Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 422
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Post by Kallie on Jan 21, 2014 9:51:33 GMT -5
As Marcus directed her gaze to the loft she smiled at him that was a good idea. High ground was perfect for someone who didn't like water. Plus there was hay and kids loved hay. She was sure when they got up there that she would be forever pulling hay off of Arianna for days. Her back was to the door and she jumped slightly when it banged open she whirled around and saw a man standing there. She looked over at Marcus as he bowed as if he were in the kings court. Unfortunately for the bard Olivia didn't really like him, she didn't really care for bards much they were never serious and sometimes their songs were offensive or their voices were not at all on key. But she supposed she could give this one a try. Maybe.
“I’m Marcus Christopher Blackwater, Journeyman Ranger and fellow traveler seeking shelter from the storm just like you.” He gave a bow with a flourish, drawing on all the courtly training he’d had, mostly to prove to Lady Olivia that he observed courtly graces when the situation called for it. He wanted to find out more about this man before he introduced Olivia and the girls to him.
She raised an eyebrow high, but inwardly shrugged men she would never understand them. It was just to bad for Marcus that Olivia hated court and all the attachments it brought. She much preferred going on mission and keeping things as simple as possible. Then she was distracted from the whole thing when Arianna giving up on Tess streaked by her and ran for one of the mud puddles by the door. Mud and children Olivia knew only to well attracted children like knight attracted ladies. She trotted after the little girl, Arianna paused bunched herself together and launched herself into the air. Before she could land with a huge splash Olivia caught her around the waist and spun her around. "I want to play and nobody will play with me." she pouted. Olivia smiled and tapped her nose. "Well then go scamper up into the hayloft and hide then I'll come up and try to find you. But you better hide good." Arianna giggled and squirmed out of Olivia's arms and up to the ladder, she swarmed up into the hay loft giggling and soon disappeared. Olivia covertly watched the hayloft to make sure she didn't wander to close to the edge and fall. She went over to Marcus and said in an aside to him. "I'm gunna play with her up in the loft, I hope this storm blows over soon." then she grinned. "Looks like I'll be picking hay out her hair for weeks to come. Have fun with the bard." she patted his shoulder waved a hello at the bard with a very pretty smile and quickly discarded her cloak put it where it wouldn't get more wet or dirty and climbed up the ladder in search of the young rascal she had somehow managed to pick up along the way on this journey.
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Post by Sycelus on Jan 21, 2014 16:20:02 GMT -5
“I’m not the one you need to compensate,” Marcus nodded his head in the direction of the stable master’s house that was set so close to the barn they were virtually sharing a wall. “I’m Marcus Christopher Blackwater, Journeyman Ranger and fellow traveler seeking shelter from the storm just like you.” He gave a bow with a flourish, drawing on all the courtly training he’d had, mostly to prove to Lady Olivia that he observed courtly graces when the situation called for it. “The stable master should be back any time now. So what is your name, my fine wet fellow and where to you hale from?"
Rufus watched as the ranger Marcus dropped into an expertly executed bow taking note of the slightly dramatic flourish to his greeting. He caught the cloth in the air and tossed it over his shoulder. 'Showing off, eh?' Rufus thought, 'He must still be trying to impress the lady. Odd I thought they were a couple.'
"It's a pleasure to meet you Journeyman Ranger!" he said in a jovial voice, "I am Rufus Longsong, a bard by trade, teller of tales and singer of songs. Originally I came from a steadholt outside of Araluen but I travel to many places. I heard tell that this infernal disease hit this town pretty hard and came to offer some entertainment to the locals, lift their spirits and forget their woes, even if for a brief time."
As the lady walked up to the ranger, Rufus started to hang some of his belongings on hooks so he could start drying himself and his things off, she said,
"I'm gunna play with her up in the loft, I hope this storm blows over soon." then she grinned. "Looks like I'll be picking hay out her hair for weeks to come. Have fun with the bard." she patted his shoulder waved a hello at the bard with a very pretty smile and quickly discarded her cloak put it where it wouldn't get more wet or dirty and climbed up the ladder in search of the young rascal she had somehow managed to pick up along the way on this journey.
"I hope so as well my Lady, I don't care to be soggy especially during these times." Rufus took note of the slight condescension in the lady's voice at the mention of his trade. 'She must not like bards, that's fine, she doesn't have to. She does have a lovely smile though.' He winked at the lady as she tossed her cloak to an open stable door, keeping it from getting dirty or wet.
