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Post by Ringulf on Nov 25, 2010 20:42:34 GMT -5
Spray flew up in a curtain of white and rained heavily down on Geir as he stood in the prow of the Skandian ship.
Geir looked back at the men at the helm. Smidja Myrkvatn had the helm at the moment, he was the captain of the Harrmarr or "Seahorse" as it would be translated from the Skandian.
Smidja looked back down at the young man and thought,
"So dis is vat I am reduced to, a vet nurse and a ferry boat for all de boys in Skandia who vish to go to Araluen!"
He thought about the last few months.
The Harrmarr had not been back in Bjornholt for long at all Smidja had barely had time to resupply and sell his cargo from Caraway Fife in Araluen.
He had gone to Jarl Haakon and told him of the previous voyage to take his son, Aribjorn, to Areluen to be admitted into Battleschool.
He also informed him of his kinsman Ringulf and his story and gave him the Helm that Ringulf had sent as a gift.
He had loaded the Harrmarr with trade goods for his new venture with the Skandian woman Fin he had met in Caraway and was preparing to spend a few quiet days fishing for salmon when he was totally interrupted by several of his warrior crew barging into his home with a young man whom he had from time to time taught and worked with, an apprentice to the Jarl's Huntsman.
The Huntsman had been murdered and the young man Geir was on the run from a very dangerous foe, a berserker that was oathsworn to kill him. The warriors had whisked him away to protect him from the searching enemies that would surely kill him as soon as he was found.
As soon as his story was told Smidja immediatly had a plan. He started to bark out orders to his men to grab this and take that and told Geir to go into the apprentices dormitory which was at the moment empty and grab some extra clothing from the chest as well as a thick wool cloak from off the pegs by the door and they all went en mass down to the quay and boarded the Harrmarr.
They all watched keenly, swords at the ready, bows strung until the final provisions had been loaded aboard, then off they went in the night bound for the port of Marshwood on the Northern coast of Araluen.
They had been fortunate to sneak out of the port without a fight and Smidja had passed the word to the locals not to allow their destination to become known to the enemy. Hopefully for Geir that would remain a secret.
It was in Smidja's mind to bring Geir to his friends in Marshwood A ranger named Ringulf who was actually kin to his Jarl, and a woman he had met on his last trip, Fin who was a blacksmith and jewelry maker who was now starting to distribute goods for Smidja using her Skandian charm and knowledge of Araluen to move his wares much faster for a cut of the profits.
Smidja looked back down on the boy, more man than boy and realized he was also wrapped up in visions of his past as he stood on deck peering into the grey sky and leaden water.
Geir was brought out of his daydream with a cold wet dowsing of spray. He had been playing over the last few months in his mind and the events that had brought him to this point. He folded his threadbare red cloak about him and retired to the aft deck. It was going to be a long passage and it seemed that their forced departure had put them in less than optimum weather for the crossing.
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Post by Ringulf on Dec 1, 2010 1:08:41 GMT -5
The crossing was long and rough but uneventful. Smidja made landfall exactly on the promontory they had watered the Harrmarr on the last trip, but this time they pressed on toward the port of Marshwood so they did not run afoul of another Scotti border patrol.
The next day early before the sun had chased away the mists of the dawn, they saw the many masts sticking up out of the low lying fog that clung to the warm surface of the water in the cool morning air.
Smidja found a bit of a cove around the south end of the harbor that had no bulkheading just a natural sandy beach that rose gently to a grassy field. he knew that beyond that Field he would strike the road that wound around to the rangers cabin.
he drove in on the height of the tide as far as the Harrmarr would sail before he started to hear her keel begin to ground out, then he pushed hard on the steerboard and spun the ship 90 degrees so it came to rest parallel to the shoreline with the prow outward toward the mouth of the harbor, and had the crew drop the large square sail upon the turning of the ship.
The ship gently leaned to starboard as if bowing to allow them to disembark. They slid a long plank over the gunnel that was made up of three boards at least a foot or so wide each and nailed across them at intervals of about a foot and a half was many thwarts that both bound the planks together and made it easier to walk down even when wet.
"Rolf go to de market squvare ant hire two carters ant bring dem down here to de ship, de rest of you remove de cargo ant place it in de two piles I tolt you about before, red marked cargo in one cart ant blue in de odder, de red goes to de market squvare de blue to de ranger cabin, ve vill be at de cabin if you have any quvestions. Come on Geir grab your tings ve are gonna show your your new home! (vit any luck)" That last part he said under his breath.
Geir grabbed his weapons, his bow and his quiver full of arrows and his small bag of clothing and sundries and followed Smidja down the gangplank and along the beach then up onto the Field and to the road.
"Smidja," Geir said when he had caught up not quite having his land legs back. "How do you know dis Ringulf vill allow me to stay vit him, ve never got a chance to ask him ant vat happens if he vill not allow it?"
"Don't vorry Geir Ringulf vill not deny me even if he would deny you, but he vill not deny eider of us because he knows vat I am asking is a point of honor ant hospitality, besides he was in much de same place in his life vell before your age. If none of dat vorks show him de bow den shoot it ant pray it is a good shot!"
