Topic: The Grand Tour

Ayowen Tarrandor

Date: 2008-05-28 21:52 EST
"But Daaaaaaaaaad!" Ayowen was in quite the fret over what he father had just said. Stomping her foot and putting her hands on her hips, she shakes her head and pouts.

"You've nothing more to do with that boy. Is that understood?" Her father had stood his ground. It wasn't easy for him. His youngest daughter had the looks and mannerisms of his late wife. He often doted on her, giving in to her little fits and tantrums. But not this time. Not this time. He shook his dark head and scowled, then turned his back on his daughter.

The incident had started out, innocently enough. Ayowen was an avid horsewoman, being raised in the house of one of the largest horse traders in Waterdeep, it came naturally. On horseback since she was old enough to walk, she loved the freedom riding gave her. She often scoffed at the riding habits that her nanny and parents tried to get her to wear. And she even secretly learned to ride with both legs astride the horse. Dainty, not this girl.

Jared was a notorious rake. His reputation preceded him wherever he went. The only saving grace, and the only reason why he was so often invited to the balls, cotillions and parties of the social whirl was because he was a Viscount. He was tall, elegant and his eyes held a dangerous mixture of fire and lust for life. Her father had warned her many times to keep clear when Jared came to visit. And up until recently, she obeyed by keeping to her rooms until the rake was gone.

However, he happened to catch her as she was coming in from riding. Her long, blond hair tangled by the wind that had blown it back from her face. Her cheeks flushed and her eyes danced merrily as she rode the roan gelding into the stable. "That's a good boy." as she patted his neck. Climbing down from him, she felt a pair of hands suddenly on her waist. Her back stiffened and she turned quickly to stare into the eyes of none other than Jared. "Thank you." she said stiffly as he put her down.

Jared chuckled and stepped away. "You are quite welcome." The groom had taken the horse by it's lead and walked it between Jared and Ayowen, causing them both to take a step back. Once the horse was gone, Ayowen's eyes went back to Jared. "Did you find another horse to your suiting?" She questioned.

"Not just a horse, Ayowen." he said quietly and stepped towards her. His eyes held her and she could feel her breath catching in her throat. "Oh, good." she squeaked out.

Suddenly, she felt his strong arms wrap around her and his lips pressed against her own. Totally and completely swept off her feet, if for but a split second. Then she pushes him away, her eyes flashing with anger.

"Just what are you two doing?" Ayowen gasped and turned to see her father quickly approaching. "Jared, leave us." The dark eyes of her father did not travel to look at Jared at all. Just his daughter held his attention.

Jared took a slight bow, chuckled softly and left the barn. That's when Ayowen's father finally exploded. "Ayowen, the man is twice your age and his reputation is not to be trusted!" He put his hands through his dark hair and he started to pace.

"But Dad, it was just a kiss, and really, nothing more than that. I was pushing him away!" Ayowen started to wring her hands. Her father had never been so angry. At least, not in her presence.

"Come with me." her father took her by the elbow and led her into the house. He grumbled under his breath as they walked through the gardens. Under normal circumstances, she enjoyed the walks that she took with her father in these gardens. They were full of vivid colors of every hue, especially in the spring. The air was heavy with the perfume of many flowers.

But there was no time to stop and smell the roses. Not this time. Ayowen's father led her to the house. Into the anteroom just off of the main hallway. "Ayowen, I've been planning this for a while, but it seems that I've got no choice now. I'm sending you on a tour. You'll visit Greenbrier, the Eastgates and your final stop will be in Rhydin. Hopefully that your absence will cool the fires that you've stoked in Sir Jared.

Ayowen stood there, shock registering in her every feature. "But Daaaaaad!" she stomped her foot. "I don't want to!"

Ayowen Tarrandor

Date: 2008-05-30 08:53 EST
Ayowen sat in the carriage, staring out of the window. Her forehead pressed against the glass and her hand held her chin. A soft sigh steamed the glass beneath her nose. Trees. Nothing but trees and bushes and scenery. "Oh look, Meg, more trees." she closed her eyes and pulled away from the window to lean back against the plush cushioned seat of the carriage.

Meg had been Awoyen's hand maid ever since Ayowen was a little girl. They had pretty much grown up together and she didn't know what she'd do without her best friend. She was so happy that her father let Meg come with her on the tour.

"Now Ayo..." Meg pursed her lips and set her embroidery down into her lap. "Why not make the most of the trip" Think of all of the parties and balls that you are going to attend! And with all the gentlemen you'll dance." Meg smiles brightly and picks her embroidery back up. She knew Ayowen well enough to know that bringing up the balls was enough to prick her anger.

