< 04+Molly > 13 4 The night passed peacefully, Molly finding it odd to not wake at dawn to begin her tasks. She lounged in bed for a little while, listening to the noises from the tavern below. This sense of peace and relaxation remained with her throughout the long coach ride which brought them now but a few miles from Avebury. Molly has leant a good amount of Eisen along the way, and can have simple conversations. Her ability to pick up the language is suprising, and her ability to mimic his accent is amazing, sounding every sylabel a sudlachenberg girl * +Molly looks up from the Eisen book they have been using, shutting it carefully, marking the page with a tiny piece of gold ribbon < 04+Molly > 13Have you also worked in Avebury? < 08@Morgan > yes * +Molly looks out of the window, the skys a multitude of pinks and purples as dusk approaches. < 04+Molly > 13Have you stayed in the tavern we will before? * @Morgan tries to remember the name of the tavern < 08@Morgan > a few times, yes * +Molly smiles at him < 04+Molly > 13I could travel many more hours if it were needed, but I would like to feel my feet on the ground for a little while before retiring < 08@Morgan > No, we'll stop in Avebury. Its a safe place... and I've a feeling you'll feel more centered there * +Molly looks intrigued < 04+Molly > 13How so? * @Morgan leans in and whispers < 08@Morgan > standing stones * +Molly 's eyes go wide, and she leans in to whisper back < 04+Molly > 13Of the old ways? < 08@Morgan > indeed * +Molly looks out of the window, though the village is still a mile away, hoping to see them < 04+Molly > 13It does feel odd in these parts, a strangeness in the air < 08@Morgan > its, uhhh... not a small circle < 04+Molly > 13How big is it? < 08@Morgan > Avebury is inside the circle < 04+Molly > 13A village _within_ a stone circle?! < 08@Morgan > I believe on my last visit, it took me a clear hour to walk around it < 04+Molly > 13Oh my goodness! I should love to walk at least a little around it, I would like to feel the energy of the place * +Molly is excited, finding it hard to sit still * @Morgan nods < 04+Molly > 13I am certain I can go unaccompanied, if you do not wish to take a walk < 08@Morgan > No, I'll walk * +Molly smiles, written on her face is confirmation that she did not wish to go alone < 04+Molly > 13No wonder you have stayed here on many an occasion * @Morgan shrugs < 08@Morgan > it is a place appropriate to stop on a long journey * +Molly smiles, distracted by looking for the stones < 08@Morgan > keep an eye out for Silbury Hill < 04+Molly > 13What is... oooh * +Molly makes a high pitch noise of pleasure as she sees the magnificent sight of the rounded hill < 08@Morgan > burial chamber < 04+Molly > 13So much better than a churchyard... * +Molly leans closer to the window for a better view < 04+Molly > 13 4 As the road turns to the left, the ditch surrounding the stones appears, followed by the stones themselves * +Molly looks at them, enraptured < 08@Morgan > dont get too excited out there... < 08@Morgan > very easy to get into an awful lot of trouble here * +Molly drags her eyes away, looking at Morgan < 04+Molly > 13You should know by now that I am greatly practised at hiding my feelings < 08@Morgan > indeed, but you are far from your natural ground... * +Molly looks back out of the window as the Red Lion comes in to sight < 04+Molly > 13Believe me, even here, I can hide my true feelings... < 04+Molly > 13 4 The coach pulls in to the yard outside the tavern. * +Molly puts her books back in to her bag, along with the letters < 08@Morgan > follow my lead here girl < 04+Molly > 13As I promised I would... * @Morgan glances at Molly < 08@Morgan > 04*grins* perhaps you dont quite follow me... * +Molly meets his glance * @Morgan waits for the coach to stop < 04+Molly > 13I will follow you, whatever you ask < 04+Molly > 13 4 The coach pulls up to a stop * +Molly sits passively, forced over her nervous anticipation * @Morgan clambers out of the coach without waiting for the door to be opened. Standing in the coach yard, he stands, shoulders drawn back completely, not in the manner of one waiting for some attack * +Molly watches him as much as she can without drawing attention to herself < 04+Molly > 13 4 Maelwys spots the coach from the doorstep of the tavern where he was conversing with Old Arthur, the village's oldest resident. Curious, he approaches. He is a bear of a man, broad tall and hairy. His hair and eyes are dark, and belie his inish background, as does his