Post by Soleil on Nov 6, 2008 11:10:52 GMT -5
The horse's hooves crashed into the firm earth as he road in a weave to the smith shop.It seemed the natural place for all of the town to gather right before the impending war. Zane, always prepared and always on time, would seem to be among the last minute visitors. His weary body dismounted swiftly and his gloved hands set to tie the leather reigns to the communal post. He entered the shop slowly; his skin greeted by the normal rush of warmth that was a smithy's. Hands brushed up the bundle of brown hair and tied it back to save his neck from the warmth. At first it was almost comforting, like a baby's blanket but Zane knew that it would only get worst. Having completed their task, his hands self consciously fell to his side. One rested on the hilt of his sheathed sword. Zane had forgotten about the dog he had met just days before when he had helped carry in the crafted items for Naevah. His throat cleared as he attempted to gain audience with the crafter.
"Good day m'lady. I realize you must be dreadfully busy and I hate to add to the burden. But as things are, I would like to make a request."
He already had his own fittings for the war and besides needing an extra sword he would do just fine when the enemy crashed into the shore. However, he had other people to request items for and so, in making haste, Zane pushed on.
"I saw how well you fitted Terra with her armor. It was a very fine job. I was curious if you could make more of such armor. We have extras for the males but nothing for our female soldiers, and there are plenty of them. If one's was to break in battle, I would like there be more to replace it with."
In reality this stock would be used to protect the foolish Queen who insisted upon her disguise.
The Smithy was hot. Poor Murphy was atop a small, cluttered table, his front paws and head hanging out the window with a weary look. Of course he had a bowl of water at his side, but that didn’t help him much. Though it did give him the advantage to leap onto a customer if need be. He’d been on pins and needles all day with strangers coming and going, then that one from the days past…a low growl started, but Seraphim only lifted her head a moment to look out the open door. It did not look as if it was a real threat, so her head ducked back to work. Heavy locks were of course covered and twisted into a neat scarf covered knot at the back of her head; it took a lot of white fabric, little did it help to keep the free flowing sweat from her eyes.
It didn’t bother her as much, but the constant interruptions were getting a bit much and she’d almost sag at the sound of someone entering the stuffy shop, full with tools, weapons in all stages of creation. There was even a sad little pillow and blanket flung in the corner, on top of a few very large trunks since all the other flat surfaces were taken up with metal objects.
Once he spoke she’d straighten up, that pleasantly blank look on her face not changing, but she’d set down the hammer on a small anvil by the open flames in her hearth, the tongs in the other hand holding some red hot sliver were shoved back under the coals to heat back up to white hot. Gloves were plucked off as she walked away from the heat and towards the man. A thick leather apron from chest to knee covered her; she’d not take it off since she’d sweat right through the ivory linen men’s shirt and the deer skin had been traded in for homespun breeches, inches too short, leaving her to expose thick stockings at slim ankles.
She’d take the compliment on Terra’s armor with a slight nod, high cheekbones were flushed already from head and exertion, but she wished she’d seen her work on form. She’d go by the military building..maybe. Phim had heard about the downed commander, the war was finally here. Another nod and she’d pass nimble fingers over her apron. “I would need measurements..bring the women here, yes? I can start on them, but it will take time. I do not know how much we have,” that warm voice sounded fine, but she was near her ends. She’d work another full day, perhaps all night, but the Sabbath was going to be taken off, war or no..well, she’d see how far she had gotten, “How many women? Are they generally the same size? And how much armor? What division?” Wide mouth would settle into a line before relaxing, no more questions at the moment, hazel hues flicked to Murphy before returning to the man, wishing she could stick her head out the window.
The warmth in the shop had already turned from a comfort to more of a nuisance. The transformation to discomfort had already begun its steps. Zane's green eyes adverted from the crafter as she walked forward from her work station and transversed the shop. They fell from one work in progress to the next and finally rested on the very stiff looking makeshift bed. He was adding to her troubles and he was stuck.
After transversing around the establishment he finally allowed those eyes to fall back onto the shop owner. Her look of being disturbed washed away as she started her string of questions. It seemed her questions had caught him and his gaze drifted up in thought. How would he get this to work? Finger pads itched across the light dusting of chin hair.
"I knew you would ask to measure but yet I had hoped to get past that step. It seems that I am here asking you an impossible task." The eyes scrutinized her in a respectable way with a quizzical glance. Could he get her to take on the task? Or would he have to figure out a different way?
