Courtyard Gardens: Tiras Lorn, Caemlyn

Large white stone surrounds the courtyard of House Hune. Set into the western wall is the gate, leading out of the manor. The manor house itself lies to the east. A large marble portico runs down the middle of the courtyard in a north/south direction, effectively dividing the large yard in half. It is large enough to hold several wagons, and contains the stables in the northwest corner. The half of the yard closest to the manor house is contained by the portico which runs along the courtyard walls as well, and connect to the house. This creates a covered walkway to protect you from the elements; shade from the sun, and a roof to keep off rain and snow. The ground here is paved with stone, with only a few weeds growing up here and there. In the center of the paved area is a square flower garden.

Demonder opens the door of the house and joins you in the courtyard.

You sit down on the Tree Swing.

Rennar can be found beneath one of the many trees within the Hune gardens. More specifically, she is sitting on a swing which is big enough for two people. Gently, she rocks herself back and forth, a light shawl draped over her shoulders as her eyes take on a concerned, contemplative look.

That grumpy horse Demonder insists on riding can be heard thumping across and through the gates. Demonder mutters a few choice words at it, pulling on the reigns with great exaggeration until it finally stops in a place suitable for the stableboy to take control of the horse. The animal seems eager to ride some more, and gets grumpier when Demonder dismounts. He pats it on the shoulder much like two men would do after a good game. "My beautiful wife, where would she be?" Demonder asks with an arched eyebrow. His voice always so casual, though the servants are likely much accustomed to it now. The stable-boy manages to point a finger in Rennar's general direction. Demonder simply nods, and begins heading that way, his heavy axe lightly swinging and thumping on his side.

If Rennar saw Demonder or heard his voice she gives no indication of it. In fact, she seems so caught up in her own thoughts that she doesn't even notice Demonder approaching her. Back and forth does she guide herself on the swing, only idly pushing herself with a single foot whenever she moves into position. Her hands gently rest on one side of the swing's ropes, casually holding her in place. Whatever it is that's on her mind, it's enough to cause her to forget the rest of the world currently.

Demonder shows a brief moment of curiousity on his bright features, and begins to unhook the axe at his side. He lets the weapon simply drop to the ground with another thump; swinging with the heavy weapon might not be as pleasant, after-all. "There's my beautiful wife," he announces himself when a few steps away.

Today is Fourday, 22 Adar, 999 NE. It is a Spring evening.

There is a long pause still yet before Rennar comes back from her thoughts. She's been in this mood since the evening before, when she was seen returning home from the Palace after some letter she received from the First Prince. Presently, she has not discussed those issues as of yet. "Good evening, Demonder." She comments, her voice even sounding distracted.

The swing Rennar has been ever so lightly moving with one foot is about to be surprised. Demonder finishes the few steps toward Rennar, and then twists and slides hard into the swing. The momentum alone would do away with any gentle swinging. As usual, Demonder attempts to ignore her distant mood. "You've been having a bad day?"

With Demonders abrupt movements, Rennar is jolted and knocked about a bit. She grasps a the rope, though is a touch too late before she slips and ends up scraping herself a little bit before regaing her balance. She grimaces slightly, "No." The word she speaks a bit too sharply.

Demonder has seen his wife annoyed and upset, and then annoyed and upset. A long spectrum stands between that. With a slight nod, he turns his body more toward her. It is then that his hand goes to the soft touch of her shoulder in an attempt to get her attention. "My apologies, Renni. I thought I might put a smile on your face." Yes, he thought that, jumping on the swing. "What's wrong?"

"She is alive." Rennar makes the comment with a bland tone of voice, and little emotion. Only one person would really get such a result from Rennar, without her having to be named.

"Your sister?" is the first question that comes to Demonder's mind. The hand squeezes at her shoulder, and then moves to the middle of her neck to offer another warm caress. "How..Kael said she died?" Demonder has a strong bond with the Roesone Head Stewart, and even now the emotion shows on his voice.

"Obviously he lied." Rennar states, not at all pleased at the turn of events, "And whats worse, that /man/ in the palace has hired her." And, again, Rennar refers to only one person in that manner. the Captain General.

"He what?" Demonder's voice spikes with anger. "But she's of the Dark! At least weak willed enough to return if there's any believing her..." The Lord almost forgets the hand on her shoulder, his eyes going wide. Certain things are not excusable, this is one of them. "In the name of the Light, Renni, what is going on here? What... what does this mean?" He's being dramatic, no surprise, though this time serious in his dramatics.

"You and I both know that." Rennar states rather calmly and blandly, "But obviously he's been blinded by whatever supposed Oaths she's taken to the Queen stating she's of the Light. Oaths that she's given in falsehood before." Rennar sniffs disdainfully at the entire situation. "As to what it means, I have no clue. The Prince is well aware of my feelings on the situation. If Lord Kasagara has knowingly hired a Friend of the Dark, then he must be one himself."

