Theirs was a strange situation. Her family assumed that she would wed Nathan and bear children with him. Love wasn't necessarily a factor in their eyes - though her brothers knew how strongly she desired a real courtship. Arundel had made that clear the day of the auction, yet had ended up bidding on Aleixo. Despite knowing deep down what that would lead to, she'd purchased him. There was a lot of resentment, anger, and disbelief as to her decision. In the present, much of those unpleasant emotions were no longer a factor. What she told Nate was true, about not necessarily having to belong to the other. It was her duty to train him in their ways, and guide his passage into this new life. One day, hopefully, he would be bound to the Web and truly be one of them. A Strider may choose him, and Windmarks would be inked onto his flesh. This was the real goal.
With the diminished number of their people, children were very sought after. This was the main desire, and women who could birth them. Women often outnumbered the men anyways, because of the dangers of the Sea. This was one of the reasons multiple wives were taken. It was merely their way. Measures had to be taken in order to ensure the survival of their way of life. Bringing new men into the city, in itself, was also a necessity. Without new blood, there could be no diversity. No new stock. It was no different than with their herds. If one kept breeding horses amongst each other, the lines would grow weak. Men, despite what everyone said, were just as important as the women and children when it came to those captured in the raids.
Nathan could very well take three wives years from now, and none of them being her. In the same sense, Arundel could become one of several wives to an Ankal or lesser son. The idea displeased her, but it was a very possible outcome. She and him were not necessarily a good match. At least not at the moment. His unwillingness and resentment kept a barrier between them, and this increased the likelihood of them never wedding. But she could keep the relationship professional. Initially that was what she had planned in the first place, even though at times she wished to know him better.
Her ears concentrated hard on his complex statement, picking a few words out and coming up with a very rough translation. Her reply was slow and careful. "Not know. Not support raid. Happen anyway. Leaders say necessary. I am no leader. No say in matters. Just... here." Her shoulders bobbed with a half-hearted shrug. She hoped that he actually believed her. Why would she wish upon that kind of fate for people she had never met? Strangers being torn for their home and carted across the land to a foreign city with foreign faces and foreign ways. The thought of such a thing happening to her was beyond unpleasant. She understood, in a sense, why Nathan was so unhappy. Yet at the same time, she wished the tensions between them could ease. Everyone needed companionship. It would make the transition easier for him if she could teach him their ways without all the reluctance and hostility. Perhaps one day. There was no time limit for this training.
His follow-up statement was a surprise, yet not at the same time. "Not have to follow. But... I will take. Doctor is good. Will...," Arundel's sentence trailed off as she struggled to find the right word. "Enjoy? Appreciate! Appreciate company. Long ride with many nights. You are sure?" She leaned over and retrieved the package from where it lay next to her chair. It was warm from the fire, and she ran a hand across the paper-wrapped surface. The item itself didn't make her all that uneasy, merely the man who had given it to her. But he was leaving Cyphrus. She wouldn't have to face him again - as long as this made it to Serifal in time. Arundel chewed on her lip speculatively, running over several possibilities again. The chances of this going over without any hitches was slim, it felt like. But for some reason, she'd been unable to refuse. Her mind felt a little foggy when she recalled why she'd accepted. It hurt her head.
Tiredly, she rose to her feet and propped the thing on the curve of her hip. "It is late. Talk in morning?" Her exhaustion - both physical and mental - was bone deep. Nate didn't look too fatigued, but it was almost morning of the next day. They needed their sleep. Preparations and planning for the trip would begin immediately. Arundel also had to prepare herself for the talk with her parents. The Ankal was not pleased. When Nathan rose to join her, she regarded him for a long moment, eyes raking him up and down. Hostilities seemed to be easing fractionally between them. Their relationship was such a war zone that these small changes in his attitude were as clear as if a light shined on them. It was a start, at least. She wished to be his friend, deep down. Everyone needed one. "Goodnight, Nathan." Her free hand twisted into the signal for goodnight. "Goodnight," she emphasized a third time in slow Pavi. He didn't seem to be picking up on many words, but that wouldn't stop her from trying.
He slept in a curtained off area with three of her brothers; the two youngest - the twins - and the second oldest. The eldest, who was married now twice and destined to be Ankal of this family when their father passed, had his own quarters with the two women who would help keep the line alive. One of them was Aleixo's sister, Antia. The other young men were yet to be wed, as were any of the girls, including herself. Her older sister seemed be on the verge, though. Arundel paused awkwardly, looking into the fire. It was strong and warm, and wouldn't need to be fed for a while. Often people rose throughout the night for various reasons, and would take care of it. "Goodnight," she said again in Pavi before turning and retiring to the quarters she shared with her eldest and youngest sister. Arundel tucked the package inside one her yvas bags at the foot of her sleeping furs and blankets, before curling up in the warmth of the bed. She stayed awake for several more bells into the morning before a restless sleep finally found her again. Her dreams that night were haunted by a smiling stranger and crying families in a far off stone city.
