Conversations on The Keep

[Fehu Isa]

Elise Haraldr: ::she comes up the steps from the hold, stretching as she reaches the deck and lifting her face to the rays of Lar'Torvis, she carries a basket with her which she swings lightly as she approaches her brother sitting with his back to the mast, Gerhard is intently focused on something he is carving, his brow furrowed in concentration, Elise plops down beside him on the deck with her legs folded comfortably in front of her and places her basket beside her,rummaging inside the basket she pulls out a tunic with half finished embroidery and plucks the needle from the collar to resume the work she had started the night before:: Tal Gerhard, what do you have there? ::they look remarkably alike these two siblings, the same shining hair the color of Lar'Torvis, the same green eyes, one would think they were twins for all they are 4 vars apart in age, she stretches over his arm to see what he is working on.

Gerhard Haraldr: : Gerhard ducks away to hide his project:: it's not finished yet

Elise Haraldr: :Elise glances at him and reaches to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear, as she brings her hand down she quickly snatches the tiny project from him.

Gerhard Haraldr: :Gerhard immediately launches after her:: give me that!

Elise Haraldr: :Elise laughs and rolls away from him, cupping the project in her hand held in the curl of her belly, Gerhard stands and bends over her, digging his fingers into her ribs to tickle, her shrieking laughter echoing across the water earning the two of them a scowl from the boatman at the helm::

Gerhard Haraldr: :Now you've gotten us into trouble ::he sits back against the mast and glares at her::

Elise Haraldr: :Elise smiles brightly at the boatman::I'm sorry Sir ::she straightens beside her brother and slowly uncups her hand to reveal the beautifully carved hollow bone, tiny in her hand, her eyes widen in amazement:: Gerhard, this is beautiful!::carefully she returns the delicate object to him:: um .. what is it?

Gerhard Haraldr: :Gerhard quirks his lips and nudges her with his shoulder:: It's a case for Ma's needles you tarsk turd ::holding it up he shows it to her, the intricate carving completely surrounding the small bit of hollow bone taken from the leg of a young verr, carefully he pops open the lidded top to show how the needles are inserted and just as carefully pops the lid closed::

Elise Haraldr: oh, Gerhard, she's going to love that ::they sit quietly together for several ihns, he resuming his carving and she her stitching, the breeze catching matching strands of sun-hued hair and intermingling them, finally Gerhard looks at Elise::

Gerhard Haraldr: Were you frightened when you were kidnapped?

Elise Haraldr: :Elise glances over at him with the barest hint of a smile:: not really, I was more angry than scared, except for the tarn ride, that was pretty scary

Gerhard Haraldr: Selig and Macken were so angry, they wanted to come after you and find you, but Da said we should let the Jarl take care of it

Elise Haraldr: ::she looks at him again:: were you worried?

Gerhard Haraldr: :Gerhard grins and nudges her shoulder once more with his:: Nah, I figured you were too ugly to be wearing a collar

Elise Haraldr: :Elise's mouth drops open in mock outrage and dives after him, poking his back side with her needle:: you take that back!

Gerhard Haraldr: :Gerhard laughs and pushes her away:: You deserved it urt brains

Elise Haraldr: ::the shipman glares at them again until they calm down their sibling revelry, sitting with backs to the mast Elise lays her head on Gerhard's shoulder to simply enjoy the fresh breeze and clear day, when she begins to speak her words are contemplative:: they gave me this huge chamber to sleep in, the furs were big enough for you, me and Macken all put together, with room for Olga at the foot of them ... ::she looks up at him:: it was very lonely

Gerhard Haraldr: :Gerhard nods and wraps his arm around his sister's neck, pulling her to him to kiss her bright hair and letting her go, they both resume their tasks in quiet companionship until Elise finishes the last stitch of the embroidery and stands, wiping the dirt off her backside::


Elise Haraldr: I'm going below to see if I can help with the cooking, do you want anything? ::Gerhard smiles up at her and shakes his head, Elise tucks the tunic into her basket and bends to kiss Gerhard's cheek:: don't strain your eyes ::turning back to the passage way, she heads below::

