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Post by Nahara46 on Apr 1, 2013 20:23:15 GMT -5
Aelesia got the feeling that this 'Jezebel' had sheltered her sister. Mirabelle gave off the sheltered air, and honestly, Aelesia felt a want to protect her from the bitter parts of life.
"Heal you wizards you may, protect you're fortune's you might. However, potions also poison- they kill and hurt. Once a man came to the castle, his skin burning off in bits. He'd been cursed, or poisoned- we could never be sure. Magic can be used in the most horrid ways, and it can not be allowed to do so." Aelesia imitated her fathers way of closing a subject. Magic was evil, and she could not allow this girl, no matter how pretty and sweet, to plant a seed of doubt.
"Why were you going to see this Lord Black?" She asked, trying to divert the subject.
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Post by G. Novella on Apr 1, 2013 20:29:12 GMT -5
Mirabelle just stared at Aelesia in confusion, sure that wasn't true. She knew defensive spells did that sort of thing, but Jezebel said they were only for defense. They couldn't be used for bad things. She frowned, however, perked up at the mention of Lord Black. Again, she frowned. This time she didn't quite know.
"Father said I was supposed to deliver the letter, and then I would stay with Lord Black," said Mirabelle, uncertainly, "I don't know why I was meant to stay. He's a friend of Father's after all, but I didn't want to disappoint him anymore. Not after the incident with Lord Gryffindor's son."
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Post by Nahara46 on Apr 1, 2013 20:31:42 GMT -5
Unlike the seemingly totally oblivious girl, it didn't take Aelesia more then a moment to have a guess at what was going on.
"Is Lord Black currently married?" She asked carefully, to confirm her suspicions.
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Post by G. Novella on Apr 1, 2013 20:35:47 GMT -5
Mirabelle glanced at Aelesia in surprise, and shook her head before replying, "Not currently no. His last wife died of a mysterious illness. Well, Jezebel says so. But Jezebel says his wife was unfaithful. Father said it's lucky I'm a loyal person when he sent me away."
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Post by Nahara46 on Apr 1, 2013 20:39:17 GMT -5
Aelesia laughed once, the naivety of this girl was quite astonishing. She seemed to simply blindly follow her fathers orders- Aelesia felt a flash of anger toward Mirabelle's father at sending her to be married without so much as an explanation.
"Well, unless I'm very much mistaken, I think I'm right to assume that you were being sent to Lord Black's house under terms of an arranged marriage."
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Post by G. Novella on Apr 1, 2013 21:00:49 GMT -5
Mirabelle stared at Aelesia, her heart sinking. That couldn't be true, could it? The girl considered it, right down to her mother giving her the white set of robes. Mirabelle gasped, and realized it must be true! She stared at Aelesia and said, "That can't be true! Jezebel would have owled me a letter of warning! And Father- Well, he might. He always said he would... Was I really supposed to marry Lord Black? But he's father's age!"
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Post by Nahara46 on Apr 1, 2013 21:03:33 GMT -5
Aelesida pursed her lips. She'd never been a fan of arranged marriage, but this was absolutely dreadful- Mirabelle hadn't been aware of it, and Lord Black wasn't even very suitable for the girl!
"You mentioned a letter you failed to deliver. May I see it, if you still possess it? Perhaps it may enlighten us further."
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Post by G. Novella on Apr 1, 2013 21:12:22 GMT -5
Mirabelle nodded, and immediately dug into her blouse and pulled out the letter. It was a bit ruffled and the edge slightly torn off from when that guard had tried to take advantage of her, but luckily it was still in tact as she slid it out to Aelesia. She hadn't read it, nor had she broken the black seal with the crest of Gaunt upon it.
Dear Lord Black,
As I spoke, this is my youngest daughter, Mirabelle Gaunt. She's unaware of our arrangement, but I assure you she will be most understanding of the marriage once she has had time to discuss it. As I informed you, she's a bit naive and unaware of how to handle the prospect, but her mother bore me eleven children, and I am sure Mirabelle will do the same and more given her resemblance to her mother's body stature.
Mirabelle is still young, and I assure you of her loyalty to you. As for the dowry, I shall send it when the marriage date is set. I will hand deliver it. As well, I expect to collect the bride price we arranged of goblin-made jewellery and the tomes of magic on the wedding date itself.
Yours,
Lord Gaunt
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Post by Nahara46 on Apr 1, 2013 21:17:20 GMT -5
As Aelesia's eyes went down the page, she found herself more and more angry. She'd never like how men viewed women, but this... Treating Mirabella like she was some item they were bartering for! Simply a machine for children! This upset Aelesia more then she quite understood, and she handed back the letter upon finishing it, quite disgusted.
