[Beud]
Beud gave the young lordling a glittering smile; she felt powerful, aware of herself for probably the first time - this was the first time she had truly flustered a male. That he probably was an innocent didn't matter. "I eat when I can," she murmured, "Perhaps we can share something later."
With another smile and a confident flounce the girl went back to her rounds. She had _even_ managed to sound like some of the older women.
[Daron]
Daron smiled as she looked down at the babe. "It's quite all right," she said. "No harm done." She looked back up at Fionn...and felt a peculiar flutter in the pit of her stomach. -You will _not_ go and make a fool out of yourself again!- she sternly admonished herself.
Daron took another healthy swallow from the goblet before her. She hoped that Fionn would attribute the sudden flush of her cheeks to the alcohol...
[Fionn]
Fionn resettled the infant with a softly murmured, "Tiah', Cianna," and waited until her eyes -- as dark as his own, and Niall's -- had closed again before turning back to his own meal. The goblet before him was still full, though he could not help but note that Daron seemed to be able to handle the wine easily enough. Maeve, on his left, seemed to be imbibing quite a bit, also, having drained one goblet and allowing the serving girl to refill it. For a moment, Fionn considered a whispered warning about how her eyes already glittered a bit too brightly from the alcohol, or how Rue might later turn from her mother's milk. But either approach undoubtedly would have drawn a sharp rebuke.
At the head table, Thomis sipped his own wine, slowly, and allowed himself a moment of relief that so far the feast was going relatively smoothly.
[Rudolpho]
Left on his own, Rudolpho looked around him to see what everyone else was up to. Daron seemed to be looking at Fionn as if he had just said something. Fionn was looking at Maeve. Maeve was looking in her quickly draining goblet. He noticed the concerned look in Fionn's eyes and the flush to Maeve's cheeks. He remembered the time he had fed one of the village goats some hot peppers and how the milk tasted of it later. He wondered if the same were true of people and wine. Quickly deciding he didn't want Rue to find out he poured some juice in his glass and then added a bit of wine. "Maeve could you pass those potatoes please?" When she turned to pick up the platter he switched his glass with hers quietly and with the quickness of his gypsy heritage. He then took the platter from her when she handed it to him and took some potatoes from it. "Thanks." As he began to eat the potatoes to complete the illusion, he looked around the hall noting what everyone was doing, who was watching him, and whether Maeve noticed the switch.
[At the Head Table]
All during the various taunts and conversations Geill Hillrover, Gairge's father, had continued to eat - though he missed nothing. When the head table and the guest table had settled to the business of eating, and polite conversation, he turned to Thomis and said, "Se ye be travelin' with me Cousin Laurelyn, eh?" Geill had broader features than Acair, and had more blond highlights in his auburn hair, though now those were mixed with grey in the thick warrior's braids that hung on either side of his weathered face. There was something a little hungry about the way he looked at things.
Meanwhile Acair had been taking the opportunity to bring Laurelyn up-to-date on various kin, and to point out to her younglings that were now strapping young warriors.
[Thomis/Fionn]
Thomis took a moment to neatly slice off another chunk of meat and spear it before answering. "All the way from Montfort, yes," he answered the other man. He had been glad to have avoided making conversation for as long as this, but was not surprised that someone at the table would start questioning him as Mesail had Ulric at the other table. On the other side, and further down, young Hector MacRorie seemed to be half-listening between leaning over to whisper jests into Gille Hillrover's ear.
At the guest table, Fionn half-smiled at Rudolpho when the boy's eyes drifted in his direction, and tipped his own goblet in acknowledgment of the switch made to Maeve's glass. Though he wondered whether the trickery would slow her down for any appreciable length of time -- after all, once she finished this cupful of mostly-juice, she surely would be searching for even more wine. "Mayhap ye should try some cider?" the highlander suggested so that only Rudolpho and Daron could hear, looking pointedly at the wine-filled glass Rudolpho had stolen from Maeve.
Bronwyn tucked a wisp of long brown hair behind one ear and shifted the tray braced against her hip as she moved down the table -- dodging Geill Hillrover's groping hands -- to stop by the gaily-dressed man with the belled hat. "Lager?" she asked, hoisting a pitcher and offering to fill his cup.
[Jacques]
Jacques had been candidly feeding Fiend chunks of meat sliced from his own meal, and had managed to convince the pup to even drink an infinitesimally small portion of wine when the animal had started whining for water. Fiend, now, was staring at something only he could see, and giving an occasional delighted yap. As Bronwyn approached his eyes focussed briefly on the young woman, and he gave a final half-hearted yap before falling asleep with a huge yawn.
"I knew he was too young to be drinking," offered Jacques with a shrug and a light tinkling of bells. Then he eyed Bronwyn appreciatively and smiled widely.
"A beautiful young woman offering me lager?" he grinned and his voice slipped into a fair imitation of the Hillrover accent. "Will ye marry me, lass?"
Jacques winked outrageously and hefted his cup.
"You are more than welcome to fill my cup, as you fill my eyes with wonder, and my soul with joy." He winked again - this time so slightly and with such a conspiratorial air that it was barely noticeable. "Perhaps I can offer you something too?"
