A Room at the Inn

[Tim of Raventree]

6th day of the 3rd moon


When it came time to part from Lord Bracken, Violet headed up to her chamber with her maid, Tya.  She sat in her nightgown, brushing out her hair and drinking a cup of mulled wine.

"Pour a cup for yourself and come brush out my hair," she commanded Tya, holding out the brush.  "Gods be good, I'm so tired!  I thought this would be a grand adventure but I never considered being wet and cold."

[Tya Rivers]

Tya gave a little laugh, and went over to take the brush.

"Being wet and cold is all part of adventure my lady." She said. "It is something that I am sure you will grow used to in time."

Tya ran the brush through Violets hair gently. "Don't you think it is a grand adventure? It is better then always being in the same places, don't you think?"

[Tim of Raventree]

"I haven't had the chance to travel, really," Violet admitted. "I went from Harroway's Town to the motherhouse, then back to Harroway's town. I visited King's Landing before coming to Harrenhal and now I am here."

She sighed a little. "'Those are the only places I have visited, truly. I have been scarce half a mile away from any of them. I did quite like visiting King's Landing but it would have been a lot more enjoyable if I had coin. This is an adventure of sorts, but I will like it much better when we arrive at Riverrun and don't have to go out in the rain if I don't want to. I wouldn't mind being wet if only it didn't make me cold."

[Tya Rivers]

"Then we should travel to Kings Landing again. If you enjoyed it so. You have me now. I know I am not coin but I can at least try and make your time go a bit smoother."

The brush snagged on a small knot and she carefully pulled it out. "The rain is not so bad. It makes everything fresh and new. I think it all smells nicer after a good rain shower."

[Tim of Raventree]

"I suppose it does," Violet agreed. "And grass looks so pretty afterwards. But I do prefer sunny weather."

She paused to sip her wine. "I would love to go to King's Landing again but I doubt Belric would let me, and I haven't the money to go alone. We're not wealthy, Tya, not in the slightest. I must marry a wealthy man."

[Tya Rivers]

"The way you look, Lady Violet, I am surprised that they are not queuing around Harrenhall as we speak." Tya said. "I'm sure you could persuade your brother that the best place for you to meet said wealthy husband is in the city, is it not true that they all live there?"

[Tim of Raventree]

"Not entirely. Many lords live in the capital, but many others spend most of their time at their castles, so I can't be sure that staying in one place will suffice."

She sighed a little. "I cannot go to court without an invitation, and especially when I have no highborn lady to serve as chaperone and sponsor. And I can barely afford one new dress let along the dozen or more I would need at court."

[Tya Rivers]

"I can restyle some of your old ones for you, or we find some decent material and I can make some. That cannot be counted as a worry for you any more my lady."

[Tim of Raventree]

"Yes but..." Violet wondered how best to explain. "Silks and satins don't come cheap, Tya, and I would certainly need rich fabrics for court. Tthough I thank you for the thought. Perhaps, next time we come across a good-sized town, you could help me find a good bolt of inexpensive cloth to fashion me a new dress? I have only the one that is suitable for formal occasions, alas."

[Tya Rivers]

"You don't need silks and satins to look good if you know the right cuts." Tya said, she deftly plaited Violet's hair.

[Tim of Raventree]

"I don't agree," Violet countered. "Silks and satins are the mark of a true lady. I would look a pauper beside the highborn ladies if I could not afford silk. And I cannot, so it's no use pining for the capital."

[Tya Rivers]

Tya gave a small shrug. "As you say my lady."

She left to tidy away a few of Violet's things, and fold the bed down ready for her.

[Tim of Raventree]

Violet stood. "Ah, Tya. Keep your sweet innocence, won't you? I would hate to have a gloomy handmaid." As she got into bed she asked "Have you any dreams of your own?"

[Tya Rivers]

"I have plenty of dreams, my lady." Tya replied cheerfully. "And I promise you that I wont ever be gloomy. I don't think that is in the job description."

[Tim of Raventree]

"Well, no," Violet agreed "Perhaps one day, when we know each other better, you will share your dreams with me." She pulled the cover up around herself.