OOCYou can wrap this up with your last post!
With the diminished number of their people, children were very sought after. This was the main desire, and women who could birth them. Women often outnumbered the men anyways, because of the dangers of the Sea. This was one of the reasons multiple wives were taken. It was merely their way. Measures had to be taken in order to ensure the survival of their way of life. Bringing new men into the city, in itself, was also a necessity. Without new blood, there could be no diversity. No new stock. It was no different than with their herds. If one kept breeding horses amongst each other, the lines would grow weak. Men, despite what everyone said, were just as important as the women and children when it came to those captured in the raids.
Nathan could very well take three wives years from now, and none of them being her. In the same sense, Arundel could become one of several wives to an Ankal or lesser son. The idea displeased her, but it was a very possible outcome. She and him were not necessarily a good match. At least not at the moment. His unwillingness and resentment kept a barrier between them, and this increased the likelihood of them never wedding. But she could keep the relationship professional. Initially that was what she had planned in the first place, even though at times she wished to know him better.
Her ears concentrated hard on his complex statement, picking a few words out and coming up with a very rough translation. Her reply was slow and careful. "Not know. Not support raid. Happen anyway. Leaders say necessary. I am no leader. No say in matters. Just... here." Her shoulders bobbed with a half-hearted shrug. She hoped that he actually believed her. Why would she wish upon that kind of fate for people she had never met? Strangers being torn for their home and carted across the land to a foreign city with foreign faces and foreign ways. The thought of such a thing happening to her was beyond unpleasant. She understood, in a sense, why Nathan was so unhappy. Yet at the same time, she wished the tensions between them could ease. Everyone needed companionship. It would make the transition easier for him if she could teach him their ways without all the reluctance and hostility. Perhaps one day. There was no time limit for this training.
His follow-up statement was a surprise, yet not at the same time. "Not have to follow. But... I will take. Doctor is good. Will...," Arundel's sentence trailed off as she struggled to find the right word. "Enjoy? Appreciate! Appreciate company. Long ride with many nights. You are sure?" She leaned over and retrieved the package from where it lay next to her chair. It was warm from the fire, and she ran a hand across the paper-wrapped surface. The item itself didn't make her all that uneasy, merely the man who had given it to her. But he was leaving Cyphrus. She wouldn't have to face him again - as long as this made it to Serifal in time. Arundel chewed on her lip speculatively, running over several possibilities again. The chances of this going over without any hitches was slim, it felt like. But for some reason, she'd been unable to refuse. Her mind felt a little foggy when she recalled why she'd accepted. It hurt her head.
Tiredly, she rose to her feet and propped the thing on the curve of her hip. "It is late. Talk in morning?" Her exhaustion - both physical and mental - was bone deep. Nate didn't look too fatigued, but it was almost morning of the next day. They needed their sleep. Preparations and planning for the trip would begin immediately. Arundel also had to prepare herself for the talk with her parents. The Ankal was not pleased. When Nathan rose to join her, she regarded him for a long moment, eyes raking him up and down. Hostilities seemed to be easing fractionally between them. Their relationship was such a war zone that these small changes in his attitude were as clear as if a light shined on them. It was a start, at least. She wished to be his friend, deep down. Everyone needed one. "Goodnight, Nathan." Her free hand twisted into the signal for goodnight. "Goodnight," she emphasized a third time in slow Pavi. He didn't seem to be picking up on many words, but that wouldn't stop her from trying.
He slept in a curtained off area with three of her brothers; the two youngest - the twins - and the second oldest. The eldest, who was married now twice and destined to be Ankal of this family when their father passed, had his own quarters with the two women who would help keep the line alive. One of them was Aleixo's sister, Antia. The other young men were yet to be wed, as were any of the girls, including herself. Her older sister seemed be on the verge, though. Arundel paused awkwardly, looking into the fire. It was strong and warm, and wouldn't need to be fed for a while. Often people rose throughout the night for various reasons, and would take care of it. "Goodnight," she said again in Pavi before turning and retiring to the quarters she shared with her eldest and youngest sister. Arundel tucked the package inside one her yvas bags at the foot of her sleeping furs and blankets, before curling up in the warmth of the bed. She stayed awake for several more bells into the morning before a restless sleep finally found her again. Her dreams that night were haunted by a smiling stranger and crying families in a far off stone city.
OOCYou can wrap this up with your last post!
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