|
Post by Brandwyn on Jul 15, 2011 16:45:39 GMT -5
Loosing his Edge (open) (OOC: Or Crowley’s bet against Bunt) The bet: Crowley vs. Bunt – who is loosing his edge? The last one of them remaining un-captured wins. The ranger teams will try to evade and lay traps for the apprentice teams. The apprentice teams will try to capture the ranger team leaders. The Teams: Halt: referee and stake holder Ranger Team 1Crowley (leader) Gilan (unseen movement) Will Treaty (strategy) Red (annoying everyone around him) Ringulf (or is he???) Pippin (tormenting Rick) Ranger Team 2Bunt (Leader) Rick Greenriver (lead tracker) Qwade (intimidation - heh heh) Ben Harrison (climbing) Heather (nothing - she is all beat up right now) Apprentice Team 1 (target: Crowley)Dustin (team leader – tracking / unseen movement) Tory (tracking) Dian (knives) Tam (unseen movement, climbing) ?(not sure if he is or not) Al (archery) Apprentice Team 2 (target: Bunt)Pepper (team leader – tracking) Mylia (climbing, archery, knives) (This is the set up as posted in The Gathering 657 Official News Bunt had been hanging back, watching Halt and Crowley trying to pull one over on Red to get some payback from a prank, or probably a series of pranks, from earlier Gatherings. Bunt stifled a chuckle at Halt's sour look as Red mentioned Will's favorite song about his old mentor. Bunt silently snuck up behind Crowley and materialized out of a tree trunk right next to the Commandant and leaned against it, waiting for one of the others to notice him. Finally Halt glanced at him and his eyes barely widened. Crowley glanced over his shoulder and then jumped. "Confound it, Bunt! Don't you start sneaking around too!" Bunt looked at him innocently, "Don' know what yer talkin' about, Crowley. I jes heard you was lookin' fer me an/ so here I am. I'm gittin' too old fer these kid games, but ya know, if'n ya didn't hear me come up, ya might want ta git out a bit more, Ole Boy. Yer loosin' yer edge." He had a hard time keeping the corners of his mouth from quirking up. Crowley glared at him. "Loosing my edge, am I? You care to make a wager on that?" Bunt rubbed his chin and glanced at Halt who shook his head in warning. "What'd ya have in mind?" Crowley looked around the Gathering Grounds for a moment as if formulating some devious plan, and then he leaned in and lowered his voice. "Let's just have a little contest. A little bit of ranger versus apprentice action." He said with a gleam in his eye. "You head up one team of rangers and I head up another. The day after tomorrow we go out, starting at first light and set some traps, lay a little false trail and lead the apprentices on a merry chase with the end goal of capturing their team leader." Crowley explained warming up to the idea. "We can pick two senior apprentices to head up our respective apprentice teams who will also be trying to capture us. The last team leader to avoid capture wins the title of... of... Top Ranger or Top Apprentice for the Gathering." Bunt considered for a moment. "Why teams? Why not make it a free for all and where does the wager come in?" Crowley grinned, "I want some of these younglings here to learn to rely on each other once in a while, besides I think it will make it far more interesting to have to work as a team. Heightens our social skills." Halt grunted, "Humph," and glanced at Red to see what he was up to. He didn't really care to let that one out of his sight for long during a Gathering. "As to the wager, I bet you five gold pieces that I will outlast you and any other ranger or apprentice that joins our little game." Crowley continued. "Halt, you can be the referee." "And hold the money." Bunt fished into his pouch and pulled out five gold pieces. "Yer on, Ole Boy! We got today to recruit our team?" Crowley nodded. Halt stood there a moment holding the coins in his hand with a look of distaste. "Why can't I have my own team?" "Didn't think you'd want one, Halt, my boy! Everyone knows you are a loner not a team player. Too bad your Will is not an apprentice any more. I would have liked to make him a team leader." "How 'bout that young 'prentice of Gilan's that is jes 'bout ta make ranger? What's his name...oh yeah, Dustin. I hear tell he's right good at trackin' and unseen movement." Bunt suggested. "Fine," Crowley agreed. "He can be your side's leader and go after my team. I pick that pretty little lass, Pepper for my side. She might not be the best at unseen movement, but I am willing to bet she'd give Greenriver a run for his money in the tracking department. We each get 10 people on our teams and you have until supper tomorrow to recruit them." "Deal" Bunt said, spit on his hand and held it out for Crowley to shake. Crowley eyed him, then slowly took Bunt's hand and shook on it. He wiped his palm off on his tunic and then fished his own five coins out of his pouch and handed them to Halt. "Now Bunt, there is this apprentice girl I want you to meet..." *** And so it begins! *** Halt’s Rules(OOC: The following is the rules for the bet between Crowley and Bunt) Halt gathered everyone involved with the bet between Crowley and Bunt just before Noon on the first day to lay out the rules of the bet. He stood in front of Crowley’s big tent and stated the following: “ First, I hold the money for Crowley and Bunt. Any side bets among any of you is your own business. Second, The contest starts at sunrise tomorrow and ends at sunset tomorrow. There will not be any attacks on any ranger or apprentice prior to Sunrise and any attacks not completed by sunset will not count. Those who have not been captured or ‘slain’ will present themselves here ten minutes after sunset to determine the winner. Third, the area of the bet is the entire Gathering Grounds plus one mile out in circumference of the Grounds. This should give you a