Topic: Harvest Time

SylviaNightshade

Date: 2006-09-22 00:03 EST
Sylvia stepped from the gangway of the frigate, Yran Gales, onto the quay of Seansloe docks. Cian stood with some struggle and his father?s restraining hand upon his shoulder, at the boardwalk. Returned to a world of decorum, she had given up trews and tunic on the voyage for a chemise, underskirt, and gown, cut simple of finely woven cotton dyed night forest green. A kirtle of Barony colors, green and gold, sat low upon her hips. She approached Kieran and Cian and asked, ?Aidan asleep??

A smile and nod from Kieran, ?He is, but Cian was most keen upon greeting your return and to tell you of his plans for the harvest festival.?

Restraining hand forgotten, Cian flustered out with excitement, ?Oh yes, mama, there are oh so many jugglers at home. I can be part of the festival, yes, mama??

Sylvia lifted her son up for a warm hug that he returned with a fierce strength, ?What does your father say??

At this time Ewan passed by with a bow to the family, and Cian spluttered out, ?Master Ewan! Are you staying for harvest festival??

?Yes, Ewan, what would harvest festival be without your display of prowess at competitions?? Kieran smiled.

?Your Excellency will permit me to be absent this year,? Ewan tapped lightly Cian?s chin to rid it of the forming pout. ?It is another?s turn to win the events.?

Sylvia laughed, ?Modesty becomes you, Ewan. Who says I?d let you actually compete this year?? Then a mischievous twinkle to violet eyes, ?Of course, you?ve your own challenges awaiting you in RhyDin.?

Both Kieran and Ewan narrowed eyes at her, though for distinctly different reasons. Ewan nodded and gave another bow, ?I should return to my duties there.?

?Of course, Ewan. Safe journey to you, and watch for that drop at the end.? Kieran jested good naturedly, and the family watched the Master of Arms stride off to a waiting horse that would take him to the rift.

?Now, Cian," Sylvia began again, "what did your father say about you being part of the festival??

He wiggled in her arms, but it was not to be let down, but from pure enthusiasm, ?He says to ask you.?

?I defer to your motherly instincts on the matter,? Kieran grinned before he stepped to her side and they shared a kiss. ?It is good to have you home in time for the harvest festival and the tallying of the taxes.?

They walked along the boardwalk towards town center where a carriage was awaiting them.

SylviaNightshade

Date: 2006-09-22 13:52 EST
Harvest banners from festival years past, flapping in the steady harbor breeze that wound it way into Market Square, were tied from post to post, leaving one post bare near the stand. This year?s Harvest Banner would be displayed upon that post after presentation to the Baroness. As is tradition, a festival play recounting the tragedies and triumphs of the year previous would be performed and at the end a banner woven with the symbols of that year would be tied to its position for the duration of the festival.

In ancient times, before the majority of the populace could read and write, these were the best accounting records of history. Thick ledgers and books now met this duty in more accurate language and details beyond the symbol of wheat gains, or in this year, the return to peace and a harvest of grain higher than the harvest of lives.

Sylvia sat at the high table of the manor hall, a surface sufficient to the requirements of the many papers needed in this final day of organization. Food vendors, performers, and merchants needed to be placed so they might have market stalls easily accessible to the crowds. Many people of the barony traveled to Seansloe at this time to share in the celebration, though many similar celebrations dotted the entire kingdom of Palendies.

?Perhaps not the entire kingdom,? she sighed out her thought, shuffling a paper from one side to the other. No, in the northwestern corner, the people from beyond the sea would be celebrating, if they did at all, in an entirely different fashion.

Nyla, mistress of the household, shuffled to Sylvia?s side. She was a healthy plump woman with boundless desire to keep things neat and tidy. A dainty cap of cotton set pristinely upon the grey hair, braided and twisted up to keep out of the busy lady?s way. Her gown of green muslin was softened and faded with frequent washings, and she wore it only on days such as these when she was bound to dirty her clothes in an instant. Already signs of ash and dirt besmirched the skirt where knees had been set to the ground in cleaning. ?Your Excellency, the Market Square is prepared for tomorrow, as are the guest rooms of the manor. Would you care for me to pass on the plans to the merchants and performers as they arrive??

Sylvia grinned up at the woman, ?That?s presuming I?ve finished with the planning, which I have not.? A warm laugh, ?But have no fear, give me but a few moments and I?ll have the plans ready. I?m sure Lord Gethryn was more prompt in his duties for this festival, but I?ve given him the unending task of seeing that all the plans are followed. I?ll give them to him myself, though, Nyla, so do not worry. Perhaps you might check on the festival play rehearsal, since I?m forbidden to witness it at all? My son is in it this year, and he made Kieran and I promise to stay away. I swear I don?t know where a three year old gets such ideas.?

?He?s a smart lad, Lord Cian is. Beyond the talents of me own grandson. My, the words he uses.? A hand to her head as though the very ideas might spring out of her temple.

She smiled and nodded to permit Nyla to move quickly about her duties.

Sylvia had also noticed Cian?s knack for language, and wondered if it might not be better for Kieran to stop sharing his duties with Cian at such a young age. Still, in this matter, she held little sway. Kieran was only doing his best and raising Cian as he had been raised. She would defer to his thoughts on this subject, as her own childhood had lacked anything in the sense of normalcy.

A shake of her head, she settled upon the plans and, gathering them up, rose to find Lord Gethryn.

Kieran Logansson

Date: 2006-09-24 12:45 EST
The festival left in his wife's capable hands, he could afford more time with his steward and the taxes brought to the manor. As Kieran spoke with each man and woman who brought in their tithing, asking after their health and needs from him, his steward, Seamus, counted the provisions to make sure they did not over pay. "Your Excellency, Goodman Galwyn has brought two pigs too many."