accent. * @Morgan looks over to Maelwys and bellows < 08@Morgan > Maelwys, y'ald dog, c'mere and greet an old friend < 04+Molly > 13 4 Maelwys recognises the voice, and speeds up. He gets to Morgan, and throws his huge arms around him, slapping his back. < 04+Molly > 13It is good to see you, friend. * +Molly watches from the coach, unable to contain her suprise < 08@Morgan > and you. I see you've not improved your stature < 04+Molly > 13 4 Maelwys lets go, moving back a step * @Morgan grins broadly at him < 08@Morgan > tell me, you have rooms? < 04+Molly > 13Did you think I might? Aye, I have a good woman on my arm, and a bairn on the way, fool is he who asks for more! < 08@Morgan > Ye've never gi'en up ya wenching < 04+Molly > 13 7 Even if I didn't have rooms, ther'd always be a place at me hearth for ye < 08@Morgan > aye, make me sleep on the floor wouldja * @Morgan laughs heartily < 04+Molly > 13I ave indeed, it loses it's appeal when compared to a good woman who loves you, cooks, cleans and sews, as _well_ as laying with ye < 04+Molly > 13 4 maelwys laughs as well * +Molly watches, finding Morgan's demeanour both charming and disturbing < 08@Morgan > lis'n ol' friend, I've this young lady wi'me, see... she's of a finer 'eritage than either you or I, and I'd hate for 'er to be d'sturbed by the customers. Any chance of rooms near the back? < 04+Molly > 13 4 Maelwys looks at him < 04+Molly > 13A lady indeed, in my fine establishament? I ave just the rooms for ye * @Morgan turns to Molly to help her from the coach * +Molly waits patiently, ensuring she has her bag... she takes his hand and steps out of the coach. Unsure of how she is to behave, she demurely keeps her eyes downcast < 08@Morgan > Maelwys, ye still 'ave that stable hand? Could be a coin in it fer'im to bring in the baggage < 04+Molly > 13 4 Malewys looks her up and down, wondering if giving up his wenching days was worth it. Because he is busy looking her over, he does not hear Morgan < 08@Morgan > ey, y'ald dog < 04+Molly > 13 4 Maelwys snaps back to Morgan, looking at him with shame on his face < 08@Morgan > stable 'and... still 'ave him? < 04+Molly > 13Oh, yes... I'll find him and arrange to have your bags taken up. The rooms are the ones up the stairs around the back, so you can come and go as you please * +Molly smiles to herself, feeling a gentle thrumming of energy here in the circle < 08@Morgan > great, I know the very ones. < 04+Molly > 13 4 Maelwys nods to him, and goes towards the stables * @Morgan turns his head slightly towards Molly and speaks quietly < 08@Morgan > you have soemthing to say? < 04+Molly > 13Would you have me say something? < 08@Morgan > you're obviously thinking something, since you never stop < 04+Molly > 13I am thinking that I have seen a new side to you in these few minutes past... < 08@Morgan > come on lass, lets get into the rooms < 04+Molly > 13As you will * +Molly smiles, waiting for him to lead the way, but her eyes linger on the stones * @Morgan walks towards the back stairs * +Molly follows < 04+Molly > 13~*~*~ Having seen the rooms and unpacked the bags that the stable hand has brought up, Molly sits in the window seat over looking the stone circle. From this height it is breathtaking, and Molly feels her mind clearing, living only in the here and now, the cold glass against her palm, the soft cushions of the window seat under her derriere, the slight warmth of the room on her skin. * +Molly has slipped her shoes off, feet tucked up underneath her like a child might. She fidgets, eager to get outside * @Morgan wanders in, slowly coring an apple with a knife * +Molly turns to him, pulling her feet under her skirt, slightly embarassed by her own childishness < 08@Morgan > You still wish to walk? * +Molly grins < 04+Molly > 13I do indeed, I long to see if being closer to the stones sets my mind more at ease than just seeing them from afar * @Morgan nods < 08@Morgan > get your shoes on then * +Molly blushes * +Molly slips her feet out from under her dress, slipping each one in to her shoes. She stands, smoothing down the satin of her dress * @Morgan leads the way to the back stairs * +Molly follows him out in to the courtyard * +Molly , seeing the stones speeds up slightly, struggling against her instincts to run * @Morgan wanders along behind her, watching all around * +Molly walks on to the grass, the last vestiges of dusk in the sky... to the east, night rapidly draws in, blue and clear, the first star tinkling in the sky * +Molly turns to him < 04+Molly > 13Did you know that when you see the first star in the night sky, you should make a wish upon it? < 08@Morgan > I'd heard that < 04+Molly > 13Will you make a wish? < 08@Morgan > I gave up wishing many moons ago * +Molly turns to him with a soft smile < 04+Molly > 13Then I shall make a wish alone... * +Molly looks at the star breifly * @Morgan watches Molly, waiting * +Molly looks back at the stones, heading towards a large one with a flat face. Her skins tingles, her mind strangely calm, no fear, no sadness, just the night breeze, dark red on the western horizon, the crunch of the grass under her feet. < 04+Molly > 13Do you not feel that? The stillness, the peace? < 08@Morgan > I feel it * +Molly looks around to ensure she is not being watched. Sh runs her hand along the stone, feeling its solid firmness under her palm. Her skin tingles, and a shiver runs through her body. She lets out a small sigh that denotes the pleasure that being in such a place triggers in her * +Molly speaks to him quietly, her voice reverant, as if speaking in a church < 04+Molly > 13It feels so pure, so alive... < 08@Morgan > we should hurry, that embankment is a long way to fall after dark * +Molly nods, letting him lead. She quietly slips off her shoes, walking barefoot in the grass, feeling the spirit of the earth. Her face is lit up, her innocence and joy plain to read, even in the low light < 04+Molly > 13I could not live here, for it pains me to know that this place must have been once sacred and held dear to many. To live here, and keep one's faith secret must be agony. < 08@Morgan > I would imagine so < 04+Molly > 13I wish I could feel this peace and joy whenever I called upon the image of this place, for I would have such comfort to hand when needed * +Molly looks at the circle with a smile < 04+Molly > 13I believe I will endeavour to return here in the years to come < 08@Morgan > we'll be stopping here on the way back * +Molly giggles, a light sound flowing in to a darkness only broken by the full moon in the sky. < 04+Molly > 13I had not thought of coming back... < 08@Morgan > oh? You intended to stay in Carleon and make us fend for ourselves? * +Molly laughs < 04+Molly > 13Yes, I thought it would be an adventure... * +Molly 's voice is playful < 08@Morgan > I'll pass on adventure, thank you. < 08@Morgan > I get enough of that in the house < 04+Molly > 13You would face less danger in my plan than in the house < 04+Molly > 13And I simply meant that I have been so thrilled at the prospect of coming to Carleon that I have given little thought to how things shall be on our return < 08@Morgan > interesting, most likely < 04+Molly > 13I feel it will be the turning point for me, where the way in which I live now will begin to change... * +Molly shivers, in part from the cold < 04+Molly > 13I should have brought out my winter cloak I fear < 08@Morgan > inded * @Morgan takes off his cloak and places it around Molly's shoulders * +Molly looks at him, pulling the cloak tighter around her < 04+Molly > 13Will you not be cold, liebes herz? < 08@Morgan > I'll manage < 04+Molly > 13We should hurry back, for I would not wish you to be cold on my account < 08@Morgan > as I've said, I'll manage < 04+Molly > 13I think, if it pleases you, we shall head back now, for I fear I might lose my footing in the dark, and fall upon my face... * @Morgan nods and turns back towards the tavern, walking slowly, waiting for Molly * +Molly follows him after slipping her shoes back on < 04+Molly > 13I do not think I have ever been somewhere as beautiful, or as powerful in my life... < 04+Molly > 13~*~*~ They return to the tavern, Molly calmer than she has ever been in her life, and this calmness shows through in her behaviour as they dine. Her face is even prettier when she is calm, her eyes brighter and she is more at ease. < 04+Molly > 13~*~*~ The next morning dawns bright and clear, good travelling weather. It is estimated that they will arrive in carleon by lunchtime. Molly's excitement rises the closer they get, talking mostly about where they might go, and the things that carleon is renowned for. As the city comes in to sight, Molly pulls back from the window knowing that she must behave well. < 08@Morgan > ~*~*~* As they clatter through the city's streets, Morgan shifts about until he's in a position to put on his travelling coat, torn and weathered, and waits for them to reach the inn's coach yard * +Molly gathers her bag close, double checking several times that the letters are still there