It wasn't as hard as she thought it would be to get into the city. From the way the king acted, she thought it would be far harder. Then again, everyone knew the king, and almost no one knew her. Sighing to herself she adjusted her jacket a little and glanced at her reflection in a nearby window. She looked like the common woman or man that might be walking through here. Certainly not like the lady she was. Good. Moving again, she took in the shops with slight curiosity, intent on exploring a little. She may as well, since she didn't have much else to do. Also it wasn't as if  Isto would care. Eliza wrinkled her nose a little at the thought. In truth she kind of wished he did care. That he wanted to spend time with her and get to know her. Even if he didn't choose her as his wife, surely they could be friends? She had gathered that they had a few similar likes, so it could be possible.

Eliza tucked a stray hair behind her hair and wondered if maybe a small part of her wanted him to pick her. He was quite handsome and had a nice enough voice. He was also reckless and didn't seem to want to get married at all. Couldn't he just decree that someone else could take his place? Surely he had other relatives that could act as his heir, it didn't have to be a child of his blood. Or so she had learned, but what did she truly know of royalty and their rules? Eliza frowned at the line of thought and started down a different path. She had found a map of the city and was pretty decent with directions. Currently, she was seeing if she could reach the stables...any stables really. She just wanted to be around horses for a little bit, if it was possible. If she had the money to, she would even get a saddle and see if she could ride for a bit. Then again, a lot of folk didn't much like the thought of a woman riding out on their own. Eliza rolled her eyes, she could take care of herself if she needed to of course, but it was rare for her to find someone who would believe such a thing.

---

T

he peredhel never grew tired of the markets. However much time she spent wandering, she always found something new she hadn’t seen before. If it weren’t for how quickly her purse emptied and how pregnant the satchel slung across her shoulders grew, Idrial might never leave. It was a thought that had quickly turned into a recurring day-dream. One day, perhaps, she would have her own business there or in Noria.

Being under the king’s employ had been infinitely invaluable, no question. She had everything a person could want and more. Idrial knew that if she had lived to be a thousand she could never have hoped to rise to half such ranks nor gain a fraction of the opportunities he afforded her. The healer had no want of anything; and if she did, Isto was quick to remedy it. To give that up would surely be an act of madness. And yet… she was unfulfilled.

A boy promoting potions and healing magic caught Idrial’s attention. She approached him with an endearing smile and asked him to show her the way to the stall he advertised. Idrial slipped the lad a few coins for his help and was soon greeted by a somewhat apathetic merchant. Time and money were soon well-spent, and the healer decided to begin the trek back to Pyramus early.

Her gaze briefly wandered across the way and was met with a newly familiar face. Being in no real hurry to return to the palace, Idrial made a beeline to meet the unescorted duchess. "Your Grace," she greeted the young woman with a pleasant smile and somewhat awkward bow, "It is lovely to see you here. Are you enjoying the city?"

---

tag: Eliza Dubois

Eliza startled a little in surprise and turned to find someone she at least knew. Smiling a little, she offered a nod in greeting back. "You don't need to call me Grace you know..." It had always bothered her, since she didn't truly view herself as anything special. She had been born into her standing, and that was all. It wasn't anything that she had earned. The next question had her smile growing. "Oh, the city is quite nice. I was just seeking out some stables...and perhaps see if I could go for a ride." She shifted her weight a little "I am curious about the lands that border the city as well after all." Chuckling a little she grinned "Though I guess I could just walk to do that just as well."

Idrial Belinor

---

T

he duchess continued to (pleasantly) surprise Idrial. It was a wonder she still wanted anything to do with Thisbē after the way the king had mistreated Eliza at their breakfast meeting. She would be impressed with the duchess’s perseverance if she intended to keep pursuing marriage with Isto. Although, she did worry about what their next interaction might be like…

Idrial smiled politely and gave an acquiescing nod. “As you wish. How should I call you, then, my lady?”

The peredhel smiled. Ah, she was seeking out horses. That came as no surprise at all and she probably could have guessed as much. “Would you like to see the royal stables? I could take you on a tour of the area, as well. If you would like the company,” she offered.

---

tag: Eliza Dubois

"Just Eliza is fine" she assured and then considered Idrial's offer. It would be nice to have company during her explorations. As for the royal stables...she was slightly interested in how the King took care of his animals. "That would be nice." Eliza motioned that Idrial could take the lead. After all, she wasn't sure where the King kept his equines. She knew next to nothing of the area as a whole, but at least now she could try to learn. 

Idrial Belinor

---

T

he healer smiled, “Very well, Eliza,” and gave a nod of polite agreement to address her informally. At least for the day. Idrial, while preferring more casual interactions, knew better than to assume such familiarity in all settings. Especially ones where others of the duchess’s social standing might be present.

