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Post by Brandwyn on Jun 18, 2011 16:53:20 GMT -5
The Gathering 657
Rick rode next to Crowley as they neared the Gathering Grounds. He had his eyes peeled on the tree branches above and the bushes alongside the road, fully expecting some ranger to waylay them as they rode openly into the area. They had taken a very circuitous route to ensure the secret location of the Gathering remained that way, but now that they were on the outskirts of the Grounds, Crowley wanted to make his presence known.
Rick glanced back to see if his apprentice, Tam, was still behind them. This was Tam’s first trip to a Gathering and Rick smiled at him encouragingly. “Don’t look so apprehensive, Tam, we are all friends here.” Rick swept his arm toward the forest that appeared to be empty. “Boy do I remember my first gathering. It only took six weeks or so for my arm to heal after that little training exercise.” Rick winked at Crowley who chuckled and suddenly sent an arrow skimming off ahead and to their right where it thudded into a tree trunk and Rick heard a yelp followed by laughter. “You missed this one.” Rick flicked a knife at a tree branch that overhung the road in front of them. It caught a scrap of tunic. "hey!" exclaimed the tunic's owner as he pulled the knife out of the tree branch. "that was awfully close!" said a young man around age 17 or 18. Rick just grinned at him.
“No I didn’t.” Crowley snapped, hiding a smile. “That’s what I have you youngsters along for.” He shouldered his still strung bow as a fourth year apprentice dropped onto the path in front of them and handed Rick his knife back, tipping his hat to them and laughing. The young man rounded up his buddies and scurried off to another section of woods where they would set up another ambush to try and catch an unsuspecting ranger approaching the grounds. “Don’t they ever get tired of doing that?” Crowley asked Rick a bit testily.
“You forget, Oh Great Commander, that it is always a fresh crop of apprentices, not the same ones over and over again.” Rick grinned. “It is still the greatest feat among the apprentices to catch the Great Crowley unawares, or even more so, the infamous Halt or famous Will Treaty.”
“Please, Rick, enough with the epitaphs.” Crowley rolled his eyes. “I am getting too old for these hide and seek games.”
“Nonsense, they keep you on your toes.” Rick quipped. “Besides just by being here and being you, you are training them in the art of unseen movement. It’s good for them.”
Crowley paused his horse and looked sideways at Rick. “Easy for you to say, you aren’t the one who’s always being snuck up on every single year by every apprentice that has the guts or temerity to do so.” Crowley resumed his pace. “And back to your earlier comment,” Crowley turned to Tam, “pay no attention to him, boy. As I recall it, Rick got that broken arm because he fell off his horse while trying to chase down a pretty apprentice girl who was leading him a merry chase around the grounds.”
Rick paused then, pulling up Domingo who took advantage of the stop to chomp a leaf from a bush along the deer trail they were following. “Oh yeah! I remember her now. Boy could that girl ride.” Then Rick’s smile faded away. “Whatever happened to her anyway? I never saw her again after that gathering.”
Crowley stopped his horse and turned back toward Rick. “She was captured by those river pirates up there in Marshwood and Caraway. We aren’t sure exactly what became of her, but we never did find her. It is quite likely they killed her and dumped her body in the marsh someplace.” Crowley looked at Tam. “I don’t mean to scare you, Tamlin, but this is a dangerous job, even as an apprentice.” He started moving again, spurring his horse into a canter. “Come on, let’s get there before anyone else tries to sneak up on me.”
Rick glanced back at Tam as well, his face grave. He hadn’t thought about that girl since the gathering and felt guilty that he hadn’t even known of her fate. “Come on Tam, we got camp to set up before it gets dark," he said softly, his bantering subdued.
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dian
Apprentice Scribe
this status thing reminds me of Facebook
Posts: 100
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Post by dian on Jun 19, 2011 23:05:19 GMT -5
Dian had been following the group of Rangers to the Gathering, a small distance behind, and easily forgotten. She wouldn't really be participating in this Gathering too much, she was only an apprentice of one month or so. Her former mentor had gone missing so Crowley and Rick were bringing her to the gathering to find her a new mentor. She was a small ways away since she was riding a borrowed battle horse instead of a ranger horse (her former mentor hadn't had the chance to get her a horse, or whatever he would have done) and to be quite honest she looked ridiculous riding the giant horse.
Dian looked up as she heard the commotion, an arrow and a knife flew in different directions. No one had properly told her about what was happening, so she had gotten a little freaked out, but as the people showed themselves, she had realized that they were just apprentices. What in the world where they doing? she thought, but instead of worrying about it she let it go, though she would definitely ask whoever her new mentor was.
Dian caught up to the rangers, who seemed as nonchalant as ever. As weird as it was her curiosity was curbed in the presence of such powerful figures. As much as she was burning to ask what was going to happen next, who her mentor would be, what was with the apprentices, etc, she just couldn't bring up her courage to do so. She felt childish being frightened, but she had a good reason to be.
