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::the weather, typical for late winter/early spring, has snapped back into a slight chill, the sky almost sullenly overcast:: * Kevil paces for a bit, then sighs and pokes his head into Loria's room. "I am getting restless, n'shava. I am going for a walk, chill or no." <Loria> ::looking up briefly from a thick book:: I'll join you later, my heart... I want to finish this treatise. <Kevil> ::nods:: I will not be long. ::he kisses her cheek, then picks up his cloak and leaves:: <Loria> ::sticking her nose back in her book:: All right... * Kevil pulls the cloak around his shoulders as he exits the building, then looks around, heading into town and looking around curiously. ::a pair of younger boys herd a flock of sheep through the town, moving them to higher pastures on the north side of town. A few women are gossiping idly on a bench in front of the tavern and a matronly woman stops at the general store:: * Winsra comes out of the store, a package tucked under her arm. She raises her skirts to step over the puddles in front of the doorway. * Kevil steps aside for the flock of sheep, grinning faintly and nodding a greeting to the boys. He steps back out into the street after they pass, and heads for the store. He stops when he sees Winsra and bows. "Mistress Winsra, a delight to encounter you." <Winsra> ::smiling:: Good day to you, Master Kevil... ::she takes a large stride, managing to cross the puddle without getting her feet wet:: <Kevil> How are you this day? Is there any thing I might do to assist you? <Winsra> ::making a rueful face:: I'd be much better if I could get my yard to hold the right color. ::she sighs:: I've redyed it about six times now and the color keeps leeching. <Kevil> ::blinks:: I fear I know next to nothing of dying and weaving. <Winsra> ::sighs, then winks at him conspiratorily:: I'm making up a present for Lorie... want to come see? <Kevil> ::grins:: Certainly! * Winsra hands him her packages as if by habit and leads the way back to the duNache farm. <Kevil> ::takes the packages without comment, and follows:: <Winsra> I got a little behind, helping Polla make up her "Come catch me" dress... ::she bites her lip, an expression which causes her to suddenly resemble her younger sister:: I hope I can get it done before you leave. <Kevil> ::chuckles at her name for Polla's dress, then nods:: If not - I believe I have persuaded your brother and his friends to guest with us in Marsember for a time. Perhaps you can send it with them when they follow us? <Winsra> ::looking up at Kevil:: You invited them? You're a brave man... <Kevil> ::chuckles:: Or a mad one - I know. But La- the Blessed Mother has decreed that Loria is to perform a quest, when she is somewhat trained... Her tutor in the mace is without peer, but I believe his skill with the dagger is lacking. I have hope your brother's friend Master Lotho can correct any deficiency before Loria must place herself in harm's way. ::he looks vaguely worried:: <Winsra> ::shakes her head:: It's hard to imagine, gentle little Loria swinging a mace at anybody... <Kevil> ::smiles:: I confess, the sight of her in armor the first time gave me a turn... <Winsra> ::nodding:: I'll bet... ::enters the farm house through a side door. The room is large, with three looms set up. In one corner is a large floor harp:: <Kevil> ::looks around curiously, not having been in this part of the house before:: <Kevil> ::nods to the harp:: That is Loria's, yes? She had mentioned perhaps bringing it home with us, now that we have room for it. <Winsra> ::leading the way over to one loom where a skein of fine, pale yellow cotton is half-woven:: Is she taking it? ::she sighs softly:: She used to play for us, while we worked. <Kevil> ::follows Winsra, but looks over at the harp again:: I do not know... it looks too large for the carriage we came in. ::he smiles at her:: I have told her you must miss her playing. I do not know if she believes me, however. One's husband-to-be has, you understand, a suspect opinion. * Winsra sits at the loom, working the foot pedals and tossing the shuttle back and forth with skilled regularity. * Kevil watches Winsra work for a moment, then grins as he realizes he's nodding his head in time with the clack of the foot pedals, as if listening to a new instrument. <Winsra> ::glancing up without slowing:: I hoped to make several yards of this, before Lorie leaves... I might have some time for some embroidery, too. If not, I've got several skeins for her, if she wants to do her own... <Kevil> ::eyes the fabric without touching it.:: The color will look lovely on her. ::he frowns at the thread on