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Post by Ringulf on Aug 26, 2011 20:22:00 GMT -5
As Mylia was ushered from the room the doctor turned to the large Skandian youth on the table. He was holding a stern face and he did a good job of not showing the fear and pain in his eyes to the girl he was falling in love with. The Doctor gave him a look and saw imediately what Ari was hiding.
"Alright son you can let it out now the girls are gone, besides I don't think those are the kind of girls that would have thought any less of you if you had not been so tough."
'I know Doctor but I cant help it. I vant to show dem my best, dat iss all dey deserve, dey haf bourne up under pain and hardship vithout complaint how could I do less?"
With that Ari grimaced and cluched his side with a bit of a grunt then a whimper.
Don't worryboy we will get that out of you, now let me see it roll on your side....ah yes...you were right it intered from the fron along the rib hopefully it did not crack it there is enough to fester in there without adding marrow to the mix....nurse I need a scalpel and tongs."
The nurse brought over a very sharp scalpel that he opened Ari's side with. The young Skandian didn't even make a noise, then with the tongs he got hold of the shaft and pushed it along the rib and out the back. This made the inscision longer but did not destroy the tissue or break the rib.
"OK this is going to hurt a bit go ahead and bite down on this.: He said as he gave him a piece of rolled leather.
Then the Doctor flush the wound with alchahol and started to stitch and dress it.
Ari could barely withstand the pain but realized as soon as the head and shaft came out that he could beath eisily if a bit painfully again.
Alright that should do it, I will let the girls back in to tend to you if you want.
"Ya dat vould be goot, jus gif me a chance to compose myself...and tank you Doctor."
You are welcome young man I wish all my patients were as well behaved.
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Post by Ringulf on Oct 2, 2011 7:00:51 GMT -5
The nurse came in with a needle and suture kit and started to work on closing the incision the Doctor had made. Aribjorn looked at the brown bottle of spirits that the doctor had used on the wound. He had never been treated with anything like it before.
"Nurse vat iss dat spirit dat de doctor put on me it burnt but now it feels fine?"
Oh that is what we call lineament, it is a form of alcohol. the doctor studied medicine in Arradi and learned of it's use to clean wounds in order that they stay clean and keep the puss from forming.
"Hmm, our women use boiled cow urine for that, is this better?"
"Well I am not sure if it is a clean myself but the Doctor seems to swear by it, so no worries!" said the nurse cheerfully
She dressed the wound and took Ari's tunic.
"I will have this washed and mended. try not to move around while the stitches are setting."
Ari nodded his compliance.
"Alright I will let in your visitors." she said
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Post by Brandwyn on Oct 4, 2011 10:29:59 GMT -5
Tory showed Mylia what little bit she knew of treating minor wounds while they waited for the doctor to patch up Aribjorn. It seemed like very little time at all had passed before the nurse came back and checked up on her. She was stitching up a gash along a knight’s ribs that was a good eight inches long, but fairly shallow. The nurse watched Tory finish up and tie off the stitches and put a bandage over the wound to keep it clean. The knight grunted his thanks and strode off to replace his fine tunic that was slashed in several places from Wargal claws.
“There would have been a lot less wounded if those guys had been in their armor like normal instead of revel finery.” Tory observed and then saw the nurse standing there. She looked up at her questioningly.
“Those were some very neat stitches,” she said. “You feel free to come back and help here whenever you like, but I thought you might want to know that the doctor said you can see your friend now. He is going to be fine.” Then she hurried off on some errand.
Tory looked at Mylia and jumped up, “let’s go!”
___
Katrina was still in the courtyard, which was now buzzing with men trying to remove the Wargal bodies. She was examining several of the Wargals and even ventured outside the gates for several minutes to backtrack the direction they had come from. It appeared to have been from the south, not down out of the mountains on the north side of the castle. She walked back into the gates and surveyed the damage and saw Baron William doing much the same with a sad look on his face. She walked up beside him and patted him on the back.
“Don’t worry, Your Excellency, we will have this all cleaned up in no time and the revel can continue.” Katrina reassured him.
