|
|
Post by Grace de Beaumont on Nov 16, 2009 22:19:57 GMT
The morning had been a productive one for Grace's first foray into the fine art of herb gathering. Several bundles lay in a nearby pile -- several thick braids of knotgrass to infuse with ginger for healing tonics; a clutch of late-blooming valerian, when steeped in tea it would provide an aid to sleeplessness; hawthorn boughs carefully wrapped in a square of cloth to avoid the prickles, to be mixed with herbal rubs to help the heart. Other smaller quantities in a large cloth sack completed the pile, including a fist-full of odd plants she didn't recognise, to be taken back to old Horace for identification. The man was grumpy but not a bad teacher when he bothered to stay awake.
Grace moved through the grass, head down as she searched. Her journey today had taken her criss-crossing across the meadows to the south of Camelot's sturdy walls, feet shuffling through areas that appeared not often traveled. All unaware, she was backing slowly into the edge of a forest.
When the sun disappeared into shadow, Grace frowned and looked up, suddenly aware of her position. Her brows raised only a fraction; it was cooler under the trees on this rare overly-warm late autumn day and the shade felt lovely. The woods were silent and her grey eyes peered into their depths, but nothing alarmed her so she moved a little further on.
At the foot of a great oak, she gave a small cry of triumph, spying a short shrubby laurel. "Bay leaves!" she murmured with satisfaction. She knew those would be of value, not only for their shop but perhaps to sell the excess off to the kitchen of one of the inns. Perhaps even the palace itself; it was said they paid premium for product of quality. Grace palmed a small harvesting knife and began to busily fill her apron with pungent, waxy bay leaves, her back to the dark forest behind.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lilith Blackmore on Nov 20, 2009 20:10:04 GMT
It was a fine autumn day and Lilith longed to be outside. She sat at the main table in Gaius’ chambers reading over various illnesses and cures. He was to quiz her later that day. Yet her mind could not concentrate. The light breeze blew through the open window and she could smell the sweet flowers and the warmth of the sun on the dead, crunchy leaves resting peacefully on the ground.
As a girl Lilith used to jump into the piles of leaves, enjoying the satisfying crunch they made under her brown leather boots. That was when she was carefree and joyful. Before she knew that she had magic and the ability to heal. Now she was more of an asset to Gaius than before and that meant she was much busier. Not only did she have to learn how to make concoctions from herbs, but she also had to learn healing spells and how to control her magic. All her time was now devoted to work and study instead of play and enjoyment.
Sometimes Lilith wished she could be young again. That she could roam the castle walls freely without a worry. She still was able to go everywhere in the castle, but she could feel the weight of responsibility settling on top of her shoulders.
The breeze rustled her dark locks and Lilith turned her head toward the window. Perhaps she could spare a minute or two to enjoy the autumn sun and warmth. Lilith stood from the bench, leaving the book open, and quickly exited the room.
It took her no time at all to reach the castle walls and soon she could feel the grass under her boots. She was wearing a green work dress, her dark hair contained between two strands braided down the back. Her blue eyes surveyed her surroundings and she saw a young woman inspecting a bush. Lilith walked over.
"Hello,” she said with a smile.
|
|
|
|
Post by Grace de Beaumont on Nov 21, 2009 4:19:58 GMT
Grace's apron was getting full, and she didn't want to strip the bush bald, so she was on the point of rising when a pleasant voice spoke from behind. Turning, she beheld an elegant woman in a green dress of simple cloth with a palace livery badge. Her own grey eyes widening a little, Grace had not yet met with one of the royal servants, and she glanced around her in wariness should others appear. But there was no one else and she relaxed, greeting the lady with a warm smile.
"Hello yerself. Y' startled me a bit.... dint expect many others out an' about." Brushing self-consciously at her own plain brown attire, Grace tried to cast away the various dirt and stray grass that clung to her clothes, while still carefully balance out the load of tender bay leaves in her apron. "Jus' doin' a bit o' foraging for my employer at the Apothecary's in town. His stores are in a right horrid state. I just started."
