“The trade discussions are no place for a lady, they are too driven by their emotions. It is an endearing quality for a partner, but it is sad to see how fast they forget their home allegiance once they form part of a new family, any lord would be called a traitor”
Frey, Siv and lord Finean where on their way to the eastern wing, the hall just outside the conference room. They were passing by count Cardevac, whose voice volume went up as they walk past him, Frey could not recognize the lord with whom he was talking. Lord Finean stopped immediately at the counts remark, everyone on the hall did.
“I beg your pardon, count, I hope you reconsider your last statement” lord Finean turned and addressed the count, who frowned exaggeratedly, but could not hide a grin.
“You are from Faerun lord Finean, you should understand what I mean”
“I am a Feydan, count” lord Finean enunciated slowly and clearly “I understand how old Faerun missed out by neglecting its ladies, your last statement was offensive count, please amend it” lord Finean was shorter than count Cardevac, from what Frey had seen. Lord Finean was astute and competent, he had gained much since the Empire took over Faerun, he was never that direct, but Frey had been left under his protection, he could not the comment slide.
“Don’t worry, lord Finean, we were about to discuss today’s results with the rest of the delegation. I am sorry for disturbing you, count” Frey grabbed lord Finean by the arm, gave count Cardevac her best lady bow and her most polite smile, and moved for the exit.
“See, most ladies don’t even understand what is going on around them” the count said too loud to his companion once more.
Lord Finean stopped and was about to turn, but Frey held him. The man was starting to get on her nerves, but that was clearly his intention, she saw Siv looking at her, waiting for her reaction, and she remembered something, Siv had said about Aedrik.
“As I told you lord Finean, it is sad to see how Loire’s famous gallantry and chivalry have been lost on some of our lords, it seems too complex an idea for some, we are left with smaller points of views and insecure opinions” Frey had tried laughing, as Siv had told her Aedrik did whenever someone insulted him, she would need some practice before she finally was able to do it. Frey did not turn to see the count’s reaction, she pulled lord Finean with her. She heard movement behind her, but she did not turn, she saw Siv was about to move towards her, but stopped to her side.
“I am glad you assisted today’s discussion, lady Frey. The idea we discussed at the Lunebleau estate of considering Loire as a shorter rout from the north to Zel, just needed a little more attention to the details, to make the most of it, we would benefit from it, and so will the Empire” Frey instantly turned, to face the royal duke of Poitiers. He had surely heard what was going on.
“You truly make it work, my lord. I am glad you could use it”
“I won’t take much of your time, lady Frey, please convey my congratulations for prince Aedrik, the results of the last battle are incredibly, and I am to understand it is thanks to him” Frey touched the ring on her hand unconsciously.
“Thank you, my lord. I will convey your words to him, let’s hope the campaign ends promptly” Frey gave the royal duke a courteous bow, which he returned. Frey saw count Cardevac scowling at her. How short sighted could the man be, she was the fiancée of Loire new ally, most Feydans had been on the edge by his words, even several lords of Loire had been worried. Frey grabbed lord Finean and headed for the exit before the count would throw away the chance the royal duke had giving him.
Frey knew Loire’s ladies expected place. She had seen it, but she had for the most part avoid it, and from what Mrs. Ferlin said, things had been improving lately. She understood there were short sighed and prejudiced people, but she had almost never interacted with them. She always kept to herself; it made her mad at herself for not realizing how things were before. She felt truly upset, at how small, petty and stupid was, she felt upset and sad about Loire. She was not mad at the count, but at situation, the man was clearly stupid. He could not understand how important the empire alliance with Loire was, insulting her was an insult for their new ally, and he had done it in front of everyone.
Frey sighed, she also needed to think things more thoroughly. She could not look the other way when she was being insulted, she just wished she could achieve Aedrik’s way of handling insults, laughing, she figured it was even more effective.
“I am sorry you have had to listen to the count, lady Frey. I am still not satisfied leaving his words as they were” lord Finean said in a severe tone, he was more upset than Frey, it was understandable, Aedrik had left him in charge of her during the trade discussions, and from what Frey had seen the man was intelligent and diligent. He had gained much since the empire took over, and he would most likely become the ambassador of the empire in Loire.