good two miles radius from this point here in front of Crowley’s tent. Participants are not allowed to hide outside of the contest area and then reenter and resume play. If you are discovered outside the area, you will be declared captured and will be out of the contest. Fourth, No one is to do any real physical damage to any other person. You may capture another player by stating they are captured. You may surrender to another player as you see fit, however if you attempt to resist capture, no physical force greater than tournament wrestling techniques are to be used. Arrows shot at one another must be padded safety arrows and all throwing weapons must be dulled and not of sufficient weight or material to cause serious injury. Bruises don’t count as serious.” Halt glanced at Heather and she stuck her tongue out at him. “Fifth, Anyone participating in one of the organized classes on the schedule is exempt and considered out of play for the duration of that class plus ten minutes before and after it. Do NOT disrupt the classes in an attempt to slay or capture one of your opponents. The teams are listed here on the board.” Halt pointed to the board that listed the classes and a medium sized piece of parchment that listed the team leaders and their members. Sixth, Anything outside of these rules is fair game. I reserve the right to throw anyone out of the game if I feel safety or the good-natured sport is in jeopardy. If you have a dispute come to me and I will settle it. (There were a few chuckles, Bunt’s being the loudest and Halt glared at him.) You have two goals: First and foremost to survive and be the last man or woman standing. Secondly is to “kill” or capture either Bunt or Crowley. You may take out as many of the players as you like to achieve those goals. Everyone understand?”
|
|
|
Post by Brandwyn on Jul 15, 2011 17:05:57 GMT -5
After Bunt left, Crowley looked around and spotted Red still lurking in the area, just as he heard a rather irritating rendition of Johnny on the Moor floating over the breeze. For a moment he thought about hiding, but knew it was too late. Crowley hailed Red before the ranger skittered off to find someone else to play a trick on.
“Hey Red, you want to be on my team? I could use someone to lay some traps for that old buzzard.” Crowley grinned and pointed to Bunt’s retreating form. “I heard that!” Bunt’s voice drifted back to them, although he didn’t turn around. Crowley just chuckled, knowing Bunt was still in hearing range. “So, Red, what do ya say?”
|
|
|
Post by Firehead on Jul 16, 2011 13:59:29 GMT -5
From above them, Red snickered, as he listened to the back and forth banter of the senior Rangers. The contest intrigued him to no end. "Oh, oh, hey!" he shouted, getting excited over the prospect of some fun. "I want to be on a team, I want to be on a team! You can recruit me any day!"
"This is for apprentices, Red." Halt told him.
"Aw, who you foolin'? We ain't got twenty apprentices!"
“Hey Red, you want to be on my team? I could use someone to lay some traps for that old buzzard.” Crowley grinned and pointed to Bunt’s retreating form. “I heard that!” Bunt’s voice drifted back to them, although he didn’t turn around. Crowley just chuckled, knowing Bunt was still in hearing range. “So, Red, what do ya say?”
Red gave Crowley a wide, delighted grin. "I said you could recruit me anyday. I'm in!" He slithered down to the ground landing lightly and hollered after Bunt's retreating back, "You're in trouble now!"
|
|
|
Post by Brandwyn on Jul 16, 2011 16:40:02 GMT -5
“I’m a quakin’ in my boots!” Bunt’s voice drifted back followed by some rather garbled words as he muttered under his breath about young people getting what’s coming to them and old men who ought to know better than to play games. Then Bunt was gone, disappearing into the brush.
___
Later that evening Tory was sitting near Rick’s campfire and listening to the bardic songs and stories being traded around the campfire as freely as the mead and wine. She was sitting just a little bit back behind the main circle of participants and only half listening to the current song. Most of her attention was on the three rangers sitting directly behind her speaking in low voices. Well, two rangers and a senior apprentice, Tory amended as she tried to study Dustin out of the corner of her eye without him noticing. She was sitting on a sawed off stump with her legs up and her head resting on her knees. At first glance it would appear she was dozing but actually she was wide awake, her eyes open only a slit and her head turned toward the rangers behind her while her body was turned sideways to the campfire.
Dustin was expected to graduate at this Gathering or shortly thereafter by everything she had heard and Tory found him quite interesting. He was tall and lithe with sandy blond hair and bright blue eyes. He seemed to be a pleasant fellow, but rather quiet and reserved. Tory had not really met him before, but there was something about him that reminded her a lot of Patrick Palisade. Perhaps it was just the hair and eyes, but she thought it was also the way he moved and his serious nature. Aside from all that she found him to be quite handsome, perhaps even more so than Aribjorn, though she wasn’t ready to admit that out loud. Although she was trying to stay out of the way between Mylia and Aribjorn, she had been unable to stop the daydreams she kept having about Ari dancing with her instead and sometimes even kissing her after they had fought together in some imaginary battle. She always felt guilty, however, after such dreams and day-dreams and wondered if she should tell Mylia or not. Now she found herself comparing Ari to Dustin and wondering what it would be like to feel Dustin’s arms around her in a great bear hug. She thought she might rather enjoy that.
