Test run: Lady Percy, sometime pre-Henry IV pt I

[adivasheadvoices]

[First, notes on Kate:

Kate is properly called Lady Elizabeth, after her grandmother, Elizabeth de Burgh, but to her lord she is always and ever Kate. She is some years younger than her husband (historically 32 to his 37 [Joe Armstrong is 34, Michelle Dockery is 31]), but she has always been his match. She reads and writes very well, embroiders and keeps accounts, and knows a little medicine -- the sorts of skills the mistress of a house needs. When her husband is away, she runs the household with as firm a hand as he does, though perhaps a more even-tempered one.

It's Harry that brings out her bad temper, her impulsiveness. Kate tries to keep Harry's choler in check, and more often than not she succeeds -- but if he can't be calmed down, then he will of a certainty set her off, and they'll have one of their fights that set the servants to shaking their heads. Kate has never had any qualms about striking her husband, if it seems warranted, since he won't hesitate to toss her about by the same token. (But she only actually broke his finger the one time, when he ignored her for a week in favor of arguing with his father, and she needed some way of making him fight with her again.)

She loves Harry deeply, even when she wants to dash his head against the wall, and she counts herself blessed that he loves her so in return.

She enjoys riding, embroidery, and good food. She takes care with her clothes and appearance when she must, but day to day she wears her hair loose and prefers simple gowns to elaborate ones. Her favorite dog is named Jack.]

---

Harry and his father have been some days from home, but they are to be returning soon, and Kate's mind is more on the preparations for their return than on where her feet are taking her. There will have to be food and drink and entertainment--

But she is not so far away that she won't notice when she walks through the door to the storeroom and into somewhere entirely different, full of people and noise and utterly unfamiliar decor.

Lady Percy halts, and narrows her eyes, and considers whether this is a miracle or merely madness.

Comments

[adivasheadvoices]

Kate straightens. Harry here? Does that make this more miraculous or less?

In either case, it gives her something to focus on. She strides towards Harry, head up, eyes bright.

"My lord?"

[newredmuses]

Five straight days and he's not seen a familiar face, nor heard his name spoke by one who's known it longer. He's done as much many a time before, but the world was right then, and he knew he would come home. He steps away from the bar, utterly thrown, yet for but a moment.

"How now--" He grins (beams, perhaps). "Gentle Kate! But what brings you here?" He closes the space between them in so many strides himself.

[adivasheadvoices]

"If I knew, I would tell thee." She holds out her hands for his. "Where is 'here,' pray?"

[newredmuses]

"I cannot conceive of it quite myself, though it has been told me more than once." He takes up her hand. "Love, I came here from the palace. I was minutes from the king, my father and uncle just ahead, when here I found myself, and set upon by a Scot."

[adivasheadvoices]

"From the palace?" she exclaims. "Are we in London, then? How?"

[newredmuses]

"I thought so too, but nay, good Kate, 'tis something a little stranger." He tugs her forward, and tries surreptitiously to lead her away from the window. "There's people here from places farther afield than we know. They've all come here like us, unbidden." He nods at a woman knitting by a fire; she's shaved her head save for a huge pink mohawk. "You know me, Kate, and I've no time for superstitions, but I find I must take this place on faith alone."

[adivasheadvoices]

"It is a miracle, then," Kate murmurs, eying their surroundings. "Or may as well be. But wherefore?"

[newredmuses]

Perhaps there might have been a moment where Harry should have given a weighty answer. But his eyes crinkle, and his mouth twitches, and his voice, he keeps it level. "Why, for a man to see his wife after a too-long absence. In sooth, the real miracle lies hidden in the chambers."

[adivasheadvoices]

Kate scoffs and thumps his shoulder.

"Go to, Harry!"

[newredmuses]

"Softly, softly!" He catches her wrist, eyes shining. "They may lock us up if they see us so violent."

[adivasheadvoices]

"Are they so vigilant?"

She lifts her other hand to his face to touch the bruise on his cheek.

"And yet you would have me believe you walk free?"

[newredmuses]

He scoffs. "My hounds have hit me harder when I call them in for supper. A quiet talk with the Prince of Cumberland, overheard. Nothing more."

[adivasheadvoices]

Her expression darkens.

"Are you brawling with princes now, Harry?"

[newredmuses]

He spreads his hands. "Again, these baseless accusations! I was on my best manners. I was expecting the king, you know."

[adivasheadvoices]

Dubious though she may still be, she must admit that she's done more damage to his cheek herself, now and again. Besides, there are more important things at hand.

"And did you see him?"

[newredmuses]

"Nay, my love, not yet." He takes her hand again. "Your brother will be got back, though. We've only to plead our case; the king will hear us."

He must hear; the prisoners from Holmedon demand it.

[adivasheadvoices]

She presses her lips together and nods, squeezing his hand.

"Aye, I've no doubt."

[newredmuses]

"Yea, my love, my good lady." Harry leans in close. "We'll to home straight after, as soon as we have news. There's naught to be done here and now, though. Yet know this, Kate: the chance is not missed. When I see a door from here, my father and uncle will never know I've been gone. So I've been told."

[adivasheadvoices]

Kate frowns.

"What say you, my lord? When you see a door?"

She glances over her shoulder towards where she came in -- and blinks.

[newredmuses]

He follows her eye -- still a blank wall, but he's learned not to trust his own eyes on that patch. "Do you see one? If not, we are sojourning here together."

[adivasheadvoices]

"Nay," she breathes. "I do not. Are we mad, Harry?"

[newredmuses]

"Shall I show you a thing that's truly mad? Here, come." He heads back to the bar, and leans against it. "A dram for my lady, an' it please you. She is in want of reviving, so think not on my faults or our prior words."

He watches Kate's face, rather than the counter, when the glass appears.

[adivasheadvoices]

Her eyes widen a little.

"Sorcery?"

[newredmuses]

He slides the glass toward her. "I'll tell ye this, Kate, it's kept me from hunger these five days at least. If that be not your favorite, I'll curse the devil and demand what you like."

[adivasheadvoices]

Warily, she takes up the glass and sniffs it, then takes a sip.

". . . God and saints preserve me," she breathes. "Were it not in my hand, I should not think it possible."