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Post by Ringulf on Feb 17, 2012 11:15:47 GMT -5
The half toned light of the young morning filtered through the nearly opaque panes of the Ranger cabin.
The day was gray and the light mist was permeated only by the heavy drizzle of cold rain that blanketed the heather and made the rocks slicker and darker than they should have been.
A large, black, bird cawed and uttered garbled croaks as he sat upon the high back of his particular wooden chair. The simple oaken chair was his throne and the seat was made up as his nest, it was festooned with all manner of shiny but worthless baubles and trinkets. The Raven climbed to the lofty rungs on the back to proclaim the start of the day with a scratching guttural voice to the stout sleeping man who was continuously blowing and sucking his long beard in and out of his mouth as he snored. The man sighed and shifted on the pillow, then rolled and looked toward the bird with one eye, he shut it and put his head back down.
"Aw, shut yer feathery gob you wee black sadist! I know, I know, I was awake, just restin a bit before gettin up, ye don't have to start with yer damn croakin!"
The bird tilted his head and seemed to shrug as he hopped down to his nest and turned his back to his surly companion.
"Now don't get yer hackles all raised, I'm sorry, you know I can be grumpy in the morning, especially after that late visit from the Barons Page. What in the name of thunder does the Baron want with me, First thing in the morning.? The rather large Raven turned back to his roommate and made a fluttering hop to the austere wooden table where a bowl of assorted dried foods made up his breakfast.
"You stay away from those Wortle berries they make you all loose and I don't need to be trying to get that shade of purple out of everything I own!"
Cro akk gave a low croak that sounded very much like the tone of a human curse.
"Fine then do what you want, but I'll tell ya Croaker, it's not pleasant to have to wear a bit of you everywhere I go! Everyone knows you own me, ya don't have to stake yer claim!"
The short stout man rolled from his covers and began to dress. He donned his brownish gray, woolen pants and heather green tunic. Slipped on his thick oiled leather brown boots. He then put on a dark oilskin leather jerkin and belted it with a broad leather belt. From the belt hung various pouches and weapon frogs and sheaths. Into them he thrust his seax knife and throwing blade, his small axe and around back his longseax with it's blackiron raven-head pummel. he put on his green and gray hooded mantle, put his haversack over his shoulder letting it rest upon his right hip, Then he picked up his quiver and short bow that was stuck into a pocket on it's side and hung it the other way so the straps made and "x" on his chest. As he grabbed a hunk of dark bread from the table, he walked to the door and took the walking axe from beside it. as the door pulled open the black feathery mass swooshed past him and out from under the porch roof.
Thrandin Darkwater, Ranger of Highcliff, watched his feathered friend climb up out of the mist until his black form was obscured.
He pulled up his hood to protect him from the rain and made his way down the path toward the castle below him.
"That Buggerin Baron better have coffee on!" He said in a surly tone as he munched on the dark stale loaf.
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Post by Ringulf on Feb 17, 2012 15:28:39 GMT -5
The rain was persistent. The rhythmic thumping of Thrandin's walking axe was sounded over the entire wooden bridge, that spanned the RunningMeade River. The cold, but dark river ran out of the highlands and crossed here at the lowest point of Highcliff, where it flowed out onto the moors, then into the sea. From here Thrandin would start his climb back up to the gates of the castle.
He nodded at the two sentries in their little covered hut. They had poked their heads out when hearing the Ranger's axe keeping time with his step on the wooden planks, but just as quickly went back to the business of cooking rabbit over the small fire.
The smell of their breakfast and the pot of coffee they had bubbling on the fire was almost too much for Thrandin to bear.
"Mornin Master Dwarf," said one of the guards "Tis a foul day itis are you headed up to the castle?"
"Oh Boggs, this is Highcliff, would you be expectin anything else this time o year? Why this is just another lovely day in a Northwestern Fife! And of course I am, ya witless dolt, there's nothin else on the castle road but the castle!" Said Thrandin dryly.
"I would stay and help you finish some of that coffee, OFFERED or not, but I have an appointment with the Barron."
"Well now Ranger, we gots little enough, but ya know ye never need an outright invitation to ave a bit o coffee with us!" the other guard piped up.
"Thanks boys, but like I said I need to knock heads with his Excellency for a bit." said Thrandin.
"Oh well, his Excellency, my yes, an 'is coffee bein so much more tasty then ours and all!" The first guard said with a grin and a wink.
"Truthfully Boggs I would rather a cup o your lousy coffee now, than a pitcher o his later, but duty calls so try to stay dry!" Thrandin said with a wave.
