Sunlight || Éabha + Marian
"Ah... Lady Éabha," Marian called out across the tent where the ladies were to retire during interludes in the tournament. Marian shooed away her ladies with a wave of her hand, approaching the young woman with a kind smile.
"It seems as if we both have much to celebrate with this afternoon's events," Marian spoke as she reached the young woman's side. The tournament event that day was the horseback melee and, having both advanced from the final round, Alaric and Arthur would be competing in the final round against one another.
It had not escaped Marian's notice that the ribbon tied around her brother-in-law's arm was a distinct shade of blue associated with House Calleary and, in fact, the image of it quite pleased her. Alaric had told Marian in the days following the riots about his thoughts on courting the Lady Éabha and while Marian was not particularly keen on having Lord Calleary around more than he already seemed to be, she was optimistic that, perhaps, Alaric had finally found a woman to take as a bride.
"While, as his mother, I shall of course be hoping for my son to triumph in the final round, I will not be too cross to see the Duke's victory..." Marian paused, taking in the young woman standing before her. She was quite pretty, seemed self assured, was dressed well (it seemed as if her brother's fashion sense was entirely his own) and, in Marian's mind, looked as if she could easily step into the role of a Duchess.
"With all the unpleasantness that has passed, I have not been able to extend an invitation to you to come to tea, with me, at the palace," Marian continued after a few moments silence. "Perhaps you might have time in the next weeks... once the tournament is through?"
"And... Lady Éabha," Marian added as a quick afterthought. "... I should like to stress that invitation is extended to you, and you alone..."
The last thing Marian wished for was for Cormac to invite himself along as well...
This was a good sign. The queen, herself, singling Éabha out as someone special? Éabha's father, Éabha's inheritance, and even Éabha's home had been stripped away from her by Roderick. All she was to them was a ghost on a wall. If she was to be noticed, it was not in any way due to her consequence, for now she had none. It was due to someone else's consequence and, she could only imagine, it meant that the Duke of Farrington had spoken to his sister-in-law of Éabha...and, just perhaps, of his hopes of her.
As the queen shooed her ladies away in favor of the erstwhile Lady Calleary, Éabha turned towards her with a warm smile, dark eyes brightening as she tilted her head. Like both her dearest friends, Éabha had been schooled in diplomacy at her father's knee. She had long ago learned the art of an open face which was not open; a welcoming air which was, in fact, unwelcome.
Astaira had surrendered. It fell now to its lords and ladies to get on with it -- and find a way for their people to flourish within this new rule -- to welcome that which was unwelcome. And Éabha was optimistic that, perhaps, Marian Varmont might someday prove an invaluable ally...
Making a low curtsey, Éabha laughed warmly. "I believe that is so," she replied. "But, it being so, I do hope Your Royal Majesty will not be too cross with me for admitting that, greatly as I admire His Imperial Highness the Prince...there is someone else I do very much hope to see triumph today."
She paused. "But I must beg Your Majesty's indulgence -- we Astairans are not much used to these martial games. Is there much danger?"
She'd heard tales from across the seas of men crippled for life, or even killed, in such games. It struck her as a rather large risk to propel one's heirs into such violence. But, then, she supposed, perhaps that would suit everyone well enough: it would propel their sister to the seat of power. Still, she was unsure how common such injury and death really could be.
Éabha was careful to conceal her true feelings as Marian referred to the unpleasantness that had passed. While the sadness she allowed to show was genuine, it was for the lives lost rather than for an disquiet Roderick might have felt in his metal chair. She, herself, had secretly helped spirit souls out of the Citadel onto whatever path they chose for fear of reprisals, and while she had not known any of those hanged particularly well, their tragic fate had been one she'd been obliged personally to witness. Silently, plastering a sympathetic smile onto her face, she entwined her fingers behind her back, picking unconsciously at her nails. Catching herself moments later, she let her hands fall away and shook her head.
"Your Majesty, I pray you do not trouble yourself on that account. I assure you, I myself have been rather occupied, alongside all the inhabitants of Lorcan, with similar troubles." Rian had, for some time, locked down the place, after all, when many of the prisoners had escaped.
"Let us make a new start of it, and put that all behind us. I should be delighted to take tea with you at Your Majesty's earliest convenience." Her smile was broad as it was genuine. "I feel we have much to discuss! And," she added, her glance tending towards the empty fields before returning to Marian's with a somewhat mischievous glimmer. "I think soon shall have even more to say, irregardless of which of our champions claims victory."
