|
Post by Firehead on Aug 3, 2011 8:21:27 GMT -5
(Takes place in fall of the year 657)
Simone Talley sat at a large table, reviewing the large wall map, scanning it slowly. She held her hands clasped in front of her on the table and forced herself to stay still, hiding that fact that she was nerveous. Something, she wasn't quite certain what exactly, was going on in the marshes, and she knew only two things about it. It wasn't right, and she couldn't put her finger on it.
For the past week she'd felt it in the air, but now she could practically smell it. Years ago she had learned to trust her instincts, and she trusted them now. She just wished that she knew more than she did. It concerned her that she'd felt this...wrongness in the air only since Ringulf and his apprentice, Mylia had left for the Ranger's Gathering. It was as though whatever it was had been waiting for them to leave, before making it's presence known.
Shifting in her seat, she looked over her shoulder to watch as Gracie the cook, worked to make dinner for the Marshwardens that were lounging about outside. She didn't appear to have noticed Simone's nerveousness, and if she had, she was ignoring it for now. Getting up suddenly, Simone strode purposefully out the door, and stopped in the middle of the yard, turning in a circle and studying her surroundings and sniffing the breeze that was coming from the west.
She wandered about the yard, nosing around here, poking about there, finally going to the stable to groom the horses. They'd already been groomed once this morning, but that made no difference to Simone; she picked up a brush and started in on Snap's coat. A half-an-hour later, she was pacing the yard once more, stopping every now and again to stare out into the surrounding marshes.
|
|
|
Post by Ringulf on Nov 30, 2011 14:37:54 GMT -5
The persistent thud and jingle of a small bell broke the silence of the post twilight air on the Low road in Marshwood. The bell permeated the night giving the distinct feeling of a walking pace. Out of the darkness a figure entered the clearing that had been made around the Wardens cabin in Westmarch.
" 'Lo there!" came the call of a deep, jolly voice.
A large rounded man with a white beard and a brown leather cap moved into the corona of light that emanated from the stable.
The man carried a pack on his back and walked with a long carved staff. the bell at the end of his hat tassel was the one that was making the sounds that Simone must have heard as he came down the path.
"Hello Missy! Th' name us Yule Valkotooka peddler/handyman, I have been coming through these parts for some few years now, but I don't recall having seen your lovely face. Are you our new Warden I have heard so much about?"
He said with a mirthful smile and a twinkle in his eye.
"Wait a tick, didn't I see you for a moment at the Rangers cabin in Marshwood Port? Yes it was almost a year ago, awfly kind o him to have me in, had a merry evening and 'tween you an me, did some brisk trade afterwards, Hee, Hee, Hee!"
|
|
|
Post by Firehead on Nov 30, 2011 15:42:46 GMT -5
The sound of the bell coming up the road, was lost to Simone for several minutes, before it finally jolted her out of her reveire and brought her gaze around to track the sound as it drew nearer. shortly, a voice called, " 'Lo there!"
A large rounded man with a white beard and a brown leather cap moved into the corona of light that emanated from the stable.
The man carried a pack on his back and walked with a long carved staff. the bell at the end of his hat tassel was the one that was making the sounds that Simone must have heard as he came down the path.
"Hello Missy! Th' name us Yule Valkotooka peddler/handyman, I have been coming through these parts for some few years now, but I don't recall having seen your lovely face. Are you our new Warden I have heard so much about?"
Smiling was rare for Simone these past several days, but now she gave a broad grin, welcoming the jolly peddler warmly. "Hello, Yule! It's been awhile! Oh, c'mon, your memory can't be as bad as you make it out to be! We met last Christmas, remember?"
"Wait a tick, didn't I see you for a moment at the Rangers cabin in Marshwood Port? Yes it was almost a year ago, awfly kind o him to have me in, had a merry evening and 'tween you an me, did some brisk trade afterwards, Hee, Hee, Hee!"
Simone joined him in his merriment, relaxing for the first time in a long time. It felt good, to do so. "C'mon in. Stay for supper. Gracie's gettin' it on the table, now." she paused to inhale the smells of beef stew and fresh-baked bread hot out of the oven. "I don't know what Gracie does to that dough, but it sure tastes good--'specially on a night like tonight!"
She led the way inside, saying, "You can tell us all the lastest news after we eat."
|
|
|
Post by Ringulf on Nov 30, 2011 16:10:46 GMT -5
Simone joined him in his merriment, relaxing for the first time in a long time. It felt good, to do so. "C'mon in. Stay for supper. Gracie's gettin' it on the table, now." she paused to inhale the smells of beef stew and fresh-baked bread hot out of the oven. "I don't know what Gracie does to that dough, but it sure tastes good--'specially on a night like tonight!"
