James
Vezda Nasaris
Nasaris Manor Gardens

"I *Do* Wish to continue riding in tournaments," She agreed, swatting at his hand when his naughty fingers began to pinch at her side, "But I will not if I am with child. Though I will not stop training at arms- with care, of course- until I am too heavy to swing a sword properly."
Strangely, she had never pictured herself in such a way: rounded belly, heavy with child. *William's* Child, which even now she might be carrying. This realization made her heart flutter and skip a beat, the idea pleasant to her.
When William turned her around and poured his heart out to her, Vezda grinned- not a grin of amusement, but the grin of someone about to lead a battle charge. The gods had done well to meddle in their affairs and bring him to her.
"And I am glad I have been blessed with a man who is not some pampered, spineless dog who is all bark and no bite," She murmured as she reached up, the pad of her thumb brushing his bottom lip as she went on. "Nor is he humble, soft-spoken, and easily forgotten. He is a *Wolf,* And beside him, his mate who is every bit as ready to lead the attack."
Marvin
William Guiscard
Nasaris Manor Gardens

*A wolf, huh?*, thought William. *I suppose that I exhibit some predatory characteristics*. Vezda's delicate touch sent tingles down his spine while her blue eyes burned with such ferocity. William moved in for a kiss once again before the sound of some far away gardener distracted him. The man was attending to his work and was coming closer to their little spot. "I think that we might have to return to the Hall", said William before diverting his kiss to her cheek. "I will have to say some words that I don't mean. Don't give them any thought. If you can, push your father to accept. My offer wont' be unreasonable but some of his advisors might advise him against it". William would have to play the part of the indignant, cheated nobleman whose dowry was in danger. He would have to sell that ruse as believably as was possible. Of course that part would give an opening to those that might have an interest in sabotaging things even in this stage. The dowry was stolen by someone after all, money does not have a mind of its own. "We're nearly there, dear. Just one last obstacle to surpass"
—
*A few hours later*
William exited Lord Nasaris' study far more tired than he had entered it. They were to take a break. Negotiations had dragged on more than he expected. William had asked for 20 more horses and a written promise to be repaid within ten years. Lord Nasaris seemed to be willing to agree but his Seneschal had other ideas, interjecting regularly. *I'll have to get her a message*, he thought, pondering the choices in his disposal. When he found his solution, a man that had both the access and was beyond reproach, William chuckled. He started making his way towards the rooms of Wisdom Abbas
James
Vezda Nasaris
Basir Nasaris' Quarters

Vezda nodded when he kissed her cheek, turning to brush her nose against his as she looked into his eyes one last time before parting from him. Passing through the manor house she decided to seek out her elder brother to see if he had made any progress finding out what had happened. Basir welcomed her at the door of his study with a firm hug, giving her a curious look as he took her in.
"Little sister, you look especially radiant today despite the news. Did you already crush his spirits?" Basir teased as he closed the door her. Vezda only ever visited his quarters to talk business; leisurely visits were something saved for the training yard or the hall.
"No, Basir. Unlike your lady wife I don't take any pleasure in trying to *Break* My playthings. Have you any news?" Vezda inquired, drifting over to sit in an overstuffed chair. "William is furious. He's threatened to break the bethrothal off unless father adds more horses to the dowry but you know how Piruz can be."
Basir followed her, leaning on the edge of a great wood desk with a sigh as he looked over to her. The expression in his eyes told her everything- she knew her brother well.
"You already know who it is."
—
"Veda?" Basir questioned, concerned by how long his younger sister had sat in complete silence after he'd finished relaying everytthing he knew so far. It was very unlike her to be so... *Calm.*
"Basir, please walk me to my rooms. Today has been an exhausting day and I would like to rest," She said, her voice barely more than a whisper as she stood up and crossed his study. Oh, she *Was* Angry but she was also exhausted, needing time alone with her thoughts while Diran and Basir uncovered more.
Marvin
William Guiscard 
Nasaris Manor 

The Wisdom was his usual uncooperative self. That was to be expected. He claimed to be tired and deep in his studies. *Whatever did you do that made you so tired, I shall never know*. He briefly entertained the thought of sneaking into Vezda's room but he quickly realized that it was his tired mind talking. He elected instead to rest for a moment. He returned to his rooms where another guard stood outside . He had seen the boy training under Gerard but he hadn't learned his name yet. He diligently hailed his Lord and unlocked the door. *Maybe*
"When are you relieved?", he asked as an idea was forming in his head.
"In two candles time, my Lord", answered the Guard.
"I have a task for you", said William and rushed inside. His hosts had provided writing utensils and paper, should he wish to write back home and he made use of them now. He had learned writing late in his life, at Robert's insistence. He carefully picked his words, asking Vezda to meet him where they had spared or to write back if she had a better place in mind. He hoped that his letters were legible. After the ink was dry, William passed the message to the guard. He was to slip it under the door of Vezda's room as stealthily as possible.
After he was done, William collapsed on the bed, needing to rest for what was to come
James
Vezda Nasaris
Vezda's Rooms, Nasaris Manor