Just then the stablemaster returned with what looked like three bowls of a stew and three empty mugs. Seeing Rufus the stablemaster proclaimed, "What're you doin' in my stables!"
Rufus replied, "I merely seek shelter from the storm, a dry place. I can compensate you for the roof. By happenstance you wouldn't have more of that stew would you?"
"Course I don't!" the stablemaster retorted, "This is leftover from last night and you can't have any since food is in such demand around here. Now, if you were to pay me for it I might see what the misses can do," the stablemaster said with a twinkle in his eye.
"I would be more than happy to oblige, good sir!" Rufus said with a smile. "I know your game, and I'll have some of that stew, the roof, and a mug of what they are having." Rufus walked over to the stablemaster, dug out his coin pouch from beneath his garments, and placed a gold coin into the other man's out stretched palm. "That should do it! My thanks to you for the hospitality."
The stablemaster bit into the coin to prove it was real and sauntered off to get another bowl and mug. He returned a few moments later, filled the mugs and left the bowls of stew on a nearby table, then promptly left when heard his wife hollering for his return.
Rufus took off his shirts and hung them to dry around the stable. He didn't bother to hide his physique. He wasn't ashamed of his lean form with whipcord muscles. Setting about cleaning his mandolin was his next priority. The water could prove disastrous to the harmonics of the instrument. Next was his stomach, he took up one of the bowls and grabbed a mug. He sniffed the food and drink, 'Mmmm, smells like a little beef. Oh and apple cider, yum,' he thought delighted by the meal. "So Ranger Marcus what brings you to this town? Business or pleasure?" Rufus said in a conversational tone and glanced up to the loft where the lady had clamored. "And what about the young ones?" he motioned to the girl on the barrel then back to the loft, "She seems to be with you but the younger one she seems to be an orphan. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help out." he said with a genuine smile, while still being shirtless and informal.
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Post by Brandwyn on Jan 23, 2014 21:54:23 GMT -5
"It's a pleasure to meet you Journeyman Ranger!" he said in a jovial voice, "I am Rufus Longsong, a bard by trade, teller of tales and singer of songs. Originally I came from a steadholt outside of Araluen but I travel to many places. I heard tell that this infernal disease hit this town pretty hard and came to offer some entertainment to the locals, lift their spirits and forget their woes, even if for a brief time."
“From what I have seen today, I think they are sorely in need of a bit of cheer and maybe some good news from outside the area too,” Marcus commented as he shook the bard’s hand. “Nice to meet you too,” he said and decided he probably should at least introduce the ladies. “The little princess up in the hayloft is Arianna and the young lady here is Tessa. My traveling companion is Olivia,” he gestured toward the courier.
"I'm gunna play with her up in the loft, I hope this storm blows over soon." then she grinned. "Looks like I'll be picking hay out her hair for weeks to come. Have fun with the bard." Olivia patted his shoulder.
Marcus glanced up into the loft at Arianna trying to bury herself in the loose dry grass piled nearly to the ceiling. Again he thought that the stablemaster treated his horses better than he treated humans. Of course that could be said of many a ranger too. Marc wondered, though, at Olivia’s last comment. Did he detect a bit of dislike for the bard in her voice? That put him a little more at ease, though he was still going to watch this bard like a hawk any time he went near Olivia.
Just then the stablemaster returned with what looked like three bowls of a stew and three empty mugs. Seeing Rufus the stablemaster proclaimed, "What're you doin' in my stables!"
Rufus replied, "I merely seek shelter from the storm, a dry place. I can compensate you for the roof. By happenstance you wouldn't have more of that stew would you?"
Marcus winced, having a good idea what the response was going to be. He reached for his bowl of stew and the loaf of bread that the stablemaster’s wife was holding out for him. She smiled timidly at him and glanced at the bard. A wistful look crossed her face which she quickly hid from her husband. Marcus eyed the stablemaster, wondering just how abusive he was to his wife. It would be odd to find a man that beat his wife but revered his horses. Not an impossible combination, but certainly odd, unless maybe if you had an Arridi upbringing. They did seem to place a higher value on their horses than on their women from what little he knew of them. Still he didn’t think they beat their women. They still honored them, it was just they honored their horses more. Marcus looked over the stablemaster’s wife, trying to see if there were any bruises.