She led the way inside, saying, "You can tell us all the latest news after we eat."
"Can't say as I mind a bite to eat and if you would be so kind a bit of straw to lay down in in the barn. It is just starting to get that autumn chill in the air and my bones are starting to feel it! May have to see a cobbler here abouts too my shoes are getting kinda thin!"
He followed the lovely raven haired Warden into the house were Gracie was putting the finishing touches on the dinner and 2 or three of the men were busy cleaning and repairing their equipment by the hearth.
They all stopped what they were doing and looked up to see who followed their captain into the dimly lit cottage.
"Well looky here what our captain brings us and several month early!" Said Olaf.
"It's Yule! Howdy ol' timer what have you heard?" said another warden
"Greetings gentleman of the Marsh! There is much afoot I'm afraid and most of the tidings are not good, but it is curious that I know more of such things then do servants of the crown? Do you mean to tell me all here are fit and hail?"
|
|
|
Post by Firehead on Dec 1, 2011 9:05:58 GMT -5
Inside, the other wardens, few thoough they were, greeted Yule heartily, just as eager for the news outside the fief as Simone was. Yule greeted them with the same enthusiasm that he had when greeting Simone.
"Greeting gentleman of the Marsh! There is much afoot I'm afraid and most of the tidings are not good I'm afraid, but it is curious that I know more of such things then do servants of the crown? Do you mean to tell me all here are fit and hail?"
"Of course we're all healthy. The only things that we can catch are homesickness, cabin fever, swampsickness, injury, and criminals." Simone replied. "And swampsickness is rare." She added, ushering their guest to a seat near the harth. "Make yourself comfortable, Yule. Gracie's got the cookin' done." here she smiled up at the cook, as she brought the steaming pot of stew over and set it on the table. Everyone gathered around the table and dug in, eating in silence, for the most part.
Once the meal had been finished, and the dishes had been cleared, everyone settled back to hear Yule, as he told them of the news beyond their fief.
|
|
|
Post by Firehead on Feb 17, 2012 18:12:00 GMT -5
(Skipping ahead a short distance in time...)
Simone sat at the kitchen table once more, muttering to herself. She was feeling more than a little irritated and was even snappish to the point where the others--with the exception of Gracie-- had left the room. "My hands are tied." she said disgustedly. "Ringulf and Mylia are gone for at least another week, meanwhile we're stuck guarding the low road, the poachers are having a field day--even though we're arresting more now than ever before--and to top it all off, that apprentice is still MISSING!" she finished irrately. Behind her she heard a chuckle from Gracie. "Calm down, dearie, or your blood pressure will go through the roof."
"My blood pressure is fine." Simone growled.
Gracie chuckled again. "Yes, I've heard all about your Gaullic inclinations."
"From who?"
"Why Ringulf of course!" Gracie chuckled again. Simone glowered at her and she added, "You'll think of something--just like you always do."
Simone grumbled and turned back to her thoughts. Literally. "I need someone who knows the swamps, is smart, innovative, and can handle any trouble that comes their way without help. And they've got to be dependable--can't go getting bought off. I can't go and neither can any of my men--I need every single one I've got...In fact I may have to start hiring poachers if we get stretched any thin--. Why...not a bad idea! I think I've got it!"
Beside the stove, Gracie grinned. "Good" she chuckled.
"Just wait till you hear my plan, Gracie. The boys brought in that Snow character again, didn't they?"
"Yes they did." Gracie paused, then turned to look at Simone. "If you're thinking what I think you're thinking, they ain't gonna be none to happy, if'n ya get my meaning."
Simone rose, shoving her chair in as she replied. "I don't care if they throw a party complete with festoons and ribons, Gracie, I want to talk to that man! At the very least maybe he can help us by locating the girl."
|
|
|
Post by Ringulf on May 15, 2012 12:18:43 GMT -5
Just wait till you hear my plan, Gracie. The boys brought in that Snow character again, didn't they?"
"Yes they did." Gracie paused, then turned to look at Simone. "If you're thinking what I think you're thinking, they ain't gonna be none to happy, if'n ya get my meaning."
Yule after finishing his dinner and seeing all the Wardens seperating to go to their homes and start thier patrols, took his things and said goodnight to the two women.
Goodnight and thank you for the fine repast and excellent company Captain. Gracie as always very fine meal!"
with that he opened the door and left, heading to the barn. He saw the shed that was used sometimes as a shellfish shucking shack or to clean game, right now it was the makeshift jail where the prisoner Snow was being held. A Warden sat on a chair made from a barrel cut in on the front third at the top about halfway down and given a false bottom to be the seat at that point, He was wrapped in a cloak and seemed to be neerly asleep.
