Wildwood Manor:m<a class="postlink" href="http://www.owlpen.com/">http://www.owlpen.com/</a>m<br/>It is time of Winterfest as this holiday is month long in December. Kate was let out of classes on November 30th from the mage guild school. The town of Wildwood is a buzz with travelers. Soldiers return to a grand celebration by Lord Gillian Lyon and King Atrius attends.<br/>Lords and Ladies, commoners and peasants all turn out for the lighting of the great tree in the village square. There is great feasting, balls and parties.<br/><br/>The first ball of the season is hosted by Lord Lyons. All of his elite knights are dressed in their finest. In attendance are lords and ladies; distinguished and honored guest. This is a time that Lyons gives promotions to his loyal soldiers and retainers.<br/>The time is 6 p.m. Lyons calls his elite knights into the ready room of his manor there he gives a toast and thanks his men for their loyality and service. He gives each man a bonus in pay and promotions. He makes a selection of those that will guard and those that may participate. Each according to rank and time in service.<br/>Afterward he pulls his son Johnathan aside and ask him who under his command has his daughter Kate shown any interest in. Johh who is same height and build of his father shakes his head, "Father, I do not know. Kate does not make her intensions known. She has turned down any possible suitor and is dedicated to her studies. I have seen her watch us train."<br/><br/>Lyons frowns a bit. "Katherine just turned 18 and will attending the mage college in Seville in the Fall. I had hoped she would find a suitor to accompany her on the journey. I know she will have to travel by sea. I know how much she fears that ship named for her mother."<br/>Johh nods and looks at his companions. "Permission to take my leave. I promised Samatha first dance."<br/>Lyons nods, "Granted and mind your manner Son."<br/>Johh gives him a slight bow, "By all means Father."<br/><br/>**************************************************<br/>Lady Katherine Lyons has spent the afternoon resting and getting ready. She had her attendant a servant girl about her age to help her dress and fix her hair. Kate usually wore her auburn hair in a single braid to her waist. Her hair was fixed up on the sides, party up with a silver comb and the rest fell over her back in loose curles.  Her dress was a traditional ball gown. White with a large pink bow in the back. The neckline was lace and cut to show a little cleavage. As her breasts were not too large or too small. She had a small waist and her figure was more athletic. Her toned legs were covered by a full skirt over a large hoop and several petticoats.<br/>Kate's arms were not thin She loved to ride her horse every day and trained daily her mind and body to keep ahead of her studies. She was top of her class..she was humble and did not brag.<br/>Kate descended the alabaster and marble staircase around 7 pm. The guest had mostly arrived. She looked to find her brother and  father talking in the main hall. She wondered if they were conspiring in secret as to find her a suitor. She was not going to make this easy for them. She had her standards and refused to be a trophy to a lord. Her father promised her no arranged marriage would take place.<br/>Kate looked around the soldiers mingled around the tables of hors-o-derves and punch. She eyes a young man that she has seen only months ago on the training field behind the barracks. This was to be forbidden to her. She managed to sneak and watch.<br/>She approached her father with her hands extended. "How handsome you look Papa. "<br/>Lyons gazed his eldest daughter with pride and smiled, "You look  more like your mother. I wish she could see you."<br/>Kate hugged him, "I see her picture in the hall of fame at the mage school and feel she is there watching."<br/>Several of Kate's friends flock to greet her and she in turn greets them and they lead her into the grand dining hall.<br/>Kate entered and sees her servants busying around the guests. She wondered if she would meet anyone new this year.