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Post by Ringulf on Dec 2, 2010 20:46:05 GMT -5
Smidja and Geir walked up to the big ranger cabin. Like Caraway's ranger cabin, Marshwood fife's cabin was rather large not only because it was first built as a families cabin but also because there was a great room that was used for meetings and gatherings for not only Rangers but Marshwardens as well. The Marshwardens all reported to the Fife's ranger as their ranking officer for all day to day operations, but the Harbourmaster was a joint chief with the Ranger for overall leadership of the force.
They stopped in front of the cabin at the fieldstone wall that bordered the plot facing the road. A wooden arch was constructed above the rock wall at the gate and the wooden gate was already swung in and open.
They heard some noises coming from the rear of the building so they followed the sound around back.
They saw a large wagon that was being repaired by a very strong, muscular woman. She was working up a glistening sheen which was quite evident as she wore only what she needed for the sake of modesty and protection while she worked. She wore a brown leather apron on her front, but at the moment the bib was flopped forward as she was not at the forge. She wore large leather gauntlets almost to her elbows and a light brown chamois leather halter top that seemed to strain under the weight of her ample but muscular bust. Her midriff was bare down to the apron and under it was a pair of short leather pants that came down to just below her knees where a pair of brown leather soft boots were fastened by criss cross lacing up her calf to tie below her knickers. Her long reddish blond hair hung in a braid to well below her buttocks and was tied with a thong at the bottom. She had a band around her head to keep the sweat from her eyes and her hair up out of her face as well.
"Dat is Fin, my partner!" said Smidja softly to Geir but a bit boastfully when he saw the youths mouth drop at the sight of the woman.
"Close your mout you look like a codfish, do you vant her to tink you are simple or someting? Smidja said gruffly.
"Allo Fin dear girl, how are you doing? It is so good to see you but ver is Ringulf?" Smidja said as he walked up to her and hugged her like a long lost relative.
Smidja was a little "touchy feely" with the pretty girls but as he was quite old and most felt he was harmless and took no offense.
"Fin I vould like you to meet my young friend Geir He was the apprentice to the Huntsman of Jarl Haakon in Bjornholt."
"I am...pleased to meet you Miss Fin." Geir said politely if a bit bashfully.
"Is Ringulf here I neet to talk vith him about de boy ant I neet to speak to you about de cart load of merchandise dat is rollin up from de south beach right now for you!" He said with a wink and a chuckle.
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Post by Brandwyn on Dec 6, 2010 22:03:04 GMT -5
"Allo Fin dear girl, how are you doing? It is so good to see you but ver is Ringulf?" Smidja said as he walked up to her and hugged her like a long lost relative.
Fin set the traces on the ground and straightened at the sound of the familiar voice behind her. Her face lit up as she recognized the Captain of the Knarr Harrmarr. “Smidja!” Fin exclaimed as she returned the hug, giving him a great squeeze with her powerful arms. “Ah did not expect yah back so soon, but it be great ta see yah once again.” She looked at his companion. “Did yah sprout a son near fully grown vwhile yah vwere avway?” She teased him.
"Fin I vould like you to meet my young friend Geir He was the apprentice to the Huntsman of Jarl Haakon in Bjornholt."
"I am...pleased to meet you Miss Fin." Geir said politely if a bit bashfully.
Fin smiled at him and shook his hand, her grip so firm that it likely made his fingers tingle a bit. “Ah am also pleast tah meet yah, Geir. Yah can call meh Fin jus’ like everyone else does.” She winked at Smidja. “So are yah anoder relative of mey beloved Ringulf?” Fin asked Geir. She was beginning to think Ringulf had relatives springing up out of the mushrooms down in the marshes. But she could hardly talk. Although her immediate family was not large, she had no less than 30 cousins, and possibly quite a few more since the last time she had seen any of them. “Ah must say dat yah speak der language here much better dan I.” she smiled at Geir. “Vwere did yah learn it?”
"Is Ringulf here I neet to talk vith him about de boy ant I neet to speak to you about de cart load of merchandise dat is rollin up from de south beach right now for you!" He said with a wink and a chuckle.
Fin shook her head, “he ant Mylia haf already left for dah Faire in Whitby. Rin is still not recoveredt from his injury fully. He vwas supposet tah take it easy on da vway dere. Mylia vwas supposet tah make sure he did.” Fin picked up the traces for her wagon again and eyed the place where the long pole was supposed to connect to the wagon. The wear on it always seemed to crack the pole and then the traces would come off and the horses would go one way and the wagon another with no way to stear it or stop it. Fin had fixed it twice already and had decided it was a design flaw. She had examined it this time and was planning to make some metal parts to keep the thing attached to the wagon. Until then, though, she had to get the thing back together so she could get on the road to the faire herself.
