Thedor 20, 229: Pawn in a Game

Pawn in a Game
Summary: Brief conversation between Eldwin and Ciarrah
OOC Date: 20 January 2014
Related: Stewert vs Kilgour
Players:
Eldwin Ciarrah 
Ciarrah's Tower in Belcrest, Laniveer
A tower towards the top of the keep.
Thedor 20, 229

Dressed in fine livery of blue and gold, white trimmings as well. His crown gleaming in the light that pours from the window. "Princess. How fare you today?" From behind his back he holds out two drawings of her children. Bidding the handmaiden he sent her come near he gives them to her so she may hand them to Ciarrah. After he says, "Janey. You are dismissed." The girl nods and leaves, another entering in her place. "You can understand if I do not allow you to grow a close relationship with any of the lady's." He says, mock sadness in his voice.

-

Ciarrah had been seated at the window seat, looking out at the sights Laniveer, Belcrest has to offer. She is wearing the Aberdeen colors she was given as her other dress is being cleaned. Her hair is neatly braided down her back and she has the portraits on her lap. At his arrival, she stands, scooping her paintings into her hand as to offer a curtsy to her Uncle. "I understand, Uncles." There is no mock sadness in her own voice, it truly echoes with the sadness she feels. Lifting her eyes to his as she straightens, she does not watch the maid leave, nor the new one arrive. "I am well, thank you."

-

The newest girl moves to the edge of the room, sitting quietly and folding her hands in her lap. Truly the girl is incredibly far away as the top of the tower is quite large. "As well as you can be I am sure." His eyes scan left and right, pondering his next words, that ever present smile apparent on his lips. With a slow gait he walks to a window. "I am not happy that you are here under these circumstances." He says, his words ringing with sincerity? "But it is necessary… I'd heard you gave Elisen a thorough trouncing for his efforts." He turns with a wry smile "Of that I was not surprised. Much like your mother you seem to be."

-

Still, Ciarrah does not bother with the new handmaid, for she is certain she will not have time to get to know her either. A barrage of strangers through her life in a strange world. "Yes, Uncle. As well as I can be in the circumstances." She holds the portraits possessively, almost as a shield, protecting her from the pain of missing her newborn sons. "Necessary to whom? What do you hope to gain by keeping me? There is little that can be done other than getting your daughter back. I am not indispensable. They can simply say I have been in enemy territory too long and leave me here as too tainted to be the Queen. It would not be overreaching to do so, and I would fully expect it of them if this continues. Then they will simply kill your daughter and her guard and maid."

-

"What do I hope to gain?" He pauses, a questioning look, "Why, my own daughter of course as you said. And do not think for a moment that Issac or Callem would say that you are so easily disposed of, or that you were tainted." Now his smile fades, ever so slightly. "I'd thought I'd warned you of threats and speaking of murder? Did I not? Hymmm, I seem to recall that I did. Do not be so quick to assume anyone's death. Rowena's would not bode well for you niece. No one need senselessly die. that would be the Kilgours doing if it were to happen. Not mine. This will continue so long as Callem wishes it to." He tsk tsks now. "Why don't you pen a letter, when next the birds fly I will see it sent. I would not rob you of any correspondence with your husband. Or your father or mother." The girl in the corner casts a sideways glance to Ciarrah now.

-

"I will write." Ciarrah says matter of factly. She lifts her chin to regard him for a long moment before speaking again. "Your daughter, my cousin, I wish nothing ill of her. I love Rowena as I once loved Elisen. I cannot love him any longer for what he has done. And you.. how can I respect you when you would do the same to me as is being done to your daughter? And me your niece? Uncles are supposed to protect their nieces. I could understand you taking someone in trade, but not your own family."

-

"Oh. do not blame Elisen. He was left with little choice. WE all see things differently. While he may not have done things in a fashion you would have he did what /he/ deemed necessary." He rolls his eyes at her now, a most unregal thing to do in this situation, but it slips. "How can you respect me for doing the same to you that is being done to my daughter? So, you admit you do not respect Callem or your husband? For they are the ones who acted in this way first. And now you see fit to tell me that you have no respect for me for reciprocating the gesture?" His head tils as he waits for an answer.

-

"They are not related to Rowena. They saw it as a political move. You do it to your family. Simply because I trusted you, Uncle Eldwin. I trusted Elisen. All I want is to go home with my family. That is all I ask. They agreed to the trade, yet here I am. Why am I not home yet when they have offered?" She only guesses they have agreed, she is bluffing, she has no knowledge if they truly had, but she looks confident. "I love you, Eldwin.. I wish nothing more than for you to gather me in your arms as you did when I was a child, and reassure me things will be fine. Yet you wish to punish me instead. Make no mistake, for in punishing them, you punish me, and you expect me to forgive you?" Ciarrah looks back down at the portraits as a single tear escapes. "And my sons.. they are punished as well."

-

Eldwin waves a hand at her first comment. "Everyone on the continent is related somehow. Do not mistake yourself, this is a political move." He smiles, "I would not give you lessons in these things but when you place anything before the goal of your intentions you hinder yourself, and you give your opponent an edge." Now he indulges her a bit more information, though to what end is anybody's guess. "Sweet Ciarrah. They have not agreed. Your father in law said that no trade would be offered unless we spoke in person. Certain precautions will be made to ensure both our safety when such a thing happens. Do be patient. I do not know why he needs so badly to see me but I must assume it is to do me harm. Or at least prepare for that possibility." He cants his head to the side again. "Niece, when did I ask you forgiveness?" His words cold and accusational.

-

He was trying to break her down. Whether Ciarrah allowed it to work or not, she does not let on either way. She remains silent for a long while, as she listens to him speaking to her. The reassurance that they had not agreed to the trade is like a death knell to her and she visibly flinches. "You have not asked my forgiveness, Uncle. Nor do I assume you ever will. You have done what you will and now the game is started, it must be finished to its conclusion. My husband is good at moving pawns, I warn you now. He always protects his Queen."

-

His smile remains ever present now and he says. "Oh, I may..one day. but do not think the game has just started. For you were one of those pawns since your birth. No, the game has been going for sometime. But do not threaten me with your husband. I have asked you not to do such things." He claps his hands and a servant and a guard enter. The former bringing a plate full of lavish foods for the woman. "Eat. Keep your strength up." He smiles. "One day you wwill be faced with decisions you will not like. But hopefully these foolish /games/ will have ceased by then. Do not think I bore you no love. For I do." With that he turns abruptly on a heel and leaves the room, the guard following.

-

"I will eat to keep my strength, but not because you told me to. But for my sons. Eventually, they will need me." Defiance has got her nowhere.. Tears have got her nothing. Sadness and defeat nothing. Ciarrah believes her Uncle indifferent and immovable. "I will write the letter today and send it with the maid for you before dinner time. Thank you for sending them and allowing them to be sent." As he leaves the skepticism is there on her features, doubting the proclaimed love for her. "Faced with decisions I will not like? Such as?"

-

Over his back and not turning the king says, "Only time will tell. But it will tell. You shall see." He leaves now. Imparting no more knowledge upon her.

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