He reached the Castle in about 20 minutes, sweating and puffing a bit from the exertion. He had tried to move quickly knowing that being late for the Barron would put him in a bad mood and likely as not make the meeting more difficult as a result.
The guards at the gate admitted him immediately and the the Seneschal received him and ushered him into the Barron's office.
"The Barron will be here presently, can I get anything for you Ranger Darkwater?" The man asked politely.
"Well tis a bit dank and I would not mind a large mug of coffee, if it were not an inconvenience?" The Ranger replied echoing the Seneschal's polity.
"Of course Sir and I will also bring a bit of the cook's pottage to you, as the Barron will most likely be breaking his fast as well."
"Very good sir that would do nicely, many thanks."
As he waited in the cozy office alone, Thrandin studied the portrait on the wall of the current Barron. This portrait was of him at a much earlier age or the artist was trying to curry favor, for now the Barron was much more robust, redder of face, thinner of hair and his face much more pocked. He was a burly man and from what had been said, though he'd been a wool merchant before taking his office, he was a skilled fighter.
"Yes I know Ranger, it is not quite the likeness to me as it once was, but we all grow old sometime." The Barron said as he slipped through the door behind him and sat at his desk.
"Well yes your Excellency, we can not remain callow youths forever, nor would I think we would want to be. I feel like what we have given up of our youths has given us much more helpful assets in our prime."
"Well said Ranger, well said, you would have had a sparkling career in the Diplomatic Corps I am sure."
"Well I'm not dead yet, perhaps I still might!" Thrandin said with a wink.
The Butler and two servants brought in the coffee and breakfast and set it before the Barron and then the Ranger. There was little talk between them until the pushed their plates away and sat back with their mugs, then the Barron spoke.
"Ranger Darkwater, I have been reading about the little summer stroll through the highlands you took and several points interest me in your report."
Thrandin felt a bit of anger rise up as he recalled the mission that had sent him into the Scotti territory and kept him from attending the Ranger Moot and seeing his comrades.
"Anything in particular your Excellency?" He asked, knowing full well what the Barron was leading up to.
"Just that you seem to have been able to ascertain where many of the Scotti Bandits might be holed up, and that they seem to have a leader that is rather mysterious even to you."
"Aye he was away the whole time I was in the country and though I got reports of cruelty and saw many crews coming and going I never saw him. He may have been traipsing around our own countryside in some manner of disguise and we have been none the wiser!" Said Thrandin in an annoyed manner.
"We must be vigilant, I fear that the Scotti' want more than sheep and that something is brewing I sent along your reports to the crown as I know you have sent yours to the Corps so we may be receiving some directives on what to do about the problems brought about by this plague in Norgate. I realize we have seen precious few of these refugees but as the Rangers are recalled and more of the ports are blocked they may turn their eyes on Highcliff."
"I have already made plans to deal with that Barron and I tend to agree with you that we have not yet seen the Scotti's true objectives revealed." Thrandin assured the Noble.
"Well alright let us go over this report then and there are a few other items before I set you to your precious Heaths once more."
"Whatever you like Barron, I'm at you disposal of course, but might I trouble you for a refill on this coffee?"
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Post by Ringulf on May 15, 2012 11:46:01 GMT -5
Thrandon passed out of the portcullis and moved down the long path winding down from the castle to the lowlands.
As his walking axe made a tapping cadence to his pace, a whoosh of air and feathers seemed to engulf the left side of his head and then he felt the familiar weight and clutch of his companions claws on his shoulder.
A raven's talons are not like those of a bird of prey thus there was no digging or pain associated with the large birds grip, he merely perched upon the shoulder of his stocky friend in order to commune with his human counterpart.
"Well?" Where have you been, you feathery, black miscreant? Did you collect any treasures I am going to have to return?"
The bird let off a sighing croak and picked some of the crumbs from Thrandon's breakfast out of his beard.
"I was saving that for lunch, now we'll go hungry!" He said with mock sternness.
"I hope you have visited all your ladybirds and said farewell to all your local haunts, it seems we are to go back into the lion's den. Our illustrious Baron, prompted by our even more illustrious King, sees fit to let us return to the land of the Pict, and track down the head of this pit of Scotti vipers to cut it off."
"It is not going to be a warm spring and summer walk this time, we are getting towards the Winter and I am not looking forward to wet AND cold. I will need to take the barrel with us so mind your manners"
"Best get back to the cabin and prepare our equipment, We are to leave in the night so no one notices our departure or our absence for a few days."
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Post by Ringulf on May 16, 2012 22:28:27 GMT -5
The quarter moon was almost at it's zenith and the fluffy clouds that blanketed the sky made it look like a luminous eye peering through a veil of cotton.