"Lo there Warden, you look tired you have releif coming?" Yule said startling the man to full consciousness.
"No you dolt you just ate supper wi' me! Ah just got here!"
"Ah very well but you seemed more like one at the end of his watch than at the beggining. What or should I say whom are you guarding, not another poacher I hope?"
"Yeh, Ahm afraid it tis. Name's Snow a repeat offender."
"Can I take a peak at him? This kinda thing fascinates me!"
"Do it quick don't need the Captain chewing on me...well not that I would mind a little che...."
"Hey there's no one in here! He must have escaped." Said Yule abruptly.
"What are you talkin about he is right...Thud!!"
A dropping thud from above sounded dully in the night and all went black.
A few moments later the shed was empty. The inhabitant, Warden and Yule were nowhere to be seen and even the dirt outside the door had been wiped of any sign of scuffle,
Again the cool night air was still and silent.
|
|
|
Post by Firehead on May 19, 2012 14:47:06 GMT -5
Simone exited the house and wandered out to the shed where the Marshwardens were keeping Snow under close guard. It was gloomy out, but it didn't bother Simone--she felt rather at home in the even-tide.She approached the shed, making her steps stealthy, if the guard on duty was napping, he was going to get an unpleasent surprise--a bit of cold mud or water down the back of one's neck always worked. But she saw no guard. No prisoner, either. In an instant, she was on high alert. Her stealth increased, as much as it could anyway, what with a bad leg, and she quickly screened the entire barn.
Three horses were missing, but when she checked outside, there was no sign of there tracks. This. Was NOT. Good. Three horses, the warden supposed to be guarding Snow, and Snow himself were gone. A quick scan around the yard and in the Warden's lodge revealed that Yule had vanished as well. What's going on here?
Simone reached for the silver boatswain's whistle that she'd been given by one of the wardens, ready to sound an alarm, but just as it reached her lips, a shill scream from the direction of the house caught her attention. Dropping the whistle, Simone bolted toward the house, fear begining to pound in her chest.
|
|
|
Post by Ringulf on Jun 6, 2012 12:03:02 GMT -5
The road had been rather long and dark as I had left going westward along the Lowroad from the cabin, just around sundown .
I had a good deal of walking to do to get to Westmarch. but I would be there soon.
With the success at the market place that morning I was able to put the whole order together for the Wardens and now had some wicker traps and several other pieces of clayware pots and such for Gracie. There was also a net that had been mended and I had that rolled on my back along with my bedroll.
I was going to overnight at the warden's compound as usual and then take one of their boats back for repair and overhaul.
Simone would be happy to see all the cut fletches I had brought, She and the other wardens would need them as fall progressed. This was the time when the most poaching occurred and it would be very hard to squire the fletches for another month while the waterfowl were being harvested. It took some time for the feathers to be plucked, washed, sometimes dyed, and then cut. Even though the wardens liked to fletch their arrows themselves there was not enough time to sit and prepare the fletches, so I had been supplying them since I was about eight years of age.
It was one of my first business deals, and though guided by Fowler, it was my deal and I had done well with it all this time. The contact I had made with the former Ranger of Marshwood, Donagal MacHeath had spread my name some too, and a few of the Westmarch hunters had also liked the idea of getting good quality fletches delivered right to them along with some of the other gear that me and my Pa made and sold.
I thought about Donagal, he was a good man and he was very kind to the people of the Marsh. There had been an older man before him, very old it seemed but I had a hard time even remembering him as I, at that time, was very young, he had retired a little after the fire that had destroyed so many peoples lives many years ago and had sent me to live with my "Pa" Fowler. I miss family but the pain has dulled as my life with Fowler was full and busy.
It was strange, we had nothing by the standards of many and could have been dirt poor and destitute. However even though our lives were filled with hard work, it was usually very enjoyable. Most likely what I would be doing for fun as a boy growing up by the marsh. At least Fowler never said to "stay away from that swamp!" or "be careful people die out there!" or that kind of thing like the boys and girls of Westmarch were used to hearing from their mothers. Nope the marsh was my Mother and my playground and Fowler had taught me everything he could from the day we became family so I would always respect it and never have to fear it. As a result we have the riches of the marsh and of freedom and the enterprise of our own industry and cleverness. I have never felt poor, always had food always had my nice cozy cabin always had a bit of scratch in my pouch due to my own industriousness and life had been good since the fire.
Ranger MacHeath had always looked in on us and he was Pa's friend as well, many nights the two would sit by the fire and finish a jug between them and tell the most wonderful stories. Well that was until he went and got himself killed, and an apprentice, a girl apprentice at that lost! She was pretty OK, if a little flighty and we actually became pretty good friends. I had few real friends being a ways from both the Port and Westmarsh.