“I should not have answered him, the man clearly does not understand the situation he was in…” Frey worried, she was certain the count was just stupid. He had nothing to gain, he could have bad mouthed her in private as much as he wanted, as she was certain some other lords were, but saying it out loud, was a provocation…
“You are right lady Frey, we should hurry. The trade agreement is ready, it would take a few more days to adjust the details and finish the treaty. The trade delegation wanted to have a small celebration, and we would be honored if you could accompany us, my lady”
“Thank you, lord Finean, I would love to accompany you, I am honored” Frey answered honestly. Lord Finean had been hesitant when they met, but after talking with him for a while, he quickly accepted her and he was instrumental in making the entire trade delegation hear her out, not because she was Aedrik¿s fiancée, but because of what she brought to the discussions.
She had to be careful. There was no doubt there had been a leak of information, Aedrik suspected it was not the result of a single entity. The empire had enemies, from outside and from within, and Loire had its own schemes. Frey believed there could be different interest occurring, that would have to react to each other, and even though it made it hard to uncover them, they were all working in the dark, what she feared was that this different interest found some common ground and started working together. Someone could have incited count Cardevac stupid remark, the question was, who? And why?
Frey sighed, she wanted to go home and write to Aedrik, then to sit down and read a book all afternoon… she had wedding things to resolve, she had been fantasying about the idea lately, if Aedrik was here, she would be enjoying them a lot more. He had wanted to marry her as soon as possible, and so did she, the thing was, she did not know how much work in meant, and how adamant her mother was about it. She would not be able to read anything once she got back at the estate. Could Aedrik know how much work it was? Could his weird danger sense of chores let him know about the wedding, ‘He better not have known about it…’ he would have told her, still, perhaps he was having an easier time on his campaign in the warring hills than her preparing the wedding with her mother.
The Lunebleau estate was in a state of frenzy, its masters were returning home, the estate personnel were preparing and packaging, lady Lunebleau was leaving concise instructions, she had considered staying for another week to see the preparations for the wedding, but she was needed at Lune de Neige, her sister lady Liliane had taken on the task of staying and securing the supply line for the wedding.
The victory outside Beaumont territory had already made the kingdom reconsider the position regarding the warring hills campaign, but after two days of interrogating the orc prisoners and tribes, it was clear this group was made to draw attention as a larger orc raid was preparing.
The Storm’s Fury tribe had taken an iron mine at the Auvernier mountains and had been slowly arming their members, they started taken over a lot more tribes and were an important treat to taken over the warring hills. They had instigated the Sleeping Thunder into action, with promises of turning them in members of their tribe and rewarding them with lands once they had taken over the warring hills.
This were troubling news; however, the orcs had not expected the empire and Loire would react as fast as they did and suffer so little losses. Aedrik, was already moving the eastern imperial army towards the Auvernier mountains, they were closer to house Lunebleau demesne. The Storm’s Fury tribe was gathering more orcs deep into the east, Aedrik and Luka wanted to take over the iron mountains, cutting the orc weapon supply was the first step. Then they would either advance on the orcs, to stop them from increasing their numbers, or defend the mines.
Lord Damian had decided to go back to their home, he was going to rally their troops, and join with Aedrik and Luka, even the Beaumonts were sending more troops led by Percy, who had finally arrived at Levale Mont.
House Lunebleau had discussed if everyone would be heading back as well, after a night discussion a plan was set in motion. The trade discussions had been dismissed as they had already settled for the terms, only the details remained and would be discussed by a smaller group, Frey considered staying as well, she had little to share in those but much to learn, still she preferred to help prepare for the wedding and see whatever she could help her father prepare to help Aedrik and Luka.
Aedrik had privately told Frey they had managed to reach and agreement with several tribes, and some were even considering a true alliance with the empire, and even Loire. These matters would be settled after they had managed to deal with the Storm’s Fury tribe. Frey missed him, she worried about him, and she wanted to throw so many things at him, after he told her the entire strategy he had used. She had so many things to talk with him, she wanted him back.
On the second floor, the young ladies were also packing as fast as they could, lord and lady Lunebleau had decided to return to their lands the night before, the news of success about the campaign on the warring hills made an urgent matter for lord Lunebleau to get back, lady Siv, as she was referred by most at the estate, had informed the Fey Danan delegation would provide for magic teleportation. Lord Damian understood and appreciated the precaution, every eye of the kingdom was on them.
