a1ko4
Apprentice Cook
Posts: 77
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Post by a1ko4 on Jul 14, 2012 8:01:38 GMT -5
Marcus smiled at her, “Good, I want to talk to your Head Master or Mistress of the Ward anyway.” He once again sized her up. She’d acted quickly and followed his instructions without argument and she was definitely a quick thinker and brave. He’d seen her climb and the more he thought about it, the more he thought she would make an excellent ranger. “While we are walking, maybe I can answer some questions you may have – about the Ranger Corps?” he suggested to Tessa.
Tessa was a bit taken aback by the question, but, she might as well, "Uh, sure." she answered. She also wondered why he wanted to talk to the Ward Mistress. Perhaps he was thinking of making her into an apprentice? The idea wasn't exactly inviting.
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Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 422
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Post by Kallie on Jul 16, 2012 7:53:57 GMT -5
“Anyway, let’s get that message delivered and get back to Araluen before dark.” Marcus suggested to the women and then peeked out the door before stepping out onto the porch, scanning the tree line for more bandits. He had no idea if they had gotten all of them or not. “Looks like the coast is clear right now,” he said over his shoulder to them. “Where is it you were heading, Olivia?” He had his bow ready, though he didn’t walk around with a arrow knocked. He whistled and his horse came trotting up to the porch. Marcus stepped down and took up one of the reins, leading the horse slowly back down the trail to the main road. So far it seemed as if the outlaws had all been killed or captured, or the others had run-off to regroup and lick their wounds.
Olivia Put the note in her bag and followed Marcus out the door. "I am unsure of the name of the village all I know is that it's not that far from here. I will know it by sight cause as a child I often visited there. My mothers best friend lives there thats what the message is. My mom wanted this letter to get to her since her friend is expecting a child and cannot make it all this way. It's hardly worth getting me over." She explained still trying to process that bandits wanted her. She checked her bag to make sure she had everything back in its proper place. Once satisfied she stepped out of the cabin and into the sunshine. "Jack isn't going to be happy that I lost my knife ...again." she muttered under her breath. Apparently she gave him ulcers. Of course she highly doubted that, sure she had a knack for getting into trouble but she usually got out of it. Most of the time.
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Post by Brandwyn on Jul 16, 2012 10:46:12 GMT -5
Tessa was a bit taken aback by the question, but, she might as well, "Uh, sure." she answered.
Marcus noted the look of concern at his mention of talking to the Ward Mistress and realized she might be worried he was going to complain about her running around the woods by herself. “Don’t worry, I want to make sure you don’t get into any trouble because I am keeping you out all day long. No sense in you getting punished for something beyond your control and I think they would be far more upset if they found out I let you go wandering around in a Bandit infested forest by yourself.” He tried to reassure Tessa.
As they started down the road Marcus wondered if Tessa had ever thought about being a ranger. Would she even want to do that? Best he find out before he made a fool of himself at the castle. “So, Bluebird, have you ever thought about being a ranger or wondered what it would be like to be one?”
He studied her as she formulated an answer, wanting to see what her initial reaction to the idea was. After a bit he focused on what Olivia was saying.
"I am unsure of the name of the village all I know is that it's not that far from here. I will know it by sight cause as a child I often visited there. My mothers best friend lives there thats what the message is. My mom wanted this letter to get to her since her friend is expecting a child and cannot make it all this way. It's hardly worth getting me over." Olivia explained.
“Well then, My Lady, lead on!” he bowed and gestured grandly for her to take the lead, hamming it up and grinning at the same time. Then he grew thoughtful, “yeah, I agree that this message doesn’t seem to be of the type someone would care to interrupt, especially by hiring a bunch of outlaws to track you down.”
They walked in silence for a while, Sea Spirit following along behind Marcus and occasionally nudging Marc in the shoulder with his black nose. The ranger kept brushing his horse’s muzzle away until finally Spirit shoved him hard enough that he nearly stumbled into Olivia. “Confound it, Spirit! Cut that out!” He stopped and pivoted in mid-stride, coming nose to nose with his horse and glared at him. If ever a horse could grin, Marcus was certain that Spirit was doing so now. The horse danced around and tossed his nose from Marcus to Olivia as Marcus folded his arms over his chest. “You going to stop playing match-maker or are we going to stand here all day?” Marcus glared at his horse who stood there softly blowing puffs of air in Marc’s face.