“Why did they attack? I have never heard of them attacking a fully garrisoned castle before, except when Morgoroth ordered them too.” William looked at the front gates fearfully. “Do you think someone is behind this?”
Katrina looked troubled and said, “I have been wondering the same thing. They didn’t seem exactly organized however and notice how they are all rather on the thin side – well for Wargals anyway. Perhaps they were after the food. The tracks seem to be coming from the south.” Katrina noticed a few other rangers and knights approaching them, including her mentor, Sir Kenyon. “I have never heard of Wargals anywhere in Araluen since Morgoroth was defeated. I wonder if something is driving them from their home in the Mountains of Rain and Night.”
Ken strode up and said a few comforting words to the Baron. “I think we should send out some men to check on the outlying villages and settlements, Your Excellency. There could have been more attacks in the area. We need to see if there are still more Wargals out there too.”
The Baron nodded, “I agree. Ask for volunteers. How many wounded and dead?”
“There were quite a few wounded, but many with only scratches.” Ken answered. “We had 8 serious wounds and 3 people are dead.” Kenyon looked at Katrina, “one of those somewhat serious wounds is that young Skandian lad who leapt over our line to save those two girls. I hear he is going to be fine however.”
Katrina smiled, “I am glad for that, though it was a fool thing to do, I am glad he pulled it off and the girls got to safety.” What she didn’t admit was that she had been just about to do something similar to rescue them when she saw the Skandian vault over their heads. “He is kin to Ringulf I believe, so I am not surprised at his courage. I am sure Fin is going to be relieved he will be okay.” Katrina looked around and saw Ringulf across the courtyard with Fin by his side. “I think I will go make sure they have heard.” She excused herself and made her way around a group of men hoisting a Wargal body onto a wagon and then strode up to Fin and Ringulf.
“Hi Fin, Ringulf. I am glad you are okay.” Katrina said, noting that Ringulf’s quiver was significantly depleted. “That was some mighty fine shooting you were doing, Ringulf. Things would have been a whole lot worse if you and the other archers hadn’t been picking them off from the battlements.” She wondered if they even knew Ari had been injured.
“Did you hear about that Skandian battleschool apprentice, I think his name is Aribjorn or something?” She asked them. “He was injured in the battle after he rescued those two girls, but I just got the word that he is going to be okay. I thought you should know.”
Katrina moved as another body was wheeled by in a cart. They were taking them outside the city gates and getting ready to burn the bodies a safe distance from the castle. “This sure is strange, them attacking the castle. You have any ideas on why they might have done that or where they came from?” Katrina asked Ringulf. “In all my years here I have never once seen any sign of Wargals anywhere in these mountains.”
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Post by Ringulf on Oct 4, 2011 16:43:02 GMT -5
“Hi Fin, Ringulf. I am glad you are okay.” Katrina said, noting that Ringulf’s quiver was significantly depleted. “That was some mighty fine shooting you were doing, Ringulf. Things would have been a whole lot worse if you and the other archers hadn’t been picking them off from the battlements.” She wondered if they even knew Ari had been injured.
“Did you hear about that Skandian battleschool apprentice, I think his name is Aribjorn or something?” She asked them. “He was injured in the battle after he rescued those two girls, but I just got the word that he is going to be okay. I thought you should know.”
Katrina moved as another body was wheeled by in a cart. They were taking them outside the city gates and getting ready to burn the bodies a safe distance from the castle. “This sure is strange, them attacking the castle. You have any ideas on why they might have done that or where they came from?” Katrina asked Ringulf. “In all my years here I have never once seen any sign of Wargals anywhere in these mountains.”
Ringulf had a deep frown on his face, he had not seen Aribjorn's exploit or the two girls he supposedly rescued but he had a good idea as to who they must have been.
"No Fin I have not seen one since the death of Morgoth, and I have certainly not ever seen one this far north, not to say anything of a semi organized attack of this number of individuals. Thank you for the report on Aribjorn, Sir Katrina, we should make sure Sir Deitule is informed as well. What actually happened? I saw Red and that young boy come in and covered their escape but then made for the battlements in order to get a force of rangers where they could do the most good. By the way has anyone seen the kid since the attack?"