Marian's invitation took Éabha by surprise. Not only to be singled out before all the ladies here present by the queen, but also to be invited privately to take tea with her, well, that certainly suggested something. Glancing towards Marian's curious ladies, who artfully played at not appearing to watch while assiduously listening to all, Éabha smiled blandly at them. Even if Alaric never made her an offer, there would be talk now, and if Alaric -- who struck her as a deeply private person -- was prepared to brooke that, well...
Despite herself, Éabha bit back a grin at Marian's tactful reminder that the event was to include only themselves. It did not escape her -- though it did somewhat embarrass her, given that he was now the head of her House -- that Marian was likely referring to Cormac...but that each of the siblings Marian had likely had occasion to meet brought their own unique form of chaos to any interaction did not escape Éabha, either. She had the sudden desire to introduce her to Aine, as if to say Look! We are not all without self-control! But decided she best control herself and not bring anyone she was not instructed to.
Éabha's smile was a touch rueful, though not entirely losing its tone of amusement. "I believe my brothers shall comfort themselves in the knowledge that ladies' secrets are best kept to themselves," she assured the queen. "And my sisters in the knowledge that there is a very great deal to be done at Lorcan from which we cannot all at once be spared." She did not wish Marian to worry that her meaning had not been understood.
"I have heard that Lady Dowager Malconaire has plans for a little gathering after the final day of the tournament. Has Your Majesty any plans of attending?"
Marian beamed at the lady's response. "I assure you, my dear son has more than enough supporters," Marian assured Éabha. "The Prince Arthur will be more than pleased to relinquish some of his supporters to his dearest uncle."
Marian nodded as the young woman asked of the dangers of the tournament. She had been told that this was not something typical of Astaira.
"It is all a bit disconcerting, isn't it? I do suppose there is an element of danger when fighting is involved but you needn't worry-- the weapons have all been blunted and are thoroughly examined by His Imperial Majesty's guards before the competitors enter the grounds," Marian explained.
"There are, of course, versions of this tournament where the participants use actual weapons," Marian continued. "But this was to be a friendly competition, no blood spilled. Were the jousts not thrilling?" Marian inquired. "I do find those particularly thrilling."
Not to mention, her own husband had been the victor that day.
"I am happy you are so amenable, Lady Éabha," Marian's smile was wam and genuine at the young woman's response. "Of course we shall all be occupied by this tournament for the upcoming days but I shall send my messenger to Lorcan in the upcoming week so that we might set a date, yes? And you can assure your siblings-- all of them-- that we will have them to supper. I have not had the pleasure yet of meeting your youngest sister-- Lord Calleary tells me she is often unwell when you come to dine with us."
Marian watched the Lady Éabha as she took in the women who circled about the pair, pretending not to listen to their conversation. Though Astairan court life was said to be quite different the Varmont way, Marian felt as though this Astairan lady would be able to handle herself quite nicely. She knew that there were many women who had hoped to possibly catch Alaric's eye-- Lady Éabha would not have many allies at first. But she would have Marian as an ally, which was all the young lady would really need.
"Ah yes... Lady Malconaire's... fête," Marian continued to smile though she knew there had to be a hollowness to it. In truth she had no interest in further socializing with any of Malconaire clan, though the Lady Dowager herself was at the top of the list.
"I believe all of the Imperial family shall be attendance, yes," Marian answered. "I have not had the pleasure of visiting Malconaire myself yet so I am... intrigued to finally see this place I have heard so much about... Have you spent much time there, Lady Éabha?"
"You shall be in attendance as well, yes?" Marian continued, though her question was more of a statement than an inquiry. "While neither of your brothers have competed... I know the Duke will wish to see you there."
Clearly, she'd done well in that response, Éabha thought with some gratitude. The queen's smile could hardly have been brighter. Éabha was glad. She had perhaps taken a bit of a risk in so saying, and she would need Marian's support, she'd imagine, were she to move forward with Alaric. "Ah, His Highness is gracious as well as a splendid warrior," said Éabha with a grin of her own. "But whatever the outcome, I think we both shall have cause to celebrate."
Hearing Marian description of the blunted blades, Éabha nodded. "That is a comforting thought," she owned. Astaira, she thought, had had more than enough blood of late. "I do not know that I would have the stomach for such an event using real weapons. It sounds harrowing." She paused, considered that perhaps she ought not to have said so much. " But perhaps that is only my inexperience of these things showing itself."