[Bronwyn]
Bronwyn laughed, and returned the smile, leaning forward to fill the cup, and giving the jester a quick, though relatively modest, glimpse at the abundance of bosom gathered behind the stays of her bodice. Part of the job, and a more pleasant one than most of the duties given to the camp-followers. Not all of the warriors, whether they be young or old, even bothered with a smile and a wink to jolly a girl along. "Mayhap ye can perform a few tricks for a lass," she answered, "when the sarvin' 's done."
Bronwyn returned the wink as she straightened to move back down the table. "If yer hat is up to it," she tossed over her shoulder.
[Geill]
Geill Hillrover took stock of Thomis; noting the man's efficient movements, and the way he casually kept track of his companions - and their potential adversaries. "Aye, E've 'eard of Montfort. As ell-starred a tewn if E've ever 'eard of one. Ef I understand aright me yeunger cousin, Brion, went in to check on yeung Laurelyn, and new here she is....but no sign of eur warpiper. Ye weuldn't 'ave 'appened to 'ear ef him weuld ye 'ave?"
[Thomis]
"Your warpiper and his blackthorn shillelagh were welcome protection for the chieftain's daughter," Thomis answered. How much should he say about Brion and his reasons for remaining in Montfort? The Oath-bound was reluctant to start rumors about the other man without knowing what implications the warpiper's absence could have for clan politics and Laurelyn's father. "A strong fighter, and an honorable man," he added. There did not see to be any danger in that, for he doubted that anyone in the hall would contest such an assessment of Acair's 'baby brother.' "And just as strong and healthy when we left Montfort."
[Rudolpho]
Rudolpho smiled as Fionn tipped his cup to him. He picked up his glass of water and tipped it back. "No thanks, I have water." He drained his glass and set about preparing it for next time. He took a bit of wine from Maeve's old glass, and filled it to the top with juice, making sure Maeve didn't notice him doing it. When Maeve asked for a refill, he would be ready to affect another switch.
As he continued to scan the room, as much to see what people were doing, as he was getting bored and a little anxious, he noticed that Daron was looking at Fionn quite a bit. Especially when she thought he wasn't looking. The street rat in fine clothing looked around for dessert. He wondered what kind of things they would have.
[Daron]
Daron finished her meal, though later she would not be able to recall what she had eaten or how much. From time to time, she stole glances in Fionn's direction. There was something about the way he looked that caught her attention. The more she tried _not_ to look in his direction, the stronger the impulse was _to_ study him: the way the torchlight showed highlights in his dark hair, the concern in his features as he tended to the babe, his strong hands...
For a brief, cheek-burning moment, the young artist wondered what those hands would feel like on her skin... She quickly downed the rest of her wine in a throat-searing gulp, pushing those thoughts back to the dark recesses of her mind.
The tingly-burning sensation in her fingertips and hands, temporarily quieted by the wine Daron drank, now returned with a vengeance. The artist rubbed the palm of her right hand with her left thumb, trying to soothe the pain. "Why won't ye leave me alone?" she whispered, not realizing she spoke aloud.
[Keir]
Keir laid the bare mutton bone on his plate alongside the two others as his sensitive ears picked up Daron's whisper amid the din. He wondered who it was directed at since her eyes seemed focused on her hands.
His belly full, finally, the noise of the Big Folk began to grate on his nerves. Gulping down the last of his ale he pushed away from the table and slid off the chair. "S'cuse me for a moment." he muttered to those around him, not that they heard. "I'll be back." If they did hear they'd assume he had to relieve himself of the half-gallon ['bout a liter.;)] of ale but he intended to return to his room and feed his two young charges. Staff in hand, he didn't look back to see if anyone noticed his departure but strode for the doorway.
[Fionn]
"Gabh mo leithsceal?" Fionn said to Daron, automatically, before remembering to adjust to common. "Excuse me?" He pushed back his chair slightly to look down at Rue, but the babe seemed to be sound asleep. "Are ye ell?"
[Daron]
Daron looked at Fionn, realizing with cheek-burning shame that she had indeed spoken her thoughts aloud. Afraid her voice would betray _other_ thoughts regarding him, she merely shook her head. Her hands trembled slightly as she refilled her goblet with the wine.
[Geill]
Geill nodded at Thomis's words, and said, "Tis good to 'ear that Brion was alive and well the lest ye sew him. Theugh its not te good that eur warpiper hes been gone this leng - E'd be 'opin' that 'ed been 'eaded heme by now. 'E's get no one there left to guard - since here be Cousin Laurelyn."
He took a long swig of his ale and continued, "Se whet mekes ye to be travelin' with me cousin? Besedes Montfort being a demned town."
[Guest Table]
At the Chief's signal the dinner platers were removed and the servers began to bring out large puddings - one for each table.
[Rudolpho]
Rudolpho watched Keir leave and wondered where he was going. Just as he was leaving, Daron had whispered to leave her alone. Was she talking to him. He thought back for a moment to recall if he had done something to annoy her. He hadn't really spoken that much to her, and hadn't been nudging her, so he decided he hadn't. By the looks of it, Fionn was as confused as he was. He leaned over and whispered back to her. "What's wrong Daron? Is someone bothering you?" He noticed out of the corner of his eye that they were bringing dessert. As he waited for Daron's reply, he wondered how he was going to smuggle pudding out of here along with two spoons, and when were they going to start the storytelling?
