The Eternal Shadow: Chapter 1: Part 1: Pyle Shop

Part of our Pyle Shop.

Sir Guy of Gisborne was not a natural when it came to mingling at court.

His tall powerful frame made many nervous. His serious demeanour was off-putting to others. His reserved nature and tendency to give curt answers made conversation with him difficult. He'd not had exposure to what one would call good society since his parents had died, which meant that his manners were more that of a soldier than a man of rank. He'd had no example to learn from; Lord Vaisey was certainly a man of power but not a man of elegance, good manners or taste. Indeed, nothing he had learned thus far from his master was of help to him here at the court of Prince John; "your talents lie elsewhere" Vaisey gleefully reminded him at every opportunity.

This was on his mind as he surveyed the opulent scene before him whilst waiting for the elder man. He noticed the way his fellow courtiers glanced at him and quickly averted their eyes, he knew that he appeared coarse to them, his clothes were not so fine and his manners not so polished but considering the life he'd lived it could hardly be otherwise.

I don't suppose many of these fine noblemen spent yesterday evening beating some poor soul senseless as I had to...

He looked down at his hands and was thankful to have not forgotten his gloves; "we can't have the ladies seeing those knuckles Gizzy..." Vaisey would say. He sighed and brought his fingers up to the bridge of his nose; he had hoped for better things from this trip to court but no, with Vaisey it was always business. The lord liked to remind his subordinates where their loyalties lay at every opportunity and that was where Guy came in: to do the reminding.

"Good Morning Sir Guy."

Guy straightened up and brought his gaze to the greeter: a portly, grey haired nobleman standing nearby with his two daughters; both were of age, the younger was nothing special but the elder was certainly worth looking at.

"Good Morning Lord Cavendish, Lady Natalia and Lady… Francesca?" Guy silently prayed he'd gotten it right; his attention had been focussed upon the elder sister Natalia and so he'd barely noticed the younger sibling upon being introduced to the family a few days previously.

"Well remembered Sir Guy!" Natalia exclaimed with a smile. There followed a small hubbub as father and elder sister declared their surprise; it seemed that it was not unusual for the youngest daughter to go unnoticed and unremembered. She for her part nodded but made no fuss. He looked once more to Natalia, happy to have pleased her but then his smile faded upon seeing his master approaching.

"Making friends Gisborne?" Vaisey's smile was oily and he smoothly placed a hand upon the shoulder of the beauty.

Well yes, I was but now that you've arrived…

Guy sighed and reluctantly began with introductions; "Yes my lord, this is…"

"Lord Cavendish and his enchanting daughters!" Vaisey interrupted loudly to spare them all a second introduction, bowing in an over the top manner to the ladies and looking pointedly at the more enchanting of the two. She was certainly enchanting but not at all enchanted with Vaisey, that much was obvious and Guy wished he could usher her away from his master's attentions.

"Good Morning Lord Vaisey." Lord Cavendish moved towards Vaisey and seemed, much to Guy's surprise, pleased to see him. The daughters moved closer together and further away from Vaisey - a response Guy was more accustomed to seeing from others in Vaisey's presence. Guy decided to approach them, Vaisey was discussing something uninteresting with their father and so it was as good a chance as any he was going to get…

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