|
Post by Ringulf on Dec 7, 2010 12:31:50 GMT -5
Roath had woken up to the sounds of the crowd on the distant tournament field as they cheered some extraordinary feat of skill and he popped up he grabbed a partially carved ham hock that was a bit hard but had a great smoky flavor and washed it down with a drink from the spring. He took his empty bag and wrapped his cloak around him and thrust his home made seax into his belt on his back. There he was limber enough for it to be accessible for either hand to draw.
"Time to make another pass!" He thought to himself.
He hopped over the rocks then crossed the field to the back of the food area. he looked all through the normal dumping areas but did not find much from the lunch crowd that looked at all appetizing.
As he walked he heard a rabble of boys that looked as though they were fighting.
"Oh crap dat's da Thieflords I recognise da big guy! I didn know dey were here! Aw man that poor kid is his teeth handed to him, Hmmm maybe dese horse shoes are worth something!"
he stood by the corner of a tent and flung a horseshoe at the leader with all his might, it caught him behind the ear and Roath ducked back around the corner and melted away, hoping the kid could use the distraction to get away. He went the opposite direction from the fracas and started toward the crowds of onlookers at the armored combat venue.
He walked through the crowds and did manage to clip another purse This one was a big knight lookin kinda guy, He was of medium height and average build with shoulder length, wavy, dark auburn hair. He was wearing black trousers with a black wool under tunic. Over that was a dark gray tunic with long sleeves made of leather and dark gray riding boots that laced all the way up to his knees. His hands were covered in black gloves and overall he wore a black woolen cloak that hung all the way to the floor. He had it clasped at his neck with an elaborate cloak pin in the design of a falcon with a tiny sapphire for the eye. Around his head was a circlet of a narrow band of brass with knot-work etched into it. At regular intervals were tiny sapphires that matched the one in the cloak pin, as well as the color of his startling blue eyes. The eyes were of major concern to Roath because though he didn't think the man actually knew his pouch was gone, he had felt Roath run into him as he was jostling through the crowd.
Roath looked up in a bit of a panic but slid into his role and said 'Ungh, scuze me M'lord" and kept going.
|
|
|
Post by Brandwyn on Dec 7, 2010 12:47:46 GMT -5
Sir Timothy, going by the name of Timothy of Norgate, felt an ever so slight tug on his belt and was jostled by a waif of a boy.
Roath looked up in a bit of a panic but slid into his role and said 'Ungh, scuze me M'lord" and kept going.
Timothy reached out a gloved hand and locked it on the boy’s shoulder. “Just a minute there son,” his soft baritone voice managed to penetrate the sounds of the crowd without any trouble. At the same time Tim rubbed his hand along his belt to verify that one of his pouches was missing. That pouch did not contain the bulk of his meager wealth, but since he was hardly well-off, he would be hard-pressed without the few coins it contained to get back to Norgate. He would have to do some more singing here at the faire to try to earn the money back.
He eyed the half-starved street kid cowering before him and his face softened. This kid needed the money more than he did, but Timothy could not condone stealing. “Can you sing, boy?” He asked Roath out of the blue.
(This thread about Roath has now moved to "Rat's feast ruined" on the western fiefs board)
|
|
|
Post by Firehead on Dec 7, 2010 14:30:12 GMT -5
“What do you mean by that?”
Ben eyed Rick as he tried to formulate his answer. "Send someone in to brak the gang up. Couple of kids oghta do it. Ranger apprentices, that is. Break up the organization. 'Take the head off the snake and the body will die' sorta deal."
“I think you may have cracked a couple of ribs. There is not much we can do for them either.” When he finished he figured it was just about time for Tam’s next match. “Do you want to continue on in the tourney? You are doing quite well, but if those ribs get hit again, it could be very serious. I really think you should withdraw. There will be more tourneys later on.”
Tam wavered but decided to keep going. "I at least wanta try. If'n it hurts too bad, I'll wi'draw."
