The Chargers and The Highly Bred

[Adelaide de Valore]

The comforting smell of horses greeted her as she neared the stables. Adelaide gazed at the large stone building with a fervor she always felt when making her regular visit to the home of the royal steeds. The mid-morning sun warmed her back pleasantly through the greenery that lined the path from the palace to her destination. It was a short walk and within another few seconds she rounded the bend that brought the place into sight. The path widened out and disappeared around the side of the building, so that one could move directly to the pastures and arenas without going through the stables.

Adelaide of course chose the path through the building. A young groom who she vaguely knew by the name Peter scurried towards her and quickly opened the large wooden doors while she stood waiting in her simple olive green dress. She didn't intend to ride so she was garbed in one of her usual form-fitting gowns. It was something her sister Rosaria would have turned her nose up at, with no embellishment but intricate vines and flowers embroidered on the bodice in slightly lighter thread and a layered skirt. As for Adelaide, it was one of her favorites.

"Thank you," she said to the groom with an inclination of her head as she glided through the opened doors. She was instantly enveloped by all the sights, sounds and smells that were so familiar to her. She glanced up at the wooden rafters high above where a bird had made its nest and was currently chirping a tune. The princess smiled before turning her attention back to the steeds. Her heeled leather boots clacked against the stone floor as she strode in the direction of her mare's stall.

Suntaria was a fine horse of blood that had been perfected over dozens of generations. Adelaide, after much research, had found that her line stretched almost as far back as the royal family's. She stretched out her manicured fingers and ran them down the length of the mares face. Her coat glistened under the light that streamed in from the windows far above, dark brow - almost black - in color, much like Adelaide's own flowing tresses, brushed into a complicated series of plaits secured at the back of her head that day. Her dark eyes swept around for a groom.

"A set of brushes, please." Usually the youngest princess was quite a timid thing, but among the servants she felt more relaxed. She was royalty and they were commoners, therefore they were more afraid of her than she was of them. Besides, it isn't as though they'd go bad-mouthing me to everyone in the court if I said something strange, the though drifted idly through her mind as the servant she addressed came hurrying towards her with a plain wooden box in her arms. Adelaide reached out to undo the stall's latch at the same moment the girl did, causing her to wretch her hand away and frantically murmur apologies. Adelaide did not respond, she simply opened the stall and stepped in.

It was always wonderful to groom Suntaria. She knew that the other ladies of the court wouldn't bother getting their skirt hems dirty but Adelaide found it therapeutic. She was soon lost in the smooth scraping noise of the brush as she continued to make large circles over the mare's coat. Her mind drifted, not thinking of anything in particular nor day dreaming.

words 578 • reservations none • outfit click

[Joscelin de Valore]

If there was one thing that had never changed in Joscelin's life, it would have to be Adelaide and Rosaria de Valore. His sisters. He adored and loved them, and in his eyes they could have done no wrong, unlike his brother, who he deemed far too coddled and ruined by his overprotective mother. Nonetheless, he had fond memories of both of them, especially Adelaide. Since his youth, Joscelin could still recall every time he had returned home, taken to a knee, and had embraced her when she had flung herself into his arms without care for propriety. Today was no different when he had returned to Caer l'Aurore . . . His home. Their home. The home to the de Valore family where they ruled all of Etrias from.

. . . where Joscelin will one day rule over the realm.

"Welcome home, Your Highness," Fitz, the ostler, said as Joscelin dismounted. His retinue was at his heels as well, and they did much the same. They dismounted, mingled and talked amongst eachother. "Do you happen to know where my sisters are?" Joscelin asked curiously. Fitz, however, bowed his head. "Well, Princess Rosaria, I do not know, but Princess Adelaide is just within," he said and looked to the stables behind him before glancing back to Joscelin who looked surprised. "Is that so?" He asked and the man nodded.

"Hm, attend to my horse, Fitz," he said, and brushed past him.

He smelled of the heat of the day, the road, sweat, and horse. The smell of a man who had been venturing across Etrias for the better part of a day. If he had time he would have bathed and tended to himself to be more presentable and less offensive to the nose of his lady sister, but as it stood Joscelin wished to see her sooner than later; after all, his sisters were a touchstone to normalcy, especially Adelaide. She just seemed to understand him unlike any other. He didn't need to worry about anything else as if he were stepping on egg shells near his father or having to be wary of his words around his lady mother, and much the same around his brother. When it came to Adelaide . . . well, he could be himself.