Demonder's eyes smoulder in a cool rage. "We have the Dark among the ranks," he concludes with a whisper. "But how stupid would he have to be to make it so obvious?" Demonder doesn't doubt that's entirely possible, though he could be making a point that its almost too obvious to be true. The hand at Rennar's shoulder squeezes. Demonder quickly moves pass his own anger, his eyes settling on Rennar with concern. "The Prince has certainly had her removed?"

"Has anything that man has done since the assassination of Queen Sydelle and before been anything short of less than brilliant?" Rennar's actually being too kind to Durnik here. She snorts slightly, "He probably could not map his own way out of a maze if necessary." She pauses then adds, "As for her removal, it is none of my concern. She ceased to be my concern the day she swore her Oaths. She /is/ for all intents and purposes dead."

"But..." Demonder can't understand it. "Kael said she was dead?" It's almost a whisper, the Lord's eyes casting downward. Not only would he hurt at being lied too, at least indirectly, he would feel shame for the misdeed done to Rennar by a man that Demonder would certainly trust with his life. "This does not speak well for Andor. Would the Queen support her there?" The words could barely be heard.

But, Rennar is still a preceptive person when she chooses to use her perceptions. SHe does hear his words. "I cannot know the Queen's mind. The other evening was the first since the last council meeting that I have attended to the Palace." And indeed, it does seem as though Rennar completely avoids the Palace at all costs; still maintaining she will not go there unless invited for a specific reason or ordered to do so.

"My love," Demonder whispers quietly, shifting closer to her within the swing, and the encouraging her into his embrace. "There can be no support for a Queen that allows this. And for The Prince to know of it... I do hope for their sake that she is by now gone from the Palace." Demonder is fairly direct in his words.

"As far as I am aware, they have just gained the information of her situation in the palace recently. I cannot claim to know what they will do about it, nor that I honestly care. I am beyond caring." Rennar's words seem to have a note of finality to them when she speaks them. "I have a House run and a family to look after. Again, I say that it would bode the Queen better to find another heir to the Throne."

"She will find another when she gives birth to a girl," Demonder replies quietly, attempting to offer Rennar some comfort with his embrace even though she might be unreceptive of it. There is some relief over the matter then, that at least there is chance it will be acted upon. "And what am I to think of Kael?" Another whispered question.

Rennar seems to stiffen at Demonder's words, and wince at the same time. She repeats moer quietly, "The Queen would do better to find another heir-apparent." Her words alone could be a slip of knowledge that Rennar has been holding back; a vision she might have had about the Queen but could not say. "As for master Kael... I do not know what to say. I hold no love for the man for his trickery."

Demonder's eyes close while he intakes a breath. While Rennar sits there will little emotion, it is Demonder that is showing strain on his features. "And he was just here not long ago. He had not said a word otherwise." Demonder had not even asked Kael, the two having spent a few nights in the pubs drinking. "Why would he lie to you like that?"

"Perhaps he has been wrapped about her finger, as some of the Dark are able to do?" Rennar suggests, shrugging her shoulders, "I do not know the man, nor his intentions. I am sorry Demonder, but I have no words to ease your quesitons or your feelings upon the matter. He is not a man that I normally deal with, so whether or not he lied to me is of no consequence - to me."

"Of course, Renni." Demonder does not hint at pulling away from Rennar physically, though his voice would speak as much. "At least we have assurances that she may not come near you, not without being arrested." There's a hint of relief in that. "How was The Prince? Did he seem concerned?"

There is some hesitation before Rennar answers, "He seemed fine.... and as concerned as he ought to be I suppose." She speaks nothing more on that particular subject however. Rennar stands and rises from her seat on the swing, sighing and stretching a bit. "The hour is early yet, but I think it might be a night for me to turn in early. I have not been feeling well of late."

"I could understand." Demonder proves to be learning how to live with his still fairly new wife. "Mind if I practise with the axe for the evening and take a bath before joining you?" he asks quietly, believing she might appreciate the time to herself, and be more vulnerable to his warm touch when near-sleep.

Even so, attempts at imtimacy will likely fail, as the have been time and again. A matter of controversy between them no doubt. "Not at all." And, indeed, there is some relief on her features. Rennar manages a faint smile, then moves toward the House. For being a 'loving' wife, she has yet to show it in more important matters; yet perhaps it is that fear of what will happen to her if such intimacy occurs. Her mother did die in childbirth, afterall.

Demonder sighs heavily once Rennar is out of view and within the manor. He moves off the swing, taking the axe from the ground. With that, he heads toward a stretch of space to practise his frustrations away.