Éabha smiled at Marian's enthusiasm. "Oh, most thrilling," she admitted. "And such congratulations to His Imperial Majesty! The Emperor seemed much pleased with his triumph." She paused. She'd been about to speak of him sharing his triumph with his wife, when she remembered that it had not been Marian's -- or even Amira's -- favor that he had worn. It had been Eilia's. Éabha cleared her throat. She found a safer comment to make. "I suppose it must be difficult to watch your husband and your son compete? Or does it make the victory sweeter, for either way, one whom you love will taste it?"
Smiling brightly, Éabha inclined her head. "I shall look forward to it," she replied. And then the queen began to speak of meeting Fiona. Éabha's smile dinted somewhat. "Oh, yes, I...My sister's...condition, any given evening, you see, it can be a rather chancy thing." Far from being unwell, Fiona was a vision of strenght and good health, but she was hardly, Éabha would imagine, what Marian mght most wish for in her brother-in-law's own sister-in-law. Her condition had more to do with how willing she might prove to sit still for multiple hours put together than being confined to quarters, but Éabha saw no reason to strip Fiona of her excuse to escape such affairs. Wishing to steer the conversation away from her more excitable relations, she said quickly: "Has Your Majesty yet met my other sister? Lady Lorcan?"
Marian's smile, this time, lacked some warmth and, despite herself, Éabha glanced down to conceal her bemusement, attributing her disdain to the mention of Valentina, herself. Éabha could not but sympathize with that.
Hearing the queen ask of Malconaire, Éabha nodded. "I must confess I have had that pleasure. I grew up at Hanthom, as Your Majesty may know, and so we were quite close neighbors. When the whether was fine they would come to us to swim in the ocean, and when it was not," she laughed. "We would go to them to scurry through the woods. Malconaire is..." she glanced down. This was a tricky topic. "I'm sure Your Majesty is aware there was...action there during the war. I fear the place has not yet entirely recovered. But it remains ever the garden it always was." She paused. Another tricky subject, given her hopes of Alaric. But she preferred such things learned from her own lips than any other source, particularly as she imagined Valentina was inclined to meddle, given her hopes for Sonya and Alaric. Better they hear of it now. "I was also betrothed to Lord Cassimir, briefly, before the war, though that is long and amicably over, now. But it did lend itself to the cause of being there, for a time."
Hearing Marina's invitation, Éabha flushed slightly. "Then, Your Majesty, I shall be there." She paused. "It is not far from Lorcan. Should Your Majesty wish, when you have explored as much of Malconaire as you like, I would be more than happy to show you around the mountain."
"No, Lady Éabha you are most correct-- events with sharpened blades can be quite unsettling events. Most often His Imperial Majesty's tournaments do use the blunted blades. He understands how distressing it would be for the ladies otherwise," Marian offered a warm smile-- her husband was thoughtful in that way.
"Was it not such a surprise that His Imperial Majesty joined in the competition? I do find myself a tad nervous when so many that are dear to me competing-- I should be quite distressed if any of them were to be injured! But I do find myself comforted knowing that they are seasoned warriors, all," she paused, leaned closer to Éabha as if sharing an important secret.
"I am quite convinced my eldest boy would have taken the entire jousting tournament had his father not entered himself, but as I told Arthur, there is no dishonor is losing to the One God's own champion."
Marian frowned at Éabha's mention of her sister's connection. "Has your sister often been unwell? Perhaps if it is a recurring condition, it might do her well to see our court physician. I am sure we could arrange that for you, being family to the Emperor."
Marian put much faith in the court's doctor, given that he had often healed her sons from the mysterious illness that had plagued them in their youths.
"I have not had the opportunity to meet Lady Locan no... however, I am most eager to see Lorcan," Marian informed Éabha with a smile. "I hear it is most grand. My husband has promised he will take me on a tour of some of the lords' houses about this area. It feels as if we have been cooped up here in the Citadel since we first arrived. My childhood home was in the countryside so I am not used to being so... confined. Tell me, Lady Éabha, I know you grew up at the seaside-- do you find that is where you would like to ultimately settle one day? Or perhaps you prefer the countryside? Oh, I do believe you would you would love my family's estate-- it hosts a vineyard, you know. Perhaps you might see it one day. I know the Duke has enjoyed a few visits there himself when our travels take us back home."
Marian had absolutely no reason to be so sure Éabha would have any interest in visiting the House of the Sun, but in her mind it was one of the loveliest places in the entire empire-- who wouldn't wish to see it?
