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Post by shadowfax on Sept 29, 2005 20:56:42 GMT -5
After walking for a while longer in silence, a large house came into the view. Around it was a fence, and inside was many flower bushes and a few men were outside watering the bushes. Royal gave a loud back, and the men looked up, and one of them ran to the gate, and swung it open when the three of them reached it. "Good afternoon my lady" the man said with a small bow.
Samantha smiled, "Good afternoon Rogers, how are you?" she asked as she walked through, then stood to the side, waiting for Elizabeth to walk through.
Rogers smiled, "Fine my lady, fine. Your father treats us well" he said with a smile. Cautiously, Elizabeth strode through the gate as well, and took her spot next to Samantha. Sarah watched the gardener with intrest, as he held the gate open for the traveller to go through
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Post by stormaf on Oct 1, 2005 22:12:47 GMT -5
Laden as he was, the traveller was more than happy that the gardener held the gate.
"Thank you," he mumbled as he passed.
He noticed the baby's intent stare at the man and envied the fact that the child didn't scream when the gardener smiled back at her.
"This is a lovely home," he told Samantha as he followed her up the walkway.
He knew his benefactor's name from the conversation she had kept up with the young mother. So far he had not volunteered his own, in fact he had not heard another's voice utter it for some time and barely remembered it himself.
Another gardener dashed ahead of the trio to the ornate front door of the mansion. He held it open for his mistress and her guests.
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Post by shadowfax on Oct 2, 2005 0:10:33 GMT -5
Samantha smiled, "Thank you Earl"
Earl smiled as well, "Your welcome Miss Samantha"
Samantha walked through the doors, where a maid was waiting. "Miss Samantha, your father is waiting in the parlor for you and your guests" she stated. Royal barked, and ran down the hallway. Elizabeth stood just outside the doorway. She seemed in awe of the hallway. Sarah moved in her arms, and Elizabeth took the final steps into the house, with a nod to the gardener, who nodded back. "Than kyou Rachel" Samantha answer, "Tell him we'll be there shortly"
Rachel nodded, and turned around, and walked down the hallway
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Post by stormaf on Oct 3, 2005 21:36:40 GMT -5
Two dull thumps followed the traveller's soft groan as he lowered the heavy packsacks to the floor of the hall. In no way did he appear awed by his surroundings; it almost seemed as if he had seen t it all before. He didn't address the servants. That wasn't his place. What they did, they did because of their benefactor, Samantha.
While it had been sunny and hot outside, the inside of Samantha's home was pleasantly cool. Large windows allowed daylight to flow into the hallway from brightly lit rooms. Overhead fans turned slowly and a tiny breeze wafted down onto the top of the traveller's cowl.
Wryly, he slapped some dust out of his cloak, "Would it be possible for me to change into something a little less, ah, dirty? Perhaps I might avail myself of a bit of soap and water before I meet your father?"
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Post by shadowfax on Oct 3, 2005 22:52:03 GMT -5
Samantha shook her head, "As much as i wish you could, father wants us there now, so we must hurry to see what he wants. I hope he isn't angry" she added quietly. She began to head down the hallway, and Elizabeth looked at the traveller, and then followed after Samantha
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Post by stormaf on Oct 6, 2005 17:46:21 GMT -5
A sigh caught in his chest, the traveller fell into line behind Elizabeth. It made for a strange parade; first the girl, Samantha, then Elizabeth with her baby, followed by the traveller, tallest of the trio by well over a foot and completely covered by his long, hooded cloak.
One of the housemaids, on her way from the dining room with a tray full of napkins, only noticed the procession as she entered the hall. She quickly looked up as the traveller passed by, his long cloak billowing behind him, and she shrieked. Napkins were launched into the air as she lost her hold on the tray, throwing her arms up in a warding gesture.
The traveller deftly caught the tray with one hand, napkins fluttering around him to the floor.
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Post by shadowfax on Oct 6, 2005 23:01:46 GMT -5
Samantha whirled at the shriek, and dashed back, and as the napkins fluttered down, she began to grab them. The maid was also snatching at them. "I'm so sorry Miss. He caught me off guard" the maid said.