[Thomis]
"There are those who would think the cursed nature of Montfort to be reason enough to leave it," Thomis answered Geill. He smiled before taking a sip of water. "A specific task took me there, and once it was done, I was bound no longer. And, frankly, both Laurelyn and Brion Hillrover showed the courage to make any honorable man follow them." Had that been spreading the praise too thick? Thomis knew he was not the tongue-tied type, but he also wasn't given to unwarranted compliments, and sometimes found it difficult to speak even the warranted ones smoothly.
[Geill]
"Ef Brion E'm net surprised," Geill said, intensly studying Thomis, "But E'd 'adn't 'eard thet me Cousin Laurelyn wes such a fighter." Before he could say one of the servers set a pudding before them.
[Thomis]
"She learned to use her sword somewhere," Thomis answered. Not that Laurelyn looked like a fighter at that very moment, seated next to her father in that blue silk gown. "During the riots a while back, she stood firm against those who would have attacked even children in their panic..." And in short sentences, without mentioning that the children in question had been Young Guardians -- dangerous killers themselves -- Thomis gave a short account of how the chieftain's daughter had proven to be a stalwart champion for defenseless youth. By the end, even Hector MacRorie, across the table, seemed disinclined to draw the storyteller's attention to himself.
[Bronwyn]
Bronwyn passed a tray of empty mugs and plates to one of the other servers, exchanging it for another heavy pitcher. She filled glasses for a few others, again dodging Gille Hillrover -- who looked to be well in his cups by this point, and all the more forward -- to stop behind Measail and the tall, blonde outlander. "Do ye wish muir to drink?" she asked softly, quickly curtseying to Measail in acknowledgment of his rank.
[Measail]
Measail didn't even look at the server, but handed her his tankard.
[Ulric]
"Muir?" Ulric echoed, lost for a second by the accent. "Reh, yes thank you." He held up his tankard and gave her a grateful smile.
"So," he said to Measail as he held his cup out, "if you fight here, who guards your homes?"
[Bronwyn]
She poured Measail's tankard full first, carefully so as not to spill any of it, not at all surprised that the older man had not acknowledged her presence. It was the way here, and the camp-followers such as herself -- most of them by-blows born of women in the same position -- didn't expect any courtesies from the warriors. But she did nod, with a quick smile to the outlander as she turned to him. Laurelyn Hillrover did seem to travel with a polite bunch.
[Measail]
The elder warrior scrutinized Ulric as he said, "Our lands are deep in the mountains and we're fortunate to be blessed with many warriors."
[Ulric]
Ulric smiled, and took a quick draught from his replenished drink.
"Then you are fortunate indeed. Beautiful women," he glanced at Bronwyn as she departed, "safe homes, and surrounded by good stone and brave warriors... you could not ask for more."
[Daron]
The artist shook her head. So Rudolpho had heard her too... -Well, tell the truth and be _done_ with it.- "No, no one here is bothering me," Daron whispered. -_That_ was a half-truth...-, she silently scolded herself. Her cheeks reddened with the memory of her thoughts about Fionn. She drank deeply from her wine goblet, firmly pushing those thoughts _back_. "But this is neither the time nor place for me to be drawing..." Daron took another throat-searing gulp of the wine for courage to speak further, ...drawing what I 'see' from being in this place..."
[Rudolpho]
Rudolpho glanced at
Daron. She seemed upset. He reached over to her and put his
hand on her's. "You shouldn't be ashamed of your talent. It's
pretty different from anything I've ever seen anybody else do. I
don't think anyone would mind if you were to draw...as long as you didn't
draw on the tablecloth or something. You can even go get your sketch
pad. Keir went off to do something and no one said a word to him.
If someone asks where your going just say you need to freshen up.
Rudolpho smiled at
her and watched them
put the pudding on their table. He was eagerly set to dig into the
pudding, but remembered the pretty serving girl. He glanced across
the room and could see her delivering trays of pudding to other tables.
He felt guilty not having to do any chores as a guest, so he didn't eat
any of the pudding. He instead shoveled big spoonfuls of pudding
into a dish that he would save for later. He still wished later would
come sooner.
[Back in the Quarters - Keir]
While the rabbits nibbled the bits of greenery he brought them, Keir sat on the straw pallet and gazed at the drawing of Ole Frazzle that Daron had made. It seemed like ages had passed since he had given his quest a thought but then the Dun was the first place since they'd joined together where they could feel secure, warm and well fed. That thought reminded him that he should take advantage of his present comfort while the opportunity was there. He carefully placed the drawing on his pack and rose, wondering how close to the sea they were.
On his way back to
the hall he paused near a window and took a deep breath through his nose,
hoping to catch a scent of salt air. It wasn't there but among the many
odors of the Dun was an unidentifiable one that caused the hairs on his
ears to stand on end. He hurried along toward the hall, suddenly feeling
much less secure.