Rosalinda Othello's Story

Rosalinda got up even before her ladies did, and headed out to the garden. She could feel the rays of sun on her face, and smell the warm dew. A small smile slid onto her face and she reached out to gently stroke the leaves of the plants before her. "You're almost ready to bloom" she said softly to the plant. She could feel the head of the flower opening slightly and the smile on her face became larger. She then stood and outstretched her arms, letting them brush through the entanglement of bushes.

On her way to the courtyard she began to sing softly:
'A brisk young sailor courted me,
He stole away my liberty,
He won my heart with a free good-will,
He's false, I know, but I love him still.

There is an alehouse in yonder town,
Where my love goes and sits him down,
He takes another girl on his knee,
And don't you think that's a grief to me?

A grief to me! I'll tell you why,
Because she's got more gold than I,
Her gold will waste and her beauty blast,
And she'll become like me at last.

O what a foolish girl was I
To give my heart to a sailor boy,
A sailor boy although he be,
I love him better than he loves me.

She made her way over to the large tree in the middle of the courtyard and sat down just as she was singing the last four lines of the song. In the new found silence she could hear the birds chirping merrily and the crickets playing the only melody they knew. A small smile slid onto Rosalinda's face again and she cleared her throat. "Beautiful isn't it?" she asked, blatantly talking to the man in the tree.

Krayt, pulled 2 gold pieces from his coin purse, and tossed them to the stable boy, "Take good care of my horse and I can promise you 2 more when I return. I reward those greatly who follow orders." He turned to leave, marching away with this guards who had taken there horses to the guards barracks. They marched towards the castle, peasants in front of them fled from the streets to escape the cold gaze of the Warlord. His eyes took in the spirits of the dead that still wandered, unseen by everyone except him. He was used to seeing the dead, only it was usually the souls of warriors he saw wandering. Glancing behind him in the sky he saw the same dark skeletal figures that were robed in cloaks of haunting darkness. Ever since he had sworn servitude to the God of Death, these dark beings of death had followed him for countless years. Sometimes whispering advice or commenting on his actions, it was under the dark gaze of these beings that over time his heart hardened more and more. As he approached the castle the guards stood forward and bowed frightfully, "I'm sorry my lord, but the King has retired to take a nap. He will not be having any visitors for now." Krayt looked on the man for a while then closed his eyes and nodded, at first he had felt rage then he decided not to direct it towards this young man who was only following orders. He ordered his guards to wait there so that they could send for him when the time was ready, they were used to leaving him alone. They knew they were only around him for appearances, Krayt was a warrior who did not need guards to protect him. Krayt turned to wandering aimlessly, he became lost in his thoughts and before he knew it was walking upon two figures talking, a girl and a man. Both obviously had some sense of nobility to them.

Rosalinda smiled up in his general direction and replied "Do you typically hide in trees Marques?" she asked playfully with an air of seriousness. She was just assuming he was the Marques, since she wasn't actually able to see him. He didn't sound like a warlord nor did she think he sounded like the Earl, but again she was assuming. He was pretty well hidden in the trees and the only reason she knew he was there was because of his scent and his sound. Since she was blind all of her senses were heightened. "Typically suitors go to the castle first to meet my father, yet here you are in a tree. What brings you here Marques of Markarf?" she asked softly, hoping her assumption was right.

When the wind blew she caught another scent, then she heard heavy footsteps. 'I've never heard those footsteps before. Another suitor hiding from my father?' she thought with a smirk. 'Still intimidating even on his deathbed' she thought with a chuckle. By the sound of the heavy footsteps she knew the person approaching was male. "Introduce yourself at once" her voice was soft but commanding.

((Sorry about the short post mates, i was on my phone at school and i cant use my wifi there. Going to edit and make longer))

Krayt grinned, he had respect for a women with strength, "Vladimir Krayt, Warlord and High General of the Kings Army." The girl commanded more authority then a noble, she was most certainly the Kings daughter. The unholy shades that surrounded him confirmed his theory in dark whispers, speaking more reassuringly he said, "Every 3 years I come to speak with your father of details about the military, it seems though that when I arrived he was sleeping and I was told to come back later."