Rick and Bunt were planning strategy for the bet between Bunt and Crowley and although there had been rumors throughout that evening, Tory hadn’t believed them until the three had sat down behind her and started whispering just barely loud enough for her to understand them. They only had a couple of people on each team and Bunt was trying to give advice to Dustin on how to catch Crowley and what he could expect of Crowley’s strategy. As they made their plans, Tory found herself wishing that she could be on Dustin’s team. She would like to have a chance to stalk Crowley and maybe even lay a few traps for him. As she listened, the more fun she thought that would be, ‘besides,’ she thought, ‘that would give me a chance to get to know Dustin better.’ She looked at the handsome apprentice again and gathered up her courage.
She waited for a lull in their conversation and then lifted her head off her knees, turning to put her back to the fire, “I want to be on your team, Dustin. My name’s Tory.” She said softly, but with a tone of voice that was more demanding than asking.
Bunt chuckled. “Wondered when ya were gonna pluck up the courage to ask, young lady.” He winked at her.
Dustin looked indignant and a bit alarmed. “How much have you heard?”
“Everything,” Tory and Bunt answered at the same time. Bunt continued as Tory put her feet on the ground and crossed her arms over her chest, sitting up straight on the hard stump. “She’s been listening to us since we sat down.” Tory smiled slightly and inclined her head to Bunt and then turned her attention back to Dustin who was glaring at her suspiciously.
Rick chuckled, “well I sure thought you were sleeping Tory.” To Dustin he said, “You would do well to recruit her, Dustin.” Dustin looked at him quizzically.
“What can you do?” Dustin asked her, still managing to keep his voice low enough that the singer prevented others from overhearing him.
“Ride, shoot, track, set traps.” Tory answered shortly, not explaining much. Rick came to her rescue. “She was Palisade’s apprentice.” Rick explained, “The one he took to Gallica when he went rouge. I can attest to her tracking and her shooting skills, but more importantly she learned how to hide her tracks and evade capture during that year. I would even wager that Tory will be the last one caught in this little game.”
Tory blushed and lowered her eyes in embarrassment. “I wouldn’t make that bet, Sir. I’m not that good.” She looked back at Dustin then and scooted forward on the stump to get closer. “Look, you pick me for your team and you won’t regret it. I promise,” she said earnestly.
Dustin studied her for a minute, looking her up and down, knowing he shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but he had been planning to have all boys on his team since Pepper was likely to pick girls. “Why do you want to be on my team instead of Pepper’s team?”
Tory kept her eyes on his, but couldn’t help chew on her bottom lip as she normally did when nervous. “Well…” She didn’t want to give him the real reason or he might not pick her. “I just do,” she said lamely.
Rick stifled a laugh, “I’ll tell you why.” Dustin looked at him and Tory glared at him. “She likes Crowley even less than she likes me.” He grinned at Tory as if it didn’t bother him at all that Tory wasn’t all that fond of him.
“That’s not true.” Tory hissed and then lowered her voice more. “Not exactly and that’s not the reason. Well, only part of the reason.”
“Go on.” Dustin pinned her with his stare and caused Tory to squirm.
“I don’t hate you, Rick.” She said, using his first name for a change. “I just didn’t want the best tracker in the Ranger Corps coming after my mentor. I don’t care what anyone says, he didn’t do those things and he isn’t a murderer.” She glared at Rick, “but it’s not personal, you seem like a nice enough guy. As for Crowley,” Tory turned her attention back to Dustin, “It is true that I would enjoy giving him some payback. I don’t understand why everyone thinks he’s so great. Patrick can move circles around him without being seen.”
Bunt chuckled but didn’t say anything. He found it amusing how young people viewed their world and he also felt sorry for Tory with all the torment she had been through in her young life.
Tory then pinned Dustin with a stare, though her face was blushing red. She hoped the heat in her face was being hidden by the dark and the reflection of the firelight as she said, “But that is not the reason I want to join your team.”
Dustin gestured for her to continue, “So enlighten me.”
With her heart in her mouth she said so softly that Dustin almost couldn’t hear her, “because I want to get to know you better.” Then she looked down quickly and wouldn’t meet his eyes.
Dustin looked at Rick who nodded to him to accept her, a slight grin on his face and then he glanced at Bunt who was watching Tory with admiration. He took a moment to process what she had said, a confused look on his face and then suddenly the light dawned and he blushed bright red at which point Rick couldn’t contain himself and covered his mouth, turning away from them trying to stifle his laughs.
Slowly Tory lifted her eyes and looked determinedly at Dustin. She’d put her foot in her mouth this time and she dreaded what he would think of her now but she wasn’t about to shrink away like some noble bubble head. Dustin was staring at her as if really looking at her for the first time. Self-consciously Tory pulled at her short hair behind her ear, waiting for him to say something.