“I saw you talking to Palisade’s apprentice, well former apprentice now I guess, Tory is her name right?” Rick asked Tam.
"Yeah, why?"
“I think maybe you should stick close to her during the faire. I will walk you down to the list fields and we can fill her in. You think the two of you together can run those bullies off?”
Tam bit off the protest before it could start, and nodded reluctantly. "I'll see what she says."
“And keep your cloak on when you aren’t in the arena. It might deter them.”
"Yessir. I will." Tam followed Rick back into the open, where Rick picked up a couple of girls who kept giggling about something, and invited them to watch Tam's next match. Tam just hoped that he didn't embarass Rick in the arena. “Lead on, Tam, I want to see at least one of your matches.”
Tam gave him a small smile and headed toward the arena, where he discovered that he was up against Tory again. The match went well for him, dispite his ribs hurting, and as He and Tory left the arena, Tam posed the question. "'Ey Tory? I had a run in with a few of m' old...uh...enemies, 'n Rick thinks it'd be a good idea if'n I stuck wi' you fer the rest a' the faire."
He dropped his gaze to his feet. Aw, man. I' doin' a lousy job of splainin' this to 'er!
|
|
|
Post by Brandwyn on Dec 7, 2010 14:56:05 GMT -5
"Broken ribs are a pain. They take months to heal and riding horse is excruciating. Try not to use your bow much, if your mentor will let you off practicing. That is what really kept my ribs from healing up, but we were fighting in Gallica, so I didn't have much choice." Tory waved to Rick and then turned to watch Mylia and Ari as they entered the field. (From Chatter board, Tory vs. Tam round 6)
Rick overheard Tory’s comment as he watched his apprentice leave the arena. He waited a moment as he heard Tam reply.
"'Ey Tory? I had a run in with a few of m' old...uh...enemies, 'n Rick thinks it'd be a good idea if'n I stuck wi' you fer the rest a' the faire."
Tory looked at Tam and nodded her head, “I thought something was going on.” She said. “I was going to invite you along with Mylia and Aribjorn and I anyway. I am not sure if you and Ari can come with Mylia and me to the meeting at the Boars Head tonight or not though. I think it is going to be ranger business. But maybe you can hang out with Aribjorn. He is big and scary sometimes.” She grinned.
She looked at him again, seeing how he had just been fighting earlier in the day and at his condition now. “There must have been a bunch of them, cuz you can sure take care of one by yourself.” She said. “Who are they anyway and why they hounding you?”
___
Rick listened from a few paces away and smiled in satisfaction. He had no intention of letting his apprentice out of his site until the gang was taken care of. He watched the match going on now and thought that the four apprentices, three of which were rangers, ought to make a good showing against the street kids. Just to be safe, though, he would be there as a back-up. Maybe he could get grouchy ole Ben to come along too.
Unfortunately that would likely cut into the rather pleasant time he’d wanted to enjoy with the lovely trollops on his arms. He would have to make some excuse that would keep them waiting for him until he got back and saw that Tam was safely tucked in for the night.
He wanted to congratulate Tam on the match, but he didn’t want to interrupt his conversation with Tory, so he chatted with the two girls, his mind on his apprentice and he studied Palisades’s apprentice. Tory certainly seemed a lot more self-assured than she had back in Gallica at the Grizzly camp the last time he had seen her. He noticed that she still limped slightly from the arrow he had aimed at her mentor’s escaping back. He still wasn’t sure how he had missed Patrick Palisade. By some fluke his arrow had been nicked by an intervening crossbow bolt mid-air and changed its trajectory enough that it had pierced the girl’s thigh instead of his intended target. He had planned to apologize and offer her compensation at the time, but she had run off with Palisade and he had not expected to see her again. He had seen her briefly at the Yule Ball last year, but with the incident that had happened to Tam, he hadn’t had a chance to talk to her. She was gone when he went to find her. She had missed the Gathering again this year and now Rick was determined to speak with her before she ran off again.