Gerhard Haraldr: ::Gerhard is still sitting with his back to the mast finishing up the project he has been carving for his mother, blond hair catching the breeze as he concentrates on his task::

Lady Kessa: They were to the point where soon enough, they'd round to the warmer waters and the women would have to adopt southern attire. It would be too long before she could feel the wind on her face and feel the sun. So she was spending as much time on deck as she could until that time came. "Tal, Sir." Speaking with respect to the son of Haraldr, even if she were the companion of the Jarl, she did not hold airs. The robes she wore were a deep azure, though she'd not put on the veils yet, and wouldn't until she absolutely had to. "How is your lady mother and the rest of your family?" Folding her hands across the rounded plane of her stomach.

Gerhard Haraldr: ::Gerhard looks up at her with a warm smile, it's amazing how alike he and Elise look, one would believe them to be twins if not for the four vars difference between them:: Tal Lady, my family is well, thank you, you just missed Elise ::he nods his head toward the passage way she just came up:: she's going downstairs to see if she can assist with cooking ::he grimaces in mock dismay:: let's hope the KM says she can't ::laughs:: and yourself Lady? how are you feeling this beautiful day?::belatedly he remembers to stand as she approaches::

Lady Kessa: She swallowed a chuckle at his words over his sister's supposed lack of cooking skill. "I hope the Kay-Em..." She had learned this meant kitchen mistress, or master, as the case might be. "Has enough help from the ship's slaves as well as Fire and Sweetness." She stepped back a bit when he rose, then bowed her head in thanks, glancing round until she spied a roll of rope on which she would have to lower herself or else he'd be stuck standing all through the conversation. Sitting with as much grace as one could seven months pregnant and balanced on rope, she gripped her knees and tucked her feet up to one side of the pile. "Please, don't let me stop your work." Motioning to the carving in his hand. "I know well enough the need to keep one's hands occupied."

Gerhard Haraldr: ::he settles back against the mast and looks at the object in his hand:: I've just finished it, actually, it's a gift for Ma ::he glances around quickly to make sure Ma isn't within hearing and hands the tiny item to her for her examination, it's a beautifully carved hollow tube of bone with a closing catch and lidded top, he sits back with that "look what I did" pride::

Lady Kessa: The bone tube turned over in her fingers, thumb's pad petting along the catch. "It is beautiful, Sir." Handing it back to him so he could hide it in case his mother did appear. "She'll adore it, I'm sure. She is very proud of her sons ,and loves all of her children. I hope only to be as good a mother when the time comes. I am... still not prepared, I don't think." She chuckled softly, looking off into the distance. "Is anyone?" Shaking off her reverie after a moment, she forced a smile, trying to not think about things like that. "Tell me, Sir, what plans have you for when we reach the fair?"

Gerhard Haraldr: ::tucking the pin holder into the pocket of his leathers he twiddles with his carving knife, yep, he's one who needs to keep his hands busy, either productively or not, being raised on a verr farm, he's not shy about the topic of pregnancy as he smiles warmly at her:: I think you'll be more than fine, Lady, it's amazing how the instincts seem to just happen once a baby is born, we have verr who have never bred before and as soon as the young ones pop out, they seem to just know what to do ::he hasn't thought about what he had planned to do at the Faire besides see the sights, smell the smells, and taste the tastes, he gives her question serious consideration though:: I imagine I'll be helping Ma out with whatever she has in mind, but ::grins:: I'm hoping to get in at least a game or two.

Lady Kessa: Fingers lifted to cover the sudden grin at the lad comparing her to a newly bred verr, but she'd not been offended, merely amused. "No plan to find a girl of your own? I am told there are few better places to find slaves than the Sardar Fair. I know your family has Olga and Inga, who was a great help during the festival, I might add, but a man sometime wants his own girl. You are old enough to think on your own household soon. A companion, children of your own. Do you wish to remain a verr farmer or seek another path? The thaw will bring the need for men to go raiding, which is a young man's work after all."

