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.

Today is Fiveday, 25 Maighdal, 998 NE. It is a Summer afternoon.

Demonder pulls open the gate and comes in from the path.

On this summer afternoon, Lord Demonder is returning through the gateways on his infrequently used horse. Its not really clear where he had been, though judging by his rather messy appearance, he could have been training in the palace with horses. As he moves through the gates, he dismounts the horse and takes it within the stables himself. Some moments later he reappears.

The young Lady Hune can be seen sitting in her usual spot, reading over some selection or another from the library found within the Manor. She does not notice Demonder right away, some of the newer Hune Guards haven taking turns riding about the perimeters, and off into the city, for most of the day for some reason or another.

Demonder passes through a few of those guards, some of which he likely would have hired, as he heads to Rennar. She would be the easier one to find, of course, in her usual spot this time of day. "My beautiful wife..." Demonder manages to speak rather vocally while still several steps away.

A smile comes to Rennar's lips almost immediately at Demonder's words. Interest no longer within the book, she closes it, then raises her eyes to glance at the man who called to her, "My wonderful husband..." She comments, nodding her head in a graceful fashion.

"Wonderful? I must have done something right thus far in the marriage," Demonder observes with half amused look as he closes the distance between them. It is a good thing she lost interest in the book, since Demonder will impose himself anyhow he pleases (it would seem), bending down enough to reach bellow Rennar's arm and around, and lifting her up from the comforts of her seated position. Needless to say her feet tangle as he holds her above his head while supporting her with one arm just bellow her buttocks and the other around her shoulders.

There is a shriek of surprise as Demonder lifts her high into the air, and uncertainty fills her. "Umm... Demonder... perhaps it would be best if you would put me back on the ground, where my feet belong?" There might even be a touch of nervousness to her voice.

The frown is dramatically placed on his lips, as he tilts his head and looks up to his wife for once. "Your feet do not always belong on the ground," he notes in another amused observation, though indeed he does place her down and loosen the embrace.

"They do." Rennar protests at the Lord. "Especially where outside eyes could witness." She chides him in a light voice, tickling him under the chin. She steps back from him, taking in his appearance, "And what were you off doing this afternoon?"

Demonder leands forward, his own fingers coming to her chin as he whispers. "But in the privacy of our bedroom, your feet may very well point to the ceiling." There's that clear hope that this will cause his wife to blush, though he does only now begin to realize she rarely catches on to his jokes. And even less considered the hidden topic of of his joke. Standing more straight, he simply shrugs. "I thought I would take Gi'tai on a ride to the palace and meet up with a few former House Roesone guards."

Oh, his words do cause her to blush, and pull away a bit more even, as he cheeks grow beet red. Rennar turns away from Demonder, to hide her embarrassed reaction - not something she would have wanted any of the servants to have heard - even if they joke about such matters to her themselves, on rare occassions. "Was your ride nice?" She asks, occupying her hands with her book as she leans to pick it up.

"I looked forward to seeing my beautiful wife." Unlike his usual amusement, there is complete honesty in his words. Not allowing her to get away that easily, he does take a step closer as she steps away. "I do not ride too well, the practise was well needed. Though my choice of weapons is not all that appealing on top of the horse with all the weight-shifts," he shrugs then, eyes watching Rennar intently. "Perhaps Genette still has something from lunch?" There's a hopeful tone in his voice.

"Likely she has set something aside for you, since you were not at lunch." Rennar states in a quiet voice, gaining control over her bodily functions for now at least. "She'll probably scold you for not being on time...." Her tone seems almost light-hearted at that, a fondness for Genette exhuded from Rennar.

Demonder smiles warmly at the thought of being scoulded. "It has been some years since I've received such regular scoulding of when and what I ate," he notes. "My parents would insist on scoulding me early in my teen years, though eventually gave up hope. I feel there is still some scoulding I'll require making-up for all the years lost." Demonder digs into his pocket all too obviously, trying to find something or another.