Realising she was rambling, Grace bobbed her head and gave a tentative smile. "M' name's Grace."
|
|
|
|
Post by Lilith Blackmore on Nov 23, 2009 17:05:07 GMT
Lilith smiled as the woman, first startled, explained her shock. Lilith understood how startling it could be for someone to sneak up on her. Occasionally, while she was mixing potions, Merlin would sneak up on her, not to do any harm of course, and she usually would almost spill what she was working on.
"The Apothecary,” Llith said, more to herself. Gaius had sent her there once in a while since it had opened. "I have not seen you there before,” Lilith added, though there was no hint of suspicion. She had no reason to doubt the woman’s word.
"And mine is Lilith. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” Lilith prevented herself of curtsying, though it was now ingrained in her bones. Living in the castle did that to a person what with Prince Arthur always walking the halls. "What are you collecting?” Lilith asked.
|
|
|
|
Post by Grace de Beaumont on Nov 24, 2009 4:15:51 GMT
Grace tried not to show interest in the woman's speech, but her clipped, smooth use of words denoted higher breeding and station. A very highly placed palace servant, that would be Grace's guess.
"Aye," Grace beamed. "I just started workin' there. Been an experience so far." Her attention was directed to her bundle and Grace nodded. "Bay leaves, good healthy ones with no canker or mold. The supply in the shop is dismal." She gestured beyond with her knife to where the rest of her forage lay. "Also found valerian, knotgrass, some nice hawthorn berries. And this...." Tucking away the knife, her hand dipped into a large pocket in he skirts, producing several sprigs of plants.
"These I don't know of, and was goin' ta ask the boss what they were. Mayhap you know of these? You bein' from th' palace an' all?" In most places, royal servants were much better educated than other commoners. Grace smiled encouragement; if this lady know what these were, perhaps Grace could harvest a little more for the shop before she was due to return.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lilith Blackmore on Nov 24, 2009 17:29:44 GMT
Lilith looked at the bay leaves.”That is indeed a good find,” Lilith said with a smile. She knew that the supply was awful. Though occasionally it had something that Gaius did not. "I admit I do not like going to that shop. I hope you are able to make it more welcoming,” she said.
Lilith inspected the sprigs. The thin long leaves were not a dark vibrant green The little yellow buds were just in bloom. "I believe it is mugwort. It is good for digestion. It can cleanse toxins from the blood. Not good for pregnant women to take as it can cause miscarriages. But this is definitely a good find. It has many purposes,” Lilith said as she handed the springs back.
"So, how do you like your stay in Camelot?”
|
|
|
|
Post by Grace de Beaumont on Nov 24, 2009 21:54:56 GMT
"Mugwort," Grace repeated, mentally cataloging the name away. She would look it up once she returned to town. Old Bush had three large leather folios where he kept notes written by previous owners; Grace had been slowly reading through the copious piles of parchment. "I thank ya."
Untying her apron with one hand, Grace knelt in the grass to carefully roll the bay leaves up in the cloth in a way that would not crush them. At the shop she would lay them out on trays to dry properly. The sprig of mugwort she put in a blouse pocket, then looked about the ground a moment, taking up two acorns.
Chuckling at Lilith's words, Grace rolled her eyes a little as she pried the caps off the acorns. "Oi! Yer right on that point, Lilith! That shop was a disaster from th' moment I stepped in. 'Grace', says I, 'Ya got yerself some job security if'n you can get yerself hired. This place'll take a lifetime of scrubbing to get clean!' " Grace laughed as she stooped down by the laurel bush, pushing one of the acorn caps into the dirt, the empty side up. Taking a small bottle from a pocket, she carefully poured a few drops of milk inside until the tiny make-shift bowl was full. She repeated the procedure next to the oak.
