Dreamed Into Life

[Illianna]

I smile gently my breath catching gentle fingers tracing the map of battle scars on her back. I can't explain it but I love this when this brut and crass woman. How can I not? She's so fierce and yet with me she's so skiddish. Timed even. I can't help it. I take a deep breath her own musky scent overpowering the bath. Once I'm finished I place a gentle kiss between her shoulder blades and step back making to exit the bath

[Ravna]

Ravna remains behind, letting her wife leave as she sinks deeper under the bubbles. She can't pretend not to be affected, not now knowing what she knows. And yet.. she doesn't want this. She gave up on love, dammit! And now she's gotten off onto such a strange foot for a romance. What will become of her?

[Illianna]

It's been a week since Ari left me and Mistress hasn't been to see me since the bath. My only company has been Arthur and Bojron, and the maids who I e roped into helping me tame the gardens.

It's one such morning when I hear horses that I look up to see Ari looking worried. I rise gently and go to her. "Hello sister." I great her warmly "come in let us have a drink. We should both get out of the sun." I'm so happy to have her back as I help her off her horse and lead her into the house. Once we're both settled in my room I smile to her "what news have you brought?" I ask gently

[GamesMaster]

"Bad news, and worse," she says, grimly. "Such news! But how have you been, sister?"

[Illianna]

"All the better for your coming. But come tell me what woes you carry!"

[GamesMaster]

"Oh, for this you will want to be relaxed. Perhaps a bottle of wine? And some small snacks? I am of course alright with anything but my lady often forgets to eat..."

[Illianna]

I smile "forgive me sister your journey must of been hard to come so far so fast. Please," I gesture to the table where there's been food set out "join me in refreshments but please tell me your news!" I say laughing

[GamesMaster]

Arielle sits, pouring wine for each of them, and drinking half her glass before she continues. "So the good news first, of course. Your parents live."

[Illianna]

"Thank the gods. I was so worried. How is mother does she fare well? And what of fathers whore? Is she with child again?"

[GamesMaster]

"Your mother is declining, but in the expected way, and she was much cheered to have news of you. I edited the news significantly, of course. I led her to believe it was a love match, for one. And your father's mistress remains barren -- it seems all but confirmed that she damaged something when she lost the last babe."

[Illianna]

I smile smugly " thank you for that, now please what is the bad news?"

[GamesMaster]

"Oh, well... are you certain you are prepared?"

[Illianna]

"Ari what can be so awful that you refuse to tell me? Is their a new plague? War? Some lament of the crops? Or has father just refused to accept my marriage?"

[GamesMaster]

"The latter. Your father.... he says that your pregnancy is proof you cannot have consummated your marriage, and he wants it annulled for lack of consummation."

[Illianna]

"He wants you to watch us together to prove our marriage doesn't he." I say flatly blushingnslightly