Rennar chuckles lightly, finally turning around to regard Demonder. The redness from her cheeks is gone. "Well, I'm certain she'll try to be the mother you never had. I trust her, with my very life and soul. She was a great help when my own mother passed on." While there is a sadness in her voice, it does not overtake her entire body. She lifts a brow gently as she watches Demonder fish for something.

Demonder ponders for a few more dramatic moments, grinning at Rennar's words. "I do not think Genette will think kindly for me to suggest it should be any other way," he notes in a rather amused tone. Demonder tries his other pocket, fishing through whatevre might be within and then shakes his head. Yet another, this time within his cloak. His eyes go a touch wide, the grin not departing his lips. "I got something for you." And before there's a reaction, he pulls out a small velvet jewelry box, though too big for a ring. He hands it to Rennar. "It... I..." Demonder shrugs. "I wanted to get you something." He states that with a certainty, insuring there would be no complaints. Or at least trying to insure that.

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

Aeliss climbs the stairs to the main door and enters the house.

A touch of surprise comes to Rennar's eyes as she eyes the box which Demonder holds. "You didn't have to get me anything Demonder..." She lets her voice trail off quietly, not yet taking the box. She glances from Demonder to the tiny object within his hands, almost looking perplexed.

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

Today is Fiveday, 25 Maighdal, 998 NE. It is a Summer evening.

You were born on Oneday, 25 Maighdal, 975 and are 23 years old.

Demonder tilts his head a touch, smile not fading as he urges the box toward Rennar. "It is your birthday, after-all," he states simply. "And I doubt you would hurt my feelings by not accepting a birthday present." Demonder's voice is rich with amusement, his smile thick. "Would you?"

"My bir-..." Rennar starts to speak, that surprise growing. With everything that has been going on within her life of late, she completely missed her birthing day. With widened eyes, she reaches out to take the tiny box presented to her my Demonder. Very carefully, she opens the lid to look at the gift.

Exiting Tiras Lorn, Aeliss makes her way down the stairs of the Manor House, a slightly absent expression upon her face. She glides gracefully across the lawn, clutching what appears to be a letter to her breast, periodically heaving great, forlorn sighs. Not noticing Rennar and Demonder, she flings herself down underneath a tree, spreading her skirts about her, and heaves another of the dramatic sighs, and then a murmur under her breath.

Aeliss sits down at Southeast Garden Bench.

The rather unobservant lord continues to watch Rennar as she begins to open the gift. Demonder tilts his head further. "The horses aided in the journey to find the perfect gift that would capture your beauty," he notes, eyes focusing on Rennar.

"I thought you rode to the Palace?" Rennar speaks in a quiet voice, looking up at Demonder before finishing. As she does so, she spies Aeliss flopping herself upon the ground. Concern touches her eyes, and she forgets the small box temporarily as her own concern takes over. "Is there something wrong, Aeliss?" She inquires, hands wrapping themselves around the small fixture.

At hearing the voice, Aeliss turns quickly in its direction, peering through the gathering darkness to make out her Patroness and the Lord Demonder. If it were not dusk, a blush would be apparent upon her cheeks. "Thank you, my Lady, for looking out after my welfare." A faint smile can be heard in her musical and rich voice. "However, I am fine, my Lady. I was simply out to get a breath of fresh air this night."

"There too," Demonder responds to Rennar's question of the palace. Turning his attentions to Aeliss, he smiles lightly in greeting. "My favorite House Hune bard," he notes with a smile.

That concern does remain as Rennar regards Aeliss. "It is a nice evening..." She comments, looking up at the clear sky. A warm smile touches her lips, "Nice and clear, to see the stars by." She nods her head to herself, pleased with that. At Demonder's words, she smiles gently, then turns her attention to the gift, finally getting the complete cover open. "I had not known you picked favorites amonst the House partisans."

Aeliss makes a little bow while she is seated, to the both of you, inclining her head to Demonder, "My Lord...."

The night sky above looks like a velvety black cloak set with chips of diamonds. Aside from those twinkling stars, the night is utterly dark, with not even the tiniest sliver of the moon in sight.