Spirit whinnied and then craftily slipped the rein out of Marc’s hand and spun around and trotted back to sniff at Tessa, pretending to ignore his master. Marcus watched him for a moment and then turned back around and resumed walking. “Now you know why I named him Sea Spirit – same temperament,” he muttered to Olivia. “Sorry about that, he gets a little carried away sometimes, but I think he likes you.” Marcus looked at her sideways as they walked along side-by-side. “He rarely behaves this way, especially when he is supposed to be watching the woods for bandits.” Marcus raised his voice on this last part and directed it at his horse, followed by a hand signal. Instantly Spirit’s demeanor changed and the horse followed along behind them, his ears pivoting back and forth and his nostrils flaring as he focused his attention on the woods around them.
Marcus was keeping an eye on their surroundings as well, ready to launch an arrow should the need arise, but as they continued, he kept mulling over the possible reasons why someone would want to capture Olivia. Suddenly a thought occurred to him, “Hey Olivia, have there been any other couriers recently that have been attacked or maybe gone missing that you know of?”
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Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 422
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Post by Kallie on Jul 21, 2012 11:17:50 GMT -5
they walked in silence for a while, Sea Spirit following along behind Marcus and occasionally nudging Marc in the shoulder with his black nose. The ranger kept brushing his horse’s muzzle away until finally Spirit shoved him hard enough that he nearly stumbled into Olivia. “Confound it, Spirit! Cut that out!” He stopped and pivoted in mid-stride, coming nose to nose with his horse and glared at him. If ever a horse could grin, Marcus was certain that Spirit was doing so now. The horse danced around and tossed his nose from Marcus to Olivia as Marcus folded his arms over his chest. “You going to stop playing match-maker or are we going to stand here all day?” Marcus glared at his horse who stood there softly blowing puffs of air in Marc’s face.
Olivia who was somewhat paying attention avoided the collision with Marcus. She tried her best not to grin, so Marcus did like her. She had had her suspicions but didn't want to pursue the matter on a hunch. She was a courier and had several friends in the ranger corps. As a consequence she knew that ranger horses knew their masters like kids know their parents. But then again he was just a horse right?
“Now you know why I named him Sea Spirit – same temperament,” he muttered to Olivia. “Sorry about that, he gets a little carried away sometimes, but I think he likes you.”
Olivia shrugged and smiled at Marcus a genuine smile not a smirk or a polite smile. "Or he he's seen you make eyes at me all afternoon." she teased. "I've heard it said that ranger horses are smart."
Marcus looked at her sideways as they walked along side-by-side. “He rarely behaves this way, especially when he is supposed to be watching the woods for bandits.”
Olivia laughed she couldn't help it. "Well animals are very interesting sometimes they sense emotions that humans themselves don't feel like expressing. Like dogs they can sense when you are sad or upset."
“Hey Olivia, have there been any other couriers recently that have been attacked or maybe gone missing that you know of?”
Olivia's smile instantly fell off her face, she grew serious and bit her lip a nasty habit she had when she didn't really want to talk about something. Or if she was holding back and emotion she didn't want to express. "Now that it comes down to it yes and no. Being out in Norgate not many people come and go, and with the plague and all people are scared." She paused and looked away at the trees around her which were suddenly going blurry as a rush of tears came to her eyes. "As I traveled from Norgate to here I heard rumors that three couriers have gone missing. They turned up a couple of days later except for one. " Olivia went back to biting her lip hard. Took a deep breath and continued. "Lady Sara I'm afraid is dead. She was shot with an arrow." Olivia blinked and a tear escaped from her eyes. Sara had been Oliva's best friend, they had met in Diplomatic training, it had been half the reason why Olivia had made the trip out to Araluen, Sara and her would write letters back and fourth, when Sara letter had never come she grew more and more anxious after two months past she finally got to go. And had found out from the ranger in Sara's fief that Sara had gone missing then turned up dead a couple of days later. She had been harboring the secret fear that whoever had gone after Sara would come after her, but she figured if she told herself that no one would want her it would never come true. Then today just had to happen. She collected herself quickly brushed the tear away and forced herself to be normal. "So yes one Courier had gone missing, the other reports lead to nothing." She said looking somewhat at Marcus.
