Rhiannon - Child of Twilight
Chapter 6 - Page 1
Maerdynn's Court

It had been in the beginnings of the early Fall when Jenna slowly rode her gray dappled mare towards the Greathouse of Lord Sean; high upon an imposing hill with mountains in the distance, its large rambling buildings interlaced with apartments, accommodations, stables and servant quarters. It was one of the largest of the Greathouses, both from overseeing a strategic area as well as a certain testament of the wealth of its people and Lord. The evening had been fading as Jenna watched the streaks of variant colors from the sun embellish the sky, the soft rays glinting off the wonderful reds and golds of the leaves on the trees that liberally laced the landscape between village and town. Her mass of long dark tresses hung in great, lazy curls with a smattering of tiny braids intertwined with feathers. Full-bodied and strong, the life of a wandering Bard suited Jenna's temperament well. Her dark eyes ran along the high stone walls that moved around outside of the Greathouse with some amusement. “Well, if I haven't managed to get to Taliesin's Court. It's been three years since I last saw 'that' one...” she looked down at her mare and patted the horse's mane, whispering confidentially in the animal's ears, “I wonder if time has settled that personality some, you think?” The horse whinnied a little and shook her head slightly as if in response causing Jenna to chuckle and shake her head, “Yes, I agree... I doubt that one myself!” With that, she led her horse back along the path to finally go up the hill to get to the buildings and the Court. When she got close enough to see the stables across from the kitchens, a Runner came out to take the horse having seen Jenna from those kitchens, bidding Jenna go in to have some dinner as the Runner took care of the horse. Jenna accepted this gratefully, leaving the horse and her gear in the young girl's care.

Jenna sat on a bench at a long, low table to some warm bread and hot soup one of the cooks had provided for her in the common hall next to the kitchens. The area was mostly quiet now as almost everyone had finished their evening meal and gone to other activities before fully retiring for the night. The candles lit in the hall were soft and glowed their subtle gold in warm reflections about the room. It made Jenna feel a curious sense of homecoming and hunger and she ate her meal almost greedily in the half-light. A young man with softly curling brown hair and hazel eyes stepped casually in and seeing her, his smile grew wide. “Well, I thought it was you I saw riding up... Goodness, Jenna, but it's been a long time!”

“Dylan!” She exclaimed, standing momentarily to give the man a warm hug before sitting again. “So, how are you, my friend?”

“Hm...” He laughed, shaking his head mildly, “Maerdynn's Court, as always. You know, I've been his Second for over five years now. You�d think I'd really know the man by now... but, hey, I'm well.” As there was a pitcher of ale on the table, Dylan went and got himself a mug, returning to sit by Jenna on the bench and pour himself a drink. “So, my dear Jenna. What's taken you so long to see fit to find us again?”

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