|
|
Post by missmilkmaid on Dec 7, 2014 6:12:57 GMT
"Mabel I live down in Donahue by the harbor," she explained, "That's amazing that you and all the other girls get to fight. I wanted to learn how to use my father's sword, but he won't let me. I still practice with sticks though."
A boy nearby laughed "Is that what you call it. She's the bloody terror of the neighborhood."
"Just cuz I can beat you, Cecil Ryan, doesn't make me a terror!" Mabel shouted back.
The crowd laughed at that and Cecil stuck out his tongue, before grinning as well.
"Well if Bron here can become a noble, I expect anything is possible," Wren said.
|
|
|
|
Post by ravigen on Dec 7, 2014 6:21:50 GMT
Sayoko smiled, chuckling at their banter and nodded, looking from Mabel to Bron.
"Well Mabel, you keep practicing and one day you're sure to become a superb fighter, when you do make sure to come north and see me. I'm curious to see what kind of warrior you could be." she ruffled the girls hair fondly and stood, looking around the square curiously.
"Bron, do you know a blacksmith nearby?" she asked. |
|
|
|
Post by missmilkmaid on Dec 7, 2014 6:34:57 GMT
"Uh," Bron didn't actually know many of the local artisans in Dovwynn, at least not be name, but Artisan's Row in Silvyn was well known across the kingdom. "The best smith is in Silvyn," he said, "Though I think a lot of the shops are closed during the tournament."
"You will want to talk to David Quinn, My Lady," provided one of the other men in the square, obviously a local Dovwynnite. "He's the best smith in the kingdom. He's not in his shop but he and his family are manning some of the booth down in Silvyn."
"The hammer and Bell booth," provided one of the others, "And the darts booth."
"I know where it is," said Mabel "I can show you and I promise I will come see you, Princess. When I get older I want to move to your kingdom and fight with all the other girls."
|
|
|
|
Post by ravigen on Dec 7, 2014 6:37:50 GMT
Sayoko smiled and nodded, gesturing for Mabel to lead the way. She grabbed Bron's hand to make sure he came along and looked around, once again taking in the sights of the city.
"Please do show us, and I can guarantee that you would be more than welcome with us Mabel when you get a bit older though." She had an idea in mind and she was excited to see it through to the end. |
|
|
|
Post by missmilkmaid on Dec 7, 2014 6:52:06 GMT
Mabel led them down toward Silvyn district. Bron smiled slightly glancing up at Sayoko and wandering what exactly she was planning. Most of the rest of the crowd must have been wondering the same thing, because half the crowed followed as well.
The streets weren't as wide in Silvyn, but most of the buildings were taller and it was obviously a center of Commerce. The market square was in the center with Artisan Row right beside it and the river harbor and the new Grand Bridge could be see past a few more rows of houses.
Several booths were set up in the market with games, goods to sell or treats on display. Mabel led them to a booth where a brawny man with a brown beard was handing a customer a heavy hammer. There was a bell on the top of a hollow shoot with a weight and a leaver at the bottum. Lines of paint marked levels of success on the shoot and as the smith stepped back, the customer swung the hammer down on the lever with all his strength. The weight flew up the shoot a good deal of the way but didn't cause the bell to ring. The man gave a good natured curse and the smith chuckled slightly, telling him he should come and try again after a few more hardy meals and some moths swing a real smiths hammer.
"Quinn!" called one of the men with Sayoko and the rest of her crowd, "Hey Quinn! The princess of Ikegami wants to talk to you!"
Quinn looked over startled and noticed Sayoko standing head and shoulders taller than anyone else in the crowd. "My Lady, um, You Majesty? How can I be of service?"
By now the whole crown was gathered around the booth and everyone looked at Sayoko curiously, including Mabel, who was standing between Quinn and Sayoko and looking back and forth with interest.
|
|
|
|
Post by ravigen on Dec 7, 2014 7:01:47 GMT
Sayoko smiled politely looking from Mabel to Quinn, observing the game with an amused glance before focusing on the smith.
"I have been told you are the best smith in Elon, I would like to make an order." she turned to smile at Mabel again, expecting the girl to realize just what Sayoko was planning, from she could see and hear the girl was strong-willed and determined and she would be interested to see if she kept along that path.
