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Post by Brandwyn on Jan 26, 2011 10:25:21 GMT -5
Tory hadn’t slept much at all. Her internal clock was all off-kilter from having slept most of the last two days and she was at first too angry to sleep and then worried because her side was bleeding again and then when it finally stopped bleeding she was regretting the whole incident with Ivy and trying to figure out how she could make amends with Ivy. She figured the girl wouldn’t try though. Tory seemed to alienate more people than she befriended, especially those close to her own age.
So she was still lying awake, petting her kitten that was curled up in the crook of one arm when Bunt returned to the cabin. She’d heard movement downstairs not long before and was straining to make out what was being said. Carefully she sat up, displacing the cat to her lap and leaned on the railing next to her cot. Poking her head over the railing she could make out only snatches of what the three men were saying, but she was happy to discover it was Ringulf who was sitting up on the couch in front of the fireplace. She took that as a good sign that he was going to be okay. She wondered where Aribjorn was, but she didn’t want the men to know she was listening so she stayed as quiet and still as she could instead of calling down her question.
After a few moments she realized that Ringulf might be on his feet, but the blow to his head seemed to have left him a bit confused. She was rather alarmed when he started talking about that Skandian woman being his Valkyrie and Odin rejecting him. She didn’t know much about Skandian culture but she knew enough to recognize that those were names of their God’s or creatures in the afterlife or something like that.
“I am sorry I am still very muddled, but that brings up the mud thing, what was that all about, and these apprentices are they here? Are they alright?" Tory heard Ringulf ask and resisted the urge to duck back down behind the railing as Bunt looked straight up at her.
___
Bunt had noticed Tory’s head peeking up over the railing quite some time ago, having heard her cot creak when she had sat up. He looked back to Ringulf, far more concerned about his friend’s state of mind than that the girl wasn’t asleep as she should be.
“They’s here, ‘long with my new ‘pprentice.” Bunt answered Ringulf. “Yer ‘pprentice came through it all without a mark on her. As I understand it, that young Aribjorn caught her mid air as she jumped from that burnin’ mast when it fell on you and da other ‘pprentice.” Bunt was trying to remember what some of the other Skandian sailors had described to him. “I weren’t there but the Skandians said they found ya on top o’ the other ‘pprentice, Tory, an’ if not fer you, she might’ve gotten burnt up. Apparently Tory,” Bunt looked up at her now and raised his voice slightly, “who should be sleeping right now and not eavesdropping on her mentors, did a right good job defending tha helmsman during the scuffle.”
Bunt heard Tory sigh and her low voice drift down barely audible, “I can’t sleep. I am all slept out…”
Bunt shot her a hard look and then went back to explain to Ringulf further. “She should be okay if’n we can jes keep her in that bed there an’ quiet,” It was another dig at Tory but he didn’t look at her when he said it. “But she has a turrible gash from a sword wielded by one o’ those river pirates what attacked yer ship on yer way from Araluen ta Caraway. The gash is in a bad place, runnin’ from her back ta her front under her arm. I’is not turribly deep but across her ribs it don’t want ta close up an stop bleedin’ and so Fin an’ Ari put some mud on it ta help seal the wound an’ stop the bleeding.” Bunt took another sip of his coffee. “Tory ain’t actually yer ‘pprentice, nor mine. She recently was reassigned ta Ranger Tandar, though she seems ta be a lil bit disgruntled with that ‘ssignment.” Again Bunt looked pointedly at Tory who looked away and gave a one-shouldered shrug in response.
“Which brings us back to being rangers,” Bunt looked back at Ringulf with concern. “I’m a ranger, been one for over forty years, right along with you for most of that time.” Bunt was very concerned that Ringulf didn’t remember this part of his life since it was pretty much his whole life. “ya can’t remember what Rangers are?”
“As ta the mud, well ‘parently Ogmund an’ Aribjorn ran inta some local yahoos that were trying to be tough an yer boys here kinda flattened them and took the mud from the hot spring anyways an’ so the local boys decided ta come give our Skandian friends some payback for the trouncin’ they got by Ogmund an Aribjorn.” Bunt said as if it all made perfect sense. “Bad thing was they thought poor Fin was one of them an’ attacked her, intending ta have their way with her.” Bunt’s eyes darkened at the thought. He didn’t hold with abusing women, not even Skandian women, and Fin had proven to be a decent and even valiant woman so far. “From what Ari an’Fin tole me last night, they would’ve succeeded too if’n it weren’t fer you.”
Bunt reached forward with the coffee pot and refilled all their cups. He heard Tory sniff and a faint, “yummmmmmm” drifted down from above. He shot her another disapproving look, wondering how he was going to get that girl to behave. She obviously had run wild for far too long and had no respect for her elders.
Turning back to Ringulf he said, “Fin ain’t no Valkyrie, though. She is jes a Skandian merchant travelling through these here parts. She has her merchant wagon set up in the square back in town. Not even sure how she happen’t ta git so involved in all o’ this anyhow.” Bunt mused, thinking back on the day’s events. He yawned. It had been a long day and he was not going to be able to catch any sleep any time soon from the looks of things. He was going to let Ivy sleep in and start breakfast soon. “Guess Fin must’ve jes felt ya’ll needed her help. She seems ta have some gift with medicines and the like.” Bunt looked to Ogmund, “Does that bout cover everything?” he asked the Skandian.
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Post by Firehead on Jan 26, 2011 11:55:32 GMT -5
After all of the chaos that night, Mylia had gone to bed and slept like a log for four straight hours before coming wide awake and being unable to go back to sleep. After five minutes of counting sheep, she'd given a quiet sigh and swung out of the hammock and tip-toed out of the loft, making sure not to waken Tory. Downstairs, she'd rummaged around until she found Bunts paper and writing supplies, then seated herself at the table and scratched out a quick overview of what had taken place, wincing at the sight of her scrawl and taking her good ol' time writing it out so that it would be more or less legible.
Crowley,
First night out were attacked by river pirates. Ringulf and Tory both wounded. Were helped by Skandians or would not have made it out of the jam alive. Previous ship burned and unable to continue--were taken aboard the Skandian ship and taken rest of way to Caraway. Currently with Ranger Bunt. Tory awake and doing fairly well; Ringulf awake but no memory of past. Will report in full when arrive with horses.
