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Post by Brandwyn on Oct 20, 2010 15:27:15 GMT -5
(OOG: Tandar and Brandwyn)
The small man had his eyes fixed on the point of Brandwyn’s sword right in front of his face as he checked his forward motion. The large man just chuckled at their interruption and said, “I don’t need no babysitters to take care of this piece of cow dung.” He took a step forward, intending to brush Brandwyn aside.
“Why don’t you put that away,” Tandar asked the knife-wielder, “and tell us what the problem is?”
The big man saw the ranger cloak and the powerful bow and scowled as he too checked his momentum. “This ain’t no business of yours, Ranger,” he said resentfully.
The other man finally looked up the blade and saw a tall slender girl wearing Royal Scout gear and swallowed apprehensively. He backed up carefully and lowered the knife, though he didn’t resheath it.
“So, how about it?” Brandwyn asked. “What is all this scuffle about?” She was very grateful the Tandar was there, because she saw the big man had been planning on giving her trouble.
The scruffy looking little man fixed his shifty eyes on her for a moment and said sullenly, “Like he said, it ain’t your business, Little Missy.” He moved as if to step around her and continue his ‘discussion’ with the big man.
Brandwyn caught a whiff of strong liquor on his breath and nearly choked at the smell of that and his unwashed body. “The name is Scout Brandwyn, to you Mister.” She bristled at being called Little Missy. “and I am making it my business since you decided to pull a knife and disturb the peace. Now you can settle this here with us, or we can all troop up to the castle and you can cool your heels in the Whitby Dungeon.” She said calmly and evenly, punctuating her words with a slight wavering of her sword tip. “Or we can do it the hard way. The choice is yours.”
The little man looked at her and then at the big man and a look of defiance crossed his face. He turned from threatening the other man to crouch in front of her, his knife blade came up again and a wicked smile crossed his face.
“The hard way,” he snickered at her. “As if a slip of tart like you could hurt a flea.” He taunted and then lunged at her, swinging his knife to slash at her abdomen.
Brandwyn was ready for him and danced sideways, sucking in her stomach as the knife moved harmlessly past her. She stepped forward then and brought the flat of her blade down on the back of his right leg just under the butt cheek with a resounding ‘thwang!’
The man howled in pain and rage and spun around and lunged at her again, this time plunging the knife down at her chest from above. Brandwyn deflected the blow with her sword as she again sidestepped the man and gave him another ringing blow on his back with the flat of her blade. She grinned at the man as he faced her again, his look now furious instead of sneering.
“We can stop this anytime you want to.” She said, giving him a moment to regroup. All the while she kept a wary eye on the other man, to make sure she didn’t get trapped between them. A crowd was gathering around them to see what all the commotion was and Brandwyn knew she needed to wrap this up before it disturbed too much of the faire.
The man charged at her, intending to give her a sharp cut into her stomach and once again Brandwyn was too agile for him and sidestepped his lunge. This time, however, instead of a warning slap, she brought the hilt of her sword down on his head just behind his ear and he crumpled to the ground unconscious.
She looked up at the other man, noting what Tandar was doing out of the corner of her eye. There were some cheers and clapping from the crowd and Brandwyn glanced around at them and gave them that look mothers always have when they are scolding their children. “Don’t you people have someplace else you could be? There is nothing to see here. Move along.” She flipped the tip of her sword toward the rest of the faire.
Most of the people quickly dispersed, knowing the Guard would likely show up after everything was over and try to question anyone that was still hanging around.
Brandwyn stood next to her fallen opponent and reached down and removed the knife from his limp hand, still keeping her eye on the other man. Then she looked at Tandar with a question in her eyes, ‘now what do I do with him?’ hoping he knew what to do now. She really hadn’t planned on knocking the guy out and she didn’t want to carry him all the way up to the castle. ‘Where were the guard when you needed them?’ she wondered, looking around for some rope to tie the man’s hands with.
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Post by Ringulf on Oct 20, 2010 20:08:09 GMT -5
(OOG: Aribjorn, Tandar and Brandwyn)
The young Skandian was absolutely having the time of his life he was walking along with his hands full of food and drink sampling everything imaginable.
He had in his hands at the moment an earthenware jug of harvest ale and in his other hand he had arranged several foods on sticks so that they poked up between his fingers, he would pull off a piece of some type of roasted meat with his teeth, then swig some of the ale then he would chomp a big mouthful of corn on the cob that was roasted with butter and salt, and swig the ale, then there was some type of fried sugary confection he would go for next.
Everything was on a stick!! it was glorious!! It was better than Valhalla and you didn't have to die first!