She had learned very quickly to be mindful of such things at Pyramus and among the court. The duchess and the king shared a habit of stepping down from the pedestals afforded to / forced upon them by their respective statuses at every opportunity. It was something the people of Thisbē loved about Isto (and the gentry abhorred). However, even with their permission or outright command, the wider circle of nobility saw such acquiescence by ‘lessers’ as insolent, disrespectful of the social order; a breaking of tradition. If the king’s commands did not supersede such things, she would not have been shocked to learn it was a criminal offense. The feeling of equal footing (it was only performative, after all) was not as worthwhile to the Idrials of the world as it was to Eliza or Isto. Excepting in more private company, perhaps. At least then they could be spared the headache of offending an aristocrat.

For today, it helped that Eliza had chosen to don more common attire and was boldly wandering unchaperoned. Idrial got the feeling that the duchess preferred to blend in. Something she could find little fault in. The styles of noblewomen were entirely too complicated and impractical. It was fun to dress in finery once in a while but she could never subscribe to such fashions as a lifestyle. It seemed the healer and the duchess may have shared that in common to some degree or another.

* * * *

It was an easy walk to the royal stables and the lovely spring weather would make for a very pleasant ride. She introduced Eliza to her twin mares - Castor and Pollux. Idrial went on to explain how she and her best friend had been fortunate to find such a bargain, for they had had little coin between them at the time. “The village was superstitious of twins. Bad luck, apparently.” Had they not come along, the pair would have been slaughtered. Idrial affectionately ran her hands down the long bridges of the horses’ noses. “How wrong they were about our darling girls.”

Idrial smiled a little sheepishly at Eliza, as if apologetic. “Forgive me. I cannot help but dote upon them.” She stepped back from the twin mares. “You are welcome to take one of mine out if you wish, or any other here.” Idrial gently swept out her arm in a permissive sort of gesture, guessing Eliza would want to see the full selection of horses to choose from - both as a matter of preference and general interest.

---

tag: Eliza Dubois

The walk to the stables was certainly pleasant. Once they arrived, Eliza gives Idrial a nod then roams the area. Each horse looks well taken care of, which Eliza finds interesting. Perhaps Isto cared more for animals than he did for people.  As she looked them over, a thought wormed its way into her head. "Are any of these the King's?" 

She of course, thinks he might at least have one that he calls his own. Surely he was allowed out of his castle sometimes? Or he could simply have one for the hell of it. Eliza huffs and shakes her head even as she pauses at one stall. It would do her no good to make assumptions of the childish King. Learning over time was far better anyways. 

Idrial Belinor

---

I

drial watched as Eliza surveyed the stables and the horses housed within. She smiled and raised an amused brow when the duchess asked about Isto’s preferred horse. A bold choice. “Of course.” She stepped past Eliza and led her to the widest stall at the back. “This is Etta,” Idrial said, undoing the latch and revealing a stunning and well-cared-for mare. The horse was pure white save for the tip of her nose which was gray. “Mae g'ovannen, roheryn” the peredhel greeted Etta softly.

---

tag: Eliza Dubois
translation: [Elvish] well met, horse (female) of the king

"Etta..." It was a fine name, of course. Still, if she got away with her plan, she would be changing that. The beauty of the horse wasn't surprising in the least. Isto did have some fine taste...from what little she knew about him. "How often does he ride you my darling?" She asks towards the horse, and approaches carefully towards its side. After a quick look she finds this specific equine to be a mare. Interesting, she thought all kings rode stallions. Another thing clicked in her head, and old story her mother used to tell her, and she huffed a laugh. "Was he perhaps hoping to be someone's shining savior? White horses...well, they are not that common where I live, but perhaps it is a different matter here." 

---

“L

ess than his majesty should like,” Idrial answered, “Though, she is never left uncared for and is exercised regularly when the king is unable to take her out himself.”

The peredhel wore a placid smile as she observed Eliza’s interaction with the king’s mare. Etta truly was a beautiful specimen as well as a fine ride. She had excellent training and responded to several commands, vocal and touch - all of which she relayed to the duchess.

Idrial chuckled at Eliza’s ribbing remark about the king and shook her head. “No, no, nothing like that. She was a gift from one of his sisters.” Isto would probably have thought her comment very funny as well, as he did not consider himself at all qualified to be what he was. He was not nearly as selfish as he let people think he was, but Idrial doubted he would ever go to any lengths to look like a savior unless it was purely a farce.

“Would you like to take Etta out today?”

---

tag: Eliza Dubois