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a1ko4
Apprentice Cook
Posts: 77
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Post by a1ko4 on Jul 25, 2012 13:24:20 GMT -5
“Don’t worry, I want to make sure you don’t get into any trouble because I am keeping you out all day long. No sense in you getting punished for something beyond your control and I think they would be far more upset if they found out I let you go wandering around in a Bandit infested forest by yourself.” He tried to reassure Tessa.
"Oh, okay," Tessa was relieved. Mistress Holligan was as good with punishments as the cook was with a ladle.
“So, Bluebird, have you ever thought about being a ranger or wondered what it would be like to be one?”
"Not really, but I suppose anything's better than being locked in a kitchen all day, or having to be diplomatic with some annoying grouch," Tessa was a bit amazed that she'd said all this in front of a ranger, but it was done. "I've never really heard much about Rangers, but I've heard stories of Will Treaty and Halt just like everyone else."
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Post by Brandwyn on Jul 27, 2012 20:37:50 GMT -5
"Not really, but I suppose anything's better than being locked in a kitchen all day, or having to be diplomatic with some annoying grouch," Tessa was a bit amazed that she'd said all this in front of a ranger, but it was done. "I've never really heard much about Rangers, but I've heard stories of Will Treaty and Halt just like everyone else.”
“That does sound dreadful,” Marcus agreed. “Can’t say as I would care to be locked in a kitchen all day unless someone else was doing the cooking and I was doing the eating!” He chuckled. “Well, Ranger life is not all glamorous, but we do have fun sometimes and you won’t find a profession with more freedom really. We live outdoors and mostly off the land and we stay on the move. I love it. I get to meet new people like you two very pretty ladies and these occasional little battles with outlaws are always entertaining.” Marcus was only partly joking. He really did enjoy all the freedom with his job and the fight like he just went through kept him feeling alive and appreciating how precious life is and how quickly it can end. “But the best thing is being faced with a puzzle and working it out. I do enjoy solving riddles, like this one concerning you, Olivia.” He hoped she wouldn’t take that the wrong way. “Not meaning I am glad the bandits are after you or anything, but working out why they are is a challenge and I find that interesting.” He chewed his lower lip a bit nervously for a moment, “I hope that doesn’t sound like I don’t care or anything.” He’d better shut up now before he dug himself a deeper hole. Fortunately that was the moment Spirit decided to intervene, sensing his master was feeling a bit awkward.
Olivia shrugged and smiled at Marcus a genuine smile not a smirk or a polite smile. "Or he he's seen you make eyes at me all afternoon." she teased. "I've heard it said that ranger horses are smart."
Marcus looked at her sideways as they walked along side-by-side. “He rarely behaves this way, especially when he is supposed to be watching the woods for bandits.”
Olivia laughed she couldn't help it. "Well animals are very interesting sometimes they sense emotions that humans themselves don't feel like expressing. Like dogs they can sense when you are sad or upset."
Marcus flushed and looked up in a tree, feeling decidedly uncomfortable. Had he been making moon eyes at her all afternoon? He had to admit he found her very pretty, but he wasn’t looking for a girlfriend or to ‘settle down’ or anything. ‘Still, she is beautiful and has a great personality,’ he thought, ‘and as a courier she might not mind my roving lifestyle. I could hardly do better… get a grip, Marc, you just met the Lady.’ He ran his hand through his hair and changed the subject quick.
“Hey Olivia, have there been any other couriers recently that have been attacked or maybe gone missing that you know of?”
Olivia's smile instantly fell off her face, she grew serious and bit her lip a nasty habit she had when she didn't really want to talk about something. Or if she was holding back and emotion she didn't want to express.