We had seen them less and less as some of the trouble had started with the "Poachers". I remember the raised voices of the men who came to visit Fowler, mostly in the night and even the arguments that he and Donagal had more and more. when that happened, me and Kristin, the Ranger's Apprentice, would sneak out to the shed and lie on our backs in the hay and talk about all kinds of things. I had almost wished I had been Donagal's apprentice. But now that I think about it, I was already "apprenticed" to one of the best Marshmen in all Marshwood.
Not only that, but if I had been, I would have most likely been face down in the swamp with an arrow in my back or captured by the Briggands right now instead of poor Kristin.
The thought of the day I found the rough little skiff floating past the dock still haunts me.
I saw the skiff and had figured it got loose from one of the cabins up river so I swam out to it and as I reached up to the gunnel and started to pull myself aboard the tilting skiff brought me face to face with the dead and mutilated Ranger, his cold, dead, white eyes staring right into my own.
I had screamed and gone under trying as hard as I could to frog kick away from the skiff and the dead man, when I got tangled in the painter, the rope that was tied to the skiff's bow, which had caught me as it trailed behind and below the water.
It was all I could do to swim back to shore but eventually I got the line sorted out and pulled it with my right hand while side stroking back to the dock.
Fowler came running down to the dock as I landed I was wondering how he knew. Then I realized I had been screaming since I broke water and had just become numb to it since I had been doing it so long. I felt all along like it was happening to someone else and that I was just along for the ride, watching from outside my own mind.
Anyway, feeling those feelings of terror are not helpful on a dark road by myself so I need to force my mind back to better thoughts.
The new Ranger, Ringulf was a bit different from Donagal. I didn't know him very well as he and Pa had not struck up a friendship. Pa kind of kept his distance. When he first came to visit I thought he was double crazy as he had two apprentices and they were both girls! He went to talk with Pa for a while, I think about Donagal's murder, and while they spoke, I got to go sailing on the marsh with Milia and Tory his Apprentices.
They were allot of fun, and really cute, Mylia seemed really into the sailing and Tory although she was there and participating was acting a bit strangely. I figured out before she told me that she was kind of scared of the water. She seemed to relax a bit when I told her that most of the water here in the marsh never got deeper than about five foot so if you got into trouble or your boat sank, you could always walk home.
They both laughed at that.
I don't think things had gone as well with Pa and Ringulf, when I got back they were waiting and Ringulf herded the girls away so fast I almost didn't get to say goodbye, and Fowler just turned and walked back up to the cabin. He dove into the jug for the rest of the night and was like a bear the next morning out on the marsh with me.
Now Simone was a Ranger too but got her leg hurt so Ringulf gave her a job running the wardens. She was good too! really good. She made all those guys step and fetch and do their jobs, allot better than that White fella whose whole family was a bunch of poachers and pirates! What a scurvy bunch, no wonder he got it in the gut in a knife fight with his older brother.
But Simone kinda liked me and Gracie and the wardens spoke up for me so she honored Donagal's trade agreement I had.
Witch is why I am now in sight of the compound. But what the hell is with those riders coming my way like bats out of hell!
I watched as the riders approached and realized they were not gonna stop so I scuttled to the side of the road.
I looked up at them as they passed, some big dark guy in the lead holding a light crossbow. A husky white bearded fellow who looked like the peddler that wandered around here and ..wait he was tied by the wrists and had a gag in his mouth! the other guy was holding the lead rope on the peddler's horse and that guy I knew well! He was the older brother that had killed Warden White.
As they passed they must have seen my face and that I recognized him because the first guy with the crossbow swung in the saddle and fired right at me!
I could do nothing but turn from him and fortunately the bolt struck me between the shoulders. I felt a little poke but realized that I was lucky to have had my bedroll and the net to stop the bolt from killing me.
I fell to the ground from the impact and so they would not waste time coming back to make sure I was dead, and when the were gone I jumped up and ran to the compound.
"Simone! Simone! Gracie! Olaf! What's happening?! Help!'
|
|
|
Post by Firehead on Jun 23, 2012 22:02:58 GMT -5
Simone bolted in the direction of the house, running as fast as her leg would allow her. From the bunkhouse, the three remaining Marshwardons spilled out and joined her sprint. Simone reached the door a split second ahead of them and straight-armed it open, charging in, eyes flicking about, taking in everything. The back door, swinging gently in the breeze. The spilled dishwater, with Gracie lying on her back in the midst of it, turning the water red, with the blood that still ran from her slit throat.
Simone skidded to a halt and knelt beside her still-warm body. Behind her, she could hear the heart-felt swearing of the Marshwardons as they saw what had happened. She tuned them out momentarily, focusing on Gracie's body. There were several ripped holes in the front of her dress. Simone rolled Gracie onto her side and saw the stab wounds in her back. In the back and out the front; a sword, probably, Simone thought.