"Course I don't!" the stablemaster retorted, "This is leftover from last night and you can't have any since food is in such demand around here. Now, if you were to pay me for it I might see what the misses can do," the stablemaster said with a twinkle in his eye.
‘Humpf! I’ve created a monster,’ Marc thought.
"I would be more than happy to oblige, good sir!" Rufus said with a smile. "I know your game, and I'll have some of that stew, the roof, and a mug of what they are having." Rufus walked over to the stablemaster, dug out his coin pouch from beneath his garments, and placed a gold coin into the other man's out stretched palm. "That should do it! My thanks to you for the hospitality."
‘Show-off, and I softened him up’ Marc kept that thought to himself as he set his bowl and the bread on top of a keg near Tessa. “Hey Bluebird, how about a higher and dryer perch?” he asked her softly and pointed up to the loft.
The stablemaster bit into the coin to prove it was real. Marcus hailed him on his way back in for more stew. He spoke very softly in the man’s ear so that only he could hear. The stablemaster at first looked indignant and then glanced at Tessa and nodded. “Okay, just don’t mess up the hay.” He started to turn away and then stopped and pointed a finger at Marcus, “an’ that don’ mean ya can go sleepin’ up there!” He said sternly and sauntered off to get another bowl and mug. He returned a few moments later, filled the mugs and left the bowls of stew on a nearby table, then promptly left when heard his wife hollering for his return.
Marcus turned back to Tessa. “Okay, normally I would think this to be very inappropriate, but under the circumstances…” He stepped in front of Tessa and turned his back to her and then hunched down a little with his knees bent. “Up you go and then close your eyes until I say open them.” She seemed to be such a slip of a girl; Marcus didn’t think he would have any trouble carrying her over to the ladder so she wouldn’t have to step in the water. “I will hand you up the food when you get partway up the ladder and you can pass it on up to Olivia.”
…
After the girls and their food were safely in the loft, Marcus picked up his own meal and sat down on a keg next to the wall and leaned his back against it as he watched the bard cleaning his mandolin. He nearly rolled his eyes as Rufus stripped off his torso to bare skin and didn’t bother to put on a clean shirt. Did the man only own one set of clothing or was he just showing off for Olivia? Everything he owned couldn’t have gotten that wet that quickly, could it?
"So Ranger Marcus what brings you to this town? Business or pleasure?" Rufus said in a conversational tone and glanced up to the loft where the lady had clamored. "And what about the young ones?" he motioned to the girl on the barrel then back to the loft, "She seems to be with you but the younger one she seems to be an orphan.”
Marcus finished chewing a bit of gristle and swallowed as he thought about his answer. What if this man were actually one of the bandits out here scoping out information? “A little of both,” he answered rather evasively. “We kind of got chased in this direction by a bunch of bandits- sort of,” he added. CRACK! … RUMBLE, Rumble, rumble. “…and the storm,” Marcus amended as he glanced up in the loft to see how Tessa was doing.
“As to the young ladies, they are both orphans,” Marcus explained softly, so his voice wouldn’t carry up to the loft. “We met on our travels this morning,” Marcus answered and didn’t bother to clarify just who all met on the road this morning. There was no reason he could think of to tell Rufus that he’d only just met Olivia that morning. Nope. That is one thing the bard didn’t need to know.
“Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help out." he said with a genuine smile, while still being shirtless and informal.
Marcus was tempted to give him a shirt, if not for the fact the sleeves would probably be too short for Rufus. Instead he looked thoughtfully up at the loft where Arianna was giggling, seemingly having the time of her life. Then his gaze shifted to the door where the Stablemaster and his wife went out. “You know, there might be something you could help with after all,” Marcus said with a hint of surprise in his voice, as if he was just realizing the bard could be useful. He lowered his voice even more and leaned over toward Rufus and said, “Tessa is having a bit of trouble with the storm. Maybe a song or story would distract her until it blows over.” It might do the stablemaster and his family some good to hear the bard too. “If you don’t mind performing or conducting a sing-a-long,” Marcus suggested. “I can see if the stablemaster and his family would like to join us.”
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a1ko4
Apprentice Cook
Posts: 77
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Post by a1ko4 on Jan 24, 2014 23:39:20 GMT -5
“Hey Bluebird, how about a higher and dryer perch?” he asked her softly and pointed up to the loft.