"My main concern is for the calvary and I am not sure if I could have the women come and measure. As you stated, time is of the essence. Do you think you could just use Terra's measurements and generalize them a bit?"
Zane knew that all women were made differently and the shape of armor was best made individualized. But he couldn't rightly walk the queen into the shop and have her measurements taken. Nor did he know if Serphim could be trusted with their secrete.
Wide lips pursed a moment as she watched him walk about her home/shop/workplace, then relaxed as he finally got the answers out. Though, not the answers she needed. Hazels narrowed a moment at him, at the “one size fits all” mentality. It might work somewhat for men, who had in that profession, broad shoulders and chest, or slightly thinner build depending on their tasks. Women though, were various. She may be able to wear Naevah’s armor, but she would never be able to put on Terra’s.
Her head shook in the negative of directions. Generally, she was very reserved, especially around men, but she was spread thin, “If you want proper armor that will provide protection, I will need the woman here, or I can go to them when I get a moment. If you want them in,” her hand waved about looking for the words, “Any old armor to die in, please put them in yours. Do not waste my time, otherwise.”
She never rose that so soft voice, her mannerism was still mild, though her arms would cross before her chest, the white cloth stuck to slender, muscular arms.
As a trained gentleman, Zane always stood in the most correct posture; his broad square shoulders were always aligned and his back never hunched. When he was a young boy Zane's father used to scold him into the proper stance. He used to say 'knights walk straight and proud'. This idea was the very foundation of the adult Zane. He had always idolized his father and the role of Knight and now in a military position he carried himself as he was once instructed to.
Now though, the broad shoulders hunched in a sort of exaggerated sigh. It would seem that his task was squashed before it matured. He had to gain armor for the queen if she was to sneak into the war and the gentleman inside him could not back out of his promise. Perhaps this idea of Alex's was too silly.
"I fully respect that but this person will not come in. Is there not any other way? What if I were to bring in a dress for you to fit off of? Or perhaps I could get the measurements and return here with them?" His face looked boyish then, boyish with hope. The strong lines of his jaw and rouged unshaveness were in contrast with the hope those light green eyes held. He was so close and yet so far from his goal. But in truth he knew that the armor was most effective fitted and the main goal was to keep the queen safe after all.
His hand smoothed over the back of his neck. Not from nervousness but from the small line of sweat that started from the warmth that the shop created. His hand dipped from his neck and against the rough linen cloth of his deep brown pant thigh. The hand then returned to its spot on the hilt of his sword. If she did not like the ideas proposed then he would have to decide if she could keep his secrete or if he could spin his lie another way.
She was getting a feeling that she didn’t like this man so much. What type of solider would leave something so important up to chance? Her head would cant to the side and she’d shake her head some. “Who is requiring the armor? I will go to them, but I am not going to ..” Her voice trailed off as her eyes narrowed a bit at him. “Who is it? Naevah would come herself, Terra did. Who is this solider?”
Her crossed arms relaxed to her hips, stepping towards the door less entryway. The door was off to the side, too hot not to leave it off. Welcoming the breeze, but her mind was turning quickly, who? Moira? Nemesis? Both of those women may have sent someone, to hide something…but she doubted it. Teeth bit her bottom lip as she looked to the man again, a hand lifting to wipe some sweat from her brow.
It would appear that his plan had been ruined and her curious gaze and quickened questions lead way to this. He would have to try again. After a short pause came his next tact. "I was attempting to get new armor as a gift. It was to be a surprise and I don't really want to ruin it by bringing the girl in to get sized. I do realize that the best way to achieve armor is by a proper fit but I was really hoping to keep it a surprise. I suppose I will have to come up with a different gift then."
Like an actor on a stage he used his body as an indication of his words. Those normally proud and broad shoulders sagged in disappointment and his eyes studied her response. She had right to be irritated, it was hot and she obviously had been working through the hours of rest.
"This is a gift? Then..not for war?" Her stance adjusted from the stotic one it previously had and in that moment Zane had thought she bent. But no this woman was much smarter then that, that was his problem now. "You are wasting my time on a gift? What is it you do, exactly? Does the Queen know her men are wooing and not practicing?" A pink flush was rising from under the freckles that sprinkled her nose and cheeks, she'd step out of the smithy at that point. Heat and anger..she had no time for this!
