The morning progressed as it typically did, with little to no change in routine. Prayer, breakfast, brief conversation with her father or mother and then off to her various activities. Cadi couldn’t really call them chores as they were elective and furthering her skills as a lady. Needle work, accounting suitable for a Lady to run the house hold while her husband was away, weaving, conversation in French as well as Gaelic. The day was sure to run by without a glance backwards, a nice routine to know all was well. 

War was looming ahead, anyone could see that, was there much wrong with enjoying a quiet days work? 

Cadi thought not. Still she saw her father and other men of import bustling to a council room to discuss something ominous (if their gloomy expressions were hint enough) which cut her language lessons short. 

“Of course.” She had promised her tutor. “I will return these texts immediately, you go…” A small smile was given and returned between the two and Cadi sat for a time alone at the table before rising. There was no point in worrying over what it was going on behind those closed doors. The best she could do was return the texts to where they belong and perhaps pursue a rare afternoon to her own devices. 

Uncertain what she might do with the free time Cadi took a leisurely coarse to the libraries, her thoughts in the clouds and her step slow and wandering. Eventually she did find the room and even the shelf needed. With a  satisfactory push she returned the volume to its rightful place. 

And was at a loss.A puppet with it's strings cut. 

With no one to dictate her actions and no one to mind her Catrin meandered about the library for a time before coming to the large window the room boasted. The glass was wavy and bubbled but still, a glass window was a luxury not many were able to experience. 

Yet another example of her blessed life. Then why didn't she feel blessed?! Irritation stirred in her gut at being left in the dark. She wanted to know what was going on, but the most she ever heard were murmured conversations between men before they noticed her approach. 

Politics were clear, England and her servants were at Wales door. The question was when and how they would knock. With so many knights gone and remaining gone despite the oncoming of Spring and the various tournaments and festivals it brought... Those empty chairs signified another pair of hands at the borders. Another pair of boots that may never return. 

Pressing a gentle palm against the pane the eldest Hywel sighed, staring blankly out at the sky as it turned cloudy and gray. Much more typical of a spring day than the former rays of sun had been and certainly more reflective of her state of mind. 

 A soft cough behind the Lady drew her attention away and Cadi quickly replaced her forlorn look with a pleasant smile, turning to see who it was who called upon her. 

Her brother! They hadn’t gotten to talk at mass and then he had headed off to hunt. 

“Wil…” She smiled all the more, genuinely happy to see her younger brother. He was absent so much of the time now... Her heart tugged. Another pair of hands at the bow and arrow, sword and shield.

Tilting her chin back to inspect his not as youthful face Cadi reached up to rub the back of her neck teasingly. She had been considered astoundingly tall in the family, and of most other Welsh nobles. 
Especially for a woman. But her little brother had by far exceeded her own height and that of almost all of their relatives. 

“I feel pity for your master…He has to keep buying you new clothes…” She smirked and gestured for her brother to come closer so she might better inspect him.

"Was your hunt fruitful?" Catrin asked softly, her brows arching inquiringly. Did she know that it was not Pheasant he stalked but their errant sister? It was impossible to tell with Cadi, she kept her own council so well these days.  

[@CorinTraven]