Just then the cart that was being loaded with the wargal corpses started to move up to the gate it help with the rest, as it pulled forward a small figure was exposed crouching in a fetal position with his cloak over his head.
"Well I guess that answers my question," Ringulf said with a rye chuckle, Stand up boy they are all gone! you scared them off with your chattering teeth, they hate that you know, think it's skeletons come to get them! He said to the ladies in a conspiratorially tone.
"Seriously boy it is OK you got back in her in a hurry and did the best thing you could,I'm sure if we had needed you you would have used your concealment to launch a surprise attack and give us time to regroup."
"Well...yeah of course I woulda, I wasnt scared of dem I was just makin sure dey wasn't gonna catch my scent or nuttin..you know so's I could surprise em!" With that Roath rose to his feet and slipped away to find his traveling companion.
"Well what do you think Sir Katrina? You have been stationed here before and know these creatures tactics from the war, why here, why now?"
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Post by Firehead on Oct 14, 2011 8:52:34 GMT -5
Mylia paid close attention to what Tory showed her, but as she put it, "I think I'll want to do some practice on cloth first, before I try stitching people back together."
The nurse came in and spoke with Tory for a bit, while Mylia busied herself with wrapping a clean bandage over a freshly stitched wound. "...I thought you might want to know that the doctor said you can see your friend now. He is going to be fine.” Then she hurried off on some errand.
Tory looked at Mylia and jumped up, “let’s go!”
Mylia jumped up and followed Tory in to the room, where Ari still lay on the hard stone surface of the table. He looked worn out, Mylia thought, as she approached. She saw that his wound had been dressed, but that he was, she noted with a slight blush, shirtless. And why is that a big deal to you all of a sudden? she bereted herself. You've seen him shirtless before.
Shoving the matter aside, she smiled at him. "Hello, again, Ari. You're looking...slightly...cleaner than before. How are you feeling?"
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Post by Ringulf on Oct 14, 2011 11:32:12 GMT -5
"Hello, again, Ari. You're looking...slightly...cleaner than before. How are you feeling?"
"Hello I am fine de doctor said it is nutting but a scatch not to vorry!" I am very sorry, I did not mean to vorry anyvone, ant look, I am afraid I have ruint my new tunic, I liked dat von too! Iss everyvone ok out dere? De girl dat vas vit you Tory is she alright? Vere iss Ogmund trough all dis I hope he iss not looking for me!"
"No you block headed son of a Troll!! I knew vere you vere after I caught up vit Fin ant Ringulf wit dat Lady Knight, Sir Katrina I tink, now dere is a a voman dat vould make me start beleiving in Valkyries on eart I tink!" Ogmund said with a smile, one that faded quickly when he saw the looks on Tory and Mylia's faces.
"Vat?..I can't haff dreams? I know I am a scruffy von eyed Skald, vit little to my name, but maybye she would like me to sing to her! I haff avery nice voice you know..."
"Ha ha ha..ungh!" Came from Ari as the stiches tugged the edges of his all to new incision.
"Don't make me laugh or I vill dismiss you and send you to Jonguleur school, you clown!" Ari said with a sparkle.
"If you all don't mind, vould it be allright if a spoke vit Mylia alone for a moment? Ogmund perhaps you might find out ven I can get out uff here, and if you vould be so kind Tory as to let Ringulf and Fin know dat I am alright?...Ah, I don't tink ve need to tell Sir Deitule yet, besides if Sir Katrina knows vat happened he vill know soon enough, I am sure." He looked at them both with a beseaching but mirthful expression, one that Ogmund recognised right away.
"Ok Ari ve vill do dat, come Tory, you saw dis Doctor and know vat he looks like maybe you help me find dat out ant den I vill help you fint de udders."
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Post by Brandwyn on Oct 14, 2011 21:54:14 GMT -5
Tory was sure Ari was in a bit more pain than he was letting on, but his color was better and his breathing was definitely better. Tory bit back a snicker at Ogmund's description of the only Lady Knight Tory had ever seen. She wondered how Sir Katrina would react if she heard Ogmund's comments.
