Getting to know the family

Featuring: Lady Isold,Lady Dolores,Dracoquis and Duncan  

Lady Isold

She had promised to see Duncan again and she was not one to let a fawnling down her tummy was doing somersaults as she had laid with Ciardair this year and was in fawn again but it was just the beginning so a bit early for anything else. She had both fawns with her again as she saw how much he liked them last time. She made her way through the glade to where his messenger had informed her to go and there he was she hoped he had not been there too long she had left as soon as the messenger had told her where to go so she should be on time “Afternoon Nephew we are here I did promise to meet you again if you wanted. What would you like to know from me? A beginners magic lesson maybe?”

Lord Duncan

The Scarred Lord smiled at his Aunt. Upon hearing that she was here again, Duncan had ordered the servants to prepare the pergola patio with beds of moss and bowls of flavored sweet water and fruits. This was pleasant, as he had rare few guests let alone returned family.

He shook his head, ”Not necessary, as I have mastered my studies, and I will be in charge of Asher's studies when he is of age.”

”What I do desire is that what was denied me--history,” he replied. ”I would like to know how my family has been these past seasons, those born and lost, and, if time permits, to know if my grandparents.”

Some might call his request overly ambitious, but he desperately wanted to fill the empty branches of his newly rediscovered family tree. Lady Isold was just as passionate if not more than Duncan himself when it came to their shared blood, so he figured there was none better to ask such a monumental request. He dipped his head to her, showing he was attentive.

Isold

She looked round it was very impressive “I can see that now maybe you could teach me a thing or to one day” she smiled “I will happily tell you all the family members that I know of and explain the situation as best as I can” she said.

Draco

“Hello cusin” Draco bounded towards him proudly “I two now” he said with a flick of his tail then stood proud “Look I got strong ye”. He liked his cousin a lot.

Isold

She watched her colt “Settle down Draco I am here to talk to Duncan” the colt lay down as told and settled Dolores was still by Isold at this time Isold made herself comfortable as this was going to take a while “Actually Draco go over there it's an adult chat” He got up and trotted off to a different part of the glade. “I will start with my mother your grandmother and your grandfather”she paused your grandfather is Lord Harren I unfortunately know little about him other than he is a Lord” She then looked down slightly “Then there is Lady Mór during the year 759 she joined Huisha a commoner” she told him “The year later she had a fawn with him she is an odd little thing white with hardly and colour a few brown spots think you know what I am on about” she sighed “I cut my ties with her in 760 when the fawn was born I hear she has had another fawn but I do not know for sure” she said sadly.

“My oldest sister is Yalva who is mated with Lord Calhoun she has had two fawns with him Lord Knox and Lady Yvara” She informed him “Knox has a lot of children will go into them in a moment” she took a strawberry and ate it “mmmm” she still loved those things. She passed one to Dolores. “Next is myself I have these two and hopefully another fawn soon with Ciardair” she paused “Last of your aunts is Lady Asta mated to Rafe currently with two sons Prince Ryn and Prince Rangachar” she began to tuck into the buffet that had been laid out

Lord Duncan    

Duncan sipped delicately from his bowl as she spoke, eyes going from her to her children. He felt a certain pride at how they were growing although they weren’t his fawns. He guessed it was fine to be proud of cousins. He raised his head and nodded at the litany of names and occurances.

When she paused, he added, ”I spoke with Lady Mor some time ago. Sought magic lessons from her, but she was sadly unable to take on more pupils. Father had...warned me about associating with her, but I saw no harm in it.”

The Scarred Lord smiled again, seeing his Aunt enjoying the bounty of his work then continued. ”I knew not that we had so much family entwined with such noble families. I am still in somewhat of a shock to find that Lord Knox and I are related by marriage. Now, imagine my shock to learn that we are now related to the King-! All this was kept from me, but I am sure it was not out of malice.”

His gaze went to the yard where, beyond some bushes, Lord Solomon slept. ”Father had not the capacity for intentional malice.”

His mind filled with the charred body of a lame servant doe. He shook his head, turning his attention back to his Aunt.

”Anything malicious was purely by accident. Neglect. A conscious disregard for the concerns of others,” he said quietly. Then, ”We all have our flaws and the best we can do is consciously seek not to repeat those of our forebears. But, please, continue.”

