Freidrich and Tabytha came from here
Narrator:
As that particular Anchor gets up, and migrates over to the refreshments, she sees Tabytha and Friedrich returning.
Tabytha: [not quite quiet enough]
And they thought *we* would be the ones lying in a pile.
Narrator:
Blackbird smiles to herself at Tabytha's comment. Rojo takes his drink and goes over to the Duchess, who compliments him on such skill. He realizes that Friedrich isn't going to conveniently go away, so he simply uses his quietest voice.
Rojo: [neutral expression]
M'lady, I would speak with you privately.
Narrator:
Before she can respond, someone calls out, "Anchor, tell us the news!" This is greeted by a chorus of agreement, some pointing out that it will be awhile before anyone wants to dance. Rojo gets a stricken look on his face and stares at Tabytha, who nods to him. He turns around, looking plainly unhappy.
Rojo:
Can it not wait? The night is young.
Blackbird: [unspoken]
Uh oh. That's not the right reaction....
Hesketh:
If it be matters of great import, please tell us. If it is amusing, so much the better. But if it is dull and dreary, your judgement is sound, spare it till morning and enjoy your cup.
Rojo: [looking at the circle of expectant faces around him]
It is, alas, important news. But, happy the news is not.
Things are not well in the east.
In Chesterton, the Duke's brother Albert has died of injury suffered whilst wrestling.
Narrator:
The news hits the gathered Stanleys hard. "Uncle Albert?" is the unspoken question on many lips. A growing look of alarm starts to spread over Gloriana's face as she ponders her Uncle.
Gloriana: [and likely some others too]
[unspoken]
Daddy's not going to take that very well... Oh my-
Rojo:
His Grace was heartbroken at the news, and two weeks later he also passed from us, no longer willing to live.
Elisabeth: [Hesketh catches her as she falters]
Daddy?!
Narrator:
Anne looks over at Richard concerned at how he is taking the news and is about to go over to him when the next announcement stops her dead in her tracks. For what seems like the thousandth time today, Richard's face becomes pale and haggard, and his head slowly bows forward, like the air being let out of a balloon.
Rojo:
And in Devonshire, the lady Diane, the previous -
[scream from Gloriana - then she collapses distraught. Those next to her were paying too much attention to the news to react quickly enough to keep her from falling.]
- - Duke's sister, has been hanged as a witch, after a being found guilty at trial.
Blackbird: [unspoken]
REGI! Damn you!
I wish I'd found out about it before Rojo. Then again, I am glad I was not the one to bring Taby that news.
Sir Richard: [head still lowered]
Anchor...
[clears his throat, speaks again more clearly]
Anchor, do you know it a date was set for the meeting of the Regency Council?
Rojo:
Yes, Baron, one was apparently set for two months hence, after your brother learned of your absence.
Tabytha: [very quiet voice, very soft, very alone]
Aunt Di?
[CLICK/SLAM- A change comes over the Duchess of Devonshire. Friedrich recognizes it very well - the lowering of a mask onto one's features. She quits being Tabytha, a fraction over five feet tall, most pleasantly round of shape, and becomes The Duchess of Devonshire, commanding, harder than nails, sharper than a sword. As Brandon and others are helping Gloriana come back to the present, she speaks:]
Sirs Richard and Hesketh, may I impose upon you to escort us back?
Friedrich of Tudor, Brandon d'Harrogate; this has been a most wonderful party, for which We are most grateful. It is my heartfelt hope that We all can meet this way again in a time of better tidings.
With your leave, Lord Jhereg, We should like to withdraw.
Jhereg: [gesturing to James as he bows]
I am at your command my Lady. My men and I are ready to escort you at your convenience. If there is anything else I can do you have only to ask.
Blackbird: [unspoken]
I give her until she gets to her tent before she goes completely to pieces. Why do I feel like I should be blaming myself? I've been meaning to have it out with Regginal for months, why did I put it off?
