A cold, windy, open area of rooftop high on the eastern side of
the outer bailey. Punzel is sitting against the north parapet.
Armsman Philo is sitting beside Punzel.
[Conversation in progress.]
Armsman Philo says, "You seem pensive, is there else on your mind?"
Punzel nods slowly, "A couple of things, actually."
Punzel glances at Armsman Philo.
Armsman Philo nods to Punzel.
Punzel tells Armsman Philo, "I wanted you to know that my
induction is on Wednesday. I know you prefer for me to tell you
such things directly and in advance. I did not want you to be upset."
Punzel glances hesitantly at Armsman Philo.
Armsman Philo nods slowly.
Armsman Philo gazes at the pavement.
Punzel watches Armsman Philo anxiously.
Armsman Philo says carefully, "We've already discussed that I
strongly disagree with the Duelist ideology..."
Punzel nods slowly.
Armsman Philo says, "And I continue to feel uncomfortable with
the oath to always stand by circle members, when many of them
seem to have poor judgement, or call me names..."
Punzel nods slowly, "We stand by them ... but not necessarily
their actions."
Armsman Philo gazes at Punzel.
Punzel gazes seriously at Armsman Philo.
Punzel tells Armsman Philo, "You know me. You know my heart and
my honor. Those things will not change when I wear a Duelist's pin."
Armsman Philo nods slowly.
Punzel adds quietly, "You know my respect for Her Majesty's laws,
and for the Winter Watch."
Punzel tells Armsman Philo seriously, "Those will not change, either."
Armsman Philo says quietly, "But you will be oathbound to
support people I trust not."
Punzel nods seriously, "And if they do anything against Her
Majesty or her laws, I will consider them to have broken their
oath to me, and I will not support that."
Armsman Philo nods slowly.
Punzel adds, "With the caveat which I have mentioned before."
Armsman Philo nods slowly.
Armsman Philo gazes at Punzel, "I will still care about you, even
after you wear your pin, but I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't feel sadness."
Punzel asks, "Why? If it is the way I can best serve Her Majesty?
And I think it is."
Armsman Philo gazes at the pavement.
Punzel reminds Armsman Philo quietly, "That is all I am trying to
do. Serve Her as best I can, using my strengths for Her good."
Armsman Philo says, "I know that you think this is best. But I
still feel that your new associates do not like me, or what I
stand for. And their oath requires you to choose them over me."
Punzel blinks.
Punzel reminds Armsman Philo, "Your oath requires you to choose the
law over me. How is this different?"
Armsman Philo frowns slightly, "You haven't broken the law."
Punzel shakes her head, "Nay. I hope I never will. But if I did,
you would be oath-bound ... and honor-bound ... to choose
against me. And I know and respect that."
Armsman Philo nods slowly.
Punzel tells Armsman Philo, "I have told you before that while I
must support my oath-kin in public, I would never stand for any
slighting of you ... that I would fight with all my strength in private
to defend you and the Watch."
Punzel adds, "I have done it before. I will not stop because I
wear a pin."
Armsman Philo says quietly, "I suppose I feel...replaced."
Punzel smiles softly at Armsman Philo, "You could never be
replaced. You are in my heart now, and you will be when I wear
a pin. For me, nothing will have changed between us. I know
that it is different for you, and that makes me sad. But I will
be the same. I will feel the same."
Punzel admits sadly, "If you feel that you will be replaced ... I
must admit that I feel I will be cast out."
Armsman Philo says, "You have recently held ser Duraze and sera
Edanya close to you, and spend much time with them...the
ceremony will further cement that bond..."
Punzel nods slowly.
Armsman Philo says, "Many times, when I look for you to talk
to, you are with them..."
Punzel nods understandingly.
Punzel gazes quietly at Armsman Philo.
Armsman Philo gazes at his hands.
Punzel tells Armsman Philo earnestly, "There is room in my heart
for more than two."
Armsman Philo nods slowly.
Punzel reminds Armsman Philo, "It has been many weeks ... months,
even ... that you and Martel have both been very dear to me ..."
Armsman Philo admits, "I don't make friends easily."
Punzel smiles ruefully to Armsman Philo, "Then don't push me away."
Armsman Philo smiles softly.
Punzel gazes bemusedly at Armsman Philo, "Must I battle you for
the right to remain your friend?"
Armsman Philo chuckles softly.
Armsman Philo says, "I have already said I will always care for you."
Punzel nods slightly, "Aye. Which sounds like there is a 'but' afterward."
Armsman Philo nods slowly, "I know not how easy it will be for
me to talk to you, to find you, when you become oath-bound."
Punzel tells Armsman Philo, "All you ever need do is send me a scroll.
Or ... we could have a signal. And when you want to talk with me ... you
... cross your eyes or something."
Armsman Philo smiles wryly, "It's so difficult to find you to talk with now."
Punzel smiles slightly, "I know. When I know you want to speak with me,
I make time. You just have to tell me."
Punzel gazes frustratedly at Armsman Philo.
Armsman Philo nods slowly.
Punzel tells Armsman Philo clearly, "I want to talk with you. I
want to be your friend. Any time you need me, you have only to
ask, and I will do everything I can."
Armsman Philo nods slowly.
Punzel adds, "Pin or no pin. A pin does not change my heart."
Armsman Philo nods.
Punzel asks, "Are we agreed that we stay friends, and that you
will try to tell me when you want to talk to me? And not just
sulk and say I'm too busy?"
Punzel gazes pointedly at Armsman Philo.
Armsman Philo nods slowly.
Punzel nods gladly, "Good."
Punzel smiles.
Armsman Philo smiles softly.
Punzel hugs Armsman Philo warmly.
Armsman Philo hugs Punzel.
[
Kimberly's Main Marrach Page]
[The Castle] | [Punzel]
[Site Map]