As he walked along through the stalls and booths he remembered that he had his tabbard on and would get in big trouble if he got food on it so he walked bent over a little bit and was very careful till he could take it off after this round of impaled apparatives.
He had almost picked the little wooden skewers clean when he saw a ranger and a royal scout up ahead, he could tell by their cloak and uniform. The smaller woman had drawn a saber and the Ranger who was backing her up, was Tandar!
he tossed his sticks and started to wipe his hand on his tabbard but stopped abruptly and dropped it to his breeches instead then he saw the little man lunge at the Scout with a knife he ran up behind but in a few seconds she had dropped him with two parries two swats and a solid cuff to the back of his head with the pummel of the saber.
'He came up behind the scout and facing Tandar and in a mirthful expression of congratulations and respect said,
"Nice! Boy you droppet him goot you dit! Hello Ranger Tandar! "Haff you seen Tory arount, is she here?" "Oh ant I am pleast to meet you Lady Scout I sure tink you know your buisines vit dat sabre ya?"
"My Name iss Aribjorn Haakonson I am a student at de Marshvood Battleschool but right now I am Squire to Sir Ecosse." He said proudly as he puffed out his chest to show his knights tabbard with the blue and red halves and the golden rampant lion on his left breast.
"I haff been looking for Tory ant Mylia since I got here yesterday ant haff not seen dem anyvere! can you help me?"
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Post by Tandar on Oct 25, 2010 10:45:14 GMT -5
(OOG: Aribjorn, Tandar and Brandwyn)
Ranger Polaris didn’t recognize Aribjorn at first, especially with the tabard. He threw up a hand. “Stay away, and keep moving. There’s—" He broke off abruptly as he saw Ari’s face. “Oh, Aribjorn. Now isn’t the best time. Brandwyn, this is Aribjorn.” Polaris reached into a pouch on the back of his belt and pulled out a neat coil of cord for binding the hands of the unconscious fairgoer. Tossing it to Brandwyn, he continued. “He brought the horses over from Skandia.”
Until now, Tandar had been standing between the large man and Brandwyn, but at this moment, the burly patron decided to take advantage of the Ranger’s distracted state. Tandar didn’t see the right hook coming, and the massive fist contacted with the left side of his face. He was knocked to the ground. Looking up just in time, he managed to roll and barely avoid the powerful kick that had been aimed at him. The big man turned and took off running. He was surprisingly fast for his size, and within seconds, he was out of sight.
With his left hand, Tandar reached up to feel his face. When he pulled his glove back, there was some blood on it that appeared to be coming from his nose, but thankfully, nothing felt broken or fractured. There was definitely going to be a nice bruise on his cheek though. The skin was numb and probably would be for a while. Tandar held up his hand. “I’m going after him,” he announced. “Can someone help me up?”
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Post by Ringulf on Oct 25, 2010 11:02:20 GMT -5
(OOG: Aribjorn, Tandar and Brandwyn)
“I’m going after him,” he announced. “Can someone help me up?”
"Oh Geez Tandor I am so sorry I didn't mean to distract you here!" Ari grabbed the ranger's hand and pulled him quickly to his feet, "He vould never haff gotten de drop on you if I had not interupted! I vill go vith you to help, It is nice to meet you Scout Brandwyn"
"I didnt realize dere vas still danger from de big vone since de little vone vent down so easy!" said Ari appologetically
"He vent between dose two boots I tink, look der he is climbing dat fence!"
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Post by Brandwyn on Oct 25, 2010 21:15:35 GMT -5
(OOC: Brandwyn, Tandar and Aribjorn)
“Nice to meet you Aribjorn,” Brandwyn said, nodding her head to him as she caught the cord Tandar tossed her and proceeded to tie the little guy’s hands behind his back. “I saw Tory riding that spotted horse of hers toward the list fields I think.” Brandwyn answered his question as she tugged on the ropes to ensure they were tight. “Now what do I do with – “ Brandwyn stopped in mid-sentence at the sound of a loud “Smack!” as the big man’s fist connected with Tandar’s face and then he hit the ground.
“Tandar Look out!” She hollered as she saw the kick being aimed at him, but he’d already started to roll away from it. She drew her saber and the guy glanced at her and then took off, a mocking smirk on his face.
Brandwyn stepped forward to give Tandar a hand up while she tried to assess the damage to his face from the slight distance, but Aribjorn beat her to it. They took off after the man, leaving her standing over the unconscious guy, who was starting to come around, Ruldor looked at her with a look that echoed her own thoughts, ‘now what?’.