It provided sufficient shadow to cover the small shaggy horse and it's rider. If one were to look at the pair in silhouette, they would almost see a severely hunched four legged troll with two heads, as the cloak Thrandon wore covered the many bags and rolls and obscured much of his horse Barrel as well.
Cro-ach flitted from tree to tree, then back to the rangers shoulder only to spring off and circle high into the sky and repeat the pattern. This was the way he always was at the beginning of a journey, despite his age.
Thrandon stuck to the edge of the forested highlands to hide his silhouette and to make sure anyone looking toward him would lose his form against the trees. He would do this almost to the Northwestern corner of Norgate. When he got to the pass he would assume his next identity so that he could cross into Picta without attracting much attention.
When the sun next set he would be at the pass and would camp until he could make the crossing. till then the quiet little company shuffled on along the forest and around large grey rocks that looked as if stone giants had strewn them across the open highlands in their rock throwing games.
In the morning after he stopped to let barrel graze and water a bit, he sat and took out some of his provisions for breakfast. He did not want to start a fire right here as he was crossing the highlands, it might attract attention he was not wanting to get.
Though had he wished a hot meal, Thrandon was very adept at building a plainsman's fire pit. He had learned from Rick Greenriver the way to make a pit about a foot square after removing the springy turf in one sheet then digging down a foot or two, then digging a hole of about 5 inches in diameter from the floor of the whole at a 45 degree angle to the surface, about 2 feet away from the pit. If the hole was placed into the prevailing wind, it would feed the fire with very little smoke at all and the fire itself would not be seen as it was below the surface of the ground. Putting some logs and branches or a small ring of rocks, would give the pit a solid place to make a makeshift grill to rest a coffee pot, or frypan, or even roast meat on a spit. Then when it was time to move on, dirt went back in the hole to smother fire, ashes, and any other bones or debris, and the sod mat was put back over. In most cases there would be no visible evidence of a fire there at all.
But for now he was content to nibble on his rations and pull from a bottle of pre mixed cool coffee. He studied his notes and maps and tried to devise his strategy.
This would not be easy. Even if he could find the Scotti leader, then what? Simple assassination was never simple, nor always advisable if you wanted to return and not make it a suicide mission.
In that scenario the killing was the hardest part but it was made easier by the lack of caring about your own escape.
When he committed the maps to memory once more he rolled Them up and stored them again. He would muse on the possibilities as he rode through the day, there would be enough time for that until he broke for camp in the evening.
"Comon you black Harpy, we need to keep moving, get up and give us a lookseee as I get moving here."
Cro-ach was busy cracking a snail on a rock. he pulled the tender meat from inside the shattered shell gave a croak and sprung up into the air to perform his scouting duties.
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Post by Ringulf on Jun 6, 2012 21:10:05 GMT -5
The contrast between the present night and the night that they had left HighCliff was extreme.
Storm clouds had rolled in just before dusk and the resulting dark was so thick that Thrandon could barely make out the rocks and boulders that dotted the landscape before and around him.
Cro-ack had settled on his saddlehorn long ago and Thrandon had affectionately wrapped the tail of his cloak around the bird to form a bit of a nest so he did not have to clutch at his makeshift perch and could support himself with his body in the soft wool.
Barrel seemed to plod along in the direction that Thrandon had given him, feeling the path before his feet instinctively rather than by sight. But the strong, shaggy, miniature Draft-horse, had great endurance and could continue the walking pace through day and night without much rest if need be.
It was very close to midnight and the moon that Thrandon knew hid behind the clouds, was not to be seen. He got down off the horse and Cro'ack got up on his saddlehorn perch once more. Thrandon led the little stallion along, as much to stay awake as to give his mount a rest.
He knew he was getting close to the Pictish Border and knew he would have to affect his alternate persona in order to cross.
He laid Barrel's reigns up on a big grey boulder and took down much of his equipment from the bags slung on either side of his steed.
He laid things out and prepared to affect his transformation.
The dawn was almost as unspectacular as the dusk had been previously, but the Storm was getting very threatening though as of yet the wind and thunder with it's violent stabs of lightning took center stage. It seemed as though the rain was waiting in the wings like a dark villain you knew had to be in the story but had just not yet entered.
The man in the Dark grey cloak and the brown wide brimmed hat. kept his hat tilted toward the wind as it blew upon his left side. He would have had tears in his left eye from it's intensity if not for the leather patch he wore on it.
His glossy black and silver beard and the sparse locks the peaked out from beneath the brim looked almost like spun silver and his cloak draped over him from head to toe.