Only half his mind on the conversation with the two ladies at his side, Rick waited for an opening in Tam and Tory’s conversation.
|
|
|
Post by Firehead on Dec 7, 2010 15:23:27 GMT -5
"Broken ribs are a pain. They take months to heal and riding horse is excruciating. Try not to use your bow much, if your mentor will let you off practicing. That is what really kept my ribs from healing up, but we were fighting in Gallica, so I didn't have much choice."
"Rick said they was jus' cracked. But I cain't tell th' difference. It hurts." Tam said, following her to the arena side.
"'Ey Tory? I had a run in with a few of m' old...uh...enemies, 'n Rick thinks it'd be a good idea if'n I stuck wi' you fer the rest a' the faire."
Tory looked at Tam and nodded her head, “I thought something was going on.” She said. “I was going to invite you along with Mylia and Aribjorn and I anyway. I am not sure if you and Ari can come with Mylia and me to the meeting at the Boars Head tonight or not though. I think it is going to be ranger business. But maybe you can hang out with Aribjorn. He is big and scary sometimes.” She grinned.
Tam gave a snort and broke it off when his ribs gave a twinge. "I whupped 'im, but yeah, I cain see yer point. 'es almos' two feet taller'n I am!"
She looked at him again, seeing how he had just been fighting earlier in the day and at his condition now. “There must have been a bunch of them, cuz you can sure take care of one by yourself.” She said. “Who are they anyway and why they hounding you?”
Tam sighed to himself. "Yeah, there was four of 'em. It's a long story, but if'n ya got th' time I'll tell it to ya.
"I lived in Ar'luan City fer...awhile, an' in th' City, there runs a whole buncha gangs--kids an' adults. Th' ones run by adults 'ave a leader that basically runs th' run she-bang, an' he's called the Big Boss. The kids 'ave got one too--called th' thieflord. Most street kids run in gangs, but I didn't. Well, th' thieflord wanted me ta join 'is gang, an' I said 'no'. That's something ya don't say lightly to th' thieflord, ever. Yer either fer 'im or against 'im an' I went against 'im. Ever since I said no, 'es been a tryin' to do one a two things--Make me join or kill me off. It's mostly kill me off now though, I reckon." Tam finished. " An' that's it, in a nutshell."
|
|
|
Post by Ringulf on Dec 8, 2010 21:49:16 GMT -5
(OOC Ringulf, Tory and Mylia at the Boarshead night before tournament)
"Well here we all are back together again! You both looking forward to the Tourney tomorrow? Ringulf said merrily.
"What about you Tory who are you fighting tomorrow anybody you want some strategy on?"
"And You! How are you doing with the knives, like I have to ask you were a better knife fighter than I am before I met you! he said to Mylia"
If I were you two I would go oil your bows, check your shafts and wax your string because that is were you two are gonna shine tomorrow. Those bullseye's are gonna be feeling the hurt from you two I am sure! He laughed heartily and downed the mug of cider calling for more. "This stuff is a site better than their ale I can tell you!"
Tory did Tandar ever show up this afternoon after I left? I need both of you to tell him if you see him and pass the word along to Brandwyn Alston, the royal scout, I know you know her Tory not sure if you met her yet Myl, that Crowley wants to meet them her for dinner tomorrow. You along with them Miss Waterton, I think it is a sort of team meeting if you know what I mean! Well Tory I wanted you to come by to let Crowley address us as the team we were for the mission to Caraway, he has done so and I will too! You two ladies handled yourselves very commendably, you are both well on your way to being fine rangers, but I want to also express my thanks, you have both helped pull me out of a very bad place and I am in your debt, I do not consider you two mere apprentices, but also comrades and friends, if Either of you ever need anything, I will be there for you!