Mylia, R. App.
Mylia finished and laid her pen aside, picking up the message to read it over and check for anything she might have left out that needed putting in. Short, concise, fairly legible, and light enough for the pigeon to carry. It looked alright and Mylia gave a nod of approval as she laid it back down and went to replace Bunts writing things on the mantle.
Going back upstairs to retrieve her cloak, she checked on Tory, who was still sleeping soundly, then patted the kittens and hoped that they would stay put with Tory. Downstairs again, she checked the ink to make sure that it was dry before rolling it up and wrapping a piece of twine around it. Message in hand she slipped out of the cottage and started toward the castle on the other side of the village.
Unimpeded, she made good progress and was soon in the castle mews where she followed a servant down rows of pigeonholes until the man stopped and selected one and handed it to her. "ye just slip yer message in this here little canister that attaches to 'is leg, and let 'im fly." the man told her before he left to carry on with his duties. Mylia nodded her head, thanking the man and went to work; a few minutes later, the pigeon left her hands and flew off in the direction of Araluan City, bearing the message for Crowley.
She arrived back at Bunt's cabin an hour after she'd left it, to find that Ringulf was up and seated on the couch with Bunt-- who had returned--and Ogmund. The smell of coffee wafted past her nose and she sniffed the aroma appreciatively, her stomach growling at the thought of food. "Hello all! It's good to see you up, Ring. That coffee sure smells good--when we eaten?" she took a quick glance around then asked, "Ya want me ta make brek'ist?"
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Post by Ringulf on Jan 26, 2011 16:19:58 GMT -5
After his explanation to Ringulf of the current situation and the events of last night, Bunt looked to Ogmund, “Does that bout cover everything?” he asked the Skandian.
"Well it clears up some of the questions, Said Ringulf, "but I am still missing a few parts. You say Tory, And by the way good morning Tory I am glad to see you are doing better!" He called up to the girl who was obviously listening to every word they said. "Tory is not my apprentice but was traveling with my apprentice and I? I am sorry I do feel like their is a big void in not knowing or remembering, but please tell me more of my apprentice, it is gnawing at me like I lost something very important and can't seem to find it no matter how hard or where I search."
Ogmund jumped in not wanting to get in the middle of Ranger business but having a hard time containing his enthusiasm for Ringulf's efforts to recover his memory.
"Her name iss Mylia, Ringulf an she is here too, she is very clever ant a very goot ranger, so you must have trained her vell. She vas de first person ve actually saw ant heard ven ve came to help you on de burning ship. She vas up on de top of de mast in the fighting top ant she vas shrieking like a fetch from hell. it made all of us a little uneasy I got to say, for vee taught she vas some type of demon! It vas no girly scream it made us all vant to loose our bowels!"
Ringulf chuckled a little bit softly so he did not aggravate the pounding headache he was trying to ignore.
"I do somehow remember some type of demon shriek I thought I remembered it from my dreams. Bunt..." Ringulf said softly so the loft could not hear his words. "...I do not have any memory of these girls yet, I will have to meet them discreetly so that they do not know how much I don't remember, and you must dig in and explain as much as you can of this ranger stuff and who I am supposed to be and who they are supposed to be to me. I know I will start to remember more when I hear it and start to get to know them again."
"So now the last thing I don't know if there are any answers to, How did I help Fin or more importantly how did I know she needed help? Then knowing how I feel right now how in the name of Hel did I get there and supposedly use my bow to help her? I know this is my bow and that I can shoot it. I made it, I remember that and I remember now that I can shoot the thing! I know how. It is strange that I remember that but not being a Ranger, like I remember you and not that we were rangers together."
"...And the Smidja thing? What is the Harrmarr and he have to do with all of it again? I guess it is the Aribjorn thing huh?"
Ogmand again piped up, "Vell ve vere coming to bring de boy to Araluen so he could train to be a knight in de battleschool ant ve have several Skandian horses to be given as a gift to de king as a gift from Aribjorn's Father, de Jar..." Ogmund looked to Bunt who seemed to be motioning with his eyes not to go there when the door opened up and in popped Mylia.
"Hello all! It's good to see you up, Ring. That coffee sure smells good--when we eaten?" she took a quick glance around then asked, "Ya want me ta make brek'ist?"
"Hello Mylia," said Ogmund, Ve are all having some coffee ant I tink Ari and Smidja iss bringing some of de breakfast vit dem shortly, dat vas de plan anyvay vy don't you get yourself some coffee too ant see if Tory needs anyting she is avake ant a little put out dat she can't be sittin down here vit us! He said with a chuckle.
Ringulf looked at the young girl who had just come in. "Yes," he said to himself, "I know this face this is someone dear to me but I wish I could remember more about her."
Ringulf studied the girl over his mug of coffee While Ogmand addressed her and when he was done Ringulf gave her a warm smile and a little wink, it seemed somehow natural to him that he should do so.
Just as they settled back down to resume their conversation a few knocks were heard at the door as it swung open again, this time revealing none other than Smidja Myrkvatn and Aribjorn behind him with a large bag of freshly baked loaves of bread and a wooden tub of fresh butter.
"Allo! Allo! Vell look at dis our sleeping prince has voken from de deep slumber! I vas just praying to Freya dat she vould have somevone vake you wit a kiss before I had to do it!" Smidja said loudly.
"Smidja Mykvatn! You old sea wolf! You are looking a bit long in the tooth since I saw you last but I must say not to much worse for ware!" Ringulf replied.
"Vell I am more fit at de moment den you ya foolish cub, didn't nobody ever tell you not to stand under falling masts? but I have just heard on de vay up here dat you got out last night to have some target practice so I suppose you can't be to badly injured eh?" Smidja chided.
Ogmund addressed Smidja. "He is doing a bit better but iss very sore yet ant ve are just trying to fill him in on some of the tings he has forgotten. He did recognize your voice last night ant even who it belonged to so I guess you made some sort of impression on him in his yout!"