Brandwyn looked around and saw a kid about 11 years old with very worn clothing. She figured he was probably a servant or maybe even a homeless street kid. She motioned him forward, holding out a copper coin. “Go find the guard and bring them back here. I will give you another copper when you come back with them.”
The boy nodded, swept the coin out of her hand and with a grin, took off running as if he knew exactly where to look for the faire’s security guards.
The guy at her feet moaned and then opened his eyes, squinting up at her. “Wha- what happened?” he asked groggily.
“You ran into the pommel of my sword I am afraid.” Brandwyn said with an absolutely straight face. “You want to tell me what happened to make you pull a knife on that guy?”
The guy eyed her sourly as he tried to roll up into a sitting position with his hands tied behind him. When he got settled, sitting on his haunches, he said, “The guy wouldn’t accept my apology and grabbed my drink and threw it at me, then refused to buy me another.” He said sullenly.
Brandwyn nodded sympathetically. “So, what did you apologize for?”
He shrugged, “Spilling his drink when I tripped over his great big clod-hopper he had stuck out in the walkway.” The guy said angrily. “I think he did that just so people would buy him drinks. He sure accepted that offer, even though he wouldn’t accept the apology.”
Brandwyn regarded him with a thoughtful, yet sympathetic look. “I can see why that would make you angry, but it is no excuse to pull a knife on him, especially in this environment. “
The guy looked at the ground, not apologizing and looking like he had no idea of changing his mind that he was justified in pulling the knife. “You heard him, he asked for it.” The guy looked up at her expectantly.
Brandwyn sighed and shook her head, hoping the Guard would show up very soon. She wanted to go after Tandar and make sure he was okay. The blood from his nose had her a little worried about him, and she missed him. They were just getting into exploring the faire and spending time together after all these months and these two idiots had to get into a scuffle right in front of them. She hoped it wasn’t a precedent for the rest of the faire.
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Post by Tandar on Oct 27, 2010 10:20:36 GMT -5
[OOC: Aribjorn, Brandwyn, and Tandar]
Aribjorn helped Polaris to his feet. The Ranger felt a little dizzy, and he blinked his eyes a few times before the black spots cleared from his vision. “Thanks, Aribjorn. You have nothing to apologize for. It’s my own fault for not paying attention.” Lifting the strap of the bow sock he was wearing on his back, Polaris took out his bow and examined it for damages. After a moment, he nodded, satisfied. Amazingly, the weapon suffered no noticeable breaks in the wood. Quickly, he strung the longbow using the step-through method.
Aribjorn spotted the runner and pointed him out. “Der he is climbing dat fence!” The large man had skirted around a thick crowd and was now vaulting a low fence beyond a pair of booths. The fence separated rows of tents from the tournament section. He wasn’t trying to escape; he was attempting to lose them in the throngs.
Polaris grabbed his quiver from Ruldor’s saddle and took off in pursuit. “King’s Ranger!” he shouted. “Make way!” Still, the crowd was sluggish in moving, and Tandar thought they might lose him.
After jumping the fence, their target gave them a lucky break. He slowed to a walk, turned left, and cut through the long lines of people waiting to sign up for archery, armored combat, and jousting.
Tandar altered course to cross in front of him. “Aribjorn, follow this path to the intersection and wait until you see the guy to your right. I’ll move up behind him while you confront him. If he tries anything, I’ll shoot to wound. He’ll be there any minute now. Go!”
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Post by Ringulf on Oct 27, 2010 12:42:51 GMT -5
(OOC: Aribjorn and Tandar)
“Aribjorn, follow this path to the intersection and wait until you see the guy to your right. I’ll move up behind him while you confront him. If he tries anything, I’ll shoot to wound. He’ll be there any minute now. Go!”
"Gatcha" Aribjorn yelled and gave Tandar a nod. he then sprinted down the pathway dodging people and jumping things in his way until he got close to the crossection Tandar had indicated then he tried to shrink into the crowd.
"Vit dis tabbard on I stant out like a sore tumb!" he thought to himself, fortunately he was right next to a clothing shop. He grabbed a big grey cloak from the rack and threw it over himself the proprietor started to protest and Ari flipped her a coin, "Here holt dis till I get back, I am just borrowing it."
Ari saw the big lout coming around the corner of the next row he was turning and looking back most likely to check on Tandar's pursuit.
As the man sped up and started to run toward him Ari slowed to a stop and turned to the left, so it did not look like he was watching, then just as the man was about to pass him Ari spun counterclockwise with an outstretched arm to give the man a spinning clothesline.
There was a sickening "thwack" as Aribjorn's meaty arm connected under the man's chin, the culprit's legs went out from under him and he landed hard on his back.
