Aviana Sabel
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The day’s events and errands were coming to an end, at long last. For the past several hours, Duchess Aviana Sabel had been watching the sunlight fade through the painted windows of the estate’s Great Hall while the Lords and Ladies at the table prattled on about land disputes, taxes, and rumors. When the conversation inevitably turned back to whose son would be the best suitor for the Duke’s only daughter, she would take her eyes from the drifting shadows across the floor and force a kind smile, as though she was thoroughly pleased with the suggestions. In truth, she was appalled at the thought of being handed off to a complete stranger for the sake of titles, but she knew better than to voice her opinions in such a public display. Secretly, she clung to the hope that her father would disregard the constant offers for a son-in-law. After all, her parents had married for love, why shouldn’t she be afforded the same privilege?
Her fingers idly fidgeted in her lap, hidden beneath the table but she was careful to keep her expression neutral and reserved, just as she had been taught to do throughout her life. She found herself counting how long she looked at a particular lord before moving on to the next one. Look at Baron Duman for, one, two, and three… And now the Baroness Duman for, one, two, and three… When she finished counting around the table, her eyes would drift off to a shadowed alcove by the door where she knew the House Guard were standing watch. The subtle flashing of polished armor catching a ray of sunlight at just the right angle was enough to bring her a small comfort. Her gaze could only linger for a few moments before she had to return her attention back to the noblemen and women at table.
Several servants were busying themselves with cleaning up the table and the removal of the now empty plates and half-finished meals. Once the table was cleared, the servant girls returned with glasses of rich red wine. “Thank you very much, Miss Grim.” She smiled warmly to the middle-aged servant as her glass was filled. The plump woman smiled in return and dipped her head politely before she moved on to fill the next glass and faded away into the background once more as the next noble ignored her entirely.
Seated at the head of the table was her father, Duke Leonell Sabel who guided the conversation along with as much ease as a shepherd herds his flock. The Duke was an enormous man, tall, barrel-chested and with a thick brown mane with grey streaked through the coarse strands. To many, he resembled a fierce predator that lumbered through the forests, earning him the name, ‘Bear Lord’ to the locals. His thick curls were pulled back from his angular features by a leather cord tied around the small ponytail that held the top of his hair, leaving the rest to fall to his broad shoulders. Intimidating as he was, Leonell had a booming laugh and a disarming grin that could have charmed an ill-tempered dragon into gladly handing over its prized hoard. The Duke placed an affectionate hand on Aviana’s shoulder as he addressed the others at the table and tactfully steered the discussion elsewhere. While it was a simple gesture, the message was clear: she was still his daughter.
To the right of Leonell and across the table from Aviana, sat her mother. Where her father was powerful and boisterous, Lady Keyleth was graceful and calm. She was a beautiful woman with long silvery hair that she wore in an elegant braid which crowned her head. Her ivory colored skin was unblemished and radiant. Around her throat, she wore a glittering necklace which had a stone the size of a hen’s egg at the end of the shimmering chain. The stone was a brilliant blue hue that almost seemed to pulse with light if one stared at it long enough. It never failed to impress Aviana how well the color matched her mother’s irises. Out of the corner of her eye, Aviana watched as her mother leaned over to murmur into her father’s ear.
There was a good natured rumor amongst the citizens of the MInaris that Duke Leonell had bewitched the shieldmaiden many years ago with a spell to steal her heart and earn her love. Aviana found the entire story amusing, as anyone who knew her mother knew that she only did something because she wanted to. The Duchess was as strong in mind and spirit, as she was in body. The title, Aegis of Minaris, had been well earned.
The Duke turned his dark eyes to his daughter and he smiled. “Perhaps it would be best if you went for a breath of fresh air, little bird?" He made it sound like a suggestion, but Aviana knew he did not intend it as such.
She smiled in return and dipped her head appreciatively. When she stood from the table, many of the nobles that remained protested at her departure. After all, they had spent much of the day attempting to convince the Duke that their son would be the best match for the young duchess’ hand in marriage.
Before she could be dragged into another conversation that she wanted nothing to do with, Aviana spun on her heel and slipped away from the gathering after giving an elegant curtsy to excuse herself.