"Well Mabel, if you want to join us in the north one day you'll need equipment won't you?" She turned back to Quinn, letting that sink in for the girl.
"I want you to make a sword, the best you can make. I can supply the materials and offer a good price for it, for the girl there." she turned to Mabel and looked at her sternly, her face the picture perfect demeanor of a strong warrior and authority figure.
"You'll have to find someone to teach you, and promise me you won't practice by yourself, I'm trusting you to do this Mabel." then she smiled and turned back to Quinn.
"I'll also need you to do armor as well but not for some time maybe when she's a bit older if she's still set on this path."
|
|
|
|
Post by missmilkmaid on Dec 7, 2014 7:14:03 GMT
A shocked murmur went around the crowd. In Elon, Iron and other metals were rare and very expensive, even for nobles. Sword were precocious heirlooms, which families protected and passed down to their children. And armor? No one but noble knights had plate armor and not even all of them.
"Are - are you telling the truth, my Lady?" asked Mabel, looking up at her with wide hopeful eyes, "A sword? For Real?!"
Quinn however was smiling. He was well involved in the merchants guild and knew well that both iron and gold were abundant in the Ikegami lands. He had full faith in Sayoko's ability to pay him handsomely for the work and provide ample materials. "It would be an honor to serve you in this manner, My Lady," he said giving her a bow, his brown eyes gleaming, as he saw the look on the faces of those around them, "Shall I make her a katana in the style of the Ikegami, or a sword of the Elonese tradition?"
Bron was smiling too, "I don't have a squire yet," he said, "If Mabel's parents are willing to take it under consideration, I may be able to teach her myself."
|
|
|
|
Post by ravigen on Dec 7, 2014 7:23:57 GMT
Sayoko nodded, looking from Mabel to Bron, the hopeful look on her face was enough to justify the entire expenditure of the trip, she had a soft spot for girls who wanted to fight but were unable to for whatever reason, Mabel would likely never get her father's sword and staying here would eventually end up with her being married off to someone for familial gain, Sayoko was familiar with the concept.
"Of course, Now the only question is if you want to learn from Sir Bronsyn or would you rather come with me to Kegosu in the north, Of course your parents would have to approve either option but it's your choice Mabel."
Depending on what Mabel chose the blade would be in the Elonese tradition or an Ikegami katana, Sayoko was well aware of the whispered murmurs around her and smiled, she knew she was doing something shocking and spectacular and she felt happy to give this girl and any others listening who wanted the same hope. |
|
|
|
Post by missmilkmaid on Dec 7, 2014 7:30:43 GMT
"Oh I want to go to Kegosh-" she hesitated trying to pronounce the unfamiliar word correctly, "Kegosu with you! I'm sure that, if you talk to them, my parents would understand."
"You're going to go all across the world and learn to fight elvs!?" Cecil asked in dubious amazement, "For real? You know if you stayed here May, I'd have let you use my family sword when I got it."
"That's only because you want to marry me you, Rascal, But I'm going to become a Samurai!"
|
|
|
|
Post by ravigen on Dec 7, 2014 7:41:23 GMT
Sayoko chuckled, "Well then we'll have to go see your parents about this then, could you go and get them Mabel while I talk to Quinn?"
She turned to said smith and nodded, pulling a small parchment of paper from her Yukata with the Ikegami crest on it and handing it to Quinn.
"A katana for Mabel then, take this to the manor later and I will arrange payment for your services, there is no need to rush but if you can have the order done by the end of the Tournament in two and a half weeks I will prepare a bonus for you."
She leaned against the stall and waited for Mabel to return. |
|
|
|
Post by missmilkmaid on Dec 9, 2014 3:45:47 GMT
"Of course, My Lady," Quin said, taking the parchment, "I will be happy to make it for her. It's a very generous of you to do this."
"Generous indeed," Bron said, beaming at Sayoko, "You're giving Mabel a chance very few commoners in Elon ever get."
"Yeah," laughed Wren, "First Bron the bastard runaway from Dorn becomes a nobleman and not a little girl from Donoghue gets asword and armor and will be flying off to the elven mountains!"
"Times are certainly changing!" another man said.