She grinned at Smidja, “yah mean dat yah already got da merchandise vwe talked aboot?” Fin could hardly believe it. “Yah are a vwizard, Smidja, a true vwizard tah haf come up wit all dat stuff in so short a time.” She shoved on the trace and got it nearly lined back up. “Can yah give me a hand wit dis and vwe can go take a look.” She handed him two pegs that slid down into the traces through the undercarriage of the wagon. When she got the thing lined up, she told them to put the pegs in place. The traces appeared to hold. “Ah tank yah bote so vwery much. I would not haf been able tah get dat on meh own.” She led the way into the house and fished inside two separate ceramic jars on the kitchen counter. Out of one she produced a handful of freshly baked oatmeal pasties. They contained nuts and raisins and Fin thought they were quite tasty, though she was missing some key ingredient her mother always put in them.
“I haf something for yah too, Smidja.” She held out a small pouch that she had fished out of the other jar. “Here is vwhat I haf collectedt from deh last mont of sales. Dat is yer share.” She grinned and dropped the pouch into his hand. There was nearly 3 gold pieces in there all in silver and coppers.
She heard a wagon rumble up to the front of the house and took a look outside. “Vwell, dere are yer men I believe. Shall vwe go take a look at dat cart and vwhat you have brought for me?”
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Post by Ringulf on Dec 7, 2010 17:01:10 GMT -5
Fin grinned at Smidja, “yah mean dat yah already got da merchandise vwe talked aboot?” Fin could hardly believe it. “Yah are a vwizard, Smidja, a true vwizard tah haf come up wit all dat stuff in so short a time.”
"Vell I vould lof for you to be in awe uf my godlike powers so you would fall at my feet ant serf my every desire...but to be honest I hadt most uf it stockpiled in de varehouse in Bjornholt, I haf been trying to fint a way to distribute de merchandise vithout making such long voyages to other ports dat are farder avay ant mor dangerous to get to! If you can move dis stuff for me Fin ant even get me in touch vit some others in port cities I would be very grateful and show dat appreciation to you in many ways!"
If ve can find de merchants and you vant to invest more yourself you may even be able to let me sell de cargo to you right in Marshvood den you can distribute it to de rest uf Araluen.
Maybe someday soon you take over my business ant de Harrmarr too! I am not gettin younger you know, not dat it woult keep me from makin you a goot husband if I can knock dat big Ringulf on de head again ant get rid uf him! HA HA hA!
No No! I know dere is fire in de hearth yet, doe dere iss snow on my roof! but I am hopin you and de big moose will marry and make lottsa little babies for me to bounce on my knees ant pull my beard!
"These pasties are very goot Fin how do you make them?" Geir asked.
"They would be very good to have on the trail ven I hunt. I used to hunt, trap and fish a circuite of cabins that belong to the Jarl that were about a day apart by ski ant I could have used them in between."
“I haf something for yah too, Smidja.” She held out a small pouch that she had fished out of the other jar. “Here is vwhat I haf collectedt from deh last mont of sales. Dat is yer share.” She grinned and dropped the pouch into his hand. There was nearly 3 gold pieces in there all in silver and coppers.
"I tink we are gonna make beautiful music togedder Fin my sveet!" Smidja said as he weighed it in his hand.
She heard a wagon rumble up to the front of the house and took a look outside. “Vwell, dere are yer men I believe. Shall vwe go take a look at dat cart and vwhat you have brought for me?”
"Allow me." He said as he offered his arm to her. they walked to the road.
"Pull it around de back by de odder vagon so ve load right in vat Fin vants to bring!" he said to his men. Then the walked around to the back as Smidja described the extensive inventory of Skandian goods and merchandise he had brought for her.
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Post by Brandwyn on Dec 9, 2010 14:01:24 GMT -5
“If you can move dis stuff for me Fin ant even get me in touch vit some others in port cities I would be very grateful and show dat appreciation to you in many ways! If ve can find de merchants and you vant to invest more yourself you may even be able to let me sell de cargo to you right in Marshvood den you can distribute it to de rest uf Araluen.”
Smidja’s lascivious look was not lost on Fin, but she just laughed and winked at him. “Ah tink dat Ah vwill haf no trouble in distributin’ dis stuff. De people here are daft over imported goodts.” Fin answered, eying the wagon that was approaching. “Ah haf alreadty made several contacts ant set up a partial route. Ah plan on finalizing at deh Harvest Faire nes vweek vwhen Ah get dere.”
Fin beamed at Smidja. “Dis is perfect timing! Da faire is a huge ting dey tell meh. Dere vwill be tousants of people dere and many merchants. Dis stuff vwill probably be all new ant no others dere vwill haf anyting close.”
“Maybe someday soon you take over my business ant de Harrmarr too! I am not gettin younger you know, not dat it woult keep me from makin you a goot husband if I can knock dat big Ringulf on de head again ant get rid uf him! HA HA hA!
No No! I know dere is fire in de hearth yet, doe dere iss snow on my roof! but I am hopin you and de big moose will marry and make lottsa little babies for me to bounce on my knees ant pull my beard!”
Fin blushed a bright red, having just been thinking on that very subject before Smidja’s arrival while she had been trying to repair her wagon traces. “Oh, don’ say tings like dat! Ya are goin’ ta be aroundt fer a long, long time. Ah needt yer brains to manage da business sidte. Meh talents lie in creatin’ deh goodts and charmin’ deh customers.” She answered with the same banter, although she wondered if he was serious. She wasn’t exactly fond of the idea of sailing back and forth, but there could be certain advantages a few years down the road should he retire and she take over, ensuring he got a nice stipend for his retirement for the rest of his life. It was something to think about and discuss with Ringulf later.
