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Post by Callahan on Jul 15, 2009 16:51:04 GMT -5
"Well there are times and places for titles, though alone in my company is probably not one of them. I don't mind, in fact I'd like to hear my own name a few times just to remind me that my mail isn't being delivered to Mr G Marshal." She smiled, though his heart sank as she revealed her purely 'professional' relationship with him. He was partly glad that she wasn't stuck on an old soldier like him, but still there was something he had felt, but clearly she hadn't. An ember that burnt brighter whenever she was close, taking care of him, stroking his cheeks. But no, there were times and places for titles, and there were times and places for love, and this clearly wasn't one of them, and so he extinguished that ember painfully. Clearing his throat, oblivious to her rearranging, he put on a sturdy voice as he resumed conversations with her.
"Would you mind checking on those two in there and sending in Edmund for me if he's not busy." He forced a smile at her, not harsh, but it didn't feel the same. He still had feelings for her, but now they felt strained, as if his body was protesting against having to accept it.
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Post by Narisha on Jul 15, 2009 17:38:45 GMT -5
His tone had changed. The whole feel of the room had altered, painfully so, but she had known what the likely reactionto her words had been. Though it was painful to endure it, she felt it was best. He'd never known her name, and the Nari that he saw when he drank was hardly the Nari he had standing before him.
Her hands fell softly on the sideboard, the flowers unmolested now as she strained to keep her voice even.
"Of course sir. He'll be right in."
Turning without another word, she made her way out of the dining room to the kitchen.
"Edmund, Master Val will see you." She laid a hand on his shoulder. "Thank you for all your work, I'm sure he'll be impressed with you."
The young man left the kitchen and Nari walked over to the table, resting her head in her hands. Sophie silently slipped out and off to her bed.
She wanted to cry. She simply wanted to lay her head down on the table and cry till there were no tears left and she didn't really understand why. She'd hardly come into the man's house with the intention of starting something. She was only here to make sure his life worked more smoothly, that someone who could so easily put himself aside and care for others, who loved his men so much that he tried to drown their voices in mead every night, had someone to make sure he was home safe, well fed and able to do his best. A best that would hopefully keep him from another tragedy that broke his heart.
She laid her arms lowered to the table and she rested her head on them. There were things she needed to do, but her heart was too heavy. She would take a small rest and then finish up before heading to bed.
5 minutes later Nari was asleep.
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Post by Callahan on Jul 15, 2009 17:52:59 GMT -5
Edmund approached, he could hear the footsteps, and he tried to push the memories of the last few minutes out of his mind as the young man entered conversation with him. "You wanted to see me sir?" He was a pleasant young man. Val rather liked him already. "Am I to understand that you're being designated as my manservant, Edmund?" "I believe so, sir." He didn't change his tone, Val noticed. Possibly a good thing. "Would you be comfortable with this position?" He asked. Edmund nodded. "Yes sir, I don't believe it will be much different to being a blacksmithing apprentice in the Dwarf Town." Val raised an eyebrow. A fellow blacksmith? Could be useful. "Are you good at handling armour and weapons, Edmund?" The man nodded again. "Used to do it all the time sir." Val smiled. This man was indeed useful. "Very well. If you don't mind could you fetch my helmet and sword from the office and take them to my room? I doubt I'll need them tomorrow, so if you could maybe check them over then? And uh... deal with whatever other duties seem appropriate."
Edmund nodded, leaving to gather the items from the office, and Val slumped into the comfortable chair. The minutes ticked by, and he noticed the fire embers were nearly out. Poking them half heartedly with the poker, he sighed to his feet, heading towards the stairs, instinctively glance into the kitchen for the hundreth-or-so time that day. She was still in there, and he paused watching. She wasn't moving. He slowly approached her. was she asleep? He couldn't tell. He entered behind her, though she made no effort to look. And she was breathing deeply.
Running a hand along her back he didn't feel her twitch at all. Not wanting her to be uncomfortable all night he gently picked her up, making his way slowly to the stairs, and to her room, trying not to wake her. Opening her room, he placed her smoothly onto the bed, cursing as he knocked her hair out of place, deciding against trying to re-style it. He also decided against taking the dress from her, instead placing a thin, warm blanket over her from the corner of the room and leaving, not making a sound as he slid the door shut.