How ironic had her words fallen? A soft laugh could not be suppressed from Zane, no matter how he wanted to. The laugh might have just agitated her more but those words were just too keen to not deserve a laugh. He stood in the entry way, pausing there for a moment. "Does every gift have to mean a man is courting? Kindness can not be the soul motive huh?" He moved to take a stance behind her and spoke ever so softly so she could but hear his whisper. He would tell her as much truth as he could because armor was essential. "Look it is a gift for the queen. If you come inside I will explain."
He was lucky that she didn't knock his block off. Perhaps she was too tired and weary for the task. His closeness was noted and her body tensed as he whispered. Her face remained the same and soon she simply moved past him. The thick apron brushed against his the flesh of his arm for his sleeves had been rolled up in the heat of the day. The heat was only to get worst as the two entered the shop and Zane closed the door on them.
Parts of the plot were unfolded to her then, "You must vow not to share this information with anyone. Please." The please was spoken softly and with deep sincerity. And her head bobbed in a yes response. "I am not wooing her. Not in the least. She wants a pair of armor, plain armor. If the war breaks past .... if we fail our line of defense then she wants to be ready to defend the castle and herself. Now, hopefully she won't have to use that armor but it might be used. And I'm not exactly here to waist your time from another more important project. It is better if she has plain armor so that the enemy does not know who they are fighting." He studied her reaction and before too long he reinforced the most important part."She does not want anyone to know." Had he failed her already? maybe.
Then her entire form would relax as she let out a breath, "Why did you not say so? I can start start as soon as she is measured. I have bits and pieces from my own early attempts at women's armor, it should not take too long." She even had enough relief to pat his shoulder and then turn, moving back to her fire. A glove was pulled on again, tongs picked up and the half made item was pulled from under the coals, white hot like she needed it, but it went into the bucket with an explosive hiss. "We shall move quickly?"
He nodded slightly but remained admit. "The queen put me in her confidence and I was not to share that with anyone. I mean anyone. Look, the measurements is still hard to get. You must come to the castle unseen because no one must start to suspect what is happening. Plus, the queen might not be so happy that I have told you." He moved to watch the craftswoman start at her work again.
"What would be odd about the smith coming to the castle? They need items as well. I have a small wheel barrel of items." It all made perfect sense now, that soft voice hadn't changed any. She knew the Queen was beyond what any normal queen was, it did not surprise her in the least. "Shall I come after awhile?"
"Perfect. You can meet me at the castle in a little bit or I could help you with the wheel berrel if you would like?" Either way they would go to fit the Queen. Hopefully it would be in time for the did not have much of it left. With the death of Mr.White, it was only time before that armor would see it's use.
"Good day m'lady. I realize you must be dreadfully busy and I hate to add to the burden. But as things are, I would like to make a request."
He already had his own fittings for the war and besides needing an extra sword he would do just fine when the enemy crashed into the shore. However, he had other people to request items for and so, in making haste, Zane pushed on.
"I saw how well you fitted Terra with her armor. It was a very fine job. I was curious if you could make more of such armor. We have extras for the males but nothing for our female soldiers, and there are plenty of them. If one's was to break in battle, I would like there be more to replace it with."
In reality this stock would be used to protect the foolish Queen who insisted upon her disguise.
The Smithy was hot. Poor Murphy was atop a small, cluttered table, his front paws and head hanging out the window with a weary look. Of course he had a bowl of water at his side, but that didn’t help him much. Though it did give him the advantage to leap onto a customer if need be. He’d been on pins and needles all day with strangers coming and going, then that one from the days past…a low growl started, but Seraphim only lifted her head a moment to look out the open door. It did not look as if it was a real threat, so her head ducked back to work. Heavy locks were of course covered and twisted into a neat scarf covered knot at the back of her head; it took a lot of white fabric, little did it help to keep the free flowing sweat from her eyes.
It didn’t bother her as much, but the constant interruptions were getting a bit much and she’d almost sag at the sound of someone entering the stuffy shop, full with tools, weapons in all stages of creation. There was even a sad little pillow and blanket flung in the corner, on top of a few very large trunks since all the other flat surfaces were taken up with metal objects.
Once he spoke she’d straighten up, that pleasantly blank look on her face not changing, but she’d set down the hammer on a small anvil by the open flames in her hearth, the tongs in the other hand holding some red hot sliver were shoved back under the coals to heat back up to white hot. Gloves were plucked off as she walked away from the heat and towards the man. A thick leather apron from chest to knee covered her; she’d not take it off since she’d sweat right through the ivory linen men’s shirt and the deer skin had been traded in for homespun breeches, inches too short, leaving her to expose thick stockings at slim ankles.