Her concentration was broken by the sound of hooves thundering away. "Damn 'em, they're gettin' away!" shouted one Marshwardon as they turned to charge out the door. They stopped short just outside, pursuit was of no use now. Simone rose and swung to follow them, but in doing so, her eyes fell on one object that was now, in light of present events, out of place. It was almost an accident. It almost wasn't. Yule's pack sat in the corner, exactly where he'd left it.
"Simone! Simone! Gracie! Olaf! What's happening?! Help!'
Djolimer's high-pitched voice sang through the night, draging Simone's attention back to the current situation. "Joel, that you?" she queried, stepping out of the cabin. She had called the boy Joel as a way of shortening his name--it was a mouthful, and DJ...well...whenever she heard that, she always thought they were they boy's initals, not the first two letters of his first name. Joel was a way of reminding her what the boy's real name was. She spotted the boy racing toward them, pack slung over his shoulder. He must have been returning late from the market.
Simone stepped forward and caught the stout boy in a sort of hug as ran plump into her arms. "Hey Joel. Take it easy. Take it easy. I'm not completely sure yet, what-all's happened, but I do know that it's not good."
Simone turned her attention to matters at hand. "Olaf, you, me, and Raif will take care of Gacie's body, get it ready for burial. Wendel, take 'Jolimar to the bunkhouse and see if'n you can't scrap up something for him to eat." She led the way inside.
For the next hour, they kept busy, and when finished, they all troopped to the bunkhouse, Olaf toting Yule's pack. When all were settled, Simone turned to Yule's pack. "I want clues, and if this has got some, I want them."
|
|
|
Post by Ringulf on Jun 24, 2012 0:53:05 GMT -5
Djolimer's high-pitched voice sang through the night, draging Simone's attention back to the current situation. "Joel, that you?" she queried, stepping out of the cabin. She had called the boy Joel as a way of shortening his name--it was a mouthful, and DJ...well...whenever she heard that, she always thought they were they boy's initals, not the first two letters of his first name. Joel was a way of reminding her what the boy's real name was. She spotted the boy racing toward them, pack slung over his shoulder. He must have been returning late from the market.
Simone stepped forward and caught the stout boy in a sort of hug as ran plump into her arms. "Hey Joel. Take it easy. Take it easy. I'm not completely sure yet, what-all's happened, but I do know that it's not good."
Djolimar grabbed the woman and held on to her. All of a sudden he realized how scared he really was and how the escaping bandits or whatever they were had shot the crossbow at him. he was lucky to be alive! He felt Simones warm embrace and was soothed by the way she held him and calmed him, suddenly he was all too aware of the form of the beautiful, Raven haired woman who he had come to admire so much and also the fact that he only came up to just below her shoulders.
"Damn, he thought to himself I got a one track mind lately!" He took a step back and fished out the bolt from the net on his back.
"Sure good thing I was bringing back your net! I was trying to get you that stuff and the fletching before I took the skiff back down river for Pa and me to work on. Why were they kiddnapping that old peddler man...Yule? He was all tied up and those two White guys had him why they shootin at me I didn't do nuthin!? He handed the quarrel to her with the black and green fletches.
Hey That's a Scotty bolt that is an it's brand new! might be worth something!
Simone turned her attention to matters at hand. "Olaf, you, me, and Raif will take care of Gacie's body, get it ready for burial. Wendel, take 'Jolimar to the bunkhouse and see if'n you can't scrap up something for him to eat." She led the way inside.
Djolimars eyes got big and he felt a lump forming in his throat as the tears started to well up in his eyes.
"Gracie's......body?" he said in a slow shocked voice.
Djolimar had known the woman all his life, she was like an Aunt to him, what was Simone Saying? How? Where? When? why was she dead?
He tore out of Simone's grasp and ran to the house.
As he stumbled through the door and saw the dead woman and the puddle of blood. The room began to spin and he started to get sick but fortunately he never did, he fell backward, and everything went black.
|
|
|
Post by Firehead on Sept 24, 2012 8:34:38 GMT -5
"Sure good thing I was bringing back your net! I was trying to get you that stuff and the fletching before I took the skiff back down river for Pa and me to work on. Why were they kiddnapping that old peddler man...Yule? He was all tied up and those two White guys had him why they shootin at me I didn't do nuthin!?" He handed the quarrel to her with the black and green fletches. "Hey That's a Scotty bolt that is an it's brand new! might be worth something!" Simone turned her attention to matters at hand. "Olaf, you, me, and Raif will take care of Gacie's body, get it ready for burial. Wendel, take 'Jolimar to the bunkhouse and see if'n you can't scrap up something for him to eat." She led the way inside. Djolimars eyes got big and he felt a lump forming in his throat as the tears started to well up in his eyes. "Gracie's......body?" he said in a slow shocked voice.