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Post by Narisha on Jul 15, 2009 19:13:28 GMT -5
The sunlight hit her eyes early the next morning and Nari woke with a groan. Her head ached, her chest ached and for a moment she couldn't remember why. Then it hit her... and she buried her face in her hands. Taking in a deep breath a few moments later, she stood and moved over to the mirror, sighing when she saw the state of her hair.
I really need to stop sleeping with my hair up...
Though that thought begged the question of how she ended up in bed to begin with. Last thing she remembered was falling asleep at the table...
A blush erupted into her cheeks. He must have carried her to bed. Oh the embarrassment. And after just having told him last night that she was there to take care of him, he'd had to care for her. She was horrified, quickly she ripped her hair brush through her hair and repinned it, not bothering to change her dress.
Way to prove yourself completely incompetent Narianne.
She rushed down the stairs and into the kitchen hoping the Gra- Val hadn't gotten up yet. Near as she could tell it was only about six...
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Post by Callahan on Jul 15, 2009 19:28:38 GMT -5
He didn't know how long it had been since he'd woken up. He'd managed to sleep on and off all night. His mind ran in circles, returning to the same things each time. She didn't love him. She was here to look after him. He didn't want someone to look after him. He could look after himself. She was the one who got abducted by Orcs. He pounded his fist against his palm in anger, mainly with himself. She was the weaker one, he was sure of it. Sure, he neglected some things about himself, but he was in work every day it mattered doing his job. That was the important thing. So what if the Grand Marshal can't lift his sword up because his arm's infected? He's a leader, not a soldier. He should have left that life behind him a long time ago. Fighting means dying. Even if not physically. But fighting was what he was good for. He could lead, for now, but how long before someone else came along?
The sun had risen outside long ago. He'd watched it, from being dark and slowly growing brighter. The birds had been singing for a while now. He stared at the window with tired eyes, as though he expected something to come through it. Nothing, though, just like the rest of his life. One disappointment after another. His men died, then he survived, then he was promoted, then the undead attacked, now it had gotten to the stage that he apparently needed a keeper. Listening away from the echo of his voice inside his head he believed he could hear her leaving her room and making her way downstairs. He didn't resent her. She was doing it out of the goodness of her heart. But as long as she was here 'taking care' of him it was only painful.
Tilting his head back to stare at the ceiling he tried to make himself relax a little. He'd been thinking about this for hours now and he was still no closer to a solution. He could, he supposed, make it so that he appeared able to handle himself, but how would he do that? He didn't know how to cook or clean, was used to getting food done by the chefs in the headquarters or filling up on beer. He groaned miserably, instantly dismissing cooking classes, resigning himself to just bearing it. Maybe Arthas would hurry up and just kill him already.
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Post by Narisha on Jul 16, 2009 0:06:53 GMT -5
Sophie told her he hadn't yet come down, so unless he snuck out before daybreak he was still up in bed. Nari sighed in relief and slumped into her chair, her hand resting on her forehead.
Sophie puttered around the kitchen readying breakfast and Nari began to write up another list of the things she needed to see to that morning. She wanted to see about schooling for the two younger ones, especially since they had both shown an interest in the magical arts.
She looked up as Sophie finished plating the Grand Marshal's breakfast. A glance at the clock showed how late it truly was... nearly 7:30. A look of concern crossed her face and she asked Sophie to start placing everything on a tray. Standing quickly, Nari hurried up the stairs to his room, pausing to knock and waiting only a couple seconds before quietly pushing open the door.
"Grand Mar- si- Val..."
She peaked hesitantly into the room, unsure of what she would find when she entered.
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Post by Callahan on Jul 16, 2009 8:45:35 GMT -5
He heard her running up the stairs, sure it was her. He could hear her breathing as she did so, heard the steps on the floorboards as she approached his door. A few knocks, and he decided to pull himself up a little. The door drifted open slightly as he moved over to his wardrobe, looking for a clean shirt. "Good morning." He tried to seem hearty about it, but he didn't know whether he had pulled it off well or not. Taking the shirt from his wardrobe he moved over to the table, laying the shirt on it and considering how best to change shirts with her looking. If she saw his back she'd see scarring, if he faced her she'd see scarring, in fact the only side she wouldn't see scarring was on the side he'd been cut a few days ago.