"It seems that it is a good thing you never reached your destination, as I doubt you would be treated correctly there..." She spoke, forgetting that the girl's fate as she remained here was much worst then an arranged marriage.
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Post by G. Novella on Apr 1, 2013 21:20:51 GMT -5
Taking the letter back, Mirabelle tucked it back into her blouse, still uneasy at the prospect of reading it. She didn't want to know why Aelesia was so upset, for she feared that her Father had done something awful to her. Carefully she added, "I'm sure Father thought it was best. Have you not been married yet? Father has tried to marry me to a suitable man since I was fifteen."
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Post by Nahara46 on Apr 1, 2013 21:25:42 GMT -5
"Well, No, Actually." Aelesia replied carefully, "I never saw the interest in a man, and I've joined the convent as a trainee nun. However... My sister..." Aelesia sighed, her sister's fate still heavy on her mind. The fate which was caused by a magical being, like this one. They had though Sir Thomas was kind too...
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Post by G. Novella on Apr 1, 2013 21:30:35 GMT -5
Mirabelle stared, waiting for Aelesia to continue, however, she stayed silent. Thoughtfully, Mirabelle said, "What's a convent? Father never took me to one. He always said I'd make a useless wife if I didn't smarten up. But he never threatened me with a convent. What happened to your sister? Did she marry a bad man? Jezebel did that. But then he died. Jezebel used the Avada Kedavra, she told me so."
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Post by Nahara46 on Apr 1, 2013 21:34:59 GMT -5
"What's a convent?" Aelesia replied, more surprised. Everyone knew of the church here! What an odd girl this was. "It's where nuns live, study and train. Nuns are women who swear their life to serving God- they swear never to marry as well. I've been training with them and been planning to eventually join as a fully-fledged Nun. Kept me from being forced to marry." Why she added that last bit, Aelesia didn't know. It just tumbled out, and she found herself blushing slightly for being so careless.
"My sister was to marry a man- but he turned out to be a wizard. He kidnapped her, and we have no idea where she is..." Aelesia sighed, glancing longingly at the ceiling. After a moment she inquired, "What is the Avada Kedavra?" The words sounds familiar, but she couldn't place it.
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Post by G. Novella on Apr 2, 2013 18:57:47 GMT -5
"I should join this convent too! That way I won't have to marry Lord Black. Did you have to marry a man like Lord Black? Is that why you ran away to the convent too?" asked Mirabelle delightedly. Mirabelle glanced curiously at Aelesia, seemingly satisfied with her most brilliant plan. She blinked at Aelesia's question and said, "Why, it's the Killing Curse of course. I don't know how it works, but you say the words while pointing your wand, and a green light emerges, and then the person before you is dead."
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Post by Nahara46 on Apr 2, 2013 19:03:28 GMT -5
"I'm afraid I do not think the Nuns would take you- they do not appreciate wizardry. Anyways, I doubt one such as yourself would enjoy the lifestyle- it's very strict, dull and you spend most of your time in the convent, unable to leave." Aelesia warned bitterly, unable to imagine this girl with the stuffy Nuns. Aelesia liked her fellow sisters, they were good and honorable women, however they could be a bit boring. She avoided the question as to if she had run because of a betrothal.
Then the princess' eyes went big. "K-Killing curse?" She repeated, taking a step back. "You speak of how good magic is! Yet then you tell of how it has killed another!" Her voice was practically a hiss as she then took a few steps closer to the girl and moved to grab her arm to empathize her point.
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Post by G. Novella on Apr 2, 2013 19:18:50 GMT -5
Mirabelle stared at the woman, and she could sense the hurt in the girl's voice. She felt sorry, and was about to reach out to hold her hand and comfort her, when the woman suddenly got angry. Mirabelle drew her hand back, and stared in surprise and hurt. She opened her mouth to protest, to apologize, when Aelesia moved to suddenly grab her. Afraid, she tried to stop it, scared as she remembered how others grabbed like that. Before Mirabelle could stop it, a heat fluxed out from her body, and suddenly struck the offending hand, leaving a red mark. Mirabelle's eyes went wide, and she cried out, "No!"
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Post by Nahara46 on Apr 2, 2013 19:23:02 GMT -5
Aelesia's hand had only been there for maybe a moment or two, but suddenly her hand felt a flash of painful heat, and then was left to feel like it had been burned- stinging. Immediately, she jumped back, a cry of pain emitting from her lips as she felt it spike through her. Guards were immediately at the cell door, and she was out.
Her hand was now red, probably not really injured, but it still hurt. Shaking it, Aelesia looked back up at the girl, whose cell was once again closed, a guard with a sword eying her as the other spoke to the princess.