"I believe Sir Katrina is a fan of the musical arts." Tory said innocently, then she sobered as she saw the looks being exchanged between Mylia and Ari. She felt a brief pang of jealousy at his request which she quickly squashed. She grinned back at him and said, "Sure Ari, but don't you overdo it. You should get some rest."
"Ok Ari ve vill do dat, come Tory, you saw dis Doctor and know vat he looks like maybe you help me find dat out ant den I vill help you fint de udders." Ogmund said.
Tory followed him out and said casually, managing to keep a straight face, "Sure Ogmund, but I am fairly certain we won't have to look any farther than the stables for the udders. They should be attached to the milk cows."
Then she grinned at him, hoping he didn't think she was poking fun at his accent, "sorry, I just couldn't resist the pun." She looked around the room for the doctor, wanting to get the real scoop on Ari's wound without the bravado sugarcoating. "There's the doc, let's go talk to him."
The doctor was examining a bad claw wound suffered by another squire as Tory approached and she sucked in her breath as she saw the deep scratches across his abdomen. "Hi Doc! We were just wondering how bad Ari's wound really is and he is wondering when he can leave." Tory asked, smiling encouragement at the Doc's latest patient who seemed to be mostly out of it. The Doc had probably given him something for the pain. "He says it was a scratch. It sounds like it didn't hit his lung afterall because he seems to be breathing normally now, is that right?" Tory asked, watching the doctor probe the wound to assess the extent of the damage. She found the practice of medicine quite fascinating.
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Post by Ringulf on Oct 14, 2011 22:12:46 GMT -5
"Well young lady, forgive me if I seem preoccupied but I am going to continue to work on this man's wounds as right now he is the patient , however, since you and your friend did such a nice job on those others, I will tell you that He is no longer in any danger, as long as the wound does not go foul. his rib was scraped rather badly but it held and seemed not to leak any marrow. Quite a miracle really after the size of the spear tip I removed. Damn Skandian physique, I am glad we fight with them now rather than against them! Oh I'm sorry I did not see you there my good man you are his freind? Squire? Manservent?
"All of de abofe and don't vorry vat was said I took as a compliment." Said Ogmund. "Vat about de releasing part, ven can he go?" Ogmund asked.
"I would think he can leave the infirmery by the morning. Let us get the wound to clot, then he should not move about for at least three days after that no horsback travel, but a slow wagon over good terrain could be managed. That is if you keep an eye on the wound and change the dressing frequently."
"Tank you Doctor" Ogmund said backing away.
"Don't mention it..and Miss Ranger, if you ever want to give your services I would be happy to give you some on the job training, I can always use someone like you around here."
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Post by Firehead on Oct 17, 2011 14:00:02 GMT -5
"If you all don't mind, vould it be allright if a spoke vit Mylia alone for a moment? Ogmund perhaps you might find out ven I can get out uff here, and if you vould be so kind Tory as to let Ringulf and Fin know dat I am alright?...Ah, I don't tink ve need to tell Sir Deitule yet, besides if Sir Katrina knows vat happened he vill know soon enough, I am sure." "Ok Ari ve vill do dat, come Tory, you saw dis Doctor and know vat he looks like maybe you help me find dat out ant den I vill help you fint de udders."
When Ogmund and Tory had gone, Mylia approached closer and took a tentative seat on the edge of the table at Ari's side. For a moment there was silence, and Mylia found herself suddenly too shy to initiate any conversation. She waited instead for Ari to speak, to give the reason for his wanting to speak with her privately. Her eyes had dropped unconsciously from his, but now she raised them to shyly meet his mesmorizing gaze once more.
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Post by Ringulf on Oct 17, 2011 15:47:12 GMT -5
When Ogmund and Tory had gone, Mylia approached closer and took a tentative seat on the edge of the table at Ari's side. For a moment there was silence, and Mylia found herself suddenly too shy to initiate any conversation. She waited instead for Ari to speak, to give the reason for his wanting to speak with her privately. Her eyes had dropped unconsciously from his, but now she raised them to shyly meet his mesmorizing gaze once more.