Speaking of which I have an apprentice who needs my services as a mentor so Miss Tory would you like us to Ride you back to your tent? we need to get along as well!
|
|
|
Post by Ringulf on Dec 15, 2010 19:46:15 GMT -5
After they said goodnight to Tory, Ringulf Mounted on Chenlot and Mylia on spinner, rode along together at a walk and the big ranger looked down at his apprentice. Seeing she was not going to start and feeling badly about allowing the evening to postpone their talk, he started.
"Mylia I am sorry things got in the way of our talk, thank you for being patient. What was it that you wanted to ask me? It seems like it is bothering you quite a bit, you are not your normal self.
Ringulf sat back in his saddle and watched his apprentice and listened intently to her. They were nearing their tent so they dismounted and tethered the horses, set their feed bags on them and took seats on the folding canvas chairs that stood on either side of the tent flap.
Ringulf pulled out a long stemmed pipe and filled it. he struck some tinder with his fint and started a tiny fire in the fire ring then he piled some twigs, then branches and finaly some logs as the fire grew. He then took a small branch and lit the end aflame using it to light the long white clay pipe.
Then he sat to continue listening to her.
|
|
|
Post by Firehead on Dec 16, 2010 10:43:43 GMT -5
Mylia kept her eyes on her drink for most of the visit, and managed to give a smile when appropriate. She managed to participate in the conversation as much as was necessary, although the longer they stayed, the more ansy she became about telling Ursan. But finally, they departed from the tavern and, after accompanying Tory back to her tent, they headed for their own. Now that they were alone, however, Mylia wondered how to start the conversation: should she address it differently than she had with Tory, or keep it the same?
"Mylia I am sorry things got in the way of our talk, thank you for being patient. What was it that you wanted to ask me? It seems like it is bothering you quite a bit, you are not your normal self."
Mylia stared down at the front of her saddle, and finally plunged ahead. "After we split up at the faire, I was looking around to see if Tory and Ari were here. I....I saw Ari getting roughed up by a knight and a couple of Guardsmen...." She paused, trying to figure out what to say next then continued. "I....kinda ripped into the knight in charge about his treatment of Ari.....He told me.....He doesn't like skandians in general, and I...it..." Here, she paused again, thinking to herself that this was probably not making any sense to her mentor. They arrived at their tent and tended to the horses in silence, as Mylia tried to work out a way to say it so that it made sense.
They entered the thent and Mylia gave up explaining everything and simply threw her hands up in the air in a guesture of resignation, giving a sigh. "I nearly shot Sir Rodney--the knight. I would've too, if it hadn't been for Brandwyn stepping in." She sat down abruptly on the ground and waited for her mentor to speak.
|
|
|
Post by Ringulf on Dec 16, 2010 11:51:20 GMT -5
Ringulf sat and puffed his pipe, he heard every word she said and many that she hadn't. "Mylia come sit with me."
"We have never had the need to talk very much as we seem to know what the other is thinking most of the time, I have always given you your space and you have always been respectful of mine. That worked well in the past, but I think we have passed over a threshold this year. I have seen you grow tremendously as a ranger and a young woman and I have tried very hard to teach you and guide you and be a friend as well as a mentor, but I have to ask you something before I can answer your question.
Are you Happy Mylia?"
"Before you answer me think about your life, think about what you endured and what you have come from. Where you are now and what you want from your life?"
Ringulf again sat back and watched his apprentice and puffed his pipe as she seemed to look inwardly to answer his question.
|
|
|
Post by Firehead on Dec 17, 2010 9:37:45 GMT -5
"Mylia come sit with me."
Mylia did as he asked, sitting down beside him and looking up at his face.
"We have never had the need to talk very much as we seem to know what the other is thinking most of the time, I have always given you your space and you have always been respectful of mine. That worked well in the past, but I think we have passed over a threshold this year. I have seen you grow tremendously as a ranger and a young woman and I have tried very hard to teach you and guide you and be a friend as well as a mentor, but I have to ask you something before I can answer your question.