the shuttle:: Is that... it is not wool? <Winsra> ::shaking her head:: No, I traded for it. Da' doesn't raise cotton, but Narin e'Mathias does... <Kevil> ::he nods:: It is lovely. I am certain she will be delighted. ::he grins:: Might I have a few scraps of the thread, to take back to my tailor? <Winsra> ::she smiles at him:: You have a good eye, Master Kevil... ::she reaches down and pulls out a small ball of thread, looping it a few times around her arm, then cutting it off with a pair of heavy fabric shears:: <Kevil> ::smiles as he tucks the thread into a pocket:: Not so fine as some. But I do appreciate fine work, and pleasing color. <Winsra> ::indicates a large cabinet to the left of her loom:: I keep my swatches in there, if you want to look at them. Also, there's a nice blue fleece that I thought Lorie might like, if she ever has any children. <Kevil> ::moves to the cabinet and opens it carefully:: I will remember to tell her. ::he glances up at WInsra with a faint grin:: We do hope to be blessed with children, if that was meant to be a question. * Winsra colors faintly, ducking her head. "I wasn't meaning to be nosy..." <Kevil> ::grins a little wider and turns back to the swatches:: There is no offense. ...This is lovely. ::he holds up a swatch of fine-woven lambswool dyed a deep green:: <Winsra> ::glances over, then back at her work:: Thank you... Hyssop dye... <Kevil> Hyssop? ::he smiles at her and replaces the swatch:: We may come and speak with you of trade... Loria and I had thought to visit my home with some frequency, and wool is a luxury commodity there. She had hoped to engage in some slight trade. <Winsra> ::raising an eyebrow:: What sort of trading? I've got trunks of spare wool these days. The winters have been too mild recently for people to get much wear out of their winter things/ <Kevil> ::raises an eyebrow, then shrugs, strolling around the room as he thinks:: Lighter fabrics, I would think - it is a desert land, and not much warmth is needed. But cloaks, to shield one in the night's cold, and strong fabrics to shield one from rain... ::he ponders:: Perhaps some amount of heavier fabric, for trade to the mountain-set cities at the desert's rim... <Kevil> Bright colors, d'va? Goat's wool we have, and it is sturdy and serviceable, but it does not take dye well, and we are a... colorful people. ::he grins:: <Winsra> ::nodding thoughtfully:: I can put together a sample package for you, if you like. You can take it to your dealers and I can do orders. Easier than trying to guess what colors people are going to want. <Kevil> ::nods:: That would be kind. It will be a matter of months, at least, before we can return again - I will try to get word to you when we have more definite plans. <Winsra> All right... ::shuttles rapidly, the stops to re-wrap her shuttle-cock:: <Kevil> ::strolls over to the harp, looking at it carefully.:: <Winsra> ::the harp is carved and inlaid with pieces of colored polished wood:: * Kevil runs his hands carefully over the harp's frame, studying it intently. After a long moment, he plucks one of the strings, then glances over at Winsra to make sure he isn't disturbing her. <Winsra> ::ties a small knot between the end of one thread and the beginning of the other:: I'm sure Lorie wouldn't mind, if you played a little. <Kevil> ::smiles:: I have not yet learned this instrument. If my fumblings disturb, please do say so... ::he turns back to the harp and plucks several strings in succession:: * Winsra watches him for a moment, then returns to weaving, working quickly:: * Kevil looks around and finds the stool and sits, eyeing the harp. He plucks every string, one at a time, listening intently. Then he plays them all again in reverse order. He closes his eyes and plays the length of the harp again, his fingers feeling their way from string to string. <Winsra> ::checks the length of the completed fabrics, frowning. She sits back down and continues weaving, a slight furrow in her forehead:: <Kevil> ::After some further random playing, Kevil picks out the melody-line for a popular ballad. It emerges from the harp hesitantly, and with several wrong notes, each of which makes Kevil wince as if he'd been punched.:: <Winsra> ::glancing over at Kevil:: I thought you didn't play harp? <Kevil> ::glowers at his latest sour note:: I do not. <Winsra> ::grins:: Well, not too terrible, at any rate... <Kevil> ::laughs:: I have a... a gift, d'va? When I hear a thing, I do not forget it. I must only remember *how* a sound was made. ::he grins and plays another few measures, somewhat more confidently:: <Winsra> ::nodding, rolling back the completed fabric:: Handy ability... <Kevil> ::nods:: It