Chapter Six: The Vigilant Mabari
"There you are. I didn't want to interrupt your misbehaving," Ser Gilmore said quickly. A smirk played upon his lips.
"Hello to you too, Ser Gilmore," she joked dryly. "Nice to see your jesting side again."
"Ha! Well, I thought about what you said earlier about being equals again... And then I heard what you said in there about dancing circles around me, something or other," he prodded.
"That's not quite what I said," she told him in an uptight and defensive tone. She tried to remember the exact phrase she had used.
"While it's true you're a fine dancer, as the men can attest to, I could defeat you in battle easily, should I desire to."
He cheeks flushed and anger rose as they began to walk together up the cobblestone pathway.
"First of all, I've kicked your butt every sparring match we've had! And secondly!... What are you going on about dancing? I don't dance. I never dance. Not even when... I... dance...?" Her confidence died and transformed into confusion quickly.
"You don't remember then? You dance when you've been drinking a while," he snorted with a smile. He then scolded himself and cursed lightly. "I apologize, my lady. That was too bold of me to say."
"I..." She made a high pitched whining sound, wanting to know of the details, but also frightened to ask. She shook her head. "No... No, I don't get drunk."
He chuckled. "But you
did. Once upon a... well, few times ago. As for the sparring, I prefer to take it easy on you. I don't feel comfortable fighting women. I put up with fighting you because you are the Teyrn's daughter, but I don't like it."
The Cousland scoffed. "That's incredibly sexist! Can you not pretend I am a man? I make you bleed just as well as any other could."
'Yes, convince him that whilst you argue with him in a pretty white gown and makeup on your face. Perfect plan, Krista.' Her own thoughts made her self-conscious and she became quiet.
"I cannot do that." He sighed, trying to explain his reasoning. "It's just I am sworn to protect women, not to harm them. It opposes moral code. You must understand in some way."
"Some of us
helpless ladies are perfectly capable of defending ourselves," she challenged, regaining some spark in her confidence.
"Yes, I know you are... But the thought of hurting you—er,
women... I could not bear the shame, my lady," he stated uncomfortably. "It is a terribly dastardly thing to do. And it goes against everything I believe. You understand if I hold back, surely."
She sighed, stopping their trek. "Sounds like a weakness to me. You may be called upon to fight a woman some day who is both dangerous and uncaring on your stance in fighting such an opponent. You need to overcome that if you want to be the best warrior, Ser Gilmore."
He crossed his arms and smirked at her. "Says the girl who's afraid of blood."
She furrowed her brows at him, trying to think of something witty to say. Nothing special came to mind.
"It really is good to see you treating me somewhat like a friend again," she commented, changing the subject. "Not just protection duty."
He awkwardly shifted in his armor. "It's a delicate situation, this knightly friendship you have from me. You are the Teyrn's daughter, far more important than I. And I am sworn to protect you and your family at any cost, but I would gladly give my life to save you, not just because I serve your father, but because I consider you... a trusted friend above all else. I think that is important for you to know. However, I do not think your father would approve a rekindled friendship, all things considered."
"I... see. It's nice to know you still see me as a friend, Ser Gilmore. My father won't have a say in the friendships I create with others, for friends are good to have. And he keeps the company of Arl Howe. He's hardly a pleasant man to have a conversation with," she said with relief in her heart. Realization struck her mind before she could thank him for such kind words of camaraderie. "Oh, I should be getting along to find Fergus."
The sun was beginning to set and it was giving her skin a beautiful orange glow, but everything became hard for her to see. She narrowed her eyes to look at her surroundings. She supposed she should make her way to his room, as that would be the most obvious place to search for him.
"Uh! I almost forgot. Your mother sent me to find you," Ser Gilmore added before she could walk away. "Pardon my abruptness, my lady. It's just... your hound. He's gotten into the larder again. Nan's threatening to leave, just like last month. No matter how hard the maids try, he always seems to find a way in. You know that mabari. He'll listen to his mistress but anyone else risks having an arm bitten off. I almost lost both mine trying to calm him down."
"I suppose there's some truth to that," she admitted, sounding defeated. "I'm sorry he's being difficult."
"You mother requested I accompany you until the matter is settled. I hope that doesn't rub you the wrong way. I know you are capable of doing this yourself. But orders are orders... Shall we?" He smiled and began walking towards the kitchen. Krista followed, bowing her head at all the patrolling guards who wished her a good evening. As the two approached the kitchen, Nan's nonsensical yelling could be heard.