"Hey Ranger Girl! don't look so glum I am going to be fine, I am sorry if I vorried you...um..I just sent dem avay cause I just vanted to tell you dat de ting I am sorriest for is dat ve did not get to finnish our dance dis evening! Or anyting else for dat matter!" He smiled at her with the sparkle returning once again into his blue eyes.
I know dat ve vill be back to our fief soon you in Marshvood and I in Stoneheat', and you have de moot comming up...I just vanted to know if it vould be alright if I write to you ven ve are appart, you...are very special to me,..ever since you landed in my arms dat day out of de sky...I have really not been able to get you out of my minte. I need to focus on de reason I am here ant become who I am supposet to be but...vell I tink who I vill be hass a lot to do vit you." He looked deeply into Mylia's eyes and saw no longer the mousy little urchin that she told everyone she was. Her dress, her hair, her eyes, they mesmerised him, But that was only on the outside. Somehow it was her spirit that so brightly warmed him. Then things started to get clearer and he realised, the reason he could not wrestle with her at the fair and why he was constantly drawn to her on the ride from Caraway to Araluen. Why he made Ogmund travel through a blizzard to get to Marshwood at Yuletime and finally this evening when he nearly kissed her. He had never really ever felt this before...He had feelings for her that were not the flirtatious feeling that he had been used to growing up with other girls he knew.
"I vill ask Ringulf if it vould be acceptible to write to you and perhaps to come and visit ven I have leave, Vould dis be alright vit you?"
He raised his eyes again to look at her questioningly, hoping he had not mistaken her feelings, hoping that she would feel the same way.
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Post by Firehead on Oct 18, 2011 12:38:13 GMT -5
"Hey Ranger Girl! don't look so glum I am going to be fine, I am sorry if I vorried you...um..I just sent dem avay cause I just vanted to tell you dat de ting I am sorriest for is dat ve did not get to finnish our dance dis evening! Or anyting else for dat matter!" He smiled at her with the sparkle returning once again into his blue eyes.
I know dat ve vill be back to our fief soon you in Marshvood and I in Stoneheat', and you have de moot comming up...I just vanted to know if it vould be alright if I write to you ven ve are appart, you...are very special to me,..ever since you landed in my arms dat day out of de sky...I have really not been able to get you out of my minte. I need to focus on de reason I am here ant become who I am supposet to be but...vell I tink who I vill be hass a lot to do vit you." I vill ask Ringulf if it vould be acceptible to write to you and perhaps to come and visit ven I have leave, Vould dis be alright vit you?"
Mylia nodded, mute, at the moment. Write to me? Landsakes! Who woulda thought? "If you write, I promise to read your letters and write you back."
After another moment had passed, Mylia gave a small smile. "I can't say I've ever had anyone write me before....But I'll look forward to getting your letters."
She paused and felt an akward silence descending on the room once more. She shot a helpless glance to Ari, as though she were silently asking, Now what happens? Now what do we do?
(OOC:Sorry there's not much here, of my own, but I just couldn't think of anything--other than what I did write. And I can't very well repeat i over and over again.)
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Post by Brandwyn on Oct 21, 2011 20:38:41 GMT -5
At Katrina's news about Aribjorn, Fin grew concerned. "I vwill go check on him, Ringulf, ant meet you in de infirmary." Fin suggested. "Thank you, Sir Katrina for de news. I hope he is okay." She said worriedly and hurried off.
Fin swung by her forge real quick to make sure everything was still in order. The fighting never reached that far around the side of the castle and so nothing seemed to be disturbed. She then strode in through the side door and saw a huge crowd of people milling around, fear on many faces and the Baron trying to get the party going again.
Several merchants stopped her as she tried to make her way through the crowd and asked her what was going on and if they were all going to perish. Some wanted confirmation that it was Wargals that had attacked, not believing the stories flying around the hall. There was no mistaking that there had been a battle, however, for there were too many men milling around with minor wounds or fresh bandages and bloodied clothing rent by claws and swords.
Fin stopped briefly and explained to a group of merchants what had happened and the threat was over. The Baron wanted the Revel to continue and the merchants should go back to their booths and open back up. Slowly the word spread through the merchant tables and that corner of the great room resumed order as Fin pushed on through the crowd and followed directions to the hospital ward.