Lord Raefnskeld was fairly well known in these parts. He was a disinherited Scotti Lord, the Bastard son of a Scotti Clan Lord on the east coast along the border of Marshwood. His true father was a Skandian Raider who had been among the wolfship that had raised the village and manor and forced the Scotti Lord to flee in terror. His Lady was of sterner stuff and stayed to make sure the villages people escaped. She however did not.
After the Raiders had left she was found in a stack of hay disheveled and delirious. Nine month later the strange little child was born.
Black haired as a Raven with piercing green eyes. He grew to be a very quite, mischievous and dark youth but he could sing and weave stories with tremendous skill, so they gave him the Name Raefnskeld which in the Skandian meant the Skald of the Ravens. The title of lord fell to him when his mother bore his Step father no other children and they both died from a sickness. The manor became all but abandoned and the town withered and died yet Raef as he was called remained. He spent several months during the year wondering among the clans and plying many types of crafts and selling strange and exotic goods. He was known as a Skald and Seer and no Clan Lord would turn him away in fear of incurring his curse.
He waited for the right time to approach the border and the stone keep that marked it. He could see the Scotti Guards making their rounds and manning the small gatehouse.
The temperature fell very quickly and with it the deluge of rain started as if the heavens opened up and dropped it all at once.
Now was the time Lord Raefnskeld kicked his shaggy little horse and moved toward the Gatehouse.
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Post by rangerkaya on Jun 16, 2012 0:05:56 GMT -5
Kaya had been following the short, bearded ranger for many days, keeping track of his movements and mannerisms but staying just far away not to be noticed by the observant ranger. When she had first seen the man she was lost for words, since running away she had been looking for a way to get into the Ranger corps and this could finally be it... the escape from her life. She knew it was a long shot, to become an apprentice like this, but what other choice did she have. If this did not work out for her she would surely be one of the girls she despised, not able to support themselves and dependant on men for their cash flow and lives. Or even worse, she could become the women who sell themselves as scum to the ill fated men.
Men... Her mind flashed back the days before the escape. In her blurry memory she could see her mother crooning above her. Even in her mind she could feel the beams of love radiating from her mother. Until that man came over and...
The sudden downpour of rain snapped Kaya out of her memories. Her mind became as clouded as the clouds above, her emotions raged like a well tended to fire. Her Her eyes turned a dark ocean blue, every part of her body was screaming. Until she remembered where she was and trudged on, seeing the ranger go to see the baron. Kaya had collapsed not being able to pull herself out struggling in the rain, once he set out again so did she. Nobody took any notice of Kaya or if they did they did not let on. The only glimpse of insight into the rangers personalty that Kaya had managed to gain was his apparent liking for coffee and that strange bird of his.
As time had passed Kaya was becoming more and more aware that the ranger was heading to picta, she knew that she had to get his attention urgently otherwise she would truly become nothing.
Kaya had began to speed up, travelling slowly behind the ranger, even in the night she could tell where the shaggy ‘dwarfish’ man had gone. As the ranger got closer to the gate she began to step on sticks and rustle leaves. Kaya knew that anyone else could hear, but what choice did she have. The old man didn’t notice but continued on. She sighed loudly wondering when he would notice. Thinking it was ironic that out of all the people that she could try to attract attention from that a ranger would be the hardest of all.
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Post by Ringulf on Jun 19, 2012 21:26:49 GMT -5
Lord Raefnskeld urged his shaggy little horse forward to the border and the guard house.
"hmmm," he thought to himself, I know there is someone behind me I have been hearing noises since dawn, do I turn to see or pretend I have not noticed?"
Croak gave a guttural puring croak almost like he were gargling.
"No alarm? must be someone I know then I hope they don't blow my cover."
He did not turn in the saddle or look back he just look down at the guard as he made his approach.
The Scotti Warrior was a bit more formally dressed than most of them, along with his great kilt he wore a green and black shirt and had black boots trimmed in green. He also wore a Helm on his head which was conical and had a brass caster nasal with eyebrow ridges.
He carried a long spear and at his side a short sword.
Whew gos there an wha' is yewr Bisness? He asked in his thick brogue.
I am Lord Reafenskeld bound for the meeting of the clans, I am known and expected.
"Yes My Lord yew are indeed please pass on with care...bu' wait whew is sheh?....is this one with yew?" The guard said as he indicated the woman behind him.
