Private Tales En Route

A private roleplay only for those invited by the first writer
Valdr would close the door behind him he entered. "Esme.. this is not your fault. You even had a plan for him to leave your side. To send him back mid-travel would raise more questions." He would approach her once she came to a stop by the window, his hands resting gently on her shoulder.

"I know you won't, no matter how much I want his head on a pike for this, to swing the sword. But I know that if that happens, if I were the one to do it, then we would end before we truly began." His thumbs would caress the tension in her shoulder blades. "I had him returned to Route to be put in jail and stand trial. Beth is here on the boat, she will need to decide her own path. When we return.. banish him. Anything less than that and he will have done irreparable damage to your rule. Make him an outlaw to your kingdom with the promise of death upon returning, no lands, no titles, no reputation."

He would pause, one hand leaving her shoulder to grab the bottle of wine and refill her glass. "If you wish, I can send Brandr after to pass the ruling and allow Beth to leave now, with him. They likely haven't gotten too far and it will only delay our departure another half hour."

Esmeralda Sophia Le Roux
 
"Yes, let Brandr take Beth to him."

Esme moved to change the topic that was waying so heavily on her heart.
"Why don't you tell me about that Gryphon I saw earlier." She offered him a weak smile and guestered towards an empty goblet, offering him some wine.
 
"It will be done, my Queen." He set down the bottle and removed his other hand, before walking to the door. He would open it.

"Wesley, have Brandr take Beth to catch up with the party. Brandr is to pass onto Rayden word of his banishment. If he returns to Route, he will be executed. Their lives are their own, there will be no safe passage offered. Brandr is then to return to the boat with Gaspar, Torvic, and Brynhildr. We will depart once they return."

The young Captain would bow his head. "Yes, Lord. It will be done." He would then head off to pass on the instructions to Brandr and to Beth.

Valdr would then shut the door, at which point she started to change the subject. "That is Draihir, Brynhildr's gryphon." He would tap the sigil on his armor. "My house has warriors that are trained better than Knights or Paladins, known as Wardens. We are trained in all forms of combat, even from atop our gryphon mounts. Mine is back in Vel Ehn." He would wave off the goblet. "My greatest shortcoming in court is my distaste for wine. I prefer mead." He confessed "..but I will stay with you if you like. And we can talk about anything."

Esmeralda Sophia Le Roux
 
Esme stepped closer to valdr and rang her fingertips over the cold sigil.
"Well perhaps when we arrive you and I can take your grphyon on a joy ride." Her eyes flaired with enthusiasm as she offered the idea but that spark was short lived as she started noticing his wounds. She moved her hand up now and touched Valdrs jaw, brushing her thumb lightly across the spot Rayden had hit him. "Why don't you sit down and we just clean that blood off of you hm?"

She emptied a jug of water into a nearby bowl and dampened a rag whilst she waited for Valdr to make himself comfortable.
 
"I would love that, Esme. I could think of nothing better to do." He mused gently, his eyes searching hers.

Her hand then began to trace the injuries from the fight. He had won, and Rayden would never be a threat again to Esme's crown. "As you wish, Esme." His hands would work the buckles of his cuirass and he would remove it, then his sword belt, setting both on the floor. Next, he would unlace the gambeson and worked it up and over his head before tossing it in the pile of growing armor.

He winced into his chair, his golden eyes watching each of her movements. He was ashamed for himself to appear before her like this. Bloodied from a fight that never should have happened. "I shouldn't have left you alone in the inn.. I should have stood outside the door.. or had him dismissed before we came to the inn.. I'm sorry."

Esmeralda Sophia Le Roux
 
Slowly Esme began wiping off the blood on his jaw, "You cannot blame yourself for his action Valdr, neither of us expected he would do something so foolish."

She rinsed her rag, "let me know if I press to hard." Following this sentence she began cleaning just under his lower lip, once she blood had been cleaned up she touched his busted lip with her thumb, "It isn't to deep, fortunately."
The corner of her lips twitched slightly.

"Mmm," Esme cleared her throat. "I am going to need to remove your tunic so I can see how bad the bruising to your ribs are."
Her eyes scattered around, uncertain now where to look.
 
"I know.. but maybe it would have spared you a crass experience. I would have rather him being a scoundrel being something I expected and you didn't have to experience to sour your memory of him." He would nod, and though there would be a singular wince, there seemed to be no further pain to the lips. "Thankfully." He mused with a wry smile.