Are you Happy Mylia?"
Mylia opened her mouth to answer, "Of course I'm happy!" but was halted before she could get the first word off her tongue.
"Before you answer me think about your life, think about what you endured and what you have come from. Where you are now and what you want from your life?"
Mylia frowned as she looked away, digging down inside of her to see if her quick answer were really true beneith the surface. After her parents had died and her sisters taken in by another family, while she was tossed onto the street as a reject, she'd been alone in the world, without a friend, and no prospects for making a better life for herself in sight. She'd been relatively happy though, counting her blessings each and every day.
Then, nearly a year ago, Ringulf had entered her life and had opened up a whole new world to her; a world where she could make a life for herself worth living, a life that gave her more of a purpose than to simply stay alive for another day.
Looking back at her mentor, she replied, "To be perfectly honest, I've never been more content with my life. Sure I was happy when I lived on the streets, but now my life is better than it could ever be if I'd stayed there. So, I guess basicly, my answer's 'yes, I'm happy'."
|
|
|
Post by Ringulf on Dec 17, 2010 10:04:55 GMT -5
"It makes me glad to hear that, I often wonder how the Norns chose me to help bring up a teenage girl! I'm glad they didn't need references or qualifications! he he.
But that said lets focus on your question. You had a brief lapse of control, which can be a serious issue for a ranger especially one with a bow in her hand. I see that it surprised you how deeply you felt the desire to defend Ari, but more than that the amount you wanted to put a hole in that old windbag. I have to admit he has goaded more than one ranger to violence. Did you happen to recognize the croocked nose?"
Ringulf put his head down and pointed back at himself with his thumb. "Yep, I am afraid that was my lack of control. I am just a bit unclear on one issue, When you had him in your sights was it fear for Ari, anger at his opinions or hatred of his injustice that was the more prevalent?"
"I know you can be a bit short tempered at times but you have learned allot about patience since you have been with me. That is why I asked if you were happy. lack of control in the face of anger is due to unresolved feelings we have deep inside. You have a very strong sense of right and wrong so I can understand the outrage you must have felt but not the extreme to which you carried it. No, the best I can figure is you had a dose of what I call she- bear syndrome. Ever see a momma bear guard her cubs? you never want to face any female whose young are threatened. but that extends to more than cubs, I don't mean to say you were Mothering Aribjorn, rather it is when anyone we care about are threatened that the She-Bear comes out.
I felt it on the ship when those brigands were about to over run us. I didn't care about the ship or the cargo, let them have it, I can always hunt them down and kill them later one by one, I could not stand the thought of them getting to you and Tory and I was determined to stop them even if it cost me my life. I wasn't being a hero, I was just protecting that which was dearest to me. Do you understand?"
|
|
|
Post by Brandwyn on Dec 18, 2010 16:33:08 GMT -5
(OOC: Tory looking for Tandar and Brandwyn)
Tory got to the campsite with Tandar, but he was not there. She waved by to Mylia and Ringulf and then poked her head into Tandar's tent. It seemed to be undisturbed since that morning.
Chewing on her bottom lip for a moment she decided she had better go look for him. She quickly scratched a message on a rock by the cold campfire with a charred stick letting him know she was going to the medical tent to look for him. Then she hopped on Chip after donning her ranger gear and made her way to the medical tent. She thought maybe he would be visiting the woman he had accidently shot and Tory wanted to check up on her anyway.
(OOC: Tory and Brandwyn will pick up the story in the Night at the Boar's Head.)
|
|
|
Post by Firehead on Dec 20, 2010 10:46:49 GMT -5
"It makes me glad to hear that, I often wonder how the Norns chose me to help bring up a teenage girl! I'm glad they didn't need references or qualifications! he he.