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Post by Firehead on Jun 20, 2011 11:01:53 GMT -5
Tam was getting better at riding, his constant forced practice was paying off slowly but surely. Once he'd finally gotten used to riding and keeping his balance, he'd started working on improving his balance still more. He'd started with riding bareback, then with no hands. once he'd mastered that, he went on to the saddle. That had taken a bit of work, since Horse liked to throw a variable into the exercise every once in a while, like throwing up his head suddenly and jigging sideways with quick mincing steps. But he'd mastered that as well, and then--when Rick hadn't been around to see it (he didn't want to give Rick a scare or a heart attack)--he'd started...well, he didn't know the right word for it, but, "playing around". There were times when he still felt insecure riding, but he was slowly gaining confidence in his ability to stay on.
He rode slightly behind Rick and Crowley, slouching slightly in the saddle. He felt like he was skulking around someplace where he'd be better off not being. Ahead of him, Rick and Crowley chattered on about something that Tam had no idea about, and frankly, he wasn't interested in. He was more interested in keeping track of whoever it was who was stalking them. Sudden commotion broke out in front and Crowley and Rick flushed two apprentices from the trailside.
Horse took this as a great opportunity to act surprised and rear up on his hind legs, almost to the point of overbalancing. Startled, Tam broke off his vigilant watch behind them and grabbed for Horse's mane to keep his balance. He succeeded in staying on and turned to look behind them once more. A lad a few years older than him broke off whatever he'd been planning upon his being seen and grinned mischievously at Tam before fading quickly back into the brush and trees. This made no sense to Tam, until he looked forward again. Then it began to make plenty of sense, made clearer by Crowley and Ricks' turn of conversation. Apparently, such attempted ambushings were the norm for a Gathering. Tam deduced that this was just the beginning.
Tam trailed along, close to Rick the rest of the way to the Grounds, his senses on a heightened awareness after the failed ambush. The girl whom Crowley had brought along when they'd joined up for the ride to the Grounds caught up with them, and rode about even with Tamlin, who eyed her horse with a wary look.
Upon reaching the Grounds, they started looking for a good place to set up camp. Tamlin looked about him at the others who had already reached the grounds. Most everyone was taller than him, which wasn't all that hard, he thought wryly. One Ranger in particular caught his eye--a tall, burly figure who towered above the small slight figure beside him. Tam sidled Horse closer to Rick and, pointing them out, asked, "Who's th' big fella over there?"
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Post by Brandwyn on Jun 20, 2011 22:54:33 GMT -5
Rick didn’t miss the looks of apprehension on the faces of his two young traveling companions, but he didn’t want to spoil the fun of their first Gathering by giving them too many details right up front. He kept an eye on them both, however, recognizing that they were a bit more timid than some of the other new first years.
Crowley left them on the outskirts of the grounds, “Dian stay with Rick and Tam here until I round up your mentor. I’ll introduce you just as soon as get the chance.” Crowley’s face softened as he looked at hers, “I know you have a lot of questions, don’t be afraid to ask them of Rick, of your new mentor or any other ranger here. You are going to be just fine, Dian.” Then he turned his horse and rode on toward the center of the grounds where a group of senior rangers were directing apprentices in putting up a huge pavilion.
Rick scanned the area and picked out a good campsite that had three nice flat areas for tents and several large rocks for sitting around. It was his usual campsite and there was space for a large bonfire in the center with the rocks ringing it. He dismounted and started to uncinch his saddle. “Now I know why Crowley told me to throw that extra tent in, Dian. I couldn’t understand why when he first ordered it.” He tossed a bundle of fabric toward one of the flat spaces. “There you go, Lass, and here is your tent, Tam. I know we don’t usually have them, but at the gathering we are allowed some luxuries,” he joked. “Let’s turn the horses out right over there and then you two watch me set up my tent. They are designed to be able to put them up all by yourself.”
Tam sidled Horse closer to Rick and, pointing them out, asked, "Who's th' big fella over there?"
Rick looked up to where Tam was pointing and squinted against the sunlight. “Looks like Ringulf maybe. He is the ranger of Marshwood and unless we have a new one, he is the only Skandian ranger I know about. That’s probably Mylia or Tory with him. Mylia is his apprentice and I understand he is mentoring Tory while Tandar is on leave.” Rick went back to brushing Domingo out and taking off all his tack. There was no need to tie the horse up; he wouldn’t go out of line of sight of Rick. “You know both of them don’t you Tam? I Thought I saw you talking to them back at the Harvest Faire.”
After they finished getting the horses settled in on a nice piece of grassy meadow, Rich showed the two apprentices how to set their tents up. He gave them a fairly long lesson on where to set up a tent in the wilderness detailing looking for the water flow pattern during a storm. “If you know which way the water is going to flow in a torrential downpour, you can avoid setting your tent where a flash flood is going to wash it, and you, away.”
The spent some time after that gathering firewood and Rick exchanged greetings with several rangers and apprentices out doing the same thing. Once he had a fire going at their camp he had them both take a seat. “Okay, since this is your first Gathering, here are some of the things you can expect. First Crowley is going to begin the Gathering with a speech, which is usually a bit more lecture than speech, and then he usually gives out the new assignments. Every year rangers are moved around for various reasons. Usually it is because someone retires or dies and there is a fief that needs covering. As in your case, Dian, with the disappearance of your mentor, Crowley is going to have to assign someone to your fief, even if only temporarily.”
