Posted by:Seanessy Laorte On: 08/07/00 10:21 PM
The Little Lady of Tannisbury

  Seanessy skips into the room where the town's children will be staying and sees that Fawn and a new lady are speaking, so she slows and approaches them, semi-hiding behind Fawn's skirts.  Peeking out, she peers up at the newcomer and smiles, then steps out and hesitantly curtsies to her. "Welcome milady," she says in a small voice. "Have you come here from the town too?" Her big green eyes are alight with her smile, though she keeps one hand holding securely to the fabric of Fawn's skirts ready to hide again if need be. Her gaze drifts to Fawn, then back to the newcomer, then with a tug on Fawn's skirt and a crook of her finger, she beacons her favorite auntie to bend down so she can tell her something.  "Ya want I should go get a page to fix her a bath Auntie Fawn? I heard her say she wanted to take a bath. I can do that if you want, huh should I?"

Subject: R: R: R: R: Newcomer
Posted by:Gynger On: 08/08/00 02:24 AM

  "I agree with you about sleeping in here with the children. They will be missing their parents and we must do what we can to calm their fears while they are in a different place than their home."   "You choose your side of the room and I"ll take the other half, this way the children will have one of us near them while they sleep." I say with a smile... "After I take care of my donkey and, hopefully, have a bath, I will be able to think a bit clearer."
 
 

Subject: R: R: R: R: R: Newcomer
Posted by:Gynger On: 08/08/00 12:39 PM

  As I am talking with FawnWiz, a young girl comes skipping into the room, she slows down when she sees me, a stranger, and hides behind FawnWiz's skirts. I smile at her when she peeks out and watch as she steps out hesitantly, curtsies and says.... "Welcome milady. Have you come here from the town too?" I notice one of her small hands is holding onto FawnWiz's skirt. She is wearing nicer clothes than the children from the town.   I smile again at her as I curtsie to her in my dirty, baggy pants, then I kneel down and say... "Please forgive my appearance m'lady, I am still wearing my traveling disguise. My name is Gynger and in answer to your question... Yes, I came up from the town today, after many days of traveling."   I see her beckon to FawnWiz to bend down near her and she says something softly to her.

Subject: R: Winterbrook
Posted by:Giantklr On: 08/08/00 03:48 PM
Knight Captain of the Royal Guard - Tannisbury

 A hint of a smile crosses Giantkiller's face as he looks over his squire. The first such expression he has allowed in many days.   It pleases me to see you have made it. As the tensions increased around here I began to wonder if it was wise for you to come here alone.....but, in seeing you, I see my faith was well placed.   As has become the routine, a young lad hurries over and takes the reins of Terror and starts to lead him away. As the young boy gets a few feet away, Giantkiller calls after him..   The usual, we still have a long day ahead of us.   Nodding in understanding, the boy returned to caring for terror. With that being taken care of, Giantkiller turns his attention back to his squire.   Much has happened since my arrival here. I am afraid there will not be much time for rest, as we prepare for the inevitable.......   Pausing, Giantkiller motions to a nearby lad. As he approaches, Giantkiller speaks to him..   Please see to it, that Quigon is seen to a room, where he may refresh and grab a bite to eat.   The young boy stands to the side and waits as Giantkiller turns back to Quigon.   Take this opportunity to gain a little rest and refresh yourself. After your long trip I am sure you need it. In the meantime, I must see Lord Ian and give him my report. Afterwards, I will meet you back here and we will take a short ride so that I may fill you in on what has been going on and what you can expect in the days to come.....

Subject: Waiting
Posted by:Mallagant On: 08/08/00 05:34 PM
  His eyes swept from person to person, studying every inch of those in the room. A sense of urgency clung to the air as those gathered decided if they would go or stay. Mallagant's eyes were sore from the sharp gleam of the knights armor, obviously well kept after under the sturdy attention of their squires. He squinted.  "Mother, M'lord Tyserach and Vilessa shall also go with us, I am almost positive their...skills...will be adequate for the current situation. I only hope we can get to Ian as quickly as possible. If you wish, I could gate us just outside of Winterbrook. Although I must warn you, there is always risk when dealing with magical travel. I cannot guarantee all will make it. But I fear time may be of the essence. As always, the decision is up to you and M'lord Murtano's wisdom."  Mallagant's eyes moved to meet his mother's as he awaited her answer.