"Never you mind Gabriella. No harm done. He has caught the tray, and none of the napkins are ripped" She took the tray from the traveller, and placed the napkins on it. Gabriella placed her napkins on it also, and then took the tray from Samantha. "Thank you Miss" Gabriella stated with a slight curtsy. Samantha smiled, "Off you go now" she said.
Gabriella nodded, "Yes miss" and walked off, sending one glance back over her shoulder at the group.
She then turned to the traveller, "Are you alright?" she asked, as Elizabeth finally made her way over to the two. Royal came running from a door a little ways down, barking slightly. "Hush Royal" she said, and Royal slid to a stop in silence
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Post by stormaf on Oct 9, 2005 11:26:48 GMT -5
Although the traveller's upper face remained in shadow, Samantha could see his lips twist into a lop-sided smile.
"I've been attacked with less frightening weapons before," he quipped, "Like axes and swords. I think I'll be fine. Thank-you for asking, though."
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Post by shadowfax on Oct 9, 2005 13:27:19 GMT -5
Samantha nodded, and began the walk toward the parlor once more, Elizabeth now walking at her side, with Royal at the other side. Finally, they reached a closed door, and Royal walked through the little doggie door at the bottom. Samantha stopped, and turned to the two of them. "Okay, heres the plan. He will probably ask you a little about yourself, and where you've been, just because he want's to make sure we dont have any killers i our house. If asked a yes or no question, make sure to answer with a yes sir, or a no sir. Got all that?" she asked. Elizabeth nodded, and the two turned to the traveller
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Post by stormaf on Oct 12, 2005 22:12:21 GMT -5
"Does your father count self-defense as murder?" The traveller asked in a worried tone, "I have had to protect myself now and again."
With his height and the long cloak that shrouded him, it was hard to believe that anyone would attack him. He looked more like the Grim Reaper than a mere traveller.
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Post by shadowfax on Oct 16, 2005 20:49:03 GMT -5
Samantha smiled slightly, "No, he doesn't count that as murder. Father has done that often to save his skin, and my skin come to think of it" she added
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Post by stormaf on Oct 18, 2005 22:50:57 GMT -5
Although most of his face remained lost in shadow, the traveller's thin lips twisted into a smile.
"I'm glad of that," he said, "Otherwise, a murderer I am. Lead on and let us meet your father. I hope he doesn't mind the dirt a traveller brings in with him."
Ahead of the three, farther up the hall, an imperious voice called out, "Bring them to me, my daughter! I await these newcomers with hot cava and it isn't getting any hotter while you dawdle!"
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Post by shadowfax on Oct 19, 2005 10:17:28 GMT -5
Samantha began walking with a nod, and slowly made her way down the hall. Finally, they reached the door where he father was, and she pushed it open, and stood to the side, letting the other two enter first. In the room, a man stood next to a chair. The man smiled as Elizabeth entered the room. "Welcome my dear" he said in a cheery voice. He then looked to the door once more, waiting for the second traveller to enter
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Post by stormaf on Oct 20, 2005 18:19:08 GMT -5
As he stepped into the room, the traveller thought quickly. It was considered very rude to keep one's cloak hanging over one's face and the last thing he wished to do was to cause a scene. Using his innate magic, he performed a small spell; a disguise to keep his true identity a secret. As the others watched, the traveller reached up and lifted his hood away from his face.
What was revealed was a very unremarkable visage, plain and long, with a bit of a hooked nose. It was the face of a middle-aged man with stringy, greying hair that hit his shoulders. Deep grooves lined his mouth and crinkled at the corners of his eyes. All in all, it was a face that was far from attractive, but not entirely ugly.
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Post by shadowfax on Oct 21, 2005 11:09:31 GMT -5
Samantha's father, Nathan nodded to the stranger as he entered the room. "Welcome to my home sir" he said in a cheery mood. Royal, who was in the corner, growled slightly when the traveller used his magic. Samantha entered the room and shut the door behind her. Nathan looked at Samantha and smiled at her slightly, but then turned to Elizabeth again. "May i ask your name dear? And the name of your child?" he asked with a smile. Elizabeth bowed slightly, "Sir, my name is Elizabeth, and this is Sarah" she beamed proudly down at her daughter.
Nathan smiled, and turned back to the traveller. "And your name would be?" he asked, and the other two looked at him also, wondering what his name was...
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