The problem with teleportation was that on long distances, it would need more mana, and regents for the incantation to be completed. The Fey Danan delegation had enough of those to send 12 people all the way, to the Lune de Neige, the heart of the Lunebleau demesne. After some consideration it was decided that those who would be ported were, lord and lady Lunebleau, Frey, Noelle, Danielle, Siv, Ide, Lea, and Mrs. Ferlin, she was instrumental for the wedding. The master librarian seldom left Ciel Rouge library, but the wedding would happen in little more than a month, the preparations were too short.
The more pressing matter for the young ladies of house Lunebleau, or at least for Danielle, was that teleportation meant to travel lightly. The rest of their luggage would be transported with the rest of the house by land, a trip that would take almost two weeks. Danielle had been stressing about it since yesterday, she had brought most of her dresses for the occasion, since they did not know how long the conference with the Fey Danan delegation would last.
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Danielle was worried because Lune de Neige would slowly become the center of social activity in the entire kingdom as Frey’s wedding date approached. She could borrow some dresses from her cousins or even have some made, but for all her faults and quirks, Danielle was very prudent with her expenses. Danielle was carefully considering her options.
"Still undecided, Danielle?" said Noelle as she entered the room filled with dresses on every space available "They will arrive in two weeks Danielle, and we do have dresses you could borrow in the meantime, now hurry up, father said to be downstairs in 10 minutes" Noelle left the room before Danielle could argue or ask for her opinion, then dismissed it.
Danielle and her brother did not share many things, but they both always turned to their father most famous phrase whenever her mother faced a dressing dilemma “The first one my dear”, Danielle sighed and picked the dress she had placed on top of the others. and after that she left the room, and though Danielle and her brother, shared few things, she used her father most famous phrase when he was faced with a choice of dressing by his wife "The first one, my dear" and she picked the dress that was at the top of the rest. Her brother had taken the bag of holding their father gave them, she had been considering saving for one, now she knew she had to get one.
On the next room, Frey had already taken what she needed, she was carrying several books, the gifts they had brought for Aedrik’s sisters, among other things, the bag of holding Aedrik gave her had enough room for everything, she smiled looking at the unexpected gift, and incredible useful one at that.
"Lady Frey, there is an old woman, looking for you, she told me her name was Clotho, you’ll have to excuse me, I have her waiting at the portico since she is older, she told me you knew her” the voice came from one of the attendants of the estate, it only took a second for Frey to remember the thread witch from Meury’s main market.
"I’ll come down to greet her in a moment, have her waiting at the lounge if it is available, ask her if she wishes anything in the meantime" Frey did not know why the old witch would come to the estate but Aedrik had said, any witch deserved respect and caution, but whenever they offered a bargain you should be careful and wary of them “Did she came with a little girl?”
“She did, my lady”
“Offer them any pastries we have, I’ll be with them in a moment” Frey unconsciously bit her lower lip, she considered having Siv accompany her, Frey had heard of the thread witch, her name at least, she had wanted to go ask Mrs. Ferlin about her, but she hadn’t had the time for it. She took a deep breath, and went downstairs to meet with the old lady, and her daughter, alone.
The old lady was wearing a simple but beautifully decorated tunic over her, she was being accompanied by the little kid who was with her at the market, Straw. She was looking impressed at the entrance of the house, and they both noticed Frey, when she was halfway down the stairs.
"Good morning, old lady Clotho, little lady Straw, you are welcome, in the Lunebleau estate" Frey told them, as she reached the end of the stairs, and came near them. The old witch bowed a nit in return and the little kid, looked delighted to be called a Lady.
"Good morning to you, Lady Frey, I am sorry to disturb you in such a sudden manner, but something tells me you were about to leave Meaury, and I needed to give you something before you left” Frey was surprised by those words, how did she know... ‘she is a witch Frey, and old and powerful one’.
"I am, old lady Clotho, my family and I are about to return to the Lunebleau demesne" Frey explained "Would you care to join me for tea, perhaps?" Frey adventured, she did not want to be disrespectful, the rules of hospitality mattered, at least that’s what she considered from everything she had read, she would need to talk with Aedrik regarding witches, he surely had a different view on them.