"Ya dis vone ant I go back a vays, I served his grandfadder ant his father, now I serve his Uncle, but seeing as ve are speeking of such things...Ringulf I vould like you to meet your cousin Aribjorn Haakonson, Aribjorn dis is your cousin Ringulf, he ant your fadder ver very close before I took he ant his mudder here to Araluen. dat vas right before Haakon became Jarl in Bjornholt."
Aribjorn, who had given the bag of bread and tub of butter to Ogmund to fix for breakfast, came around the couch to Ringulf.
He bowed in the manner of a knight of Araluen and not as the son of a Skandian Jarl and said:
"My Kinsman, many nights I have dreamed of de day dat I vould meet you in person ant tank you for striking de first blow for truth against the tyranny of Harold Red Hand, it is because of your bravery ant sacrifice dat my fadder Haakon Hammerhand is de Jarl!"
Then Smidja chimed in, "And if you had killed him with that axe you threw it would be you sitting in that seat despite your age, as you were the son of the eldest son of the rightful Jarl Ragnar."
"Alas ven your mother Bronwyn came to me in fear of both your lives, Haakon had not yet slain de evil Harrold. So Harrold vas slain by de Hammerhand and he den became Jarl, ant a very good vone he has been. In fact he has been foremost in Skandia's efforts to aid Araluen in de var against de Aslavians."
"Yes Cousin dat is ver I came to see knights ant rangers and dedicated myself to becoming a knight and living a life of chivalry!" Ari said enthusiastically.
Ringulf sat and stared at the Skandians before him for a moment trying to digest all the information he had just been told.
"Well my young kinsman, those are lofty goals indeed and I will do what I can to make sure you achieve them, as it is.. Well met I say, and peace to you now, please know that I harbor no malice at the way the Norns have spun our lives, I think Haakon has made a better Jarl than I would ever have thought of being. and yes I remember him and my mother and my father. I do remember the day I hit the Jarl with the axe but in the many years of fear of reprisal against my mother and I, and all of the hiding we felt we needed to do, things did get somewhat misty."
Aribjorn was touched by his cousin's acceptance of him and his kind words, he stood from his kneeling position and embraced his cousin and Ringulf returned his affection.
"I belief dis belongs to you my friend." said Smidja as he produced Ringulf's Skandian helmet from under his cloak"
Ringulf took it in his hands and held it so that it 's front faced him. He ran his fingers over the metal bear emblem on the brow as if he were looking at an old friend.
"Smidja, I would like to have you return this helmet, my fathers helmet, to his brother Haakon. Tell my uncle it is a gift for him from a loving and grateful nephew and that I am at his service."
"But Ringulf!" Smidja questioned amazed, "Dis is de only ting you haf in de vorld from your fadder, you came to dis shore pennyless a hunted outlaw as far as you knew! Do you not want something to remember him by?"
"My memory of my father is strong and he guides me with his words each day as the words of his helmsman has steered me strait, I no longer need a piece of armor to be my family, I am no longer alone, I have my family once more and I can spare the Jarl of all people who needs nothing and rarely receives a gift of true worth, a blessing from his nephew in thanks of avenging his brother, my father."
Ogmunds jaw dropped. Aribjorn looked at Ringulf then up at Smidja. Smidja took back the helmet with a puzzled look on his face and the said softly,
"Sometimes I vunder if de Norns did not make a mistake...."
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Post by Brandwyn on Jan 27, 2011 15:44:20 GMT -5
Fin woke with a start, sitting straight up and pulling the covers half off of her. She looked around the empty unfamiliar room and wondered where she was and why she was there instead of in her own bed in her merchant wagon. She saw a large bow and quiver of arrows hanging on the pegs by the door and everything from the previous day came flooding back in one massive rush so fast it made her head spin.
Her head ached and one side of her face felt a bit swollen. Then she remembered the blow the farmer gave to her head from behind and his subsequent punches and slaps and knew why. Suddenly she remembered Ringulf and the fact that she had lain across his chest to keep him in the bed, figuring he wouldn’t be able to move without waking her. She looked frantically around the room. Where was he? What happened? How had he moved and it not wake her up? Was he---? She left the thought hanging, unable to complete it. Ogmund was supposed to be watching him too, where was he?
Quickly she stood up, throwing the covers to the floor and strode across the room. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror as she went by and winced. She was a frightful sight with her bruises and Ari’s tunic covering her own tattered clothes, but she didn’t care. She had to find Ringulf.
She pulled open the door and called, “Ringulf? Ringulf? Are you all right?” Panic was plain in her voice and written all over her face as she scanned the room. The strong smell of fresh coffee assaulted her nose, but it hardly registered.
She saw people in front of the fireplace, but only one face penetrated her agitated state of mind. Ringulf was sitting on the couch sipping coffee. Fin rushed to him and crouched down in front of him, reaching for his free hand.
“Ringulf! Oh thank Odin! I was so worried when I woke up and you weren’t there. I thought – I thought maybe –“ She still couldn’t finish the thought as she brought his hand up to her unbruised cheek and held it there for a moment, her eyes closed as she regained her composure.
After a moment she opened her eyes and stood up, dropping his hand as she put both of hers on her hips and glared at him. “Don’t ever scare me like that again!” She admonished him.
Then curiosity won out over her anger and worry for him. “How on earth did you get out of that bed without waking me up?” She entertained the idea that maybe he wasn’t actually human, but perhaps some warrior sent by Odin for some purpose yet to be revealed. She quickly discarded the idea however and chalked it up to him being a ranger. From what she had heard of rangers, they could do many mysterious things and managing to move around without waking someone was probably not too difficult for them. She didn’t even consider the fact that the blow to her head and the day’s trials and emotional roller coaster could have caused her to sleep more soundly from exhaustion than anything Ringulf did or didn’t do.
As she was standing there, hands on hips, glaring down at him with a half quizzical and half scolding expression on her face she realized that there were several others in the room. She sensed Bunt behind her more than saw him and Ogmund and Smidja were looking on as well as Ringulf’s apprentice Mylia. Fin felt a tiny flush of embarrassment at her sudden outburst in looking for Ringulf, but she was determined not to let it show.
She sat down on the couch next to Ringulf, perching on the front edge of it as she turned toward him and, much more calmly and without the accusing tone asked again, “Seriously, how did you get out here? Last night we had to practically carry you back here and I could have sworn you would not be able to move without waking me up. How are you feeling this morning?”