"Now that it comes down to it yes and no. Being out in Norgate not many people come and go, and with the plague and all people are scared." She paused and looked away at the trees around her which were suddenly going blurry as a rush of tears came to her eyes…
Marcus had momentarily forgotten about the plague in all the excitement with the bandits. But he hadn’t been expecting Olivia to confirm that other couriers had gone missing. There had been a few rangers that had gone missing too, particularly the former ranger of Marshwood and his apprentice, but that was quite some time ago. Since he had missed the Gathering, he didn’t know if there were others.
"As I traveled from Norgate to here I heard rumors that three couriers have gone missing. They turned up a couple of days later except for one. “Olivia went back to biting her lip hard. Took a deep breath and continued. "Lady Sara I'm afraid is dead. She was shot with an arrow."
Marcus saw that his question had upset her and he was half sorry he’d asked it but also glad for this opened up another realm of possibilities. “She was your friend,” Marcus stated softly, “I am so sorry.” He saw her tear up and reached out to comfort her. He felt this urge to take her in his arms and hold her tight, but he didn’t know if she would accept such a familiar gesture. He caught himself and stopped his hand, leaving it hover over her shoulder for a moment.
She collected herself quickly brushed the tear away and forced herself to be normal. "So yes one Courier had gone missing, the other reports lead to nothing." She said looking somewhat at Marcus.
He let his hand drop back to his side and felt a stab of disappointment and relief at the same time that she was setting the boundary and keeping it professional thus far. He focused on her words and shoved his own confusing emotions aside for the time being. “Well that opens up the possibility that it may not be you, Olivia, that they are after, but only that they are after you because they are after couriers in general,” he mused aloud. “Whoever ‘they’ are… perhaps if we can find that out, we can figure out what it is they want.”
Marcus mulled over the possible reasons for a few minutes and then thought about the missing rangers, “I wonder…” his voice trailed off again and he shook his head, “can’t be related…” he muttered, deep in thought.
He realized that he probably had lost Olivia in the conversation, since he was thinking much faster than his mouth was keeping up. He looked at her apologetically, “sorry, I was just thinking that there have been some rangers that have come up missing in the last year or so. Some of them have turned up dead too and their…” He glanced at Tessa, not wanting to scare her, but she should know the dangers if he was going to suggest she become a ranger. She needed all the facts before making a decision. “Their apprentices went missing too and we haven’t located either of them yet. The Marshwood ranger was killed, but there was no sign of what happened to his apprentice. Crowley sent Ringulf up there to find out. Norgate’s lost one as well, he just vanished and wasn’t heard from again and I’m not sure about Highcliff. Ole Thrandon likes to disappear for weeks on end and then he suddenly shows back up again, so I can’t say if he’s actually missing or not.” Marcus explained, “I am just wondering if there is a connection between the couriers and the rangers that have gone missing.” It was a disturbing thought.
Marcus glanced back at Tessa again thinking that maybe it wasn’t a good idea to suggest this lifestyle to her. Even if there wasn’t some sinister plot to eliminate rangers or couriers, the job had its own daily dangers, as evidenced by the attack they’d just fought through. “Tessa, I was thinking of asking if you want to become a ranger, but maybe that is not the best thing for you. The Ward is definitely safer and if you were to become an apprentice you would be exposed to a significant amount of danger.” He smiled a bit ruefully at her “Of course I am putting my cart before the horse here because you probably don’t even want to be a ranger anyway, do you?”
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a1ko4
Apprentice Cook
Posts: 77
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Post by a1ko4 on Jul 30, 2012 11:38:32 GMT -5
That does sound dreadful,” Marcus agreed. “Can’t say as I would care to be locked in a kitchen all day unless someone else was doing the cooking and I was doing the eating!” He chuckled. “Well, Ranger life is not all glamorous, but we do have fun sometimes and you won’t find a profession with more freedom really. We live outdoors and mostly off the land and we stay on the move. I love it. I get to meet new people like you two very pretty ladies and these occasional little battles with outlaws are always entertaining.”
Tessa smiled, being a ranger did sound interesting.