Smiling as she stood, Grace recapped the bottle. "Need t' say 'thankee' to the spirits of the wood for the gift from the laurel. T'would only be right." Grace's old nurse, Hilda -- a superstitious old woman with a warm heart -- taught her some of the old lore. Grace's home of Hwicee had been a place still ripe with reverence for the Old Ways.
"I like Camelot jus' fine, a crackin' place. My master an' I have been travelin' for so long, it's good t' sleep under a solid roof again. He 'spects to stay nearly the whole winter." Her grey eyes turned from gazing at the walls of the city back to Lilith. "How 'bout you? Have you always been at the palace or....?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Lilith Blackmore on Nov 25, 2009 1:17:46 GMT
Lilith laughed while Grace told her about the state of the shop. "I am sometimes glad that I do not have to clean the chambers where I work, at least not all the time.” Luckily it was more Merlin’s job to scrub the floors. Lilith just put away books and ingredients.
Lilith watched as Grace poured milk into a little acorn cap. It was interesting to watch her do so. This action was new to Lilith as not many people in the castle practiced the Old Ways. "What does it all mean?” Lilith asked, gesturing toward the acorn.
"I was born in the castle and grew up in the village. I have not been anywhere else. I wonder what it would be like to travel from place to place.” Lilith looked toward the forest longingly. "Now I live in the castle. I suppose I shall live and die here unless I am replaced or fired.”
|
|
|
|
Post by Grace de Beaumont on Nov 25, 2009 18:11:05 GMT
Grace listened to Lilith speak of her life, wistful at its stability. Her life should have been that way, safe within the walls of her family's small castle at Hwicce or perhaps one move to a prospective husband's home. But she had just completed a year of near hopeless wandering, chasing rumor and little else. A hard year.
"That sounds like a grand life. Not seen th' inside of the castle yet. Is it as wonderful as the gossip on the street says?"
For a moment, Grace was flummoxed. She could hardly say her nurse taught her; that would imply a higher position than the one she was fronting. I'm having trouble keeping my lies straight. Snorting ruefully at herself, she shrugged and laughed. "Just the way I was taught," she finally answered vaguely. "Somethin' 'bout leaving tribute t' th' spirits o' th' wood. We take so much from them, it's a way of returnin'. I never found no harm innit." Grinning impishly, Grace added. "Mostly I imagine some little mousey comin' along, enjoyin' a nice drink."
|
|
|
|
Post by Lilith Blackmore on Nov 30, 2009 20:09:53 GMT
(((I am so sorry for taking such a long time to reply!)))
"Yes, it is quite wonderful,” Lilith replied with a smile. Since she had lived there her whole life the grandeur of the castle did not seem to affect her. She was quite jaded she supposed, which did not make her feel happy nor sad. It was just so.
"That is nice,” replied Lilith. She liked the idea of leaving the milk and a small creature coming along and enjoying a good meal. She always wanted to go into the woods and see what was there. Perhapd it was her druid blood drawing her to the forest, but she could never leave her father, or Gaius. And once Gaius could no longer heal, then she would have to take over. Then Lilith would never have a chance to leave the palace, unless she went somewhere to learn a new trick of the trade.
|
|
|
|
Post by Grace de Beaumont on Dec 3, 2009 6:22:50 GMT
Grace waited a moment for the woman to go a bit further. Wonderful? The castle was just.... wonderful and that was all? Feeling deflated, Grace fiddled with her bundle of bay leaves nervously, twisting a corner of the cloth around her finger. There was an awkward silence.
"Goodness!" Grace exclaimed suddenly, overly-bright. "Here I am chatterin' the day away! M' boss will twist my ears off thinkin' I'm wastin' time. I'd best get back t' th' shop. Twas lovely ta meet you, Lilith!"
With a small embarrassed wave, Grace turned and hustled back to the gates of the city, scooping up her ready bundles along the way. It was take her the rest of the day just to process this lot, straight through to darkness. Old Bush hated the extra expense of burning candles so she would have to hurry.
|
|
