The Knights -- Part 1

The next morning, Clarimond recalled the events of the previous night. After Louise had departed in that pitch black cloak, she had sat by the windowsill, she had at the windowsill, looking at the stars sprinkling the sky and that bright moon with all those craters. She supposed about an hour had passed by with her thoughts filled with what Louise had been doing and worry for her, and then after that, she had eventually fallen asleep before Louise had come back. It had been quite odd after all; she had not expected that Louise would take that long to come back. Sitting in her bed and covered with the rumpled blankets, she looked out of the window which was tightly shut and then at the floor where Louise lay on the floor on a pile of towels, covered with a blanket. Well, it was good that Louise had gotten back safely and she had likely been the one who had put her in bed and closed the window.

After getting out of bed, she quickly washed up and got dressed in a simple blue dress with plenty of pockets and braided her hair. This was practical enough for today so she would be able to converse and go around with the people from Theron who had come to pick her up. She packed up the luggage neatly and went downstairs where Evania was already up and ready with some hand pies for breakfast and some hot tea.

"Hello, that looks like a delightful breakfast! Did you see a carriage out there?" Clarimond said warmly.

"Well, good morning. I did; indeed, it's just been sitting out there in the cold with all the knights, perhaps its' here to pick up someone here."

"Oh," Clarimond said as she peered out the window, "It's from Theron and it's here to pick me up. They look hungry and cold, Evania, would you mind if I gave them something to eat and drink, I'll pay for it."

"That's quite nice of you, you don't have to pay, its' on the house," Evania said kindly.

"Thanks!" Clarimond said as she filled a basket that was on the table with some of the pies wrapped in tidy brown paper and a pile of mugs. In her hand, she held a pot full of earl grey tea.

She then walked out of the door cheerfully and to the carriage which was surrounded by many knights, now this was how a noble was supposed to travel.

She approached a knight who seemed to be looking at the inn, "Hello, sir? I noticed that you were here in the cold and brought some breakfast and tea. Would you like some?"

The knight turned to look at her and a faint blush spread across his cheeks, his brown eyes twinkling at her, "Well, thank you. I haven't been out that long, only about an hour, but this is absolutely delightful. May I call over some friends?"

"Of course!"

The knight called out and the entire entourage came over. "Everyone, we've got breakfast."

They all gathered around and she smiled sweetly at them, "Hello everyone, I have mini hand pies and some tea."

The knights got into a line and she gave them a mini hand pie and poured some tea into a mug for each of them and after a couple of minutes, they were happily eating away. They appeared quite satisfied with the meal and she received many thanks, however, soon she had to go back inside to get her luggage and wake up Louise so that they would be able to start leaving for Theron. When she went inside, she quickly rushed upstairs where Louise was still asleep, likely tired from her night adventures. She checked to make sure she had packed everything away again and then moved their bags to the door. She then woke Louise who grudgingly dressed and washed up and followed Clarimond down the stairs, dressed in her usual attire.

As Clarimond carefully held the basket she had packed for their breakfast, and lunch, a knight knocked steadily on the door. Evania opened the door where the knight stood there, standing politely, and asked matter-of-factly, "Hello Miss. Do you know where Duchess Harridan is? If she is awake and ready to depart, please inform her that her escort from Theron is ready for her."

Evania responded in the same way. "As a matter of fact, she is here, right now."

She said this as she pointed at Clarimond and Louise and the knight bowed respectfully to Clarimond, however, there was a hint of confusion in his voice when he spoke again, as he had likely recognized her as the one who had delivered the knights' breakfast, "Duchess, your escort is ready for you."

Clarimond nodded kindly to the knight, "Alright, thank you. Would you mind picking up my bags (they are quite heavy)? This is Louise, who is my companion and will be coming along on the journey." She then looked around and spoke once more as the door jingled open, "Oh! That is Daisy who is my maid and will be coming along with as well."

The knight looked around at Daisy, Louise, and Clarimond, his eyes scanning over the cozy inn and then returning to the bags, picking them up. He then waited for Clarimond to start walking out of the inn and followed accompanied by Louise and Daisy.