Fin wished that she and Ringulf were alone because she had this nearly overwhelming desire to slip her arms around him and cradle his head against her shoulder. She really didn’t understand what was happening to her. She wondered why she felt this magnetic pull toward him. She barely knew him and yet she knew without any doubt that if his life were threatened she would give up her own in an instant to save him just as she knew that their meeting was not by chance. They were supposed to be together.
She looked up at him, the love for him in her eyes though she did not know it was showing so plainly on her face.
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Solo
Apprentice Cook
No! Seriously?
Posts: 82
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Post by Solo on Jan 31, 2011 13:20:59 GMT -5
Ivy slept longer than she had intended--when she awoke, Bunt had returned at some point and the sun was shining well into the sky. She scrambled to her feet with a muttered curse for her laziness, and proceeded to trip over Do-over who had joined her over the course of the night. A quick whispered appology, and scratch behind the ears confirmed that he would fogive her and she stepped out of the stable to streach and look around.
She saw two of the Skandians from yesterday just striding up to the door with what looked like food--breakfast was apparently taken care of--so she ducked back into the stable and looked over the horses. Those that could use a grooming got it while she fed and watered them, then turned them all out into the pasture to graze, while she cleaned the stalls. Only once she was finished did she head inside. She stopped long enough to wash her hands and face, then entered into the domain of Rangers and Skandians.
Well, wonderful! It looked like everyone but Miss Stuck-Up was awake and--oh, there she was, hanging half-over the balcony rail. "If you really wanted to come down and hang out down here, today, I coulda helped you out last night." Ivy muttered rebeliously to herself as she trudged over to the kitchen. She scraped the last of the stew into a dish she used for feeding Do-over, poured some milk into another for the two fluffballs called kittens, then headed upstairs to feed the cats.
Reaching the loft, she set the bowl of milk down near Tory's bed for the two kittens to drink from while she took Do-over's to the other side of the room and fed him there. With that much distance he would be more likely to leave the milk to the kittens. Stroking her cats fur with one hand, she reached up and ran her fingers through her hair, loosing the stray pieces of straw that had tangled in it during her nap in the barn.
Eying Tory with a skeptical and wary eye, she asked gruffly, "Want me to bring your breakfast up here when we get ready to eat?"
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Post by Firehead on Feb 8, 2011 13:27:32 GMT -5
"Hello Mylia," said Ogmund, Ve are all having some coffee ant I tink Ari and Smidja iss bringing some of de breakfast vit dem shortly, dat vas de plan anyvay vy don't you get yourself some coffee too ant see if Tory needs anyting she is avake ant a little put out dat she can't be sittin down here vit us! He said with a chuckle.
Mylia gave an agreeable nod and called up to her, "How you doin' up there, Tory? Need anything besides breakfast?" she grinned, a twinkle lighting her eyes.
Behind her, Mylia heard the door open and turned to see Smidja and Ari entering. The twinkle persisted as she greeted them. "Hallo there! Bread and butter for breakfast? Anyone want some oatmeal to go with that? Its easy to whip up."
Behind the two newcomers, Mylia saw Ivy enter the house, look around and mutter something under her breath as she headed for the stove. Mylia had no idea what Ivy intended to do with the leftovers and the bowl of milk, but when she remembered the cats, she felt she had a good idea of who was going to eat it.
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Post by Ringulf on Feb 8, 2011 16:13:45 GMT -5
After Aribjorn and Ringulf had made their aquaintance Ari went back to the kitchen and moved to Mylia.
"Goot morning Mylia how dit you sleep? You seem to be one of de first up today!
Here let me help you vet de breakfast, ve can take it up to Tory. Um...Ogmund mentioned dat she ant de Ivy girl are not getting along very vell maybe ve can help make tings a little easy on de two. After breakfast maybe ve can bring Tory down by de fire ant ve go see to de ponies. I got to get dem up here in de pasture and Ranger Bunt said I could bring dem anytime I vant."
They got everything together for four servings and both young people carried a plate in each hand as they went up the stairs.
"OK ve got de breakfast here Ivy I did not know if you ate yet so I brought you vone andt Tory here is yours. I tink if you vould like Tory ve vill carry your litter down to de fire so you can be part of everyting. I don't know how long dey vill let Ringulf stay out of his bed but you can spend some time vit him andt Ogmunt could better look after bote of you den.
Ivy I don't know vat Ranger Bunt has for you but you are velcome to come vit Mylia ant I to bring de ponies up here to de pasture, You have a Ranger pony too ya? maybe you can help us, der are six of dem ant de might be easy to bring up if ve hat tree of us."
Ari took his plate from Mylia and set it down by Tory.
I vil go get de Milk ant some more bread ant butter, I be back in a little." He said as he launched himself down the stairs leaving the three girls alone for a bit.
When he returned he had four wooden cups of milk and a loaf of bread crooked in his elbow, amound of butter on a small plate in the other and a knife sticking out of it.
"Dis is goot I tink I vill be a jonguler instead of a Knight you tink? ha ha ha!
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Post by Brandwyn on Feb 9, 2011 15:51:45 GMT -5
Tory carefully held herself half upright with one arm draped over the railing so she could see and hear what was going on downstairs. The kittens were in her legs and Ivy’s scraggly-looking tom cat was eyeing her warily from the corner as if he were unsure if she was safe or not. Normally Tory would try to entice the cat to her so she could pet it, but given Ivy’s reactions already, she didn’t want to make Ivy think she was trying to steal her pet, so she refrained.
‘Speaking of… in comes Ivy now,’ Tory thought and schooled her face to an impassive look to hide the clenching of her stomach and the frown that otherwise would have shown. She wasn’t sure what had gone wrong between them. She didn’t want to fight with the girl, but she wasn’t going to be pushed around either. As she watched Ivy in the kitchen Tory determined she would give it one more try to make friends. If that failed, then so be it. She hoped it wouldn’t though. If they were both going to be rangers, they would have to deal with each other for many years to come, if nowhere else than at the ranger gatherings each year. So, one more effort it would be.