Amilia was getting J Marie ready to ride when the man entered. He had an air of someone who could battle, and her power told her that he virturally no physical weakness and he was mentally strong, insane, but strong. Both qualities she enjoyed in people.

"Well, Henry. I do enjoy talking with you, but I must be off, far too many men trying to take my hand." She said jokingly, keeping up her appearance as a tough-as-nails woman who didn't have any patience for people not working. "See you when I come back, and oh yea, Maslow hasn't picked out a suitor either, just letting you know." She said as she mounted her horse and took off.

She enjoyed the lands around the castle, they were freeing and refreshing to her, far from the musty old books or walls, a place to get wild. She went past the training grounds and saw some were training, some recruits she helped train for that matter. They were getting good, and she was proud. She did, however, pick up 'her' swor dand shield that one of the captains let her use, and straped it to her side.

She then began back to her ride and noticed her sister, Rosalinda. She was a sweet girl, although she couldn't train with ehr due to her blindness, and Amilia had always felt a certain resposability over her, more so then her other sisters. She saw beside her the man from the stable, and some other man. Neither looked like they would hurt her, but she still needed to check on her.

"Come on J Marie." She said to her horse, who then ran over to her sister. When they reached them, she stopped and didn't get off when she talked to the man. "Good day, what brings you to my sister, if you are a suitor, you go to my father, don't go to my baby sisters, got it." She said with all her ability to sound imposing.

Rosalinda heard Krayt's voice and suddenly wondered what he looked like. 'Probably the 'tall dark and handsome' type Marlow is always telling me about' she thought. His voice was deep and commanding even though he wasn't giving a command. "And your voice is suitable for the job Vladimir Krayt, Warlord and High General of the Kings Army" she said saying his entire title back to him. 'Sleeping?' she thought 'That definitely doesn't sound like father. Mother is probably just making him rest...' she chuckled at the idea 'and he probably hates it.' but she was not about to tell the suitors that.

She then turned back to the Marques. 'AH so he IS the marques. I was right.' she thought with a sly smirk on her face. "and you Hamnet Romano, Marques of Markarth...your voice fits you as well." she smiled politely but her demeanor was otherwise serious. Most saw her as sweet, and she was, but everything she said always had a mischievous or serious undertone. She is the type of girl that will not tolerate being messed with.

Seconds later she turned sharply to the VERY faint noise of hoofs in the distance. Normal ears wouldn't hear it, but Rosalinda could and she knew the sound of that particular horse. Amilia' she thought with a grimace. Amilia was always over-protective and Rosalinda was sure it had to do with her blindness. When her sister finally arrived and spoke, Rosalinda approached he horse slowly, placing one hand on the long snout. "Baby meaning I cannot take care of myself? Watch your words sister. You are older and I do respect you but I am not a child, so do not treat me as such. These fine gentlemen were just introducing themselves to me. Father is not feeling well so they were told to leave and come back later." she said softly but sharply at the same time. It was a tone that was blooming with maturity and independence.

Hemnet thought for a moment, this man seemed so fimiler yet he couldn't place his face. He said he was the generel of The King's Army, which for all he knew could have been it. Like many noblemen of his day Hamnet did fight for the King in severel conflicts that crossed his path, but nothing in the past five years, not since Sybbyl's death.
"Pardon sir but how long have you been in your current posistion?" he asked trying to puzzle it all togather.

Henry turned around feeling a tug on his shirt, "I just thought" he started but shook his head. "Sorry I'm glade for the company." he smiled and started to head back to the mare he had been working on when a man came in.

"I am from Markarf. I come seeking my lord Hamnet Romano, the Marques." the man said. Henry thought for a momant not sure which of the men who came in today if any were the Marques. "THe only men who came in here today went to the courtyard." he said directing him to the rigth place.

Maximilian made his way outside, and looked out as he sow his daughters with two men. He knew them both of course one was Krayt of course and the other the Marques.

