Making an Entrance

Writers: Jane, Kaysea
Date Posted: 3rd February 2008

Characters: Teene, Geni
Description: Teene, Geni and the girls make a not so grand entrance to the Hall
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 8, day 14 of Turn 4

"We're all set Ma'am, if you'd just take a seat in the carriage, we'll be at the Hall in a little under a half candlemark." The driver, held out a hand and helped Geni up into the carriage where Teene and the girls were already seated. Neva, her blue eyes widely taking everything in, lay in Teene's arms.

A gurgle of happiness escaped the child, as she reached up to grasp at the tree's that swayed in the light breeze above them. The day was cold, but not freezing, and though rugged up well, her hands had been allowed freedom as long as they could keep her mittens on.

She looked from Brylee to Sousie and could feel her own excitement mounting, just from the looks of wonder on their faces. "We're almost home, girls!" she couldn't resist reminding them. If it were possible, she thought she too might squeal in excitement as the horses picked up and the carriage moved off. Behind them a dray pulled their luggage as well as supplies that had been purchased at the quayside.

"It's going to snow," Teene said happily as they started to sway along the road toward the Hold. "The man told me. Snow!"

"Wonderful." Geni replied, rolling her eyes. "That's one thing I haven't missed the Turns we've been away from the West. But I suppose the children will enjoy the novelty - for a while at least."

"I've only seen it once," Teene admitted, taking the time to give Brylee a warning look. The journey would be unbearable if the girls started fighting and Teene had no intention of letting them do so.

"Mama, can we play in the snow?" Brylee asked, fidgeting in her seat, aware, but trying to ignore the frown she had received from Teene.

"Maybe," Geni said guardedly, "provided you're well rugged up, and it isn't snowing too heavily. But not today sweetling, we need to settle in and unpack." She smiled down at her daughter, relief sweeping through her at finally being on solid, if somewhat bumpy ground. "Hopefully we'll be there soon," she commented to Teene.

"It'll be good to see Causton and the boys again," Teene admitted.

"You're looking forward to seeing them?" Geni smiled, "I am, but I'm their mother, I thought you were enjoying the break."

"I miss them too. Why wouldn't I? All that noise and confusion? It just doesn't seem right to be without them."

"So very true, but I do wonder how much of the Hall has survived their arrival." she laughed softly. "Oh, its starting to come down a little heavier, isn't it?" she asked, grateful for the protection of the canvas over the top of the carriage. The wisps of snow fluttered in at the sides, and started to coat their laps. She pulled the furs more snugly around them, and called out to the driver, "How much further?"

"A quarter candlemark, maybe a little less. But the hills incline will increase very soon, but never fear the runners make this trip daily."
was the cheery reply. "You okay in there?"

"The snow is coming down a little heavier, but I think we can manage if the Hall isn't too much further." Geni called back.

"I can stop and pull down the flaps, if you like?" he called back, "Unless you can reach up and undo the ties that binds them?"

Glancing up, Geni nodded to Teene, "I didn't notice the rolls, think we can unroll them? It'll be pretty dark in here, but it might make it a little warmer and less damp."

Teene set to work on lowering the flaps on her side of the carriage.
"It does make it ... dim."

"Better we arrived thinking it's dark, than covered in snow, don't you think?" Geni asked with a low chuckle. She, herself felt quite warm; after all she was covered with not only Neva and the swaddling she was wrapped in, but also she had Sousie snuggling into her from the side.
She suspected there was little chance Teene would be cold either, as she had Brylee snuggling in to her side, as well. But better they kept as much snow out as possible, for all of them.

"Hmm." Teene wasn't sure that the swaying and the warmth and the lack of anything to look at were all _good_ points, but time would tell.

"Almost there." Geni felt a tremble of excitement whip through her. "I wonder what the residence really will look like? Causton explained it and even gave me that sketch, but, well, you know men, Faranth really knows what condition the place is in."

"I'm past caring," Teene said, not entirely truthfully. "It will just be good to have the journey over."

"I don't fancy arriving and having to pitch in to housework straight away though." Geni said, her face registering her dislike of the whole idea. "But he did say its big enough for the girls and boys to have their separate rooms, and you have your own quarters, which sounds like more than just one room to me."

"It sounds just fine," Teene assured the older woman.

"Almost there, ma'am." The drivers voice could be heard from above.
"You can see the Hall proper if you look out now, though it's covered in snow at the moment."

Teene hugged Brylee and looked down at the girl. "Nearly there, sweetling."

Brylee looked up at Teene, a woebegone look on her pale face. "Really?"
she asked.

"Honestly. In fact, I think we're slowing down already. Don't you think so?"

Although Brylee managed to maintain eye contact with Teene, it was obvious she was no longer aware of where she was. One instant she had been fine, the next all colour had drained from the child's face and she broke out into a sweat. She gagged once, and then threw up into Teene's lap.

"Ahhhh." Teene froze and looked across at Geni as the carriage drew to a stop. "I guess this -" and she couldn't help but glance down at the mess on her skirt, even as she bunched the fabric up to prevent it spreading further, "- must mean we're here. What a way to make an entrance."

Last updated on the February 9th 2008

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Making an Entrance