Subject: R: R: R: R: R: R: Newcomer
Posted by:FawnWiz On: 08/08/00 06:05 PM
Tannisbury Wizardess

 ::FawnWiz kneels down and cups her hand on Seannessy's chin:: "Hello little one, you are looking very beautiful today."br> ::FawnWiz leans forward and turns her head to listen: "Why yes Lady Gynger would love that." she reponded, as she picked the child up and held her in her arms.  "Seanessy meet Lady Gynger and Lady Gynger meet Seanessy the lovely daughter of Lord and Lady Laorte." FawnWiz grins at Seanessy.  ::A quick kiss on the cheek and Fawn lets Seanessy back on the floor.::" Ok, little one, run to the page and tell them Aunty Fawn wants a bath drawn up and the donkey that is tied up out front, put in the stables."  " She is such a delightful child, and a beauty like her Mother." Fawn replies as they watch Seanessy run out of the room. "Now, Lady Gynger, let me show you to the room where you can get cleaned up, and I will go see to something for you to eat. You must be fammished!"

Subject: R: Waiting
Posted by:Murtano Laorte On: 08/09/00 12:27 PM
Lord of Tannisbury
 Seeing that the last of the main assignments had been taken care of, Murt left the war room with a whispered, "I'll be back in a bit love." to Felena.  Striding out of the hall, steel shod feet echoed down the corridor as he purposfully marched to his office. Closing the door behind him, he crossed the room to the huge mahogany desk and placed an envelope in the center of it. Turning then, he strode and walked through a mirror in the room, barely finishing the incantation under his breath before he shattered the antique.  Arriving into the forest fortress of the Elf Lord was always unsettling, the eldritch magic in the air was enough to cause even the most untrained peasant to notice. Lord Eldamari in the main garden, talking with Whitewater the ancient unicorn and Lady Bertie the resident druidess protector of the forest. Seeing his arrival, all three rose from their reverie and approached.  "What is it that troubles you young master?", spoke the Elven lord, "Does the crown weigh so heavily on your brow that you seek escape as you did in your youth?"  Smiling at his clever jibe, Murtano quipped in retort. "Nay my ancient friend, I have come to inform and to request your services."  Returning a smile and a brief glance at his companions Eldamari nodded and answered. "I may be ancient young master, but I am still quite capable as I'm sure you know." A firery twinkle surrounded his visage for a moment, as the elven lord let his aura of power begin to approach the visible spectrum. "Of course, whatever you desire we shall be glad to assist. The forest is supremely protected here, even from the undead. Yes, we know of the foe that fouls the soil and essence of Winterbrook. What assistance do you seek?"  Grinning to himself more than anyone, Murtano had and always will relish the verbal swordplay he had with the elven king. Quickly he relayed the recent events in detail, and waited for the three to digest the information.  "I am glad to hear of your friends and allies returning to aid. Please inform Milady FawnWiz as well as Milord Astalder that should they need my assistance they need only face the forest from one of the towers and speak my name. Milord Raven I've not hear tale of in a long time, it is good to hear all is well. As to Tyserach, Vilessa, and Mallagant the latter is the only one that strikes a chord of familiarity. The twin of Ian returns, I can hazard a guess that he has reformed?"  "It would appear so, he offers magical transport for our force to arrive post haste to Winterbrook, yet he claims there may be 'difficulties' in travel. Whether through weakness of his power or design I know not. It is why I seek your aid. Although Milady Felena and myself possess the power to transport, as I'm sure others of our force do, I wish to keep our magical energies at their fullest for the assault."  Nodding sagely to himself and his companions Eldamari looked back to Murtano and spoke, "It will be done, lead your troops into the glade at the edge of the forest near the road. As you enter, so shall you appear at the boundaries of Winterbrook." Then turning back to the unicorn and druidess, he continued his whispered conversation.  Turning around and taking one step forward placed Murt, back in his office and heading toward the door. Quietly this time he walked the carpeted path to the war room, arriving by the back door and entering as to not disturb any conversations. Sliding into his seat next to Felena, he informed her of Eldamari's plan for their transportation. Signalling his intent to use a more 'assured' method of transport, he let Felena continue with the plans on how to protect her homeland.

