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Post by RacingBelle on Feb 19, 2011 13:57:13 GMT -5
"Morning to you too. Let's get the horses fed and groomed." He led the way into the stable where Windtreader greeted him with the usual enthusiasm.
Adriane got Lightning's grain as Rab got Windtreader's. Adriane smiled when Lightning came trotting over tossing his head and snorting. "Stop that silly. I know what you want. Come 're Lightning." She poured his feed into his bucket then grabbed a brush and started to groom him. Lightning seemed to enjoy the attention as much as his grain. Or perhaps it was just the food, Adriane couldn't tell. When Adriane was done she set off after Rab for cooking lesson number four. I think I'm getting pretty good at this cooking thing. Adriane thought cheerfully. After breakfast the pair went to saddle their horses for the trip to the castle. Finished he looked over to where Adriane was saddling her horse and asked, "Ready to go?"
Adriane gave her tack one last inspection before replying. "I am now." Then she swung herself into the saddle. Lightning tossed his head eagerly and Adriane soothed him. "Easy there, we have a ways to go." He seemed to realize that now wasn't the time to act like he wasn't a Ranger horse and contented himself with chomping the bit. Adriane whistled softly for Bolder, and he came settling himself by her left stirrup. She waited for the signal to get moving.
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Post by Firehead on Feb 21, 2011 14:53:49 GMT -5
"I am now."
"Good. Let's go." Rab backed Windtreader out of the stable before he swung up into the saddle. Turning the chestnut, he nudged him into a steady trot.
The trip was quiet--mostly because nothing was said--and mundane with nothing unusual taking place until they arrived at the village. That was where things took an upswing. The villagers stopped what they were doing and stood watching them as they passed by--their eyes moving from Rab to the dog to the apprentice and back to Rab. Nothing was said however until the Rangers were gone into the castle, but Rab felt the tension in the air thicken.
They entered the courtyard and dismounted, handing their horses over to the stablehands--or tried to. The stablehands refused to have anything to do with the Rangers, their horses, or the dog. Rab frowned and simply ground-tied Windtreader, murmuring to him, "It appears that we've lost barn privileges."
Turning to Adriane, he said, "Make sure your horse stays with Windtreader and follow me. Bring the dog." He hiked up the steps to the entrance and stopped in the doorway to wait for her. When she had joined him, he turned to lead the way to the barons study, noting as he did so, that any servants nearby drew away quickly. A noise outside caused him to turn back, and he saw the stablehands now leading their horses away to the barn. Rab frowned again, but all he said was, "Come on."
He lead the way to the Barron Finnbar's study and found the old man sitting in a chair, working over some letter that lay on the table before him. Rab gave a knock on the open doorway before approaching the baron's desk. The man looked up and studied Rab's apprentice and her dog. "Good heavens! What's this? Have you lost your senses? Or have you taken to raising Black Wolves?"
"Glad to see that you rate the Aprrentice's dog higher than my apprentice herself, sir....It's a little small to be a Wolf." he added, as he beckoned Adriane forward.
"Yes, I see that now. Oh I do hope that you didn't ride through the village--what with no rain and all and the ground being as hard as a rock, they're ready to riot, and you now consorting with a dog that looks like a miniature Black Wolf certainly won't help matters I fear. And I doubt that they'll be as quick to notice that its a dog." he said, holding out his hand first to Adriane to shake, and then to the dog to sniff. "You don't mind, I hope?" he asked her.
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Post by RacingBelle on Feb 21, 2011 22:43:12 GMT -5
"Good. Let's go."
Rab nudged Windtreader into a trot and Adriane followed suit. Lightning pulled at the reins nonchalantly, seemingly testing to see if Adriane's grip was loose enough to where he could take the bit in his mouth if he decided to go for a unplanned gallop. "Stop it you tease." Adriane whispered urgently. Lightning settled down, suddenly remembering that this wasn't an idle outing. "Good fella." Adriane looked down at Bolder, he was trotting along a little ways behind Lightning.
The trip was normal just like any other trip Adriane had taken with the Rangers that had looked after her before she had been assigned to Rab. That is until the pair reached the village. The villagers watched them with suspicious eyes though nothing was said. Adriane didn't like the attention that was given to her, Bolder, and Rab, she could feel the villagers staring at the group. Adriane made a sign to Bolder, silently telling him to stay close.
When they reached the castle, Adriane could feel things getting worse. She squirmed in the saddle, making Lightning flatten his ears and snort in protest. Alright I know that people are wary of us Ranger's but they never shun us completely. Adriane thought uneasily. Bolder curled his lips in the beginnings of a snarl but Adriane whispered his name sharply. But the girl could still see the black and white dog's ruff standing on edge. Master and apprentice dismounted when they got to the courtyard near the stables. Adriane had expected the stablehands to be friendly, or at least come up and take their horses to the stables. Contrary to her belief the stablehands would have nothing to do with them, simply ignoring them or giving them a glare.
Turning to Adriane, he said, "Make sure your horse stays with Windtreader and follow me. Bring the dog."