"Lady Aelesia! Are you alright? May I see your hand?"
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Post by G. Novella on Apr 2, 2013 19:25:25 GMT -5
The young witch new this time, whatever magic had flared from her hadn't helped her situation. Unlike with the awful guard, she had hurt someone who wasn't a bad person. The girl felt tears sting her eyes, and she scrambled back to the edge of the cell, her face ashy and pale as she stared at the Princess. Her eyes fell on the intimidating sword the man held, and she suddenly shuddered violently, remembering how it had struck Marvolo. The tears fell from her eyes and she slipped to her knees, terrified as she huddled herself into a ball, afraid for herself.
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Post by Nahara46 on Apr 2, 2013 20:19:35 GMT -5
As the girl clearly seemed to grasp the situation this time, Aelesia felt a twinge of anger at the guard for terrifying Mirabelle so, which was peculiar in itself as Aelesia had no reason to feel sorry for the girl now. Aelesia almost wanted to order the guard away and comfort her. However, she did not. After all, it wouldn't be long until her father was informed of the situation. It wouldn't be pretty, especially not straight after her sisters kidnapping.
Silently waving the guard away, Aelesia turned and dashed from the dungeons, determined to reach her quarters and wait until her father heard of what happened.
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Post by G. Novella on Apr 4, 2013 16:48:18 GMT -5
The night passed without much excitement, to the relief of the nervous guards on duty. The next morning, at the break of dawn, life returned to the sleeping castle. Servants had rushed to prepare the royal carriages, dusting them down, polishing the knobs, and wiping the wood. Horses were being groomed to perfection, before being hitched to the carriages. Luggage for the Training Academy was packed in large wagons that would travel ahead of the Royal Family, reaching there with supplies and guards to set the place up before the arrivals.
Inside the palace, maids were rushing about, awaking the sleeping royals. It was time to get dressed, time to be presented. Erik left Princess Lillia to her maids and other guards to oversee the carriages and royal preparations. He was in a rather foul mood, having to stay awake all night. His voice barked orders loudly across the grounds as the sun kept rising. The ride would be a half-day's journey, and it was important to be prepped for the occasion.
The sun was almost in the air now, and the Royal Family would be making their way down. The ladies would ride in the carriages, alongside the King. The Princes had the option to ride with the soldiers, or to ride in the carriage. Their horses had been saddled should they so wish to ride during the day. The journey was expected to have one stop to break for lunch.
Around the carriages, the guards were prepped in their finest armor and chain mail, their horses all groomed to perfection. The swords of steel glistened. One carriage, however, stood out from all the rest. It was wooden and barred with iron. It was heavily guarded, and would be moving with a large armed set of guards. The prisoner being carried inside of it had already been transferred in. The people had watched the woman being carried inside, murmuring excitedly. It was really beginning. The land would be purged!
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Post by eskimoRock on Apr 4, 2013 17:14:34 GMT -5
Lillia was woken early, and dressed by her maids. She was given breakfast in her room, and then told it was time to go to the carriages just as the sun began to rise. Walking through the corridors, flanked by guards, she couldn't help but notice how everything seemed a lot more chaotic this morning, with everybody packing up for their trip to the acadamy. Finally, after having to change routes twice upon discovering the hugely populated corridors that made her guards nervous, she reached the front doors.
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Post by Nahara46 on Apr 4, 2013 21:46:17 GMT -5
Aelesia had fallen asleep fitfully after it turned out her father would not appear through the night. When she awoke the next morning, the princess was hardly paying attention as she got ready for the day. It would be nice to get away from the castle where her sister had been taken from, however, she would have to be going and be there to witness Mirabelle's execution. Despite her belief against witches, and how the woman had hurt her the night previous, Aelesia couldn't help but feel unsettled. She didn't understand why, all she knew is that she didn't want to be there to see Mirabelle die.
Shaking such thoughts from her head, Aelesia swiftly headed from her quarters, a hand maid not far behind. The princess soon reached the doors that would lead to the carriage that would take her to the training camp. There she say her younger sister, Lillia.
"Good day Lillia," She greeted absent mindedly, "Anticipating the day to come?"
----
Jacobson would up early, having always been accustomed to early rising. He smiled as he looked at his sleeping wife, and kissed her on her forehead. Then he rose and prepared himself for the day. Just as he finished, Denise yawned and awoke.
"Good Morning, Love." Jacobson said warmly, "We have to get going soon to get to the training academy." Denise smiled and nodded, speaking as she herself got ready.
"Of course, I'll see to it the children are awoken and prepared. Have you decided whether you shall ride with the soldier or in the carriage?"