Rick tossed another stick onto the fire which was growing bigger and bigger by the minute. “Then during the rest of the Gathering, the rangers create a series of challenges for the apprentices and each apprentice is discussed by many of the rangers. The rangers decide if they are going on to the next level or not.” Rick explained. “The challenges are not impossible tasks and are geared toward assessing your current skill level and abilities. I won’t say they are easy, but you should not get a test that is beyond your capability conquer.” Rick turned to Dian, “in your case, since you are so new, they will be testing you to see if you can remain as an apprentice. For you Tam, you will be going on to second year.” “Don’t be too concerned over the tests. They aren’t really tests, more like training sessions and there is no ‘right’ answer normally.” Rick tried to alleviate their concerns. “As to the rest of the time, when you aren’t in a class or some other official duty, your time is your own. Get to know your fellow apprentices, especially those in your year. They will be your closest friends as you grow up and all through your life.” Rick advised. “Think of this week as a vacation; because it is the closest you will ever get to having one.”
Rick saw Ringulf and Tory approaching. “You can start having fun now that we have camp set up. By the way, I should warn you that this campfire tends to get a bit loud late at night. It seems that several rangers tend to find their way here and sit up all night telling tall tales and butchering old folk songs. I think it is because we have the best natural seating on the grounds.” Rick grinned, “Any questions?”
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Post by Ringulf on Jun 21, 2011 21:37:46 GMT -5
Ringulf rode his big chestnut stallion down the sun dappled path. He had Tory with him and from time to time he sent out either she or Mylia to scout for pranksters and the all too common ranger ambushers. Right now it was Mylia's turn to try to either flush them out or surprise them herself. They were almost to the camp were they would be pitching their tents so Ringulf threw a leg over his saddle horn and slid down rather lightly for a large man, to land on the ground next to Chenelot.
"Tory give me a hand with the pack horse we need to pitch the tent and I have to find Crowley to see who is going to be helping me run the throwing range."
He took a large bundle off the back of Chenelot and unwrapped the green canvas that held it and Tory saw the two dozen or so throwing axes he had made for the training sessions Crowley had asked him to run during the Ranger Gathering.
He saw her look at the multitude of Skandian type throwing axes, They were all much like his own in shape but a bit smaller.
"These are going to be used to teach our rangers and apprentices some of the finer points of Skandian combat." He chuckled as he sorted them.
" I have been telling Crowley for years that it would be a good addition to a Rangers bag of tricks and a helpful skill to teach our apprentices as just about everyone has a camp axe or hand axe from the lowliest crofter to the loftiest Baron if they are out in the wild."
"Thanks to Ari, you and Mylia have two very nice ones, I will teach you both how to do more than chop kindling with them. Along with your seax and throwing blade it can be a strong adversary if for some reason you can no longer count on your bow."
He stepped to the pack horse after he set the axes aside and they rolled out the green and brown striped Skandian tent.
The one he had with him was a miniature version of a real Skandian tent for it was not much more than seven foot long and one could barely stand in it, but it was fully framed as the originals and the two scissored cross trees at the front and back had carved ends. They were made in the shape of two bear heads "adorsed" or in other words looking out in opposite directions.
They then got the other two out, these were a bit smaller but constructed the same way. The carved ends on Tory's had lovely horse heads and the other was for Mylia and what looked like whole mice crouched on top of each cross tree with their long tails coiled around the post to the ridge pole
Ringulf had made the framework and carved the ends for all of them and Finn had sewn the brown and green canvas together in stripes like the big square sails of a Skandian ship.
These were not the kind of tents that a Ranger would carry on the trail if he or she needed to travel light but since they were going to be here a little while Ringulf felt they all would benefit by having their own place to sleep and live.
They had room for there leather and blanket bedrolls as well as there pack at their head and their weapons and a very comfy three legged collapsible stool with a triangular leather seat.
The seat had triangular pockets sewn onto the underside of the points and the tops of the stool's legs fit into them nicely. An iron ring fit around The three legs and made them sit in a triangle on the ground. They each had a little bit of carving on the strong hickory legs and some tooled knot work that ran along the edge of the leather seat. The whole thing could be folded up in an instant wrapped with the leather seat and popped into the fitted green canvas bag with the drawstring top.
It was starting to seem as though Ringulf and Fin truly enjoyed spending the long winter evenings making beautiful useful items together and the Girls were becoming the beneficiaries of their new activities.
Of course Geir had a set of his own but he did not come to the gathering having made the decision to follow Simone into the Marshwardens for now. Finn may have been somewhat relieved after the goings on in Norgate that Geir and Simone would be fairly close by while Ringulf and the girls were so far away.
It seemed like those Rangers had been away from their Fife more than they had been in it! But after the Gathering things would settle down and they would all get into the rhythm of Marshwood.