"These pasties are very goot Fin how do you make them?" Gyr asked.
"They would be very good to have on the trail ven I hunt. I used to hunt, trap and fish a circuite of cabins that belong to the Jarl that were about a day apart by ski ant I could have used them in between."
Fin turned to Geir with a smile, “Tank ya, Geir. Dey are very goot fer travellin’ cakes. Meh Ma taught meh how ta make dem. Dey are not hardt ta do. Perhaps I can show ya sometime.” She did very little cooking, but her mother had made sure she knew how and so she was finding the compliments Ringulf kept giving her on her cooking very enjoyable. It was nice to know she could actually make something taste good and it wasn’t just Ringulf being biased as she had feared.
The wagon arrived and Smidja told them to swing it around back next to Fin’s wagon which was already packed fairly heavily with stock she had been working on furiously for a couple of months in preparation for the faire. She eagerly looked through the merchandise as they unloaded it and had them stack the crates behind her wagon so she could go through them with Smidja and figure out how she was going to cram all the items into and on top of her wagon.
Fin was like a child in a candy shop with her eyes lit up and her face aglow as she rummaged through the goods. “Oooo! Dis is very nice!” She ran her hands over several furs from Skandian animals like the winter fox and the snowshoe rabbit among many others. They were all tanned perfectly and Fin knew they were going to be a hot commodity, especially at the Winter Festival in Norgate at Mid-winter.
She pulled out a couple of bottles of ale and other types of liquor, of which there were many. She spied a bottle of Toscano red wine that was aged for several years and set that one aside, dropping a couple coins in Smidja’s hands as payment. “Dat vwon vwe drink tonight!” she said as she continued to do an inventory.
There were many types of rocks and gems which Fin tallied up and placed in her little compartments with others of similar kind. She had some bone, ivory tusks and elk horns that she could carve and make into drinking horns and goblets and all manner of trinkets. The list went on and on it seemed to Fin.
By the time she had inventoried and tallied all the wonderful items, the sun was well past its zenith. She looked at Smidja and Geir with chagrin. “Ah am very sorry. Ah did not realize it vwas gettin’ so late. Come in ant haf some lunch wid meh.” She offered. “Now dat deh merchandise is stowed on meh vwagon, vwe can sit back ant drink dis here bottle of vwine and yah can tell me all aboot home.” Fin was wondering if he had been able to deliver her letter to her parents or not. She was dying to hear news from her family and about Skandia in general.
She led them back into the cabin and began to rustle up some venison steaks, sautéed in onions and a brown sugar vinaigrette sauce which she grilled on the hearth. Along with two huge loafs of her dark grained bread laden with herbed butter and some cheese. For a side dish she whipped up some spinach leaves, slightly steamed in a pot on the stove with pine nuts and diced apples. She set out the bottle of wine with goblets and a jug of rootbear she had traded from a local brewer so that Geir would have a non-alcoholic option, unsure if he was old enough to want to drink the wine or not.
“Vwell, Ringulf took Mylia ta dah Harvest Faire in Whitby, in deh center of Araluen. Dey left last vweek. I vwas vwaiting on some Scotti goodts dat came yesterday and vwouldt haf been gone if not fer da vwagon breakin da trace vwen Ah vwent ta hook up meh team.” She said as she cooked, inviting them to have a seat at the table.
“Ah see now dat Ah should not haf been so hard on dat new draft horse Ah haf leased vwhile meh mare is wit foal. He ant meh othder mare got into a fight vwen Ah hookt him up ta da wagon. Dey vwas kickin ant biting ant he reart up ant she lunged at him and de vwagon trace went CRACK!” Fin chuckled. “Ah like tah haf had a cow mehself, Ah vwas so madt at deh bote of dem.” She said ruefully. “But dis is fortunate for Ah vwouldt haf missed yah and now vwe vwill be making much more money dan vwe vwould haf othdervwise.”
She held up her glass and said, “Tah unrooly draft horses!” and took a gulp of the mellow red wine. It was smooth and fruity and left a pleasant little afterburn that radiated up from her stomach. The Toscani did know how to make wine, she thought with pleasure.
“So how much money dah yah vwant up front?” She asked Smidja. “Ah can pay yah at least haf da amount of dah goodts now and da rest vwhen yah return if ya like.” She said as she placed the steaks in front of them and sat down with them to eat.
"Ant vwhat is dis aboot young Geir here dat yah vwish to speak wit Ringulf aboot?" Fin asked. "Ah vwill be seein him next vweek at da faire. Den vwe vwill all be coming back here after, but it vwont be until aboot tree vweeks before vwe get back."
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Post by Ringulf on Dec 9, 2010 15:41:20 GMT -5
"These pasties are very goot Fin how do you make them?" Geir asked.