Subject: R: R: R: R: R: R: R: Newcomer
Posted by:Gynger On: 08/09/00 11:26 PM

  I watch FawnWiz kneel down and cup her hand on the little girl's chin... Hello little one, you are looking very beautiful today". She leans forward to hear what the child has to say and then replies... Why yes, Lady Gynger would love that."   I watch FawnWiz pick up the child and give her a hug, then she introduces us... "Sheanessy, meet Lady Gynger, and Lady Gynger meet Seanessy, the lovely daughter of Lord and Lady Laorte."   I smile at Seanesy and say... How do you do young lady." and I curtsie again.   FawnWiz kisses Seanessy on the cheek before setting her down and says... "Ok little one, run to the page and tell them Aunty Fawn wants a bath drawn up and the donkey that is tied up out front, put in the stables."   As Seanessy starts to turn away, I ask... "and would you please have several strong lads bring up the chests that are tied to the special pack on the donkey? They will find one large chest on the top and 10 small ones of different sizes on each side. Please have the lads be very careful with them." I smile to her as I add... "I will give a coin or a treat to them if they are careful and don't drop the chests."

Seanessy runs out of the room with a big smile on her face. I look at FawnWiz as she smiles and says... "She is such a delightful child, and a beauty like her mother." She then looks at me and says... "Now, Lady Gynger, let me show you to the room where you can get cleaned up, and I will go see to something for you to eat. You must be famished." I smile at her and say... "Yes, I am a bit hungry."   I follow her out of the room, down a corridor and into another room where I hear several girls giggling and talking softly behind a door. FawnWiz walks over to the door where the voices are coming from and says... "It looks like your bath is almost ready."   We hear a comotion behind us and turn around to see Seanessy leading two youths who are carrying my large trunk and a couple more boys carrying some of the small chests. They put them down in the middle of the room while giving me sidelong glances, then they hurry back out to get the rest. By the time the bath is ready, all my chests have been brought in. The boys watch me as I walk towards them. I ask... Who wants a coin for their service and who wants a treat?" All the boys but one say they want a coin. I reach into a pouch at my waist and pull out a small handful of coins, without looking at the coins I say... "hold out your hands please." The boys hold out their hands and crowd around me. As I put a coin on a palm, the boy moves back and says... "Thank ye milady" and then runs out of the room. After all the boys but the one are gone, I put the remaining coins back into my pouch and then look at the youth. He appears to be about 14 years old, dark haired with eyes that have a curious and michevious glint in them.