Simone gave a short, crisp nod, and before she could think to react, the boy tore away from her and bolted for the door. "Joel! No! You don't want to go in--." Too late, the boy was inside. Simone limped quickly after him and caught up with him in time to catch him as he collapsed to the floor in a dead faint. With a sigh she looked up at the three Marshwardens, as they gazed back somberly. She surrendered 'Jolimar to Wendel, and then she and the other two turned to the sad task before them. --------------------
An hour later, They entered the bunkhouse where Simone brushed off the black cloud of loss and focused on the facts of the events earlier that night. "So, what do we know for certain? Yule was taken prisoner. Three horses were stolen. 'Jolimar was shot at with a crossbow. The bolt is Scotti and new.Gracie was murdered, stabbed multiple times and her throat was cut. Our prisoner has escaped--more about that later." she growled. "Oh, and the warden who was guarding the prisoner has vanished. More bad news."
She huffed out a sigh, then paused briefly, collecting her thoughts. "So. The 'two White boys' had Yule. Alright. Why did they want Yule? And what happened to Snow and the warden? And why was Gracie murdered? 'Jolimar I can understand, but what did Gracie do?" She paced the floor once more, then sat on a convenient bunk. "Alright boys, let's brainstorm. Any ideas or suggestions?"
|
|
|
Post by Ringulf on Oct 2, 2012 14:00:54 GMT -5
The group of riders thundered down the low road to the turnoff that would lead them north toward the forest.
From Westmarsh where the Warden's compound sat at the edge of the marsh, the dark crew and their captive had bolted up to the Low road and turned quickly to follow it a short distance east, They had to rip through the town at a frightening pace even at this time of night so that they would avoid any interlopers or "do gooders" that might try to stop them. As it was there were very few if any people on the street and by the time anyone could actually come to a door or window to see what the excitement was all about they were gone in a cloud of dust.
The horses hooves pounded up the Marsh Road that lead north to Bridledale.
They lessened the pace after a few miles to give the horses a rest. They checked on their captive's bonds and made sure they were secure and that the old peddler was properly astride his mount.
Yule was not used to riding, nor was he used to riding at such breakneck speeds. He looked down to his bound wrists, and the rope that bound them to the ring in the saddle pommel.
"You best keep your seat old man or you will break your wrists and be dragged till we decide to help you!" Said one of the black clad men.
They continued at a canter up the Marsh Road that separated the Greenbelt from the Anglewood.
The dawn broke and the dappled light of morning, beneath the eaves of the shady road made it difficult to make out any more than basic features the sun poking through in many spots causing the eyes to constantly re-adjust their focus and sensitivity.
It was late morning and they had passed no one as most traffic from the north these days tended to veer east from the interior planes and head through Bridledale and along the Dale Road if they were not stopped and turned back with evident signs of the plague.
Just then a lone figure came into view ahead of them, They saw the glint of his armor before they really could tell who he was but that was enough to let them know...
"It's one of those knightly brats they got patrolin but this one seems to be alone!" One man said to the other.
"Thas alright thear is onleh one, an yew are gonna fight 'im ena way sew tha' we can escape. Meet us back at the cabin once you've taken care o' him."
"Why me? you are the bloody soldier I am just a..."
"Shut up and do what Aye tell ye, the priority is th' prisoner! He is only a snivlin' wee bairn in a shineh tin suite, ah think yew may be able to handle him. If not you best tie im up long enough for us to escape or Ah will come back after Ah kill im and make sure ah kill yew tew, ya gutless wonder!"
At that he spurred his horse into a gallop pulling Yule behind him and the man in the back drew his sword.
Aribjorn saw the group ahead but could not quite make them out until they suddenly charged.
As they closed he noticed that two were dressed in black and the one in front was raising a loaded crossbow at him. That focused his attention as an immediate threat. He leveled his spear and spurred his mount forward.
As they closed to within 15 yards of each other the darkly cloaked bandit fired his weapon at Ari with very good effect.
The lead Bandit had veered to his left and shot with his right hand holding the reigns in his left hand as he had done to Djolimar.
He aimed for the lessor protected right flank of the knight and the deadly bolt caught Ari in the right shoulder lodging in his Paldron. The arrow passed through the steel plate and was slowed enough that it barley got through the leather beneath, but it did the job, Ari felt the penetration of the arrow tip as it poked an inch into his shoulder.
The force of the bolt and the sudden pain forced him to loose control of his lance and as the three opponents drove past him the last one leveled an arching chop at his neck like he was harvesting wheat with a scythe.