"Hmm? A-alright," Tessa stuttered. The loft seemed like a much safer place. There wouldn't be any water up there, well, hopefully not.
Marcus turned back to Tessa. “Okay, normally I would think this to be very inappropriate, but under the circumstances…” He stepped in front of Tessa and turned his back to her and then hunched down a little with his knees bent. “Up you go and then close your eyes until I say open them.” She seemed to be such a slip of a girl; Marcus didn’t think he would have any trouble carrying her over to the ladder so she wouldn’t have to step in the water. “I will hand you up the food when you get partway up the ladder and you can pass it on up to Olivia.”
Tessa nodded as Marc crouched down in front of her. She climbed onto his back and tightly shut her eyes against the water that seemed to surround them. As they splashed through the water her breathing quickened and she clenched her hands even tighter together. Once they had reached the ladder she slowly climbed from him to the wood ladder. She tried her best to avoid looking down at the water that continued to rise on the floor, but it was inevitable that she'd have to glance at it while taking the food from Marc. The plate trembled in her hand and her breath caught in her throat. She quickly turned back around to face the wall and the loft, the plate stabilized as her hand ceased it's shaking. "H-here," she held the food out to Olivia, hoping to pass it on before her hand began shaking again.
Once the food was taken care of she climbed the rest of the way up and sat on a pile of hay. Dry hay. She curled into a ball and unknowingly began to rock back and forth. The plate of food didn't seem very appetizing to her, her appetite was practically nonexistent. However, she didn't want Marc's money to go to waste. Perhaps she could work up the energy to eat something later. Ate the moment, her only desire was to sleep. Her fear and terror had exhausted her and she almost instantly fell asleep. Even as she slept she stayed curled up in a sitting position.
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Post by Sycelus on Jan 27, 2014 18:08:35 GMT -5
“You know, there might be something you could help with after all,” Marcus said with a hint of surprise in his voice, as if he was just realizing the bard could be useful. He lowered his voice even more and leaned over toward Rufus and said, “Tessa is having a bit of trouble with the storm. Maybe a song or story would distract her until it blows over.” It might do the stablemaster and his family some good to hear the bard too. “If you don’t mind performing or conducting a sing-a-long,” Marcus suggested. “I can see if the stablemaster and his family would like to join us.”
"By golly I think you've got what I've been put on this great green land to do!" he said without scorn or sarcasm, but with a true, heart felt, near righteous, conviction.
He called up to the loft, "Who wants to hear a tale and then sing with me after? I have a couple of ideas as to what," he said with a near childish grin. Rufus then went over to his clothes, luckily the billowy under was near enough to dry to wear. He slipped it on went to his pack and put on a spare change of clothes on top. A rich emerald green tunic and an earthy brown over vest adorned him now. He reached for his mandolin and prepared to give them the performance of his life, as he did with every performance.
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Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 422
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Post by Kallie on Jan 28, 2014 11:58:51 GMT -5
As soon as Olivia got her footing in the loft she got a face full of straw Arianna giggled and ran away with a mock smile Olivia ran after caught her around the waist swung her around gently tossed her into a pile of hay and tickled her mercilessly. "Oh! Sounds like the food is here." She took the food Tess gave up and set it down then helped the other girl into the nice and dry loft. "Arianna come eat lease sweetie." Olivia called to the young girl who was throwing hay up into the air and onto her head. She came over and sat down hungrily eating the food Olivia gave her. Olivia ate hurriedly as well it was really good and filled her stomach quite nicely. She looked over at the sleeping girl and smiled a little the poor thing was a little tuckered out! And no wonder between the bandits and the storm it was a wonder she hadn't fallen asleep sooner. She gently laid the girl on her side and brushed some of the hair away from her face. "Is she sleeping?" asked Arianna in the whisper of six year olds, Olivia fought back a laugh. "Yes she is sleeping, its been a very long day for us." "Are you going to go to sleep?" "No, I'm not tired yet." "Good."
He called up to the loft, "Who wants to hear a tale and then sing with me after? I have a couple of ideas as to what," he said with a near childish grin. Rufus then went over to his clothes, luckily the billowy under was near enough to dry to wear. He slipped it on went to his pack and put on a spare change of clothes on top. A rich emerald green tunic and an earthy brown over vest adorned him now. He reached for his mandolin and prepared to give them the performance of his life, as he did with every performance.