"Thank you, young lady Frey, but I was certain you truly are about to leave, we came, because we have something for you" the old lady said, and Frey frowned, she could not recall Aedrik or her had insulted or let on anything with the old witch "Rest easy, young lady Frey, there is no bargain attached to it, but what your husband did for me and Straw, deserves gratitude, and I liked you, for that I have brought you these" the little kid, was carrying a small basket, and from it the old witch took a large piece of cloth.
It was a magnificent fabric, it was a light blue color, similar to the crest of house Lunebleau, and it had silver and green embroidery, Frey believe it represented the Empire colors, but the embroidery was different from what Aedrik wore, it was fey. The piece of cloth looked like a wider ribbon, but the fabric seemed to be flowing.
The old lady held the cloth with both hands and offered to Frey, she did not hesitate and extended her hands to receive the gift. She took with care and as much respect as she could, once she touched it she noticed it felt cold to the touch. The old lady smiled at her.
"Thank you, old lady Clotho, you would have to forgive me, for I have not prepared a gift for you as well, I would pay for it, but I do not wish to offend you, for I can see it is valuable and understand it as a gift" the old lady crooked smile went wider with those words.
"Thank you, Lady Frey, but there is no need for either, it is as you say a gift, freely given, and freely accepted, but at the same time I appreciate your words" the little kid smiled as well, seeing her mother happy.
"This is an incredible fabric old lady Clotho; may I inquire as to what it is?" Frey was curious about the gift, the piece of cloth in her hands was indeed cold, and fresh.
"This is a piece of soothing weave, it is something that was first crafted here in Loire, and which took me, many years to learn to create" Frey eyes went wide, went she heard the old lady. Soothing weave was according to the Ciel Rouge Library, indeed invented in Loire, a piece of cloth made near what is today the Lunebleau demesne. The oldest weavers talk about it, and there were still some clothes made from it, and each one of them was enchant with magical properties.
Frey had been trying to learn how to make it, so that the best of the weavers would give it a try, and if they succeeded, the Lunebleau weavers, would become the best in Loire. Frey had met several old weavers, and one of them said she once knew it, but her memory was fading, she said, the ingredients to make it were the problem, and that was why the few who could have made it, had stopped, however that was all she could have managed to learn of the Soothing weave, and here was an old witch who had done it. Frey for a second thought about asking her to teach the Lunebleau tailors and weavers, but she did not say it, she was grateful for the gift and sometimes that should be enough "Thank you again, old lady Clotho, I will treasure it. She eyed the oversized ribbon, and sighed internally, she did not know what she was supposed to do with the weird ribbon.
The old witch crooked smile was at its largest, and seeing the confused and awed expression in Frey, she was sure the lady, did not know what the piece of cloth was, and that made the old witch smile. "You do not know, what this piece of cloth is supposed to be, right?"
"I am sorry, old lady, my mind was offering ideas, but not seem correct, but I did not want to be rude by asking" Frey explained embarrassed.
"Nonsense, lady Frey, sometimes we forget the obvious, I wanted to gift you something you could use, and it was designed to serve as gift for your wedding as well" and as the old witch said those words, Frey understood. The piece of cloth was a marriage knot, it was used to tie the hands of the newly engaged, as a sign of their union. Frey understood in a second, but she worried, Aedrik told her, Clotho was a thread witch, and she created knots to tie something with her magic, and that worried Frey a bit, but still, Frey bowed and thanked again.
"Thank you, old lady Clotho, this is a wonderful gift"
"Do bot worry, young lady Frey, I already told you, this is a gift for what you did, and for who you are. I can see you would be an incredible wife and mother, lady Frey, as well as a fair lady of the land" and Frey listened with care to the old witch "There might be a time, when injury appears in your house, but when it comes, know that this cloth would help you tend to it, but remember, it is a gift for your husband to be and you, as well as any family you have, and as such, its magic would only work on you, it its nothing miraculous young lady, but as your husband to be reminded me, sometimes sharing ones feeling is enough to sooth a heart and body”
Frey eyes went wide, and she bowed once more. This was indeed an incredible gift, and Frey had nothing to give to show the gratitude she felt, and sometimes accepting a gift was enough.
"Thank you"
"It is fine, young lady Frey" the old lady told her, as Frey had stood bowed.
"This is an incredible gift; I am indebted with you"
"Nonsense, it was truly a fateful meeting we had that day, and I deeply appreciate what you did for Straw and me" the old lady bowed.
