Post by Joanna Montefiore on May 15, 2015 22:07:48 GMT -5
Mornings occasionally found the gentle Montefiore dove fluttering back to the Lavender Quarter from morning devotions in the Lotus Quarter, where there was a small temple to the Duality. She found peace for her increasingly troubled soul there, finding solace in the prayers and the priests' quiet devotions. Lighting a candle as she bowed her head and murmured her own devotions, Joanna took care not to over-stay her welcome. The temple was there for everyone's use, not merely her own, and it would not be fair or right to deny others the same pleasure she took.
Rising from her prie-dieu with a soft murmur of thanks to the priest holding that morning's service, the Dove emerged from the temple with a small smile of thanks for the Montefiore guard who accompanied her. The man had been unfailingly patient with her, indulging her early morning ventures out to the temple, one of the few who did not seem to mind the young woman's habit. He fell into step with her, keeping her on his left as they strolled down the streets that began to increase with traffic the closer they came to the heart of the city.
The day promised to be warm still, a contrast from her cool Duefuemi; between its location in the mountains and the proximity of the rivers, the city remained cool even in the heart of summer. Her sisters had taken to carrying fans during the sultry afternoons, the better to cool themselves; she might have to begin doing the same. Fortunately, a light breeze stirred the air, slipping coyly beneath the light veil Joanna draped over her hair and shoulders.
Glancing to her guard, she smiled shyly and then looked ahead to see who else might be out that morning. Her gaze fell on a form she thought she recognized, pausing to study the man with interest. He looked a little worse for the wear, but more importantly, what was he doing down here? The guard stopped, lifting a brow to the young lady but said nothing. Instead, he kept a hand on his hilt as she approached the man cautiously, her voice quiet, "Lord Cesare? Are you unwell?"
Cesare Deliambre