Dustin was at a loss for words. Girls avoided him, at least after speaking to him just one time and certainly after he started his apprenticeship. They thought him strange and dull which only made them more distant after they found out he was going to be a ranger. He’d only ever kissed a girl once and it had been a social disaster. He had no idea what to do now and Rick’s strangled sounds weren’t helping him to think. He didn’t know this girl in front of him, but he was looking at her now as a girl instead of a ranger. She was cute, with her button nose and high cheekbones. He liked her short cropped hair and she had a nice figure, though it was a bit thin. What he liked most, however, was the courage in her eyes. She hadn’t flinched from his gaze and she was staring back at him now, almost daring him to say ‘no’.
Leaning forward he held out his hand, “all right then Tory, welcome to my team!”
Tory placed her hand in his and felt a thrill go through her as their fingers met. It was almost like a static shock that shot through her arm straight to her heart. “Thanks, Dustin. You won’t regret it.” She promised, letting him hold her hand and enjoying the feel of his thumb rubbing the back of her hand. His was warm and a bit sweaty but it felt nice against her cold fingers.
Dustin noticed her fingers were icy cold and then saw she was being wracked by shivers every so often. “Are you cold?” he asked and then at her nod, opened his cloak and pulled her off her stump and onto the log beside him. He wrapped his cloak and arm around her and held her like she was a fragile bird about to take flight.
The move was so fast and fluid, Tory didn’t have time to think until she was ensconced in his cloak. She stiffened for a moment, debating whether or not to flee. He was warm though and she had been getting rather cold. Her own cloak was in her tent and her underclothes were still a bit damp from the swim earlier. Besides that, she had wanted to get to know him better. She leaned into him and then glared at Rick who was grinning like an idiot at the two of them.
“Smooth move, Dustin.” Rick congratulated him. “Can’t say I could have done that any better myself. I thought you said you didn’t know anything about girls.”
At Dustin and Tory’s glare Bunt interceded, “Aw lay off ‘em, Rick. We got business to discuss.”
“Before we get down to that,” Tory interjected, “I have a request. Can we have Dian on our team too – if she wants to be, that is? She is Bunt’s new apprentice and my friend. I don’t want her to feel left out.” Tory looked at Dustin with her big round eyes.
Dustin looked down at her and blurted, “Two girls?” and then slapped a hand over his mouth in chagrin. Rick busted out laughing and even Bunt smiled. “I mean, I was planning on all boys… but, I suppose it would be all right, if she wants to be on my team.” Dustin said as he gazed at Tory’s eyes, trying to see what color they were in the inadequate light from the campfire.
“Thanks!” Tory breathed, gazing up at him. She slipped her arm around his back and leaned tight against him, pulling the cloak closer to the front with her other hand until the gap was closed and the night air kept at bay. Her head was whirling and her heart was beating rapidly as her mouth went dry and her hands started to sweat. She barely heard Bunt as he started back with his battle plan for the upcoming competition. The next few days might prove to be a disappointment, she though, or a great thrill, but whatever happened, Tory knew she would always have this night, right here and now snuggling up against a handsome boy who seemed to find her equally attractive.
|
|
dian
Apprentice Scribe
this status thing reminds me of Facebook
Posts: 100
|
Post by dian on Jul 16, 2011 18:36:35 GMT -5
For a while Dian had been at the campfire, attempting to teach Obsidian basic commands. The pup was smart, but a puppy could only learn so much. After successful sit command, she returned obsidian to the tent, the pup curled up on top of Dian's bedroll and immediately fell asleep. Dian foresaw some problems with this pup and hoped the habit of sleeping on her sleeping place would go away with age. She walked out of the tent and immediately heard her name from Tory.
"Can we have Dian on our team too – if she wants to be, that is? She is Bunt’s new apprentice and my friend. I don’t want her to feel left out.” Dian felt happy that Tory regarded her as her friend, and immediately got curious. She peeked around mischievously, and Caught the backs of Tory and another apprentice whose arm was around her. Dian got a sly grin, lucky Tory. Dian gave them their moment, but that sly grin was wiped off her face when she heard that the other apprentice had been expecting only guys. There where plenty of girl apprentices, how could he possibly think he was going to get off with an all guys team?
Dian figured she had given those two enough time, and as she walked from behind them she asked, "What about me being on whose team now?" Dian acted oblivious to Tory and the other, figuring they didn't want attention. What Dian hadn't immediately noticed though, where the two rangers sitting near-by. When she did notice them however, her eyes got fractionally wider, and the rosiness in her cheeks got paler. It seemed that no matter who it was, older rangers would always seem to freak her out. Tory was different, she was an apprentice like her, but since she still knew little about the Ranger Core, actual Rangers did still scare her in away. It was mostly because of her mothers critique of the Rangers. After attempting to shake away the momentary fright she turned back to Tory, waiting for the answer.
|
|
|
Post by Brandwyn on Jul 16, 2011 20:24:29 GMT -5
Tory nearly jumped onto Dustin’s lap when Dian suddenly spoke right behind her. Recovering quickly, however, she motioned for Dian to keep her voice down and then whispered, “Dian, this is Dustin, Dustin – Dian.” She introduced them. “Have a seat and I will explain.” Tory said to Dian. “Your new mentor here, Bunt, has a bet with Crowley as to which one of them is loosing his edge.” She glanced at Bunt who raised an eyebrow in warning. “Or something like that,” Tory amended quickly. “Anyway, they are making up four teams, two of them all rangers and two of them all apprentices. Dustin here is leader of one of the apprentice teams – the one who will be going after Crowley and trying to capture him.”