She watched Ivy warily as the girl set the milk on the floor and then gave the stew to Do-over. Tory sat the two kittens down at the bowl of milk, trying not to move around overly much. Her cut was itching dreadfully in several places but she knew that was a good sign. It meant it was starting to heal. She was just about to apologize when Ivy spoke; Eying Tory with a skeptical and wary eye, she asked gruffly, "Want me to bring your breakfast up here when we get ready to eat?"
Surprised, Tory didn’t answer at first. She opened her mouth to answer just as Mylia called up, "How you doin' up there, Tory? Need anything besides breakfast?" and closed her mouth again, a half smile at Ivy on her lips. Softly she said, “I think Mylia is going to beat you to it, but thanks for the offer.” Cautiously she continued, “I am sorry I kept you awake last night. I didn’t mean to. It just seems like I have been sleeping for days because that Skandian woman drugged me.” She sighed, “Mostly I just hate sitting around and doing nothing. I wish there was some way I could help out without it messing my cut up again.”
Then the door opened yet again and in walked Aribjorn and another Skandian that Tory thought might have been the captain of the Knarr she’d been on, but her memory of the past two days was a little sketchy. Besides, she really had eyes only for Ari anyway. She watched him move to the kitchen and talk to Mylia, though she couldn’t hear what they were saying. He had brought food and it smelled wonderful as the aroma wafted up into the rafters of the cabin.
“Well it looks like you didn’t have to make breakfast afterall.” Tory said to Ivy. “I am sorry you had to sleep in the barn. I never meant to oust you out of your own house. Although sometimes it is better in the barn…” her voice trailed off and that old haunted look came back into her eyes. “He never could find me when I slept in Dodger’s stall…” she muttered to herself and then shook the unwanted memory from her thoughts as she heard Mylia and Ari coming up the stairs.
"OK ve got de breakfast here Ivy I did not know if you ate yet so I brought you vone andt Tory here is yours. I tink if you vould like Tory ve vill carry your litter down to de fire so you can be part of everyting. I don't know how long dey vill let Ringulf stay out of his bed but you can spend some time vit him andt Ogmunt could better look after bote of you den.
Ivy I don't know vat Ranger Bunt has for you but you are velcome to come vit Mylia ant I to bring de ponies up here to de pasture, You have a Ranger pony too ya? maybe you can help us, der are six of dem ant de might be easy to bring up if ve hat tree of us."
Ari took his plate from Mylia and set it down by Tory.
“Thanks Ari and Mylia!” Tory carefully sat up and leaned her back against the railing, crossing her legs on the bed to make room for Ari. “I would like that, thanks!” She answered him. Then felt a bit jealous when he asked Ivy to go with him and Mylia to get the horses. “Aw gee, I wish I could go too. I am going to miss all the fun.”
“I vil go get de Milk ant some more bread ant butter, I be back in a little." Ari said as he launched himself down the stairs leaving the three girls alone for a bit.
Tory ate her food quickly but with some delicacy so as not to look like a pig, but she was very hungry for some odd reason. She wondered if it had anything to do with those drugs Fin had given her.
When Ari returned he had four wooden cups of milk and a loaf of bread crooked in his elbow, amound of butter on a small plate in the other and a knife sticking out of it.
"Dis is goot I tink I vill be a jonguler instead of a Knight you tink? ha ha ha!
Tory laughed as she gratefully took the milk. “Thanks. This is great food, Aribjorn.” She finished up and set the bowl down for the cats to lick out. “Is there anything I can do to help with the horses? I could soap leather maybe – clean their halters or something?” She asked him. “I am going to be soooo bored sitting around inside all day.”
From downstairs she heard Bunt’s voice carry over the general clamor below, “No yer won’t girl. I got a pile-o-potatoes needs peelin for dinner tonight. You an’ Ivy are gonna get ‘em all ready after she goes an helps that young whippersnapper get his nags up here.” Bunt winked at Ringulf, a twinkle in his eye, but saved a glare for the girls upstairs.
Tory sighed and said to Ivy, “now I am really, truly sorry I kept you up last night. I hate peeling potatoes.” She crossed her arms and slumped back against the railing.
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Post by Ringulf on Feb 14, 2011 16:20:36 GMT -5
Turning back to Ringulf Bunt said, “Fin ain’t no Valkyrie, though. She is jes a Skandian merchant travelling through these here parts. She has her merchant wagon set up in the square back in town. Not even sure how she happen’t ta git so involved in all o’ this anyhow.” Bunt mused, thinking back on the day’s events. “Guess Fin must’ve jes felt ya’ll needed her help. She seems ta have some gift with medicines and the like.” Bunt looked to Ogmund, “Does that bout cover everything?” he asked the Skandian.
"Vell dat covers alot of it anyhow if radder briefly! " said Ogmund with a smile at the quaint folksy nature of Bunt the Ranger of Caraway.
"Well you all can say what you will about her, as far as you know she is just a Skandian Merchant who just happened to be in Caraway, coincidentaly finding the exact moment to be nursing my wounds as the Allfather let me fall back to this plain. Of course the fact that the same face was looking into my eyes before and after they opened and the only thing that changed was her garb, most likely had nothing to do with reality and was just an illusion conjured by a dying man....Yeah all seems a bit to accurate to all be superstitious delusion don't you think? Ringulf quipped sarchastically.
"Maybe Ringulf I have heard tales of a Valkyrie escorting a varrior back from Valhal to the land of the living ven de Alfadder sent him back to accomplish a purpose. De Valkyrie sometimes stays, ant sometimes just delivers dem ant goes, but if she stays she usually stays to help de varrior complete his task, den escorts him back to the Halls of de dead ven it is complete." Ogmund offered. Then he met Bunts pragmatic scowl.
"Vat!? It could happen Ranger Bunt! You may be very practical in de vays of dis vorld but in our country ve have many gods and dey have many servants! tings happen more den you tink ant ve humans neet to see not only vat happens in de physical but in de spirit vorld as vell! I only got vone eye but efen I can see dat clear enough!"
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Post by Brandwyn on Feb 18, 2011 13:53:36 GMT -5
"Well you all can say what you will about her, as far as you know she is just a Skandian Merchant who just happened to be in Caraway, coincidentally finding the exact moment to be nursing my wounds as the Allfather let me fall back to this plain. Of course the fact that the same face was looking into my eyes before and after they opened and the only thing that changed was her garb, most likely had nothing to do with reality and was just an illusion conjured by a dying man....Yeah all seems a bit too accurate to all be superstitious delusion don't you think? Ringulf quipped sarcastically.