Gerhard Haraldr: ::Gerhard grins at her:: I get to snuggle with Olga at night, but Selig wants his own bondsmaid to snuggle with, so I might see if I can find one for him ::he shrugs and toys with the newly carved needle case in his pocket:: I enjoy carving and making bows, maybe that's something I can do when Da has enough thralls to help out with the farm ::he ducks his head as he considers his own companion and children, smiling secretly:: I've thought about a companion and children, but Da needs to get Selig, Macken, and Galen hitched them first ::he smiles at her:: and raiding, now that's a sport

Lady Kessa: Watching the young man, thinking him very sweet. She did not look as old as she was, few did who lived on this world. She was nearly eighty, by the count of years lived, but the serum had halted aging at only a third of that. "It is a way to earn honor and riches for oneself. A portion of your raid becomes the Jarls of course, since no doubt you would be on his ship. But hard work earns scars and tales of adventure, and I will admit, women find that quite appealing. In a few years, you would no doubt work up to captain of the ship, and then, perhaps earn your own ship. Then.." She leaned in, lowering her voice. "Then what you take is yours. You will be your own man. Owe Franz your respect. Your axe in time of need. But what is yours is yours. That is the way it should be." She was a slave in her heart, and she likely always would be. It was her way to encourage men to be masters of the world, indebted to none. Sitting back, she smiled politely. "And as you say, your father has Selig and Macken and Galen to help him, and Garrick, of course. You might be spared to go when the spring comes."

Gerhard Haraldr: ::he sits back and contemplates her words, as a farmer, he was probably the least needed since his talent lay in carving and bow making, suddenly he grins at her, the rays from Lar'Torvis lighting up the deep green of his eyes:: I'll speak with Da about this, he's always encouraging me to try new things, I don't think he wants me to stay a farmer especially since Selig and Macken have the better skills for it ::he runs stong fingers through the silky strands his blonde hair:: do you think perhaps the Jarl will allow me to go with him?

Lady Kessa: "It is possible. He has several ships, and Khor Mathyus will no doubt build more." She laughed gently. "When he returns." She knew why Khor was gone, and when he got back home no doubt he'd come with more than he was sent for. "A man who is as good with his hands as you are will no doubt be more than useful. Bows can reach further than axes and swords, and having one who knows them as well as you do, their upkeep and creation as well as shooting, well... a blessing from Odin himself, I would say."

Gerhard Haraldr: ::he nods slowly, his youthful mind already filled with visions of glory and wealth, things beyond his wildest dreams, he chuckles at his own thoughts and shakes his head:: I'll have to be asking Ma too, although she'll abide by whatever Da says in the matter ::Ma is the one with the iron grip on the children, but there is no doubting who the Head of the Household is when it comes to Da:: I'm not too bad with an axe either, although Selig is better, Galen made one for him that's as fine as I've seen on many Jarls

Lady Kessa: "I do not know your mother as well as I hope to someday, but, it is obvious she wants only what is best for her children. That you are happy and prosperous. She sighed and groaned, leaning forward in a most unladylike way, knees spreading as far as the layered robes allowed so her stomach had somewhere to go as she shifted from sitting to crouch, and then to standing, groaning lightly. "I do not know how the women of Torvaldsland do it. Sensible that their children are as big as they are, but one doesn't think of that when they're... well, yes." She blushed a bit and smirked to herself. -d

Gerhard Haraldr: ::Gerhard stands immediately to offer a hand at her elbow, his Ma taught him to be a gentleman and he still has the welts to prove it:: can I help you Lady? ::eyes shadowed with concern for this seemingly frail woman who is obviously carrying a half-grown Jarl in her belly, with a snap of his fingers he summons the ever eager Inga who immediately comes to his side, she is wearing a kirtle out of respect for the FW but her hair is unbound and billowing with the breeze, Gerhard looks back at Kessa:: can Inga get you anything?