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Post by rangerkaya on Jun 21, 2012 3:25:15 GMT -5
Kaya had been in a little world of her own for the past few days, reminding her very much of the days she used to spend alone... oh how she missed those wonderful days. A place where there were no interruptions, only peace and solitude, a place where her nightmares could not reach her, ever since she had began pursuing the Ranger her nightmares and her flashbacks had been becoming gradually worse. Her emotional defences were as high as they had ever being, her eyes were a cool grey, shutting out the world. Nothing could draw her out of this state, nothing except that same surrender to peace of which she had once experienced.
As the land had gradually become clearer, there were fewer trees to hide behind, fewer trees to snap. Kaya had gradually began to sneak up on the man, the horse and that odd bird of which she did not know the type.
She had been listening to everything the ranger had said for the past few days, trying to gain an understanding of a fellow human been.
"No alarm? Must be someone I know then I hope they don't blow my cover." Said the shaggy Ranger
Kaya smirked, that was a hint, he knew she was there but the fact that he thought that she meant no danger? That was surely wrong, she could harm people in many ways... As a tall, Scotti Warrior came into view, Kaya braced herself, placing her mask upon her face making it a cold unwelcoming face, ready for what would surely come.
‘The man reached out to touch her, Kaya screamed out in terror, even as a mere infant she knew that this meant trouble, the large hand began to make its way down to her face more and more gradually, until just before the impact her mother reached out and snatched Kaya away, taking the full impact of the brutal hit.’
Her head began to burst out in pain and her organs were screaming, an unforgiving rage swelled in her, one that could not be tampered with, will all this was happening she has still trailing behind the Ranger, like a robot...
As the large Scotti man began to talk Kaya stood expectantly, she had never heard a man speak in that strange thick accent before and she didn’t like it.
"Yes My Lord yew are indeed please pass on with care...bu' wait whew is sheh?....is this one with yew?" The guard said as he indicated the woman behind him.”
Kaya smirked “Hello dear ranger” she gestured sarcastically “Pity you did not just stop and acknowledge me before this but hey, better late than never” she then looked towards the Scotti warrior but turned her head back preferring not to talk, otherwise she knew she would say something to get off side, her tone became deadly serious as she look towards the Ranger again “and oh I prefer the title Apprentice, Rangers Apprentice, just in case you really wanted to know” she smirked sarcastically.
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Post by Ringulf on Jun 21, 2012 10:35:49 GMT -5
Kaya smirked “Hello dear ranger” she gestured sarcastically “Pity you did not just stop and acknowledge me before this but hey, better late than never” she then looked towards the Scotti warrior but turned her head back preferring not to talk, otherwise she knew she would say something to get off side, her tone became deadly serious as she look towards the Ranger again “and oh I prefer the title Apprentice, Rangers Apprentice, just in case you really wanted to know” she smirked sarcastically.
Thrandon shifted in his saddle, he felt the sweat break on his brow and the blood rush to his face and ears, "Och the little wench has gone and blown my cover, what do I do now" he thought to himself.
Then he started to laugh, he looked back at the guard and continued to chuckle giving the guard a wink and he continued till the guard started to chuckle too, feeling there was some sort of joke that they were sharing.
"Och Thear yew are! well did you catch us any dinner? or are you still playin ranger girl?"
Thrandon leaned over toward the guard and still chuckling a bit said in a loud whisper behind his hand "Ma servant....she's a bit daft, bu' ah keep her around for the entertainment, if y' know what Ah mean." He gave the guard a wink and a nudge.
"Aye" the guard admited as he caught Lord Raefinskeld's meaning, "Sheh is a fine dark beauty sheh is an that's a fact!"
"Allright girl as long as we are playin games... "Ranger" up ahead of meh an see if y' canna find an Inn we can bed down in tnight, Ah dunna think we ahr gonna be riden' very much more this evening. He said to her with a wink as well and then a very strange thing happened, surprising even Thrandon.
Cro ack with a flurry of black feathers lifted off from Thrandon's saddle pommle and glided over to Kaya to land on her shoulder. It was so natural and the bird so abnormally affectionate, that Thrandon, though amazed, rolled with the illusion.
"Ah think he has been with meh long enough now take the feathery fiend an let's find some shelter!"
The gaurd looked at them both, certainly the bird would not have flown right to her if she was not with him, he thought to himself.
"Alright My Lord yew meh both pass an there es an Inn abou' an hour's travel beyond the pass, take th' furst path after the hills that goes off tew the right an yew will come tew et. Et is called the "Musky Tartan" It's no much bu' it will dew on a raineh night like this!" the guard said and pulled his cloak around him to protect him from the rain as he got back inside the little guard post.