Bunt just smirked at that. It was a rather long-standing old argument between them. Ringulf was much more the spiritual man and Bunt far more the practical man and they often got into debates on religion or the lack thereof. Bunt wasn’t in the mood to argue today however, feeling that Ringulf probably needed rest rather than to get all worked up.
Ogmund chimed in on Ringulf’s side and so Bunt just shrugged, “I s’pose anything is possible. I jes don’ wanna see ya put too much ridin’ on this girl an specting too much from her. She’s purty an all, but ya can’t know her well enough yet ta know if’n she is an angel or Valkerie or whatever ya northern lads call ‘em.” Bunt argued. “I jes don wanna see ya get hurt and ya know me; ifn I can’t see it with my own two eyes then I have one hell of a time believin’ it exists.”
Their conversation was interrupted, however with the arrival of Smidja and Aribjorn and shortly after with Mylia and then Finn. Bunt eyed Finn warily when she scolded Ringulf and had to put his hand over his mouth in a mock cough to hide his laugh at her indignation. If Ringulf and she were truly falling in love, he was going to have one interesting life ahead of him. Bunt sure wouldn’t want to have Finn’s ire directed at him, no siree!
Bunt gave Ari and Smidja a hand in the kitchen and laid out the breakfast on the table, setting aside a plate for Tory which Aribjorn offered to take upstairs before Mylia could beat him to it. Bunt watched and listened to the youngsters in the loft while he ate, expecting another eruption between Tory and Ivy, but it seemed that none was forthcoming afterall.
He heard Tory remark, “Is there anything I can do to help with the horses? I could soap leather maybe – clean their halters or something?” She asked him. “I am going to be soooo bored sitting around inside all day.”
Bunt couldn’t hold back the grin at the corners of his mouth as he retorted, “No yer won’t girl. I got a pile-o-potatoes needs peelin for dinner tonight. You an’ Ivy are gonna get ‘em all ready after she goes an helps that young whippersnapper get his nags up here.” Bunt winked at Ringulf, a twinkle in his eye, but saved a glare for the girls upstairs.
“Ivy, you and Mylia there can wash all these dishes after we git done eatin an’ before ya go fetch those ponies.” He looked to Ringulf to see if he would mind having his apprentice ordered around by his old friend. Bunt believed that teenagers were best when kept busy and that it was when they didn’t have any job to do that they seemed to get into trouble.
Bunt turned to Fin and studied her for a moment, the earlier conversation on his mind. Was it possible she really was a Valkyrie sent here to help Ringulf and brought him back from the dead? Bunt found that hard to believe, even though the woman looked a great deal like the alleged angels of the Allfather that the Skandians worshiped. He finally dismissed the idea as just a delusion from an old friend who had gotten a severe knock on the head. Let Ringulf believe it if he wanted to, though. Bunt supposed it wouldn’t hurt him any. He wondered if Fin had heard any of the conversation, she certainly didn’t act as if she had. Maybe he would just flat out ask her if she was one if they ever got the chance.
“Fin, ya best take a look at Tory’s wound afor you go back ta yer wagon in the Square.” Bunt said while trying to catch a piece of bacon and a slice of apple that was running around the edge of his plate. “What with that scuffle tween them two girls last night, she might’ve done some damage to it.” He finally caught the food on his fork and plopped it into his mouth before it could escape again.
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Post by Ringulf on Feb 22, 2011 20:55:17 GMT -5
"Good Morning Finn are you alright you slept deeply I did not want to disturb your rest, Ogmund helped me get out here and make you more comfortable so you could sleep." He then looked into Ogmunds eye and the quick Skald picked up without any pause.
"Ya Fin you seemed viped out an could not haf been to comfortable sleepin de vay you did so ve...I got you all snuggled in your bed to catch a few hours vitout dis muskox under neet you. den I brought him out here and he has been resting like a goot patient since, even seems like he is remembering some tings..."
"Vell ve don't need to get into all dat," said Smidja interupting the sometimes all to verbose Skald. "It is goot to see you all up ant arount, now I tink ve got some plannin to do! Ve got to get dose ponies up here ant I tink de young folk haf dat under control, Ve neet to make arrangements for de party to go to Araluen vich means ve neet to talk vet Ranger Tandar, Fin ven do you tink Miss Tory vill be able to ride again I suppose ve must plan arount dat for sure..."
"I should be right as rain in a few days..." interjected Ringulf, but the collective heads that turned on him sharply made him stop and quickly raise his coffee mug to his lips in order to hide.
"I am just stating de obvious, I do not mean to pretend to be in charge, Ranger Bunt you are de highest ranking Ranger dat is still on his or her feet ant as dis is a ranger matter you should haf de floor I just vant to finnish my part in dis situation do some trading and get de hell back to Skandia before the storm season starts."
At that point all eyes turned to Bunt who was at the moment looking rather intently at Fin.
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Post by Brandwyn on Feb 22, 2011 23:46:24 GMT -5
Bunt saw that Ringulf had noticed him studying Fin and that Ringulf looked just a might be jealous or something. Bunt wasn’t sure exactly what that look was on his old friend’s face. He shrugged and said,”What? I was just trying to figure out if she was really a Valkyrie or not.”
Fin looked at him, startled, and then to Ringulf. “Are ye talkin’ aboot meh?” she asked incredulously. “I am no Valkyrie! Though I da not tink our meeting vwas by accident, Ringulf. Vwe are destined ta be togedder, Ah can feel it.” She shifted her gaze to Ringulf, wondering if he felt the same.
Bunt looked back and forth between them and had to admit that she might be onto something. It certainly seemed uncanny the way they seemed to be drawn to each other. Though practical, he had learned over the years not to tempt fate and that some things were just too coincidental to be mere coincidences. He wasn’t sure what directed them, be it fate, some God or gods or something else, but there were some things that happened that just seemed to be planned out.