Arianna squealed and ran over to the edge of the loft and peered down, Olivia's heart nearly stopped beating as she feared the little girl would fall off the edge. "I do I do!" she called down, she LOVED stories and songs and singing and people. Olivia grabbed her arm and tugged her away from the dangerous edge of the loft. "Please not so close to the edge." Arianna completely ignoring Olivia scampered over to the ladder and climbed down. With another look at Tess to make sure she was still sleeping Olivia walked down the ladder as dignified as she could for someone who had bits of hay and straw stuck to her clothes and all over her hair. Arianna was bouncing up and down excitedly. "Please not anything loud, She fell asleep." she put her hands on Ariannas shoulders and began pulling bits of straw from the little girls hair as she secretly resided herself to he fanciful tales the bard was sure to start giving.
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Post by Brandwyn on Jan 28, 2014 23:11:08 GMT -5
Marc saw Arianna run up to the edge of the loft and he scrambled in alarm to get into position to catch her should she fall. "I do I do!" Arianna called out. Marcus motioned her to the ladder, "Go climb down over there on the ladder then."
He watched her climb down, ready to catch her if she slipped but she made it to the bottom and scampered over to the bard while Marcus watched Olivia expertly descend the ladder. As she landed on the muddy floor at the foot of the ladder Marcus admired they way she looked. She was so beautiful and the few pieces of hay in her hair and clothing only made her more endearing.
They walked back over to the barrels and settled down to listen to Rufus. "Please not anything loud, She fell asleep," said Olivia to Rufus. Marcus glanced up intot he loft with a look of concern.
"Is she okay? Should I go check on her?" he asked. He had never had an apprentice before and he didn't really have much experience with teenage girls - at least as far as a father or mentor figure. Would it be best just to let her sleep? 'How could she sleep anyway?' he thought, 'with all this thunder and lightening.' He then decided if there was a problem Olivia would certainly have told him about it. "Nevermind, I will check on her later," he said, thinking better of his question. It really was a stupid question. Olivia had already taken care of it.
"I will see if the stablemaster wants to listen. Why don't you go ahead and start, Rufus? Marc suggested as he went over and knocked on the door that connected the stablemaster's house to the the stables.
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Post by Sycelus on Mar 6, 2014 21:41:53 GMT -5
(OOC: Now for the sake of saving time and copy rights I have placed a couple websites that you can go to for where I got the song and story Rufus sings and tells. I know it's not of the Ranger's Apprentice universe but it's the closest I could find.)"I will see if the stablemaster wants to listen. Why don't you go ahead and start, Rufus? Marc suggested as he went over and knocked on the door that connected the stablemaster's house to the the stables.Rufus nodded and composed himself first, then started by asking Arianna if she would like to sing a little song. She agreed and he strummed his mandolin, emitting a quiet soothing sound. After a few melodious chords to get Arianna slightly riled up and ready to sing he started singing the children's song "And the Green Grass Grew All Around." (OOC: If you would like to view the lyrics since I don't think that I could fit them all here you can go to this wiki page en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Green_Grass_Grew_All_Around) He played his mandolin expertly and hit every note of the song perfectly. After the first chorus Arianna started to sing along gleefully. They both managed to keep quiet enough that the young dreamer in the loft stayed as such yet had a great time of it singing along with each other. As Rufus and Arianna finished their little duet the stablemaster, his wife and Marcus stepped back into the stable. Arianna had a huge wide smile on her face. 'Good now that the kiddy stuff is out of the way it's time for the real performance,' Rufus thought to himself. "Alright now that we are all gathered here I'd like to spin you a tale! A tale of courage and triumph!" Rufus cleared his throat and began telling the tale of "The Knight and the Lion." (OOC: Again if you would like to read the tale as it is far to long to fit here you can go to this website machias.edu/faculty/necastro/story/lion.html) Rufus added a little dramatic flare to the story but kept it within the realm of reason and made sure to keep it quiet for the slumbering one. The stablemaster looked to be a little teary eyed but hid it well while his wife beamed with new found hope. Rufus had a grin of satisfaction on him as he admired his work. 'Two more satisfied customers,' he thought to himself.
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Post by Brandwyn on Mar 16, 2014 22:03:11 GMT -5
(OOC: the link for the story is coming up 'page not found' on the Maine university page.)