"They would be very good to have on the trail ven I hunt. I used to hunt, trap and fish a circuit of cabins that belong to the Jarl that were about a day apart by ski ant I could have used them in between."
Fin turned to Geir with a smile, “Tank ya, Geir. Dey are very goot fer travellin’ cakes. Meh Ma taught meh how ta make dem. Dey are not hardt ta do. Perhaps I can show ya sometime.”
"I vould enjoy that very much thankyou. You asked me how I learned this language so well I still have a little accent but my mother wass a Noblewoman from Hybernia. she taught me that ant my letters while in my father's hold." He said
The wagon got there and they started looking through.
She eagerly looked through the merchandise as they unloaded it and had them stack the crates behind her wagon so she could go through them with Smidja and figure out how she was going to cram all the items into and on top of her wagon.
Fin was like a child in a candy shop with her eyes lit up and her face aglow as she rummaged through the goods. “Oooo! Dis is very nice!” She ran her hands over several furs from Skandian animals like the winter fox and the snowshoe rabbit among many others. They were all tanned perfectly and Fin knew they were going to be a hot commodity, especially at the Winter Festival in Norgate at Mid-winter.
"Dis merchandise will be very goot for dat event you vill be de talk of de town!" Smidja said.
She spied a bottle of Toscano red wine that was aged for several years and set that one aside, dropping a couple coins in Smidja’s hands as payment. “Dat vwon vwe drink tonight!” she said as she continued to do an inventory.
"I tink dat vould be vonderful maybe ve even give de boy a taste he is more man den boy now huh?"
Geir blushed and chuckled kind of shyly.
By the time she had inventoried and tallied all the wonderful items, the sun was well past its zenith. She looked at Smidja and Geir with chagrin. “Ah am very sorry. Ah did not realize it vwas gettin’ so late. Come in ant haf some lunch wid meh.” She offered. “Now dat deh merchandise is stowed on meh vwagon, vwe can sit back ant drink dis here bottle of vwine and yah can tell me all aboot home.”
They were very hungry and looked forward to what Fin had to offer as well as being able to sit and relax and talk.
"Dis is quvite a cabin here for de rangers Fin, Ringulf an you stay here togedder?"
"Dit he get hiss Apprentice back after dey brought de horses to Araluen? I Hope Ari iss goot any news from him?" Smidja was curious as he wished to keep the Jarl abreast of his son's progress.
“Vwell, Ringulf took Mylia ta dah Harvest Faire in Whitby, in deh center of Araluen. Dey left last vweek. I vwas vwaiting on some Scotti goodts dat came yesterday and vwouldt haf been gone if not fer da vwagon breakin da trace vwen Ah vwent ta hook up meh team.” She said as she cooked, inviting them to have a seat at the table.
They both enjoyed her cooking and Smidja could not help teasing her Skandian style as he ate.
"Fin if you do everyting de vay you fight an cook den I am sure Ringulf is a very happy Ranger! Ha Ha Ha!"
She held up her glass and said, “Tah unrooly draft horses!” and took a gulp of the mellow red wine. It was smooth and fruity and left a pleasant little afterburn that radiated up from her stomach. The Toscani did know how to make wine, she thought with pleasure.
“So how much money dah yah vwant up front?” She asked Smidja. “Ah can pay yah at least haf da amount of dah goodts now and da rest vwhen yah return if ya like.” She said as she placed the steaks in front of them and sat down with them to eat.
Ve vill vork dat out later less not talk buisiness during our meal it iss too fine to have a varm cabin a hot meal ant a beautiful voman all at de same time huh Geir?" Smidja teased.
Geir nodded his head in agreement as he had just stuffed a large peice of steak in his mouth and was chewing with such Ecstasy he could not speak.
"Ant what is dis Abbot young Geir here DAT yeah wish to speak wit Ringlet Abbot?" Fin asked. "Ah Will be see in him next week at DA fa ire. Den we Will all be coming back here after, but it wont be until Abbot tree Weeks before we get back."
Bell let me tell you about my front Geir ant vie Villa see if you can guess vat I hat in Mindy!"
He took a long drought of wine and pushed away his empty plate and his seat back and started to tell Geir's tale from start to finish. As he did so Geir made slight corrections and additions as he went along. When he had finished he looked at her and said, "vell vat vould you do? Who do you tink de perfect people vould be to guide dis young man?"
"And just so you know I dit have de letter sent to your parrents in Bruinhiem ven I got back but since ve had to leaf in such a hurry I never got a respose. I vill try to stop dere on my vay back to Skandia so dat I see dem in person dis time if dere is anyting you want to sendt dem I coult take dat too!
Geir already has de beginings of several trades dat you ant Ringulf might help him vit and I know dat his skill vit blacksmithing ant voodverk could help you, he is a fine fletcher ant bow smit, just look at dis vone he made, ant he shoots as goot as he makes If Ringulf don't make him a ranger he vill not go hungry in a place like marshvoot, He coult rival just about any market hunter in de fife I bet!"
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Post by Brandwyn on Dec 17, 2010 21:49:23 GMT -5
Fin enjoyed the company. Though it had only been a few days since Ringulf and Mylia had left, the empty cabin echoed hollowly and Fin had felt very lonely. It was very nice to spend a meal with friends and to chat afterward, not worrying about what needed to get done.