Lady Kessa: She chuckled. "Seven months and it decides today to relocate to leaning out like a seasick sailor." She just had trouble getting up and down if she sat too long. She had no idea how she'd get up from kneeling when almost another two months had passed. "Thank you." she nodded to Gerhard and swished lightly at Inga. "I'm alright." She sighed and smoothed her robes down against her side. "But water is always welcome." She didn't want to rebuff the eager girl for only some put-on feeling of pride.

Gerhard Haraldr: ::he dismisses Inga with a wave of his hand and nods at Kessa:: aye Lady, be careful going down the steps

Lady Kessa: "Thank you, Sir. Convey my good wishes to the remainder of your family." She walked off with a groan to go walk around and get the kinks out.

Gerhard Haraldr: ::another nod:: aye Lady, be well

[Fehu Isa]

Lady Kessa: Pacing under the deck was hardly as good as getting some air while doing it, she moved up the stairs, her robes from the rough wool of her usual attire was a simple but deep blue set of Free Woman's robes. She had not yet put on veils though. She wanted to go as long as possible before the layers obstructed her breathing.

Franz Castellan: ::he meanwhile, would refuse to put on that southern clothing, he preferred traditional, although he might have swapped his coat for something less warmer::he had been looking out to thassa from the railing for a while now, helping the look out::

Lady Kessa: She moved over to him, setting her hands round his upper arm, setting her cheek lightly agianst his shoulder. "Tal, Franz."Her smile subtle and completely happy. She had no doubt when he'd passed by Helmutsport he'd been in the same spot looking over it as they passed. She let him go, stepping back to weave her fingers across her upper belly.

Franz Castellan: :he looked down at the waves, no sign of any land based rubbish on them yet, they were pasangs away from land, and the waves were quite high::he turned his head and smiled at her::did you sleep well, the rocking of the boat sent me off last night

Lady Kessa: "I sleep well, it is my waking which is plagued. I can't stand being closed away down in the room, but on the deck, I feel I am in the way." Her shoulders rose and fell in a half shrug. "But I'm happy. Soon enough we'll be on our way back, and then.. " She sighed contentedly. "Visiting Tyrsgaard." She viewed this as a good thing, that someone would host them meant that Franz was seen as a true Jarl.

Franz Castellan: ::he eased himself off the railings then and turned to face her:::with a bit of luck the wind will be fair and we shall be at port tomorrow ::he smiled::I hope the wagons are as well prepared as the boat was when we dock

Lady Kessa: Her hands gripped the edges of her long sleeves, her hands naked as her face, for the moment. But she would not let him be seen as a man with a woman who did not know her place. "If they are not, I will be as displeased as you, Franz, but I have sent a dozen letters and received as many swearing that there will be sufficient wagons, as well as supplies to set up camp when we arrive. And a runner was sent ahead to prepare a space so we'll not wind up setting our tents atop unfit ground." She was shivering, but it wasn't cold. She wanted him close to her, to be close to him, to crawl up his naked body and kiss her way back down to his toes.

Franz Castellan: ::he wrapped his arm around her waist then and would slide it discreetly down to fold it against the curve of her backside::and he patted it then, firmly so::his hands were getting cold, so it was as good a place as any to warm on: So::he grinned::how many slaves might I need to buy...one...ten..thirty?::the numbers would creep slowly up:: or shall I spend my money on more interesting and unusual items?

Lady Kessa: Drawn closer, her arms lifted to rest against his chest, fists at his shoulders. Her head bowed a bit, keenly aware of his hands against her rump. "I ... I do not know how many bondmaids you may need to satisfy yourself, but I'd think that three or four bondmaids would be enough." She lifted her eyes to his, laughter in them. "Or a dozen kajira. That works out about equal, doesn't it?"

Franz Castellan: ::he chuckled then and smiled as she would tease::he leant forward and kissed her on the forehead::shall we go below ? it is quite cold still.

Lady Kessa: "Yes, please." Her smile was warm and her skin warming further even from his icy kiss. Backing away, she'd head down and try not to giggle.

Franz Castellan: ::he looped his arm in hers and would walk down the deck into the bowels of the ship once again, he was hungry and needed..food, it was hungry work::