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* Meghan is sitting on the sofa reading her book * Michelle walks through the door. She's dressed in forest green trousers, a dark gray flannel shirt, and a russet cloak. Slung over one shoulder is a large bag that seems to have been filled to capacity. <Michelle> How are you doing Meghan? Ready to get started? * Meghan looks up and smiles placing her book aside <Meghan> Yep ::She stands:: Very ready * Kevil knocks on the door. "Ladies? We your humble servants await your pleasure!" He is wearing relatively simple travelling clothes, and is carrying the reins of three docile workhorses. One has already been loaded with several packs. * Meghan is wearing dark brown pants and a dark green shirt her hair is tied back * Meghan goes to the door one of her two bags in hand and opens it to let Kevil in. She smiles brightly to him. * Michelle smiles at Kevil, "Oh, I didn't realize we were going to have servants. Does that mean you brought us a palanquin as well?" <Meghan> Hello Kevil * Kevil takes Meghan's bag and begins stowing it on one of the horses. * Meghan goes to get her other bag and returns handing it to Kevil. <Kevil> Lady Michelle, alas, I did not anticipate the need. If you consent, I will of course hold my cloak over you, to preserve your fair skin. ::he grins at her as he takes Meghan's second bag:: * Michelle walks outside, and stows her own bag on a horse before returning to the kitchen. * Michelle giggles at Kevil, "I think I can use the work on my tan." * Meghan walks into the house one last time and goes into her room looking around. * Kevil bows floridly for Michelle. "As the lady desires, so shall it be!" <Kevil> ::to Meghan:: Are you ready, bright star? * Meghan turns and nods to Kevil smiling "As ready as I'll ever be I guess." <Kevil> ::smiles:: The road awaits! * Meghan walks back out of the house into the noon sunshine. * Michelle returns from the kitchen with three more bags. She quickly stows two on the horses, but holds on to the third, "Whenever you're ready Meghan. You're our guide." * Kevil ties the horses in a train, and waits Meghan's direction. * Michelle rushes back inside one last time and comes back out with a staff, "Sorry, not used to carrying this thing around." Michelle turns and locks the door. * Meghan looks at both Michelle and Kevil before closing her fingers around the stone hanging from her neck. She bows her head and closes her eyes and is silent for a moment. Then she slowly lifts her head and starts off in a northern direction out of the city. * Kevil waits for Michelle to start, then brings up the rear of the party, leading the horses. Soon they are outside the city. The sun shines brightly down and they pass few people. <Kevil> Have you any idea where it is we are going? * Meghan glances at Kevil and nods <Meghan> Somewhat yes. <Kevil> Well, by all means, tell us what you may. It is good to know something of the places one goes, yes? <Meghan> Well as far as I can tell we'll probably have to camp out most of the time but I think we will pass through one fairly large town. <Kevil> ::nods:: Will we be going so far as to require a new language? ::his eyes gleam at the prospect:: <Meghan> I think if we can keep a good pace we will make it to this castle in three weeks <Meghan> ::grins at him:: I don't think so. But I would be honored if you would be willing to teach me yours. <Kevil> I am willing to try. Lady Zoya tells me I am... not the best teacher. Too impatient, d'va? ::he grins:: And so much of language is... linked with the culture, so I must teach you this also, yes? * Meghan nods <Meghan> I would love to learn everything. <Kevil> ::chuckles:: One step at a time, of course. * Meghan nods smiling to him. <Kevil> Lady Michelle? Are you also a great student, as Lady Meghan? * Michelle smiles at Kevil, "I like to think there's always something new to learn, though right now my minds more preoccupied with teaching than learning." <Kevil> Yes? What is it that you are teaching? * Meghan glances at Michelle and grins. <Meghan> I have a feeling I am going to be a much smarter person by the end of this trip. <Kevil> ::laughs:: Perhaps. Or perhaps wiser, which is even better, d'va? * Meghan nods to him. <Meghan> That too Kevil. * Michelle pats Meghan on the head, "I'm trying to teach this one how to listen to her heart without getting herself in trouble." * Meghan grins at Michelle. <Meghan> Good luck Lady. * Kevil looks surprised, and then he laughs. "Ah, I should have known you are her teacher for... empathy? That is the word, yes?" * Meghan nods to Kevil. * Michelle smiles and shakes her head, "Going to try to turn me into a gray haired granny are you?" <Kevil> I see no subterfuge will be possible, between you! Alas, for my plots and plans! ::he grins:: * Meghan laughs and hugs Michelle as they walk "Somehow I could never see you as that Michelle. * Meghan laughs. * Michelle winks at Kevil, "No one said anything about your plans, just the subterfuge." <Kevil> ::laughs:: I see I shall have to be my most cunning. * Michelle returns Meghan's hug, "Good. Cause otherwise I was going to have to remind you that I'm not THAT much older than you." * Meghan winks at him "Good luck to you to my friend" * Kevil laughs. "Mere maiden-children, the both of you." <Meghan> ::Smiles to Kevil:: * Michelle giggles, "Did your plans include doing something about that?" <Kevil> ::widens his eyes innocently at Michelle:: Lady, I know no way to age children, but to let time do as it may. * Michelle pouts exaggeratedly, holding her hair in an approximation of pig tails, "But I wanna grow up NOW!" * Meghan laughs. * Kevil considers Michelle with mock solemnity, then suddenly drops the horses' reins and picks Michelle up, lifting her by the waist as one lift might a small child to touch the ceiling or pick an apple from a tree. "Up enough for you, Lady?" he laughs. As they get farther away from the city they pass less people and the farms are