"Dis is quvite a cabin here for de rangers Fin, Ringulf an you stay here togedder?" Smidja asked her.
Fin blushed, “vwell, officially Ah stay in meh vwagon, but Ah do tend tah spend a great deal of time her in deh ranger cabin. It is a very nice cabin ant Ringulf has lots of rooms. Dis cabin vwas set up for a family as vwell as deh marshwardens, so it is very large. Dere is plenty of room. You bote should stay here tonight. Tomorrow Ah needt tah get on deh road to Vwitby to deh faire.”
“As tah Aribjorn, he is doing vwell. Vwe know he got inta deh Battleschool here ant he is squire to a knight for deh faire dis next week. All dat vwas after dey took da horses ta Araluen and returnedt here.” Fin told them.
She listened to Geir’s background with great interest and studied the young Skandian as Smidja talked. He seemed to be very respectful and a somewhat quiet, almost shy young man. He was about ten years younger than Fin, but seemed to be rather mature for his age.
Smidja finished up his story with a question Fin was half expecting, "vell vat vould you do? Who do you tink de perfect people vould be to guide dis young man?"
“I tink, Smidja, dat Aribjorn vwas right, you are a very shrewd man!” she laughed. “I also tink dat it vwould be a pleasure to help Geir get started here in Araluen. Ringulf has an apprentice, so he vwould not be able tah mentor Geir, but I am sure he vwill do vwat he can to help out. It is up tah Ringulf of course, but dere is tons of room in dis old cabin. I tink he could stay here, but you vwill haft ah check with Ringulf tah make sure it is okay with him.”
A thought occurred to Fin, that had probably long since occurred to Smidja. If Geir was the creative type, he could possibly work for Fin for a while. She could use someone to help with the forge and even with the horses. She turned to Geir and asked him a couple of questions. “Are yah goot wit horses ant do yah like ta make tings? Maybe yah couldt go vwit me ant help vwit my business, vwatch dah wagon when Ah haft a go avway for a time.” She saw from the look on Smidja’s face that he had already thought of this. “yah make bows eh?”
She examined the one he made and as far as she could tell it was very good. “Ah don’t really know much aboot dem, but it looks like yah did a fine job.” Fin said, turning the bow around and then handing it back. “Does it shoot true?” She asked him. “Perhaps yah can make bows, haf yer own business on deh side. Der is always armorers and towns are always in needt of good bows.”
She figured Ringulf would not mind taking Geir under his wing, but in case he did object, there was her business and an opportunity for Geir to learn and get established and possibly learn a few things even if Ringulf didn’t want to take him in.
"yah know," Fin said thoughtfully, "ya couldt also be a marshvwarden if it doesn't work out to be a ranger."
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Post by Ringulf on Jan 4, 2011 10:25:29 GMT -5
“I tink, Smidja, dat Aribjorn vwas right, you are a very shrewd man!” she laughed. “I also tink dat it vwould be a pleasure to help Geir get started here in Araluen. Ringulf has an apprentice, so he vwould not be able tah mentor Geir, but I am sure he vwill do vwat he can to help out. It is up tah Ringulf of course, but dere is tons of room in dis old cabin. I tink he could stay here, but you vwill haft ah check with Ringulf tah make sure it is okay with him. Are yah goot wit horses ant do yah like ta make tings? Maybe yah couldt go vwit me ant help vwit my business, vwatch dah wagon when Ah haft a go avway for a time.” She saw from the look on Smidja’s face that he had already thought of this. “yah make bows eh?”
"Yes ma'am I made this one." He handed the lovely Skandian long bow to her
She examined the one he made and as far as she could tell it was very good. “Ah don’t really know much aboot dem, but it looks like yah did a fine job.” Fin said, turning the bow around and then handing it back. “Does it shoot true?” She asked him.
"Yes as long as I do it does!" He said with a chuckle
“Perhaps yah can make bows, haf yer own business on deh side. Der is always armorers and towns are always in needt of good bows.”
She figured Ringulf would not mind taking Geir under his wing, but in case he did object, there was her business and an opportunity for Geir to learn and get established and possibly learn a few things even if Ringulf didn’t want to take him in.
"yah know," Fin said thoughtfully, "ya couldt also be a marshvwarden if it doesn't work out to be a ranger."
"Oh I am sure I can manage to find a way to make myself useful I just need a way to start off and a place to do that, if you or Ranger Ringulf can help me with that I would be very greatful and work very hard for you."
"As for being a Ranger or a Warden or anything I don't know. it seems to me that around here it is not a bad thing to be just what I am, a hunter. I would like to learn more about working with the hides and furs I harvest and leather too. If people will buy my bows so much the better but I tink I need a way for people to know what I can do."
"Vell Geir dere iss dat Harvest fair dat Fin is goin too an you could meet Ringulf dere as well an help Fin, perhaps you can get into dat Archery Tournament, dat iss if Finn vould be villing to take you. I vill stay here ant look after tings till you come back ant me ant my men vill sell our vares at de market. De Harrmarr neets some repairs ant I can have dem done as vell, I don't tink it is a goot time to make de crossing back anyvay." said Smidja, the workings of his mind plain to see on his face as he worked out all kinds of variables.