Adriane nodded to show that she had heard and understood. "Stay with Windtreader, Lightning. It's all right. If they hurt you though, I wouldn't mind if you bashed in their heads." Adriane said softly into the horse's ear. Lightning tossed his head up high, as if in total and utter agreement. "Bolder, tag-along." Adriane used the phrase for "follow me" and Bolder stuck to her left side like some contorted shadow. Adriane bounded after Rab, going up the steps. She heard a noise and turned her head to look for the source. Adriane didn't find one but did see the stablehands leading their horses into the barn. "If they make one wrong move with him their in for a nasty surprise." Adriane mumbled, feeling a small amount of contempt for them. Though Adriane doubted that the hands would dare hurt a Ranger's horse, considering the fact of all the rumors and myths going around about Ranger's. Adriane saw Rab's frown and reached down to fondle Bolder's ears nervously.
"Come on." Rab simple said, moving forward again.
Adriane noted that whenever she or Rab spotted a castle servant, they shank back. Then when she whipped her head around, the servant would be moving as if they had never passed. Adriane followed Rab as he lead the way to the Baron's study, trying to remember all the turns and significant sights as they went. Who knows Rab might want me to map this place out. Adriane thought, smiling grimly in her mind. It seemed hours to Adriane before Rab and herself reached the Baron's study. Rab gave a knock on the open door before entering. Adriane milled about in the door way though, with Bolder still standing at her left.
"Good heavens! What's this? Have you lost your senses? Or have you taken to raising Black Wolves?" The baron said, and Adriane clenched her jaw tight to keep from spitting out a sharp retort. Remember what Rab told you last night, he's an actor at heart. Plus he is your Baron, not a village boy stepping out of line. Adriane told herself, repeating that thought over and over again. She hardly heard Rab's answer, though a ghost of a smile brushed her face. Adriane straightened and stepped forward.
"Yes, I see that now. Oh I do hope that you didn't ride through the village--what with no rain and all and the ground being as hard as a rock, they're ready to riot, and you now consorting with a dog that looks like a miniature Black Wolf certainly won't help matters I fear. And I doubt that they'll be as quick to notice that its a dog." he said, holding out his hand first to Adriane to shake, and then to the dog to sniff. "You don't mind, I hope?" he asked her.
Adriane took his hand and shook it. "No, sir. But truly it is not me who you should be asking. It's him." Adriane gave a tilt of her head to where Bolder was sniffing the hand. "I think he likes you, though. I'm Adriane Stormbringer and he's Bolder. I'm afraid we did ride through the village. I think perhaps I now know the meaning of their stares. I'm sorry if Bolder here might be the cause of future trouble in the village. If you look, he is not all black. His underside is white." Adriane spoke sincerely and with respect to the Baron. She would be a fool not to. Adriane gently lifted Bolder's head, showing the white chin and chest.. The apprentice's sense of unease was fading but the feeling still lingered. Adriane looked inquiringly at Rab, quite unsure of herself now. Being formal was certainly not her prowess; Adriane knew that they hadn't come all this way to talk about whether Bolder was a Black Wolf or not.
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Post by Firehead on Feb 22, 2011 15:11:51 GMT -5
Adriane took his hand and shook it. "No, sir. But truly it is not me who you should be asking. It's him." Adriane gave a tilt of her head to where Bolder was sniffing the hand. "I think he likes you, though. I'm Adriane Stormbringer and he's Bolder. I'm afraid we did ride through the village. I think perhaps I now know the meaning of their stares. I'm sorry if Bolder here might be the cause of future trouble in the village. If you look, he is not all black. His underside is white."
Rab looked on as his apprentice introduced herself with confidence. The baron allowed Bolder to sniff his hand, then scratched the dog behind his ears as he studied the white patches on the dog's chest and chin. "Ah, yes, noticeably now. Noticeably now." he repeated to himself as he straightened back in his chair and adjusted his spectacles. "So, she is your apprentice." he stated more than asked.
Rab gave a nod. "As of two days ago."
"Very good, very good. Now then, how are things going out in the fief--any potential or current problems that I should know about?"
"It's been quiet the past month. The dams and levys are in good shape--no tapering or any leaking. Found a Black Wolf track yesterday when we were conducting a few field exercises. It looked to be a day old, but there was only one--although there's more out there for certain."
"Indeed, indeed. Go on, anything else?"
"No....Oddly enough. It's been quiet--almost eiry."
Baron Finnbar pursed his lips with a look of concern on his face. "Hmm. That doesn't sound good. Not that it never happens, but its so rare...." he trailed off for a moment, then shifted the topic. "Well, for my part the locals are quite unhappy with this drought we're having, and the tension has been getting so thick of late that I swear sometimes you could cut it with a blunt spoon. There's been some rumbling going on out there and it doesn't bode well. I've written my Christmas wish list early this year. I'm quite proud of it--Would you like to see it?--I'm planning on sending off a copy to every fief in the kingdom. Here, take a look and tell me if I've missed anything, other than the rain, of course." He handed Rab a sheet of parchment and clasped his hands before him on the desk and waited as Rab read the list.