Krios turned his head to eye the direction the stable boy pointed at before turning back to him.

"My thanks."

He said as he reached into his coin purse and fished out two gold coins.

"My horse has had a long journey. She could use some tending to."

He said as he handed the smaller, blonde man the coins. Markus reached into his pouch and pulled out a third coin and handed it to the stable boy as well.

"For your trouble."

With that he turned to the princess and gave her a respectful nod.

"Milady."

He said in goodbye before taking his leave. Markus began his walk away from the stables and down the path outlined for him by the stable boy. He walked along the well paved cobblestone path, taking in the sight of the massive castle built on the edge of a waterfall. It was really quite spectacular but Markus had a specific reason for coming here this day and taking in the view wasn't it. He made his way along the path only passing a few servants and handmaidens who were careful to keep out of the warriors way as he walked. Markus, coming from a working class, always gave those of a low social standing their due respect for he knew all to well what it was like to go to bed hungry. To not be born with a silver spoon in your mouth. He nodded and greeted those briefly who he crossed as he made his way to the courtyard. Reaching the edges of the large, splendid garden that was the courtyard he was forced to stop and marvel at the sight. Meticulously tended flowers, trees and bushes called the courtyard home giving it an almost magical quality to it. Rare breeds of birds found no where else but the farthest reaches of the globe were here, making their homes in the perches of the tallest trees. Fruit, more valuable than the homes most servant folk live in hung from the some of the trees appetizingly. Through the trees and streaming rays of sunlight Markus spotted his friend across the way. He was speaking with a wicked looking man that epitomized something from a nightmare. Beside the Marques and the Death Knight stood a ravishing young woman with golden hair and eyes a peculiar yet captivating shade of greyish green. She had the air of regality to her. "Another of the Kings daughters no doubt." He thought to himself within the confines of his own mind. Turning his attention back to Hemnet and the Dark Knight, Markus' natural skepticism took hold and instantly saw the man as a threat. He slowly made his way toward the pair, careful to keep at the man's back. He approached from the rear, stopping a few paces from the two and called out to Hemnet with his hand on one of the hand axes hanging from his belt.

"Romano..."

He said with a calm smile yet his fierce gaze rested on the knight speaking to his best friend.

Amilia had got off her horse and was getting closer to her sister. The general's words were still in her head, and she knew her sister was tough, but she had always felt like a caregiver to her.

"I know, she is pretty strong," She said smilling at her sister, "But it's my job as oldest sister to worry about the younglings." She said and turned to the general who told his position.

"You are indeed a man of high ranking, maybe we should practice that sword arm of yours' sometime, don't want you too get rusty." She said playfully to him, if she was forced to marry, she wanted a person like him. That is when she noticed the man with the axes. Her feeling of him told her to aim for his right knee, so she kept that in mind incase something happened. She still stod beside the general with her arm on the hilt of her blade, ready to kill anyone who dares hurt her family.

Rosalinda Othello

Again, Rosalinda heard unfamiliar footsteps, then she heard another voice. The new man was wary of Warlord Krayt she could feel it. She couldn't see the situation at hand, but because of her empathy Rosalinda could feel the tension rising, although she was sure everyone in the circle could feel it too. The emotion in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife. With a deep breath she started to emit feelings of calm. Her empathy worked both ways. She could feel emotion and emit emotion. Most of the time it worked but there were a select few cases where the tense emotions still hung in the air. She approached the new man, with his hand on the axe and guessed where his hand was. She placed her hand gently on his and said softly "No need to be hostile." an angelic smile spread onto her face and she moved his hand off the axe hilt. She continued to emit calm feelings and approached the warlord. She searched for his face, her hand starting at his chest and working its way up. It wasn't meant to be scandalous or seductive in any way, she was just trying to find his face. He was a bit taller than she thought but she finally found his face. She placed her soft pale hand on the side of his face. He was clearly uncomfortable with the action but she didn't care. "The same goes for you Vladimir Krayt, Warlord and High General of the Kings Army. I will not have bloodshed here. Do you both understand?" she said firmly. She removed her hand from his face and stepped back "While you are here you will coexist peacefully or you can leave the premises." she said, speaking to everyone in the circle.