[looks sadly at Tabytha. still unspoken]
I think I do have something to offer you, Taby. In a little while.
Narrator:
Gallilei understand Tabytha's reaction in a different light -- it's the face you use to get through the next few minutes until you can respond. It's the reaction you use to cover the pain of a loved one's death for a few minutes. Gloriana, however, is another matter. With the same grace he'd just shown at the beginning of the dance, he takes two glasses of water and kneels beside Gloriana, who is leaning back against Brandon.
One glass serves to wet a handkerchief he had with him, which then is used to dampen her forehead. The other lies in wait -- he'll offer her that one to drink, as soon as she overcomes the swoon. Unlike the heftier knights in the room, Gallilei treats people where they are rather than gallantly carrying them someplace else.
Narrator:
The news from Devonshire releases a flood of memories for Anne that she is not prepared to deal with so with great effort she builds a damn in her mind to stop the flow. She recognizes the cost of such an action, the strain on her physically and emotionally is high. The physical cost will be painful but easily paid. The emotional cost is much greater for each time she does this, her emotional being retreats one step further from the surface. The path back is becoming harder and harder to find. But there is work to be done, so Anne joins Gallilei and seeing how well he is taking care of the situation, remains in the background.
Gallilei gently wipes Gloriana's face, her head cradled in the crook of Brandon's arm. As the dampness in the cloth is just starting to show in her hair, Glorianna begins to return to the present.
Gallilei holds up the empty cup to the first person in reach (other than Elisabeth).
Gallilei: [Elder speaking]
Please refill this.
Gloriana:
..Where...?
Gallilei: [softly, gentle]
Ssssshhhhh....
You are still in the tent where we were dancing. You swooned.
No, don't sit up yet. Don't talk. Just take a minute, relax, and let everything integrate again.
[takes the other cup, and holds it to her lips]
Take a sip. It's cool water.
[she does]
Good.
[Gloriana looks around, she's about to ask another question]
You were only out for a moment. Lady Tabytha is preparing to leave the party, and is working on the arrangements to leave for home. Sir Richard is helping. Everything is being taken care of.
[She looks worried, she wants to be doing something, relaxes minutely when she sees Richard there.]
Just wait another minute. You'll feel much, and be much more use to your family, if you wait until your body is really ready for this than if you push.
Here.
[He and Brandon lift her to a sitting position -- by now she's ready for that]
[unspoken]
In these moments, our people are alike.
"Hanged for a witch" -- if that means what I think it means, this little jaunt may become a life's work.
Narrator:
A sudden motion and sense of presence causes Gallilei to look up and see Richard looming over him. Suddenly, Gallilei is struck by a mental image of Richard as he first met him, a mere decade or so ago: a self-confident and extremely serious young man trying hard to assume the burdens of the world. Looking at Richard now, the weight of his burdens evident in the lines of fatigue and pain, Gallilei cannot help but wonder if it was really worth it. A lone drop of water stands on Richard's right cheek, but the iron, expressionless set of his face makes it impossible to tell if it is sweat or a tear.
Gallilei: [unspoken]
They do age so quickly. Unless I miss my guess, that is one young man on the edge of a serious explosion. Even with all that reserve, I wonder how long he can keep himself together?
Narrator:
Richard eyes Brandon but speaks to Gallilei. The message is clear: I don't think you are worth talking to, and I'm watching. Even so, it is a subtle event since they are standing next to one another, noticeable only to Gallilei and Brandon. Brandon's eyebrow rises, but he has had far too many threats from relatives before to be impressed by so understated a warning.
Sir Richard:
Thank you, Elder. Glori, can I give you a hand?
Narrator:
Glorianna lifts her hand and starts to reply, but Gallilei interrupts her.
Gallilei:
I think she could probably stand, but it would be better for her to wait another moment. Go ahead, and I'll help her to her tent in a moment.
Tabytha:
No, we will be glad to wait for her.