Escaping to Emerald Falls

Writers: Heather, Ames
Date Posted: 23rd March 2019

Characters: Syis, Danrina, Lisadi, Giselda, Angorn
Description: Syis and company arrive at Emerald Falls and are greeted by Lisadi.
Location: Sunstone Seahold, Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 9, day 27 of Turn 9
Notes: Follows "Plotting for a Sister"

Danrina

"M'ladys, the dragons are waiting for us, " Angorn said to the two
women. He had been hired by the young lady's family to serve as guard
on the trip they were about to take. Angorn took his job seriously,
watching everyone around him, in case there was trouble.

"Come on then," Giselda said, grabbing the young girl's arm. "I don't
want to be standing out here all day." The older woman, a gnarly old
maid, had also been hired to serve as special escort for the trip.
"Let's get this over with so we can stay warm in the Hold!"

"Syis!" Danrina called, hurrying down the steps to her sister and
drawing everyone's attention. The old lady huffed when Danrina pulled
her sister free and a few steps away from them. "I will send Jem to
visit you after you arrive. Keep me updated on how things go." She
pulled her sister into a hug, whispering in her ear. "I will miss you,
but I _know_ this will work. I will be in touch soon." The girls had a
plan in place so Syis would never be forced home again. Now, it would
just take time to see the plan play out.

Tears were in Syis' eyes as she hurriedly hugged her sister, even
knowing Danrina's dislike for physical affection. "Thank you, sister,"
she whispered in Danrina's ear. Freedom was so close that Syis could
nearly taste it. All she had to do was get on the dragon and go to
Emerald Falls. Once she was at Emerald Falls, and safely away from the
reaches of her father, she could move forward with her own plans in
life. "I'll miss you, too." Giving her older sister one last squeeze,
Syis turned and followed Giselda and Angorn to the waiting dragon.

Angorn assisted the grumbly old lady onto the dragon's back, then
turned to the young maiden, "I will assist you. We must be on our way.
They are expected us soon." Once again all business, Angorn gave Syis
an arm to help her up. The waiting dragonrider reached down to offer
assistance as well.

Danrina watched from the gates of Sunstone. She raised a hand in
goodbye as she watched the dragon take wing. She wasn't sure when or
if she'd see her sister again for a time, but she knew her life would
be better far, far away from their father.

The dragonride /between/ was exciting, but even more so was the moment
that they burst out into the skies above Emerald Falls. The Hold was
beautiful, she thought, and different than Sunstone had been. It
looked like freedom, she thought. Once the dragon had spiralled to a
landing and Angorn and the rider had helped her and Giselda off the
dragon, she turned and clapped her hands together. She'd done it!
Well, almost, she would need to make a good show of being at Emerald
Falls to find a wealthy, prominent husband or her father might send
back for her. But she knew how to flirt, so how hard could it be?

A lady seemed to be waiting to greet them, so Syis stepped out in
front of Giselda, to the older lady's consternation, and extended her
hand to the woman. "I am Syis, how do you do?"

Lisadi approached the group after they had dismounted. She nodded
towards the rider, then immediately turned her attention to the women.
Taking the extended hand, she smiled.

"Hello Syis. I am Lisadi. I'm assisting the Headwoman today as she had
another matter to see to. Welcome to Emerald Falls," Lisadi smiled
plesantly. They had had an influx of female visitors of late. She had
her suspicious about why they were all coming. Next she turned to the
older woman. "You must be her escort?"

"Aye," Giselda frowned. "Giselda. We expect to be taken to our quarters."

"Of course, follow me." Lisadi motioned for them to follow. A few men
of the Hold moved to collect their bags and belongings. The followed a
short distance behind.

"How long have you lived here?" Syis asked Lisadi as they made their
way inside. The woman wasn't wearing a wedding band, Syis noticed, nor
had she introduced herself of someone that had rank either. How had
she managed to escape being married for so long, the young woman
wondered.

"Oh, I've been here about four Turns now. It's lovely here at Emerald
Falls. I think you will enjoy it. I assume you are planning to stay
awhile?" Lisadi asked, fishing for a bit of information. All she'd
been told was the young woman was the daughter of a minor holder and
was coming to visit Emerald Falls for a time.

"Can we move this along?" Giselda grumbled, "I need to put my aching feet up."

Lisadi hid her smile and snort at the older woman. "Of course, but the
Hall _is_ very large, so you may find yourself walking quite a bit.
Here we go. These are some of your nicer guest quarters." Lisadi said
opening the door. "This particular suite has been designed with two
small rooms. One for you," she nodded to Giselda, "and one for your
ward." Here she nodded to Syis.

"What about me, ma'am?" Angorn asked. "I have been hired to act as
guard for both women during their stay. I am not to be far."

Lisadi motioned to a door directly across from the suite. "We have set
up this room for you, sir. It is often used for such purposes. It is
small, but it should suffice." Angorn nodded. The room size did not
matter to him. He had been paid to see this job through and provide
protection to both women.

Syis was already inside the tiny parlor that connected her room to
Giselda's not paying a bit of attention to Lisadi as she talked with
Angorn about his room. "Yes, this will do just fine." She said with
satisfaction. "Are there any upcoming events where eligible men from
the Hold will be gathered, do you think?" she asked Lisadi.

Lisadi suppressed her smile. She had assumed correctly. The girl had
come looking for a future husband. "Usually the harpers have a concert
most months, but lately we have found many maidens have
been visiting and the Headwoman and the Harpers have worked together
to have a few more concerts for all the new guests. You have lucked
out. We have one planned for the next sevenday."

"Oh! That sounds excellent." Syis thought of the nice dress that
Danrina had sent with her as one of her parting gifts. She would need
it since she hadn't left her home with the original intent to end up
at Emerald Falls.

"Is there anything else you need while you are getting settled?"
Lisadi asked the group.

"Nope," Giselda replied, already thumping into the room, "I just need
a nap. Come on, girl. Get here in the room, so I can go rest. And no
leaving without me."

Syis couldn't contain a slight eyeroll, she wanted to explore the
Hold, but she supposed she would have an opportunity to scope out
possible men when they went to dinner in the Dining Hall that evening.
"It was nice meeting you, Lisadi, thank you for your help," Syis said,
remembering her manners.

Last updated on the April 16th 2019

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Escaping to Emerald Falls