The big oaf was not sure if he couldn't breath because of the Skandian's clothesline maneuver, or because he got the wind knocked out of him when he landed on his back, but as if that was not enough. he now had Aribjorn's knee on his chest and was looking at the business end of a Skandian knuckle sandwich.
"I shoult give you dis from my frient Tandar but maybe I wait for him to do it I tink!" Ari said to the gasping thug.
"Hold it there son!" said a deep voice behind him. It was a large knight with blond hair and big blond mustaches that came down to his chest. and he had two guardsmen and the shopkeeper that Aribjorn had gotten the cloak from.
"That's him! Sir Rodney! That's the boy who stole the cloak!" Said the woman.
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Post by Brandwyn on Nov 4, 2010 21:48:51 GMT -5
(OOC: Tory and Tam)
"Did you hear that I am apprenticed to Tandar now?" She asked, and for a moment tears welled up, but she fought them back. "Patrick is still on the run."
Tam shook his head slightly. "Nah. I hadn't really heard that. What's it like? D'ya like him? D'ya get along with 'im?" hopefully she wouldn't think he was trying to pry-- he really was sorta curious about it.
Tory considered his questions for a moment and then said, “Well, yeah, he is nice. He is kind of quiet most of the time, but he is a very good teacher. My shooting has gotten quite a bit better, even though we have been on the road a lot and I haven’t had much time to really practice.” Tory explained. “I have been practicing shooting from Chip’s back while he is moving!” She said excitedly. “I am not all that good at it yet though, but it sure is fun.”
Tory figured she had better not say anything about Tandar’s nightmares though. As far as she knew, Tandar had no idea that Tory knew he was having bad dreams. She doubted he would want it advertised. “I get along with him pretty well. The only thing I worry about is that he is stationed in Meric.” She said the name of her home fief with dread. “I can’t go back there, I just can’t.” She was trying to get used to the idea of going back to Meric, but everytime she thought about it, she started to shake. “Patrick said I wouldn’t ever have to if I didn’t want to.” She said sullenly. “I really miss him, but he can’t even come visit because he is still being hunted.”
"Figures." he muttered, when he heard that Patrick was still on the loose. " He scuffed the dirt a moment, then raised his head to look at her again. "If'n its any comfort to ya, he'll prob'ly never get caught."
Tory looked down at Tam, “Thanks. That does help and I hope you are right.” She knew Tam didn’t like Patrick much, but he didn’t even know the ex-ranger. Not many besides Tory did. “I still don’t believe he killed those people. Especially not just for their money. He isn’t like that.”
There was a bit of an awkward silence and then Tory asked him about his experience in Gallica. She was about to ask him more questions about being kidnapped when he asked her a question.
Tam had dropped his gaze and was once more staring at the dirt, and scuffing it with his shoe, but now he raised his head again, and asked, "D'ya know of any one name a Darrel? Just that one name?"
Tory shook her head. “Doesn’t ring any bells.” She answered. “I would have to see him probably to know if I had ever met him before. Who is Darrel?”
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Post by Ringulf on Nov 5, 2010 10:47:49 GMT -5
(Aribjorn Haakonson)
"Hold it there son!" said a deep voice behind him. It was a large knight with blond hair and big blond mustaches that came down to his chest. and he had two guardsmen and the shopkeeper that Aribjorn had gotten the cloak from.
"That's him! Sir Rodney! That's the boy who stole the cloak!" Said the woman.
Aribjorn rose to his feet and turned to face the Knight and his accuser as well as the two guardsmen behind him.
He kept his foot planted squarely on the ruffians chest, somewhat unnecessarily since the man was still trying hard just to breath.
""Son you have allot of explaining to do! You are accused of steeling this woman's cloak from her shop, which is hard to deny as it sits around your neck! Then I find you brawling in the street which is also hard to deny since...and get your foot off that man can't you see he is not in any shape to run away at this point!!"
Ari looked down and removed his booted foot from the man's chest then he turned back and stood tall and strait in front of the knight with his mouth shut and his eyes level.
"As I was saying you have a lot to explain, I see you are a squire but I am afraid I am not familiar with the device, who is your master?"
"I am sqvire to Sir Ecosse Deitule of Marshwood Battleschool Sir Rodney." said Aribjorn in a very formal militant reply.
"Ah! wonderful, a foreigner, squired to another foreigner. This country will end up in the dung heap like the rest of the world if this keeps up! You know in Araluen we don't accost civilians that are trying to earn an honest days wage and as a squire and battleschool student I find it reprehensible that you would use some of your dishonorable Skandian trickery and cheap, dirty fighting you people are used too!"
The knight looked down at Ari with disgust and started to walk around him.