"The next time you are to come to dine with us, I shall ensure some of my family's wine is served with dinner. "
"That is considerate," said Éabha, as though touched. In truth, she was a touch more dubious, but she did not let on. "I can't imagine Astaira would know quite what to do were many serious injuries to be sustained at the first tournament we're ever to have the honor of witnessing." We are not a bloodthirsty people, she thought, casting her gaze out across the field. She wondered if that were the impression Marian had, following the riots, or if she thought something else altogether.
Hearing Marian's question, Éabha bit her lip. "It was! I confess, I was completely astonished. Is it usual with him, to do so?" The queen's nerves seemed real, Éabha thought, not without pity, and she did her best to smile supportively. "I'm sure Your Majesty has nothing to fear. Have they not, all of them, proven themselves redoubtable warriors in the past -- and in a not so very distant past, either. Doubtless, those you hold dear will take the day," she added, looking out towards the tents were knights moved about, their armor gleaming bright in the sun...and beyond them, where the peasants readied themselves, utterly without the benefit of such defense, risking life and limb all for the slender chance of a better life. She glanced down at her hands.
In truth, Éabha did not quite know what to say as Marian leaned in conspiratorially and told her that her husband had trounced her son's chances. But, then, she supposed it was usual, in this particular family, for the members to pit themselves one against the other. She suppressed a shiver. "He will have his day in the sun, soon enough, I have no doubt." He certainly faired well enough against an unarmed seer in our high, holy place, she thought, glancing towards his eagle-crested pavilion. There had been a rumor spreading, however faint, that it had been Arthur who had beheaded Aine of Kil-kennar, but Éabha pushed out a breath. It was only a rumor. Who could say the truth for sure? "No doubt it is a comfort to Your Majesty to have two such champions at your beck and call, within your own family?" She smiled at her.
Hearing the queen's offer, Éabha choked, managing to turn the sound into a cough. They certainly had made that excuse often enough, she realized. It was only natural the queen should have the impression that Fiona was a sickly girl, given how often her evidently frail health prevented her from attending the emperor's intimate dinners. Well, perhaps that was for the best. Certainly, she ought not to see more of Fiona than she already was seeing of her. "Oh--Your Majesty is too kind. We would not like to impose and, besides -- Fiona is most comfortable with the physician she has always known. It would be, I fear, rather taxing on her...constitution to attempt so drastic a change at this late stage."
She made a mental note to herself to warn Fiona to cough a few times, for good measure, the next time she was in the way of the Varmont family. Though a few meetings were inevitable, keeping up appearances would help her escape other occasions in that same way. Éabha felt the smallest stab of envy.
Éabha had no need to form a false smile as Marian spoke of Lorcan, of Hanthom, and of her own home. The gentle tug at the corners of her mouth was real enough. "How idyllic it sounds, Your Majesty." She glanced away a moment, back to her. She didn't need to try to imagine how it must feel to be transplanted from one's own home into another place, entirely. No matter how lovely the surroundings, after all, even Lorcan would never be Hanthom -- and Astaira, by any account, was most assuredly not Marian country of origin. "I should be delighted to see it, someday. I can only imagine how difficult that dreadful time must have been. City life is too irrevocably different from country life for one too feel too much at home if one longs for the other. I am glad you're ble, now, to explore the countryside. Perhaps it is my Astairan pride, but I do not believe there is a countryside anywhere else in the world quite like ours -- but I must let Your Majesty be the judge of that. I shall be eager to hear your thoughts on the subject, I confess." She flushed a bit as Marian hinted at Alaric's own preference for the place. Her suspicions she now regarded as quite confirmed. The queen had singled her out with the aim of discovering how fit a bride she should -- or should not -- make for her brother-in-law.
"I did grow up at the seaside, yes," she acknowledged. "And I do not deny that I miss it everyday, but my time at Lorcan has taught me that I am quite capable of living elsewhere, if that is what is required of me. And, certainly, I have always enjoyed exploring other places. As Your Majesty may know, my family has ancient interest in seafaring, and I grew up traveling very often. Likely not so long or intimately as yourself, I'm sure, but I have explored many countries in the world, over time, and it has always brought me pleasure to see more and more of what the world has to offer. No two places, in my opinion, are quite the same. And, as it happens," she added with a small laugh. "I am very partial to wine. Has your family always maintained vineyards?" Hearing the queen's offer, she smiled brightly. "I should like that very much. Have you a favorite varietal?"