Sighing and moving his body to face awkwardly with that shoulder towards her, he slipped off his old shirt and replaced it with the fresher new one. He ran a hand through his hair, finding it messy from the bad sleep, and he found he needed to shave. Stifling a yawn he slowly moved towards the woman in the doorway, trying to engage in some meaningful conversation to try and make it seem a lot less awkward than it was. "I... uh... If you want to... The bank will know how much I have." He hated telling her things that needed to be done, but that was the only thing he could think of at the moment other than bringing up the events of last night once more.
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Post by Narisha on Jul 16, 2009 10:11:23 GMT -5
"Good mor..."
She started to answer him back when he slipped out of his shirt. Her eyes quickly darted away and a bright red blush crept up into her cheeks, threatening to turn her ears red. When her eyes darted back towards him the blush made her ears burn, and even with the new shirt now in place, Nari couldn't quite get her eyes to raise to his face nor the blush to disappear.
"Th-the bank... oh yes." She nodded, her eyes glued to the floor, widening as his feet came into view. "Th-that's um... definitely on my list of... um..." Her voice trailed off and she began to back her way out of his room. "That's something I.. uh..."
Her hands found the stair railing and she began to creep sideways down the stairs away from him, still stammering over her answer, the blush starting to creep down her neck. It was mortifying how easily she blushed...
"I have to um... head over there regardless today..."
Finally her feet reached the ground floor and she glanced up the stairs to see how closely he had followed. With any luck he was far enough away that she could dart off and get away to a less.... populated portion of the house till she had calmed herself again.
Dear gods above... was the blush going to get worse every time she looked at him. Her eyes quickly dropped again and she stammered out,
"S-sophie has breakfast for you."
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Post by Callahan on Jul 16, 2009 11:36:48 GMT -5
She was embarrassed. At least, he assumed she was. Not afraid, or scared, or with something else on her mind as she was talking to him. She was blushing, a pinkish colour which looked rather cute even in the poor lighting of his room. She looked tired, or rather that she'd had a rough sleep, or a rough morning. He wasn't sure which. She wasn't looking him in the eye, instead drifting her vision around his surroundings. Had she done something wrong? If she wasn't embarrassed then he didn't know what to do for her. He wasn't going to assume though. He'd made that mistake of assuming she liked him and it showed him where he'd gotten to. Now he was upset, of sorts, when he thought he wouldn't be. She may have felt bad about what she had said, which is why she was acting this way, but he didn't know.
She moved a little awkwardly along the stair railing, finally beginning to descend the stairs and looked back up from the ground floor as he reached the top. She looked up at him with her bright eyes, telling him Sophie had breakfast ready before rushing off. He followed down the stairs but had no idea where she might have went to, so instead moved into the kitchen, taking a seat at the table and giving a Good Morning to Sophie. She returned his greeting, seeming to be in a good mood today. He looked over in the direction of the the office, wondering if he should bring the papers inside and see if there were any things he had overlooked, but decided against it. He could do that later. A smile crept onto his face as he remembered he'd need to shout later for Palus too.
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Post by Narisha on Jul 16, 2009 15:09:04 GMT -5
She dashed for the sun room, quietly shutting the door as she leaned against it. Her eyes closed and she tilted her head backwards trying to breathe the blush from her cheeks and will her heart to stop racing. She felt a fool and was sure she had looked on as well.
She listened as his steps moved into the kitchen and the low rumble of his voice filtered through the walls. It would be sneaky and underhanded of her, but she desperately needed away from the house for a bit.
Cracking open the door, she peeped out and saw that the coast was clear. She carefully, silently, inched her way along the wall to the front door and yanked it open, nearly running out into the street.
Freedom...
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Post by Callahan on Jul 16, 2009 15:58:53 GMT -5
There was no doubt Sophie was the best cook Val could ever remember. Even at such a young age she was able to cook up such fine tasting food. Today's breakfast was especially delicious - sausage, egg, tomatoes and some of the wine from the night before she's managed to successfully managed to save. Thanking her graciously for her cooking, he entered the officer and gathered the papers he'd been working on the previous night with Palus. They were still stacked as he had left them, his sword and helmet having disappeared from the corner of the room. He quickly assembled the two stacks of papers, checking he had left nothing behind, before bidding Sophie a pleasant day and making his way outside. On the way he looked around for any sign of Narianne, but the woman appeared to have vanished. He was concerned, but knew her well enough that she'd manage herself.