"Well you are a sight what is your name boy?" Sir Rodney said in a derisive tone.
"Squire Aribjorn Sir!" he said in a loud clear voice, his eyes fixed forward as he stood at attention.
"You make me sick, you think you can come to this country take positions of honor and privilege away from our own boys and learn our military secrets, why just to run back to that icy turd of a country you come from and rally your rabid wolves to come steal from our shores and rape our women?" He said with an angry glare.
"Speak up! What do you have to say for yourself maggot!"
Aribjorn met his eyes for the first time. He was seething with anger at his redressing but controlled himself though he spoke his words between his teeth and if fire could have shot through his eyes Sir Rodney would have been immolated on the spot.
"Sir... dis man iss a fugitive who I helped detain by de order of a kings Ranger, I did not steal de cloak I borrowed it to make myself less recognizable to de man I vas pursuing, I gave de voman a silver piece as collateral if you check vat she has you vill recognize it because it vas minted in Hallasholm. Odder den dose facts I don't tink dere iss much I am goin to say to change a mind as narrow as yours...Sir Rodney!"
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Post by Brandwyn on Nov 5, 2010 12:11:54 GMT -5
(OOC: Brandwyn)
Brandwyn saw the crowd part and the street kid ran up, pulling along one of the town Guardsmen behind him. At the sight of the Royal Scout apprentice, the guardsman’s look on his face turned from boredom to surprise as he saw Brandwyn’s captive glaring at her.
“Your Ladyship!” He bowed before her as two of his patrolmen entered the clearing behind him and a good many in the crowd suddenly seemed to find other things to do. Brandwyn had always wondered why the common people shied away from the town Guard, no matter what town it was. She had thought they were there to help and provide security, but perhaps she had a rather naive view. “I didn’t believe this boy when he said some Lady had walloped a bad man, but I believe I now owe him an apology!” He then bowed to the lad and flipped him a copper. “How may I be of service, My Lady?”
Brandwyn held out a coin to the young boy. “What is your name?” She asked as he politely took the other copper piece. “Corwyn, My Lady!” He looked up at her with awe on his face. Brandwyn nodded to him and shook his hand. “Well I thank you for your prompt help, my young Sir. If you run into any trouble, you can ask for my help. I am Royal Scout Apprentice Brandwyn.” She winked at him. “Now be off with you and go have some fun.”
Turning to the Guardsmen she said, “This man was brawling with another and pulled a knife. He seems to be in his cups a bit and I think a nice bunk in a cool cell for a couple of hours while he works it out of his system ought to give him time to reflect on his behavior. Hopefully he will come to the conclusion that he needs to behave in a more civilized manner in such a family setting as this faire.” She looked pointedly at her captive who just glared at her in resentment.
As the other two guardsmen got him to his feet and rebound his hands with shackles, Brandwyn pulled the first guard to the side and said softly. “I don’t think this needs to go to a full trial at this point. Just let him cool his heels for a while and then let him go. I suspect he may get into another fight, as it seems he is quite the hothead, but maybe this will make him think twice before he does so.”
The guard nodded and motioned to his cronies to follow him as they marched their prisoner back up to the castle. Brandwyn didn’t wait around to watch their progress but instead grabbed the rope Tandar had tossed her and motioned to his ranger horse, “Come on Ruldor, we need to find Tandar!” and took off running through the crowd, hoping the horse would follow.
“Make way! Make way for the King’s Scout!” She called out loudly, her sword held up above her head. Slowly the crowd parted in front of her as she tried to find which way Tandar and the Scandian man had run after the other brawler.
After several minutes, and stopping to ask a couple of times if anyone had seen them, she thought she heard a commotion up ahead. She heard a woman’s shrill voice saying; "That's him! Sir Rodney! That's the boy who stole the cloak!" Said the woman.
“Oh great!” Brandwyn groaned to herself, “Is the whole faire going to be like this?” She wondered if she was going to be playing guardsman the entire faire at this rate. Sighing to herself, she headed toward the sounds of this new altercation. As she got closer she heard "Speak up! What do you have to say for yourself maggot?" She put on an extra burst of speed, hoping to close the distance before any blows were exchanged. As she ran, nearly out of breath, she tried to recall if she knew of anyone named ‘Sir Rodney’, but she couldn’t place the knight. That was not surprising since there were many, many knights she didn’t even know existed. He could be from just about anywhere. ‘Whomever he is, I hope he is chivalrous enough not to start a fight in public.’ She thought as she paused to catch her breath. She heard a reply to his question, but couldn’t make out the words, though the voice seemed vaguely familiar, but she couldn’t place it.