Dustin held out his hand to Dian, “pleased to meet you,” he said and then after shaking it quickly, he tucked his hand back inside his cloak where he gently grasped Tory’s fingers again. He was having a hard time concentrating on Bunt’s plan with Tory sitting so closely beside him. He wanted to take her someplace where they could be alone and talk. He hoped she would still like him once she got to know him better. Experience told him otherwise, however, so he was also reluctant to move away from the other rangers for fear she would run from him, laughing at him as she made her escape.
Coming back to the moment, he eyed the new girl and wondered what her specialty was. “Our job will be mainly to capture Crowley while evading his team. We will be hunted while doing the hunting. It will be a full day and possibly night of scurrying through the woods, tracking the untrackable and living on adrenaline. Are you sure you want to be part of that?” He asked doubtfully and then glanced worriedly at Tory. He didn’t want to upset her, but he did need to keep his interests for the team in sight. Tory didn’t seem upset by his question to Dian, however.
“It’ll be a good chance fer me to evaluate yer skills, Dian, or leastways some o’ them anyhow.” Bunt interjected. “That is when I’m not too busy layin’ down false trails fer Pepper an’ her crew.”
Rick didn’t comment since he was not paying strict attention to them at the moment. They had gone over most of their plan that they could go over until the entire teams were recruited. Watching Dustin snuggling up with Tory made him look wistfully around the campfire. There was a lady waiting for him to finish up and he was itching to get back to the circle and her waiting arms. At least he hoped she was still waiting.
Tory smiled at Dian, “It should be a lot of fun and it is just a game.” She turned to Bunt, “it is just a game, right? We aren’t going to get into any trouble if we actually catch Crowley or any of the other rangers, are we?”
Bunt regarded her gravely for a moment, “Well…I don’ know ‘bout that…I suppose ya won’ git inta too much trouble, though I don’ expect Crowley is gonna be too happy with the apprentice that does catch him.”
“Wonderful.” Tory looked up sourly at Dustin. “I am going to be in trouble if Ringulf ends up on Crowley’s team and even more so if Mylia does too.” Dustin looked confused. “Ringulf is my temporary mentor and Mylia is his apprentice and my best friend. I expect she will likely sign up on the same side as him, though she might not. She does like to keep us all on our toes with surprises all the time.”
Dustin looked rather glum, although he didn’t voice his concerns. ‘Three girls?’ he thought, ‘what am I going to do with three girls on my team?’ One glance at Tory though, and he just smiled and kept his mouth shut. He then glanced at Bunt and saw the older man was trying to keep a straight face. “Aw, he is just pulling our legs, Tory. It is all in good fun.” He gave her fingers a squeeze. “So, Dian, you can be on my team if you want to. By the way, what is your specialty?”
|
|
dian
Apprentice Scribe
this status thing reminds me of Facebook
Posts: 100
|
Post by dian on Jul 16, 2011 21:32:34 GMT -5
Dian was pleased she had scared Tory, a bit more than a month of training and she had frightened someone one with more training. Of course, who would have expected for someone to hop in on their luvy-dovey moment? Dian took in what Tory said, trying not miss a word. It seemed impossible to her, to go against Crowley and try to find him... well she just didn't think it could be done. He was the Corps commandant, and he couldn't have been given that title for nothing. Unfortunately, other than not participating at all, the only other option was to join Crowley. Dian didn't want to get on the bad side of Bunt after only being his apprentice for a few hours.
“It’ll be a good chance fer me to evaluate yer skills, Dian, or leastways some o’ them anyhow.” Bunt interjected. “That is when I’m not too busy layin’ down false trails fer Pepper an’ her crew.” Again color drained from Dian's face. 'I will never get use to him will I?' Dian thought. She just couldn't understand, at the moment, why these people scared her! Though, that wasn't the only reason she was drained of color, well, the little that she had anyway. Dian didn't much like the idea of an evaluation, especially if she wouldn't always notice it. If Bunt hadn't said a word, then she wouldn't have noticed at all. Dian nodded, as if agreeing it was a good idea, even though she hated the very thought of it. Dian spoke again, "Yeah... I'll join, Tory. Sounds like fun." Dian figured she would be the first one out, but hey, If she got out first then she left more time for the others to get away.
Dian barely acknowledged Dustin's comment of, "Are you sure you want to be part of that?” She almost didn't want to answer, she just didn't have patience with him. She decided to answer, just so he wouldn't repeat the question, "Yes, I do," it was a rather curt answer, but she wanted to hear Tory. Tory and Bunt went on talking She thought it would be pretty bad news if Ringulf AND Mylia where to join the other team. From the little she knew, she guessed she would never want to be against either of them, let alone both. Just as Dian finally sat down, she had stood for some reason, for the whole time, Dustin made one last remark towards her.