The day wasn't hot, at least not yet. There was still plenty of chance for it to develop though. The walk to the headquarters, as ever, was short, and he took a slow pace in order to enjoy the air more. Slowly making his way inside, he found Palus was already present, his head in his hands at the table. He smiled, moving closer, well within speaking distance, before bellowing loudly. "Good Morning Palus!" The paladin groaned, waving his arm at the man and groaning. "I knew I should have went home." "How many pubs?" Val asked, passing the paladin his papers and settling down beside him in his chair. "I dunno... lost count after 9." He groaned again, and Val decided to be a little more considerate to his poor paladin pal.
"Hello, Grand Marshal." He looked up almost immediately, nearly falling out of his chair. The warlock from the day before. Right on his desk. In... considerably less clothing than the day before. Her hair was dyed a golden orange, her eyes were surrounded in a light green glow, and she's even brought a succubus with her. "Oh, uh... morning, Mistress Warlock." He had no idea what title to call her she grinner, stroking a finger along the table towards him. "I have a matter that you need to see to, Grand Marshal," she grinned at him, a twisted look in her eye. "A matter that requires your urgent attention."
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Post by Narisha on Jul 16, 2009 17:53:23 GMT -5
The walking helped to settle her. Nari had set up evaluations with a Mage trainer, a Paladin at the cathedral, and a Warlock... though, the evaluation with the Warlock would be closely observed. It was dangerous letting young children near the dark arts, but Claire was 13 and Nari herself had started Warlock training at the same age.
From the Mages Quarters she headed across town to the Trade District and stopped in the bank. Her initial attempt at withdrawing funds from the Grand Mar- Val's account had failed as she thought it would, so she gathered up the paper work that he would need in order to give her a bit of a withdrawal allowance to pay everyones wages and purchase goods for the house. It wouldn't do for her to suddenly be unable to meet the promises she had set.
Speaking of promises...
Her next stop was back in Old Town. Stopping into the tavern, she picked up a cherry pie, two sizable pieces of roasted boar meat, 2 brie wedges and another bunch of apples. She briskly walked to the HQ, hesitating only a moment before stepping over the threshold and into the building. She gave the guards a pleasant, confident wave and continued back to the room she knew the Grand Marshal would be in.
Softly opening the door, she stepped inside and glanced up to where he was sitting, her eyes falling on the Warlock woman. She began to seethe. How dare she come back...
"I'm afraid that my concerns with the Grand Marshal are more pressing than any you may have madame. Especially as you have chosen to forego traditional robes in exchange for," She waved her hand in disgust and stepped up to the other woman. "This ensemble. Which I do have to say I've not seen on anyone in years. It made the rounds down in Goldshire amongst the "ladies" who frequented the inn. I'm surprised something like this is still around so many years later."
Nari turned to face the Grand Marshal, her irritation at him for not sending the other woman fading as she saw the mild look of uncertainty shadowed by panic at having to deal with someone so intent on seducing him. She gave him the same calm, gentle smile she had in other times of distress and brushed her fingers down his cheek.
"Besides... I believe I told you yesterday that this one is mine."
She leaned forward and placed a kiss on his forehead again. Pulling back, she cupped his cheek and gave him another calm smile.
"The other man though... he might be a bit interested... Wouldn't you say Palus? Enjoy the thought of an easy woman to warm your bed tonight? She certainly looks up for it"
Nari shot the man a grin, hoping he would pick up on what she was saying.
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Post by Callahan on Jul 16, 2009 18:38:27 GMT -5
She was spread over his desk now, running a quill feather along her stomach as he tried to sign forms. Palus had given up long ago, despite his plea to the paladin to act his rank and return to work. He was sitting there now staring at the warlock with a glazed look in his eyes. He would have thrown the warlock out long ago. Well, had someone else do it, but she said she knew something pertaining to the Eredar thing they were talking about yesterday, and she said she'd tell him in due time. So she was waiting for him to crack, and he knew she was. She was enjoying it too. One of her fingers slipped down his face and along his neck and he shifted a little uncomfortably as she traced around the shoulder wound. "You know, Grand Marshal, it's awefully hard on this table." She purred staring at him, and he kept his gaze down. He'd fell for that once before. "I'd appreciate somewhere softer to sit..."