 Isold

She smiled “Your father from a young age liked to keep to himself but if I was ill he would always show his face with strawberries to cheer me up” she said “Maybe it is because all our fathers never stayed around I never knew mine for example” She had to think for a moment “My mother is an excellent teacher of magic she taught me a bit or two before she joined the commoner”.

“Ok well Knox’s children are Lord Nullan, Lady Willow, Lady Ceren, Lord Zaden, Lord Cassius, Duke Branko, Duke Lacan, Lady Lucina, Lady Lorelei, Lady Cairan, Lady Elletta, Lord Orrick, Lord Killian, Lord Saranno, Lord Cyron, Lord Ashcroft, Duke Kabir, Lady Tatia, Lady Zai, Lord Glenn and Lord Artorius” She finally listed all his fawns “He loves his children all dearly and we are close at times” she said and paused again. “Then there is my first cousins once removed your second cousins once removed Lord Rhydderch and Lord Annar”.

“I am not sure what they would be to you my second cousins are the exiled Rhydian, Lord O’Hara, Count Darcy, Officer Requimal, Lady Tabris, Lord Ciadair which I only discovered after joining him plus I do not think Theon would have let another stag have me” she looked sad thinking about him “Lord Calmadair who is another good herb and magic teacher if you need one, Princess Adalia and Lady Ysbal” She paused again “Then there are their children which I am still figuring out how we are related but I know we are as far as I know Lord Annar has three children Princess Adalyn, Princess Lucille and Princess Selene” She chuckled slightly “so not only am I joined to Ciardair I am also related to his other children this applies for you too somehow” she smiled “I met Lady Mikaia daughter of Ysbal a while ago she has a brother Duke Zorion” She told him “Also since Darcy has become a duke he is a father his son is Damien”

“Our family is big and vast and ever growing we are descendants of King Griorgair which we should be proud of at all times” She looked at him “I have a feeling you want a family? You either need to find someone who will lose a fight to you to show off your valour a friend maybe” She suggested “One tip I have learned I have really enjoyed the attention I get Ciardair visits all his ladies when they are in the glade very day not something I would ever expect” She smiled “Of course he spends a bit longer with his princess I do not know quite how he does it sometimes I feel a little spoiled but it is rather nice something to think about doing your self maybe I would offer more advice but I do not want to offend and we have only met I do not want to damage what we have”. Isold suddenly burst out laughing

Dolores

Her mother was saying a lot of stuff to this stag it sounded like a story to her she wanted to get into a better position to here whilst her mother was distracted she moved forward slowly. The stag looked scary to her but she really wanted to hear this story she snuck past her mother's head and she then sat next to this stag tilting her head slightly one way then the other trying to make out what her mother was saying eventually Isold stopped and had spotted her and started laughing at her she bleated in response as a come on I want to hear more mama. The stag was now looking at her she froze her big eyes looking at him.

Lord Duncan

The stag tilted his head towards the small filly. ”Curious, are you? Come,” he smiled, straightening his front legs. ”Lay on my legs and listen to our history. You, like your mother, are keepers of such knowledge, it seems, and rightly so! From our does come noble stags and genteel princesses.”

Duncan caught himself and looked to his Aunt, ”If it is not against your wishes that she--and, yes, indeed, Draco, too--sit and listen to this-? This conversation happens because I was not told such things at their age. I think it prudent to begin them young with such...threads of pride.”

He smiled down to the filly. He hoped for daughters of his own as well as sons. More so daughters now; Asher had fulfilled his want of a son and having too many sons might cause animosity about inheritance. Maybe not, he reminded himself. None of his other brothers had challenged him for the Glade, and, if he raised other sons with a firm hoof and a level head, they should have no reason to argue. But, still, a small, pale daughter with big eyes full of curiosity and awe-!

The Scarred Lord turned his attention back to Lady Isold. Permission was required and would be respected.

Isold

Now she felt like she could say what she was going to “You would look handsome with a short mane in my opinion” She then paused “Well I have told you everything I know though my teachings Great uncle Hrothgar your great great uncle and his children are first cousins once removed for me so twice removed for you I think I do not know many of his children as I do not have much contact with him”

“You great great grand parents and great grand parents died long ago, the great great grandparents where Lady Gweneth and  Lord Earnán, the great grand parents where Lady Káit and King Griorgair that is how closely related to that king we are” she smiled as she watched her doughter.