Thrandon looked down at Kaya and in a hushed voice and with an intense look he said,
"Girl come with me, I'll explain as we go but for now, keep your mouth shut!"
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Post by rangerkaya on Jun 22, 2012 1:34:52 GMT -5
Kaya's eyes showed, an influx of emotions, uncertainty, fear, anger but she would not let them show, one false move and she was gone in the dust, just another woman who couldn't achieve. As the two men started chuckling Kaya did not let it waver her, they were just two men laughing over a woman's actions- normal.
"Och Thear yew are! well did you catch us any dinner? or are you still playin ranger girl?"
Kaya looked at Thrandon "No sir, no dinner for us tonight as I am just a weak feeble woman" a frown formed on her lips "why ever would I be able to catch something, after all you're the man or Ranger..." she passed back.
As the ranger leaned in to the Scotti Kaya was surprised at what she heard
"Ma servant....she's a bit daft, bu' ah keep her around for the entertainment, if y' know what Ah mean." He gave the guard a wink and a nudge.
Kaya was shocked about what she heard from the other side of the mans hand, daft- most likely but 'entertainment'? Most defiantly not, she was not to be degraded to that level, she waited for the rush of feelings to come but they did not. Instead she pulled her face into a sullen expression.
"Aye" the guard admited as he caught Lord Raefinskeld's meaning, "Sheh is a fine dark beauty sheh is an that's a fact!"
Oh- that's where they were Kaya thought as the clouds began to form in her mind, she could feel her knees buckle as she tried to stop herself from falling to the ground, begging the memories not to come, not this time.
Allright girl as long as we are playin games... "Ranger" up ahead of meh an see if y' canna find an Inn we can bed down in tnight, Ah dunna think we ahr gonna be riden' very much more this evening. " he said with a wink
"Yes master" Kaya sighed uncomfortably
Kaya shuddered uncomfortably, she did not approve of this game of charades, Then suddenly the black bird, began to guide towards her from the mans saddle and in a flash had landed on her shoulder. Kaya stood stone cold, her knees still buckled, fighting off the clouds in her mind.
"Ah think he has been with meh long enough now take the feathery fiend an let's find some shelter!"
The guard explained the directions towards where the Ranger was heading, Kaya took note in her mind, even though her mind was overcast, she knew it was required.
"Girl come with me, I'll explain as we go but for now, keep your mouth shut!" [slandered?] the Ranger as he looked down at her.
She tried to walk pushing her knee's along, all that she knew was that he was taking her with him and that's all she needed, she began walking sullenly in her land of emotions, she wanted to say something snide back to the Ranger, but something inside her told her that there was some danger, as the rain poured down on them her hair stuck straight down like a rat, she slowly pulled out the brown cloak that her father had placed her in those years ago. I must keep walking... she thought silently to herself, looking back towards the ranger.
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Post by Ringulf on Jun 28, 2012 14:20:20 GMT -5
She tried to walk pushing her knee's along, all that she knew was that he was taking her with him and that's all she needed, she began walking sullenly in her land of emotions, she wanted to say something snide back to the Ranger, but something inside her told her that there was some danger, as the rain poured down on them her hair stuck straight down like a rat, she slowly pulled out the brown cloak that her father had placed her in those years ago. I must keep walking... she thought silently to herself, looking back towards the ranger.
Thrandon looked down at the sodden girl walking next to him. She had almost gotten them killed with her bubble brained, persistence. She had shown tenacity and some fairly good skills in tracking him, and she had had enough sense to shut her mouth and follow his lead once she found out that something was going on, so she had some common sense and could think on her feet. Perhaps this girl was worth consideration? Thrandon was a bit of a loner and did not truly wish to train an apprentice. Unfortunately if he did not chose one soon, one would be chosen for him as there were to many young hopefuls and not enough Silverleafs to go around. And he would rather select one himself that have one pushed off on him without getting to know what he was in for.
He looked down again as she pulled out an old ragged brown cloak from her bag. As she put it on Cro-ak hopped up to Thrandon's shoulder, but as soon as the cloak was on he hopped back.
"OK now wait a minute the old huckster was never this attentive to a stranger even a pretty young girl, what is he up to" Thought Thrandon.
"It seems he has taken quite a shine to you Young lady." Thrandon said after a brief look down, he looked back up and guided Barrel along speaking to her without looking at her. " He is not normally so friendly, I know you have been up to the cabin and I have asked before, but let us start again, We can start with your name, My name is Thrandon Darkwater, but for the rest of the time you are with me here in Picta you will address me as "My Lord" and know me as Lord Reafnskeld. You are a servant I entertained to bring along with me and I met you on the road in Norgate. Can you remember that? It is very important that you realize that as a Ranger I am sometimes called to assume other identities for a particular missions, I am on one such mission right now and it is a very dangerous one. You, my bold young friend, have perhaps bitten off more than you may be able to chew, but we will see. Mind you, you are not my apprentice, but you need to work with me here as if you were, I really can't at this point either return you myself to Highcliff, or send you back in good conscience all alone. So we are stuck with each other till this is over."