"Meg, you know I don't want to go to any balls. I hate getting trussed up like Christmas turkey and not being able to breathe, bend or move." Ayowen rolled her eyes. She knew her friend was trying to get Awoyen to feel anything but boredom. "I suppose you're right though. Watching people is a lot of fun. And what better place to do it than on a dance floor, right?" Ayowen smiled for her friend and lay her head back on the cushions. "I think I'm going to take a nap, Meg. Wake me when we reach the city walls?" A kiss blown to her friend and then her eyes close.

Meg screamed, two loud gunshots reported and rang in her ears, waking her with a start. "What?" Her blue eyes rounded as she sat up quickly. Meg was still sitting across from her, white as a ghost with huge dark eyes.

"Robbers." Meg whispered and reached out for Ayowen, who quickly moved over to hug her friend. "Shh...there there, it'll be alright. Reginald will hand over the little bag of gold under the driver's seat and we'll be on our way." Ayowen tried to reassure her friend.

The incident went just as planned until one of the robbers got a good look inside the carriage. The two young women were enough to pique his interest and he pulled the door to the carriage open. "Good evening, ladies." He said in a soft, sultry drawl. "Do not be frightened, I will not...."

A loud gunshot and the man fell over backwards away from the carriage. The driver, Reginald had seen the robber open the carriage door and leaped down from the top of the carriage, pistol cocked and ready. One gunshot to the head and the robber never got to finish his last words.

Ayowen and Meg both screamed at the sound of the gunshot and huddled together in a corner of the carriage. When they both realized each other was alright, they looked out to see Reginald moving the bodies of the robbers to the side of the road. Ayowen took a deep breath and blew it out slowly as she nodded a thanks to Reginald.

The door to the carriage was secured once again and they were on their way.

Ayowen Tarrandor

Date: 2008-05-30 21:04 EST
The rest of the way to the Eastgates was uneventful. Of this Ayowen was happy. She and Meg spent the day babbling about different things. Truly it was just a way to keep each other entertained as the road seemed endless. Meg seemed excited about her mistresses opportunity to join in the social whirl in the Eastgates, and Ayowen laughed at Meg's attempts to make her blush.

"Robert, the Earl's son will be there, at all of the balls." Meg gushed as she pulled her needle through the fine fabric she was embroidering. "He had his eye on you last season." Said with a positive nod.

Robert had been a sore subject between Ayowen and her father. She actually liked Robert, quite a bit and had a crush on him. But her father was gruff. He had said that Robert's eyes were too blue in color to be up to any good. He also said that he didn't trust Robert.

And so it went. Every single man that showed any interest in Ayowen was never good enough. And as Ayowen sat and pondered this over her embroidery hoop, a slow smile crossed her face. "Meg, I am going to let my father choose for me. Let him find somebody suitable. I'm tired of going from ball to ball, party to party. It's like all we girls do is parade ourselves in front of the eligible bachelors and hope that one chooses us. I don't like to be put on display like a china doll on a shelf." Her blond locks bounced as she nodded.

Meg tsked Ayowen with a shake of her head. "You know that would never work. You'd be stuck with an old stodger in some country house far from home, and you'd be miserable to boot." Her dark eyes looked over her mistress with a soft smile. "Eventually your father will think somebody is good enough. You just have to keep on trying."

Ayowen sighed and looked down to her embroidery. She really did dislike the idea of being put on display. And to her, that's all the balls and parties were.

Reaching the estate of the Dowager Duchess, Edna, Ayowen sighed with relief. She was happy to be out of the carriage. The estate was expansive and as her belongings were being moved to her chambers, Ayowen had lunch with the Duchess. The woman was kind, and her blue eyes seemed to dance with happiness to have Ayowen as a guest. Edna was an older woman, rather buxom and her hair done up in the latest fashion. Her husband had been long since passed on.

No sooner had lunch ended than Edna had invited over some of the more suitable bachelors that Eastgates had to offer. "No time wasted here." Ayowen thought with a wry grin as the first of the gentlemen came to call.

She sat in the large library to take her callers. One after another, it seemed that the line was endless. Of course she smiled and was friendly to them all. Not only manners dictated it, but that was just the kind of girl Ayowen was. She had never met a stranger and felt very comfortable in the company of just about anybody.

And so it went. Her time spent in Eastgates was hardly relaxing. From day to day, she barely had time to breathe from the suiters calling on her, getting ready for whatever ball or cotillion was planned for that evening. And she did it all with a grace of a woman twice her age. Her father even came to visit one evening and escorted her to the ball himself.

Of course, every suitor that was presented to her father was dissected before her eyes. One was too tall, the other too short. One had too dark a smile while the other didn't smile at all. One after another, her father found fault with. It was maddening!

Finally, after staying with the Duchess for a few weeks, it was time to continue their journey. She bade the Duchess farewell and thanked her for her kind hospitality with a promise to return. Her bags were packed up once again with meticulous care and placed onto the carriage. With a final kiss to her cheek from the Duchess, Ayowen and Meg rode off towards Greenbriar.