lคץ ๓є l๏ฬ

[assassinrue]

Cassius stood in a corner, his back straight, his head high. But he looked at nothing, he saw nothing. He knew what it was to be a good servant, you pretended you didn't see, you pretended you didn't hear, you only existed when given an order. In his right hand was perched a silver platter with a decanter and several glasses. There was supposed to be a meeting in this room today. His left hand was tucked behind his back.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

The door opened and Lady Averyl Karstark glided into the room. She was dressed formally in a long silver and blue dressed, her hair pinned back by numerous clips. She hardly even glanced at Cassius as she surveyed the room. Everything seemed to be in order. Her guests would be arriving soon.

[assassinrue]

Cassius allowed a slip in his demeanor when Lady Averyl walked in, he couldn't help it, she was so beautiful. His eyes followed her for a moment before he returned to his job of currently being a statue. She was quiet as she waited for her guests and he wished for a moment it was his place to be able to ask a question, any question.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

After a minute, another servant entered the room and announced her guests--a lord and lady from one of the houses under her. She welcomed the two in with a warm smile and offered them a seat. Once everyone was seated, they got down to business. There was an uprising in the eastern part of her land, and they had come to her seeking help quelling it. "Servant?" she said awhile into the conversation. She waved to Cassius. "Get us some refreshments please."

[assassinrue]

Cassius bowed his head and approached them with the tray. The decanter of wine was still cold, he could feel it through the tray, he softly set the glasses in front of each person, pouring first for the guests and then for the Lady. He set the decanter back and the tray and returned to his corner.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"I will send ten of my best guards with you," Averyl said. "Does this satisfy your needs?"

The lord dipped his head. "Thank you, Lady Karstark. Your kindness is exceeding expectations."

[assassinrue]

Cassius refrained from making a sound. He thought most guards didn't the right amount of heart to do their job correctly, they were all about pay and not terribly concerned with integrity. Even gold could turn any man.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Averyl waved a hand dismissively and stood up. "Thank you for coming to me. I hope this all dies down soon." The two of them stood and bowed before exiting the room, a servant walking with them to show them out. Only then did Averyl actually look at Cassius. "Would you go down to the kitchens and tell the cook I would like to eat dinner soon."

[assassinrue]

Cassius nodded once. "Yes mi'lady." He turned to go to the kitchens then paused and turned around. "Will you take dinner in your rooms ma'am, or at the table?"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Averyl grimaced slightly. There was no reason to eating the huge dining room, since she was the only one would be dining. She had no husband, no children, no long-term guests. It was all very lonely. "In my quarters, please."

[assassinrue]

"Yes mi'lady." Cassius walked down to the kitchens and dropped his attitude the moment he set the tray down. The cook had been an old friend of his. "The Lady wants to eat soon, in her quarters."

"Can't believe she's still alone, a beauty like her. You think someone would try to pawn her off to get married by now or something."

Cassius shrugged. "She doesn't seem like the type to want anyone."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Averyl returned to her rooms and brushed her long hair while she waited for her meal to arrive. She sighed at her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes looked tired, more and more weary everyday. This was hard, ruling alone as she was. She wasn't cut out for it.

[assassinrue]

"You should take it too her." Kalleb said when the dinner was done cooking.

"Why would I do that?" Cassius mutter, feigning indifference.

"I know better than anyone what you really think of the Lady. You might not have a chance in fighting hell but it doesn't mean you have to avoid her."

Cassius groaned and grabbed the food. Slipping on his roll as servant he walked the lengths of the manor until he reached her door and knocked.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Enter," Averyl said as she set the brush down. She stood up and walked to the small table near the center of the room, taking a seat in one of the plush chairs.

[assassinrue]

Cassius entered and silently placed the food on the table. "Will you be requiring anything else Lady Averyl?"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"No, thank you..." she trailed off, a frown crossing her face. "What's your name?"

[assassinrue]

"Cassius, mi'lady." He allowed himself to look at her.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Thank you, Cassius," Averyl said. She gave him a gentle smile. "You're excused now."

[assassinrue]

Cassius dipped his head and left the room. He allowed himself a second to take a deep breath before he went to his own quarters, he'd be on call for the rest of the night.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Averyl ate her dinner in silence, since there was no one to talk to. When she was done, she changed for bed and then climbed under the warm covers. It was a welcome relief from the eternal cold of the Northern winter.