"Oh boy... When Nan's unhappy, she makes sure everyone knows it," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Best to take care of this quickly then."
She nodded in agreement. "And everyone says
I set a bad example. At least
I don't shout like
that," she pointed out in a smug tone.
"But you do so much worse," he muttered in response beneath his breath. She sent him a hard look as she walked into the kitchen.
Immediately, an old woman with white hair began yelling in her face with a nagging high pitched voice. Krista didn't really bother listening to her until she lowered the volume of her voice a bit. Two elves were behind Nan, a man and a woman -clearly the objects of her anger before the young Cousland walked in. She felt bad for them, for they were yelled at for her dog getting in there. Her mabari hound could be heard barking in the larder next door. She was eager to collect him.
"You! And
you! Your bloody mongrel keeps getting into my larder! That beast should be put down!"
That made the Cousland angry. "Nugget's not a mongrel! He's a pure blood mabari and he protects this castle! You should be grateful."
"Hah! Grateful for that thing? He's a monster! If this keeps up, I'll quit! I will! I've told your mother I am too old to put up with this sort of debauchery!" Nan shrieked.
"Nan, please. We'll get the dog. Calm down," Ser Gilmore diplomatically stated. If it weren't for him, this argument could have gone on for another ten minutes because Krista loved her mabari more than anything and would defend her buddy to the death.
"Get him gone!" Nan bellowed. "I have enough to worry about!" She turned to the elven servants. "You two! Stop standing around looking like idiots! Get out of the way!"
"Nan..." Krista chided. "It's not their fault you don't lock your larder tighter..."
"If I locked it any tighter,
we wouldn't be able to get in!" Her face was as red as a tomato.
Ser Gilmore grabbed Krista's arm and dragged her to the larder before Nan decided she really would quit.
"You really have to instigate her, don't you?" he asked, rolling his eyes.
She ignored him, still upset that Nan would even suggest putting her hound down. She saw the dog barking and growling at a nearby barrel of apples. His soft golden brown fur seemed a bit dull. He might have a need for a bath. She was happy to see him, regardless. He always got up and disappeared before she had a chance to rise in the morning and he always seemed to get into trouble. He was just being himself, she would say in his defense. He had always been a little too smart for his own good, getting into locked storerooms and scaring the castle staff. Krista secretly loved that about her hound.
"Nugget! Who's a good boy? Who's a smart boy? You are! Yes you are!" she told her hound in a special 'pet-only' voice.
"Oh, encourage the hound why don't you?" Ser Gilmore said sarcastically. "Wait... Did you hear that? What's that noise? I think your hound has found intruders."
"Great, and me without my blades..." Krista cursed under her breath, patting her back where her weapons usually resided.
A rat of unusually large size emerged from behind the barrel of apples. Nugget attacked it vehemently, destroying it in seconds. Several more rats began crawling out from behind the barrel. Ser Gilmore pushed Krista behind him as he readied his blade and shield.
"Stay back," he warned. "You're without weapons and your mother would kill me if you show up to dinner with your white dress covered in rat blood."
Krista opened her mouth to say something, but he pushed her back into the kitchen and shut the door in her face before she could get a word in. She stared defiantly at the door and crossed her arms.
Nan looked at her expectantly.
"Well?" "There are giant rats in the larder. Nugget is getting rid of them with Ser Gilmore as we speak," the Cousland huffed, disappointed to be thrown out of battle.
"Just what we need before dinner!" Nan scowled. "Rats! I bet that dog led those things in there to begin with."
"He's a dog. Not some... rat
enchanter," Krista remarked brazenly.
The door opened and Ser Gilmore and Nugget walked out of the larder speckled with bits of blood all over.
"They're dead now," he stated. "All thanks to your mabari."
Nugget barked approvingly. He was smart indeed.
"Good boy!" Krista praised her pet, bending down to pat him and stopped when Ser Gilmore reminded her that the dog's fur was caked with blood.
"Now get out of my kitchen! There's much to be done before dinner! So much to do, so little time!" Nan grumbled, turning to the elves. "You two! Get back to work!"
Ser Gilmore led the way out of the kitchen. She was glad to be away from the snappy old woman.
"Well, I'll be on my way then. I'm to prepare for the arrival of the Arl's men," Ser Gilmore said formally, the sun glistening off his armor and blinding her. "It's time for me to get back to my proper duties."