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Post by Firehead on Jun 22, 2011 8:25:14 GMT -5
Rick looked up to where Tam was pointing and squinted against the sunlight. “Looks like Ringulf maybe. He is the ranger of Marshwood and unless we have a new one, he is the only Skandian ranger I know about. That’s probably Mylia or Tory with him. Mylia is his apprentice and I understand he is mentoring Tory while Tandar is on leave.” Rick went back to brushing Domingo out and taking off all his tack. There was no need to tie the horse up; he wouldn’t go out of line of sight of Rick. “You know both of them don’t you Tam? I Thought I saw you talking to them back at the Harvest Faire.”
"Tory, yeah, I know her but th' other...Wait a minute--is she th' one that whupped me at th' faire? Yeah, then I know her." Tam turned to eye the big man again. Jus' ta be on th' safe side, I ain't gettin' nowhere close ta him.
A while later, they had their camp set up and in order, and the three of them were seated around the fire, Rick giving them something of a lecture on what they should expect at their first Gathering. Tam listened closely, especially noting what Rick said about making friends with the apprentices--especially those in the same year. Tam turned to look for Tory, and when he spotted her, thought to himself, We gotta lotta ground to make up for that ta ever happen.
Rick finished his instructions and asked, “Any questions?”
Tam looked up at his mentor. "Yeah. If'n it takes two years ta get to yer second year of apprentice-ship, how long does it take ta get ta yer third?" ------------------
Mylia slipped through the underbrush, pausing every once in a while to listen and watch for any signs of someone who might be trailing her. So far, so good. No one. About ten yards to her left, her pony, Spinner, kept pace on with her on the trail, keeping both ears swiveling to keep her in his range. Using this method of travel, Mylia had managed to avoid notice so far and had even caught Red sneaking around.
"Trying to stay out of someone's way, or planning an ambush?" she'd asked.
Red had jumped and then given her a guilty and chagrined look. "Well, thanks alot for your vote of confidence. Actually, I was hunting for a deer."
She eyed him skeptically. "Just so long as that 'deer' ain't me." she warned.
"Oh don't worry about that. You're about as charming as an agitated cobra, with a knife in your hand." Red replied, then had disappeared into the brush with a "So long, see you later."
Red had snuck up on her during the last Gathering (her first), before Ringulf could warn him that she was picky about people sneaking up on her, and clapped a hand on the back of her neck and said "BOO!" She had been peeling a potato for dinner with her knife and had nearly gutted him on the spot.
Now, as Mylia flitted from cover to cover and shadow to shadow, moving steadily toward the Gathering Grounds, she thought she heard a sound to her right. She stopped, freezing stock still and listening intently. The sound came again, and this time she deduced that whatever it was, it was small, and not bothering to hide the noise it made. She glided stealthily forward until she could peer around a tree and see it. What she saw brought a smile to her face. It was a rabbit. ---------------
Ringulf and Tory were just finishing setting up the tents when Spinner came galloping into the camp, reins flapping along his neck loosely. On his back, tied to the saddle, Mylia slumped forward on her horses' neck, her arms hanging limp from the shoulders, not having the strength left to hold on. Blood soaked her shirtfront and left side, staining her clothes dark red. She appeared to be barely clinging to life, as Spinner thundered up to Ringulf and skidded to a stop before him.
Mylia focused inward, keeping her body as limp and comfortable as she could. She heard Ringulf and Tory's startled voices as Spinner came to an abrupt halt, heard them approaching, felt Ringulf gather her gently down from the saddle and lay her on the ground a short distance away from the horse. She could feel him putting pressure on her wounds and bellowing at top volume for someone, she didn't know who. She could hear running feet as others came to find out what the sudden commotion was all about. She could hear Red protesting, "She was fine when I saw her!" and wondered if he were catching it from Rinuglf or one of the other Rangers. Then she felt a tug on her clothes as someone pulled her shirt up to examine the extent of her injuries, and heard silence from the nearest people--probably the ones who were able to see it. The silence slowly spread out until everyone was silent. She heard a few shuffling feet moving about as one or two tried to see why the sudden silence. She could no longer help herself.
"Surprise!" She burst out laughing as she opened her eyes and looked into the startled faces of those kneeling beside her. Bracing herself with one hand, she sat up and pulled down her shirt with the other, covering her perfectly healthy and unscathed stomach again.
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Post by Ringulf on Jun 22, 2011 11:21:40 GMT -5
"There are other ways of getting us to see your muscular little midriff my young apprentice, that don't include taking several years off my life! Besides Ari is all the way back in Marshwood and he would be the one most interested in such sights!" Ringulf said in an angry tone. Then he gave a wink and threw the rabbit's blood stained cloth he was using, over her mischievous grin and got up to walk back to the camp.
"Did I ever tell you the story of the boy who cried wolf?" he said loud enough for all around to hear him "Yeah I thought so...well now that you are here, dress that rabbit for dinner, get your lodgings in order and meet Tory and I at the lake, it was a long ride and I think we all need a long swim!"
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Post by Firehead on Jun 22, 2011 13:35:00 GMT -5
"There are other ways of getting us to see your muscular little midriff my young apprentice, that don't include taking several years off my life! Besides Ari is all the way back in Marshwood and he would be the one most interested in such sights!" Ringulf said in an angry tone. Then he gave a wink and threw the rabbit's blood stained cloth he was using, over her mischievous grin and got up to walk back to the camp.