has been useful, in its time... ::he grins, and begins slowly picking out the harmony for the same song:: <Winsra> ::humming along, she taps the loom in time with the music:: <Kevil> ::glances over at her and chuckles, then adjusts the stool and puts both hands on the strings:: Let us try... ::he plays a few measures, at about half the speed the ballad should be played, then strikes a sour chord and stops with a wince. He cranes his head around to look at his hands, repositioning them carefully, finger by finger:: <Kevil> ::After several more false starts, he manages to complete the ballad, albeit playing very slowly.:: <Winsra> ::continues weaving, stopping for a bit to stretch her neck and back:: Not too bad, Master Kevil. <Kevil> ::looks up with a grin, massaging his fingers:: Thank you, Mistress Winsra. Perhaps I will prevail upon Loria to show me the correct fingering. I am certain I am doing something wrong. <Winsra> ::looking down at the fabric:: Well, I can finish this later... would you like some tea, perhaps? <Kevil> ::nods and stands:: If it is not a trouble, that would be kind. ::he glances out the window:: What time is it? <Winsra> ::smiling:: My stomach says it's tea time, so perhaps three hours past luncheon. ::slyly:: Bess doesn't usually come in for tea, so you're quite safe in other parts of the house. <Kevil> ::laughs softly:: Then I accept, with thanks... Perhaps Loria will finish her study and join us. ::he makes a rueful face:: Or she will have lost herself in the book as I lose myself in the music, and I will have to go and awaken her for supper. <Winsra> ::leading the way into a comfortable sitting room decorated with a few handsome tapestries:: This is Mama's sitting room... ::gestures at the tapestries:: Some of these are her mother's work. <Kevil> ::admires the tapestries:: Lovely... Though I know so little of the craft, I fear my admiration does them no justice. <Winsra> ::nodding:: I'll be right back with the tea things... feel free to look around. <Kevil> Thank you. ::continues to examine the tapestries, walking slowly around the room:: <Winsra> ::a few moments later, Winsra returns with a tea cart. A teapot, two cups, and a small plate of quartered sandwiches and cookies are on top of it:: * Kevil turns as she re-enters and smiles. <Winsra> I'm lucky I thought to hide some of the cookies. That friend of Kristo's... he eats everything that's not nailed down... <Kevil> ::laughs:: Which one? The halfling, or the mage? ::he grins:: <Winsra> ::laughing:: Take your pick... <Kevil> ::grins and helps himself to a portion of sandwich:: <Winsra> Although I think that red-headed fellow hasn't been eating well... ::she pours Kevil a cup of steaming tea, smelling faintly of cinnamon and vanilla bean:: <Kevil> No? Is he ill, do you think? ::raises an eyebrow:: <Winsra> ::laughing:: No... terrified, I'd guess... Sugar? <Kevil> ::nods:: Yes, thank you... Terrified? ::he grins:: Oh, the Rabbit? <Winsra> ::drops two lumps of sugar into Kevil's cup, then sliding it over to him:: I think he's caught in the proverbial rock and a hard place... Kris is likely to knock him upside the head, you know. <Kevil> ::picks up a spoon and carefully stirs his tea before taking a sip:: Is he truly, do you think? He growled at me a great deal on Loria's behalf, but I do not think he would ever have actually attempted his threats. <Winsra> ::takes a sip of her tea:: I'm not entirely certain... at least the threat will keep him from dallying with her if he's not serious. <Kevil> ::considers and nods:: I do not know them well enough to judge either man's character, but I would hope they know each other well enough to understand where the lines of battle are drawn, d'va? ::he grins:: Though the Rabbit does not intend to be put off by either of them, I notice. <Winsra> ::laughing:: She's a determined little flirt... Mama and I are at our wits end sometimes, trying to keep her reigned in a little. <Kevil> ::grins and nods:: She reminds me somewhat of my younger sister. <Winsra> ::raising an eyebrow at him:: How many sisters do you have? <Kevil> I had four. Three are older; my younger sister died when I was sixteen. <Winsra> ::softly:: I'm sorry. It must have been a terrible loss. <Kevil> It was. We had been close... and then barely a month after... ::he shakes his head and sips his tea:: It was a terrible year. ::he looks up with a faint smile:: But it is all many years in the past, d'va? ::he grins weakly:: Loria was yet in swaddling. <Winsra> ::eying him:: Perhaps not even born yet... ::she grins:: <Kevil> ::laughs and shakes his head:: I have worked it out - do not think Bess is the first to have been, ah, concerned