Private Tales En Route

A private roleplay only for those invited by the first writer
Once she reached the top of the ladder, Bryn would help pull her up into the crows nest. Bryn had joined him at some point during his reverie. At Esme's instruction, Bryn just perked a brow, her gaze shifting to Valdr, who nodded his head. At that point, she would begin to climb the ladder down.

"Don't mind Bryn. She only takes orders without question from those she has fought beside." Valdr would say lightly, his gaze shifting to look up at where Esme stood. "The wind is colder up here, take my cloak." He would say as he pulled it off and pat the paneling beside him for her to take a seat. Once she was seated, he'd drape it over her shoulder.
 
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"Well I am glad her loyalty was earned, very few with men and woman under their command can say that."

Esme pulled the cloak tighter around her shoulders, "Thank you."

A small silance filled the air for a moment before either of them spoke again. "See anything interesting when you went into town today?"
 
"That is the only way I wish to lead, by earning it. Titles and position mean nothing once we reach the end, we all get weighed the same." As she pulled the cloak tighter around herself, Valdr would slide over so that she was sitting against him, adding his own heat to the mix.

One arm draped over her shoulders. "You're welcome, my dear." They would sit there against each other, his hand gently caressing her shoulder where it lay. "There were some things, though they're in my chest."

Another pause, this one much shorter than the last. "Esme.. I don't care if we fight, or if we have differing opinions. I just care that we don't let those come between us. If not for our own happiness, then for our people. Especially not so openly." He said gently. "We are bound to say something the other doesn't like, we're still learning each other."
 
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Almost at a reflex Esme rolled her eyes, "You are making me soft Lord and Im not a fan."

"When it comes to my guard, my warriors, nor myself or my father has ever openly forbade or discouraged them from having families of their own. It just became the norm that they did not, it was less about themselves and more about those they would leave behind if they were to pass before their natural time."

She went quite, was that really the truth or was that simply something she told herself to feel better, more at ease with the fact that each night, the men and women she had fought beside would lay their heads in an empty bed.

"When it comes to the age of my own personal guard though, we select them so young so that I do not have to constantly appoint new guards every few years.. but I do not think bringing in a few older, more seasoned warriors would do to much harm. I just dont want it to look like a have an armed force of huffy elders, then I might as well spend my days with my councilmen," she gave him a side eye, "who i am not to fond of either."
 
"If I am making you soft, then you're focusing on the wrong things. I guess I could get more physical, open some of those stitches." He would say with an eye roll of his own.

"How many Queensguard are there? Is there enough to actually have them on rotating shifts? So one group serves for a week or two, then rotates out with a second group. It gives them a chance to have a family if they want it then. And so they don't lose their edge, they still have mandatory training while they're not with you. Death is part of life, a warrior and their family accepts that." He scratched his jaw. "And where are the women? Surely you have some giant women that can throw men around like ragdolls. I've only seen men serving you in the guard."

"Regardless of when they're first selected, if there is war you'll always be replacing or filling slots. You have three or four veterans, with at least three decades of combat experience each and you have a leader, a trainer, and two lieutenants, one for either shift. The bulk, keep them younger. Veterans are not politicians, and you would much rather stand beside them in a shield wall rather then Brandr or Wesley."
 
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"I have about ten men currently serving me. There was a women in my guard, I was still very young, but she passed. Her name was Victorni, she was one of the few in my personal guard that actually had a family, she died in child birth." Her face visibly sadend once she mentioned the warriors fate.
Esmerelda wanted to reveal more regarding the women when it came to her personal watch... but now did not seem like the right time. As much as she enjoyed Valdrs company was almost certain she knew his intentions, only six people knew the truth why nobody saw any women around.

That was something she would tell Valdr when she knew she could really, truly trust him.
 
"When we return to Route, I recommend we double the count. Bring in four elder warriors for command positions, then host a tournament for the rest. Tell them top five will enter your guard and the sixth and final spot we keep open for a transfer." He listened to the tale about the woman, twas a pity but such was life.

He could figure the reason for few women when men were leading, there would likely be more royal bastards. "So, you didn't come up here just to hear me talk, unless you did. Was there anything specific on your mind?"
 
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Esme nodded her head in agreement, a tournement sounded like a good idea and she was grateful that Valdr had come up with it.

