Streamwood Settlement
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Nestled in a sheltered clearing of the deep woods of Coghill is the
Streamwood settlement, named for the small stream running through the middle
of the settlement. A stone retaining wall has been constructed along the
stream's course for safety. Babbling quietly, the stream trips merrily over
the stone bed as it winds further south. Every so often a glimmer of light
reflects off a passing fish. Over the water in several locations are low,
wide bridges, perfect for passage or fishing. Water lilies as well as
wildflowers growing along the streambed perfume the air with their aroma.
Small wooden cottages peek out from the tree line, constructed from the
sturdy lumber the woods provide. Some cottages have small flower or vegetable
gardens out front. Others have small wooden or stone figures decorating the
yard, a nod to their resident's occupation. There are two fire pits, one on
either side of the stream for communal use. The atmosphere is serene and
welcoming, perfect for raising a small family or starting a new career.
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Contents:
A son of adam with an unruly appearance (Cantil)
A daughter of eve with the slight odor of farm animals and hay (Damala)
Cantil hoots out loud and slithers back down to the ground, taking off at top speed while Damala is still stunned from the enormous amount of snow shaken down onto her by Cantil from a big ol' tree branch!
Damala, still moderately covered in snow, shakes a fist at Cantil. "You'll pay for that, Cantil!" She pauses to drop down to the snow and build a few more snowballs.
Cantil sings a lyricless taunting ditty composed mostly of the syllables "nah nah nah nah" and high-tails it for a safe distance.
Elriya steps out of one of the cottage doors, followed by a servant. She is dressed warmly against the cold and wet, more a picture of sense than of finery on this day. A basket covered in thick cloths hangs from the servant's arm. Before the door is closed from within, Elriya speaks a few low, kind words to those inside.
Damala roars in fury, "I'm gonna get you, Cantil!' She runs after him, snowballs tucked in her apron, her cheeks are not just red from the cold. She tosses one too weakly- it explodes a safe distance away upon impact with the ground. She throws another as she manages to get closer.
Cantil keeps up the taunting and flees in an unpredictable zig-zaggy path. He pauses, scoops up a handful of snow, packs, and lets fly.
Damala manages to duck her head out of the way just in time, but the snowball continues behind her, hitting her ladyship's cloak.
Elriya does not at first appear to have noticed the boisterous children playing nearby. Instead, she turns her attention to the servant accompanying her and leads the way through the center of the clearing, moving in the direction of the manor. She walks at a measured pace, but halts with a low exclamation of surprise as the cold and wet explodes against her back. She slowly turns to look about her, eyebrows raised in an expression of some curiosity.
Cantil skids to a halt, his eyes going very, very wide.
Damala doesn't quite understand why Cantil has such a surprised look on his face. She puts her hands on her hips. "Of course I dodged that you idiot! I saw it coming a mile away!"
Elriya's searching gaze lands on Damala and her playmate at this, and though she still looks quite surprised, she presses her lips together against the amused smile that threatens. The servant, meanwhile, gasps and quickly begins brushing the excess snow off of her lady's cloak.
Cantil is all set to take off running if Elriya shows any signs of being mad. His eyes still resemble saucers.
Damala pffts with a superior, gloating smile and turns around as though to stroll off in her victory when she sees the lady. Her cheeks redden in a way that has nothing to do with the cold and she drops into a curtsy.
Elriya manages to conceal her mirth rather well, and instead, her eyes and smile are merely kind as she nods in recognition of the gesture. "Ah, Damala. Good day to you, child." Looking toward the boy, she adds, "And to your playmate, I believe."
Damala stammers, "G..good d..day, M'lady." She rises from her curtsey.
Cantil is too staggered by this turn of events to even take offense to the term 'playmate' as opposed to 'foe' or 'archnemesis'. He gulps and stays at a safe distance.
Elriya glances between the two, studying Cantil's expression for a brief moment before speaking once again to Damala. Her tone is quite grave. "Am I to understand that I have just saved you from a very terrible end?"
Damala shifts her feet in the snow. "I don't understand whatcha mean, M'lady. Cantil..." She thumbs back toward her enemy, "He aims good but I'm good at dodging too." The snow in her hair testifies at least mildly against her claim.
