30.Mar.18, 07:04 AM
Stepping out of the carriage with the assistance of one of the footmen, Xyliah looked up at the sprawling building that was the centre of Fort Hold, and her new home – for the time being. She had been to the Hold in the past, though when she was younger, for events and major Gathers – she remembered vividly the nights spent dancing, but she could not remember much else. Those times, of course, she had been in the company of her entire family. Now, however, as the chilly breeze whispered past her and made her curls flutter around her face, Xyliah was exceedingly aware of how alone she was.
Not for long, though! She knew her betrothed would be arriving within a few weeks, if only because they were scheduled to be married by the end of the fourth month. She was not sure what day, as it had not been confirmed to her, but she was still excited if a little anxious. She had always dreamed of a big, beautiful and elegant wedding, but was under no illusions to how the one she was entering would happen. It would likely be a private affair, with her family and his, and of course the Lord and future Lady of Fort in attendance. Her mother had had a gown crafted for her, and it was exceedingly beautiful and cut to fit perfectly; Xyliah had it in her bags, carefully packed away. She was saddened that they were apparently going to be living somewhere in Fort, and not moving to his home Hold, but she was pleased that she would be so close to her own family, if a little confused by the politics behind their future living arrangements.
Xyliah shifted her gaze as the Head Steward introduced himself and indicated that she should follow him to her living quarters. Xyliah did so, her mind a million miles away as she took in the extravagant Hold. High Hill Hold, while a minor Holding, she knew from her lessons with the Harpers that it is one of the biggest, with a large population and an abundance of livestock, fruits and vegetables. They have good trade with many of the smaller minor holds, as well as Fort itself. Her family have always been wealthy, and Xyliah knew she was used to a certain amount of spoiling. The unknowing part of what her life would be after marrying Jalazmar was causing her no small amount of worry, and Xyliah sighed as she was bowed to by the Steward, before he excused himself. She let herself into the rooms that were to be hers, looking around in delight; the rooms were beautifully furnished, large, and more than adequate for her rank. She was thrilled.
She waited until her baggage had arrived, and been stowed to one side of the room before making her way to the private bathing room attached, and smiling in delight at the steaming water already drawn and filled with scented oils. Laughing happily to herself, Xyliah stripped and climbed in, relaxing into the warm embrace of the silky water, and letting the grime of her travels wash away. Her hair was scrubbed, the curls falling out with the weight of the water, before tying it up messily out of the way so she could continue to laze in the water until it was too cool to be comfortable any more. That was when she climbed out, wrapping herself in a fuzzy towel and going in search of an appropriate dress to wear to greet the Lord of Fort before dinner.
Fully clothed and delightfully clean, Xyliah exited her rooms, politely claiming the attention of a maid and getting the woman to show her the way to the Lord’s rooms, where she politely knocked on the heavy wooden door. When she was called to enter, Xyliah did so, smiling in thanks to the maid before walking confidently to where Lord Therion was. Reaching him, she dropped into a deep curtsey. “Greetings, Lord Therion! I wish to thank you for your kind generosity!” Rising, she met his eye confidently and smiled warmly, folding her hands together before her.
Not for long, though! She knew her betrothed would be arriving within a few weeks, if only because they were scheduled to be married by the end of the fourth month. She was not sure what day, as it had not been confirmed to her, but she was still excited if a little anxious. She had always dreamed of a big, beautiful and elegant wedding, but was under no illusions to how the one she was entering would happen. It would likely be a private affair, with her family and his, and of course the Lord and future Lady of Fort in attendance. Her mother had had a gown crafted for her, and it was exceedingly beautiful and cut to fit perfectly; Xyliah had it in her bags, carefully packed away. She was saddened that they were apparently going to be living somewhere in Fort, and not moving to his home Hold, but she was pleased that she would be so close to her own family, if a little confused by the politics behind their future living arrangements.
Xyliah shifted her gaze as the Head Steward introduced himself and indicated that she should follow him to her living quarters. Xyliah did so, her mind a million miles away as she took in the extravagant Hold. High Hill Hold, while a minor Holding, she knew from her lessons with the Harpers that it is one of the biggest, with a large population and an abundance of livestock, fruits and vegetables. They have good trade with many of the smaller minor holds, as well as Fort itself. Her family have always been wealthy, and Xyliah knew she was used to a certain amount of spoiling. The unknowing part of what her life would be after marrying Jalazmar was causing her no small amount of worry, and Xyliah sighed as she was bowed to by the Steward, before he excused himself. She let herself into the rooms that were to be hers, looking around in delight; the rooms were beautifully furnished, large, and more than adequate for her rank. She was thrilled.
She waited until her baggage had arrived, and been stowed to one side of the room before making her way to the private bathing room attached, and smiling in delight at the steaming water already drawn and filled with scented oils. Laughing happily to herself, Xyliah stripped and climbed in, relaxing into the warm embrace of the silky water, and letting the grime of her travels wash away. Her hair was scrubbed, the curls falling out with the weight of the water, before tying it up messily out of the way so she could continue to laze in the water until it was too cool to be comfortable any more. That was when she climbed out, wrapping herself in a fuzzy towel and going in search of an appropriate dress to wear to greet the Lord of Fort before dinner.
Fully clothed and delightfully clean, Xyliah exited her rooms, politely claiming the attention of a maid and getting the woman to show her the way to the Lord’s rooms, where she politely knocked on the heavy wooden door. When she was called to enter, Xyliah did so, smiling in thanks to the maid before walking confidently to where Lord Therion was. Reaching him, she dropped into a deep curtsey. “Greetings, Lord Therion! I wish to thank you for your kind generosity!” Rising, she met his eye confidently and smiled warmly, folding her hands together before her.