“Tessa, I was thinking of asking if you want to become a ranger, but maybe that is not the best thing for you. The Ward is definitely safer and if you were to become an apprentice you would be exposed to a significant amount of danger.” He smiled a bit ruefully at her “Of course I am putting my cart before the horse here because you probably don’t even want to be a ranger anyway, do you?”
After hearing about the rangers being kidnapped, Tessa was a bit less excited about it. But, is sounded like an interesting life, and Tessa didn't want to spent her's in a kitchen. "So, you're saying I could either spend my days locked in a kitchen with a seemingly senile old cook armed with a ladle. Or I could become a ranger and possibly by shot, stabbed, drowned, captured, tortured, killed, and could lose my head in more ways then one." Tessa's voice wavered a bit at the word 'drown', but she didn't pause. She stared thoughtfully at the Ranger. "Well, I'm definitely not picking the cook."
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Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 422
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Post by Kallie on Aug 1, 2012 12:36:31 GMT -5
Olivia studied the ground, she was surprised by the thought that she really did want Marcus to give her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. A hug even would be nice. But when he dropped his hand she was sorely disappointed and knew she would get neither.
He realized that he probably had lost Olivia in the conversation, since he was thinking much faster than his mouth was keeping up. He looked at her apologetically, “sorry, I was just thinking that there have been some rangers that have come up missing in the last year or so. Some of them have turned up dead too and their… Their apprentices went missing too and we haven’t located either of them yet. The Marshwood ranger was killed, but there was no sign of what happened to his apprentice. Crowley sent Ringulf up there to find out. Norgate’s lost one as well, he just vanished and wasn’t heard from again and I’m not sure about Highcliff. Ole Thrandon likes to disappear for weeks on end and then he suddenly shows back up again, so I can’t say if he’s actually missing or not.” Marcus explained, “I am just wondering if there is a connection between the couriers and the rangers that have gone missing.” It was a disturbing thought.
Olivia was a little surprised when he mentioned the Norgate Ranger, she sighed heavily and her shoulders dropped. What the heck was going on? Why was this all happening? It as really starting to get to her, the Norgate ranger had been a good friend of hers. She had, had her suspicions when he left and didn't return but had always hoped he would turn up. Now Here was Marcus saying that he was gone for good, stone cold dead. It was like she was living in her worst nightmare. her friends were dying a strange and deadly plague was sweeping across the land she had been attacked twice in the past week. Today's events would make it a third and she had been terribly lucky she had found Marcus when she did otherwise.. who knows what would have happened? She might have been captured or killed. Some thing was going on here, if rangers and couriers were turning up missing someone was going through a lot of trouble. "Someones going through a lot of trouble to eliminate the way of life here. But to what purpose? Rangers and Couriers don't even train together so why eliminate both?" She muttered out loud without realizing it. She often talked to herself when she had a problem it helped somehow. "She turned to Marcus. "What do rangers and couriers have in common?" she was beginning to have a theory but wasn't really ready to voice it yet.
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Post by Brandwyn on Aug 7, 2012 15:30:40 GMT -5
"So, you're saying I could either spend my days locked in a kitchen with a seemingly senile old cook armed with a ladle. Or I could become a ranger and possibly by shot, stabbed, drowned, captured, tortured, killed, and could lose my head in more ways than one." Tessa's voice wavered a bit at the word 'drowned', but she didn't pause.
“Yeah, well, it doesn’t sound quite so good when you put it that way.” Marc said sheepishly, “but yep, that is pretty much the life of a ranger in a nutshell. Of course I am sure there are other avenues open to you besides the kitchen.”
She stared thoughtfully at the Ranger. "Well, I'm definitely not picking the cook."
Slowly Marc’s face went from a rather sheepish look to an accepting smile as he watched Tessa come to a decision. “Terrific!” he exclaimed and then grew serious again, “of course it’s not a done deal yet. We have to check with your Ward Mistress and the Baron since his is your guardian and of course Rick is going to have to approve since he is the local ranger and after all of that we have to go to Crowley and get his approval.” He ticked off the steps on his fingers and then looked at Tessa. “You have to be presented with whatever other options they may have been considering for you too. When the time comes, consider each of them carefully because this decision is going to affect the whole rest of your life.” Then he patted her on the back gently, “no pressure or anything,” he chuckled trying to lighten it up a little.