Kieran placed a hand on the man's shoulder, feeling the rough cloth of homespun linen, new for the festival, "Goodman Galwyn, we have all had a rough year. We shall hold these extras for you to collect when you return home. Cutting you short will not help our lands to rebuild."

"Aye, yer lordship. Right you are then, sir. Only my da never failed in his duty to your father, and I'll not be trampling my family honor."

Patting the man's shoulder before a nod given to Seamus, "There'll be no honor if we don't have a barony of healthy people, Goodman. I've spoken, and no smirch has come to your honor."

The man shuffled a bow and moved his family along to the city where the festivities were soon to begin. With only his steward and personal guards within hearing range, Kieran turned to Seamus, "I did not realize how difficult it would be to get these people to see the importance of keeping more for themselves. Do they think we'll starve?"

Seamus frowned, causing his burnished mustache to curl down like a horseshoe, "We would my lord, the war band and all, if it weren't for Her Excellencies dealing in that RhyDin." Most of the manor staff called it "that Rhydin" as if it were a vague incomprehensible object.

Kieren's thumbs rubbed against his fingertips, before he looks down to straighten his softened tunic of piece fabrics all dyed to blend in a hazy field of golds and auburns. His attire would be reflected in a deeper spice and brown of Sylvia's gown. A smile, all to familiar to his staff, they knew he thought of the Baroness. When she had asked him to assist her instead of her waiting lady in dressing, they had almost gone the opposite direction. But duties for both called, as did their two sons upon the door. So dress they had. He was now longing to be at her side again, not wanting a moment to pass when she was in Yransea without him next to her. "I think I will head on to the festival, Seamus. I trust you can handle things here? I will speak with the newly arrived at Market Center to hear of their news and grievances."

Unlike most other times of the year, Kieran would mingle freely, as freely as a lord could, with all his people. He would hear what they had to say without the formalities of court, and they could speak their minds without fearing an overstep. This would happen only once again in the springtime. With a farewell and the accompaniment of his guards, he headed for the stables to saddle up his horse and make for the town's Market Center.

SylviaNightshade

Date: 2006-09-24 20:01 EST
The Baroness held Aidan close as she walked from stall to stall of merchants and food vendors. A guard was close at hand, though she did not feel his presence would be necessary. The general mood of the festival one of celebrating a harvest brought in under dire circumstances and the help of everyone.

The sights and the sounds of the festival now meant something to Aidan, and he laughed and grinned to see the color and merriment of it all. Sylvia did wonder how well he would do in the play. Last year they had sent him off for his nap, but this year he would be too excited to be taken away.

She spied Kieran upon horseback cantering in with his guards behind. The crowd cheered and waved. His arrival was the sign for all to gather for the play. He disappeared from her view when he dismounted, but they were soon in sight again, and she need not worry about making her way to him, as he fairly near ran to her side. A warm kiss shared with only the barest interruption of Aidan's fingers trying to pry between their mouths.

Kieran laughed and drew their son from Sylvia's arms. "You'll be a good quiet lad during the play, yes?"

Aidan, his features colored like his father's, but his mother's structure could be seen in his nose and mouth, gave a perfectly innocent look to
Kieran. "I think he'll try, beloved," Sylvia offered and set her hand on Kieran's arm as she walked toward the stand where their seats upon the right edge waited for them.

The Market Center was full, oddly so for the amount of populace lost, and a high breeze from the harbor was finding enough streets to secure its attendence as well. The banners flapped upon their posts and ribbons of cinnamon, reds, and auburns danced upon the air. As the family stood upon the stand, Kieran held Aidan in one arm and lifted his free hand high in the air, "Welcome and Happy Harvest to all!"

A rousing cheer responded. Sylvia continued, "We entreat you to enjoy the festival." Another cheer, before she continued, "Let us remember our trials and triumphs, that we may never forget."

The formal announcement of the play, the family took their seats, Kieran keeping Aidan upon his lap. Sylvia reached to set a hand upon his arm. Each moment with him precious to her. She smiled as Cian took his place center stage and called out in a clear voice his only line of the play, "Call ye great spirits of memory and life. We present this our tribute to the people of Yransea." The crowd huzzahs were speckled with laughs of joy at seeing their young lord take part in his first play. Cian, feeling the great approval took a bit longer than he should in his bow and then scampered over to vault onto Sylvia's lap. More good natured laughter and then silence as the performers brought memories of the year past, since the last harvest festival, to life.

Kieran Logansson

Date: 2006-09-26 00:55 EST
He watched Sylvia kiss the sleeping Aidan's forehead as she tucked him into bed. A lean against the wall, he had already said his goodnights to the boys who were so full of energy after the triumph of the festival, it had taken a full hour longer than usual to get them to bed. But to bed the boys finally went with sleep taking over their senses swift and sure.

His wife joined him and he moved an arm around her, feeling the still trim waist of a lady who had been a fighter and stayed in training. He felt her arm do likewise around him and they walked slowly, her head upon his shoulder, to their private chambers. He saw her hide a yawn behind her hand, "Oh, don't you dare," he jokingly threatened and tickled her side lightly.

She twisted a bit and frowned up at him, "As if we both haven't had a long day." He, however, had come to know that beckoning twinkle to violet eyes. Her absences had certainly made him grow fonder of her, and when she moved to kiss him, her hands in his hair, he could feel her fondness for him had grown as well.

The darkness of their room was only held back by the glowing embers of a fireplace and two low burning candles on a table. They ignored both of these as they sought the senses of each other to fill them long into the night when embers cooled and candles burned out.