Again he looked down at the poor soaked and dripping young girl and he could not help but soften toward her.
"I suppose you feel as miserable right now as you look, let us turn aside here and go up a ways into that thicket. We can make a fire and set up a fly to get out of the rain. Do you have any dry clothes to change into?"
"Well we will work it out no matter. The last thing I need is for you to be sick I would not be able to complete my mission if I had to nursemaid you too.
You have one thing in your favor Missy....My Bird likes you!"
And they spoke no more till they had made camp.
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Post by rangerkaya on Jun 28, 2012 19:00:39 GMT -5
Kaya walked steadily, as she tried to un-buckle her knees, she quite liked the bird perched on her shoulder. The bird reminded her of herself, dark and mysterious.
"It seems he has taken quite a shine to you Young lady." Thrandon said
Kaya nodded, “I quite like him to”
As he looked down at her, she hid her emotions, trying to recover her shield, but she just couldn’t do it... He seemed already so much like a father she'd never had even though she'd barely talked to him. This is what men should be like she said silently to herself.
" He is not normally so friendly, I know you have been up to the cabin and I have asked before, but let us start again, We can start with your name, My name is Thrandon Darkwater, but for the rest of the time you are with me here in Picta you will address me as "My Lord" and know me as Lord Reafnskeld. You are a servant I entertained to bring along with me and I met you on the road in Norgate. Can you remember that? It is very important that you realize that as a Ranger I am sometimes called to assume other identities for a particular missions, I am on one such mission right now and it is a very dangerous one. You, my bold young friend, have perhaps bitten off more than you may be able to chew, but we will see. Mind you, you are not my apprentice, but you need to work with me here as if you were, I really can't at this point either return you myself to Highcliff, or send you back in good conscience all alone. So we are stuck with each other till this is over."
Kaya noded “Norgate, servant, Lord so and so” she managed a smile when he told her about the fact that she was not his apprentice “We’ll see about me being your apprentice” she managed
“Although I’m sure I can handle myself” as the man stopped talking she could finally get a word in.
“My name’s Kaya, Kaya Mae Dalorian, daughter of...” she winced “Alexander Dalorian”
"I suppose you feel as miserable right now as you look, let us turn aside here and go up a ways into that thicket. We can make a fire and set up a fly to get out of the rain. Do you have any dry clothes to change into?"
Kaya shook her head “No Lord, believe it or not, following you was a sudden decision of which I did not plan on”
"Well we will work it out no matter. The last thing I need is for you to be sick I would not be able to complete my mission if I had to nursemaid you too. “
She smiled slowly feeling better, for talking “I can look after myself, haven’t been sick since I was just a child, I’m a fighter”
You have one thing in your favor Missy....My Bird likes you!"
Kaya let out a small giggle, and started to move swiftly through the bush until they found a small clearing to set up camp. Kaya fell to her knee’s her hair dripping with water.
“Is this alright?” she asked
Kaya did not wait for a response but began to collect wood for a fire, anticipating what would surely be the warmest night she had had in a while.
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Post by Ringulf on Jul 1, 2012 12:34:31 GMT -5
The light of the dawn was crisp and bright. the sky was intensely blue and the water was calm almost glass like. The white gulls crossed and sailed over a small brown floating object.
A couple walked down the white sands of the strand, the shoreline had been littered by the flotsam and jetsam of the storm the night before.
As they filled their baskets with all manner of shells and other useful gifts of the Sea God, The woman said to the man,
"What is that floating out there it almost looks like a toy ship!"
"I do believe it is Mother and your eyes are keen to be sure!"
The man put down his basket and waded out to the object. As he neared it he noticed that most of its shape had been obscured by sea weed and it trailed behind like a long net or the tail feathers of a peacock.
Toward the front though it was very clearly a small ornately carved boat. The prow lifted up in a graceful swan like neck beautifully decorated with carvings and inlaid with all sorts of intricate wire and mother of pearl.
"If it is a toy Mother, it was a nobles toy and that is certain! It looks Skandian almost kind of like their wolfships, but the work is far beyond any I have ever seen. The most cleaver of Skandian craftsman can do this!."