But that said lets focus on your question. You had a brief lapse of control, which can be a serious issue for a ranger especially one with a bow in her hand. I see that it surprised you how deeply you felt the desire to defend Ari, but more than that the amount you wanted to put a hole in that old windbag. I have to admit he has goaded more than one ranger to violence. Did you happen to recognize the croocked nose?"
"I noticed it, yes, but recognize it? No. Why?"
Ringulf put his head down and pointed back at himself with his thumb. "Yep, I am afraid that was my lack of control. I am just a bit unclear on one issue, When you had him in your sights was it fear for Ari, anger at his opinions or hatred of his injustice that was the more prevalent?"
Mylia thought about that one for a moment, before finally answering. "All three, I suppose."
"I know you can be a bit short tempered at times but you have learned allot about patience since you have been with me. That is why I asked if you were happy. lack of control in the face of anger is due to unresolved feelings we have deep inside. You have a very strong sense of right and wrong so I can understand the outrage you must have felt but not the extreme to which you carried it. No, the best I can figure is you had a dose of what I call she- bear syndrome."
She-bear syndrome? She'd never heard of that one before. Luckily, Ringulf went on to explain.
"Ever see a momma bear guard her cubs? you never want to face any female whose young are threatened. but that extends to more than cubs, I don't mean to say you were Mothering Aribjorn, rather it is when anyone we care about are threatened that the She-Bear comes out.
I felt it on the ship when those brigands were about to over run us. I didn't care about the ship or the cargo, let them have it, I can always hunt them down and kill them later one by one, I could not stand the thought of them getting to you and Tory and I was determined to stop them even if it cost me my life. I wasn't being a hero, I was just protecting that which was dearest to me. Do you understand?"
Mylia nodded slowly. "I think so.....but...is it..." She paused and looked down at her hands for a moment. "Well, I guess....." she started over. "I just don't want it...to...I don't want to lose control like that! It scared me." She leaned against Ringulf for comfort, close to tears, and rested her head on his shoulder, swallowing back the tears and taking a deep shuddery breath.
|
|
|
Post by Ringulf on Dec 21, 2010 9:55:40 GMT -5
Mylia nodded slowly. "I think so.....but...is it..." She paused and looked down at her hands for a moment. "Well, I guess....." she started over. "I just don't want it...to...I don't want to lose control like that! It scared me." She leaned against Ringulf for comfort, close to tears, and rested her head on his shoulder, swallowing back the tears and taking a deep shuddery breath. The tenderness of the moment was not wasted on the big Ranger, he had come to realize how precious their relationship was when she had galloped off on a Skandian pony to leave him struggling to regain his identity and his health. It had been her leaving that had sucked the memory from the void. It had filled him with such a pain of loss that the cork of his bottled memory was popped and it all flowed back. Those weeks spent without her had been agonizing. When she returned looking for the Ranger of Marshwood, his joy was complete to have been able to ride up before her pull his cloak hood back and say, "Welcome to Marshwood Little One, I have missed you terribly."
Now sensing his apprentices mood, he didn't brush it of or tell her to buck up and rub some dirt on it, he simply dropped his own shaggy bearded head to rest gently on hers and they sat for a bit and watched the fire.
Finally Ringulf said,
"Control is a very elusive thing. without it we can have no sense of balance and are subject to every random though or emotion. So yes...we need control of ourselves, our thoughts to some extent, our feelings. However, That being said, do not desire to control everything, That is for a ruler not a Ranger, we need to think on our feet and react to many different situations. Feelings will come, events will unfold to trigger them, people will surprise you, you can't dominate and control everyone or everything around you. Instead of that, or having fear at the impending loss of your control, strengthen yourself, practice your skills, prepare your heart and mind. If you have the confidence in yourself to handle what life brings to you, you will, with patience and discipline, overcome it.
I remember, when I was a boy, My father who was a very fine Wolfship captain, taught me to sail. One thing that always stuck in my mind when I would try to get from here to there and get frustrated by the winds, he would say to me, Remember son you can not control the wind, but you can always trim the sail."
|
|