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Eclyse Christian · Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 7:03 pm Post subject: Lessons in Humility

“Anyone ‘ave a few coins t’ spare for th’ poor?” Eclyse shook a few gold coins in a pewter cup as she walked among the throngs of citizens who tended their banking business, mostly oblivious to her pleas. She’d often given gold to the poor, tended the infirm, and pitied beggars in the streets. They were less fortunate, but significant all the same. All souls contained a spark of the divine, prince and pauper alike. She was no different, whether she begged or squired. Why, then, did she feel the rosy burning in her cheeks as a fine gentleman turned and spoke?

“Pity poor thing. “ He looked her plain, tattered brown robe over critically. “Fair enough of face, though. Please, buy yourself something a bit more…ladylike, aye? Such a shame to let such beauty go to waste.” With a sigh, he shook his head and dropped a handful of gold coins into her cup.

Eclyse lowered her head and gave a quick, polite curtsy, careful not to do anything to reveal her upbringing. “Thankee, Sir. I will, Sir.”

Her sandal-clad feet shuffled down the cobblestone streets of Britain as she passed the hours begging for a few coins, and receiving mostly rebukes and looks of disdain.

“Here.” Another held out a double-handful of gold coins. Eclyse took the fabric of her robe and held it out to make a pouch where he could dump the coins. She pulled the fabric in close and gave him her heartfelt thanks, scurrying into the bank to deposit his funds with the rest. Over her shoulder came a request shouted over the heads of the patrons from her latest benefactor. “Don’t spend it all in the tavern eh?”

Eclyse’s cheeks burned with shame and anger at his assumption and she uttered a Gaelic under her breath. “Go hifreann leat...”

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Eclyse Christian · Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2010 5:11 pm Post subject:

Kaylor smirked as his eyes raked over Eclyse in her shabby brown robe and plain leather sandals. He watched as she closed the heavy door of his manor behind her with a gentle click. She shook the snow from her hair, then raked her fingers through, brushing it back over her shoulder again.

Eclyse paused as he lifted a chalice to his lips to drink. “What’s funny?”

Kaylor sipped his wine and set the chalice down again. “Nothing, Squire. Have you done as I asked?”

Eclyse nodded. “I’ve thirteen thousand gold pieces t’ give to the monks, Sir.”

The knight’s eyebrows raised slightly. “Very well, best you return the robe and deliver the gold once we’ve returned.”

“Returned, Sir?”

“Aye, please…to my bedchamber and change. I’ll be waiting on the front steps.” Kaylor lifted the cup to his lips again as Eclyse took the stairs swiftly to his room to change. A dress lay across the foot of the bed, along with a few choice pieces of jewelry and a pair of shiny black sandals. Eclyse ran her fingertips lightly across the delicate fabric and lace of the bodice, but remembered Kaylor waiting outside for her. Quickly, she removed the plain brown robe and folded it neatly on the corner of his bed. She donned the dress and fineries that went with it, pausing for a moment to look down at herself. It had been so long since she wore anything so feminine and beautiful, it felt nearly foreign to her. With a quick whirl to check herself in the mirror, she turned and descended the stairs carefully, the skirts practically floating around her.

At the front door, Eclyse found Sir Kaylor waiting, looking more regal than ever. A red sash accented his armour sharply and he wore the simple circlet crown that always reminded her that she was in the presence of royalty. Instinctively, she bowed her head respectfully to him as he turned to her. Kaylor looked her over critically for a moment, but she seemed to have met with his approval.

Before them on the snow, stood Ancyous. The gypsy smiled warmly to her, then looked to Kaylor, who nodded. Ancyous uttered soft words and cast a gate that shimmered, fading between shades of aqua and purple. Eclyse looked confusedly to Kaylor, who only held out his arm. Eclyse took it uncertainly, as he led her to the shining gate. Fearlessly, he stepped inside, and Eclyse followed.

Emerging on the other side, Eclyse found herself standing next to Kaylor on vast wooden bridge. Beyond the banisters lay the ocean in hues she had never before seen. As he led her from the bridge to a protective portcullis, onlookers who stood nearby bowed their heads. Many took a knee.

Eclyse gave him a questioning look as they reached the gate, and finally Kaylor smiled. “Welcome to Faerwhynne.”

Eclyse Christian · Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2010 6:20 pm Post subject:

The halls of the castle were hushed and expectant. Kaylor led Eclyse to the throne room as various servants and nobles paused in the halls. Each knelt as the two passed, and Eclyse felt her cheeks growing hot and red, feeling like a spectacle. It’s only him…They always bow to him. He’s used t’ this...