by the difference in our ages. It gave me a few sleepless nights, until she told me in no uncertain terms that I was to leave off worrying. <Winsra> ::with emphasis:: Well, *I* am not worried about it. <Kevil> ::grins:: I believe you may be the first of your family... Aside from Vallel, at any rate. <Winsra> ::smiling:: You know Val? How is he doing? <Kevil> ::nods:: Indeed - I am a partner in the store he operates. He is well, if one can but drag him from work for a space of time.... Which his wife manages well, I believe. <Winsra> ::shakes her head:: I keep having trouble thinking of Vallie with a wife... ah well... ::sips her tea:: I shall be the old maid of the family, I'm sure... ::she smiles in such a way as to indicate this does not bother her particularly:: <Kevil> ::takes a bite of his sandwich, and washes it down with tea:: I find myself filled with certainty, Mistress Winsra, that if you *wished* to be married, it would take you little effort to find a willing mate. And so I will assume that it is your own choice, and wish you joy of it. ::he toasts her with his teacup, his eyes sparkling:: <Winsra> ::eyeing him with a slight twinkle in her eyes:: You don't happen to have a brother? ::shaking her head:: No, Master Kevil, I find myself quite content to spend my days with Mama. <Kevil> ::laughs:: No, alas, no brothers. Nephews in plenty, however... ::he grins at her, then chuckles and nods:: <Winsra> With three sisters older than you, I'd imagine you have a passel. ::winks at him, refilling her teacup:: <Kevil> ::grins:: Many. And nieces as well. <Winsra> ::nodding:: I've only the three so far... Bess's children, you know. <Kevil> ::nods:: I hope you will not wait long for more... I have wanted children of my own since before I was old enough to understand the mechanics of the creation, d'va? ::he grins a little sheepishly and takes a hurried sip of tea:: <Winsra> ::looks at him, surprised:: Loria will be your first wife? <Kevil> ::looks at her with surprise:: I do not... Why do you ask? <Winsra> ::shrugging:: I just thought... you might have been married before. You'd not be the first older man to take a young wife after losing your first. I'm sorry, I don't mean to pry. <Kevil> Ah... ::he takes a breath and lets it out:: It is not... ::he grins and shakes his head:: I was once betrothed to a woman, but there were... difficulties, d'va? We separated, and are even yet friends. But I have not been married before. <Winsra> ::smiling:: Well, then as eager as you must be for a family of your own, I'm sure the Blessed Mother will smile on you soon. ::winks:: <Kevil> ::chuckles:: I hope so. Well... perhaps *after* this quest. I do not think I could stomach sending a pregnant woman into danger of any sort. <Winsra> ::nodding:: True enough... although family legend has it that She often went into battle in the earlier months of her pregnancies. ::shudders:: However, I hope that it's nothing that urgent, these days. <Kevil> ::shivers at the thought:: I would certainly hope not. <Winsra> ::patting his arm:: I'm sure everything will be fine. ::her eyes are warm:: You really care about her, don't you? <Kevil> ::blinks at her, astonished:: I love her very much. How else should it be? <Winsra> ::her eyes glisten and she blinks a few times:: Well, you can't blame us for worrying, can you? <Kevil> ::puts his hand gently on Winsra's shoulder:: No. I can not. But I hope to reassure you: I love your sister as if she were part of my own soul, I swear it to you. I would rather cut off my hand than knowingly hurt her. <Winsra> ::laughing briefly:: Well, don't do that... it would make it difficult for you to play... <Kevil> ::smiles and sits back to drink the last of his tea:: Indeed, it would. <Winsra> ::beginning to clear the tea things:: You should probably go and make Lorie get out of that fusty old house a little before she puts down roots or something. ::grinning:: I've got some dyeing to do, and I'm *sure* you don't want to stay for that. ::wrinkles her nose:: <Kevil> ::stands:: If I thought I could be of any assistance, I would willingly offer, after you were so patient and kind as to sit through my fumblings... But alas, I fear I would only cause more damage than good. ::he grins:: <Winsra> ::laughing:: If you want to be of help, drag Lorie back here later and sit her in front of the churn. I'm way behind on the butter... <Kevil> ::laughs:: I shall give her your request, Mistress. ::he bows:: Thank you. <Winsra> ::nodding:: Thank *you*. <Kevil> ::leans forward slightly and kisses her cheek:: We will see you soon, sister. ::he smiles, and heads for the door:: |
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