(1875-05-15) A Jarl In Four Corners
A Jarl In Four Corners
Summary: Beowulf arrives in Four Corners and seeks out a familiar denizen.
Date: 2019-05-15
Related: None
NPCs: None
Players:
Beowulf  Elixane  

The Market in Four Corners
It's a market. The best in the lands.
1875-05-15

Jarl Beowulf was in Four Corners!

Why and for what purpose is for his knowledge alone. Though more than likely, he intended to meet his courtesan. To make matters far more interesting for Elixane, Beowulf didn't send word ahead. Intending to clearly surprise her and likely at least let her know he was still alive and never forgot about her.

But he long wondered if she even cared? He went to the marketplace she often liked to visit, as if he waited for the arrival of the beautiful flower herself.

He did feel his heart beat just a little bit faster, but doesn't that happen with all surprises? No? Just him?

Well then….hope there's vodka around here somewhere.

-

The beautiful flower herself was indeed at the market. In the spring she often turned her attention to working on the Academy's gardens and sprucing up the building for the new season. Spring and winter were ever the season when more men came into the Academy seeking to affirm the vitality of life. "Thank you, Marta, I'll send one of the apprentices to pick up the seedlings," Elixane offered as she stepped away from the flower merchant's stall, offering a fond farewell before she turned to the market proper, just in time to catch sight of a familiar figure approaching along the way, and quickened her steps to approach him.

-

Beowulf turns his head just in time to see Elixane finishing up her conversation with the flower merchant. Though as soon as Beowulf saw her quickening her steps as she approached him, Beowulf turned more fully, revealing his face and his appearance. His hair was drawn a little bit further back to keep it out of his face and his beard was certainly not trimmed. His fur cloak followed him as he walked towards her, hoping to meet her in the middle.

But truly, he might get slapped for being away for so long. Wars needed fighting!

-

A slap was what he expected and a slap was precisely what he got. To the Hells with the fact that he was a Jarl and she only a common courtesan. Though, the slap was not to his face, but to his chest, the flat of her palm, hitting him just on his sternum, "The stories I have been hearing about you. Fighting wars, nearly being killed, sailing of to the One knows where." Elixane gave him her most fierce and angry look, which, was, to her credit, formidable. She even threw in a glare there, before her face brightened into a brilliant smile and she stepped forward throwing her arms, and herself, around and against Beowulf.

-

Slapped right against his chest, Beowulf seems to just be smiling from ear to ear at Elixane. He loved that /fire/ that was in her soul. It was one of the things that made her so attractive to him as a person. But as Beowulf was about to explain, he gives a guilty nod. "Well, you see lass I-" then suddenly he's being embraced tightly, and he just smiles and embraces her fully in return. "I missed you lass, ya know that? And your even more radiant than the day I met you." He even kisses her cheek affectionately to put a statement on it. "How have you been? We need to catch up."

-

"You are a terrible liar, Beo," Elixane offered, with her head still resting chin on his shoulder, before she felt the kiss and released him, settling back onto the balls of her feet. She was tall enough that she had not had to jump on him to hug him, "And I have missed you. You must tell me all of your news. Four Corners is a dear place, only made moreso that much of the troubles of the world never reach us physically. We must hear only rumours." She offered a hand, as she indicated that they could continue down along the road.

-

Taking her hand and intertwining his fingers with her own, Beowulf walked side by side with Elixane, most likely turning a few heads in the process. Beowulf was a beautiful man, in the roguish sense, and Elixane was a beautiful woman in all the right ways. He looks at her. "Well, my people seem to be rising up, and I have found that my assisting them does not jeopardize my agreements with Galenthia. I have joined my people on three occasions to fight the Aequorians…I only hope that we may find a more permanent home in this great lands. But, despite all the sailing, the raiding, the plundering and the fighting, my thoughts have ever been of coming to see you." he smiles gently and gives her hand a squeeze. "Tell me of you."

-

Elixane was entirely content to walk at their own place through the market, both of them having long ago learned the trick of walking outside of the flow of the other foot traffic, "But why do you even wish such a thing? From what I have heard, your islands are a beautiful place. And taking land and killing those who live there hardly seems a necessary step. For do you not live in peace in Dorling? And you were granted lands there, to live on and to work. Why not simply ask for a settlement in Aequor, rather than beginning a war over it?" As for herself, "There is not much to tell. I am as I have often been, though the last few months have seen me travelling less and remaining within the Academy more. So much war has not been good for business."