"You do know that the troops are delayed, right?" she asked quizzically, shielding her eyes from the glare of his plate.
Ser Gilmore shrugged. "They never told me how long I would be waiting. Just that I would be. Enjoy your dinner party, my lady. It may be the last time your see your brother or father for a long while... " He paused before turning away from her. She thought he might say something more, but he added nothing to the sentiment but a simple farewell. "Good evening."
As he walked away from her, she could only reflect on his words. Nugget looked up at her with a puzzled expression and let out a low whine. She looked down upon him with saddened eyes.
"They'll be fine," she told him. "Come on, let's go find Fergus."
The pair began walking towards the family chambers, the dog stopping occasionally to lick the blood out of his fur. A group of figures became visible in the distance. Her mother was conversing with Lady Leandra. Krista was able to make out the other two figures as she approached them. Everyone was dressed just as formally as she was. One was the curly-haired redhead she despised named Dairren. The other was a blond and pale eleven woman whom she had never seen before. She was pretty; elven women had such a natural beauty about them. It made Krista a bit envious.
"Ah and here is my darling daughter," she heard her mother tell them when she came closer. "I trust by the presence of that troublesome hound of yours that the situation in the kitchen is handled?"
Krista let a chuckle escape her lips. "But of course. Nan's head exploded and my hound ate the kitchen staff. I congratulated him on a job well done, of course. Oh, and Ser Gilmore was there too."
Nugget cocked his head and looked up at her, as if he knew what she had said was ridiculous.
Her mother gave her a look of consternation. "At least one of us will have had supper then... Krista, you remember Lady Landra, right? Bann Loren's wife?"
The older-looking woman looked at her politely. "I believe we last met at your mother's Spring salon, three years ago."
Krista struggled to recall the woman's actions there. As it came to her, she could not stop her mouth from speaking the thought. "Weren't you drunk?"
"I'm so proud of my pup's mastery of tact and diplomacy," Eleanor sighed and shot a glare at her daughter.
"Well, it was a lovely salon, from what little I remember," Landra responded, flustered and giggling.
"Which wouldn't be much, considering we had to pour you into the carriage afterwards," Dairren chimed in.
"You remember my son, Dairren? He's not married yet, either." It seemed the woman had started drinking early. This made Krista feel very uncomfortable so she crossed her arms, trying to feel less exposed in this social situation.
"Don't listen to her. It's... good to see you again, my lady," he said with a smile. "You're looking as beautiful as ever."
She quirked an eyebrow at him, knowing she had to regain her stature in this situation.
"Go soak your head," she mumbled, turning her gaze from him.
"P-pardon?" he asked nervously, not sure if he heard right or if she had said something more pleasing.
"Her diplomatic skills will earn her a post in Orlais, just you wait," the Teyrna said with a sarcastic, jovial tone.
"Well, this is my lady in waiting, Iona. Do say something dear," Landra mentioned, gesturing the elven woman.
The elf looked at her with a kind smile and bright blue eyes. "It is an honor to meet you, my lady. You are as pretty as your mother describes."
"I can only imagine what she has told you about me," Krista responded with an awkward feeling brewing in her stomach. These people knew about her but she knew next to nothing about them. She hoped that her mother had not hinted at imaginary feelings towards Dairren. From the way he was staring, she assumed her mother had said
something. "And sweet Iona says such nice things, even after seeing you run around all morning, whacking stuffed men in the courtyard and sweating like a mule," Eleanor commented, rolling her eyes.
"Your daughter's prowess with a blade is... most
impressive," Dairren said, staring the young Cousland down. His tone had seemed to be insinuating something. She felt heat rise in her chest.
'What the hell is that supposed to mean?' she wondered hotly.
"Actually, it's two," Krista said in a matter-of-factly voice. "
Blades."
"Even more impressive," he said with admiration. His tone seemed smug. "Most women have their hands full with one. Perhaps we can discuss your...
technique later?"
She hated the idea that he was downplaying a woman's ability to fight, but she was sure there was more to it than that. Something was hidden in his words, though no one seemed to catch it. This she knew from the look on his face. He grinned like an idiot, his eyes narrowed and his brows raised in a knowing innuendo. Before she had a chance to evaluate the statement once more, her mother spoke.
"I was quite the battlemaiden myself, in my day. But I think it was the softer arts that helped me land a husband, which my daughter here seems to be lacking."