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Post by Firehead on Nov 5, 2010 14:06:29 GMT -5
[OOC: Tam and Tory]
Tory considered his questions for a moment and then said, “Well, yeah, he is nice. He is kind of quiet most of the time, but he is a very good teacher. My shooting has gotten quite a bit better, even though we have been on the road a lot and I haven’t had much time to really practice.” Tory explained.
Tam scratched behind his ear as he listened intently to Tory. "Me'n Rick 'ave been workin' on mine too. I ain't that good yet, but I'm gettin the hang of it."
“I have been practicing shooting from Chip’s back while he is moving!” She said excitedly. “I am not all that good at it yet though, but it sure is fun.”
Tam's mouth dropped open and he gapped at her in amazement. "Yer what?!" He could not fathom how one could not only ride a horse and stay on, but also shoot their bow as well. "Ya's is kiddin' me! I cain't even stay on hawse at a trot still, yet! How's can ya shoot a bow at th' 'zact same time?" He shook his head vigerously. "Figure that out another time." he muttered.
“I get along with him (Tandar )pretty well. The only thing I worry about is that he is stationed in Meric.” She said the name of her home fief with dread. “I can’t go back there, I just can’t.”
Tam squinted at the sun for a minute as he spoke. "W-ell, I kinda get what ya mean about that. It's a same way fer me an' th' Ar'luan City--if I goes back in there fer long, word gets 'round an folks start huntin' ta put my 'ead on a pole." He paused a moment, then looking at her said, "Sorry 'bout being gruesome."
"D'ya know of any one name a Darrel? Just that one name?"
Tory shook her head. “Doesn’t ring any bells.” She answered. “I would have to see him probably to know if I had ever met him before. Who is Darrel?”
Tam chewed on his lip, a bit, then plunged into the explanation. "He's apposedly m' gaurdian. He died over in Gall'ca, shortly after him an' Rick turnt the tables on the man who kidnapped me. So I reckon y'ain't gonna see 'im." he paused for a moment, than added, "'E mentaioned somethin' about bein' in th'..." He squinted up at the sky again as he recalled what Darrel had said. " Special.....Aw, what's that other word!...Aw, it was th' Special somethin'-or-othern Corps. Somethin' ta do with war." Looking back at Tary, he asked, "D'ya's know anythin' 'bout that, either?"
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Post by Tandar on Nov 8, 2010 12:21:14 GMT -5
[OOC: Tandar]
The knight reached down and helped the suspect stand up. “I am truly sorry for the actions of this delinquent youth,” he said as he passed the man a gold piece. “You have my sincere apologies.” Sir Rodney brushed the dirt from the suspect’s back and sent him on his way. “You’re coming with me,” Rodney stated as he removed the cloak, handing it to the woman. He grabbed the squire by the arm. “You filthy outlanders are all the same. I hope Ecosse is decent enough to discipline you better in the future.” The knight scowled in disgust as he walked Aribjorn to the dungeon. Dealing with foreigners always left a bad taste in his mouth.
Ranger Polaris jogged to the intersection, barely missing Aribjorn and Sir Rodney departing. The throng swallowed them up as the Ranger came to a stop. “Where is he?” he asked a bystander.
“Who?”
“The large man who came this way,” Tandar explained somewhat frantically.
“Some kid beat him up,” the woman replied. “He walked off in that direction.” She pointed.
“Thank you.” Polaris sprinted down the path the bystander indicated. There was no time to lose now. The Ranger had to find the fugitive before he could change his appearance. Tandar could track down Aribjorn later. Hopefully he wasn’t in trouble. Only a few hundred feet down the lane, he spotted him. The suspect glanced over his shoulder. There was a clear line of sight between the two, and the fugitive cursed and he saw the Ranger cloak not far behind him. The crowd was sparse in this section of the faire grounds.
The large man stopped walking, turned to face the Ranger, and tugged a large, ten-inch throwing knife from a sheath on his belt. Polaris slowed to a halt. The threat level was escalating. The fugitive could not only injure the pursuing Ranger, but also any of the civilians roaming around. With the line of sight still clear, Polaris wouldn’t get a better opportunity. In one smooth movement he had practiced many times, he pulled an arrow out of his quiver, brought the bow up as he drew back the string, and released. The projectile flew straight and true. It was intended to wound the target and render him immobile. At some point during the arrow’s flight however, the large man grabbed a passing lady and jerked her in front of him. The arrow penetrated her lower torso. The fugitive released her and took off at a jog as she collapsed to the ground.
Tandar dropped his longbow in shock. “Oh my God, what have I done?”