-

Walking with Elixane was such a pleasant thing to do. It was like all the world faded to black, and it was only them. But, Beowulf speaks. "The islands are indeed beautiful. But the clans have long been at odds with Aequor. Our King simply decided it was time to expand. I do not speak for all of them, but if it were up to me, we take a small land and we grow as a community before we even think about something as big as conquest." But Beowulf shrugs. He seems happy though that she has continued to live simply. "I'm glad it has been quiet for you. I hope to see you more often, for I won't be needed for a time."

-

Elixane shook her head, "I am no warrior, but it still seems a very ill-thought out idea, to me. If there was bad blood between your peoples, it would have been possible to sue for peace and to ask for land in return for a ceasing of hostilities between White Hall and Aequor. What this King Reist did was only increase the hostility between his hands and Aequor by killing men, woman and children for no other reason than they stood in his way. And a better way exists. You found it yourself." Elixane looked away, taking in the various hops and stall as she always did. She loved a good market, and Four Corners had one of the best. "I did not realize there even was a King of White Hall. I had only ever heard of a Queen there. Is he her husband?"

-

Beowulf looks at Elixane and he shakes his head. "The King and Queen bit is a tad….complicated. As soon as Reist arrived on these foreign lands, he proclaimed himself as King and the people follow him. He leads the single largest clan in White Hall, and from what I see of his mannerisms, his reasons for attacking Aequor are very personal." Beowulf shakes his head. "But I will speak no more on the matter. It is a complicated issue." he then looks to the goods and perhaps looks her in the eyes. "Those jewels match your eyes."

-

Elixane shook her head, "I cannot say I think well of this new King of yours, Beo. When I have a personal disagreement with someone, I handle it with the person I am in conflict with, I do not dole out my anger and frustrations on innocent people." Still, she did not press him further, instead looking off towards where he had noted the jewelry, "I will take that as a compliment. But I much prefer a fine silk," which would have been clear from her dress, which was always in the island Ryaltan style, "to fine jewelry."

-

"To my knowledge, not many do." Beowulf admits, though as Eli speaks about favoring fine silk more, he does smile to her. "I would agree, I think. It certainly suits you, helps your skin seem to glow." Flatterer. He does seem to keep his eyes on her though, squeezing her hand only once. "…I'm sorry I was away from you for so long. You must've been angry with me."

-

"Well, as I cannot take the sun as I once did, for the sun here is never as strong as it is further south, I must make due with other things to give myself colour." Elixane did not comment further on Reist or the vagaries of White Hall. Better to keep the conversation out of dangerous waters, "I missed your company, certainly, but I was not angry with you. How could I be? You have duties, true duties to your people and your clan. And other business interests besides."

-

Chuckling faintly, Beowulf smiles. "Well, your skin still shows its lovely reflection. It may not be as strong, but your tan still gives your skin that perfect shine." Beowulf compliments her, before he does seem to listen to her words of missing him. His company, but understanding that he had obligations. "Well, you are still my primary business interest." he says playfully.

-

Elixane laughed, the sound ringing and lovely, "That, Beowulf, is only because I charge you an exorbitant amount of money for my time. And for the costs required when I must travel to Dorling." Elixane glanced away, as they turned a corner in the market, "It is a bit early for dinner, but have you even had a meal today? There is a fine pastry shop which has only just opened for the spring business." She allowed her free hand to rise, indicating a colourful striped awning in the near distance.

-

"I can't help it. Its a solid deal." He pats her backside playfully with his freehand as she gestures with her hand to indicate the awning not far from where they were. "I am kind of hungry, so I believe that to be a good move. It'd be nice to have a small dinner date with you, after all. Have you eaten?"

-

Elixane shook her head, "Not since breakfast, no. I seem to live under an endless stream of errands and errant barbarians these days. Perhaps we can select something and then take what we find to the gardens. It is still fine and lovely today." The pat received a swat of her hand, before she slipped ahead, to make her way towards the shop.

-

Swatted, Beowulf laughed a little bit. Hey, she was a lady, but Beowulf was still gonna shoot his shot every chance he had. Nevertheless, he walks with her to the awning. "Well, then I should certainly feed you a feast. After all, I admit I've been a horrible customer as it is, leaving you on your lonesome." Beowulf smiles warmly to her. He follows her, and he looks around. "The gardens would be a nice change of scenery. Maybe they'll have grown the lilacs properly this time."