"Then do it." He would respond, one hand moving to cup her cheek and turn her head so she was looking at him. "If we're to be married, you'll see this eventually." His hand then withdrew to begin undoing the lacing on his tunic before the garment was lifted and discarded carelessly.

Beneath, his muscled torso bore numerous tattoos and scars, one of which would be the claws where the ogre had held him. There was also an array of bruising and forming welts, but at a closer inspection she'd find no sign of broken ribs.
 
"Well Lord," she helped him remove his tunic, "if that is not a marraige proposal than I do not know what is."
Esme let out a small laugh of amusement then began looking over the bruises. "Fortunately, no broke bones just some bruising and a little swelling."

"This scar," Esme picked up Valdrs tunic and handed it to him "The one with claw marks, is it from that orc you fought?"
 
He would laugh with her. "Thats the proposal? Not the ring nor the sworn oath, but 'then do it'." It was a good laugh, a painful laugh for the swelling, but something to lighten the mood.

The ship would lurch and slowly begin to sail, signaling the return of Brandr and the others, as well as their departure.

He would shift in his seat, and pull her down, to sit atop his lap. Not straddling like some tavern hussie, but seated on his thigh as if she were his lover and they were in private. She would bend to grab his tunic and handed it to him and he would pull it back on. "Indeed it is. Where the Ogre sought to kill me and a boy became a man."

He shifted again, sighing. "Esme... I've enjoyed our time together.. much more than I expected. Lo I hate to part at night, I am greatly overjoyed when you're my first sight in the morning.." he would let that hang there for a moment.

Esmeralda Sophia Le Roux
 
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Esme swayed slightly with the ships movement.
"Well I am absolutely honored that my company is not as dreadful as you anticipated Lord." Wish a hand to her chest she mocked, speaking in a playful tone.
"Seeing as the rest of the journey is more to your experience and planning, why not share with me what you have planned on the itinerary Lord?" the young queen tilted her head and her lips moved into a smirk.
 
Gods she was so snarky.. and he loved every second of it. "I never thought it would be dreadful, just some other concerns were set to rest." He teased back with a smirk of his own.

"Well, we can make port at any cities along the way, though that will slow down the journey. This ship can carry about a months worth of supplies." One hand rested on her thigh, while the other rested on her back. "You can decide the tempo of the trip. Personally, I wasn't made for the sea, so I prefer to get it over and done with." He laughed. "..but, I will give you whatever trip you wish."

Esmeralda Sophia Le Roux
 
"Well Lord," she lifted the hand that rested on her theigh, and stood up, "I have not been on a ship since I was a girl." She had not let go of his hand yet and pulled at it, "So if you wish to get this part of the voyage over as soon as possible, I suggest we make it worth while for the short time we are on the sea." She walked backwards towards the doorway. "Why don't we suggest they play some music?" Esme loved to dance, not always with a partner but to the beat of the drums and the rhythm of bagpipes.
 
He smirked as she took his hand and rose to her feet. "So was that by choice? Or by lack of reason to be at sea?" He asked as his golden gaze flicked after her. This woman was quickly revealing herself to be a minx, that fact was a certainty.

"We can dance if you want to, that's not a problem to me." As she stepped to the door, he rose to his feet and moved after her. There were some definite aches and pains with each step, but it would be worth it.

Now, he would step forward, pressing against her to reach past and open the door. "Bryn! Athelstan! Regale the ship with a song of your home!" He would shut the door and it dawned on him how close they were. His eyes dropped to her lips before he took a step back. After a few moments, music would begin to play, there would be no bagpipes, but there would be a flute and a drum, later joined by other instruments.

He would lift her hand to his lips and kiss it. "If you would honor me with yet another dance, my Queen." He would say before wincing into a low bow.
 
She raised an eyebrow as Valdr bowed, "If you think you can keep up after your rough and tumble Lord."
As soon as the music began her own countrymen began dancing as if they were around a camp fire without a worry in the world.
 
"Why pull me with you, if you don't want me to dance?" He asked with an amused look. "I've had rougher tumbles, and I'd be remiss to lose out on a chance to dance with you."
 