"I suppose I will go with the soldiers- I will be leading those men one day. I must allow them to trust me, and by going with them I can do so." Denise spoke her agreement and the couple, along with their children, were soon heading down to the grounds, though they took a different route then Jacobson's sisters and soon found themselves blinking into the day.
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Post by eskimoRock on Apr 5, 2013 2:27:38 GMT -5
"Good morning, Aelesia." Lillia smiled. "I'm looking forward to getting to the acadamy. Did you sleep well?"
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Post by Nahara46 on Apr 5, 2013 13:53:54 GMT -5
"Yes, I did, thank you." Aelesia replied politely, though she failed to elaborate or offer more to the conversation, instead not really focusing on anything as she waited anxiously.
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Post by G. Novella on Apr 6, 2013 13:13:32 GMT -5
Erik was in a mess of a state. Securing the transport of the witch had been the hardest part of his day, though, the girl came surprisingly easily with little fight. So long as nobody touched her, nobody was hurt. Unfortunately, it took three of his men getting badly scorched or stung before the girl said she could walk herself since it seemed she was hurting everyone. Tired, and desperate, Erik had allowed it. The men had walked around her, swords drawn. It worked.
Unfortunately, allowing her to walk like that, with just her arms chained to the carriage called for many scared citizens. Rumors had spread and the servants were babbling. His own mother had criticized him for it, after asking if she would be safe if she carried silver. He'd had to remind her that the girl wasn't a mythical wolf-beast. It was slowly driving him mad.
Seeing the two princesses awaiting to be seated, he sighed heavily. He moved towards the princesses, and took a deep bow approaching them. "I'm very sorry for the delay, Miladies," he said as he remained prostrated before the two, "It shan't take much longer." Standing now, he nodded to the both. Then he turned to a maid and said, "Fetch the Princesses some refreshments!"
James had awoken early in the morning, unable to sleep. He'd had a horrible nightmare of his late wife, blaming him for his mistakes. He'd had nightmares of Florence in the clutches of those dastardly wizards, writhing and screaming for help. Blaming him for not realizing the dangers he'd put her into it. His eyes had dark circles under them as he was dressed. The chamber was silent, solemn. Dressed in dark red robes, he made his way to the grounds.
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Post by Nahara46 on Apr 6, 2013 13:48:25 GMT -5
Aelesia turned to see Erik and nodded with a polite smile. "Think no more of it," She replied, "It was no hindrance." As he ordered the maid to bring some refreshments, her polite smile turned thankful. "Thank you."
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Post by eskimoRock on Apr 6, 2013 17:13:38 GMT -5
"Hello, Erik." Lillia smiled. "And it's fine, we don't mind waiting. It's a rather pleasant day, after all." She gestured out of the doors, where the sun was rising up into the sky.
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Post by G. Novella on May 29, 2013 17:36:31 GMT -5
Erik frowned at the women, as he glanced up at the rising sun. He immediately beckoned a servant over, and whispered something in her ear. The maid ran off, and returned several minutes later with a large sun umbrella, and held it over the ladies heads.
"So you don't tan, mistresses," said Erik with a short bow, as the second servant returned with two cups of fine juice. He nodded to them, before turning to deal with a small, dumpy guard who had come running up to him, looking a bit wild.
"I- Sir- the witch-
"I'm on it," said Erik, drawing his sword. He gave the Princesses a nod, unable to offer polite courtesy, as he followed the dumpy guard to the Witch's cage. "What happened?"
"She's hungry," said the guard skittishly, and Erik resisted every urge to throttle the man as he put away his sword.
"So feed her," growled Erik, moving away to deal with other problems of larger importance.
---------
As James walked the lonely corridors of his palace, he found himself feeling alone, frustrated, and naive. His heart was sinking as he remembered Florence, his dearest daughter. Where could she be now? His boots clacked on the steps, but were drowned out by the army of men around him, as they all shuffled towards the gates. He sighed, a burning hatred in his heart towards the wizard that had done this to him, a burning hatred to all of the wizards who did this to the poor families out there.
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Post by eskimoRock on May 29, 2013 17:39:40 GMT -5
Lillia watched in amusement as a dumpy guard ran over to talk to Erik, and then her hand flew to her mouth. She spun around to look at her sister, eyes wide.
"Did he just say something about a witch? Here? "
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Post by Nahara46 on May 29, 2013 17:52:36 GMT -5
The elder sister had just been about to follow Erik and see what was happening with the young witch she had only met the night before, however just as she made to move her sister caught her attention. Lillia's terrified outburst made Aelesia turn and take Lillia's other hand comfortingly, "Yes, we have a witch in custody. However , do not worry dear sister, her wand has been taken and she cannot perform magic. We are taking her to be dealt for punishment.
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