-

Elixane laughed, as she stepped into the shop, "Oh, I have found enough to keep me occupied, you should not allow yourself to worry. The Academy has been doing well for itself, and we have been using the resent unpleasantness in the slums to train our apprentices. While we are not healers, of course, we do teach the basics, out of necessity, and we have been doing what we can to aid those still recovering from illness by having the apprentices working with the hospitalers. At least those who are interested in learning such arts." She made her way towards the counter, picking up a small basket on the way.

-

Beowulf looks at Elixane as she speaks, and he chuckles. "Well, at least you are doing what you can. There are many who would do none, or simply less." Beowulf has always had pride knowing Elixane was not only extremely intelligent, but also a genuinely good person. "I didn't know you knew basic first aid. The more you know." Beowulf seemed to smile softly at her. He noticed the basket she grabbed. Did she intend to swipe some flowers?

-

Elixane did not intend to steal flowers, no, rather, she had not brought anything in which to hold the pastries, and so she carried the basket over to the mistress in charge, offering it to her. A fee would be added to the total, and returned when the basket was returned. "We are different here in Four Corners, I think. In the main, many of those of us who live here help each other as we can. We could not survive any other way. I am no great healer, in truth, I only know a very little, but it is a useful skill to have, in my profession. Both to assist myself and the other courtesans and to provide care for clients. "What would you like, Beo?"

-

Beowulf looks at Elixane and he nods. "I would agree. Its a thriving community. No competition unless you are a merchant running a business. You see someone in need, you help one another. In many ways, it is like my home…except a bit less fanatic about raiding." Beowulf smiles gently, then he shrugs. He does seem to ponder for a moment. "I think some pasta shells would be nice. I hear that when lined with cheese, it becomes extraordinarily delicious." or at least, Beowulf thinks she speaks of the pasta.

-

Elixane was content to place an order for whatever Beowulf fancied, adding in a few things for herself as well. The offer to have that which was not already prepared was accepted, as they had not decided to make a stop by the Academy's kitchens, "And some of the red wine, if you please. And a small decanter of the rose as well." Elixane looked back at her companion, "I think we leave the raiding to the constabulary." That was said with no heat. Whatever the rumours of corruption existed, they were still valuable and respected amongst the citizenry they protected.

-

Beowulf looks at Elixane as she orders the food that Beowulf would like, and orders herself some red wine. A small smile touching his features. Beowulf does seem to tilt his head. "Interesting." But, any talk of possible corruption is quickly stashed away by the Jarl, and simply remains next to her. "Speaking of food…I don't think you ever told me what your favorite meal is."

-

Having ordered everything they were likely to need, Elixane handed over the basket, so that it could be packed, before she stepped back to stand with Beowulf, so that the next customer in line might place their order. "I hope that you won't think that I am lying to you, Beo, but my favourite meal is the one I am eating. Before I came to Four Corners and found my way to the Academy, I poor, lower than poor, I never knew if there would be a next meal. if there would be enough coin to buy even something as cheap and simple as bread. So to even know that I do not have to wake up hungry and go to bed hungry is a gift."

-

Beowulf looks at Elixane as she reveals that during her younger days, she was destitute and thus got her hands on any meal that she could. "I understand. It is a good lesson to learn. Helps you appreciate what you have and keep a life of humility." Beowulf seems approving of this. "and I learned something new about you today. And every fact and detail is just as beautiful as the last." he compliments her inner beauty now.

-

"Is it?" Elixane was not asking the question flippantly. She seemed genuinely curious, "We were all something else, before we were who we are. My story is not unique. And I daresay there are many who would claim that I have not made good on the gifts I have been given. Who do not accept that I am content as I am. That I enjoy what I am and what it affords me." Elixane might have said more, but she was called back to the counter to retrieve the now packed basket. "The gardens, then?"

-

"The Gardens.' Beowulf confirms, and he looks at her. "Not many people have a story that can be called unique. In all of history, people have filled every role imaginable, I would think. Its a beautiful thing, to know that everyone has a story." Beowulf shrugs lightly. "But, alas, we dote on a sour topic. Shall we?" he offers Elixane his hand.

-

"Perhaps better a sour story than a sour wine." The basket she tucked on at her elbow, before she settled her hand into Beowulf's the two departing the shop, and returning to the road. They would the gardens soon enough, and the lilacs in beautiful bloom.

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