She’d take the compliment on Terra’s armor with a slight nod, high cheekbones were flushed already from head and exertion, but she wished she’d seen her work on form. She’d go by the military building..maybe. Phim had heard about the downed commander, the war was finally here. Another nod and she’d pass nimble fingers over her apron. “I would need measurements..bring the women here, yes? I can start on them, but it will take time. I do not know how much we have,” that warm voice sounded fine, but she was near her ends. She’d work another full day, perhaps all night, but the Sabbath was going to be taken off, war or no..well, she’d see how far she had gotten, “How many women? Are they generally the same size? And how much armor? What division?” Wide mouth would settle into a line before relaxing, no more questions at the moment, hazel hues flicked to Murphy before returning to the man, wishing she could stick her head out the window.
The warmth in the shop had already turned from a comfort to more of a nuisance. The transformation to discomfort had already begun its steps. Zane's green eyes adverted from the crafter as she walked forward from her work station and transversed the shop. They fell from one work in progress to the next and finally rested on the very stiff looking makeshift bed. He was adding to her troubles and he was stuck.
After transversing around the establishment he finally allowed those eyes to fall back onto the shop owner. Her look of being disturbed washed away as she started her string of questions. It seemed her questions had caught him and his gaze drifted up in thought. How would he get this to work? Finger pads itched across the light dusting of chin hair.
"I knew you would ask to measure but yet I had hoped to get past that step. It seems that I am here asking you an impossible task." The eyes scrutinized her in a respectable way with a quizzical glance. Could he get her to take on the task? Or would he have to figure out a different way?
"My main concern is for the calvary and I am not sure if I could have the women come and measure. As you stated, time is of the essence. Do you think you could just use Terra's measurements and generalize them a bit?"
Zane knew that all women were made differently and the shape of armor was best made individualized. But he couldn't rightly walk the queen into the shop and have her measurements taken. Nor did he know if Serphim could be trusted with their secrete.
Wide lips pursed a moment as she watched him walk about her home/shop/workplace, then relaxed as he finally got the answers out. Though, not the answers she needed. Hazels narrowed a moment at him, at the “one size fits all” mentality. It might work somewhat for men, who had in that profession, broad shoulders and chest, or slightly thinner build depending on their tasks. Women though, were various. She may be able to wear Naevah’s armor, but she would never be able to put on Terra’s.
Her head shook in the negative of directions. Generally, she was very reserved, especially around men, but she was spread thin, “If you want proper armor that will provide protection, I will need the woman here, or I can go to them when I get a moment. If you want them in,” her hand waved about looking for the words, “Any old armor to die in, please put them in yours. Do not waste my time, otherwise.”
She never rose that so soft voice, her mannerism was still mild, though her arms would cross before her chest, the white cloth stuck to slender, muscular arms.
As a trained gentleman, Zane always stood in the most correct posture; his broad square shoulders were always aligned and his back never hunched. When he was a young boy Zane's father used to scold him into the proper stance. He used to say 'knights walk straight and proud'. This idea was the very foundation of the adult Zane. He had always idolized his father and the role of Knight and now in a military position he carried himself as he was once instructed to.
Now though, the broad shoulders hunched in a sort of exaggerated sigh. It would seem that his task was squashed before it matured. He had to gain armor for the queen if she was to sneak into the war and the gentleman inside him could not back out of his promise. Perhaps this idea of Alex's was too silly.
"I fully respect that but this person will not come in. Is there not any other way? What if I were to bring in a dress for you to fit off of? Or perhaps I could get the measurements and return here with them?" His face looked boyish then, boyish with hope. The strong lines of his jaw and rouged unshaveness were in contrast with the hope those light green eyes held. He was so close and yet so far from his goal. But in truth he knew that the armor was most effective fitted and the main goal was to keep the queen safe after all.
His hand smoothed over the back of his neck. Not from nervousness but from the small line of sweat that started from the warmth that the shop created. His hand dipped from his neck and against the rough linen cloth of his deep brown pant thigh. The hand then returned to its spot on the hilt of his sword. If she did not like the ideas proposed then he would have to decide if she could keep his secrete or if he could spin his lie another way.