Ari's shield was useless and out of place on his left, his right arm was reeling in pain and without a weapon in hand. He took the only course available to him and rolled backwards off the rump of his mount to land rather heavily in his armor on the dirt trail as the sword cut through the air that his head and neck had just occupied.
The fall knocked the wind out of him but he had lessened the shock by hitting feet first and falling forward hard on his belly.
Miraculously he still gripped his shield and even winded, managed to get to his feet and painfully draw his sword as the sword wielding bandit skidded to a stop and reigned around his horse to come back for him.
The bandit charged again and Ari stayed over to the man;s right to draw the sword blow.
This was a tactic he had learned in battle school when fighting a mounted opponent. At the last second Ari rolled to the right and popped up on the bandit's left causing the man to strike over his horse unexpectantly. The bandit was obviously not an accomplish cavalryman.
He did however bring his strike down to bear on Ari, but Ari's shield was raised and the blow skidded off it's surface to the left as he carried forward.
Ari however used the opportunity to send him off with a little present and he cut at the man with his razor keen, broad Skandian sword.
The blow bit and bit deep hacking a gash in the bandit's left leg from hip to knee, the momentum of his mount adding that much more to the strike.
The bandit screamed in pain and did not try to whirl around but spurred his horse back down the trail southward to escape.
Ari looked over his shoulder, the other two were long gone, but he could catch this one if he hurried.
He ran to his horse and lept up from the rear, they were at a gallop before Ari even had his feet in the stirrups. He threw down his shield and transferred his sword to his left hand.
As he drove his mount faster he reached down for the large two edged battle axe that hung in a sheath by his pommel. Not being as big as a Skandian axe, this axe was designed for a horseman and was carried as a secondary weapon by many knights,
Ari got within 15 feet of the fleeing bandit and hurled the axe with all his might.
The mass of edged steel hit the bandit firmly between the shoulder blades and at a slight tilt to the right. The fleeing man seemed to go as limp as a rag-doll and fell from his horse tumbling several times head over heels on the dusty path finally comimg to a stop in a heap of twisted limbs and broken body. The axe had never stuck, but had spun off to the side of the road as he tumbled.
Ari reined in quickly and launched himself into a flying dismount running to where the pile of humanity lay. Drawing his sword as he approached and saw the man was still alive.
His hooded head lolled back to one side to watch Arabjorn"s approach and it was then that he saw from the terror in the bandits eyes that he was not a bandit at all, but one of the Marshwarden's he had met defending the Greenwall not more than a week before.
|
|
|
Post by Ringulf on Oct 2, 2012 16:05:12 GMT -5
It was after noon when Aribjorn came within sight of the Warden compound in Westmarsh.
He rode his mount gingerly as the wounded shoulder had swelled and he had not yet been able to tend to it. He had removed the pauldron and pulled back the sleeves of his tunic and maille so that it could breath but the dust had settled in it mixed with sweat and now it ached terribly.
Behind him he lead the bandits brown horse with the now bloodless corpse tied face down across his own saddle. The gash in his left leg had allowed the poor man to bleed out in less than a half hour even with all that Ari could do to bind the wound.
He was not able to get anything out of him after turning him over and propping him up, he found that the axe had crushed and severed his spine just below the neck and the man was paralyzed and in severe shock. he tried to question him but he just continued to gasp for air until finally his eyes rolled back and he stared upward, his mouth agape.
Ari made him fast for travel and now had finally made it through the town of Westmarch with his grizzly cargo to the Marshwarden's base of operations.
He walked the horses up to the barn and saw Simone coming toward him.
"I am sorry Simone but I tink dis is von off yours, Dey attacked me on de Marsh roat, in de forest, between Vestmarsh ant Bridledale. I vas on my vay here to check in vit you ant see if Ringulf vas back yet. Vat vas he doing, ant did you know he vas up to mischief?
|
|
|
Post by Ringulf on Jul 4, 2013 20:28:33 GMT -5
Djolimar had been trying to grasp the concept of the sudden and meaningless death of Gracey. He had known her for all his life and to see her as the rest of the wardens prepared her for burial, lifeless and white when she was always so rosey and full of vigor, was more than unsettling. He wanted to leave and return home this was no place for him. He had delivered his message to Simone and when he said he would be going back as soon as he got some supper, she had forbade him to leave. It made sense it was not truly safe out there and Simone was just looking out for him, but he still dreaded staying the night in a house with a dead woman, no matter how many Wardens were around.
The next morning Djolimar had spoken with the Wardens as he shuffled around the kitchen and made them all breakfast. He needed to stay busy and it seemed like he would be doing it for Gracey as well so he had eggs and bacon and smoked kippers as well as cheese and fresh bread. He had even gone out and milked the old orange cow so they all had chilled milk to go with their breakfast and their coffee.