"What are you hoping to receive for your treat?" I ask him. He looks at me and then at all the chests on the floor, then says... "Might I please have a look in one of these chests?" I smile at him and reply... "It depends on which one you want to look in." He points to one and says... "That one milady, the one with the carvings of warriors on it." I look at the chest he is asking about. It appears to be made from one piece of wood-- there is no latch on it nor any hinges. It is 10 inches long, 8 inches wide and 6 inches tall. The top is as flat as the bottom except for the carvings on it. The carvings on the top and sides depict elven warriors in battle against an evil dragon. I pick it up and look at the youth.   "Do you want to try and open it?" He looks at me and says... "May I?" I walk over to a table and set the chest upon it. "Here it is. You may try to unlock it while I take my bath. You won't need anything but your fingers and brains to unlock it." He sits down on a chair at the table and looks at the chest. I turn around, walk over to the large chest and open it with a few deft movements of my fingers. As I lift the lid, I notice Seanessy is curious about the contents of this chest since she can see some colorful fabrics on top (even tho she hasn't moved from near FawnWiz).   Would you like to see what is in here, Seanessy?" She nods her head and comes over. I pick up a piece of shear, sky blue fabric and shake it out. I tell her... "In the country of my birth, the ladies have to wear a veil when in the presence of a man." I drape the veil over her head, bring one end of the veil loosely across her face and over her shoulder and let the end hang down her back. I bring the other half of the veil that is hanging to the floor, across her face, over the other shoulder and let it hang down her back. I see the tip of a nose and two eyes looking at me. I smile at her... "Turn around so your aunty Fawn can see how beautiful you are." Seanessy turns around and walks carefully over to FawnWiz, who tells her how pretty she looks. Seanessy comes back over and we remove the veil from around her face and head, fold it back up and put it back into the chest. I move a few more items, telling Seanessy about them, then I pull out a fancy Egyptian glass bottle and some clothes that are more fitting for the work I will be doing. I gently close the lid and hear it lock. I pick up the bottle and my clothes, smile at Seanessy, look at the youth sitting at the table with his hands moving over the chest in front of him, I turn towards FawnWiz and the door to the bathing room. I smile at her... "I do appreciate all you have done for me. Now, I will take my bath, then eat and hopefully, my head will be clear to help you with the children." I walk into the bathing room and close the door.

Subject: R: R: R: R: R: R: R: R: Newcomer
Posted by:FawnWiz On: 08/10/00 12:00 AM
Tannisbury Wizardess

 Well look at you!, you are adorable in the vail." FawnWiz smiles at Seanessy. "Want to go show Cook? I must go and make sure Lady Gynger has some food ready when she is out of her bath." ::Seanessy readily agrees to go with Auntie Fawn, as Cook is one of her favorite people.::  ::FawnWiz smiles fondly at Seanessy and takes her hand as they walk toward the kitchen.:: "Auntie Fawn," Seanessy giggles, "Wont Cook be surprised to see me?""Oh yes I imagine she will little one, but do you think she will know who you are?"

Subject: R: R: R: R: R: R: R: R: Newcomer
Posted by:Seanessy Laorte On: 08/10/00 05:56 PM
The Little Lady of Tannisbury

 As soon as Seanessy's feet touched the floor she executed a quick curtsy then turned to skip away again. Hearing the lady speak, she turned and smiled at Gynger as she asked for her to have some of the stronger lads bring her boxes in. "Aye milady Gynger," she said, and this time, instead of skipping away, assumed an air of importance as she went to complete her task.  Once outside the room, she found the nearest page in the hallway. Although the girl towered over her, she stopped what she was doing and curtsied at the young Lady. "Samantha, the Lady Fawnwiz wishes a bath be fixed for a new guest. And she is hungry, too, so she would like some food." "Aye Lady Seanessy," the young page said with a smile. "I shall do so immediately." Seanessy smiled at the page, several years her senior. Even though the page was almost twice her age, she never treated her with anything but the highest respect. For that, the page had earned Seanessy's undying gratitude. As Samantha turned to leave, Seanessy called after her, "Oh, and be sure to tell Cooky you get a special snack tonight, from me." With a small squeal of delight, the page ran off to do as she was bid. Seanessy's special snacks were equal to her own, much more than the pages were usually allowed.  With a giggle and a delighted clap of her hands at the girl's reaction, Seanessy turned and scurried toward the main hall and out into the courtyard where the remaining high ranking soldiers and knights were gathering. She paused on the steps, feeling the pull toward Silvermyst as she saw the gathering. Her mother's red hair glistened in the early light of day as she spoke to those assembled, and a man she had never before seen beside the Lady Muralla. But she had been given an assignment, and as her Mum and Da had always told her..."A knight never wavers from their task, and always sees it through to the end."  With that thought in mind she sought out enough boys to do the job and assigned the task as well as any of the other leaders she had watched around the castle. A balance of respect in the request, with an air of authority always seemed to bring the desired result, even coming from one as young as Seanessy. She watched as the donkey was stabled, and reminded the boys of the reward for delivering the items unharmed. When each had removed a box from its resting place, they formed into a small formation, much as those they had seen outside the gates, and awaited their "Commander's" instructions. With a grin of delight at this surprising "gift" from the boys, Seanessy took her place at the front of the assembly and issued the command to march.  As they approached the courtyard again, Seanessy shouted another command, "Eyes wight!" and with a hand salute from the little "Lady", they passed her parents, knights and others assembled. She could see the proud look on her parents' faces as they passed by, and when they reached the doorway to the great hall, Seanessy stepped aside as her "troops" entered the hall and waited for her. She looked back at her mother and father, called out to them, "I love you Mum & Da!!! Come home soon!!!", then scampered through the door to continue to lead her "troops" through to the end of her "mission".