Pulling his thoughts back to Smidja’s observations, Bunt thought for a moment and then tried to address them. “Yeah, Fin, you an’ the doc should figure out when Tory fit ‘nough ta ride ta Araluen cuz she is the experienced horseperson in the group so I heard tell, so she’s gotta go with them there ponies. Til then, the other two girls can practice their ranger skills.” Bunt directed.
“I’ll send word ta Tandar ta drop by today. Hopefully he will be able ta tell us if he is figuring ta ride back ta Araluen with the young folk.” Bunt should have time to write up a lengthy report on his findings in Caraway so far to send along with them to Crowley. “I don’ like the thought of them runnin’ round out there on their own.”
“Vwell, Ah vwould say Tory vwon’t be ready for at least two vweeks, maybe longer.” Fin answered. “Ringulf shouldn’t tink aboot it for at least a month.” Fin figured it would be impossible to keep Ringulf lying around for a month, but that really was what would be best for him.
"I should be right as rain in a few days..." interjected Ringulf, but the collective heads that turned on him sharply made him stop and quickly raise his coffee mug to his lips in order to hide.
“An dat jes proves how much of a bonk ye took on yer noggin.” Fin declared solemnly, trying not to sound like a nagging wife. She didn’t know Ringulf anywhere near well enough to interfere, but since they were asking for her meager help and medical opinion, she felt obligated to tell them the truth. She would do her best to force him to stay in bed, but short of hog-tying him to it; she doubted anyone would be able to keep him resting as long as he needed to.
Bunt nodded, “I think she’s right, ole buddy, yer not going anywhere fer a while. Aribjorn should be able to get them ponies to Araluen with Tory’s help. Meanst while, there are chores that need a doing!” Bunt looked around the cabin making note of needed repairs. “Ah should be able ta keep al tree of them kids busy til Tory can ride.” He chuckled.
“Now that breakfast is over, Aribjorn, why don’ ya come up ta the castle with me an give a report on last night and then we will swing by Tandar’s father’s estate and drop off a message to him.” Bunt directed. “Fin, go an’ have a look at Tory and give us a good estimate on her recovery.” Bunt scratched his head a moment and looked around the room. “Ogmund, carry that ranger girl down here and set her up with a couple bowls and a knife so’s she can start peelin them there potatoes in that bag out on the porch.”
Bunt knew Ivy and Mylia were going to be needed to move the ponies, so he gestured to them, “You two come on with us and git the ponies on the way back down from the castle. It would be a good idear fer ya ta see how ta da a report on a crime, then ya both is off to peel potatoes fer supper with Tory.” Bunt considered for a moment more, “maybe Tory know some good recipe fer cookin a mountain of taters.” Bunt winked at her, wanting her to be included.
Fin nodded, “Okay. Ah go see Tory now ant take a look.” She stood up and turned to go up the stairs but then paused. “Ah haf ta get back ta meh shop. Ah haf a commission ta get done.” Finn said and then looked to Smidja, “you ant I haft a talk, Smidja. Ah haf a great many questions ant ideas dat Ah vwould like ta share with you.” She glanced at Ringulf, hoping he wouldn’t mind.
Then she bounded up the stairs to take a look at Tory before Ogmund carried her downstairs. Fin wasn’t so sure Tory should be sitting up and peeling potatoes. She would have to see the wound and find out if it was healing or not before she would give the okay.
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Post by Ringulf on Feb 23, 2011 0:24:10 GMT -5
Bunt saw that Ringulf had noticed him studying Fin and that Ringulf looked just a might be jealous or something. Bunt wasn’t sure exactly what that look was on his old friend’s face. He shrugged and said,”What? I was just trying to figure out if she was really a Valkyrie or not.”
Fin looked at him, startled, and then to Ringulf. “Are ye talkin’ aboot meh?” she asked incredulously. “I am no Valkyrie! Though I da not tink our meeting vwas by accident, Ringulf. Vwe are destined ta be togedder, Ah can feel it.” She shifted her gaze to Ringulf, wondering if he felt the same.
Ringulf's face though normally rather ruddy began to flush with embarassment and the ever shrinking coffee mug rose to his lips. The thing did not seem nearly large enough to hide behind. He gave a week smile and a shrug about the Valkyrie part to Fin, then a warmer more enthusiastic nod about their being together. Then he shot a fiery look over his now empty mug at his freind Bunt for embarassing him.
“Now that breakfast is over, Aribjorn, why don’ ya come up ta the castle with me an give a report on last night and then we will swing by Tandar’s father’s estate and drop off a message to him.” Bunt directed.
"Ya Bunt I tink dat is a good idea ve can talk a bit on de vay up dere I hadt some qvestions I needed to ask you anyvay." Said Aribjorn.
“Fin, go an’ have a look at Tory and give us a good estimate on her recovery.” Bunt scratched his head a moment and looked around the room. “Ogmund, carry that ranger girl down here and set her up with a couple bowls and a knife so’s she can start peelin them there potatoes in that bag out on the porch.”
Ogmand nodded to Bunt and rose to go up the stairs as Fin spoke.
“Okay. Ah go see Tory now ant take a look.” She stood up and turned to go up the stairs but then paused. “Ah haf ta get back ta meh shop. Ah haf a commission ta get done.” Finn said and then looked to Smidja, “you ant I haft a talk, Smidja. Ah haf a great many questions ant ideas dat Ah vwould like ta share with you.” She glanced at Ringulf, hoping he wouldn’t mind.
Ringulf gave her a wink and a smile to reasure her that he had no problems with her going off with Smidja to take care of her buisiness.
Though he did have a passing thought of how much of a flirt the old seadog could be at times, he knew Smidja would be all buisiness as long as there was buisiness and that Fin could handle his amorous nature in any case.
"I vill vait for you here Fin ant ve will go to your vagon aftervards, Ari give Ogmund a hand I tink de stairs are vide enough for you both to make a hand chair dat will be easier on her and make it safer for all.
They followed Fin up to see Tory but Fin stoped them on the top step and they turned their backs as she examined the girls wound.
When on board the Harrmarr Aribjorn had seen that wound countless times and the whole of Tory at least once but now it was only polite to give the girls their space and be gentlemen, which is not a concept entirely lost on a Skandian contrary to popular belief!
