Master Solar
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The Master Solar is a large and impressive chamber, situated in the northeast
corner of the manor. The plastered walls bear portraits of the current lord
and lady of Coghill, as well as smaller ones of their children. The large
bed has a tall headboard divided into three panels, and a shorter footboard
with a matching motif. The bed is dressed in a dark green and silvery-grey
comforter, with matching draperies hanging over each window. A long, low
bench with embroidered cushions sits in front of the bed. Twin nightstands
flank the bed, each holding a silver candle-holder, spectacles and books.
A wardrobe towers in one corner of the room, and is decorated with the same
raised panels as are seen on the bed. A silvered mirror hangs above the
washstand. A light aroma of smoke comes from the fireplace, which is topped
by a thick mantle, holding small, carved wood frames. Every detail here
speaks to understated wealth and the desire for a comfortable retreat.
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Elriya sits near the fire reading a letter.
Shar enters the bedroom. His weariness shows only in a slightly slower step than usual, but while most might not take note of it, it's the sort of thing someone close to him might notice.
Elriya looks up and smiles softly at him as he enters. She looks concerned for a moment, but in the end says only, "Hello, my dear," as she rises to greet him.
Shar pulls his chair near her and sinks down into it with a release of breath. "Forget sometimes that I'm not a strapping young lord."
Elriya laughs quietly and takes her seat again. "Indeed, I would not have known it to watch you during the hunt these two days past."
Shar grunts and shifts in his chair. "Well I certainly shan't give up a favorite pasttime just for the protest of a few added years."
Elriya nods. "I was glad that you and Dar could ride out together so. It has been many years since he could learn from you in just that way."
Shar gives a short nod. "He led well enough, for all his lack of passion for the sport."
Elriya smiles. "He is trying. He likes marriage much better than he thought he would, so I am yet hopeful." Her eyes twinkle.
Shar chuckles and moves his hand over the fresh wound in his side as he does so. "I thought that might be the case."
Elriya glances down, watching the path that his hand takes. "How has it been feeling?"
Shar releases a sort of vocal breath. "Bleeding's stopped, which is good. Healer got it cleaned up nicely and said all the organs are fine. But it's not comfortable, and I don't have quite the energy to make up for it that I used to."
Elriya nods, looking up at his face and back down, thoughtful. "Do you know what was used to dress it?"
Shar says, "Ahh, some sort of webby material, and then a stronger cloth to wrap the rest of the way around."
Elriya nods. "There is an herb that I could perhaps make a poultice out of. It helps prevent the flesh from fixing itself to the dressing, and some have told me that wounds are less tender with it."
Shar nods, "Ask Nila to fetch it in the morning, if you like. And Sir Colin's not made a fuss, but I imagine he could use something of the kind as well."
Elriya smiles, looking up from his side again. "Of course. I might have some of it already prepared down in the cellar, if you would rather not wait."
Shar shifts in his chair again, "Ahh-- if it's not too much trouble."
Elriya shakes her head, rising and ringing for a servant, who she instructs to bring a particular jar from the cellar, warm water, and clean cloths. She directs that these be put on a stand near the fire.
Shar leans back to wait patiently while she goes about her preparations.
Elriya rinses her hands and pulls her chair closer to his. "Will you lift your arm up so that I may reach it more easily, my lord?"
Shar does so, pulling his tunic up to expose the bandage for her as well.
Elriya murmurs, "Thank you." She peels back the outer dressing and pauses before pulling away the inner. "This is likely to hurt quite a bit, I'm afraid."
Shar nods once, bracing himself a little with the grip of his free hand on the arm of the chair.
Elriya works slowly and with a gentle touch, a look of concentration on her face. She moistens the cloth with the water to loosen it before pulling it away, though it still sticks in places. Once it is free, she peers into the wound with an appraising eye.
Shar sucks in a breath as the cloth pulls at the wound.
Elriya glances up at him. "There, the old is off." She sits back, reaching for the fresh materials and the jar. She folds up some of the cloth and wraps it in more of the webbing. "There is yet some bleeding, but not a troubling amount, I think, and it is not festering."
Shar nods, grimacing.
Elriya smears the dressing with the contents of the jar and leans forward again. "This, too, will hurt," she warns apologetically before lightly wiping the edges and inside of the wound with a moist cloth and beginning to pack it with the fresh dressing.
Shar turns his head away holding silent with effort.
Elriya finishes packing the wound and reaches for some longer lengths of cloth, wrapping them around his ribs and over the dressing to hold it in place. She sits back again and places her hand gently on the shoulder closest to her, speaking quietly. "I am through."
Shar releases another breath and leans back, dropping the lip of his tunic and taking her hand to kiss it. "Thank you, my dear."
Elriya presses his hand in return and pats his shoulder once. "Always, dearest."
Shar knocks his knuckles on the other chair. "Sit, sit."
Elriya smiles and clears the few spare cloths off of it, sitting down beside him.
Shar asks, "Now, tell me about your day. Were the ladies all atwitter about the local bird life?"
Elriya laughs quietly. "They were rather, yes. We have that songbird that sometimes sings to us from the walnut tree, and we could hear it while we were sitting together in the parlor. There was a great deal more fuss over young Mistress Lana, however."
Shar says, "Ah yes of course. Quite a healthy young girl, I understand, and she and Lady Astera look quite fine."
Elriya nods. "They have been very fortunate, I am told, and Lady Astera is as delighted as you would expect any new mother to be. It is very good to see."
Shar asks, "Making you hope for a little girl grandchild, is it?"
Elriya smiles, eyes twinkling. "I cannot hope to keep it a secret, I see. I know that Dar will need a son before all is said and done, but perhaps he and Lady Honour will humor me before I have gotten too old to teach her to hold a needle. And Hart is hardly a babe any longer either, I suppose."
Shar inclines his head. "I expect Priya is hoping for another herself soon enough. Dar and Lady Honour may need a bit more time to settle into their new situation."
Elriya nods, looking reminiscent. "You are right, of course. Though I was very eager when I was in Lady Honour's place, I cannot say I am sorry now that we had to wait a little time before Dar came to us."
Shar says, "Ah yes, I remember that well. Though you were more than delighted when we sure of his arrival."
Elriya smiles fondly. "My darling little boy."
Shar chuckles, caught up in her reminscences, "I don't imagine I would mind a few little tow-headed figures running around the manor again myself, now you've got me on the subject. I was rather hoping to see young Hart and give him a bit of practice with a sling this winter."
Elriya says, "He has proven an apt pupil from the little I have seen of it."
Shar says, "Perhaps the next time Dar is able to stay in Coghill, I'll ask if he cannot see to things and we can visit Priya and Hart ourselves."
Elriya nods, looking quite pleased with the idea. "That would be a most welcome plan, if you think you can be spared."
Shar pushes on the arms of his chair to help himself rise to a standing position. "Perhaps I'll speak with Dar about it. It will depend on the trade seasons." He offers Elriya a hand. "I think I'll call for some tea before bed. Would you like some as well?"
Elriya takes his hand and rises as well. "Thank you, my dear. That sounds quite lovely."
Shar kisses her cheek. "And then I think it's best to turn in. You've been quite the hostess these few days."
Elriya puts her hand affectionately to his cheek in return. "You are quite right, my tireless husband."
Shar gives a small laugh and goes to fetch a servant for their evening tea.