"I'm afraid I'm too busy to entertain you, miss, and as you can see, with all this paperwork my hands are tied." She leant towards him, her lips a few inches away from his. "Oh no, but they could be." She smiled, grinning and moving slowly closer." "I'm afraid that my concerns with the Grand Marshal are more pressing than any you may have madame." The warlock pulled away at the sound of the voice, turning to face it. Val looked around her form, spotting Narianne walking towards them, ignoring the sound of Palus falling forward and groaning as he nearly hit the floor. Serves him right for gawping at them. He was more interested in Narianne, though, who went into an impressive series of words, pretty much ripping into the warlock and her dress preferences.
Then Narianne moved closer to him. her hand was on his cheek, her lips on his forehead, but it didn't feel the same. It felt hollow. It didn't have the magical feel it had when she did it before, when he still held on to the hope that she liked him. She called him 'hers', but that didn't mean anything important. He knew this now. Her man to look after, her person to deal with, her 'territory'. She spoke to Palus now who had just picked himself up from the floor, and he nodded at her. "Uh, aye, Miss Warlock there, maybe you'd like to share a little alcove in the Cathedral with me tonight?" "Palus remember your damn oathes." Val warned him, knowing the paladin was already in trouble with the order for his drinking habits. The warlock smiled, though. "No, thank you, but I can tell that I'm not wanted here." She fixed a glare at Narianne, one that Val couldn't see, before turning as she left. "I'll see you around some time, Grand Marhsal."
"Wait." He called, suddenly realising he was sounding eager, rising to his feet as she walked away. "What was the message?" "One month." She called back, not turning, her hips swaying at him, and raising a finger to amplify the message. One month? No way he could get an army ready to fight the Eredar in one month. He slumped back into his chair, Palus apparently oblivious to what she had just said and laughing at Val, nudging him a little. "You didn't seriously think I'd give up my paladin oaths for her, did ya? Her assets are far too small."
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Post by Narisha on Jul 16, 2009 19:59:49 GMT -5
Well... what did you expect after what you said last night? Isn't like you really wanted him anyway...
A tiny sigh was breathed through her lips as he stood, her hand sliding down from his cheek to rest on his chest a moment before she pulled away from him. Standing as he fell into his chair, she crouched down and grabbed the handle of the basket, setting it on Palus' desk. She lowered her head, keeping her eyes away from the two men as she regathered her composure. What she had said to herself was of course true. She didn't want him. She was just repaying a debt. The man had saved her life and she owed it to him to keep him going as long and as healthily as possible.
That was it.
He wasn't her knight in shining armor.
She raised her head, a cool, confident smile on her face. He was not her knight in shining armor and she had sworn to protect him as he had protected her.
"Gentlemen, I brought you both lunch. Hopefully it is to your satisfaction." Her tone had cooled. Narianne was no longer open to him, she graced Palus with a soft smile, the warmth in it disappearing as she turned to Val. "Dinner will be ready once again at 8. And if that is all sirs, I need to return to the house."
She wanted to touch him again. Her fingers ached to stroke his cheek one more time and she tightened her hands into fists as she bowed to them both.
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Post by Callahan on Jul 16, 2009 20:13:02 GMT -5
She offered them the basket, placing it at Palus's desk and offering him a smile, but the smile disappearing as her head returned to him. Her tone was gone as she changed her visual field, and he lowered his eyes as she left. Was is Palus she wanted, then? Shutting him out in order to be closer to the paladin. He didn't know, but he did know that Palus would certainly give up his oathes for that one. He groaned, returning to his paperwork, not wanting to have to think. The Eredar were landing in a month and he had better things to do than try and figure out what slant his relationship was going in. If she truly had no feelings for him, then he would need to look elsewhere, he supposed. A night in the pub, a round of drinks, maybe even meet that other warlock again.
No, he threw the thoughts from his head. He didn't have time for thinking of women and arguing love triangles at the moment. If he didn't focus on doing it, it would be on his head if the Eredar launched an invasion. And an invasions right now might cripple them beyond hope of survival.
This was why he didn't like getting tangled up with women.
Hitting himself firmly around the head, he redirected himself towards drawing up battleplans, diplomatic teams and a portal group from the magi. They'd need to be able to travel wherever the Eredar were landing to see if they were friendly. If not, well. If not, they'd need the portal right back. And he'd need the diplomatic groups, or the battleplans. And if that happened there'd be no soft bed for him at night. Wars usually meant spending the night in the chair he was in at the moment. And there was nothing that woman would have to say about it. She didn't understand him, clearly, and if anything, she could take Palus away for the night rather than him. He had to work, Palus clearly chose to.
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