Beneith the rag, Mylia flushed a bright red, but she quickly pushed her embarrassment away and yanked the cloth off her head. "How else was I going to get close to you? We both know I'd never be able to sneak up on you because that's what you would expect me ta do. So I did something you wouldn't expect!"
Red gave a bark of laughter at that--he was always one to fully appreciate a good successful joke...sometimes including when it was played on him.
"Did I ever tell you the story of the boy who cried wolf?" Ringulf said loud enough for all around to hear him.
"Yeah. But don't worry Ringulf, I won't pull that one on you twice." Mylia grinned.
"Yeah I thought so...well now that you are here, dress that rabbit for dinner, get your lodgings in order and meet Tory and I at the lake, it was a long ride and I think we all need a long swim!"
Mylia laughed at his guess and climbed to her feet. Walking to Spinner, she unbuckled one of the saddlebags and pulled out the rabbit, wrapped in a cloth to keep it from bleeding into her other possessions. Behind her she heard a round of chuckles and a few Rangers gave her a clap on the back in congradulations. "No one's ever tried that one before--not even Red!" one said.
Mylia finished her chores an hour later, and ran to join Ringulf and Tory as her mentor had requested. He's probably going to try to get me back for that one--I wouldn't be surprised. No matter, I can always play another on him! With that reasuring thought, she joined the two Rangers at the waters edge with a smile and still a bit of a lingering twinkle in her eye.
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Post by Ringulf on Jun 22, 2011 16:46:13 GMT -5
As Ringulf turned his back to Mylia and started for the lake, his smile widened and it was very hard for him to contain the chuckle that accompanied his pride and admiration of his young apprentice. She was growing in leaps and bounds and he knew deep down in his heart that she would be a very fine ranger one day, even surpassing him, which is what all good mentors want in their apprentices.
"C'mon Tory lets see how cold the water is, I know of a spot on the west side of the lake that a waterfall comes down into and it gets deep enough to dive!" He wasn't sure if that was really going to entice her, but it was something that he enjoyed and before he got into the rigors of the Gathering he wanted some time to relax.
He missed Fin already but was very excited about being here among his peers, old friends and the many young apprentices he was going to be helping teach, including his own.
Crowley had asked him, as much for his own recovery as for the apprentices sake, to come up with some of the more unique things that made Ringulf a little different and try to teach a few classes for the apprentices as well as some of the other Rangers who may have been interested in some of his primarily Skandian approach to Rangering.
Ringulf was a bit reluctant at first but realized that he had been given so much back in his life most recently and it would not be right to with hold anything he could help others with. His shy, reclusiveness of the last decade or so was now in the past, it was time for him to be the ranger he was meant to be.
Unfortunately the Ranger he was was still a little odd, even since the cessation of hostilities between Araluen and Skandia and the increasing interest in things "Skandian" that seemed to occurring since the treaty, many old impressions especially among the more experienced rangers were still dying hard.
He had chosen to instruct and run a range for thrown weapons and expand the repatior from simply the accepted throwing knife to the axe, spear and javelin. He also wanted to teach about how the standard issue ranger's throwing knife could be adapted to make a very fine throwing spear for survival, hunting and warfare should the need arise.
His other specialty was the art of long distance shooting with the longbow. This was going to be more for the advanced students of the bow, which might include several of the better apprentices, but more likely it was going to help those who had some skill and experience and wanted to be consistent at more than 50 yards.
They were getting down to the sandy shores of the lake and then turned to the west to follow along the shore.
The shoreline varied between sand and pebbles to areas of little lily pads and here and there there were large rocks and boulders that they would have to scale or wade around. finally they got to a rise that was strewn with boulders and went up to a natural wall.
At the top a waterfall poured out over the lip and came spilling down to the large, deep hole that was dark blue and inviting.
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dian
Apprentice Scribe
this status thing reminds me of Facebook
Posts: 100
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Post by dian on Jun 23, 2011 9:25:55 GMT -5
“Dian stay with Rick and Tam here until I round up your mentor. I’ll introduce you just as soon as get the chance.” Crowley said. Dian smiled, so the secrete of her mentor was going to remain so for a little longer. She had expected as much from a ranger, but that didn't mean she didn't still want to know. that smile melted away when Crowley said “I know you have a lot of questions, don’t be afraid to ask them of Rick, of your new mentor or any other ranger here. You are going to be just fine, Dian.” Dian was surprised on how much Crowley had know, but then realized he had probably dealt with... somewhat similar occasions. With that he turned around and headed to a pavilion.