He spent time with Simone cleaning up as most of the wardens hitched a team to the flat wagon and took Gracey's body back to her family. Simone was very quiete almost to the point of being silent and aloof, but Djolimar knew she was deep in thought and trying to work out the details of the murder and escape from the night before.
He then caught the familiar sound of a Scandian voice outdoors and followed Simone out to see which of the local Scandians it could be. He was surprised that instead of Geir, whom he had expected it was Aribjorn a Battleschool student that was in charge of the local patrols along the southern interior.
"I am sorry Simone but I tink dis is von off yours, Dey attacked me on de Marsh roat, in de forest, between Vestmarsh ant Bridledale. I vas on my vay here to check in vit you ant see if Ringulf vas back yet. Vat vas he doing, ant did you know he vas up to mischief?" He said to Simone as he walked his horse up.
Djolimar peered around the ex Ranger woman and saw the body draped over the saddle of Ari's horse.
"You got him! That was one of the guys who tried to run me down and shoot me!"
"Hello Djolimar, vat is dis your sayin about getting shot?" He looked at Simone questioningly, "It seems ve hav a lot to talk about ya?" he could se Simones eyes hard and cold start to get watery and a fat tear escaped the brim of her stunningly dark eyes to roll down her right cheek.
Afterwards Djolimar went down to the marsh and sat on the peir. he was trying to stay out of the way and let the Skandian and the Headwarden discuss their strategy. It was a few hours later when he heard the sound of footfalls on the wooden quay and felt the vibrations of someone walking behind him.
He turned to see Ari, no longer in his armor with a bandage around his shoulder. The young Skandian was all smiles as he came to sit down with the boy in his element.
"So, my young frient dis is your marsh you alvays speek ovf. I can see vi you luv it so much it hass a very special feel to it. It seems to haf a life all it's own."
"Hi Ari yeah...like Fowlur always says "The Marsh is our mother she always provides for us!" he chucled and Ari did too as his imatation of the old Marshman was spot on.
"Vell it is goot dat you haf dat too, you haf de tools to take care of yourself here ant dat gifs a man confidence."
"Still wish I could have the confidence you wear on your hip, I felt so helpless yesterday and at the mercy of those bandits! If I only knew more about defending myself..."
"Dat vill come my friend, you carry a small blade andt I can teach you some tings about how to use it, but I hear you are also a great huntsman too?"
I am a marshman a bayman I gather more than I truly hunt, I am just starting to learn how to use a real bow for waterfowling up to now all I have used is this." He pointed to the whipbow that was laying next to him on the peir.
"Vat is dis a fishink pole? Very short string no?" Ari said looking it over.
It's a whipbow it shoots these, quarrels my Pa calls them 'cause they look about the same size as a crossbow bolt, you put one on like this," and he pulled a small arrow-like missle from a small belt quiver on the right rear end of his belt caught the little bead at the end of the tring on the notch near the arrow head, pulled the arrow by the fletches until the bow held upright in his hand had bent into a backwards question mark and whipped the missle at a tree about 15 yards away. It hit dead center and burried into the soft wood with an imressive "thuck".
"Vell now, dat is a mighty nasty little sting you got der I tink!"
"Yeah I guess, cept it don't really work on anything too big, I mean it could put a serious hurt on a pig or a deer but it would have to be a real good or real lucky shot to kill it, forget a man lest you hit him just right, you may as well hit him with a rock and just make him angry enough to fall in the water!"
"I see vat you mean, vell it is a good skill ant you are learning de bow and I will teach you mor about dat knife, don't vurry you are brave andt smart, you will do well I tink."
Djolimar smiled and retrieved his quarrel.
"Speaking of vich Simone has asked me to take you back to your cabin I am on my vay to de Ranger Cabin in Marshport and vill be passing your home."
"Hey that's great! let me just get my stuff and a few of these sacks of dried duckweed and we can get going."
"Duckveed? vat iss dat?"
"OH Duckweed is like the general store of the marsh! You can eat it raw or on a salad, dry it and make it into a powder and use it as a seasoning, it works real good as a poultice to draw out infection, makes a very good vegitable broth if you boil it, mixes with mud to make a bug repellent and in the marsh, believe me you need it sometimes, and is the main ingredient in Fowler's "marshnurse tonic". Why I know the old marshyfolk mixed it with some other stuff to put in their pipes as pipeweed, kinda strong though, gotta build up a tollerence for that!"
"Hmm, let us get on de road my little frient ant you can tell me all about it on de vay ya?"
"OK meet you up by the road, I gotta get my stuff and say goodbye!"
|
|