olaf would have dragged her home. My companion is not pleased with him.
Lady Kessa: "It is sometimes hard even for the bravest men to keep clear-headed when those ... things appear." She shuddered again, her hand lifting to assure the shake had not dislodged any of her combs. "They aren't as common here, I have noticed. Likely she simply did not have the unconscious reaction to spring and hide as those who see them more often. " She did not think the girl had been wise either, but she tried to be as forgiving and empathetic as she could to everyone. "No doubt she has acquired it now though."
Haraldrs inga: ::once the bondsmaids reach the longhouse and Sweetness is safely and happily ensconced, Inga strides to the field to find olga screaming, Bojee pulling on her kirtle with a happy sleen snarl and a determination to play with this aparent new toy, the bondsmaid's screams brings Galen to the rescue, and with a short bark of an order, the sleen slinks away to continue his work as a herder, Inga looks at the Master, her eyes filled with adoration since this is favorite of the Masters, throws her arms around him with a multitude of kisses, once all is well and she sees the verr are safely rounded up and not wandering around aimlessly, she quickly turns to make her way back to the Jarl's hall::
Lady Kessa: The guards outside of the Hall were in the process of trading with their interior cohorts, a task done every half-ahn to keep the men from getting too badly frozen. Thus through the open door the bondmaid was ushered and the door closed behind her. Inside, Tempest and Comfort were in the process of bringing in firewood from the back, Delight was off doing what task the jarl who had plucked her up earlier desired, and Fire was still working on the kitchen to fill in where Sweeteness' absence would be most noted. Ilsa, the widow woman who served as the mistress of the kitchen was giving her a hard time over leaving spots on the floor unwashed.
Haraldrs inga: ::she returns to the main chamber:: greetings again Mistresses ::her smile warm and happy:: is there anything that needs to be done?
Lady Kessa: Looking over, she gave a quick appraisal of the girl. "If your Mistress has no other use for you, you may start sweeping up the rushes for the evening, I suppose." She gave a little flick of her wrist toward the door which lead to the kitchen and laundry and where the brooms might be found. Resuming her weaving, her pace grew more sure, more speedy with practice, glad she had the gloves to keep the thin wire from slicing into her fingers as she pulled it tight around the small limbs, careful not to knock loose the petite seed cones that still clung here and there. When the garlands were done, these would be touched up with gold when the gild-kissed fruits were added.
Haraldrs inga: ::she looks at her Mistress for permission to continue as commanded::
KyrstenErikdotir: ::nods to Inga to go about what she was told to do, then looks over at Kessa:: Would you like any help with making the garland?
Lady Kessa: "Oh, of course, Lady. Please, feel free." She motioned to the spot across from herself. There had been a phalanx earlier, so there were gloves sitting about to use if needed.
Haraldrs inga: ::with a happy nod, she turns to find one of the brooms indicated by the Mistress, pulling off her cloak and her shoes, she bundles them up and places them in a corner of the kitchen before starting her sweeping, her hair falling around her face as she happily sweeps, not humming as is her usual tendency out of respect for the conversation between the Free Women. sweep sweep sweep sweep sweep, the gentle schush of the broom making a soft and hypnotic sound. She pauses for an ihn to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear before continuing with the sweeping. :the rushes all swept into a pile, she stoops to scoop it up, her hair falling over her shoulders, kirtle riding up on her hips, she straightens and tosses back her hair, carrying the rushes to the kitchen to place in a trash bin outside, she returns to the main chamber and scoops up the rest of the rushes, taking them also to the trash bin outside the kitchen::
Lady Kessa: "You can just throw them into the long fire net time." She spoke as the girl took the trouble to carry the dried rushes out. "The mud doesn't bother the fire much." Her smile one of amusement as she rose and fetched up the basket of dried and gilded pomegranates and sat back down, clipping bits of wire from the other end of the dwindling spool to be stuck through them so they could be wired here and there and provide decoration as well as loops that would give the nails something more than the bough itself to cling to. She gave a look toward the slit above the fire where the smoke rose and spilled out into the night, noticing by the darkness how late it was getting. She hoped she was not keeping the Lady. She, herself, would have to adjourn in a bit to tend to transcribing the day's accounts from the docks.
Haraldrs inga: ::she turns to look at the Mistress, blond hair sweeping back:: yes Mistress ::she goes into the kitchen for supplies for cleaning the floor of the longhouse, returning with two buckets, one filled with sudsy water and the other with clean water, placing them side by side in the corner of the chamber, she makes her way once more into the kitchen to return with a scrub brush and rep cloth, hiking up the skirt of her kirtle, she kneels on the floor to begin scrubbing it free of dirt::
KyrstenErikdotir: Inga, we should be getting back. I have more weaving to do and you must help Olga in the dairy.
Lady Kessa: She removed her gloves, the tips now damp and ruddy with the stains from the skins of the fruit. "It was good to see you, Lady. Thank you again for the beautiful blankets and if Sweetness gives you any trouble, do let us know." A polite bow of her head was given. "I should be tending to the paperwork that came up from the docks this afternoon myself. I wish you well. Know that if you need anything at all, or your family does, we are here."
Haraldrs inga: ::she lifts her head and looks at the Mistress, the front of her kirtle wet and clinging:: yes Mistress ::standing, she hands off the scrub brush and rep cloth to one of the Jarl's industrious girls drying her hands on the skirt of her kirtle as she goes into the kitchen to fetch her cloak and sandals, pulling them on, she goes to stand by the door to await her Mistress::
KyrstenErikdotir: ::rising from the bench, she snaps her fingers at the bond-maid:: I shall do that. Thank you for loaning her to us. ::gathering her cloak around herself, she walks to the door and exits::
Haraldrs inga: :;she turns and follows her Mistress out the door::