After a few moments Dian dismounted the borrowed horse and nearly fell to the ground, luckily for her both Rick and Tam were to preoccupied with something else. Rick tossed her a tent, explaining that it was a bit of a luxury to Rangers, who would need to be stealthy when in the forest or the open fields for that matter, and a tent would way them down. That's at least what she thought. Then Rick went on explaining how to set up the tent and a few other points of camping out
“Okay, since this is your first Gathering, here are some of the things you can expect. First Crowley is going to begin the Gathering with a speech, which is usually a bit more lecture than speech, and then he usually gives out the new assignments. Every year rangers are moved around for various reasons. Usually it is because someone retires or dies and there is a fief that needs covering. As in your case, Dian, with the disappearance of your mentor, Crowley is going to have to assign someone to your fief, even if only temporarily.”
Dian took in every word of this, wanting to learn as much as she could and then after a few seconds Rick continued.
“Then during the rest of the Gathering, the rangers create a series of challenges for the apprentices and each apprentice is discussed by many of the rangers. The rangers decide if they are going on to the next level or not.” Rick explained. “The challenges are not impossible tasks and are geared toward assessing your current skill level and abilities. I won’t say they are easy, but you should not get a test that is beyond your capability conquer.” Rick turned to Dian, “in your case, since you are so new, they will be testing you to see if you can remain as an apprentice. For you Tam, you will be going on to second year.” Rick continued his description of the gathering and Dian sat, very attentive.
Dian thought this was interesting her old mentor had said that she wouldn't be doing much at the Gathering, and she was a bit surprised to be tested. She tried not to show her surprise, but she didn't know if it worked. After Rick asked if there were any questions, Dian thought for a moment, wondering which ones she would ask. Suddenly she heard the light yipping sound of a puppy, she had almost forgot. She grabbed her puppy from the special place in her pack she had made for it. "Yeah, umm, I have this puppy and I was intending to train it with my former mentor but then... anyway do you think my new mentor will allow it?" Dian asked, it was the only question she cared about. Her puppy had been given to her by her dad and she didn't want to give it up.
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Post by Brandwyn on Jun 24, 2011 12:17:56 GMT -5
Tory dropped the hammer for the tent stakes on her foot when she saw Spinner running up with a limp Mylia covered in blood on his back. “Mylia! No!” She screeched and held Spinner still while Ringulf pulled Mylia from his back. She heard Ringulf hollering for a physician as she watched him pull back her bloody shirt. Tory was just about to sprint off to find Rick Greenriver, remembering that Crowley had said he was one of the best rangers with herbs, when Mylia suddenly sat up and said, "Surprise!" and burst out laughing. It took Tory a few minutes to realize that it was all a joke then she offered Mylia a hand up off the ground.
As soon as she was standing, Tory swung her other hand and gave her a ‘kid slug” in the shoulder. “You Rat! You scared me to death!” Tory exclaimed and then burst out laughing. “You sure had Ringulf going though.” Then she drew herself up and put one hand on her hip and shook her finger in Mylia’s face. “Don’t you ever do that to me again though!” She tried to be stern, but she couldn’t help the corners of her mouth turning upward. “Just for that I am going to let you put your tent up by yourself! Humph!” She picked up the hammer that had toppled off her still smarting toe to lie on its side next to the stakes she had already pounded in for Mylia’s tent. “Here you go.” She said and smiled sweetly. “See you at the swimming hole.” She couldn’t hide her snicker though as she remembered the look on Ringulf’s face, much like the one on her own she was sure, when Mylia sprang her joke. “That was a good one, Mylia. I have to hand it to you, even if you got me too.”
She started to follow Ringulf, not sure where he was going but then turned back, “Holler if you need some help.” Then she started toward the lake. Not far away, she saw Rick and Tam and some other girl watching the commotion from a distance. Rick had his ranger bag in his hand and looked as if he was trying to decide if his help was needed or not.
Making a note of the route Ringulf was going, Tory took a detour and ran up to Rick and Tam. “Everything is okay, Sir.” She said to Rick. “Mylia was just having a bit of fun with Ringulf. She’s not really hurt.” Tory looked at Tam and then the new girl. “Hey Tam, we are going swimming, you want to come? Bring your friend too.” She nodded to Dian. “Hi, I am Tory. I gotta run though, Ringulf is leaving me behind.” She turned then and ran after Ringulf.
As she was catching up to him he turned and called back, "C'mon Tory let’s see how cold the water is, I know of a spot on the west side of the lake that a waterfall comes down into and it gets deep enough to dive!"
“I’m coming. I invited Tam and that new girl too. I hope you don’t mind.” Tory said, running after him. She followed him around the edge of the lake and up to where the waterfall pooled. “That looks kinda cold.” Tory eyed the deep water with some trepidation. She was still terrified of rivers, having not had one single good experience with any river she’d encountered yet, but was only leery of lakes. However the waterfall was churning the water up, pushing it down in some places and swirling it back up to the top around the outskirts of the pool. She looked round, trying to decide if this was a lake or a damned up river.
Changing her mind about getting in and stalling for time, she sat down on the bank and began to take off her weapons and her boots. She left them on the bank within reach from the water’s edge, just in case she decided to go in. The spot she had picked had a sandbar to stand on and looked to be only knee deep unless one was going to sink into the sand. She didn’t know if it was solid or not. She looked around and found a piece of a dead sapling lying on the ground and began to poke at the sand to determine if it was safe to step on. “I think I will wait for the others to get here.” She mumbled, not looking at Ringulf. Her mind was elsewhere, back on that last river crossing when she was on the run with Patrick, and then the ride downriver and the attack of the river pirates on their way to Caraway. Unconsciously she ran a hand down the scar from the sword wound from that battle. It twisted around her side from her shoulder blade down under her arm and across her ribs and over her abdomen. It was as healed as it was ever going to be, but the old scars from her near drowning would never heal up.