Marcus sat on a barrel where he could lean his back against a beam and keep an eye on everyone in the barn. Being a ranger, he didn't comepletely let his guard down or relax totally. He found his eyes straying toward Olivia more often than not. He was only half focused on the story the bard was weaving as he pondered the day's events.
When Rufus finished his tale, Marcus grinned and clapped with the others, but softly so as not to wake Tessa. The rain was still pounding down on the roof and the pools ont he floor were still growing deeper as thunder peeled and lightening cracked outside. It seemed the storm was not moving on and therefore neither were they.
After a few more songs and stories Arianna nodded off to sleep in Marcus' lap. He took the opportunity to gather some information.
"So you have come up from southern areas?" Marcus asked Rufus. "How do things look in the south? Is there plague and famine there too? I heard Meric was pretty hard hit a couple of months ago." Marcus knew that next to rangers and couriers, bards probably gathered just as much information and likely travelled even more. Though the bard had a very nice voice and Marcus would be happy to listen to more songs, he hoped for some genuine, useful information. "Do you know anything about these bandits in the area?"
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Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 422
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Post by Kallie on Mar 22, 2014 8:55:18 GMT -5
Olivia enjoyed the story though she couldn't quite focus on it. It had been sch an eventful day filled with questions and she wasn't sure how much more her brain and body could take. Already she was beginning to feel a ache and soreness in her legs from her adrenaline filled run back to the rangers cabin. She saw an empty barrel and quietly so as not to disturb the others placed it next Marcus, it felt good to be off her feet. She rolled her left shoulder it was starting to ache and she could feel the muscles protest her movement, she must have jarred more than just her arms when she had fallen. As she listened to the story she absentmindedly pulled the hay from her hair and braided her long curly locks in one long braid. She had to admit that he was pretty good at his job, she clapped quietly along with everyone else when he was finished. She smiled as he started singing he had a pleasant enough voice she supposed she rubbed one of her eyes with the heel of her hand, she looked over to see Arianna sleeping soundly she smiled again, perhaps someday she could have a child of her own. But that would be a long way off she forced thoughts of mother and wifehood aside she needed to focus on the problems at hand. Not day dream. Olivia looked at the bard her expression of mild interest she had been trained well, she was bursting on the inside wanting to know the answers to Marcus's questions.
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Post by Brandwyn on Jul 4, 2014 14:06:01 GMT -5
Rufus had apparently melted the stable owner's frozen heart with the songs and stories. He brought out some blackberry honey mead and offered it around to the adults. Marcus sipped it appreciatively. He wasn't much of a drinker, but such mellow, rather sweet mead was to his liking.
"Now this is well-made, my friend!" Marcus raised his mug with his left hand because Arianna was asleep in the crook of his right arm. "I am betting you brewed this yourself!"
"That I did, Ranger, and a terrible time I had collecting enough blackberries for it last spring with all those holligan's roaming about." said the grizzly man, finally warming up to Marcus a bit. "I can tell ya a bit about them."
Marcus encouraged him to go on with a wave of his mug, followed by another sip. He drank it very slowly, expecting it to pack a wallop if one downed it quickly. "I already have some suspicions, but anything you can tell me will help us iradicate them."
The man nodded and his wife poked him in the ribs. "Tell him, Honey!" She said and the stablemaster looked at her blankly. "Tell him about that camp you saw."
"Oh yeah, they will have moved on from there by now though," he dismissed her concerns with a wave of his hand. Then he took a swig of mead and settled back to talk, happy to be the center of attention.
"They moved into this area about, ohhhh, I guess around 8 months now, not long after people started getting sick and dying. There's a lot of them too. We heard of Sumpter Village just 30 miles from here being ransacked and the women - well, you know." He glanced at his wife and his face turned red in anger at the treatment of the women in the neighboring village to the west. "The men there resisted and the bandits came back and wiped them out. Killed all the men over age 12 or hauled them off with them as slaves. They came out of the north and we heard it was over a hundred. No way the village coulda stood up to them." He shook his head and stared into his nearly empty mug. "So we held a town council and reached an agreement. We offered them a deal when they came riding into our town. We gave them food and money and they rode on out without hurting a soul. ... The first time anyway." he sighed heavily and his wife wiped her eyes.
