Tenalius

Spring was in heady bloom all around Castle McCromick. A few hours ago, Joshua could not have been more impressed. Most of his days had been spent either in the damp, coral heights of Braavos, the fog-drenched banks of Wreckgate, or in the far eastern lands across the salt sea thar few of the Terrafirm kingdoms residents ever thought of. Castle McCromick was easily several times over the largest building he'd ever seen, with it's fifty foot ramparts and hundred foot spires and towers. The courtyards were ablaze with the auburn leaves of feloak trees and smelt strongly of pine sap from enormous sentinal evergreens that rose nearly as high as some of the strongholds walls. Overriding all this was the tang of salt air, being blown in from the beach only five miles away. It was a pleasurable slap to his senses.

But now he sat about a quarter of the way down the left side of Lord McCromick's own feast table. The hour was late and the tall, broadshouldered lord was half asleep and more than half drunk. He'd hosted three feasts already, ongoing since just before dusk. Third party or no, a Lord feasting the officers of mere mercenaries was still a high honor. About half of the halls 700 man capacity in seats were filled, and mercenaries from commander to staff sergeant were seated. Joshua himself was a lieutenant commander of the vanguard of the Gray Dogs. The Dogs were among the most expensive and renowned sellswords, and their vanguard, the tip of their military spear, knew no man more deadly than Joshua of Wreckgate.

Joshua sat sullenly, drinking little and eating less. He despised being around so many people. Militia camps were Hell enough, to cram 350 people in one room offended his senses. The worst was a tie between the noise and the stench of body odor. He only remained for one reason. One long haired, exotic, fiercely sexy young woman seated to the right and slightly down of the lord, looking bored to tears. Lady Jadean as he so understood. He kept trying to make eye contact.

The day was going by boringly slow, in Jades opinion. Her father had insisted she remain with him the entire day given one day all of...this would be hers. Sighing heavily a strand of hair was blown out of her face. At her left sat Nicholi, her betroth. He had been kind to her all evening, but his hands were a bit too friendly for her tastes. She needed to get away. Glancing around the room she looked for a guard to save her. They all loved her dearly, most willing to get her out of any dinner party her father would throw. Seeing no one who would be willing to help her, she removed her napkin from her lap and placed it on her plate. As she went to stand her eyes locked with Joshua's a few seats down. Smiling slightly she looked at him, almost begging to save her. It would have been inappropriate for her to invite him outside but maybe he would ask her for a walk outside. Clearing her throat she nodded towards the doors leading to the garden before returning her eyes to his. She hoped he understood what she meant. Looking over her shoulder she saw Nicholi talking animatedly with her father. Rolling her eyes she turned away from them to send Joshua another pleading look.

Joshua waited thirty seconds, then slowly put his fork down and rose. He nodded to his commander. He quietly slipped out the same door, immediately noting the pungeant but pleasant aroma of bay marigolds and wildflowers. It was dark but the stars and half moon dimly lit the garden. He noticed a nice marble fountain in the middle and ivy along the walls. He looked back and forth for Jade, squinting in the dim light.

Jade stood up from her chair nodded her head at several people before slipping out the garden doors. Glancing around for any sight of Joshua she finally spotted him and began heading his direction. "Lady Jadean." A guard by the doors asked her questioningly. Holding up her hand she smiled softly and shook her head, indicating that he should stay there. He nodded his head and took up his post once again. Without further hesitation she continued over to Joshua, a soft smile spread across her face. "Thank you..."

"For what?" Joshua's voice was smooth and deep. He sauntered over, standing in front of her. His sword was at his belt, it's handle and handguard wrought with spun silver, glinting in the starlight. "For being unable to resist following?"

"Unable to resist? How's come?" Seeing a bench near by she strolled over to it and sat down. Crossing her legs Indian style. She wore gypsy style pants, very elegant to her but to her fathers dismay. He absolutely hated it when she didn't dress like a proper lady. Jade on the other hand could do without the dresses and skirts. The makeup and fancy shoes. Rolling her eyes at the thought of it she indicated the spot next to her so that he would sit and talk for a little while.

He carefully removed his sword belt and adjusted his tunic tails before sitting next to her. Still looking back at the castle doors he came from, and not at her, he sighed out a deep breath.
"I do not like feasts. Noisy and noisome. And, in honesty, I saw this one as tedious, like you." He spoke slowly, his English evidently not superb.
"Forgive my rudeness. I am Joshua, captain of the vanguard of the Gray Dogs." he turned to her, and smiled warmly. His teeth were quite white and straight for a sellsword.

Jade brought a knee up and rested her chin on it. "Call me Jade. It's very nice to meet you. So why did daddy invite you here?" Wrapping her arm around her leg she watched him carefully. He wasn't nervous in her company which was nice. Most men found her quite intimidating because of her bluntness and lack of feminism. She hated being girly all the time. It was stupid in her eyes and she really just wished to be her own person. Toying with the loose fabric from her pants she watched him thoughtfully.

"I don't... Presume to know Lord McCromick's plans. He must need more soldiers, and I am a soldier for hire, like all the other men in there. It is kind of his lordship to extend his hospitality to us." Joshua yawned and leaned back some. "And truly kind of Lady Jade to give me the excuse to refuse it." he winked at her.

Jade smiled softly and shook her head. "Daddy and his men. I detest war." Chewing on her bottom lip she watched him for a moment. "How long have you been in Tenalius? It's quite lovely isn't it?" She truly did love where she lived just not the duties that came with it.

"This is my first time this far west. I'm from the free islands. My time in Terrafirm has only been on the coast up north. I've never seen these big trees. I never saw a castle before." he laughed a little and looked embarrassed. "It is lovely."

"Oh well then you must allow me to show you around some time. When my father isn't in need of you that is. I'd make it more fun than anyone else in this...faction." She'd wanted to say hell hole but she figured she shouldn't show her true side to him just yet. Almost everyone knew that Jade didn't want her fathers frown. She wanted to be free and wild. Shrugging her shoulders gently she watched him, his features beautiful and attractive. Sure Nicholi was an attractive man but she herself was not attracted to him. She wanted a Knight in Shining Armor, not a prince.





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