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Post by Brandwyn on Jun 24, 2011 12:33:39 GMT -5
Tam looked up at his mentor. "Yeah. If'n it takes two years ta get to yer second year of apprentice-ship, how long does it take ta get ta yer third?"
Rick burst out laughing and it was a couple of minutes before he could answer. “Well for some people it could take two or three more years!” he joked. “Seriously though, depending on how you do on the second year stuff, I am going to have them evaluate you for third year. You have most of what you need to know for that, although you are lagging a bit in your horseback riding, you are way ahead with your knife throwing and tracking and your archery is pretty much right at third year level. Of course you can climb better than most monkeys, so that definitely is not a weak area, nor is your ability to hide. You could use some more practice with unseen movement, but you are definitely well within third year level on that too.”
Rick began to unpack his saddlebags, tossing items into his tent on his sleeping furs. His bed roll was a bit bulkier than the average ranger’s due to the fact he had a slightly wider bedroll. It was more convenient for those rare and special nights when he didn’t have to sleep alone and he also had two layers of fur to cushion the hard ground and keep it from drawing the heat out of his body. The furs were from fox and a brown bear. The poor bear had broken its back leg trying free it from a fallen tree in an icy river. Rick had come across the poor critter and unable to get close enough to set it free and set its leg, he’d been forced to kill the bear. He had cried over it and prayed for its spirit, but then had dressed it out and smoke cured the huge bear steaks. He then cured the skin and harvested the teeth and claws. He knew of a Skandian merchant woman who should pay him a decent price for those. He had even brought some of the steaks to the gathering to share with his friends.
He was just thinking that perhaps the two apprentices were satisfied for now when Dian spoke up. "Yeah, umm, I have this puppy and I was intending to train it with my former mentor but then... anyway do you think my new mentor will allow it?" Dian asked, it was the only question she cared about. Her puppy had been given to her by her dad and she didn't want to give it up.
Rick hadn’t known she was harboring a puppy and he smiled as he looked down at the thing. “He is awfully cute. I don’t see why he wouldn’t, but I suppose it could depend on who ends up being your mentor.” Rick said, scratching the puppy under his chin and letting him gnaw on a finger. “If it is who I think it is going to be, I think you will be safe. What’s his name?”
Just then the sound of cantering hooves interrupted them and Rick looked up to see a small figure slumped over a sprinting ranger horse. The horse was making a bee-line for Ringulf’s encampment and Rick thought it might be one of the girls on the pony’s back. “Oh no, this looks like trouble.” Rick jumped to his tent and grabbed his overly large ranger bag that contained a vast amount of herbs, ointments and salves as well as large quantities of fresh bandages of varying sizes. “You two stay here.” He ordered and started toward the Skandian ranger. He only got about five steps however when he heard Mylia yell “Surprise!” and saw Tory help her to her feet. Everyone around was laughing and Rick watched Ringulf stalk off, calling back over his shoulder, "Did I ever tell you the story of the boy who cried wolf?" Realizing it had been a joke, he stayed and watched for a few minutes until Tory noticed him standing there.
She came over and assured him everything was all right and he had to agree that it had been a good gag. He should have realized since that was the main sport of apprentices at a Gathering. Rick didn’t think Tam was of the temperament to try and get one over on him, but the incident made Rick heighten his awareness just a bit, just in case.
Tory invited Tam and Dian to go swim and Rick encouraged them, “That sounds like fun. Why don’t you two go ahead? I may join you in a while.” He still had some things to unpack. “Better put that puppy in your tent and close it up tight so he can’t get out.” Rick said to Dian, “and don’t you worry none, if your new mentor gives you and grief over him, come tell me and I will have a chat with the fellow – or lady – as the case may be.” Rick winked at her and then went back to getting his tent in order.
“Breakfast is at the crack of dawn. You can do what you like until then, but you better be back here or you won’t get any and it is a long first day until lunch time.” Rick called out to them from inside his tent.
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dian
Apprentice Scribe
this status thing reminds me of Facebook
Posts: 100
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Post by dian on Jun 24, 2011 14:47:42 GMT -5
The puppy nipped at her fingers playfully, she had just begun to grow teeth so the nipping didn't hurt to terribly. Dian grabbed a nearby stick, cleaned off the outer bark and then let the pup gnaw on that. She was relieved that she could keep the pup, when Rick asked its name she immediately responded, "Her name is Obsidian, I thought It went well with her coat." Obsidian soon grew tired and fell asleep in Dian's lap, the pup would remain that way for many hours since Obsidian had refused to sleep while on the horse. Dian didn't blame her, that horse was beast and she had nearly gotten bucked off of it many times.