She weaved through the crowds and made her way out of the heat of the Great Hall, filled to the brim with chattering bodies. Eventually, she reached the heavy door that led out onto the battlements, which she carefully pushed open just enough for her to slip out into the chilly late autumn night. Out here was one of the few places where the duchess could find a moment of peace without having to be trailed by a line of doting servants. She leaned her arms against the stone wall and gazed out over the quiet countryside. The cool sea breeze tugged at the loose ends of her hair that framed her face, causing them to dance about and tickle her cheeks. Even from here, she could hear the muffled thunder of the waves crashing against the rocky western shoreline, steady as a heartbeat. The soothing sound lulled her to sleep most nights.
“At least, tomorrow those blighted vultures will be gone from this place.” She muttered under her breath to herself, staring down at the distant shoreline.
“Actually, my lady, your mother has asked that they leave tonight.” A gruff, but familiar, voice grumbled behind her. "Something about fairer winds, or the like."
Startled, Aviana jerked upright and spun on her heel to face the man behind her. Before she had even completed the spin, she knew that she would find Kieran Lorn, one of the guard captain, standing there. His voice was distinct, and the man was never far away. He only had a few more years than Aviana, but his gravely tone made him seem much older. Embarrassed that he’d overheard her insulting remark about the visiting nobles, her cheeks flushed and she glanced down at her feet. “I didn’t hear you follow me out, Captain.”
"I know that you didn't, milady." He responded wryly, moving to stand next to his charge.
A comfortable silence stretched between the pair for several moments. Kieran had trained extensively under Lady Keyleth's tutelage from a young age. As such, he had practically grown up with Aviana and the two were close friends. The drumming waves in the distance filled the quiet twilight air. They didn't speak, because the words were not needed. Aviana was afraid of what the future might hold for her, and Kieran stood watch, just as he always did.
Together, they watched the last rays of the sun settle over the horizon, the reflection stretching out over the dark waters of the ocean. By the time the light had faded, the carriages for the various lords and their escorts had arrived to carry their precious cargo back to their boats, which would in turn sail back to the mainland.
How long until I have to take one of those carriages to the docks myself? She thought bitterly to herself, biting at her bottom lip.
A gloved hand squeezed her shoulder reassuringly. "I know that look." The guard said quietly, breaking the hour long silence.
"Don't worry, Avi." He said in a more familiar tone. When they were younger, they both had nicknames that they called the other one, but they were rarely used now that they were older.
"I know, Kiery. I know." She said, smoothing a hand over her hair with a soft sigh. "Sorry... it's just a lot to think about."
"The Aegis would never allow her daughter to marry someone unworthy of the honor. You are in good hands, milady." Kieran squeezed her shoulder one last time before he pulled his hand back to his side. "Now. We'd best get back inside before you catch cold."
Her fingers idly fidgeted in her lap, hidden beneath the table but she was careful to keep her expression neutral and reserved, just as she had been taught to do throughout her life. She found herself counting how long she looked at a particular lord before moving on to the next one. Look at Baron Duman for, one, two, and three… And now the Baroness Duman for, one, two, and three… When she finished counting around the table, her eyes would drift off to a shadowed alcove by the door where she knew the House Guard were standing watch. The subtle flashing of polished armor catching a ray of sunlight at just the right angle was enough to bring her a small comfort. Her gaze could only linger for a few moments before she had to return her attention back to the noblemen and women at table.
Several servants were busying themselves with cleaning up the table and the removal of the now empty plates and half-finished meals. Once the table was cleared, the servant girls returned with glasses of rich red wine. “Thank you very much, Miss Grim.” She smiled warmly to the middle-aged servant as her glass was filled. The plump woman smiled in return and dipped her head politely before she moved on to fill the next glass and faded away into the background once more as the next noble ignored her entirely.
Seated at the head of the table was her father, Duke Leonell Sabel who guided the conversation along with as much ease as a shepherd herds his flock. The Duke was an enormous man, tall, barrel-chested and with a thick brown mane with grey streaked through the coarse strands. To many, he resembled a fierce predator that lumbered through the forests, earning him the name, ‘Bear Lord’ to the locals. His thick curls were pulled back from his angular features by a leather cord tied around the small ponytail that held the top of his hair, leaving the rest to fall to his broad shoulders. Intimidating as he was, Leonell had a booming laugh and a disarming grin that could have charmed an ill-tempered dragon into gladly handing over its prized hoard. The Duke placed an affectionate hand on Aviana’s shoulder as he addressed the others at the table and tactfully steered the discussion elsewhere. While it was a simple gesture, the message was clear: she was still his daughter.