"Aed bless you, Lady," called a woman from deeper in the crowd.
For a while Sayoko was surrounded by people waning to kiss her hand and wish her blessing. Other asked her a multitude of questions, curious about her people and country. It was clear that while nobles were respected in Elon, there seemed to be less of a class barrier than in some other counties. A couple of families asked her to come dine in their homes, while a few men grew comfortable enough to joke around with her.
Eventually mabel came back dragging a bemused looking man by the hand, while a woman and a boy a little younger than Mabel followed behind.
"These are my parents!" Mabel called as the crowed made way for them, "And my little brother Micha."
The man looked up at Sayoko, "What's this all about?" he asked, "My daughter came running in, yelling about swords and elves and going off to far away lands. Is any of what she's saying true?"
|
|
|
|
Post by ravigen on Dec 9, 2014 4:09:46 GMT
Sayoko had taken to the questions well, answering them to the best of her ability, smiling and laughing along with some of the jokes and telling a few of her own. She said she'd give some thought to the offers to dine with some people but would likely be unable to agree to every offer and it would be rude to agree to dine with some and not others due to time constraints.
When Mabel returned with her family she gave them a polite and respectful bow of her head in acknowledgment. She smiled at the younger brother before focusing on the parents.
"Ah hello there, I am Ikegami Sayoko, a pleasure to meet you both, I've been talking with your daughter and she seems like a remarkable girl."
She turned to Quinn and back to Mabel, "She has also expressed an interest in learning to fight. I understand that such things are unusual in Elon but they are not in Ikegami lands. To that effect she has expressed interest in going North with me to learn the ways of the Samurai."
She paused, letting the parents have time to take in what she was saying, not wanting to speak too quickly and give them no time to come to terms with it.
"I believe that she is of age to leave home if she wishes but I would hope to gain the approval and blessings of her parents before hand. So in short I would be honored if you would give your blessings to your daughter and allow her to come with me to become a Samurai, I have already negotiated with Quinn here to provide her with a sword and armor." |
|
|
|
Post by missmilkmaid on Dec 9, 2014 4:16:42 GMT
The parents blinked, trying to process all of this.
"Please, Papa! Please please! I really want to go!"
"Shush, Mabel," the father said frowning slightly as he considered Sayoko, Quinn and the surrounding crowd. "This is very generous of you," he said though his tone sounded a little dubious, "If she were to go, who'd care would she be under and where would she live? What would be her future in a strange country of elvs, who live different and longer lives? Is there any place for a human girl among your people?"
"We don't have the money to pay for an apprenticeship," the mother pointed out, holding her son's hand."
|
|
|
|
Post by ravigen on Dec 9, 2014 4:24:26 GMT
Sayoko waited for them to finish before replying, this was a question she'd been figuring out herself since she made the offer, working out the details in her head.
"She would be under my care and would reside either in Kegosu or at the manor to the north at the base of the mountains, depending on where her training would take place, all of her amenities would be met as we do for everyone training to be a Samurai. As for belonging, we take care of our own, Samurai come from all walks of life and she would be no different, she would learn alongside them, live alongside them and fight alongside them. It is true that as a human she does not live as long as we do but just as we take care of those among us too wounded to continue fighting she would still be taken care of even decades later when she is too old to continue."
Sayoko paused, thinking about it some more.
"Being a Samurai is more than training to fight, it is about learning duty, honor, respect and discipline, I do not deny that it will take some adjusting but as long as she is with us she would be treated as any other trainee. And do not worry you do not need to pay for an apprenticeship."
|
|
|
|
Post by missmilkmaid on Dec 9, 2014 4:31:51 GMT
Mabel's father rubbed the stubble of his beard and looked torn in his decision. Finally he said, "Mabel has always had a spirit for independence and courage, a fighting spirit. It pained me to deny her our family sword, but I could not deprive my son of his inheritance. I do believe, however, that Aed gave her a gift and now this opportunity you present is... well, like a miracle. I think God is shining a light upon my daughter's duty and path in life, but please..." he hesitated, "This has all been very sudden and the Ikegami lands are very far from home. Give her mother and I time to consider and pray over this matter. Before the week is over, if your offer still stands, we will give you a final answer."
|
|