When they reached the throne, they were met by a kind-faced man in full battle armour, whom Kaylor introduced as Evan, his man at arms. Kaylor turned to face Eclyse as they stood before his throne. “In a moment I will leave you here.” Instant panic began to rise like the high tide during the full moon.

A flicker of movement to her left caught Eclyse’s eye. Evan knelt before her, lifting a crown to her. Eclyse instinctively attempted a hasty step backward. But Kaylor held her wrist firmly, holding her in place. There was no escape. Kaylor took the crown from Evan’s uplifted hands and placed it upon Eclyse’s brow.

“Until I return, you are Faerwhynne’s queen. There will be those who approach you, seeking a boon, seeking the king’s favour. I am entrusting you not to allow this power to cloud your judgement. Be fair, and remember the lessons you have learned in the other virtues.” Kaylor paused for a moment and took a step back from Eclyse. He looked her over one last time. She felt the blood draining from her face. Kaylor smirked at the image of his paling queen, but seemed convinced that, at least for now, she would not flee. With a reassuring nod, he turned on his heel and strode out of the throne room, leaving Eclyse to look to Evan with a helpless expression. He chuckled in response and took his place by her side.

Throughout the afternoon, guests came and went. Some sought the king’s council. Some sought gifts and favours. All seemed taken aback to find a young lady crowned and seated on the throne. Eclyse did what she could to be fair and keep the peace. Time and again, they called into question her authority. And she reminded each that it was no more their place to question their king than it was hers. And after several hours, finally, the form that rounded the corner from the hall into the throne room was that of Kaylor himself.

“Damnú ort, Kaylor! Where have you been?!” Eclyse had already sprung from the throne and met him halfway. Evan shot a questioning glance toward Kaylor, who winked and nodded nonchalantly in response.

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“Pleasure to see you too, my Queen.” Kaylor bowed his head and laughed.

Eclyse took the crown off her brow and handed it off to him as if it were white-hot. She couldn’t rid herself of it quickly enough. “No, no! Th’ queen’s off! She’s lost ‘er mind already!”

Kaylor chuckled as he handed the crown off to Evan. Eclyse had hold of his free arm, already dragging him toward the door.

Eclyse Christian · Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2010 2:02 pm Post subject:

The battle for the prisoner had come and gone. Eclyse boggled as she carefully stitched the gashes in her arm lent by the teeth of the fearsome dragon. To think, she’d gone in one day from beggar, to queen, to warrior. And yet she herself had not changed in any way. She wore each title like a mantle and did each duty to the best of her ability. She had fallen in battle, but the war, and life, would go on.

She returned to Sir Kaylor’s manor at midnight, as commanded by her knight. There was one last leg to her quest yet left unfulfilled – servitude. The pain from the dragon’s attack throbbed dully. The stitches pulled each time she moved. But she didn’t dare dull her senses with elixirs for pain until she knew what commands await her at midnight. And so she opened the door quietly with her right hand and let herself in. In the darkened hall, a single candle was left lit on the table beside a letter from her knight.

Squire,

I will expect a hot bath drawn when I awake. My armour and weapons are to be repaired and polished. Breakfast is to be waiting on the table, and my charger groomed and waiting in a clean stable. If you find time in the interim to sleep, so be it.

~K

Eclyse fulfilled each demand, battle-weary as she was. She crept into his bedchamber at last to retrieve Kaylor’s armour for repair, and as she did, he stirred fitfully in his sleep and groaned. Some agony weighed heavily upon his body and mind, but she didn’t dare wake him. She watched him concernedly for a moment, her arms bundling his armour against her chest, as strands of hair escaped from the twist she had skewered with chopsticks to keep her hair out of her way. She blew the errant strands aside and caught sight of her bedroll and pillow laid out on the floor at the foot of his bed. She wondered at which point he had found her snow cave and retrieved the items, and she gazed wistfully toward the inviting warmth and rest, but knew she had no time. If she rested now, she’d never wake in time. And the gods only knew what awaited her if she failed to complete her tasks.

As morning broke over the mountains of Stonegate, Eclyse shuffled up to Sir Kaylor’s bedchamber with the last bucket of hot water for his bath. His breakfast sat upon a warming plate over a candle on the table. Every last muscle ached, and her mind was adrift on a tide of sleep deprivation. But what tasks she completed, she completed with pride and dedication. She watched the fitful knight toss his head in restless sleep as she crept past. This was her yoke of humility. If this king could bear his so faithfully, she could never fail him in bearing hers.