Before going to sit back under the large tree she stopped next to her sister and whispered "Worry about yourself sister."

The tension in the air was palpable, like the calm before the storm. The cold, death stare from the knight only cemented Markus' concerns about him. The next few moments hung in the balance. Should blood be shed Markus would make sure that this knight die. He would see to that. He always got some measure of satisfaction out of fighting knights, with their heavy, expensive armor. They thought themselves so superior, they thought themselves invincible. Markus had proven more than enough of them wrong. He was ready to do it again when an angel appeared before him. The princess stepped between Markus and the knight. Her golden locks seeming to enhance her beauty as if they were made of the suns very rays. Her piercing captivating eyes seemed to cut clean through his natural hesitation towards new people.

"No need to be hostile."

She said, her words like precious droplets of water to a man dying of thirst. She smiled with such serenity the warrior thought some benevolent deity had shown him favor. Her hand, small and light of touch reached out and her fingertips met his hand. Her skin, silken and pristine, so different from the rough large hands of The Huntsman. She gently pulled his hand away from his axe and he didn't resist. He allowed her to move his hand as he couldn't help but be captivated by her beauty. It wasn't until she turned from him to address the knight that he blinked clear the fog her radiance placed around him. He groaned ever so slightly and rubbed his eyes with his thumb and fore finger while secretly a portion of his mind yearned to feel her eyes upon him once again. He settled now with allowing her to order the knight to stand down before she spoke to her sister.

Rosalinda could also feel the affect she had on the men, and she was impressed with Warlord Krayt's subtle resistance. It still worked, just not as well. It told her that he was good at his job, and that not much can sway him. The effect on Markus Krios was much different, but she was equally satisfied with the result. "Forgive me Warlord Krayt, but I don't think you heard me. The point of that little charade was to tell you that blood WILL NOT be spilled here. I understand that it is your nature to be on your guard and feel no remorse when you've decided to rid the world of someone, but here everyone will go home alive and in one piece. And to be quite honest, I do not care how it made you feel. All I care is that it worked."

Then she turned her attention away from him quickly and felt something else as well...intense love, slight anger, and companionship? The emotions were coming from Hamnet. She listened nonchalantly as he spoke to the Markus about his children and the opposing feelings he had about him being there. She took in the words, emotions, and tone of voice and smiled. The air had calmed just as she had hoped and everyone's attention seemed to be focusing on something else. Warlord Krayt was slightly harder to read. There was always a sinister air around him; that's how she knew he was uncomfortable with her touching his face.

Rosalinda Othello

Rosalinda raised an eyebrow at Krayt's comment, and a thought occurred to her. 'How many of them know i'm blind?' she smirked. 'You'd think it would be obvious by now' she thought. "I would hope you're able to follow simple orders Warlord Krayt. I should not have to stay your blood." she said before he left. Rosalinda bowed her head slightly at the sight of her father. "Father, some suitors have already arrived, I realize that one of us is going to rule the kingdom soon, but I feel it is also critical for the suitors to view the land. Who better to show them than me?" she smirked. It was clearly ironic. "Furthermore, I am sure you will be planning trade routes, strategies, and things of the like...which require map work and...well father...i'm blind." she laughed lightly like it was a new development.

She turned in Hamnet and Markus' direction. "Gentlemen if you'd like to see the property I would be happy to show you." She heard Markus Krios walk off and walked after him, grabbing his upper arm for support and to define where exactly he was. "You will not have to deal with Warlord Krayt again. He should be leaving tomorrow if all the planning gets done today." she said quietly. "You feel such strong emotions. What attaches you to the Marques?" she asked bluntly.

Markus felt the light touch of the princess as she grabbed hold of his upper arm, supporting her weight allowing Krios to guide her. Markus turned and looked into her eyes and it was only then that he noticed they stared sightlessly at the world around her. He was surprised at the revelation. Most blind had more trouble acclamating themselves to a world without sight but Princess Rosalinda has done so effortlessly. Her strength was admirable.