Eventually Valdr raised the question she had been waiting for.
Time to swallow her pride.
"I just came to say, well I should not have stormed off the other morning. It was not very...queenly of me to behave in such a manner."
 
Valdr relaxed as she seemed to agree with his idea, he even removed his flask and after removing the cap, offered it to her. "Mead from my Homeland."

Then she did what he didn't expect. She apologized, or at least as much of one he could ever expect from her. He nodded his head a few times as she spoke and gave her some side-eye before grinning. "Or wifely." He teased.
 
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She took the flask from him, "don't mind if I do," and took a swig.

"We can worry about manners as a wife when we get there." She winked at him, handed Valdr his flask back and took off his coat. "Now that that is settled, I think I shall return to my quarters and finally get a good night rest."
 
"As you wish, my dear." Her wink would warrant a smirk and as she started to remove his cloak, he would speak up. "Or.. you could stay up here. I can get a cushion, some furs, a bottle of wine for you and we can just watch the night sky?" He asked, his hand moving to scratch along his jaw.

He would take a pull from his flask as he took it back from her, using the booze to settle the sudden nerves.
 
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"Well, " Esme sat back down again, closer to Valdr this time, almost half on his lap. "I rather like that idea."
She smiled up at him now and jokingly she said, "Off you go then, Im waiting in anticipation."
 
She settled back down, this time partially atop him and he could help the sudden hitch in his breath, the sense of excitement. One arm was around her, loosely holding her there, while the other rested on her thigh. "I was hoping you would." He said softly.

At her playfulness, he smiled the arm around her wrapping tighter as he got comfortable. There was no armor worn by him this night so he had nothing metal or sharp to cause her discomfort. "I don't know, you seem to have already gotten comfortable. I'd hate to make you move."

He would dare to do something bold. Several bold things. First, he shifted so that she was fully on his lap, this was to allow him to wrap his cloak around both of them. Then, he would press his lips against her cheek, kissing her gently, before settling.
 
Esmerleda blushed a deep read after she felt Vladrs lips on her cheek. "Well Lord, it is safe to say that was very low on my expectations for this evening."
She looked him in the eyes, " But I have no complaints."

Esme rested her head upon Valdrs shoulder, her fingers caressing his forearm.
"Valdr, what made you decide to offer yourself up as a suitor?" Her brows furrowed now, why did her heart sink at the idea of him only courting her for political reasons, alliances? It was not as if she had not accepted the courtship with with those vary intentions, that was the only reason she considered getting married, for her kingdom.

Esme had never cared if she married for love or not, but as her feelings for Valdr started to develop so did the fear that their relationship was nothing but political, for his own gain.
 
Well Lord, it is safe to say that was very low on my expectations for this evening. But I have no complaints.

She had blushed at the kiss and even in this moonlight, he could see the coloring to her cheeks. She then shifted to look him in the eyes, his golds getting lost in her blues.

He felt the warmth of her head as it lay upon his shoulder and the tingle up his arm as her fingers began to play upon it. Gods, he was lucky for this moment, and the arm around her tightened a bit more.

Valdr, what made you decide to offer yourself up as a suitor?

"For my people.. would be a mockery of the truth.." he sighed. "I've never allowed myself to risk anything, being the head of my House. But I saw a young, beautiful woman who bore more worth than she knew, standing against old greedy men. I felt a draw that I have never felt before, and I took a chance. The politics of it all fell into place afterwards."

The hand at her thigh would move to take hold of her free hand. "You could be the daughter of a merchant, and I suspect I would still have made myself a suitor." His gaze focused on hers. "I don't want this to be a political marriage. I want the focus.. to be love." He would say softly.
 
Her mind was set at ease by his answer.

Love...something she thought she knew enough about but if the way Valdr treated her was any indication on what love truly was, truly ment and looked like - she still had much to learn.

"Love is a luxury few people can afford Lord., especially those of our stations."

Esme was quite for a moment, silance filled the air and just before it got worrisome, she spoke again, "but I feel the same as you with regards to our partnership."
 
He would laugh lightly as she spoke. "Aye, that it is. But I figure the least.. we can do, is try." He released her hand and his lifted to cup her cheek gently, she could see in his eyes that he wanted to kiss her but something was holding him back.