"So, Dian, you can be on my team if you want to. By the way, what is your specialty?” She nearly opened her mouth to answer when she realized she wasn't sure about the last part. She didn't want to announce to this soon to-be-ranger that she had only just started, and so didn't know her specialty much yet. Dian decided to go with what she did well with, "'Course I'll be on your team, and my specialty, I guess it's knives." Like the GREAT mother she was, Dian's mother taught her how to use courier knives, thinking she would become a courier when she got older. Along with that her father taught her to defend herself with a knife similar to the seaxe, but a bit different (her father had occasionally been forced to bring her on his travels and didn't want her to go unprotected). Yep, her family was PERFECTLY normal, wasn't it?
|
|
|
Post by Brandwyn on Jul 18, 2011 13:52:31 GMT -5
“Knives, huh? Hmm…” Dustin mused, wondering how he could put that particular skill to use since they weren’t actually out to kill each other. Then an idea popped into his head. “Hey Bunt, is there any reason why we couldn’t make up some wooden practice knives and use them?”
Bunt considered this for a moment and said, “Don’ see why not. The Ole Bird Dog didn’t set any particular rules, so I say whatever we come up with is fair game.” He grinned at Dustin with a glint in his eye, seeing what Dustin was thinking of trying.
“Good!” Dustin turned to Tory and Dian, “Do you two know how to carve? We need to make up some well-balanced throwing knives out of wood. I suspect we are going to need a half-dozen or so. I will get the other guys to carve a couple for themselves, but you two should have at least two each I think.”
Tory looked at him, wondering what good wooden knives were going to do. She glanced at Dian and thought she was just as confused. “Well, I can carve and whittle a little bit. Fin has been teaching me, but I never tried to do a knife before. I am not sure how balanced it might turn out.” She glanced at Bunt and then had to voice her question, “what good is a wooden knife?”
Dustin grinned, “We don’t actually want to hurt anyone so we are going to throw wooden knives at people. If they hit point first, then it is a good shot and that person should react accordingly.” Turning to Bunt he said with a bit of a pout, “I suppose we should avoid aiming at the eyes and face though. Even a wooden knife could put your eye out.”
Rick chimed in, “yeah, I think that would be wise. I should be able to carve up two by nightfall tomorrow, though my carving skills are not as good as my painting. Tory, just use your throwing knife as a pattern. If you carve it the same shape, length and thickness it ought to behave fairly close to the same, for the most part anyway.”
Bunt drew his throwing knife and studied it in the firelight, balancing it on his finger just in front of the hilt. “Ya might want to make the handle part jes a hair longer than the real thing. Seems they got a bit of counterweight in the pommel here,” Bunt pointed to the end of the knife grip. “S'pose you could carve a bit of a ball there as long as it doesn’t mess up the feel when you throw it.” He glanced around at their feet for a moment and produced a half rotten branch of a tree. It crumbled apart in his hand and he shook his head. “Guess we’ll have ta wait fer daylight ta find some decent wood fer these knives. Pine is easy ta carve and would prob’bly work since it’s not like we are gonna use these things fer anything else.”
Then Bunt looked around, making sure they weren’t being overheard. “Jes don’ let any o’ Crowley’s team see what yer up ta.”
Tory looked at him worriedly, “How we going to know who’s on Crowley’s team?”
Bunt smiled, “Jes assume that anyone not sittin' here right now is on their team, tha’ way you’ll be safe.”
“Great.” Tory said dryly. How the heck was she going to hide a day of carving from Ringulf and Mylia? Maybe she would get lucky and they would be on Dustin and Bunt’s teams, or no team at all.
“Hey Rick, is Tam going to be on our team too?” Tory asked, wondering where Tam was. She hadn’t seen him in quite a while.
“I don’t know.” Rick answered, looking around for him. “I am not sure he wants to play or not, and that is up to Dustin.”
Tory turned to Dustin, “You should get Tam on your team. He is one heck of a fighter and climber and can find the deepest holes to hide in.”
Dustin looked thoughtful and then grinned at Tory, “You have a lot of friends, you know that?”
Tory shook her head and then looked sheepish. Dustin was right, she did have a lot of friends here in the Ranger Corps. She had far more here than she ever had growing up and what’s more is she knew she could count on each of them if she ever got in trouble. She wondered when it had happened that she had made so many friends. She smiled back at Dustin and just shrugged her shoulders. “You don’t have to recruit him. I just thought he would be an asset to the team is all.”
Dustin laughed and squeezed her hand. “That’s okay. We’ll see tomorrow after I talk to my friends. There might be an opening still.”
Rick glanced at Bunt while Tory and Dustin were looking at each other and motioned with his head toward the campfire. Bunt, always the observant one, didn’t fail to pick up on Rick’s hint. He stood up and rubbed his backside for a moment, letting his back and legs adjust. They had been sitting for quite some time. He reached down and picked up his quarterstaff and adjusted the bow in its holster on his back. “Well, you young-uns can stay up all night, but this old bird needs his beauty sleep. Night all,” He started to hobble off to his tent and then turned to Dian, “You can stay up as late as you like, Dian, but breakfast’ll be at tha crack o’ dawn and if ya miss it, ya won’ get anthin’ else till afternoon, so plan accordingly.”
