Thread: Flower in the Grove (Atroxa & Rivine)

Alyssa was tougher than she looked, and while the poultice certainly stung, and her hand felt very uncomfortable with it sitting down in her cuts, it wasn't anything she couldn't handle. She looked at Galan curiously though when he said that not all of his skills had been learned by choice, her brow furrowing a little and wondering what he meant. She assumed he meant he'd had to learn those things to survive, she wasn't blind, after all, to the struggle just to make it to the next day many people had to go through. She wondered about the specific circumstances but she didn't think it would be polite to ask. Alyssa could be a little overbearing at times, arrogant and obnoxious, but she was rarely rude on purpose unless she disliked some one. And Galan hadn't done anything to make her dislike him, yet. She smiled a little when he accepted her offer of a place to stay, getting his things. She nodded and walked back to Braitha, gathering the mare's reins and walking alongside her, expecting Galan to join her. She didn't ride so he could keep up. Alyssa lead them out of the small grove and back out onto the packed dirt road that would lead them to her father's manor. The walk there, she asked him for news from Old Town and whatever else he thought important enough to pass on. As remote as this place was, they generally got news far later than everyone else, it seemed. If they got any news at all. Alyssa often felt like she never heard many things that happened out in the world. Finally though the place came into sight as they rounded a bend in the road, emerging from behind another grove of trees. It was a sturdy, low stone structure, only two stories, with a homely look. Obviously not a place expecting trouble or attack. It had a low stone wall around it, and a few arrow slots could be spotted among the walls, but for the most part, it was open and welcoming. Alyssa grew quiet as they neared, and her face became hard, preparing herself. Sure enough as soon as they passed through the open gate of the low stone wall a woman with long brown hair came out of the main door of the manor, marching towards Alyssa and Galan. She didn't even seem to see the young man though, green eyes fixed instead on Alyssa. She was a pretty woman, she'd maybe even be beautiful if she wasn't wearing a scowl that would frighten a gargoyle, hands lifting her skirts a little so she could walk quickly without tripping over them. Alyssa Tarly! She snarled as soon as she was close, What do you think you are doing leaving behind your escort? Again ! Alyssa gave a nonchalant shrug, but her eyes were enraged, They were going too slow. It's not my fault Hannah and Beatrice are so scared of messing up their hair they won't go faster than a walk. Maeghan Wythers opened her mouth, looking like she was about to start screaming, but then she noticed the young man standing on the other side of Braitha, and she faltered. A smirk curled Alyssa's mouth. Her step-mother was all about appearances, and it was most unbecoming, in the older woman's eyes, for a woman to be shouting and arguing. Who is this? She asked, visibly trying to calm herself.