She would be with Suntaria. He always knew that Adelaide was proud of the beast, and he knew why. Suntaria came from a long line of noble creatures that were carefully breeded over generations. It made him think about himself and his own family. When he reached the stall with Adelaide and Suntaria, he simply watched quietly, crossing his arms upon the stall door as he leaned forward. The sight of her made him feel calm and warm within.

It was wonderful to be home again.

"She's far more beautiful than I remember," Joscelin said suddenly, and he smiled a wide, brilliant smile.

[Adelaide de Valore]

As the minutes passed, Adelaide became so engrossed in her simple task and her mind was left to wonder of more specific things. What were her siblings amusing themselves with? She thought that Rosaria would probably be off having some elaborate meal with a nobleman or picking out new fabrics for her latest gown. The young princess exhaled slowly, not quite a sigh but almost. She happened to be rather afraid of her older sister. She wasn’t entirely sure where their relationship stood at that point. They were princesses, and princesses were expected to be the best and most beautiful that the kingdom had to offer. Unfortunately it seemed that Rosaria wished that she be the only one in the spotlight. Let her have it, thought Adelaide determinedly. It was far more peaceful this way, anyway - for herself at least.

But this was not a subject of thought she felt inclined to pursue, for the topic always left her feeling inferior and embarrassed, whether she was alone or not. She let it go quickly, something she was good at doing. Her youngest brother she was not so sure of. He seemed to take part in a much wider array of activities than Adelaide and her older female counter-part. She let it go as well. As for Joscelin, she knew that he was not around the palace. Come to think of it she had heard of him going into Ascalon.

After another few circular strokes of the hard-bristled brush, she lifted her head, trying to awaken from the sort of trance she had fallen into. She was standing at her mare's shoulder. She lifted her hand and ran her fingers down Suntaria's neck. A light mare of arabian breed that one might easily mistake for black, though truly she was the darkest of bays. "Suntaria, my love," she whispered into a finely shaped ear, "shall we go riding today?" She had certainly not intended to, but it struck her that there was barely anything she would like to do more that day.

She glanced at the floor and removed the second brush from the box lying on a wooden stool that had been set near the stable entrance. It was halfway to Suntaria's coat when she heard the voice. "She's far more beautiful than I remember." The wooden brush clattered as it hit the floor and Suntaria snorted. Within the same moment, Adelaide had moved to the stable door, struggled with the latch in her haste and flung herself towards her brother. Her arms encircled him around the chest for her was quite a bit taller than she. His scent was musky and filthy but she couldn't say she cared. "It is good to see you, Joscelin," she said while still embracing him.

words 463 • reservations Joscelin • outfit click

[Joscelin de Valore]

It reminded him of old times. When all that mattered was the affection of siblings, and political intrigue and expected marriage arrangements were of concern. Fortunately, his father hadn't come to a conclusion of who would be worthy enough to have his sisters' hands in marriage, although Joscelin hoped that his own opinion would weigh in on the matter when the time came. He wanted to be sure that his beloved sister would be genuinely happy and not just some political tool in the hands of some man.

He embraced her tightly, holding her against his body.

"It is good to see you too, little sister," he said and looked over her head to Suntaria.

"I see that you are preparing for a ride. If it pleases you, mayhap I may join you? Ahearn is still far from winded, and I daresay he'd like to stay out a bit longer before resting," Joscelin said and shifted his body. He moved his hands to her cheeks, parting their forms so that he may look down on her. He upturned her face to him and smiled. His eyes were full of affection, adoration and unconditional love. She was his blood and Joscelin would have crossed endless deserts, climbed the tallest mountains, and crossed the seven seas, and ridden to war for her.

"I have missed you," he said and shut his eyes before he set his brow against hers.

He stood there a moment longer, simply standing there with her and savoring how close they were. She was his touchstone to normalcy. She made him stable and want to breathe and hold on, not with addiction but with what truly mattered most. It was this love. The need to defend and protect what mattered most to him.

"You are growing far too fast, sister," he murmured suddenly as he opened his eyes and drew back. "Although I fear I may be making you dirty and stink. Mother will disapprove of such," he said, drawing back further with a sly smile. "That should be the last thing I want to deal with...mother's nagging voice," he murmured and thought on that, although mostly about someone else. He thought of his brother...wherever he was. It didn't matter, however, because the two simply did not get along whatsoever. Never. Not once. It was hard to whenever he saw his mother coddle him and comfort him all of the time, starting once the boy had been born. It was part jealousy and part disgust.

He shoved it out of his mind.