She was getting a feeling that she didn’t like this man so much. What type of solider would leave something so important up to chance? Her head would cant to the side and she’d shake her head some. “Who is requiring the armor? I will go to them, but I am not going to ..” Her voice trailed off as her eyes narrowed a bit at him. “Who is it? Naevah would come herself, Terra did. Who is this solider?”
Her crossed arms relaxed to her hips, stepping towards the door less entryway. The door was off to the side, too hot not to leave it off. Welcoming the breeze, but her mind was turning quickly, who? Moira? Nemesis? Both of those women may have sent someone, to hide something…but she doubted it. Teeth bit her bottom lip as she looked to the man again, a hand lifting to wipe some sweat from her brow.
It would appear that his plan had been ruined and her curious gaze and quickened questions lead way to this. He would have to try again. After a short pause came his next tact. "I was attempting to get new armor as a gift. It was to be a surprise and I don't really want to ruin it by bringing the girl in to get sized. I do realize that the best way to achieve armor is by a proper fit but I was really hoping to keep it a surprise. I suppose I will have to come up with a different gift then."
Like an actor on a stage he used his body as an indication of his words. Those normally proud and broad shoulders sagged in disappointment and his eyes studied her response. She had right to be irritated, it was hot and she obviously had been working through the hours of rest.
"This is a gift? Then..not for war?" Her stance adjusted from the stotic one it previously had and in that moment Zane had thought she bent. But no this woman was much smarter then that, that was his problem now. "You are wasting my time on a gift? What is it you do, exactly? Does the Queen know her men are wooing and not practicing?" A pink flush was rising from under the freckles that sprinkled her nose and cheeks, she'd step out of the smithy at that point. Heat and anger..she had no time for this!
How ironic had her words fallen? A soft laugh could not be suppressed from Zane, no matter how he wanted to. The laugh might have just agitated her more but those words were just too keen to not deserve a laugh. He stood in the entry way, pausing there for a moment. "Does every gift have to mean a man is courting? Kindness can not be the soul motive huh?" He moved to take a stance behind her and spoke ever so softly so she could but hear his whisper. He would tell her as much truth as he could because armor was essential. "Look it is a gift for the queen. If you come inside I will explain."
He was lucky that she didn't knock his block off. Perhaps she was too tired and weary for the task. His closeness was noted and her body tensed as he whispered. Her face remained the same and soon she simply moved past him. The thick apron brushed against his the flesh of his arm for his sleeves had been rolled up in the heat of the day. The heat was only to get worst as the two entered the shop and Zane closed the door on them.
Parts of the plot were unfolded to her then, "You must vow not to share this information with anyone. Please." The please was spoken softly and with deep sincerity. And her head bobbed in a yes response. "I am not wooing her. Not in the least. She wants a pair of armor, plain armor. If the war breaks past .... if we fail our line of defense then she wants to be ready to defend the castle and herself. Now, hopefully she won't have to use that armor but it might be used. And I'm not exactly here to waist your time from another more important project. It is better if she has plain armor so that the enemy does not know who they are fighting." He studied her reaction and before too long he reinforced the most important part."She does not want anyone to know." Had he failed her already? maybe.
Then her entire form would relax as she let out a breath, "Why did you not say so? I can start start as soon as she is measured. I have bits and pieces from my own early attempts at women's armor, it should not take too long." She even had enough relief to pat his shoulder and then turn, moving back to her fire. A glove was pulled on again, tongs picked up and the half made item was pulled from under the coals, white hot like she needed it, but it went into the bucket with an explosive hiss. "We shall move quickly?"
He nodded slightly but remained admit. "The queen put me in her confidence and I was not to share that with anyone. I mean anyone. Look, the measurements is still hard to get. You must come to the castle unseen because no one must start to suspect what is happening. Plus, the queen might not be so happy that I have told you." He moved to watch the craftswoman start at her work again.
"What would be odd about the smith coming to the castle? They need items as well. I have a small wheel barrel of items." It all made perfect sense now, that soft voice hadn't changed any. She knew the Queen was beyond what any normal queen was, it did not surprise her in the least. "Shall I come after awhile?"
"Perfect. You can meet me at the castle in a little bit or I could help you with the wheel berrel if you would like?" Either way they would go to fit the Queen. Hopefully it would be in time for the did not have much of it left. With the death of Mr.White, it was only time before that armor would see it's use.