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Post by Brandwyn on Jan 21, 2011 22:40:19 GMT -5
Fin looked thoughtfully at Smidja for a moment. “Dat sounds like a goot idea ta me,” she agreed. “I vouldt be happy ta take yah, Geir. I can teach yah vwhat I know aboot leather n furs n working metal if yah like.” Fin smiled. “Ant as for vwhat yah vwant ta do wit yer life, ya can decide dat later. Hunter, ranger or marshvwarden are all very worthy jobs ant all tree are needed.” Fin winked at Geir. “I vwould spend some time learning vwhat ya can now ant decide later on deh rest of yer life. It is not something to jump into vwitout a great deal of thought.” Fin suggested.
Fin grinned at Smidja, “It vwouldt be goot tah haf somevwone here tah look after deh cabin ant keep an eye on meh mare. She shouldn’t drop her foal fer anoder month, but yah never know aboot dese tings. Ah vwoldt feel better knowing yah are here ta keep an eye on her.”
They spent a few more hours talking as Fin packed her personal belongings in Ringulf’s cabin and they caught up on all the news as the sun dropped low in the sky.
After sunset Fin calculated what still needed to be done and found that it was surprisingly little. “Vwell vwe can probably get started early in deh morning for deh Harvest Faire if ya vwouldt like tah come wit me, Geir.” Fin invited. “Vwe shouldt get tah bed early doh,” she eyed Smidja at this one, knowing he would likely want to stay up quite late. “Any of dah rooms are available except dose two right next tah each other.” She pointed to two bedroom entrances that were side by side. It wasn’t visible from here, but one reason Fin had Ringulf pick these two rooms was that they had an adjoining door inside where she or Ringulf could quickly slide into the other’s room without anyone being he wiser. “Dat vwon is mine vwen I stay here and dat vwon is Ringulf’s. Take yer pick of dah rest.”
Fin yawned and stretched. She was surprised she was tired so early, but she had been quite busy this day and the early morning fight with the wagon repair had actually worn her out more than she cared to admit. The cushy life in the cabin must be making her soft, she thought. She found she didn’t really mind that. “Ah tink Ah am going ta call it a night ant vwill see you early in da morning.” She stood up and made for her doorway. “Goodt night all!” She said and slipped into her room for the night, sliding the door bolt home afterwards. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust anyone, but actually she wasn’t entirely sure Smidja wouldn’t try to take advantage of her, but just in case…”
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Post by Ringulf on Jan 22, 2011 2:19:49 GMT -5
"Good night Fin" said Smidja and Geir called out too "Good night Ma'am and tank you for the supper and the ride to the fair I will be ready in de morning when you are!"
"Now listen to me boy," Smidja said after Fin closed the door, "you are doing very vell vit all dis don't louse it up! Dis voman is a very rich resource for you in her own right as she has many skills and talents that vill help you. Not only dat but she has de Ranger's ear ant you vill need dat if you vish to be one or a varden. Right now you have your pick you may as vell shoot for de stars den vatever happens vill be better den living your life a thrall to de vishes of your Skandian masters. You have a chance here to do anything your heart desires, hunt, smith, make tings, it is all up to you but vork hard be grateful ant polite and I know Ring ant Fin vill treat you better den you can imagine." Smidja lectured conspiratorially.
"I vill Smidja, I give you my vord you will be proud of me, I like Fin I tink I will like working with her and learning from her she reminds me of some of the people I looked up to at home. I will also heed your advice about Ringulf. I am not sure vat I will become but I will aim high!"
"Good! Go now, get your tings togedder and de stuff I gave you too ant make sure you get some sleep it vill be a long road, ve vill settle up ven you get back.
I vill take care off de fire ant see to de men but I vill make sure you are avake before Fin."
"Tank you Smidja, good night." said Geir with a grateful smile.
He found a room close to the kitchen where the heat from the hearth saturated it, then he curled up in his blankets and started to dream about all the things running through his mind.
Most people would have been much to excited to sleep, but Geir was asleep soundly in a few minutes, resting comfortably for the first time in years.
Warmth and hope will do that to a man with a full belly.
He woke up to a dark room, but the light or dark had not wakened him it was the aroma, the aroma of....Applebacon!
It was one of his favorite foods and he knew that Smidja was cooking breakfast!
He could smell the bacon as it was the strongest smell, but he could detect the hint of fruitiness from the apples and the rich smell of the fried onions as well as a hint of...cloaves, yes that was it the spicy sweet cloves that gave it a bright golden flavor.
He got up and dressed quickly and opened the door just as Smidja was about to knock on the other side.
"Ah so you have a good nose too I see!" laughed Smidja.
Are you kidding? A fetch could have smelled dat! Vat can I do to help?
"Vell boy go vake Fin and den come eat I just took de bread from de oven ant Olaf brought a full bucket of milk dat has been chillin outside for an hour." Smidja licked his lips sailors do not get to have such delicacies unless ashore so he was rather excited.