Subject: R: R: R: R: R: R: R: R: R: Newcomer
Posted by:Seanessy Laorte On: 08/10/00 06:06 PM
The Little Lady of Tannisbury

 Seanessy giggled and took Auntie Fawns hand as they left the room for a short time to see to the food. "I sended Samantha to tell Cooky about the food. I know she will do it." Fawn nodded to Seanessy as they made their way through the back corridors.  "Auntie Fawn," Seanessy giggles, "Wont Cook be surprised to see me?""Oh yes I imagine she will little one, but do you think she will know who you are?" Giggling agains she says, "I think she won't know me. Because I have on a dis...deees...I have a thingie on my face." She moved very carefully, knowing how important the veil was to the Lady Gynger, and glad she allowed her to wear it again to show Cooky.

Subject: A walk in the woods  Back to Folder
Posted by:quigon On: 08/10/00 06:51 PM QuiGon  < > Reply

Asking the boy to point me to a quiet place to medate. He points me to a field.    The stones were cold and rough against my touch. It felt good though. These walls had endured for many years.    Mouning doves cooed and the jays defened their territories with song and fluttering wings. Above me, the sky opened up like an expansive ducky caropy that winked with stars. The moon hanging low in the west.    Aside from the birds, the forest was empty and silent. There would be no creaking of doors as people moved around preparing for the days events.    Standing up after medation felf refreshing. Gathering my robe and saber, I start walking towards the castle.    Startling a baby squirrel sitting on a stump. It pipped and squealed, it's tail abristle. Stamping in one place, then darting from one edge to the other, as if frightened to decide which was to go.    Chittering the squirrel dashed into the underbrush and scurried noisily through the leaf little of the forest floor, sounding like some much larger beast.    Walking along humming an off-key tune. When the sound of the squirrel did not abate, but grew much louder, I froze.    The racket shattered the woods. Trees shook as if some wild creature -- many times larger than the squirrel -- thrashed in the branches and undergrowth.    Drawing a ragged breath. Whatever the nameless breast was, it charged my way, and fast.    The creature loomed huge and dark as it burst from the woods in an explosion of branches. Huffing with great wheezing through flared nostrils like some dragon.    The horse, a long legged chestnut, was lathered with sweat and huffed from a hard run. The rider slumped over the chestnuts neck.  "Please....." He beckened.    The rider was only a few years younger then me. Black hair plastered across his brow. Blue eyes blazed with fever. With two arrows buried in his back, he looked as if he had fought off death longer than any mortal should have.    Help......  Kneeing beside him, not sure how I could aid a dying man.  Yes  "I'm a messenger....." The young man's body spasmed with pain.   The last words died as blood gurgled in his throat, but I thought I caught a breathy The One. The one what? The only one on the road? The only one to take the massage.    He shuttered, coughing and more blood came to the corner of his mouth. "Swear.....Swear you'll deliver....the message to Lord Ian....."    He wouldn't allow himself to die until QuiGon swore the oath. "I swear...."    Gasping as if her were forcing air in and out of his lungs by will to extend life. "Fly....with speed. Dont read m-message. Then they can't tor-torture....it from you. If captured...shred it and toss it to the winds." Because his vioce grew so faint, QuiGon had to lean close to hear his final words. "Beware of the undeed."    There was no response from the messenger. Gently pressing my fingers over his eyes to close.   A sensation, not all unpleasant, tingled through my body.   I then sensed, like a breeze whispering through a aspen tree, invisible lips that seemed to murmur.    Welcome Jedi!    The horse was a sorry looking beast. His neck reminded QuiGon of his father's descriptions of some long-necked wild beasts he had seen on one of his voyages.   The horse jerked his head up, his ears pricked forward. He pawed the ground. hus uneasiness was enough of an answer for QuiGon. Hooves clipclopped distantly down tthe road.   The hoofbeats were drawing nearer. There was no telling exactly how close they were or even if they were the ones. I was determined not to find out.   If I cut through the forest, it's dense growth would hamper their speed. They might have a tracker amoungest them, who could find him just as easy off the road. If I remained on the road and an archer was among the group, surely he was an open taget.   Running hard. Wondering how long I could endure this pace without rest. The fog, at least, would provide some cover.   Coming across a stream flowing across the road, I stop to catch my breath, looking back to listen. I hear nothing.   Heading upstream. A tracker wouldn't be able to follow him in rushing water.   A granite ledge, mottled with green, large enough to hide behind, loomed out of the mist. Concealing myself, I crouched in the downpour awaiting some sign.   Though moments passed, the wasiting was interminable. Tired of the rain on my head, I draw up my hood.   Voices could be heard from the road, faint at first, then cleared as they drew closer.