"The second time they came, we didn't have any food. We had hoped they would have moved on, but it seems they are camped north of here and plan to stay. We managed to fight them off that time. We barricaded the center of the town and those well enough and brave enough, gathered to defend us. Four times we've held them off, but we've lost men each time. Now with the deaths from the plague, there are too few of us left to stop them when they come back. We hung that body up to warn them not to mess with us, hoping they have gotten their fill, but I know they'll be back. They always come back. We've probably got about three weeks to figure out what to do before they try it again."
"In three weeks most of us will be so weak from hunger it won't matter, Dear," interjected the man's wife.
Marcus frowned, he'd had no idea it was this bad in the outlying villages here in the north. "Somehow we have got to get the food from down south up here right away." He felt bad now for asking for food when things were so desperate. "We are heading back to Araluen Castle. I will speak to the King myself and get some help out here for you somehow."
These 'bandits' needed to be dealt with immediately. "Do you know where they are camped?"
"They were just north of the Semath but that was months ago. I'd wager they have moved closer to us now. They are coming here more often, but I don't know exactly where from." The stablemaster answered. "Some of them are speaking Pictish, but others are foreign."
"That fellow out there in the square is from Teutlandt." Marcus nodded. "He is part of the Grizzlies." At their blank stares Marcus elaborated. "They are a mercenary group - thousands strong - from Teutlandt. We fought against them in the Aslavian War. It seems they are working with the Scotti because I have been getting reports all over of groups of bandits assaulting travellers and they speak Scotti or Pictish and have these bear paw pendants around their necks."
Marcus looked at Olivia, "Just as soon as this storm passes we need to get back to Araluen and get these girls someplace safe. We have a lot of work to do."
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Post by Sycelus on Aug 31, 2014 20:07:09 GMT -5
"So you have come up from southern areas?" Marcus asked Rufus. "How do things look in the south? Is there plague and famine there too? I heard Meric was pretty hard hit a couple of months ago. Do you know anything about these bandits in the area?"
Rufus took some time to gather his thoughts on all these questions, he didn't want to say the wrong information because he was in a good mood and make things confusing. The information trade is based on facts and truths in Rufus' line of work and he disliked misinforming a "customer."
Rufus had apparently melted the stable owner's frozen heart with the songs and stories. He brought out some blackberry honey mead and offered it around to the adults. Marcus sipped it appreciatively. He wasn't much of a drinker, but such mellow, rather sweet mead was to his liking.
Rufus took the mead happily, sipping it gingerly, and listened to the stablemasters accounts.
"My turn," Rufus said after the stablemaster had finished. "Yes I have come up from the south, in it's farthest reaches the south is fine, very few have gotten this plague and the ones that have gotten it pull through it. Your information on Meric is correct regretfully. Almost one in five have been lost to this disease, many don't wish to leave their own home because of it. More will be succumbing to it and starvation before to long because of the farmers and merchants not wishing to venture into the area. As for these bandits all I have heard from road is that they are targeting messengers and people like myself,also that they all carry the pendent of the Grizzlies. It seems a certain someone doesn't want word to spread about something."
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Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 422
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Post by Kallie on Sept 1, 2014 16:31:32 GMT -5
These 'bandits' needed to be dealt with immediately. "Do you know where they are camped?"
Olivia looked at Marcus an expression of worry briefly crossed her face. he wasn't planning on going after these bandits by himself was he? Surely he couldn't take them all on by himself could he?
"My turn," Rufus said after the stablemaster had finished. "Yes I have come up from the south, in it's farthest reaches the south is fine, very few have gotten this plague and the ones that have gotten it pull through it. Your information on Meric is correct regretfully. Almost one in five have been lost to this disease, many don't wish to leave their own home because of it. More will be succumbing to it and starvation before to long because of the farmers and merchants not wishing to venture into the area. As for these bandits all I have heard from road is that they are targeting messengers and people like myself,also that they all carry the pendent of the Grizzlies. It seems a certain someone doesn't want word to spread about something."
Olivia listened with rapt attention, her mind soaking up the information they were being given and it was filed away for later use. She didn't interrupt or zone out at all. She was a little surprised and a little overwhelmed at it all. This was much more serious than she had previously thought. She touched her cheek where her cut still stung if she moved her cheeks to much. She realized now just how lucky she was, if this was all correct than she wasn't the only Courier to have gotten attacked. And if foreign countries were involved than it was only going to get worse. She sighed a little when was this ever going to end? She wondered just what this certain someone didn't want getting out? It had to be some kind of general knowledge or they would leave messengers alone. Although that wasn't necessarily true she just didn't know what it was who it was or where. And that was driving her crazy.