Geir turned and walked down to the door that Fin had indicated was hers and gently rapped on the lintel. "Miss Fin! Um Miss Fin Smidja says that breakfast is ready, wont you come and join us?"
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Post by Brandwyn on Jan 31, 2011 12:51:07 GMT -5
Fin woke gradually from a very deep sleep. She was glad there were others in the house this night because it had seemed so huge and empty once Ringulf and Mylia had left for the faire earlier. Fin hadn’t slept well when she was alone, worried that someone was breaking in and dreaming about the assault on her in Caraway. She wondered why that incident was bothering her so badly but she just pushed thoughts of it out of her mind as she pulled the covers off and began to dress. She resisted the urge to throw another log on the fireplace in her room to take the chill off the air, knowing she was going to be leaving soon and not wanting to leave the fire going in her absence.
Gradually she became aware of a wonderful smell of freshly baked bread and bacon and apples. She vaguely remembered that smell coming from her mother’s kitchen when she was last home. She hadn’t had applebacon since then and had almost forgotten how to make it.
She hurriedly splashed the cold water from the basin on her dressing table onto her face and was patting it dry with a towel when there was a light rap on her door.
"Miss Fin! Um Miss Fin Smidja says that breakfast is ready, wont you come and join us?"
She did a quick check of herself in the full-length mirror as she crossed the room and pulled the door open to see Geir with his hand raised to knock again.
“Ah most certainly vwill!” She said with relish. “Ye da not haf ta ask meh twice!” She took a deep breath, inhaling the wonderful smells that assaulted her nose. She followed Geir back to the kitchen and sat at the table looking in wonder at the food Smidja had prepared.
“Did yah stay up all night cooking, Smidja?” she joked. “Dis looks ant smells vwonderful. I bet you vwill make someone a goot vwife vwon day.” She laughed, teasing him as she drank some of the chilled milk.
After the breakfast Fin felt she could have gone back and taken a nap, her stomach was so full, but instead she packed up a good amount of food for her and Geir and loaded it in her wagon along with Geir’s belongings. She hitched up her four horses, putting the rented one in the back this time so he could not fight with her lead stallion this time and break the traces again.
When all was ready she turned to Smidja, “Vwell, Geir ant Ah shouldt be going now.” She gave Smidja a big hug. “Tanks fer da applebacon, it vwas delicious, ant if ya are sure dat ya vwant to stay ant look after da house, den ya make sure ta make yerselves at home.” She looked at him quizzically, hoping he knew what he was getting into.
“My mare, Gingersnap, shouldt not foal until Ah get back, Ah hope. It is her first, so keep vwatch on her closely. Der is a herdsman in Bridledale dat vwill help if she has any trouble wit de foal. He comes true here every vweek or so ta check on her.” Fin patted the pregnant mare on the nose as she stuck her head over her paddock fence. The huge black and white draft horse shook her shaggy mane and blew gently in Fin’s face as if giving her a kiss goodbye and to tell her she was fine.
After a final hug to Smidja and some of his crew, Fin climbed up onto her wagon and pulled the fur cover over her legs and then picked up the reins. “Are ya ready ta go, Geir?” She asked.
As soon as they were both settled she flicked the reins and the four horses strained for a moment to get the heavily laden wagon moving, then it started to roll and they were off on their way to the Harvest Faire in Whitbey.
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Post by Ringulf on Jan 31, 2011 15:12:41 GMT -5
“Did yah stay up all night cooking, Smidja?” she joked. “Dis looks ant smells vwonderful. I bet you vwill make someone a goot vwife vwon day.” She laughed, teasing him as she drank some of the chilled milk.
"Ya I haf been told dis about my cookin before My lovely but ven it comes to udder activities I am told I vould make a damn fine husband too! You just remember dat if dis Ringulf ting don't work out!" He gave a hearty laugh as the flirting with Fin had started to become a theme he enjoyed.
They finished dinner and Geir got his possessions meager though they were, and loaded them aboard the wagon then he saw to all he could to make sure it was in good condition and waited for Fin.
Smidja listened to Fin as he got his final instructions.
After a final hug to Smidja and some of his crew, Fin climbed up onto her wagon and pulled the fur cover over her legs and then picked up the reins. “Are ya ready ta go, Geir?” She asked.
"Yes Ma'am" he said and climbed up next to her.
As soon as they were both settled she flicked the reins and the four horses strained for a moment to get the heavily laden wagon moving, then it started to roll and they were off on their way to the Harvest Faire in Whitbey.
"Ok you take goot care of each udder ya? Ant make lots of money for me Fin! Shoot vell my young frient an make me prout!"
He and all the Skandians as well as a few of the Marshwardens around the place waved farewell to the woman they had come to know and like over the last few weeks. Fin had become a large part of all of their lives and they all watched her as she looked back and gave them a smile that showed a twinkle in her blue eyes.
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Post by Brandwyn on Feb 15, 2011 14:41:03 GMT -5
(OOC: This thread now picks up in Harvest Faire in Whitby on the Western Fief's board)...
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