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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2010 7:51:58 GMT -7
Neighs could be heard from the other horses in the stables at the excitement of a newcomer. Especially the strong neigh of Tremor, Lilah's stallion. Lilah gazed towards the man before her and curtsied as appropriate. "Pleasure, Sir Marcus d'Icmelier. And to answer your inquiry yes, I am Lady Duraine," she spoke with a light smile, but there was not much passion behind her title as there was with most who were able to announce their special, high-ranked title.
"I can show you inside, I am sure my hus-," she stopped herself, correcting herself as the man himself headed out from another room, a grin on his lips. "My Lord was expecting you," she corrected, curtsying even to her husband as he greeted Marcus with fervor. "Welcome to my home!" he began, and then began to speak of possibly eating lunch, if that was what his guest wanted.
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Post by God on Dec 29, 2010 15:15:10 GMT -7
Marcus smiled as her emotions told him everything he needed to know. Even the lady of the estate hated the lord. This would be convenient. Quite likely, only a few would stand on his side, and they probably wouldn't be fighters. When Lord Duraine approached, Marcus bowed very slightly, a bow between equals, and agreed whole-heartedly to lunch. Ending this man's tyranny would be easier than he thought.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2010 20:39:43 GMT -7
The Lord easily swept Marcus away towards the dining hall for lunch, and Lilah trailed behind. She had to keep her place, otherwise she'd earn a lashing, or another brand. That brand pain constantly haunted her. She nodded towards a few servants, silently dismissing them to receive their own lunch. They thanked her with their eyes, since it was obvious she was more compassionate. When the men sat down, she waited and took her own seat near the other end of the table. She sat quietly, not speaking, as the man began to brag of his estate, his horses, his hunting and gaming skills, and his wife. Though, she acknowledged them with a very well-played smile when she was mentioned.
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Post by God on Dec 30, 2010 0:08:25 GMT -7
Marcus raised a hand to forestall any more bragging and dick-wagging. "I was told you were seeking a skilled knight. May I ask why you were seeking me?"
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Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2010 6:51:38 GMT -7
Lilah stopped eating as he halted her husband's speech, and her eyes widened. No one ever really stopped the man when he was speaking. She grinned to herself fiercely, looking away to hide it as the man appeared bewildered for a moment. Then, he waved off his wife, grumbling something about the woman not wanting to hear about battles.
Lilah visibly rolled her eyes and then she dropped her napkin onto the table in a very unladylike fashion. She walked off briskly, obviously offended, as he spoke of the battles that were to come and how he would love to have Marcus on his side.
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Post by God on Dec 31, 2010 4:16:03 GMT -7
Marcus nodded slowly. "So you will be leading the troops from the front?" One hand, hidden beneath the table, fondled the pommel of his dagger.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2010 7:34:34 GMT -7
Lilah walked off briskly towards the gardens, a place where no one judged her and she could be as happy as she wanted to be. She knew she needed to get her frustration in order, otherwise something odd would happen. Something odd always happened.
The man nodded, but also spoke of back-up troops trailing in from the sides, to sneak up on them, and as he spoke servants came to clear the first course of lunch and bring in the second.
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Post by God on Dec 31, 2010 15:14:30 GMT -7
Marcus nodded, and in a single motion stood, drawing his dagger and pressing it to Lord Duraine's throat from behind. "Good. Then you will make a passable general. I am taking over Lordship of this land. You will step down for the good of the people. If you do not care enough for your people to step down willingly, then you shall be removed by force."
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Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2011 7:50:27 GMT -7
Lord Duraine stood still, calm, as he felt the blade at his throat. His mind was whirling, working in its most manipulative state. The servants were all halted, watching with wide eyes, the younger ones being pushed away as the elder servants who'd been enslaved the longest watched with hidden eagerness. The man's pride was obviously getting in the way, and he hated the idea of being stripped from his title and then working for this man. So, he gritted his teeth and stood up straighter.
"This is my land."
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Post by God on Jan 1, 2011 12:41:31 GMT -7
"This land is worked and slaved over by those beneath you. If it belongs to anyone, it's them. You just tell them what to do. And if what I've seen is any indication, you starve them in the process. You have three seconds to kneel, or this knife slices."
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Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2011 20:07:02 GMT -7
The man stood proud, though he would typically be a coward. Then, he ground his teeth together and hit his knees the last moment, his pride hurting for his life, which he valued slightly more. Without life, there was no pride. He was breathing heavily, his eyes enraged and his face beet red. The servants were wide eyed, but grinning excitedly, their thin frames practically buzzing with excitement.
Lilah walked into view just as her husband kneeled, and a hand raised to her mouth. She looked up towards Marcus, and her fear was present. If her husband was surrendered, she was either surrendered with him, or she was no longer of any rank.
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Post by God on Jan 2, 2011 4:13:31 GMT -7
He withdrew the dagger, but kept it in his hand, turning to one of the guards. He wasn't surprised none of them moved. He doubted any of them would have gotten past the pot-wielding servants, let alone his own famous skills.
"You, and you, show the Captain to his new quarters and get him oriented." Once the guards had now-Captain Duraine between them, he sheathed his knife and turned to Lilah. "I saw how you interacted with the servants. I have always been a warrior and a man of the people. I have never had any skill for running a household. If you wish, you may continue as lady of the estate."
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2011 7:51:09 GMT -7
The two he pointed to nodded and took Captain Duraine to his quarters, of course him already knowing where he was going. He grumbled the whole way, his mind working to try and think of how he could gain his estate back.
Lilah looked towards Marcus, her eyes widening lightly as she bowed her head when he spoke. Then, hearing his words, she was in shock for a moment. She let her head rise and she smiled upon him. "I wish to be a lady, yes, but I want to help, as you saw me doing in avoidance of my husband's eye," she said softly, showing him that she wanted a bit of freedom to do as she pleased.
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Post by God on Jan 2, 2011 14:31:42 GMT -7
He tilted his head slightly. "I am afraid I do not understand. I preside over matters of justice and defense, while you preside over matters of household and civic affairs. We are equals in this."
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2011 15:21:53 GMT -7
Her eyes widened as she looked to him. "Beneath my husband was how I used to be. I held no duties, except to look proper and pretty on his arms. He never let me dabble in affairs of his estate," she said quietly, shaking her head. "He hardly let me read books," she said with a weak laugh, but she felt invigorated. Looking at him and straightening herself, she sent him a strong smile. "Yes. Equals, I like that."
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