"Then enough talking and more dancing."
The pair joined the others as they dance, and Esme hoped around claping her hands with the beat of the drum.
She felt at ease, she felt free. Esmerelda hooked arms with Weasley and the pair moved in a circle twice before letting go. As esme danced around the braid in her hair came loose, her blonde locks bouncing around as she danced , blowing in odd directions with the wind every once in a while.
Esme took both if Valdrs hands in hers and danced loosely with him, similar movements to what the others did.
 
While they danced, the Wardens played music and Brandr kept a mindful watch over the gathering. The crew itself worked around the dancing and it was truthfully not the best time for such a thing.

Esme did a few spins with Wesley before she found herself back in Valdr's hands. Routen dances were different from Anirian, but the quick study known as Valdr was dancing with the best of them. If he felt any pain during the dance, he didn't let it show.
 
Wesley quickly moved those dancing out of the way, "Hey Brandr, get them to play one of our good ones 'ey. How about the opening song to the Lilly of Lights ey?"

He tapped Esme on the shoulder, "the floor is yours Your Majesty." Wesley gestured dramatically infront of him.

Esmerelda flashed Valdr a big smile, "Follow my lead." She took Valdrs hand and led him to the middle and as soon as the music started up she began to lead him in a way that was unnoticed to anyone but the couple.
First they began moving in a large circular motion, her turning as they did. The rest of the steps following shortly.

( The dance number 4)
 
Brandr glanced at Wesley, this was an improper time period, yet the kid had somehow become the leader. They had gone from creep to child. "The people playing right now don't know our songs. They're playing Anirian music. You'll have to get our people playing." He mused as his hands folded behind his back.

Once Wesley had gotten their own people to set up with playing, and then got Esme's attention, the tempo would kick up to something new. Something... different. At least to the Wardens. Valdr had at least heard flashes of it during the coronation.

"I'm going to need to." He would say with a smile. He had serious questions as they pranced about in circles, but he was at least enjoying her presence. The steps were simple, the spins, not so elegant. But she was there with him, and his gaze was fixed on hers.
 
The song came to an end eventually and Esme moved aside, "I know its nothing fancy, but..." she nodded her head in the direction of her people, "We like it."
Esme took a seat close by, and one of the sailors brought herself and Valdr each a drink.
"I am going to have to find myself a new lady in waiting some time soon. Its not a necessity but, its part of the job description." She said after taking a sip of wine.
 
She was right, it wasn't fancy, Valdr wasn't even sure if it qualified as pretty, but it was a way for their people to enjoy themselves so he couldn't discredit its worth. "I'm sure with time, ill get used to it." He added with a laugh.

They would take a seat and a sailor brought them drinks. Valdr offered a thankful bow of his head before his attention shifted to Esme. "I think I can help with that once we reach S'agara."

Esmeralda Sophia Le Roux
 
"Anyone specific you have in mind?" She asked as her thoughts wondered to any ladies of her own house she could offer the job, then again if her new ladies made was one of Valdrs people it could also be a strong political move, if Esme slowly began placing his own country men in her trusted circle it could show just how strong their alliance truly was.
 
"Well one option could be one of my younger sisters, it shows us strengthening our bond and our alliance, shows my devotion to you, and when the time comes, she can be used to seal another alliance. Or I could see which of my staff have excelled enough to transition to you. Won't have the same political strength, but it will still paint a strong image." He would respond, his hand moving to take hers while he took a first pull from his tankard of mead.
 
"Well quite honestly, I would feel to guilty having one of your sisters at my beck and call." Esme intwined her fingers with Valdrs. "But if you wish and one of your sisters like the proposition then they are more then welcome to come back to Route with us."

Esme took another sip of wine. "I think with regards to a ladies maid we rather look at a member of your staff."

She gave him a cheeky grin, "Besides if one of your sisters were my lady then how on earth am I supposed to decive you when you have your own little spy right at my side." Esme nudged his shoulder with her own.
 
"I wouldn't. They've had it too easy and it would build character." He mused before lifting her hand up to kiss it. "I will be bringing at least a brother back with me. Vel Ehn, just isn't home for him anymore. Too much loss."

"Aye we can at least take one from my staff that can handle your more important needs." His thumb would caress the back of her hand.

Her next words would make him laugh. "Well, I hope deceiving me won't become something common-place. Least of all anything serious. I'm sure harmless deceptions, they would be keen on having with you."
 
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