“No she can listed if you want to be bombarded by you never said about them mum and who is that mum” She chuckled “That is what he would do when he is older and less inquisitive I will teach him this little one thinks we are telling a story “ she said motioning at Dolores

Dolores

She blinked he invited her closer she was not sure her daddy might wonder why she smelled of another stag “I no wan” she paused she could barely say a thing it was annoying to her “You trubble” she finally said.

Isold listened and understood her fawn “She is worried Ciardair may get mad with you if she smells of you” she looked at her daughter “It is alright he is family Daddy won't hurt him, he won't hurt you” she said softly to the filly.

After hearing her mum she moved to in between his legs she sniffed his big head carefully not wanting to touch his nose he did smell like her mother slightly but different. Once she finished her investigation she turned back to her mother.

“She is a year old now still sticks with me I feel as I may see her for the rest of my days which makes me quite happy” Isold said her daughter smiled back at her as if to say oh yes you not gonna get rid of me

Lord Duncan       

”She’s well on her way to becoming a proper princess,” Duncan smiled. ”So young and already sensitive to propriety-! Sign of good guidance.”

This made the Scarred Lord pause a moment to gather his thoughts. He had thought of so many questions to ask his Aunt next he saw her, but, now, as it always went, those queries fled from the light. It was probably for the best. It’d do no good to use up all topics of conversation in only their second visit, and, honestly, with such a litany of relatives, he was slightly overwhelmed. He’d gone from no family to, basically, no pun intended, a herd!

He chuckled softly, ”So many relatives-! And, to it, I add my handsome son, Asher, and, Gods willing, a beautiful daughter. As I’ve only one mate currently, I haven’t hoped for any more. My Rue is getting on in age, and I don’t wish put needless strain upon her body.”

This last part was said levelly, but, inwardly, Duncan felt a pang of sadness. Yes, Rue was older than he, and that meant he would lose her before he was an old stag. Although their relationship had settled into a comfortable mellowness, he still felt strongly about her, though he wondered if it was love still or possession. He dismissed the thought.

Isold

She looked surprised “You have a son? Yes please do not get like Lord Knox where I loose track though if that is what you wished may Óganach bless you with many more if you obtain some more ladies which I hope you will” she said with a smile “Oh yes she is very much a proper Lady” she said “Is there anything you wish to ask before we leave?” she smiled slightly “I know I have one request but it is similar to before that we keep in touch nephew even if our meetings become more sparse”

Lord Duncan    

The stag shook his head with a smile. ”No more questions for now, but, yes, I have a new colt. Born this past summer, actually, so still attached to his mother’s side. I will most definitely keep you updated on my small little herd as it, Gods willing, grows.”

Duncan gave the little filly on his legs a quick nuzzle between her ears before urging her to stand then standing himself. ”And, most definitely, the lines of communication will remain open even if these visits become fewer--which I pray they do not. I have found these past two quite delightful!”

He nodded as a servant approached with a leaf-and-vine basket of tasty fruit and a vessel of wine. ”Here. I thought you might like something for when you’re not here. The vintage is one of my Father’s last. I bottled it but just a few days ago. I hope you enjoy it.”

He dipped his head respectfully to his Aunt.

Isold

She smiled at his words and then stood when he did becoming her son to come closer as they were to leave “I hope I get to see him some time” she said with a smile “I will try to keep in touch maybe visit once in awhile to show you how they have grown I hope Draco will become as tall as you and good in the guard” she said “To also introduce my new fawn when it appears she motioned to her belly which was still quite slim at the moment we hope for a colt this year” she said with a smile.

“Oh yes he was good with wine I am sure Ciardair will enjoy this I will open it some time next year I won't whist in fawn” she smiled “I was lovely to see you again I am pleased I could pass on my knowledge I just hope I do not have to give you to many fawn names next year sired but Knox busy boy” she chuckled thinking about him she thought I really should pay him a visit soon. She dipped her head she made sure her fawns did the same

Duncan

Once again, the Lord of Solomon’s Glade watched his Aunt go. He was still a touch wary of her intentions, but, right now, her visit was appreciated and pleasant. He would have to return the gesture as soon as Asher was old enough to behave. Until then…

Duncan turned and headed towards Rue’s bower. She might be sleeping with their son by her side. Even if she was, he’d lay beside them and speak softly the names he’d learned this day so his son would know their proud lineage and never feel alone or alien in Glenmore.

And he would have Lady Isold, his Great-Aunt, to thank for this gift.