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Post by Brandwyn on Mar 9, 2011 12:58:28 GMT -5
Fin nodded her head as she examined Tory’s wound. Tory studied her face to determine if maybe it was worse than what Aribjorn had told her the previous day, but if it was, Fin didn’t show it. Fin covered her back up and Tory watched her stand up, “Well?” she asked.
“It looks quite vwell dis morning. Der is vwon spot dat is open, but I tink vwe leave it since it seems ta be draining avway dey bad juices. De rest is healing nicely.” Fin smiled at her. “Jes keep quiet today ant Ah vwill come back tonight ant change da seaweed dressings. Ah tink two more days of bed rest ant den maybe ya can start moving aboot a little bit vwitout hurting it.”
“Two days?” Tory wailed and then crossed her arms, her lips jutting out in a pout. “I will go insane if I have to lie here for two more days.” She glanced at Aribjorn and blushed a bit, realizing she was acting like a baby. “I hope Bunt can find something for me to do besides peeling potatoes for two days. I really hate lying around doing nothing.”
Fin smiled apologetically, “Vwell maybe Ah can show you how to carve tings for jewelry making later dis evening. Ah carve critters and tings out of wax and den make molds from dem and cast dem in different metals like silver, copper ant gold. Vwould you find dat interesting?”
“Oh yes!” Tory smiled back. “I would love to learn how to do that. I don’t know how good I will be, but I would love it.” Tory liked to make things and she was always up for finding a new skill to learn. She picked up her satchel that was lying on the floor by the bed and looped the handle over her neck, then grabbed the two kittens and held them in her lap as Ogmund and Aribjorn carried her down the stairs behind Fin.
She was very conscious of Aribjorn’s hands holding her and of how close he was and she didn’t want to show it, but even that innocent touch set her heart to racing. She tried to remain calm with a serene look on her face, but knew she was blushing in spite of her attempt at control. If he only knew what she was thinking about him, well, he probably wouldn’t think she was such a good little girl. She coughed to cover up a giggle at the thought. To cover up her embarrassment she said, “I hope I am well enough to travel very soon so we can get those ponies of yours to Araluen. I miss my horse, Chip, terribly. I hope he is okay. I don’t like others taking care of him.”
They settled her at the dining table next to the fire and soon Tory was making quick work of the huge bag of potatoes sitting in the chair next to her. If there was one thing she had an infinite amount of experience with, it was peeling potatoes and though she found it tedious, she was amazingly fast. It was her plan to have them all peeled before Ivy got back with the horses so the other girl wouldn’t have to get saddled with the chore.
Meanwhile Fin strode over to Ringulf and knelt down in front of him for a moment, placing her hands on the couch on each side of him, she looked him straight in the eye and said very softly so that hopefully he was the only one who could hear, “Ah am going ta vwork now ant I expect ya ta be here or in dat bed vwhen Ah get back.” She raised her eyebrow inquisitively. “No vwandering aboot, ya promise?” She asked, although it was more like an order than a question. The look in her eye promised that he would regret it if he didn’t follow her suggestion and she caught him up and walking around. Then she gently kissed him on the forehead and stood up, flashing Ringulf a smile, she took Smidja by the arm and marched him out of the cabin, “Now, aboot dos business arrangements…”
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Bunt gathered up dishes while Fin was checking on Tory and washed them. When the dishes were clean he called up to Ivy and Mylia, “Yer gals ready ter go git them ponies of Aribjorn’s?” He grabbed his bow, quiver and ranger bag and slung the gear over his shoulders in their appropriate locations. Donning his heavy cloak over everything he checked to see if the others were ready.
“We best go git that report done first, Aribjorn, afore we go out to the Polaris Estate.” Bunt led the way up the trail and toward the castle of Caraway in the center of the city. “So, Lad, what was on yer mind?”
They passed by the place where Fin was attacked and Bunt paused for a moment, making note of the prints and setting the scene in his mind as he had imaginied it to have happened. The bodies had been removed, most likely by the Skandian’s who offered to clean up. After that they began to enter the outskirts of the city and the occasional shop. Most of this area was just houses, however, and some were more lively than others.
They passed a few shops until they crossed one of the roads that circled around to the quay where all the ships were docked. Bunt led them straight across, but pointed out to Arijorn that if he needed to get to the waterfront in a hurry, that would be the road to take if coming from the cabin. Then the shops they passed grew more numerous and the houses were in better repair. There were fewer street urchins and the people looked more affluent in this section of town. Bunt took it all in, including the presence of two people on the rooftops, but you wouldn’t know it from looking at him. He seemed totally oblivious to everything going on around him except his conversation with Aribjorn, but in reality he wasn’t missing a thing.
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Post by Ringulf on Apr 27, 2011 20:34:06 GMT -5
Ari and Bunt had been making smalltalk as he was not really sure of his exact question. There were in fact many, like the several he had about the rangers. The service, for instance and how it ran, how it was set up. He never knew they allowed girls and now that he had seen these "ranger girls" he was starting to become quite interested in them. They were clever and resourseful, brave and fairly skillfull to be able to fight and shoot and ride and all. The women of Skandia were also strong and could be very skilled even in warefare when the time came for it, but in Skandia the resposibilties for a man and a woman devide at the threshhold. The man's responsability faced out to the hold, the farm, the livestock, the ships, the comunity, the men and such. The woman's world faced in to the home and all it's resposibilities, cooking, cleaning, sewing, and making or repairing garments and household items. The produce from the livestock and the gardens, the slaves who helped run everything and the larder as well as the brewery and it's contents. Yes the could and did pick up spear or bow to defend the home or stand beside her man but normally she had much to much to do to go take on any of her man's duties.
Yet these Ranger girls lived much like the men....yet he noticed the certainly were women.
How was he to handle these girls, what was appropriate, what were the boundries or guidlines or customes regarding their interaction, their domestic arrangements. This was unexplored country to him and he spent quite a bit of time stamering and restarting before he got it all out to the patient quiet old Ranger.
Finally he said to Bunt. "I am sorry sir dese tings must be very insignificant to you but I am afraid I just don't know who to ask and yet alot may ride on de vay I handle dese tings diplomatically. Please sir I would appreciate your wisdom in dis."
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