"Why of course, Renni," Demonder states clearly to her observation. "Genette is my favorite cook, after-all. And that young lanky fellow my favorite stable-boy for he gives the horses all the attention..."

A patch of sky to the southwest begins to lighten. What at first might be dismissed as imagination clearly proves itself truth as the light patch quickly grows in size until the sky to the south of the city takes on the pale white colour of false dawn.

Smiling pleasantly at Demonder's discourse, Aeliss begins to reply, "My Lady, the Lo----" and breaks off, rising to her feet at the brightening sky. "What under the -Light-?" she murmurs, wonderingly.

Rennar's eyes widen brightly, her gift once again forgotten. "Oh my.... I've never seen the sky do something like that before...." Rennar is known to go outside and watch the stars quiet frequently, just to think.

The sky to the south grows ever brighter, and now a center to the brightness can be made out. First the size of a coin, it grows as it moves closer, now the size of a fist, then a dinner plate, and now too bright to stare at directly for very long.

The strange sun continues its journey to the northeast, leaving behind a trail of vivid green light. It leaves in its wake hundreds of burning sparks, shards of emerald fire that fall towards the ground, so bright in intensity that it hurts the eye to look at them for long.

Demonder instictively takes his arm around Rennar, protectively moving her within his embrace as though he could very well protect her from whatever that may be with the raising of his hand. "I think inside would be good..." he comments in a murmer that is all too helpless to something within the sky that clearly shouldn't be there. Demonder reaches down for Aeliss. "Come on..." Fear will settle in soon, but for now Demonder goes numb by the sight of it.

Aeliss hurriedly rushes over to the two of you, shielding her eyes with her arm against the light. "Where?" She says, sounding frightened.

Rennar winces at the green light, it hurting her eyes - yet at the same time she seems mezmerized by the scene before her. "Inside...? I want to stay and watch... It's not often one sees a meteor shower."

Aeliss glances at Rennar, "Meteor shower? My Lady, this rivals any such I have ever seen. I have never seen its like!" She exclaims, excitedly.

"Meteor shower?" Demonder exclaims. "If that's a meteor shower I'll insure to swollow a cow next time for dinner." Demonder continues to pull Rennar and Aeliss toward the house though it does become evident that whatever dangers they had are fading away.

The falling star fades from view much as it arrived, its bright center diminishing in size until it can't be distinguished from the light it creates in the sky to the northeast. That light swiftly fades from consuming half the sky, to a small patch, to a mere memory. The night regains some of its velvety blackness, although a thousand tiny flames flicker as they fall from the sky, remnants of the passage of the strange celestial body.

Aeliss shakes her head, and disentangles herself from Demonder's grasp. "I want to watch..." She points to the sky, appearing, much like her Patroness, mesmerized. "It is fading..."

"See....?" Rennar exclaims, "It wasn't all as bad as that. It's over." She gently takes her arm from Demonder's grasp, smoothing over the skirts of her dress, "Now then, I really do want to see what my gift is." She turns her mind back to other events. SHe looks down at the now open box.

Demonder nods very slowly at that, in one of those 'sure, okay, that's all it was' sort of sarcastic ways. But he does stop urging them away, as they do seem breathing still. "That was fairly big," he comments slowly.

Rennar's eyes light up in delight as she finally gets a chance to spy the gift. "Demonder, it's beautiful...." Upon her hand she dangles a gold chain made from locks that seem to weave together and through in a spiral form, it serves as an interesting chain for the charm that it holds. A simple design, the charm hangs a little down from a loop that holds it to the chain, the gold continuing to the thick circle bellow. At center of the circular charm is a diamond that has been professionally fitted in, as the tip and corners barely touch upon the diamond though manage to hold it in place.

Aeliss moves away from the two, smiling faintly, excusing herself and looking faintly abashed. "I am sorry to have intruded by my silly fear. The danger is now over. I shall leave you two...and take a walk." She smiles pleasantly and turns, gracefully walking toward the gates.

Aeliss pushes open the heavy gate and leaves the courtyard.