"Softer arts? I paint, mother. What could be softer than that? It does not bring me a husband and I don't care about it. Besides, I can handle my own affairs. If I were truly interested in a man,
he would not be so interested in my paintings that he forgets who painted them," the young Cousland stated defiantly. "Or so I would hope."
"All evidence to the contrary," her mother said snidely. "If
you were interested in a man, it is hard to say any of us would ever know about it, least of all
you, Krista."
Landra giggled giddily before swaying lazily from side to side. "Oh... I think perhaps I should rest now, my dear. Dairren, I will see you and Iona at supper. Good evening your ladyship."
With that, the old woman was wobbling up towards the guest chambers.
"Perhaps I'll retire to the study for now," Dairren suggested. "I love books and I hear you have quite the collection."
"I will join you then," Iona said as the two made their way to the study, Dairren speaking of old literature and Iona listening quietly and nodding.
Her mother simply looked at her. It was a sad look. "You should say goodbye to Fergus while you have the chance."
Nugget began licking more blood from his locks and sat against the wall.
"Mother, what if... What if I could be the difference in the battle? What if they fall without me?" Krista asked, letting her emotions seep through a wall of thick skin.
"It is in the Maker's hands now and we must cope as best we can... I... I love you my darling girl. You know that, don't you?"
"I love you too," she responded with an automation about it, though it was a rarity for her to say such a thing.
Eleanor Cousland nodded. "Go. Do what you must then. I will see you soon. And keep your hound out of trouble."
Nugget huffed through his snout at her as Krista nodded.
"I will see you at supper," Krista told her mother with a tiny smile.
She debated asking her about the Grey Warden, but her father had clearly shut the idea of her becoming one down. She and Nugget began walking towards Fergus's quarters. She then realized she had forgotten to discuss the matter with Ser Gilmore. After all, he would be leaving with the Grey Warden once all was said and done. Perhaps he knew this already? She felt as though so much had happened in just a week. Her whole world was flipping, it seemed. But she supposed that was dumb of her to think. Her brother, father and mother would be gone, as would Ser Gilmore and the majority of the Cousland army. However, the staff would remain and guards would be here to keep her company with Fergus's wife and child, Oriana and Oren.
As she approached the room, she saw the three of them talking amongst one another, seeming like a happy family, even though they would be separated from Fergus for quite some time. Oriana was an Antivan woman, complete with seduction, beauty, an accent, and an affinity for poisons. She was kind and overly protective for a woman from such a liberal place as Antiva. Perhaps that was why she was so protective. Oren, around 8 years old now, looked like a skinny young Fergus with a touch of Oriana's delicate features.
"Is there really going to be a war, papa? Will you bring me back a sward?" Oren asked his father in a high pitched voice.
"That's
sword, Oren," Fergus corrected, bending down to one knee to speak with him at eye level. "And I'll bring you back the mightiest one I can find, I promise. I'll be back before you know it."
"I wish victory was indeed so certain. My heart is... disquiet," Oriana said sadly.
"Don't frighten the boy, love. I speak the truth," Fergus consoled her, rising to his feet.
Krista coughed politely, making herself known to him.
"Ah, and here's my little sister to see me off! Now dry your eyes, love, and wish me well," he said.
"Should I give you some more time?" Krista asked uncertainly, not wanting to intrude, but not quite understanding the complicated feelings they must be experiencing.
Fergus laughed. "When there's a man in your life, you'll understand. One day you'll meet someone who can handle you, mark my words."
Krista found herself blushing, immediately thinking of the man she had met earlier. The memory of his hand holding hers rushed into her mind. Her body tensed and Fergus looked at her slyly.
"Unless you have someone in mind
already?" he implied with a hearty laugh. "Tell me sis, who is it? Who has tamed you?"
"You're insane," Krista scoffed, rolling her eyes. She wanted to change the subject as quickly as possible, lest he start guessing names. "Anyway, I came here to deliver a message. Father wants you to leave without him. The Arl's men were delayed."
Fergus's jovial attitude became solemn. "Then I must be off soon then..." He stopped a moment to pat his stomach. "Mmm. Preferably
after dinner."
"Then let us get to it then. I would like to see you if only for a little while longer," Oriana said sadly.
Krista nodded, her hair bouncing against her shoulder; it was nearly dry now. There was so little time left to say goodbye. She promised herself she would not cry and she hoped that she could hold herself to it.