Tory groaned, “He means it too, trust me.” She looked wistfully back at Dustin. “I probably should head off to bed, soon anyway. Ringulf is just as bad with the whole crack of dawn thing and you just absolutely can’t sleep through his bellowing.” She said with a grin. She didn’t want to leave though, not quite yet. She was hoping to get at least a few minutes alone with Dustin and she was quite warm inside his cloak so she didn’t want to step out into the brisk night air only to slip into a cold bedroll. “I think I will stay up just a little longer though.” She said to Bunt.
“See you in the morning.” Rick saluted them with a touch to his forehead while bowing. “Good night all.” He had spotted his quarry just moving off into the woods away from the campfire and he disappeared into the dark trees in hot pursuit. He had no intention of going to bed this early – or he should say no intention of going to sleep this early.
Bunt just grunted and moved off back to his camp, his stiff muscles loosening up as he went so he was able to stop hobbling once the tingling in his right toes stopped. He had every intention of climbing into his soft bedroll and instantly falling asleep.
|
|
dian
Apprentice Scribe
this status thing reminds me of Facebook
Posts: 100
|
Post by dian on Jul 18, 2011 15:16:30 GMT -5
Dian wondered if she COULD carve a knife. She could probably do a right enough job just so she could throw the knife and hit someone. She was mentally trying to figure it out when rick said to use the throwing knife as the guide. It made sense and she studied her throwing knife. She decided if she had time she would also copy the couriers knife she had on her belt as well. “You can stay up as late as you like, Dian, but breakfast’ll be at tha crack o’ dawn and if ya miss it, ya won’ get anthin’ else till afternoon, so plan accordingly.” At first Dian thought he MIGHT be joking, but Tory dismissed that thought. "No I think I'll sleep," She was going to make an excuse about wanting to check on Obsidian, but it looked like no one cared. Tory was just a little bit busy with Dustin. Dian got up and turned towards her tent, when she got behind Dustin she gave the back of his head a glare. Tory could like this one, but that didn't mean Dian would mind Dustin. Right then Dian promised herself she would tolerate Dustin or Tory's sake, she really did like him. Dian returned to her tent, moved Obsidian off of her bedroll and then slept.
|
|
|
Post by Brandwyn on Jul 19, 2011 19:34:02 GMT -5
Tory spent only a half an hour talking to Dustin, realizing that they had a lot in common and she discovered that he had seen her on a couple of occasions before during the Harvest Faire and the Winter Revel, but had been too shy to approach her. Tory had seen him in passing but figured that he wouldn’t have the slightest interest in someone like her, so she didn’t even introduce herself. She wondered what had possessed her on this night to be so bold and how she had ever ended up sitting here tucked into his cloak and holding his hand. She didn’t want the evening to end, but knew Ringulf would be merciless in the morning so reluctantly she said goodnight to him and flitted off to her tent wishing he’d kissed her goodnight, but knowing it was far too soon for that. She hurried back to camp, hoping Mylia was there and still awake. She had a lot to tell her.
|
|
|
Post by Firehead on Jul 20, 2011 9:59:26 GMT -5
Mylia had just turned in herself, when she heard Tory coming back from wherever she'd been to. "Hey Tory. So, how was your first day at the Gathering?" she asked, twinkle in her eyes.
"By the way, I was passing Rick's campfire earlier, and I thought I saw you there. But now that I think about it, It couldn't possibly have been you. She was a beautiful young lady and looked quite cozy next to a certain young man...And we all know that you don't look at yourself as being inherently beautiful." she teased.
After a moment, she sobered. "But really, there was a pretty-looking girl who looked a lot like you sitting next to a handsome looking young man. And I couldn't help thinking that she looked quite happy to be there. I'm sure I have no idea why it reminded me of you, but it did." She paused, then remembered the other girls who had teased and made fun of Tory when she was younger--the ones that Tory had told her about-- and added, "I hope you don't think I'm being mean or spiteful or anything like that.You just looked happy... without anything else on your mind or anything."
|
|
|
Post by Brandwyn on Jul 22, 2011 22:13:55 GMT -5
"By the way, I was passing Rick's campfire earlier, and I thought I saw you there. But now that I think about it, It couldn't possibly have been you. She was a beautiful young lady and looked quite cozy next to a certain young man...And we all know that you don't look at yourself as being inherently beautiful." she teased.
Tory plopped down at the entrance to Mylia’s tent and stuck her tongue out at her. She needed to stop doing that. It seemed she had been doing a lot of it lately.
After a moment, Mylia sobered. "But really, there was a pretty-looking girl who looked a lot like you sitting next to a handsome looking young man. And I couldn't help thinking that she looked quite happy to be there. I'm sure I have no idea why it reminded me of you, but it did." She paused, then remembered the other girls who had teased and made fun of Tory when she was younger--the ones that Tory had told her about-- and added, "I hope you don't think I'm being mean or spiteful or anything like that. You just looked happy... without anything else on your mind or anything."