Marcus looked at Olivia, "Just as soon as this storm passes we need to get back to Araluen and get these girls someplace safe. We have a lot of work to do."
Olivia met his eyes and gave a sharp nod. "Yes, we do." she was not going to stop until she got to the bottom of this.
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Post by Brandwyn on Sept 3, 2014 21:13:18 GMT -5
Marcus's heart sank when Rufus confirmed the rumors about Meric. He was particularly fond of Meric fief, having been stationed there for six months a couple of years ago right before Tandar had been assigned to it. How many people did he know that had gotten the plague and he would never see again?
Marcus was not a person who was easily angered, but as the stablemaster and the bard told what they knew, he began to get angry at the Grizzlies, but more so at the unknown enemy that was causing so much strife just to gain power over Araluen and King Duncan. How many people were going to suffer or die before it was over?
He glanced at Olivia and wondered if she would be among them. He really didn't know her well, but he could tell she was a strong-willed woman determined to carry out her duties. That alone could put her at risk. He already cared for her and couldn't imagine what he'd do if she were harmed in any way. Yet how was he going to protect her without alienating her?
Then he glanced down at little Arianna sleeping in his arms. She was so small and vulnerable. She'd already lost everyone in her life that cared for her - until today anyway. Marcus realized he cared for her just as Olivia did. That went for Tessa too. There was no way he was going to let anything happen to any of these three. Somehow he would protect them all, or die trying.
He glanced up at the ceiling of the barn and realized it was much quieter outside. The rain was falling gently now and the wind had died down. There were still rumbles of thunder, but they were fading into the distance. Soon they would be able to travel.
"We should probably wake Tessa up and get ready to head back to Araluen Castle," Marcus suggested to Olivia. "I think the rain is stopping and I need to report to Crowley and His Majesty what we've found out today."
He turned back to the stablemaster, "I thank you for your hospitality and the loan of the horses." He shook the mans hand. "I am going to ask the King if he can spare some soldiers to help defend your town. Either that or take a regiment out and hunt down this bandit camp and remove the threat."
"Thank you, Mr. Ranger!" said the stablemaster's wife, giving him a lopsided hug so he didn't wake Arianna. "You are welcome here any time!"
Marcus wasn't so sure her husband felt the same way, but he didn't disagree. "Food and medicine. That's what we need most," he said to Marcus. "And see my horses get back here safe and sound."
Marcus nodded, "I will see they do. I can't promise anything about the food, medicine or troops, but I will do what I can. If I can't get him to send anything, I will send you word so you can round up everyone in this village and head for the castle. You can't be in any more danger from the plague there than you have been here and at least there you will not have to worry about the bandits."
The stablemaster nodded, "We've considered that alternative. I will talk to the others about it."
Marcus then turned to Rufus, "Are you heading toward Araluen Castle perhaps? It might be good for His Majesty to hear the state of his kingdom from someone not connected to the military, rangers or couriers. I am sure you get a much different perspective than we do on what's happening," Marcus asked the bard. "You are welcome to ride with us. The more numbers the better, especially with night coming on." He hoped Olivia didn't mind him asking the bard along. He'd felt it was more than just being polite. If Rufus continued to ride around the area alone it was likely only a matter of time before the bandits encounter him and try to kill or capture him. Besides that, Marcus thought the man might have some skill in combat and that might just come in handy on the trek back to Araluen with a very capable woman and two children.
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Post by Sycelus on Feb 12, 2015 18:58:11 GMT -5
Marcus then turned to Rufus, "Are you heading toward Araluen Castle perhaps? It might be good for His Majesty to hear the state of his kingdom from someone not connected to the military, rangers or couriers. I am sure you get a much different perspective than we do on what's happening," Marcus asked the bard. "You are welcome to ride with us. The more numbers the better, especially with night coming on."
"As a matter of fact I was," Rufus replied. "I would be more than happy to travel with such a merry band," as he directed a wink toward Olivia. "I can have my things ready before a Whippoorwill finishes his call." He went off and packed his things in their proper places, wrung out his clothes as best he could and stood there waiting to see who jumped onto which horse. The ranger was right night was coming and he didn't much care to travel by moon light.
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