Vezda was half awake, resting in a beam of sunlight that fell over the lounging couch in her room with a half-read book resting on her bosom when she heard footsteps approaching. Then, they were gone again- without a knock on her door. *Curious,* She thought to herself, eyes still closed as she dozed, *Usually my brothers and the servants knock if they need to speak to me.*
Deciding that she should at least put away the book if she wasn't going to finish reading it Vezda opened her eyes and stretched, smiling when she spotted the folded letter just inside her door. Standing and crossing the room to pick it up, she opened it and skimmed the contents before folding it up again and placing it on a nearby table.
—
When Vezda arrived down at the training yard she found herself scanning the area for William, her heart skipping a beat when she finally spotted him. Although she was still quite tired, she was glad to see him again, this time with some good news.
"Basir and Diran found the one responsible. It was one of our newer guards. They believe a former suitor put him up to it, to humiliate you and perhaps make you break the betrothal off. It seems that you've made someone *Jealous,* William," She says, reaching out once close enough to him to curl her fingers around his much larger hand.
Marvin
William Guiscard
Nasaris Manor

William paced around the training yard anxiously. Had Vezda received his message? Was it perhaps intercepted? Thankfully, the former had happened as Vezda appeared, coming down the path that they had used last night. He waved at her to catch her attention and she begun rushing towards. She seemed happy, the news were probably good.
She proceeded to confirm his suspicion. *An earlier suitor, huh? Lordlings and their egos*, he thought. William wanted to grab this man and make a bloody example out of him as warning to others of his ilk. His heart started beating faster but then he stopped himself. With a deep breath, he pressed on.
"Bloody bastards. I expected resistance towards this marriage but not to this degree. You would think that if they desired you so much they would have already married you". He wanted to do and say far harsher things but there would come a time for them. "Tell your brother to keep an eye on your Seneschal. You would think that you were his own daughter by the way he acted during the negotiations", he added. *I should thank Basir when this is done*,he thought, making a mental note of it.
James
Vezda Nasaris
Nasaris Manor

"It's not about desire, my heart," She said, leading him over to sit on one of the worn wooden benches that ringed the hard-packed dirt yard used for sparring and training. "It is about *Power.* Whoever did this means to goad you into exposing... Into exposing that you are not one of us."
The words, once spoken aloud, made her furious, her jaw clenching and color rising in her cheeks with her ire. This was also a punishment on *Her* For refusing- and further insulting, by choosing William in his stead- whichever entitled lord was behind it all.
The whole thing made her want to scream and rage and shout obscenities as she pummeled a training partner.
"The seneschal means well, and William... I think I know of a way to settle this dispute. How ready are you to fight for your claim to my hand?"
Marvin
William Guiscard
Nasaris Manor

*Of course. The old issue*. Perhaps, William thought, other Lords treated him in such manner because they were reminded of their true origins. Every family, every house, if it followed its line back to its founder they would find a man like William. True nobility it seems did not come from bloodlines or chivalry. It came from being tough, resilient and grabbing every chance you get with both hands. *If that is what they want to see. I will give it to them*
"Oh, I am ready to fight for it all right. If I don't, whomever did this, will win. He'll have defeated both of us. And I don't take well to being defeated". His free hand had curled into a fist, seething with anger. "What do you have in mind, dear?"
James
Vezda Nasaris
Nasaris Manor

"Once Basir finds out who put the guard up to this, you could issue him a challenge. If he wants me- and my dowry- let him win it from you." 
Vezda's words were firm, though she had her doubts. It was an enormous risk to take and the stakes were high- William could be injured or killed, even as skilled as he was in a fight. Any man willing to steal a dowry that did not belong to him would no doubt fight unfairly. In the event William *Was* Slain, she would be bound to marry the victor. But... Such things were not one-sided.
"When you issue the challenge, William," She said, reaching over to cover his fist with her other hand as her tone turned icy, cunning, "Be bold. If you should win, demand lordship of *His* House as your prize in addition to my hand. Show the others that anyone who wishes to try taking food from your plate because they see you as lesser will lose their hand... And their plate as well."
Her last words came with a snarl as she squeezed his fist, blue eyes burning with a ferocity only Diran would have recognized.