To the right of Leonell and across the table from Aviana, sat her mother. Where her father was powerful and boisterous, Lady Keyleth was graceful and calm. She was a beautiful woman with long silvery hair that she wore in an elegant braid which crowned her head. Her ivory colored skin was unblemished and radiant. Around her throat, she wore a glittering necklace which had a stone the size of a hen’s egg at the end of the shimmering chain. The stone was a brilliant blue hue that almost seemed to pulse with light if one stared at it long enough. It never failed to impress Aviana how well the color matched her mother’s irises. Out of the corner of her eye, Aviana watched as her mother leaned over to murmur into her father’s ear.
There was a good natured rumor amongst the citizens of the MInaris that Duke Leonell had bewitched the shieldmaiden many years ago with a spell to steal her heart and earn her love. Aviana found the entire story amusing, as anyone who knew her mother knew that she only did something because she wanted to. The Duchess was as strong in mind and spirit, as she was in body. The title, Aegis of Minaris, had been well earned.
The Duke turned his dark eyes to his daughter and he smiled. “Perhaps it would be best if you went for a breath of fresh air, little bird?" He made it sound like a suggestion, but Aviana knew he did not intend it as such.
She smiled in return and dipped her head appreciatively. When she stood from the table, many of the nobles that remained protested at her departure. After all, they had spent much of the day attempting to convince the Duke that their son would be the best match for the young duchess’ hand in marriage.
Before she could be dragged into another conversation that she wanted nothing to do with, Aviana spun on her heel and slipped away from the gathering after giving an elegant curtsy to excuse herself.
She weaved through the crowds and made her way out of the heat of the Great Hall, filled to the brim with chattering bodies. Eventually, she reached the heavy door that led out onto the battlements, which she carefully pushed open just enough for her to slip out into the chilly late autumn night. Out here was one of the few places where the duchess could find a moment of peace without having to be trailed by a line of doting servants. She leaned her arms against the stone wall and gazed out over the quiet countryside. The cool sea breeze tugged at the loose ends of her hair that framed her face, causing them to dance about and tickle her cheeks. Even from here, she could hear the muffled thunder of the waves crashing against the rocky western shoreline, steady as a heartbeat. The soothing sound lulled her to sleep most nights.
“At least, tomorrow those blighted vultures will be gone from this place.” She muttered under her breath to herself, staring down at the distant shoreline.
“Actually, my lady, your mother has asked that they leave tonight.” A gruff, but familiar, voice grumbled behind her. "Something about fairer winds, or the like."
Startled, Aviana jerked upright and spun on her heel to face the man behind her. Before she had even completed the spin, she knew that she would find Kieran Lorn, one of the guard captain, standing there. His voice was distinct, and the man was never far away. He only had a few more years than Aviana, but his gravely tone made him seem much older. Embarrassed that he’d overheard her insulting remark about the visiting nobles, her cheeks flushed and she glanced down at her feet. “I didn’t hear you follow me out, Captain.”
"I know that you didn't, milady." He responded wryly, moving to stand next to his charge.
A comfortable silence stretched between the pair for several moments. Kieran had trained extensively under Lady Keyleth's tutelage from a young age. As such, he had practically grown up with Aviana and the two were close friends. The drumming waves in the distance filled the quiet twilight air. They didn't speak, because the words were not needed. Aviana was afraid of what the future might hold for her, and Kieran stood watch, just as he always did.
Together, they watched the last rays of the sun settle over the horizon, the reflection stretching out over the dark waters of the ocean. By the time the light had faded, the carriages for the various lords and their escorts had arrived to carry their precious cargo back to their boats, which would in turn sail back to the mainland.
How long until I have to take one of those carriages to the docks myself? She thought bitterly to herself, biting at her bottom lip.
A gloved hand squeezed her shoulder reassuringly. "I know that look." The guard said quietly, breaking the hour long silence.
"Don't worry, Avi." He said in a more familiar tone. When they were younger, they both had nicknames that they called the other one, but they were rarely used now that they were older.
"I know, Kiery. I know." She said, smoothing a hand over her hair with a soft sigh. "Sorry... it's just a lot to think about."
"The Aegis would never allow her daughter to marry someone unworthy of the honor. You are in good hands, milady." Kieran squeezed her shoulder one last time before he pulled his hand back to his side. "Now. We'd best get back inside before you catch cold."
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