Subject: R: R: Waiting
Posted by:ErdrickKE On: 08/10/00 11:57 PM
Knight and Lord Mayor of Tannisbury

  Erdrick finishes his last minute tasks and leads ThunderCloud over near Legend and Silvermyst, awaiting departure.  He Knows of the dangers in any war but honed by decades upon decades of battles and constant training as well as the powerful compnay he keeps, he feels confident of their victory and eminant return.
 

Subject: The Bath
Posted by:Gynger On: 08/11/00 04:36 AM

  I walk into the room and see the tub filled two-thirds full of steaming water. There is a serving girl standing near the fire, she has several buckets of water keeping warm. There are also a couple of buckets with cold water to cool the bath down if it's too hot. There are some towels draped over the back of a chair near the tub.   The serving girl curtsies as she asks... "Do you need any help undressing, milady?" "Not at the moment, thank you." I reply. Then I ask... "Would you please iron my clothes for me tho?" The girl comes over and takes them from me with a smile. She shakes the dress and chemise out and drapes them over a chair near the fire. "I'll go to the kitchen and get some hot irons to remove the wrinkles with, milady." She opens the door, walks out and closes it quietly behind her.   I undress and drop all my dirty clothes on the floor in one place, putting my boots with them. Then, I step into the warm and soothing embrace of the water. "Ahhhhhh" a grateful sigh escapes my lips and I close my eyes and sink totally under the water. I am under the water for a couple of minutes when a scream rents the air. I quickly sit up, looking up to see what's going on. I see the serving girl standing with her hands over her face, the irons dropped and forgotten on the floor. She is crying and saying over and over.... "She's dead, she's dead."   I must have made a noise when I sat up because she moved her fingers to peek out from between them. Her eyes get real big, she screams again and faints.   There are times when I am thankful for being short... this was one of those times. I was able to keep my body hidden within the tub of water. The young man from the other room was standing behind the girl when she fainted and barely caught her before she hit the floor. He looks at me with wide eyes and a helpless, questioning look in them. "Put her gently on the floor." I tell him. As he is doing this, we hear a comotion in the other room. I grab a towel real fast, extreamly thankful the chair is so close, and cover myself with it just as some men and women come pouring into the room asking... "What's wrong?" "What's going on?" "What's happening?"   Someone shouts... "Everyone, be quiet." All eyes look at the young man, then the serving girl on the floor and then at me... sitting in the tub holding a wet towel up to my chin, blushing. A man steps forward. He is the same man I met earlier. Astalder is his name. He kneels down and touches the girl, she moans. He looks at the young man and asks... "What happened here?" He stands back up. The young man looks at me and replies... "I don't know, milord. I was sitting in the other room trying to unlock the small chest when I heard a scream. I jumped up from the chair and came running in here. I heard the girl saying... 'She's dead, she's dead'. I heard some water splashing, then the girl screamed again. Next thing I know, I'm catching her as she falls." He looks over at me and continues... "Milady Gynger told me to lay her down and I did. Then all of you came running in."   Astalder looks at me. I see a smile in his eyes. He asks... "M'lady Gynger, do you know what happend?" The girl on the floor moans and mutters... "She's dead, dead." I shake my head -No- as I say... "No, m'lord Astalder. I was in this tub with my head under the water when I heard the first scream. I looked up out of the water and she screams again. I don't know what she was screaming at."   