It wasn't a lack in feeling. It was a concern about her event a few days prior. Was it too recent? She had grown quiet as his thumb caressed her cheek, until she finally spoke again.

But I feel the same as you with regards to our partnership.

He released a breath he had not realized he was holding and a smile graced his features. "Then let it be so, Esme." He leaned in and he would press his lips gently against hers in a slow and lingering kiss.
 
Esme felt his lips against her own, the kiss was soft and tender and she did not withdraw.

After their kiss the rest of the night seemed to fade away, wrapped in silly stories and small moments of innocent affection.

Their last week on the ship went by quickly with little to no hiccups...execpt the last night when half of those on board, including the chef, had food poising.
 
The night and the last week faded into a series of laughs, stories, shared looks. And at the end of the voyage, half the people got sick. Torvic, Gaspar, and Athelstan were all casualties of the great food poisoning.

But finally, in the morning, they would make port in Vel Ragnarra, a fortress brimming with Northmen and a fleet large enough to rival Routes. The massive sea gate would open, allowing their galley to enter. From the port to the mid wall, shops and various stalls brimmed with activity and trade.

Warriors clad in hardened leather and chain shirts milled about, the sigil of a fire Drake wreathed in flames, atop their standards.

Valdr was once more in full battle regalia, though his helm remained tucked under his arm. The servants worked to unload their belongings and the horses and Bryn had already taken off astride her gryphon to bring word to S'agara. The young Lord would reach Esme's quarters and knock. "My Queen, we have arrived. This will be the most you and yours blend into Aniria."
 
"I shall only be moment."

Esme had decided to trade in her leather and furs for a more regal look.
Once her corset was secured, which took her a moment or two without the help of ladies maid, she removed a maroon gown from her bags.
Simply lying there it looked like a heap of material but once on it was gorgeous. The top half of the bodience was embedded with gold beading. It had long sleaves that sat tight up until her forearm then split into two pieces that would hang just above the floor if her arms were at her side. Her blonde locks were left loose to frame her face.

Once she was dressed she opened the door, "I am ready."
 
Valdr must have looked silly, his jaw opened some as she opened the door. It had been some time since he had had a reaction like that, and there sudden closeness of the last week having begun to slowly knock down his walls, his decorum around her.

Some might say he was smitten. He would recover that decorum and his expression twisted into a smile. "You look radiant, my queen." He would offer his arm as an escort. "Shall we?"

He would then lead her to the gang plank, where they disembarked the galley. For him, it was a relief to be on solid ground, though the last week had done much to alleviate his discomfort. As they walked, he would muse to her. "The Jarl here is Rhogar. One of the fiercest warriors of Aniria.. him and his people will be the only ones that dare call you Queen. Others will likely say ladyship or some other word. It is not to be seen as a disrespect, rather a fear for the existing leadership."
 
Esme took his arm and the pair made their way off the ship.

"Very well, but with time, they will come to know me for who I am, not simply a women, but a warrior queen." Esme held her head high, for the rest of the journey in this foreign land she would have to earn her title - not as if this were anything new, she still worked hard to show those in her own Kingdom that she was a worthy ruler.

"Now what is the agenda?"
Once they were on solid ground Esme let go of Valdrs arms and held both of her hands together infont of her.
 
"Perhaps, though they likely won't recognize you as Queen. Aniria isn't fond of outside leaders, which is why the trip is held to just my lands. We're already scrutinized by the nobility of Aniria." She retracted her arm once they reached solid ground and his hands folded behind his back.

"The agenda? We head south to my keep, S'agara. We have about four to six days depending on how quick we moved." He would muse as they walked. "When we reach S'agara, maybe I'll introduce you to my siblings, my court, and we can decide if we want to visit the other towns under my protection."
 
"Alrighty, sounds fair."

Esme took in her surroundings, "Shall we be doing anything here before we go on our way to you keep?"
 
"I thought we would do something here when we left, show you what a feast in Ragnarra looks like." He would say as they walked.

The Queensguard had decided on Brandr to be the temporary lead, at least until their return to Route. Brandr would keep them at the back of column, entrusting Valdr's Wardens and the warriors of Ragnarra to make the front guard.
 
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