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Post by Ringulf on Nov 8, 2010 21:35:09 GMT -5
(OOG: Aribjorn all alone)
The knight reached down and helped the suspect stand up. “I am truly sorry for the actions of this delinquent youth,” he said as he passed the man a gold piece. “You have my sincere apologies.” Sir Rodney brushed the dirt from the suspect’s back and sent him on his way. “You’re coming with me,” Rodney stated as he removed the cloak, handing it to the woman. He grabbed the squire by the arm. “You filthy outlanders are all the same. I hope Ecosse is decent enough to discipline you better in the future.” The knight scowled in disgust as he walked Aribjorn to the dungeon. Dealing with foreigners always left a bad taste in his mouth.
Aribjorn did not struggle he knew that at this point resistance was futile. He allowed himself to be led away the red heat of his embarrassment and anger showed upon his normally congenial face.
He caught a glimpse of the Royal Scout Brandwyn as she tried to get closer to the scene. He tried to make eye contact with her but she was not looking at him. Ari put his head down and allowed himself to be led off to the dungeon, the feelings of betrayal and abandonment at the hands of the Ranger and the Scout growing in his breast.
Why did she not help him? He realized they had just met but she knew he was there heard the knight rip into him, demean him, even set the ruffian free with a gold piece and an apology!
For that matter where was Ranger Tandar? off filling his face with pumpkin scone? no matter how crowded his route could have been the ranger should not have been detained to that extent, he still had not found his way to the intersection!
"Some ranger! he could not find his way through a crowded street to assist the comrade that was aiding him?" Aribjorn thought to himself bitterly.
They passed through the crowds one guardsman on each of his burly arms and the disdainful Sir Rodney following a bit behind them. Ari was consumed with shame at his treatment and wanted to reach the blackness of the dungeon with all haste lest...and then the very thought he was having, the worst scenario he could fathom happened like a self fulfilling prophesy!
Tory sat upon chip looking over the list field seeming to be searching the field and the crowd. She looked absolutely beautiful and so mature, a far cry from the wounded girl he had nursed aboard the Harr marr a few months back.
Before she could look at him he slumped between the guards forcing them to hold him up and hung his head down and away from his Friend.
"Walk you Skandian dog or you will feel the flat of my sword on your miserable back!" and with that Sir Rodney leveled a sound kick directly to Ari's lower back to the right of his spine.
The pain from the heavily booted foot was excruciating as it connected with some spot in his back that felt like he had stuck a long dagger in him and twisted.
This time he went down for real not able to breath the pain convulsing him into a spasm. The guards hauled him to his feet and dragged him on.
"Well at least I don't think Tory saw me." Ari thought and spat blood on the ground beside his tears.
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Post by Firehead on Nov 9, 2010 10:59:54 GMT -5
(OOC: Mylia)
Mylia was having a wonderful time, and she hadn't even entered the gates to the faire yet. Riding her Ranger pony, Spinner (had to come up with something, didn't I?), Mylia waited her turn to pass through the gates, humming an old folk tune she'd memorized years ago. She looked forward to seeing Tory and Aribjorn here-- they were her best friends and she hadn't seen either, since she'd arived in Marshwood to meet her new mentor.
"Pay before you enter."
Mylia looked down at the guard startled that it was her turn to enter already. She blinked at him, then reached into her pouch and withdrew her fee, handing it to the man and accepting her token in exchange, before nudging Spinner forward through the gates. She could barely keep herself from gaping at the surreal-looking world around her. It was so bright, and colorful, and cheerful! It was like nothing she'd ever encountered in Araluan City before--even on market days.
She walked Spinner along the through-ways, taking it all in, and making her way toward the lists. There, she read the different contests, selected the ones she wanted to enter, and made her way through the lines, signing her name in the appropriate spots. Afterwards she hung on the outskirts, hoping to spot one or the other of her friends in the crowd.
About half-an-hour laater, she gave up and went back to the through-way, and meandered around, looking at the different boothes, and perusing the different merchandise for sale. She didn't have much in the way of money on her, but she had enough to buy something if she really wanted it. She considered buying a dress, but wasn't sure if she would look any good in it--she'd not worn a dress since her parents died. At least, not one that fit, or was clean, or anything. She decided to wait until she met Tory (who had experience in such things) and see if she could give her any advice or tips on the dress-thing.
Mylia wandered around the faire a little more, bought a few icing-filled buns to nibble on, then headed back toward the lists, walking beside her pony now, to see if either Tory or Aribjorn were there. She missed seeing Tory in line for the archery, and walked all the way to the other side of the lists, without seeing her friends. Frowning, she turned back and mounted Spinner again, using the advantage of his hight to see above the heads of the crowd. Scanning the area, she finally spotted Tory; it looked as though she were talking with someone, but Mylia couldn't tell, because Tory's horse blocked her view of the person, if there was one.