"You will not have to deal with Warlord Krayt again. He should be leaving tomorrow if all the planning gets done today."

She said quietly. Before Markus could reply she shot out a rather direct question.

"You feel such strong emotions. What attaches you to the Marques?"

Markus could not help but allow a light chuckle to escape his lips as he ran his hand through his hair.

"Well you certainly don't lack for a voice. It's an admirable quality milady."

He said lightheartedly in return before answering her question.

"As for the Marques... Hamnet found me when I had lost myself. He helped to bring me back from the brink. I was... not a kind person before I met Hamnet, Princess. He helped me to see I was more than just a sword arm. I owe him more than my life. We have been as brothers ever since."

Markus said, his words thick with emotion and memory. The weight of his words carried in his speech as his eyes stared off as if looking back on the very memories he spoke of. Markus turned to her and paused for the slightest second. The warrior and the princess were now standing alone by a small ivory fountain. Sculpted doves drank out of the crystalline waters as third poured water into the fountain from it's beak. It was really quite serene. It was reminded Markus somewhat of the effect Rosalinda had on him earlier. Nowhere near as powerful yet it was still a subtle serenity that brought the Princesses touch to mind.

"If I may... What you did back there... How? I've... I've never felt anything like it. Was that some sort of magic?"

He asked, his eyes searching hers.

"Well, you certainly don't lack for a voice. It's an admirable quality milady"

Rosalinda smiled softly. "Thank you, you are too kind" she said softly.

She listened intently when he spoke of his relation to the Marques. When he finished speaking she was silent for a moment and then said, "A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing." she smiled again and looked toward the fountain as if she were examining each carved out detail. As a child she was able to touch everything. She became so used to everything around her that it seemed as though she COULD see it. Her hand went directly to the crack in the wing of the dove. It was barely noticeable, but Rosalinda could feel it with her fingers.

"If I may... What you did back there... How? I've... I've never felt anything like it. Was that some sort of magic?"

Rosalinda laughed lightly. "We were all given a gift when we were born. I was given empathy. I can both feel others emotions and emit chosen emotions. However, the emotions I emit don't always work on everyone, like Warlord Krayt. He can feel the effects but he isn't as susceptible to it. I was also blessed with healing. I do not know why I was given that power as well, but mother always said it was because God had to replace my sight with something." Rosalinda hoped she wouldn't have to use her power while the men were there. Not only did she dislike the idea of anyone getting hurt, but it also drained a lot of energy from her.

Markus paused considering her words. He never saw his life as honorable. Not in the least, yet she has. Stating that it was better to make mistakes and recognize the fact than to live your life never making any mistakes at all. His eyes fell upon her and he knew she must have been refereeing to herself. She was not so different than he. She saw her own faults as blaring crutches when those around her saw none. How odd that the one born of royalty and the one born of poverty would have this common ground. Then she spoke about her gift. How she could heal the wounds of others. How she could fill them with emotion when they could not or would not feel those emotions themselves. Like the peace she brought to Markus earlier. She told him how her mother called it a gift from God. Markus has not a man of faith but if God did in fact have some part to play in what power Rosalinda possessed then perhaps he was not all together useless.

"A gift from God?... Well truly you are a miracle milady, that much is certain. Never before have I met one such as you. To be able to heal the wounds of others with your touch. To make them feel, the way you do. That is truly a kingly gift. As for God's part to play or why he has granted you this power... Well, I have not spoken to God in many years so I would not attempt to glean his reasonings."

He said. A quick flash of the face of his parents before they died showed before his minds eye before vanishing. What reasons God had for the things he did Markus would never know. Before the Princess could respond the pair was approached by a pauper. A young man, obviously living off the streets approached. Markus eyed the boy curiously. He had the look of a thief about him yet did not have that sinister glint in his eye of a career criminal who enjoys the suffering of others most do. Instead he had a look Markus had in his youth. The look of hunger. The look of a young man willing to do whatever it takes to survive and also, the look of great loss.

