Thread: Change and Stasis (Candy_demon21 & Greeneyed23)

Thank you my lord. Isaac stood and bowed to the king then turned and bowed to Elizabeth. And thank you my lady. He cleared his throat and then stood at guard's rest his hands clasped behind his back as Timothy had taught him to do when not at full attention and speaking to royals and nobles. My lord my master and I were riding back towards home, here of course, when we heard shouts and cries for help and the laughter of vulgar men. We dropped our heavier things taking only our spears and other weapons as we put on our helms and rode forth. We saw the three young ladies... he turned his head and pointed out them amongst the crowd alogn with the nobleman who had accepted them. Were being attacked by several ruffians. Fourteen in all my lord. My master and i rode in slaying three to reach the women who I took upon my horse and at my master's order I took them to safety just over a hill. Just as I let the last of them down I heard my master call for help. I gave all speed but he had been slain before I could see the blow that felled him. I rode in and slew the remaining cowards. I then gathered my master's form and put him on his horse and the ladies on their own that had not run far after the ladies were set upon and took them to this good man's home. The nobleman and the ladies stepped forward and knelt then stood a bit to the side of Isaac and spoke. Aye my lord. I was just preparing my own caravan to come here myself when this brave young man brought these poor girls in along with Sir Timothy who I knew of old. I admit I presumed my lord and named him a knight upon hearing the tale. I cannot excuse my actions. The three young ladies, little more than girls really cried out. Nay my lord you were but honest and fair. realizing what they were saying they blushed but stood their ground. The eldest, not possibly older than fourteen, stepped forward. My king my sisters and I were riding only a few miles from our aunt's house to our own when we were set upon. Such is not odd in our land as this man has done well in protecting us and the roads about his holdings. The nobleman blushed at these words. But the beasts that attacked us were not of our land. They spoke with odd accents were understand not and with strange words. They had all but taken our virtue when this good knight and his brave master rode to our rescue. I watched from the hill as he rode back into battle and alone slew seven men. She beamed over at Isaac who was gazing only at Sir Timothy still unable to accept the loss of the man. Elizabeth's mother Sarai broke in now. What are your names? The eldest curtsied followed by her sisters. Illeria Your Majesty. Katherine Your Majesty. Grace Your Majesty. And your father and mother? Lord and Lady Arthur and Susan Heath of Gilead Your Majesty. Why Susan is my cousin. Are you truly her daughters? We are majesty. She has spoken of you and promised we would meet you someday. While we are honored I regret that the reason is so tragic. Illeria looked at the despondent knight again and bit her lip much like her second cousin then looked at the Queen. Majesty might ask a boon? Of course my child. This knight rescued myself and my sisters from a horrible fate as I am sure we would have been killed once the beasts had had their way with us. And in so doing he lost a dear friend and mentor. Could my sisters and i present our thanks as we were taught by our mother? The Queen considered for along moment then touched her husband's hand taking it in her's squeezing gently and whispered. They will express our loss my love. Then she nodded. Do so and with love my dears. Illeria and her sisters curtsied again then moved toward Isaac who did not look up from Timothy's corpse. He started however when as one, with sweet pure voices the three began to sing. Triplets they were Illeria born first then followed minutes later by Katherine and Grace, and like their mother they had inherited beautiful singing voices. Their song was filled with grief and mourning, speaking the words of the Old Tongues that were filled with power and meaning. They sang of loss, sacrifice and bravery. They sang for Timothy. They sang for the long years of toil he had given to this land he loved so much. For the lives he had touched. For the difference he made. Then they sang of Isaac who watched them tears flowing unnoticed down his face as for the first time he felt peace since his master's death. They sang of his bravery, and his sacrifice and their eternal debt to him. They snag of their hope for their lives and his. And most of all they sang of their gratitude. Unending gratitude for what he had done and what he had lost. They finished by promising their love, life, and aid to him and the memory for all time. They looked at him their own cheeks, and those of many of many in the audience including the King and Queen wet with tears. Isaac studied the singers in awe. He could never have expressed himself like that. And he was unsure how to thank them appropriately. He looked down at his master then smiled. Fi dan dealo Artisans. May your voices remain sweet and pure until the sun sets in the north and the stars cease to shine. I thankee kindly so I do. It was Timothy's favorite blessing and thank you and it would suit this moment Isaac thought. he bowed to each of them and smiled wiping away his tears finally feeling that his master had been truly laid to peaceful rest with the honor he so deserved.