Cantil shifts, looking slightly less like a cat about to bolt and slightly more like he's thinking about contributing a very loud snort to the conversation.
Elriya smiles slightly and nods, ignoring the servant's tittering behind her. "Indeed, it would appear so. I think I have found myself on a great battlefield."
Damala nods enthusiastically! "That's so, M'lady! I'm sorry you got hit when I ducked."
Cantil still hangs back, eying Elriya cautiously. Just in case.
Elriya dips her head in acknowledgement of the apology. "I am unharmed, child, so there is no need to fret. However, I would ask you to have a care in future, for some of our people are much more feeble than I, and I would be very sorry to hear that any were hurt because they dared to approach such fine warriors."
Damala stops to think about what the Lady says and bobs her head. "I'll be careful, M'lady." She pauses. "M'lady, do you ever have snow battles at the manor? I would think that snow battles would be really fun in the orchard, with lots of cover."
Cantil looks slightly hopeful at this. Maybe a little bit impressed by Damala's daring. A little.
Elriya smiles reminiscently. "I was some years older than you are when I first came to live at the manor, but you are quite right about the orchard, I think. It was the favored place for snow battles when Lord Dar and Lady Priya and Master Darrin--and even Lady Honour, I believe--were boys and girls."
Damala gapes, "Knights and ladies had snowbattles?" Her eyes are open at the shock of such a thought.
Cantil picks his way closer, interested.
Elriya chuckles only a little at their expressions. "They were not yet knights and ladies then, I fear, but yes, they all enjoyed the gardens very much indeed when they were not having their lessons."
Damala ohs softly and scratches her head. She asks innocently, "Why do grown ups get boring? I can't imagine not wanting to play after chores are done."
Cantil makes a strangled noise that might could probably be translated to 'shut up stupid' with some imagination.
Elriya considers for a moment. "Often, when we are grown, we find that there are still more duties waiting when the first are finished. Just as it would not do for your mother to go off and play if your stockings were not all mended, so it would not be right if Lord Shar and I ran about the gardens while our people waited for audiences or merchants could not travel here because of bad roads."
Damala ohs softly again and nods. "That makes sense."
Cantil takes a minute to vigorously shake snow out of his hair. Damp patches are beginning to grow on his shoulders and tunic front where snow has fallen, stuck, and subsequently melted.
Elriya smiles and glances up at the position of the sun, mostly hidden behind the clouds and falling snow. "But I think you need not worry about such things for some years. Indeed, you may have a bit more time before you are called to your supper, so I will leave you to finish your game while you may."
Damala curtsies to the Lady. "Have a good day, M'lady. I can't wait to taste.." Her eyes widen in a sort of horror as though she remembers something. She starts looking around her surroundings. "My cheese! I lost it!"
Cantil blinks. "Cheese?" he asks blankly.
Elriya's eyes twinkle in some amusement. "That is a shame, for I think it must have been very fine." She looks to Canitl inquiringly. "No doubt this gallant warrior will help you to look for it?"
Cantil blinks again. "Uhh."
Damala turns toward Cantil, her big brown eyes staring at him. She looks distressed, about ready to cry.
Cantil gulps, assailed on both fronts. "Uhh, sure?"
Damala squees for happiness and hugs him before she remembers who it is she hugs. She backs off awkwardly and coughs into a palm. "That's if you don't mind...Cantil."
Cantil lets out a 'hurk' noise and backs away even more quickly than Damala. His ears are bright red and he has a let's-just-pretend-that-didn't-happen look on his face.
Elriya stifles any laughter, pursing her lips and looking satisfied with this answer. "I will wish you luck on the hunt, then, and be off. A good eve to you both."
Damala curtseys again to the Lady, a little pink, herself. She resumes scanning the settlement, trying to retrace her steps- which are many.
Cantil scratches the back of his neck and turns to eye the ground between houses, looking a little doubtful about the prospective success of this venture.
Elriya nods to both and resumes her course out of the settlement, her pace unhurried. She is quiet for the moment, and her expression is contemplative. The servant follows dutifully behind her.