Mylia was about to wave to Tory to catch her attention, when she spotted Ari making his way through the crowd, escorted by three other men--two soldiers, the other one possibly a knight. Mylia urged her pony forward to intercept Ari--she could at least say hello to him, even if he were on an important errand...although it certainly didn't look that way, from the looks on all four mens' faces.
Mylia was about a dozen feet away when she saw the knight kick Ari to the ground. "Hoy! Whadda'ya think yer doin'!?" Mylia yelled. She slid down off her horse and approached, addressing the knight. "You're supposed to be a knight you great clod-hopper! Let him go! Ari's the most honorable knight I've ever met, although I wouldn't put it past him--or blame him--if he flattened your nose again for you for what you've just done to him! You're a flat-out disgrace to your profession!" She continued her rampage at the three men who had mistreated her friend. "And just 'cause Ari here happens to be a Skandian, doesn't give you license to mistreat him like you've done. Even I know that we've got a treaty with them now. And a treaty involves trust you great mule!"
She stopped less than a yard away, hands on hips, glaring a hole right through the big knight, not feeling the least bit intimidated by his size. " And if my mentor, Ringulf could be a Skandian, and a Ranger, than you'd blessed well trust the ones we've got around here, including Ari!" she finished, eyes blazing with anger. She quite forgot that Ringulf was only half-Skandian-- although that didn't make much difference in Mylia's mind-- and that Ringulf was no longer her mentor. In her mind, he wuld always still be her mentor, retired and memory-less or not.
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Post by Ringulf on Nov 9, 2010 14:23:14 GMT -5
(OOG Ursan and Mylia)
It was a long way from Marshwood to Whitby. The type of riding that the two Rangers were doing was certainly not going to get them there very quickly. Spinner was not a very big horse and as ranger ponies went that was to be expected. Mylia had done a remarkable job of adapting to being a mounted and fifed ranger. She was still a bit green as a rider but her natural athletic ability and her fearless spirit seemed to make her more than equal to the task.
Aside her sat Ursan a large man with a medium length brown beard and mustaches a ruddy complexion and piercing blue eyes that tended to take in the world around him like an ocular sponge.
He was Dressed in a dark green tunic which had less of a Skandian flavor, as it was a bit more crisp and dagged along its edges, a tan sueded undertunic, a dark sort of chocolate pair of breeches and a Hunter green cloak, though if one were to look closely they would see that the interior was the standard ranger pattern.
On his wide, dark brown belt hung a dark brown pouch and a seax knife in a fur sheathing in front to the right side of his pewter buckle. the leather matched the dark brown and chestnut Skandian leather helm he wore, it's banding, cheek plates and occulars all tooled with knotwork. It gave him a rather dark menacing look and coverered the rest of his face that the newly trimmed beard did not.
His long dark wooded bow and chestnut and brown leather quiver hung from the pummel of his saddle.
Hanging from the horn on the otherside in a sheath were a pair of bright axes with polished silver steel heads on hafts that apeared to be made of single spiraled ivory horns much like that of a unicorn, a beast only known in legends.
Under the saddle was the largest ranger horse in the service.
Chenlot was a good 17 hands high he was as tall as many draft horses but a bit more slender. He was chestnut brown with a black main and tale and great fluffy feathers on his feet. The man on his back though large looked well balanced astride the horse but it was all a matter of proportion. Mylia's head barely came over the top of Ursan's hip level as the two rode together down the wooded trail.
"Remember our purpose Mylia, we are to blend into the faire and enjoy it as anyone would but keep your eyes peeled for the signs we talked about and pay particular attention to anyone that may be of Scotti origin, you will hear them before you see them as you can't mistake the accent. When we get there we will separate and you may take in the event in any way you like, but make sure you meet me after nightfall at the Boarshead Tavern in the village. We are to be billeted there by a friend of mine who runs the stables."
He looked down at her and felt a great sense of pride as she rode next to him. She was becoming the ranger he always knew she would be.
I will need to stop and rest a bit as I am quite sore but we are only a few miles from the faire grounds do you have the coins from your pay? do you need anything more?
hearing her response he smiled warmly at her again and said,
"Well have fun, I am going into this little tavern and get a pint and stretch my legs, my rump and back feel like the whole Araluen army has been doing maneuvers over it all day!"
With that he swung his leg over Chenlot's rump and dismounted tieing him loosely to the hitching post out front and taking in his axes, bow, quiver and saddlebags with him.
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