Demonder tries to hide the fact that he's rather pleased with himself at the moment. "There is nothing I wouldn't do for you, my love." Its not certain what that has to do with the gift, but his eyes look to Rennar with the warmth and affection of a man deeply in love. "Do you want me to put it on for you?"

There is a warm smile that is upon Rennar's features. In her quiet moment with Demonder, she barely notices that Aeliss has left, "Yes, please..." She hands the necklace over to Demonder.

Demonder takes the necklace and moves behind Rennar. Carefully bringing it over her head, he allows the coolness of the gold touch upon her skin before he clamps it behind her with ease. Once his hands are free, he wraps both about her waist, and brings her in close for the embrace.

"Thank you..." Rennar murmurs quietly, snuggling herself into Demonder's embrace. "For the lovely gift, and for remembering my birthday...." Her voice trails away quietly.

Demonder holds Rennar deeper within his embrace until he steps away enough to turn her so that she now faces him. The ball flying across the sky is almost forgotten. "Well, get used to it," he states in a voice that hints on sarcastic. "I am your husband now." There's a brief pause. His fingers trail across her neck and to the diamond that now hangs around it. "Perhaps on your birthday I may convince you to travel away toward that spot outside Caemlyn that you showed me not too long ago?"

Rennar steps back lightly from the embrace, "I do not think it would be wise to travel outside of the city this night. Some may think the event this evening will bring about the end of the world, and I'd much rather not be out in that mess." Likely, she would refuse anyway - still having not left the Manor except for that time when they got married.

Demonder had all but forgotten about the event, of course. And now that it is brought to a reality again, he simply shakes his head. "Perhaps I should know better. If instant death were to come to us all, we'd know about it." There's a friendly smile to his expression. "I shall increase the guard duty for tonight in case a few feel they can pillage a noble house since the world will end anyway."

"I do not believe falling stars constitutes as the world's end. It happens, from time to time, from what I've read." Rennar smirks faintly, watching Demonder in a quiet way.

Demonder shrugs a shoulder either way. "Not a matter of my schooling. A walk in the gardens or a walk within the manor?" he offers both options to Rennar as he lifts his arm to provide escort. "Lord Turail has not come to see you yet? The news Aeliss provided..." his voice trails.

Rennar shakes her head quietly, "I am still waiting on word from him." She comments lightly, "He may not wish to speak to me, if he's heard about Lord Daric staying here."

"I have no doubt he has already." Demonder shakes his head. "Lord Daric did return to the Roesone manor, after-all. Though I'm sure whatever dislike he had for Daric staying here, it will be twice that for the man staying within the Roesone estates." Watching Rennar, Demonder shrugs a touch. "It may be worthwhile for me to speak with him first, though I doubt it will change anything. Lord Turail will deal with what he must."

"It was my actions alone that are to be judged. I'd prefer you not speak on my behalf. If there's any atoning to do, I'll do that part on my own, since I would have created the potential mess." Rennar's voice seems rather firm on that issue.

There seems to be no questioning within Demonder when Rennar makes her decision on the manner. He does firm up a touch, shoulders going broader as his facial expressions go tighter. "As you wish." On noble issues, Demonder is clearly lower ranked, and that's the impression one would get by his sudden change.

Now Rennar's mood seems to fall, particularly when she observes Demonder's change. She pulls away from his arms, and moves more toward the 'bush' section of the gardens. "Must you always do that?"

Demonder follows after a brief pause, shaking his head slowly. "Do what?" He likely truly doesn't know what, his voice coming from a few steps behind.

"Act as though you were nothing more than a mere servant, rather than my equal." Rennar murmurs quietly, still walking away from Demonder. While she remains calm for the most part, she seems saddened.

"I..." Demonder begins and stops quickly, his steps slowly for a brief moment before picking up in speed. "I am not your servant." Demonder pauses again. "I don't want to interfere in the running of your House. I am not your equal, however. In our relationship, yes. With the concerns of House Hune, no."