To: As winter is coming far to soon for this beleaguered fief, and for the third year in a row we have experienced a drought, please send the following--any of the following--in whatever amount you can spare.
Grains Vegeatables Fruits WATER--lots of WATER
"Do you think I should cross that last one out?" the Baron questioned when Rab returned the parchment.
Rab gave a shrug. "If you feel you need to. Anything else we need to discuss?"
"Not that I can think of." the Baron replied. "As usual, dinner is at six--you are planning to spend the night as usual, aren't you?"
"I was planning to." Rab paused then turned to Adriane. "Anything you'd like to ask or throw out for discussion before we leave the Baron to his wishlist?" he asked, that slight twinkle returning to his eyes.
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Post by RacingBelle on Feb 23, 2011 21:15:23 GMT -5
Adriane nodded satisfied when Barron Finnbar scratched behind Bolder's ears. "Your a sucker for people who do that right?" Adriane said softly to the dog as the two adults started to talk. After that Adriane paided more attention, listening to the going on's of the fiefdom. Nothing much, everything is pretty quiet like Rab said. Adriane fiddled with her bronze oakleaf thoughtfully. She perked up when Baron Finnbar spoke.
Baron Finnbar pursed his lips with a look of concern on his face. "Hmm. That doesn't sound good. Not that it never happens, but its so rare...." he trailed off for a moment, then shifted the topic. "Well, for my part the locals are quite unhappy with this drought we're having, and the tension has been getting so thick of late that I swear sometimes you could cut it with a blunt spoon. There's been some rumbling going on out there and it doesn't bode well. I've written my Christmas wish list early this year. I'm quite proud of it--Would you like to see it?--I'm planning on sending off a copy to every fief in the kingdom. Here, take a look and tell me if I've missed anything, other than the rain, of course." He handed Rab a sheet of parchment and clasped his hands before him on the desk and waited as Rab read the list.
To: As winter is coming far to soon for this beleaguered fief, and for the third year in a row we have experienced a drought, please send the following--any of the following--in whatever amount you can spare.
Grains Vegeatables Fruits WATER--lots of WATER
Adraine craned her neck and caught a glimpse of what it said. The Ranger apprentice bit her lip hard to keep from laughing. Ranger's do not laugh. They don't laugh at a Baron's wish list. They don't... Adriane thought about every single reason that she possibly could to keep from laughing.
"Not that I can think of." the Baron replied. "As usual, dinner is at six--you are planning to spend the night as usual, aren't you?"
"I was planning to." Rab paused then turned to Adriane. "Anything you'd like to ask or throw out for discussion before we leave the Baron to his wishlist?" he asked, that slight twinkle returning to his eyes.
Adriane noticed that strange twinkle in Rab's eyes and that as the last of Adriane's self control. She let out a strangled laugh, which quickly turned into a false coughing fit. "Um...sorry. Well, it's nice to meet you Baron Finnbar. So this means I won't have cooking lesson number five?" Adriane aimed that last comment at Rab more than Baron Finnbar. Adriane was blushing fiercely despite her efforts not to. Though her brown eyes shown with an amused light not embarrassment.
OOC: Nice touch that wish list! lol I laughed so hard...XD
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Post by Firehead on Apr 4, 2011 11:36:10 GMT -5
"Um...sorry. Well, it's nice to meet you Baron Finnbar. So this means I won't have cooking lesson number five?"
Rab looked on as Adriane's face turned a rather unique shade of red. Embarrassed. "Apparently not. Let's go fetch our gear."
He led the way out of the Baron's study and back down to the main entrance to the stables. As they walked, Rab murmured, just loud enough for her to hear, "The Baron Finnbar happens to have a sense of humor. It's alright to laugh if you find something funny.....Just maybe use a little tact or common sense." he added after a moment.
They reached the stables to find that the horses had been groomed, fed, and watered, and their gear placed on the wall betwixt the two stalls. Rab gathered his gear together and turned to head back inside. In doing so, he startled a stable boy, who immediately stopped his pretense of sweeping the floor, and darted out of sight. Rab watched the stall into which the boy had ducked for a moment, then decided not to pursue the matter further, and headed indoors.
On the way to the room where he usually spent such nights when imposing on the Baron's hospitality, he stopped by the postal room to collect his mail--a good months' worth.
After he had stowed his gear, and secured an empty room next to his for Adriane, he turned his attention to his letters, and hers to her lessons. "Map the route we took to get here. When your finished with that, write an accompaniment describing the route we took, the conditions of the trail, the weather, and anything else that you think might be important.
" Imagine a scenario like this: you've been murdered--and the Rangers are trying to retrace your steps. Your job is to write down anything you think they should know in order to help them discover who--or what--might have contributed to your death. It will also help them to know where you were at the time of the letter writing and where you might be headed. How you got there, and how you plan on traveling; when you got there, what you were there for....that sort of thing."
He ended and went back to reading his letters. A couple of times he glanced over at her, wondered if he should add anything else, or apologize for the gruesome scenario he'd given her. It had been the first one that had come to mind off the top of his head.... At last he added, "If you have any questions, just ask. I'll try to answer them." After all, he didn't have all the answers.
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