RP: Feast at Winterbourne Stoke

[Geoffrey]

Rodric made a point of finding his way over to Habren.  With a slight bow he reached for her hand.

"My Lady Habren," the knight paused.

"At Mearcred when that saxon spear plunged deep into my chest and all began to go dark I saw angels coming to guide me to heaven's gate.  I could not take my eyes off them for I thought their beauty was unmatched.

It seems I was quite wrong."

[OOC: If she let's him, Rodric will kiss the back of her hand.

Oh yeah, skill roll result 6 vs skill of 13.  Success.]

[GM Craig]

Her colour rises as you take her gloved hand and give it a gentlemanly kiss. She glances around nervously. "Sir Rodric!" There is shock in her voice and she tries to keep the volume down so as to not draw attention to the situation, but you note she is smiling.

A moment later she recovers her composure as she withdraws her hand and flutters her kerchief at her throat. "You flatter me, sir."

The gentleman sitting beside her, whom you understand to be her father, notices the exchange. He frowns but says nothing.

[Geoffrey]

"I'm merely speaking the truth." he replied with a smile.

The knight then looked to her father and extended a hand in greeting.

"It is good to meet you Cedrych.  I heard you were elevated to Esquire by Earl Roderick.  Most impressive, he is not an easy man to please."

[GM Craig]

Cedrych gives you an appraising eye, and seems to be doing a mental recalculation.

He gives you a nod. "Indeed, the Earl is a man who holds everyone to a high standard, himself most of all. He respects loyalty above all else, and I have been blessed to earn his regard through mine. The Earl's generosity has been a blessing to my family."

"You are Sir Rodric, yes? Thought lost in battle, but returned unexpectedly with tales to chill the blood. You must have a stout heart, sir, to have faced down a witch in her lair."

[Geoffrey]

"You honor me with your words Cedrych." Rodric replied with a nod, acknowledging and accepting the man's compliment.

"Indeed, it was a true test mettle to face her, even with two other good knights and wizard there as well.  Her allies were numerous and she had a great snake by her side.  But we had our sword arms and the grace of God by ours."

The knight paused and turned to Habren, a bit of a smile on his face.

"Coming so close to death makes one think about the future." he continued, and once again turned back to Cedrych.

"And about spending more time practicing with a sword.  For should one ever be forced to repeat such an experience, I would hope to have the outcome be far more certain."

[GM Craig]

"In some things, one must put their trust in God."

His reassessment appears complete. He turns to his daughter. "Habren, take a turn with Sir Rodric. A strapping young man must be anxious to take a turn dancing with a beautiful young lady."

Habren turns to you and smiles. "Yes father." Looking to you she adds, "If you have any such desires, Sir Rodric, I would be pleased to fulfill them." She offers you her hand and gets to her feet. As she rises, she adds quietly in your ear, "If you have other desires, you must share them with me. Perhaps we can come to an arrangement."

[I need a dancing roll.]

[Geoffrey]

As Rodric pulled away his mouth almost brushed Habren's ear.

"I would welcome an arrangement." he whispered, just before pulling all the way back and speaking at a normal volume.

"I hope my feet serve me as well as my sword arm did against the witch." he said with a laugh as he lead Habren away from the table towards the dance floor.

[OOC: Dance roll result 2 vs skill 10.  Success.]

[GM Craig]

He smiles a secret smile at your words.

You take her out to the dance area. She is no slouch at dancing, but you throw a little flourish her way and it throws her off. You keep up with little embellishments and flourishes to keep her off-balance, and in short order she collapses into your arms with a laugh. You draw several stares and more than a few whispered comments, but both Cedrych and Habren seem pleased. You are the gentleman and help her gain her feet. Her colour is up and she seems a little winded. The glow adds to her beauty.

"Enough sir, I beg you! Let me catch my breath!" She takes your arm and the two of you walk back to where her father sits. He clears his throat. "Habren, see if you can scare up a servant and find some wine, hmm?" He stares at her a moment.

In response, she smiles and nods. She bows to her father and withdraws.

Cedrych looks you over with a guarded smile. "I do not wish to spoil the fun of a young man and woman, but you have been very forward with my daughter, sir. I must ask you what your intentions are."

[Geoffrey]

"Were it my daughter, I would indeed spoil the fun should it be required to learn of a young man's intentions toward her."

Rodric gave the man an approving nod and smile as he sat down.

"You have shown yourself to be a good man Cedrych.  Honest, direct, respectful, and protective of your daughter.

If I may be all of those as well, I was speaking the truth when I stated my encounter with the witch has made me think about the future.  And those thoughts have been pressed upon even further at Earl Roderick's insistence that it was time for a few of us young knights to secure heirs.

Your daughter is both beautiful and a pleasure to have in one's company.  Any man would be lucky for the opportunity to court her, with your permission of course, and perhaps one day hope you would accept his offer to make her his wife.

I would be most honored if you would allow me to be that man."

[GM Craig]

He looks a little unsure. "Sir Rodric, you honour me greatly. You are but a young knight, but come from a proud lineage. You are well spoken, well mannered, and show respect to those whom others might show disdain. You have courage and skill, and lands sufficient to support my daughter better than I ever could.

"But you must be aware of my situation. I have some money squirrelled way, but it is not much. I can only offer ?3 as a dowry. If such a paltry sum would entice one of your station to marriage, then I wholeheartedly give my assent. I would be a fool to turn you down. You could be married before Christmas, if that pleases you - sooner if you wish it."

[Geoffrey]

"My good Cedrych, my family is far from wealthy and I understand your position all too well.  I would not care if you were only able to offer 3 pence.  If both you and your daughter in are in agreement that is enticing enough for me.

Further more, and in that spirit, if your honor demands that you provide the ?3 you have saved then I will happily accept it and put it to good use to help me provide for your daughter.  But if your honor would allow it, I would propose that you to keep at least some, and when the time comes that Earl Roderick no longer requires your services, that you would use it to spend your days comfortably...and come often to visit your grandchildren."

[GM Craig]

He hesitates. "Your generosity humbles me, and I am pleased beyond words that you are that taken with my daughter. Honesty forces me to admit that your offer would certainly ease my situation, but I could not hold my head up if I did not offer you something. One libra? And I will hold the others against extravagant gifts for my grandchildren."

He offers you his hand.

[Geoffrey]

Rodric firmly grasped the man's hand.

"With an offer such as that, I know I am welcoming the right family to become part of my own."

[GM Craig]

Shortly after, Habren returns with a carafe of wine and takes a seat at her father's side.

Cedrych looks to her and says, "Daughter, an arrangement has been reached. We need to work out some details, but you will be joining the house of Sir Rodric as his bride."

Habren lowers her head demurely as she says, "Yes, Father," but you notice a twinkle in her eye and a smile on her lips.