There is a frown within Rennar's voice, "Then, I take it you do not see yourself fit for the position that I hav egiven you within the High Court? Only those close to me in stature within the House are appointed such positions. I can give it to another if you feel inadequate and overwhelmed by such an undertaking." Her tone may suggest she thinks that perhaps she was wrong about Demonder

Aeliss pulls open the gate and comes in from the path.

In what seems mere moments after the sky returned to blackness, a tremendous light flashes far, far to the northeast, as if all the candles of the world were lit at once, but only for the fraction of time it takes a heart to beat once.

Demonder is some paces behind Rennar as they walk into the bush of the gardens further. There voices may trail across the courtyard, as Demonder makes no effort to whisper. "No, that is not what that means." Demonder's words are fairly firm. "Close to you in stature does not mean at your stature." Hints of anger transfer into his voice.

"Nor does it mean that you are some lowly begger who's nobility is just barely recognized." Rennar retorts, whirling about just as the flash of light hits. She ignores it, attention more firmly on Demonder. "You are my husband." Her words are firm once more, "With full rights and priveledges of being such, including titles."

Almost in conjunction with the flash, a soft breeze wafts through the air. It carries with it the faint scent of smoke that tickles at the nose. The smell of smoke seems to be coming from the east, from the farmlands outside the gate there.

The breeze picks up, and the smell of smoke becomes stronger, a mixture of the acrid scent of burning wood and grass, and the pungent odor of singed flesh. It still comes from the east.

The world might as well be crumbling around them, and Demonder and Rennar continue their 'discussion.' "I am your husband, and I am of titles and strength. No, I'm not the minor lord I was." There, so at least he agrees with here there. "But you said it yourself, you do not wish me to speak for you on the decisions you made. Which is all I was reacting too."

"Was it?" Rennar counters with those two simple words, eyes regarding him quietly as she stands there and waits for his response.

Now the smoke can be seen as well as smelled, thin tendrils of gray drifting over the walls of the city. It comes from all directions, but the highest concentration seems to be coming from the fields outside the city's eastern gate.

A faint reddish-orange glow rises up above the city walls, particularly noticeable to the east. Faint sounds of panicked voices and screaming carry from that direction, as well.

"Fine!" Demonder seems to make some conclusion, and omits to respond to her question. The lord takes a few more steps closer to Rennar, and returns the glare of hers. "But if you truly wish me to feel equal, that would mean consultation in important decisions that are made, assuming enough time. That would mean my opinions will be heard and considered. And that if I strongly disagree with something that you do, you will strongly consider not doing it. That would be equal. Or at least as near to it as I can settle on."

There is a calm air about Rennar as she regards Demonder. There is also a note of challenge to her voice as she watches him. "Since we have been married, what important decision have I left you from?"

Rennar adds, "What have I not consulted you in?"

"None." Demonder decides that rather quickly. "But for deciding upon who and whom I won't speak to about what." He adds that as an after-thought. "And I respect your decision," he continues quickly. "It would be better if I not speak for your decisions. But..." well, how is he going to tell her it was the tone of voice that hurt him?

"I consider this something that was done before we were married and something I need to clean up myself. I am sorry if you feel left out of it, but I'd rather not your own House look down upon you for mistakes I made all on my own, without your consultation." Rennar speaks calmly, her voice almost pleading with him. She slumps upon one of the stone benches, almost as if simply giving up. "Do what you feel you must..." ANd then she does.

"Mistakes?" That is really the only word that Demonder manages to catch firmly within his mind. Not that he doesn't hear the rest, just that seems to take him by most surprise. Did she just admit to a mistake, or was she being general in her observations. Demonder takes a step closer, very slowly making up the ground between them. "You should speak to Lord Turail," he agrees. "And I will be there." His voice is more rightful in tone.

The smell of smoke is inescapable, and enough of it now drifts through the air to drive many people to coughing. An orangey-red glow can now be seen to the east, and the glow outside the western walls of the city has grown in size and brightness.

The young noble woman admits that she has flaws - and she's well aware of them. Rennar nods her head lightly, murmuring in her gentle voice, "I wanted you there with me when I met with Turail... just not speaking my mind for me."