After a few seconds of rest there was some kind of commotion. There was a girl headed toward one of the rangers on the back of her pony. Someone had called for a medic, but Dian couldn't be sure the words were a bit muffled to her. Rick got up ordering the two apprentices to stay put, but he barely got anywhere when the girl yelled surprise, probably shocking many Rangers and apprentices. Dian thought that was very funny, and the girl was able to trick a good amount of rangers was even better. "Did I ever tell you the story of the boy who cried wolf?" Dian almost laughed out loud at that, she didn't know exactly who had said that, but she had heard the story of course and it definitely related to the situation the apprentice had created.
Dian smiled, she had only been here for a little while and she already knew this was going to be the best day, or week, she had ever lived. The jokes where very funny, and even more so if they failed. Only minutes later another apprentice walked by and invited Tam and her to go swimming. Dian liked swimming, her father had taught her when she was younger so she could pass the time on dull, hot days. She looked to Rick who said, “That sounds like fun. Why don’t you two go ahead? I may join you in a while. Better put that puppy in your tent and close it up tight so he can’t get out,” Dian nodded but before she could do so Rick continued his answer about Obsidian, “and don’t you worry none, if your new mentor gives you and grief over him, come tell me and I will have a chat with the fellow – or lady – as the case may be.” Rick then winked at Dian and went back to getting his tent in order. Dian rolled her eyes, they must be determined for this to be a surprise for her. She then got up and placed her sleeping pup in the tent with a blanket to sleep on. After dusting off Dian waited for Tam to be ready to leave. Since she didn't know where the swimming place was she waited for the other apprentice to lead her.
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Post by Firehead on Jun 25, 2011 16:30:48 GMT -5
Rick burst out laughing and it was a couple of minutes before he could answer. “Well for some people it could take two or three more years!” he joked. “Seriously though, depending on how you do on the second year stuff, I am going to have them evaluate you for third year. You have most of what you need to know for that, although you are lagging a bit in your horseback riding, you are way ahead with your knife throwing and tracking and your archery is pretty much right at third year level. Of course you can climb better than most monkeys, so that definitely is not a weak area, nor is your ability to hide. You could use some more practice with unseen movement, but you are definitely well within third year level on that too.”
Tam opened his mouth to protest his lack of ridding ability, forgetting for a moment that he hadn't let Rick onto the fact that he'd been practicing, then shut it again as he remembered. instead he gave a nod, and kept quiet.
A ruckshun broke out near one of the other tents--Ringulf's, if Tam remembered the man's name correctly. Rick started to his feet with an order to Tam and Dian to stay put, then stopped before he'd gone very far and simply stood there watching. Tam leaned sideways to look around Rick. Someone playing a prank aparently. And successfully, at that. Tam shrugged--he would watch and appreciate others' pranks on their mentors or friends, but he wasn't about to try pulling one on Rick. Rick might kill him for it...or get mad, not that Tam saw much of a difference in it. He saw Tory approaching Rick and heard her telling him that everything was fine, that Mylia had simply been playing a trick on Ringulf. She's got guts! he thought.
“Hey Tam, we are going swimming, you want to come? Bring your friend too.” She nodded to Dian. “Hi, I am Tory. I gotta run though, Ringulf is leaving me behind.” She turned then and ran after Ringulf.
Tam looked at Rick for premission. “That sounds like fun. Why don’t you two go ahead? I may join you in a while.” Given that encouragement, Tam loped off after Tory. They caught up to the big burly Ranger named Ringulf at the lake, and he led them to a spot where they could dive off into the lake. Tam sat down on a log and took off his boots. He prefered going without them, but Rick had insisted her wear them for the trip. Sinse he was the mentor, Tam had assented.
Going to the edge, Tam looked to check the waters depth before he threw himself over the edge in a fit of recklessness. It looked deep enough, so Tam went back to the log and Shucked his shirt, tossing it on top of his boots. He didn't think anyone would steal his shirt out here. Tam then took off in a sprint for the edge of the rock ledge and launched himself over the edge.
He disappeared under the surface with barely a ripple. While he rarely had the chance to swim, Tam did know how--it came with the territory when you were trying to ditch a few of the Thieflord's cronnies. Tam frolicked about in the water like a otter, enjoying himself and not worrying much about anything--another rarity for him.
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Post by Ringulf on Jun 27, 2011 20:48:22 GMT -5
"LOOK OUT BELOW!!"
Came a powerful voice from the top of the waterfall.
Ringulf had climbed up a few moments ago and left Tory at the bottom.
He had made a bundle of his clothes and they all came down in a crash in the bush next to Tory, Then in another flash a huge Skandian body had plummeted down into the waterhole. it all happened so fast that to anyone watching Ringulf would have been a big tan blur. Just for good measure just before he hit the water, he tucked himself into a very compact ball oriented head first in what is known as a melon and made a gargantuan splash that cascaded up over the bank. The aftershock produced a wave that should have just about knocked poor Tory over.
When he popped his wet bearded head out of the water, he swam to where the hole rose and stood up in the waist deep water.
"Did I get you?" He laughed as he shook his hairy head like a big sheep dog.
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