“I don’t know about the pretty girl part, but you got the ‘handsome guy’ part right.” Tory blushed. “That was Dustin,” she said with a smile. “Isn’t he handsome? What is really amazing though is that he had noticed me last year at the Harvest Faire and thought I was cute. Me! I can’t believe it.” She shook her head in amazement. “Apparently he was too shy to say anything and he thought I would find him weird. Him weird, as if,” she crossed her arms over her knees and shivered. That reminded her of how she ended up in his cloak in the first place. “He was pretty smooth when he pulled me onto the log beside him,” Tory chuckled, “Even Rick said so. I really was cold though. I left my cloak here in my tent and was sitting there shivering.” Tory saw the look on Mylia’s face and said, “Really, I was!”
Then she grew serious, struggling to voice her concerns. “You don’t think- ummm you and Ari are,” Tory stopped again, not sure how to put her question to Mylia without Mylia getting upset. “I mean, well, you don’t think Ari would be upset with me for liking Dustin, do you?” She blurted. “After all, it is not like Ari and I are dating or anything. He likes you better. Right?” She chewed on her bottom lip, hoping Mylia wasn’t upset.
|
|
|
Post by Firehead on Jul 23, 2011 9:01:49 GMT -5
I don’t know about the pretty girl part, but you got the ‘handsome guy’ part right.” Tory blushed. “That was Dustin,” she said with a smile. “Isn’t he handsome? What is really amazing though is that he had noticed me last year at the Harvest Faire and thought I was cute. Me! I can’t believe it.” She shook her head in amazement. “Apparently he was too shy to say anything and he thought I would find him weird. Him weird, as if,”
Mylia hid her smile behind one hand, and did her best to fake a yawn. "Well, there are some people who know a pretty girl when they see one, and I'd say he's one of them."
“He was pretty smooth when he pulled me onto the log beside him,” Tory chuckled, “Even Rick said so. I really was cold though. I left my cloak here in my tent and was sitting there shivering.”
"M-hm." Mylia gave her her best skeptical look.
Tory saw the look on Mylia’s face and said, “Really, I was!”
"Surrre, I'll believe that." Mylia teased.
Then Tory grew serious, struggling to voice her concerns. “You don’t think- ummm you and Ari are,” Tory stopped again, not sure how to put her question to Mylia without Mylia getting upset.
Mylia raised an eyebrow questioningly. "Are....?"
“I mean, well, you don’t think Ari would be upset with me for liking Dustin, do you?” She blurted. “After all, it is not like Ari and I are dating or anything. He likes you better. Right?” She chewed on her bottom lip, hoping Mylia wasn’t upset.
There was a long pause. Mylia looked down at her lap for a moment. "I don't think Ari will mind that you're interested in Dustin, Tory...." She paused for a long moment. "as for Ari and me, well....I certainly hope so. I mean, I like him a lot and...."
Mylia's face slowly colored, blushing a deep, rosey red. She looked down, uncomfortable with actually putting her thoughts into words."Oh brother, this is what I get for teasing you about a guy."
|
|
|
Post by Ringulf on Jul 23, 2011 10:19:42 GMT -5
"Hey go to sleep in there! You two you are talking so loud I can hear you through my snoring! Morning comes early! Boys come later!" Ringulf said in a half grumpy voice.
But anyone who knew him well could see that little half smile that would have been there, even in the dark.
|
|
|
Post by Brandwyn on Jul 26, 2011 11:33:55 GMT -5
Tory rolled her eyes at Mylia and then a mischievous gleam glinted in them. “Well then, if you are snoring that means your dreaming so just dream that we shut up and went to sleep.” Tory said just above a whisper and then blushed, realizing she was talking to her mentor and a senior ranger, “Sir,” she added rather belatedly and then giggled, covering her mouth.
“He’s right though, I am making breakfast so I better get some sleep. Night Mylia,” Tory whispered and then rolled out of Mylia’s tent and into her own right next door. She thought she was too excited to sleep, but once she’d gotten into clean undergarments and rolled up snugly in her bedding she fell instantly asleep. Neither Ringulf’s snores nor thoughts of Dustin kept her awake. ---
In the morning, after breakfast Tory saw Crowley approaching their camp and eyed him warily as he spoke with Ringulf out of earshot. She noticed Bunt keeping an eye on them too, but pretending he was whittling on a piece of wood.
That reminded her that she needed to carve two throwing knives today. She wondered how she was going to manage that without Ringulf and Mylia finding out what she was doing.
When Crowley walked off, Bunt eyed Dian and Tory could see the wheels were turning in his mind. He glanced at her and she raised an eyebrow in question. Bunt asked, “Yer pretty good wit’ those knives I hear.”
Tory shrugged, “better than some I suppose, but no expert.” The fact was that she had gotten quite good during her time in Gallica and had done quite well in the matches in the Harvest Faire, though Mylia had done much better. She was about to point that out when something in Bunt’s eyes warned her to not say anything.
Bunt called out to Ringulf, “Hey you great Skandian Sea Bear, can I borrow yer apprentice here fer awhile? I wanna see jes how good my new apprentice is with her knives.” Bunt nodded toward Tory and then Dian. Tory looked at him, trying to figure out what he was up to and then back to Ringulf and Mylia and understanding dawned. She ducked her head and finished packing up her cooking gear. She hoped Ringulf didn’t have any plans for her today, if she got the time she wanted to go for a ride on Chip.
|
|