"Pardon me... I didn't mean to intrude."

The young man said with a nervous bow.

"A gift from God?... Well truly you are a miracle milady, that much is certain. Never before have I met one such as you. To be able to heal the wounds of others with your touch. To make them feel, the way you do. That is truly a kingly gift. As for God's part to play or why he has granted you this power... Well, I have not spoken to God in many years so I would not attempt to glean his reasonings."

Rosalinda could feel herself blushing, which she did not do often. Before she could thank Markus Krios for such a compliment they were approached by a boy. Before he even spoke Rosalinda knew the hunger and the pain he felt. Without saying a word she walked past the boy and to the nearest apple tree. One of the gardeners was about to scold her but they realized who she was. "My apologies princess" the woman said, bowing her head slightly. "Quite alright." Rosalinda said softly.

She walked back to the boy and handed him the apple. "Eat first. You're famished" she said in a soft but commanding voice. Once he was finished she bowed her head slightly "Now what was it you wanted to say?" she smiled.

Robin blinked when Rosalinda handed him the apple, he hadn't thought about it but he was rather hungry. "Eat first. You're famished" "Thank you..." He took a bite of the apple, the sweetness taking him by surprise. He knew what an apple tasted like, and this wasn't like the ones he got back home. It's flavor seemed richer, probably from the better soil that he assumed was in the region. "Now what was it you wanted to say?" He cleared his throat, half of the apple in his hands, as he looked to the woman who had just gave him food his gaze moving towards Markus as well. "Truly I.... Didn't mean to say anything. I turned towards the fountain and saw you two talking and thought it best to excuse myself from barging in on your conversation." He felt rather foolish now, making them think that he had come in to say something when he actually was planning on leaving. <They probably didn't even notice me walk in...> He thought to himself.

With a bite on his lip, he looked back and forth between the two individuals recognizing that look from Markus. He was suspicious of him, even in his nicer clothes the man could tell he wasn't a person of nobility even a mere peasant. He shuffled in the dark brown boots he wore, and fiddled his fingers along the hem of his vest he wore over his shirt. "And now it seems I have done exactly what I had hoped to prevent..." He chuckled a bit taking the lighter humor of the situation. What should he do now? He thought perhaps an introduction was needed, followed by another apology. "Ah... M'lady. Sir... I am Robin Johansen, of Heathmore." He stepped back and did a proper introduction bowing his head politely. "Once again, I apologize for.... Making, rather a fool of myself. This is all very new and strange to me."

Markus couldn't help but allow a deep rolling chuckle to make it's way past his lips as he got to his feet and put a reassuring hand on the young man's shoulder. Just in that simple contact Markus could feel the tense wiry muscle beneath his ragged clothes. The boy was strong, forged through the trials his life had thrown at him. Not unlike Markus himself.

"Fret not young Robin for if you are a fool then so too am I. For I am new to this land as well and the ins and outs of life at court are as foreign to me as they are to you."

He paused for a moment and let his gaze wander to Rosalinda where they lingered warmly for a few seconds before he continued.

"Fortunately for both our sakes the princess has the kindest of hearts and does not begrudge common men like us a few simple slights in courtly demeanor."

He said in a light joking tone as he referred to Robin and himself as mere common men.

"Ah... M'lady. Sir... I am Robin Johansen, of Heathmore. Once again, I apologize for.... Making, rather a fool of myself. This is all very new and strange to me." Before she could respond Markus chimed in "Fortunately for both our sakes the princess has the kindest of hearts and does not begrudge common men like us a few simple slights in courtly demeanor" Rosalinda's cheeks flushed pink again and she added a quiet "Thank you. Your words are most kind"

She turned in the boy's direction and smiled. "It is a sad but honest truth you speak, and I would like to say that my sisters and I are not akin to such a rarity but I cannot speak for them, I can only speak for myself, and I find that generosity is deemed necessary in almost any situation."