Astalder smiles as he looks at me in the tub with the wet towel over myself. He looks at all the people in the room... "I think I know what happened folks. I want all of you to go out so lady Gynger can finish her bath. I'll need a woman to stay in here with me until the girl wakes up. Send another serving girl in here to finish helping with whatever needs to be done."   The people file out, talking amongst themselves, wonder what happened. Astalder thanks the young man for his help. The young man looks at me, smiles, bows and walks out, closing the door.   A woman kneels down next to the girl and holds her hand, patting it, trying to waken her. Astalder checks on her again. She moves her head a bit and one hand. He looks at me... "Have you figured out what happened?" "I think so, m'lord." I say cautiously. "She must have thought that I had drowned since my head was under the water and when I picked up my head and looked at her she must have thought I was a demon or something terrible." "Yes, that's what I am thinking also." he replies.   We hear a knock on the door, it opens and another serving girl comes in. She sees the girl on the floor and the irons. She picks the irons up, walks to the fire and puts them on the grate to heat again. The girl on the floor sits up slowly and looks around. She sees me and asks... "You aren't dead?" "No, I'm very much alive" I answer. She sighs with relief, gets up a bit shakily, walks over to the pile of dirty clothes on the floor, picks them up and puts them in a basket. "I'll wash these later and return them to you." she says. She then walks over and talks quietly with the other girl.   "Well, I guess I'll be going since I'm not needed here anymore." Astalder says. I look at him, sigh and quietly say... "I'm not doing very well at staying unobstrusive, am I. Thank you for you help m'lord." He smiles and bows in my direction, then he and the woman leave.   The two girls look at me... "Please tell me your names." I ask. "My name is Maisie, milady." says the girl who had fainted. "My name is Mary, milady." says the new girl. "I'm sorry for giving you such a fright Maisie. I didn't realize you would think I had drowned."   "Would you like more hot water, milady?" Mary asks. "Yes, please. I'm wrinkling up like a prune and need to finish this bath." Mary brings over the bucket of hot water and carefully pours it in the tub. "Thank you, Mary. I'm going under the water again to wet my hair so I can wash it." With those words said, I duck under the water, getting my hair all wet, and come right back up. Mary has the bar of soap all lathered up in her hands and washes my hair for me. I wash the rest of my body and then Mary pours a bucket of warm water over the top of my head to rinse off all the soap. I stand up, she hands me a clean, dry towel and I wrap my wet hair in it. She hands me another dry towel as I step out of the tub.   Maisie says... "I have your clothes ironed, milady." "Thank you Maisie." I reply. I lightly dry off, pick up the Egyptian bottle from the chair and walk over near the fire. Both girls watch me as I remove the stopper from the bottle. The heady scents of Sandlewood, Jasmine, Rose and Sweet Musk rise up to greet me. "That smells wonderful milady" comments Maisie with a smile. I smile back at her and pour some of the oil onto the palm of my hand and rub it lightly onto my body, using more oil as needed. The girls help me put on my chemise, then the towel is removed from my damp hair. I comb my waist-length dark brown hair with my scented fingers until there is no more oil to come off. With the girls help, I finish dressing. "Thank you Maisie and Mary for helping me. I do appreciate it." The girls smile and curtsie. I walk to the door, open it and walk into the other room carrying my bottle of oil.