much more spread out. * Meghan laughs hard having to stop walking and the horses stop behind her. * Michelle screeches for a moment, then bursts into giggles. * Meghan grabs the reins from the horses and begins again. * Kevil laughs and then lowers Michelle to the ground again. * Michelle playfully bops Kevil's arm, "Warn me next time you're going to do that." <Kevil> ::grins:: But it is not nearly so much fun that way! * Michelle shakes her head smiling, "So true." * Meghan shakes her head at her companions as she walks ahead. <Kevil> ::cocks his head:: You did not anticipate it? Read the... mischief in me? * Meghan glances at Michelle grinning. <Kevil> ::smiles at Meghan:: A man must know what his advantages are, yes? * Meghan nods to Kevil. * Michelle smiles at Kevil, "I knew you were up to mischief. The kind of mischief was a completely different matter." Pats his cheek, "Besides, you won't be nearly as much fun if we don't let you at least think you can surprise us." <Meghan> I understand that. * Meghan laughs <Kevil> ::chuckles:: Ah, well, I will be content with what slight advantage I may glean from your leavings. * Michelle smiles at Kevil, "Good." As the sun moves along in it's daily path the farms lessen and the forest grows thicker. After a bit longer they are completely into the forest <Kevil> ::considers the sky:: I think it will not be long before we must stop for the evening. Bad to travel, after the sun has gone down, yes? And we will need an hour or so to set up. Do you know a place to stop near? <Michelle> I can provide us with enough light if you want to push on Meghan, but Kevil's right, travelling after sunset isn't a good idea. <Meghan> We are almost there. <Kevil> ::nods:: They walk about 10 minutes more and the soft sounds of the river can be heard. Meghan moves towards a small path that appears to the left and after a few feet there is a clearing. * Michelle examines the clearing, then looks to Meghan. * Meghan returns Michelle's gaze. * Kevil moves into the clearing and walks around it twice, examining it minutely. He nods. "It will suit." He moves to the horses and tethers them to a low tree-branch, and begins removing packs. * Meghan moves to help Kevil as much as she can. * Michelle shakes her head and goes about unpacking as well. <Michelle> Meghan, did you think to pack a tent? * Kevil accepts Meghan's help, asking her to settle the horses and help clear space for tents. "Do we have two or three tends, Ladies?" <Meghan> I think two will be fine. Michelle and I can share one ::looks to her for agreement:: * Kevil nods, and begins setting up his tent. * Michelle nods. * Meghan stands by the horses patting them and whispering quietly to them. * Michelle finishes unloading the tent, "Have you ever set a tent up before Meghan?" * Meghan shakes her head. <Meghan> Nope. <Kevil> There is food for them in the brown packs. They should have some grain, as there is little grass here. And then you can take them to the river to drink, yes? I will help Lady Michelle with the tents. * Meghan nods and takes the horses to the river to drink as soon as they are unloaded. <Michelle> Thank you Kevil. ::Michelle begins setting up the second tent.:: * Kevil helps Michelle with the tents. * Meghan begins to hum softly as the horses drink looking around and enjoying the quiet. * Kevil begins clearing space for a camp fire. * Meghan brings the horses back to the camp when they are finished and gets their food for them. * Michelle begins getting out food and cooking implements. * Meghan continues to hum as she feeds the horses and then ties them up so they can get at the grass nearby. * Kevil builds a small camp fire. He grins when Michelle gets out cooking gear. "Blessed Lady! I will not have to eat my own cooking!" * Michelle smiles at Kevil, "I charge you know." * Meghan laughs as she comes back to the fire. * Kevil bows to Michelle. "Any price, Lady! You have before you a desperate man!" * Meghan sits pulling her knees up and wraps her arms around them * Michelle smiles and raises an eyebrow, "ANY price? Really?" Michelle's smile turns mischievous. <Kevil> ::Hamming, Kevil falls to his knees:: Any, I swear it! * Meghan looks between Michelle and Kevil smiling at them * Michelle looks up and taps her chin, "I'll have to think about that one...But I suppose I could give you some on credit and you can just pay me back later." Glances side long at Kevil. <Kevil> My enduring gratitude, Lady Michelle. ::chuckles:: May I know what price you charge of Lady Meghan? * Meghan looks back to Michelle curious as to her answer. * Michelle shakes her head, "I'm supposed to be looking after her. Wouldn't do a very good job if I let her starve now would I?" * Meghan grins <Meghan> ::to Kevil:: I'm special. * Michelle wags a finger at Meghan, "So you'd better eat all your veggies." <Kevil> ::nods wisely:: Her price is included in the... set? No; package. ::grins:: * Meghan laughs. <Kevil> ::smiles at Meghan:: Of course you are, bright star. <Meghan> ::Michelle proceeds to cook dinner and the three converse as the sun sets and the moon comes out:: * Meghan yawns * Kevil echoes the yawn. "I, for bed, yes? Good night, Ladies." He bows first to Michelle and then to Meghan before crawling into his tent. <Meghan> Good night Kevil. * Michelle turns to Meghan, "Get some sleep Meghan. Days on the road can get VERY long." * Meghan nods to her. <Michelle> Goodnight Kevil. * Meghan turns and crawls into her own tent <Meghan> Night Michelle * Michelle checks to make certain the fire is safely contained, then slowly walks the perimeter of the clearing, a pale glow briefly liming each tree she passes. * Michelle joins Meghan in the tent. <Kevil> ::Late in the night, as the ladies sleep, Kevil crawls out of his tent. He checks the level of the fire and the horses, then sits, leaning against a tree and looking up at the moon. After some time, he sighs and goes back into his tent.:: |
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