The water was almost to his waist so he took the boat by the prow and started to tow it in.
as he got to the shoreline his wife waded in up to her calves to free the green and blue seaweed canopy from the stern of the little ship.
"Papa! you are right, this Skandian yet it is not and the top of the toy is covered in canvas under all this seaweed.!"
Just then a remarkable sound came from within the ship...it was the cry of a baby!
All of a sudden it started to rain and the sky grew black and the air cold. The rain fell and was splashing down on an upturned face.
Thrandon woke up. he looked at the dark grey sky and felt the rain on his face and the cold nipping his nose and realized were he was.
The gulls callings still in his ears were replaced by Cro-ack incessant cawing.
Someone must be close, he thought to himself.
He unhitched his breeks and went to relieve himself, when he realized that there was supposed to be a young lady here. he quickly hitched up his pants and slid into the bushes.
Thrandon came back out in much better sorts
"Alright Young lady time to get going!"
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Post by rangerkaya on Jul 2, 2012 2:22:28 GMT -5
Kaya had not slept well that night, she had been awake long after the man had gone to sleep. She was alright with the small amount of sleep though, she never slept well, you would even go as far to say that she avoided sleeping. Eventually she got to sleep, and let the clouds take over her frail mind.
“Mummy, mummy” smiled a little girl who looked remarkably like Kaya.
“Yes darling” smiled her mother
“Where’s daddy?” questioned the little girl
“Daddy?” remarked the girl’s mother “why he left eons ago”
The girls face slowly lighted up into a smile. She was so happy, until suddenly dark clouds began to form over the image and a scruffy man walked over, holding a large plank and began to forcibly hit the mother over the head.
“No! No!” Murmured Kaya in her sleep
The man gave one final hit over the head and...
Kaya woke up breathing heavily with sweat plastered to her face, getting up slowly, the dark clouds were threatening to rain. She began to creep slowly, trying not to wake Thrandon, She ran into the forest as fast as she could, jumping to the sky. She ran faster than a leopard, she practiced every morning, it was only natural for her. When she ran, she felt free, she could think clearly without the clouds in her mind. As rain slowly began to fall from the sky, it began to flow onto her hair, for a moment she took it all in, but then realising that Thrandon would most definitely wake at the start of the rain. Kaya ran as fast as she could, to find that Thrandon was somewhere unforeseeable, Kaya shrugged, not wanting to know what the man was up to and sat back down, looking like she’d never left the bed.
"Alright Young lady time to get going!"
Kaya smiled “Way ahead of you” she looked up “any idea of where we’re heading today Lord Whatever-your-name-is?”
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Post by Ringulf on Jul 2, 2012 11:00:06 GMT -5
Kaya smiled “Way ahead of you” she looked up “any idea of where we’re heading today Lord Whatever-your-name-is?”
"Reafnskeld" try and remember you don't want to slip and call me something else and blow our cover. if it was found out that I was an impostor it would mean long periods of incarceration and heavy labor for us both. if they found out I was a ranger, that would be much simpler, we would just be dead." Thrandon straitened and looked at the girl.
"You have been up and out for a while haven't you?....And why have you been running?
He noticed the expression she gave him. No I am not really possessed of the second sight and the bird did not betray you. You see a ranger must be observant, that is one of the things that makes us seem to the world as if we do have magic. I noted that your boots are much wetter than a quick jaunt to the privy might have made them so you have been moving in the wet grass for quite a while. And the pattern of wetness on your clothes is heavier in the front than in the back, You were running...quite quickly I would say." He came and sat down in front of her.
"Raefnskeld....It is translated from the Skandian: Raven skald You obviously know what a raven is as you now were a little bit of him on your shoulder, sorry about that he gets excited when he meets new people." Thrandon looked over to the large black bird standing on the ground under barrels belly to stay out of the rain,
The bird just lifted his bill and looked away as if to say, "Who me?"
"Well I didn't crawl up on her shoulder to play nice-nice." "By the way isn't it your turn to be useful? Scout!" he said in a firm command. Cro ack gave a croak, hopped two steps out from under his four legged umbrella and catapulted himself up into the air and was gone over the trees in seconds.
Now where were we... ah yes Raven...and a skald is a teller of tales and singer kind of the Skandian equivalent to a bard. I have been in this persona before up here and they know me as Raefnskeld."
"Now how are you set for weapons, what do you have what can you use?"
"To answer your first question, we are headed for the Musky Tartan to meet a contact of mine and though he won't be expecting you, he will play along I think. Try not to get "involved" though, he is a hopeless flirt and womanizer and we don't need to get into any of that kind of mud...do we?"
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