Once inside she looked around, but did not see Aribjorn. She caught a glimpse of Tory and then Ogmund and was making her way toward them when a nurse stopped and asked if she was injured.
"No, Ma'am, but I am looking for a Skandian lad, a squire who is called Aribjorn. Dey said he vwas vwounded in de battle, but I do not see him here." Finn could see over many of the people in the room, being a rather large woman, but Ari should have stood out in the crowd and he was nowhere in sight.
"Ah, yes," said the nurse. "Nice young man and seems to be attracting girls like honey attracts flies."
"Dat vwould be him!" Fin grinnned. "You know vhwere he is?"
"In that side room right there. He had an arrow or spear tip removed from his side, but the Doctor says he will be fine with a few days rest. We are preparing a cot for him to move to for the night. He should be able to leave the infirmary tomorrow, but no travelling for a few days."
"Tank you, Ma'am," Finn shook her hand, noticing the wince on the woman's face as she gripped it a bit too hard in her enthusiasm. "Sorry, vwe Skandians often forget our own strength." she said sheepishly.
"No problem. I hear you are a Smithy and you make things. I would like to visit your booth when I get off duty, which was supposed to have been two hours ago." She said with a sigh as she sighted another wounded young man being half carried in. "I fear it may be a while longer yet."
"Vwell, I plan to be here all vweek, so you come by anytime." Finn said warmly and then made her way to the indicated room to speak with Aribjorn.
As she drew nearer, she could hear voices inside, interupted by awkward silences. She grinned as she realized it was Mylia speaking with Ari and wondered if she should interupt them.
"I can't say I've ever had anyone write me before....But I'll look forward to getting your letters."
Fin heard Mylia say and then there was another slight pause, she decided this was probably a good time to interupt, before the two young people realized they were in a room alone together with a bed. Not that she figured they would try anything, but they were of that age when those thoughts tended to be foremost in one's mind. She rapped on the door, paused a moment and then opened it.
"Aribjorn! De nurse said you vwas here. Are you alvright?" Finn asked worriedly and then glanced at Mylia, noticing the self-concious look on her face. "Oh, hi Mylia. I am glad you are here to vwatch over him. I here he rescued some girls in de battle." Fin turned back to Ari, "Sir Katrina was quite impressed, I tink."
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Post by Ringulf on Oct 22, 2011 11:49:39 GMT -5
“Did you hear about that Skandian battleschool apprentice, I think his name is Aribjorn or something?” She asked them. “He was injured in the battle after he rescued those two girls, but I just got the word that he is going to be okay. I thought you should know.”
Katrina moved as another body was wheeled by in a cart. They were taking them outside the city gates and getting ready to burn the bodies a safe distance from the castle. “This sure is strange, them attacking the castle. You have any ideas on why they might have done that or where they came from?” Katrina asked Ringulf. “In all my years here I have never once seen any sign of Wargals anywhere in these mountains.”
After they all got a chuckle at Roath Finn turned to the others.
"I vwill go check on him, Ringulf, ant meet you in de infirmary." Fin suggested. "Thank you, Sir Katrina for de news. I hope he is okay." She said worriedly and hurried off.
"Alright Finn I will be there in a few minutes..." Ringulf said to her as she strode off.
" I suppose we should tell Sir Dietule about Ari he will want to know. Is it true that Deitule is being sent back to Gaulica on a mission? I was hoping that he would be able to continue to instruct Aribjorn for a while, The boy needs a firm but understanding hand. He has a true Skandian heart but there is something strangely...Noble in him for a Skandian and he needs some guidance when it comes to matters of the heart. For him to be engaging in heroic exploits like he showed us today, makes me think he may get himself killed before he can achieve his goals. He is the son of a Skandian Jarl, did you know that? Can you imagine what it would be like for us to have A knight of Araluin on the Kunge's throne in Hallashome? Or even a voice on the Jarl's council?"