"It may sound, as I am thanking advantage after seeing this, and I assure you it is not my intention. I would like to be friends with you" Frey said, and the old lady eyes opened wide, little Straw smiled as well "I had been thinking of looking for you at the market, but had not the time, but I do hope to get to know you"
"You do know, I am a witch still, young lady Frey?" the old lady initial surprise had passed and was known eyeing Frey with curiosity.
"I do, but Aedrik, told me they are much more what people make of them, and I would like to see that for myself, and more importantly, even though you may be a witch, a fey, and a weaver, you are also a woman, and a mother, and all those things, make me want to know you more" the old lady laughed at her response.
"I would like to get to know as well, young lady Frey" the old lady crooked smile seemed genuine.
"It may be a poor moment, but would you honor us, in coming to our wedding, you and Straw both, I mean" Frey had the idea at the moment and saw the little girl eyes opened excited.
"Yes, say yes, please" little Straw said clinging to the old lady tunic.
"I am sorry, Straw, and to you, young lady Frey, I appreciate the invitation, but it is my understanding that it will be an event for the entire kingdom, and though I have done nothing as a witch in Loire, there will be people who would recognize who I am, and that is the least thing I would like, for I care to be around to see you grow Straw" the old lady answered, and Straw wanted to say something, but she understood.
"Then come to the Lunebleau demesne any time you would like, if not for the wedding, just to visit, it may be after the wedding has passed or before, I would be my pleasure to have you as a guest" Frey said, and Straw instantly went bright again, looking expectantly at the old lady.
"Fine, we will accept your invitation lady Frey, just let me see some of my things in order, and I will tell you when we are ready" the old lady finally said, and Straw was grinning.
"The wedding will be in four weeks, but when you are ready, come to the estate, I will let them know you will come, and they can send me a message, and if you allow me, I will organize your trip for Lunebleau demesne" the old lady nodded.
"I know you are about to leave, lady Frey, and we already have decided to meet again, come Straw, we have things to do, and a trip to prepare" the little girl, smiled excited.
"Are you sure, you do not wish, to stay for tea and biscuits?" Frey asked again, and Straw turned expectantly.
"Thank you, we already accepted to visit your home, young lady, and though I appreciate your offering, I understand you really were about to leave, so for the moment, take care Frey Lunebleau, she who wishes to befriend an old witch and her daughter" the old lady smiled and bowed, Straw did the same, and Frey answered with a bow in return.
"I will be waiting for your, message lady Clotho. Thank you again for the wonderful gift, and to you little lady Straw, I am hoping to see you soon" Frey smiled at them and walked them for the door.
After they had left, Frey looked again at the piece of cloth, in her hands. It was a simple but beautiful thing. She had read, that for thing to start moving, it needed, a force to be applied to it; like the wind moving a ship with it sail. The moment Aedrik stopped, and they talked to the thread witch Clotho, some things were set in motion, she had been surprised and marveled at the meeting, but know, she really wanted to know the old lady, and her daughter.
She had asked Aedrik, about befriending orcs, and he had not only not laughed about it, but he also consider it, and called it a possible solution, for what was happening at the eastern border. Sometimes things needed to be given a chance to understand them, a simple chance, and opportunities would appear. She remembered talking with Aedrik about what they wanted, Frey had thought about it many times, those things changed the more she read, the more she learned, the more she grew, the more people she met; but for the first time, Frey was set on thinking about it, trying to forget those ideas that might hold her back, and all it took, was that she decided she wanted to be friend with a witch.
She laughed at the though and saw that many of the estate staff were going wild, with the lord and lady leaving, and she smiled. The world was still the same, but she would look at it differently. She touched the ring on her left hand and felt missing Aedrik, a man who like her, liked reading, and for that they met by chance in the library, and by choice, they decided to intertwine they lives, sure fate, marked Frey for Aedrik, but he chose to ask, and she chose to answer. She could have waited for Mrs. Ferlin that day, and not be scolded by her, and in the end, she would perhaps not introduced them, or Danielle would perhaps not have talked all night about princes, that prompted her to escape to the library that morning. True if the delegation had not come, they would not meet. She did not know what had set things in motion, but what it matter, is the choices they made, and Frey started thinking in what she would do, and it astonished her, the first thing was, talk with Aedrik.