"There haven't been any young men calling have there?" He asked suddenly, one brow raised. Ever the over protective brother.

[Adelaide de Valore]

What a strange thing for the youngest daughter of a family to prefer the company of either of her brothers over her own sister. As strange as it was that was exactly how young Princess Adelaide felt. In fact she could not remember ever connecting with Rosaria in any way. She preferred banquets and fancy gowns while Adelaide would rather go for a long ride wearing something other than a flouncy skirt and with her bow strapped neatly to her back - quiver full. She almost chuckled as she imagined the look on Rosaria's face if she ever asked her to accompany her on that.

Other than her foolish daydreams she felt an intense happiness at seeing Joscelin again, and judging by his unwashed smell, he had come looking for her first thing. She breathed in deeply as he drew her in to their embrace. "It is good to see you too, little sister." He lifted his head for a moment, she assumed looking over to Suntaria. "I see that you are preparing for a ride. If it pleases you, mayhap I may join you? Ahearn is still far from winded, and I daresay he'd like to stay out a bit longer before resting." She had to lift her chin quite high to look him in the eye. "It would please me greatly, brother."

She thought about her brother's stallion. He was a noble beast if there ever was one but the times in the past that she had attempted to handle him herself had not been her idea of good horsemanship. He responded much better to Joscelin's ways, as Suntaria responded to her own. She murmured her agreement to his next words. He set his brow against hers. She closed her eyes and stood for a moment, silent. "You are growing far too fast, sister," he said, finally drawing away. "No faster than is necessary, brother," she said, grinning at his nostalgic ways.

"Although I fear I may be making you dirty and stink. Mother will disapprove of such," he said with a sly smile. "That should be the last thing I want to deal with...mother's nagging voice," she who had known him so long noticed the murmured ending to his words. So he is still angry... They had never outright discussed the topic but she knew what he thought of their mother. "Though it is not what is expected of a lady, I don't mind some soil and without sweat surely we would cook alive," she joked, trying to lighten up his mood.

"There haven't been any young men calling have there?" She starred at him for a moment to make sure he was in fact being serious. At seventeen, Adelaide had noticed the... charms of certain men but as embarrassing as it was, she had never engaged in a courtship of any form. She couldn't quite help herself from bursting in to giggles. "No, I'm afraid not. You won't need to go scare any poor young men half to death then, I hope... Truly, brother. None interest me and I am sure the feeling is mutual. Now I suppose you'd like to go clean yourself before you make me any filthier." She dropped her head and laughed again. "But then shall we ride?"

words 541 • reservations none • outfit click

[Joscelin de Valore]

Joscelin, unable to keep from smiling in her presence, felt his cheeks begin to ache. Since she had been a child, Adelaide had always been able to touch his heart in ways no other could. He loved her. She was his sister, his blood, and so much more to him. Her happiness was what mattered most to him, and in turn he knew that she cared for him as well. It was what made their relationship all the better and so well.

"You are a unique woman, Adelaide, and I pray you drive men mad one day," Joscelin said with a smile, although he was likewise content with the fact that she had yet to be called upon. He was even more happy that his father had yet to force her into any arrangement. Joscelin was certain that he'd be the first to protest any marriage arrangements for both of his sisters albeit there could be numerous advantages from such. Trade agreements, war assets and overall peace of mind between nations or houses. Still, he wanted them to be happy, and Joscelin knew how some men were. They would use his sisters if they saw what they could gain from it and Joscelin was reluctant to allow any man so close to them because of that reason alone. Still, perhaps one day a man would come around who wasn't like that . . . mayhap one day.

"Good, although I fear that it won't last for long," Joscelin said, followed by a heavy sigh. "I do not know what I will do when the men come calling," he admitted with a laugh, but then his laughter became harder when the mention of cleaning himself came to light. His blue eyes were full of amusement as he gave his head a quick shake. "I don't think I will, I'll save that for after, sweet sister," Joscelin said. "Come, let us ride now and I will return you to mother sweaty, covered in dust and stinking like a horse," he said playfully, his mouth set in a grin.

Home. God, it felt wonderful to be here again . . . with her . . . with everyone that he trusted and loved. Worries about his mother and brother, however, surfaced in mind briefly, but they were swept away by Adelaide's eyes and smile. He wouldn't think on those things, at least not yet. He would have this for now. He would savor it and enjoy himself as he deserves. Especially since it was far healthier than drowning in his cups, gambling and taking women without so much as a second thought. This was right. This was what he should have been doing to begin with instead of fleeing.