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Post by Ringulf on Oct 22, 2011 12:11:37 GMT -5
"Aribjorn! De nurse said you vwas here. Are you alvright?" Finn asked worriedly and then glanced at Mylia, noticing the self-concious look on her face. "Oh, hi Mylia. I am glad you are here to vwatch over him. I here he rescued some girls in de battle." Fin turned back to Ari, "Sir Katrina was quite impressed, I tink."
"Hello Madam Valkyrie!" Ari said with a great big grin at the private joke they shared.
He had always had a special fondness for Finn, his countrywoman, and a secret crush, though he never let it show since Caraway's events. He now felt towards her as one would feel toward a loving Aunt. (Though a very attractive one, none the less)
" I vass not trying to impress anybody especially Sir Katrina! She iss not de person I vant to be to closely looked at by! She vill most likely tink me a fool but I could not see any udder vay to help de girls ant der vas not alot of time for making plans. I am just glad dat my friend remembered the shielt trick!"
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Post by Firehead on Oct 26, 2011 13:46:25 GMT -5
With Ari and Fin busy chatting about the battle, Mylia felt that now was the opportune moment to take her leave and rejoin Ringulf outside. He was probably wondering where she was anyway... With a last look in Ari's direction, she slipped out the door and headed down the hallway. -------------------------------
Rab and Simone stood on the ramparts overlooking the courtyard and the outside alternately, while chatting quietly with one another.
"So, " Simone said, "You got a little too close for comfort out there, I take it?"
"You could say that." Rab replied, leaning back against the battlement and easing the weight off one leg. It was beginning to ache a little, and Rab put it down to a slightly strained muscle.
Simone glanced back at him, and was quiet for a moment, waiting for Rab to notice the silence and meet her gaze. When he did, questioningly, she said, "I could say that.And I could also say that you need to go see the healers." She gestured toward his left leg, and he looked down. Blood caked his pant leg from the knee down to his ankle, and still flowed steadily from five deep gouges set at even intervals from one another. "Oh."
From the mildness of his tone, one might have thought that Simone had told him something of very little interest to him. Simone raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to continue, but Rab appeared to have said all that he was going to. She sighed. "Come on, I'll help you down the stairs."
Rab allowed her to slide one shoulder under his left arm, helping to bear his weight on that side. "How? Planning to give me a shove at the top?"
Simone snorted softly, as they started walking slowly toward the stairwell that led to the courtyard below. "Ha. I'd sooner sling you over my shoulder and pack you down like a sack of potatoes."
Rab give her a genuine smile."No thanks. We can be a team and gimp down together."
Simone narrowed her eyes at Rab. Then she faced forward again, retorting, "Better hide that smile out of sight when we get inside. Some eligible young lady in there has only dreamed of ever having a hansome guy with a smile like yours. If she finds out that it's not just a myth anymore, she'll snatch you up in a heartbeat."
Rab paused, looking sideways at Simone, a slight hint of wariness in his expression. "Are you trying to get me hitched?"
Now it was Simone who smiled, albit wickedly. "No. But I'll start if you mention my gimp again."
Rab looked at her and a smile slowly etched it's way across his face. He did not say anything until they were down the stairs and partway across the courtyard, approaching Ringulf and a lady knight whom Rab had never met--not that he'd ever met that many knights to begin with. "Ringulf, Isn't it true that if Simone was more outgoing, that the first thing people would notice about her is not her gimp but her wit and--." he broke off as he managed to avoid the swipe she took at his head, then finished, "--charm?"
Simone closed her eyes, with a long-suffering expression and sighed. "If you dare agree with him, Ringulf, I will quit my job and move to Skandia."
"I'm sure they would love you up there. It would give you a chance to show off your wit and wonderful charm." Rab told her straight-faced.
Simone rolled her eyes and looked at Katrina. "Take this man inside and give him to a torturer."
Rab looked at Simone seriousness replacing the earlier wry smile. "I'm sorry, Simone, I shouldn't have teased you."
SImone accepted the appology with a slight tip of her head. "Thanks. But you're still going in with her. Besides, I want to be on hand in case Ringulf here, decides to say anything about quiting my job, moving to Skandia, or my 'wit and charm'." She gave them all a meaningful smile.
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