June 1, 2009

In Which Roderick Gives the News

February 2, 1158

"So, I've finally recieved word from my brother," Dalston told Roderick gravely. "No one in his shire has seen hide nor hair of your wife. We're still waiting on Cambrin's letter, and Haldred's, but unless either of them has anything to say about Geneva's whereabouts, she's not in Dovia."

Roderick's eyes narrowed. "Must we discuss this in front of your nephew, Dalston?"

He had to say, he was rather uncomfortable with five-year-old Searle in the room; he didn't like the idea of someone as lowly as Severin's page knowing of the whole humiliating ordeal with Geneva. He had to admit, however, that taking a page from Dovia had been a splendid idea--one of these days, he would have to get one of his own.

"Never mind," he sighed as Dalston opened his mouth to reply. "I do not wish to discuss Geneva anymore. If she doesn't turn up in a month, then we will tell the people that she is dead--in all likelihood, she already is."

"And what makes you say that?" asked Octavius, a slight frown on his face.

Roderick shrugged. "The facts. For one, she's been pampered all her life. For another, she's a woman."

"Roderick, many a man in history has made the grave mistake of underestimating a woman," sighed Severin impatiently, casually drumming his fingers over his knee. "Don't become one of them."

"What is there to underestimate? This is Geneva we're talking about--the only way she's alive is if she's begun whoring herself out for necessities."

Thoughtfully, Dalston tilted his head. "If I know Geneva, she would find that the most pleasurable way to provide for oneself."

"Indeed," sighed the king, thoroughly sick of this constant discussion of his wife--late wife, he corrected himself. "Now, as pleasant as this conversation is, I did not summon you all here today to discuss the matter of Geneva. I have recieved some pressing news, and I must pass it on to you."

Young Searle's eyes widened; he had been a page for a brief enough time that anything the nobles discussed behind closed doors greatly excited him. "What is it? Er... your majesty," he added hastily.

Roderick paid the boy no heed--at least, not until the eyes of the three men were upon him. Then, he informed them all, "My father is going to be paying us a visit."

NEXT CHAPTER:

4 comments:

Van said...

Sorry about the short post (again). Next post will probably be short too--in fact, to make up for that, I'll try to have it up later tonight, because we all know that new Naroni posts are much more important than my homework :)

Also, I'm thinking of posting a poll in regards to Ashelia on my LJ pretty soon (like, as soon as I finish this comment), so maybe go check that out if you're reading that story.

Penelope said...

WHAT?!? They're making you do homework after your graduation?? Tell them where they can stick their homework!

Ohhh, Roderick. The way he's kind of shrugging this off like, "She's probably dead." is just so not cool. So very not cool.

Phoenix said...

I love Roderick's attitude! He's so blase about it! There's no love lost there is there?

And to echo Pen: Homework?! What the french toast! You've graduated! There's no HOMEWORK!!! O_o

Van said...

Graduation is stupid in Canada. For whatever reason, they decided it's a good idea to have the graduation ceremony before the diploma exams. My first one isn't until the 10th, so... homework :(

As for how Roderick is dealing with it... well, he can believe what he wants, but I tell you now, the family trees never lie. Just sayin'.