“Then, if you want to be my apprentice that is, we have to convince Crowley I am ready for an apprentice,” Marcus added, “and perhaps myself too,” he muttered, running his fingers through his hair again. It was a big responsibility for him and he had not been a ranger for all that long. Was he capable of training one properly? He was going to have to think on that for a while – in his copious spare time.
Marcus then turned his attention back to Olivia who was walking on his other side and noticed she was deep in thought.
"Someone’s going through a lot of trouble to eliminate the way of life here. But to what purpose? Rangers and Couriers don't even train together so why eliminate both?" She muttered out loud without realizing it. She often talked to herself when she had a problem it helped somehow.
"She turned to Marcus. "What do rangers and couriers have in common?" she was beginning to have a theory but wasn't really ready to voice it yet.
Marcus considered her question and had heard the directions her thoughts were taking her when she mentioned the way of life here. What do rangers and couriers have in common? “Well…we are always travelling around the countryside, though rangers tend to get into all the little nooks and crannies in their fief and I think couriers generally stay on the beaten paths, correct?” He raised an eyebrow at Olivia.
“So, it is probably safe to say that rangers and couriers have a better idea of what is going on in their fief than most people do at least as far as physical activity – not politics or gossip necessarily.” Although rangers tried to keep abreast of the current gossip and couriers had to keep tabs on the political climate in order to carry out the negotiation part of their job.
“Mmm, what else do we have in common?” Marcus thought for a moment. “Oh, we both carry news back and forth not only within our fief, but between fief’s too. We are the eyes and ears of the King.” Now his mind was taking a disturbing direction. “Sooo…what if a foreign agency wanted to disrupt communication in the Kingdom? What would they do and why would they want to in the first place?” he mused, rubbing his chin which was starting to get a bit of blond stubble cropping up on it.
He continued with his thoughts, not liking the direction he was going at all. “And if they want to disrupt communication another way would be to paralyze the countryside in fear – like fear of plague… Those fiefs down farther south that haven’t gotten it yet are starting to close up their borders, people are hiding in their homes here in Araluen fief, ships are not coming in from overseas and I heard some people were just come back from Gallica where La Rivage has closed its port to all ships from Araluen!” Marcus had been down at the docks on the back side of the city and seen first-hand how chaotic it was there. “I hear Marshwood is so inundated with refugees from Norgate that the streets are blocked and many of the people are ill… what if, somehow, this Wargal plague wasn’t an accident or freak of nature? I mean how on earth did Wargals get in Norgate anyway? Where did they come from? They live in the Mountains of Rain and Night far to the south, so how did they get all the way up to Norgate?” He’d been pondering that question for many months, ever since he’d first heard of the wargal attack at the Winter Revel in Norgate. He had thought at first that the courier who told him about it had been joking. Now he wished the man had. Were they jumping to conclusions or were these incidents somehow connected and if so, to what purpose?
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Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 422
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Post by Kallie on Aug 10, 2012 19:11:33 GMT -5
Marcus considered her question and had heard the directions her thoughts were taking her when she mentioned the way of life here. What do rangers and couriers have in common? “Well…we are always travelling around the countryside, though rangers tend to get into all the little nooks and crannies in their fief and I think couriers generally stay on the beaten paths, correct?” He raised an eyebrow at Olivia.
Olivia nodded a slight smile coming to her lips. "Very true you do tend to disappear."
“Mmm, what else do we have in common?” Marcus thought for a moment. “Oh, we both carry news back and forth not only within our fief, but between fief’s too. We are the eyes and ears of the King.” Now his mind was taking a disturbing direction. “Sooo…what if a foreign agency wanted to disrupt communication in the Kingdom? What would they do and why would they want to in the first place?” he mused, rubbing his chin which was starting to get a bit of blond stubble cropping up on it.
Olivia pointed a finger at him. "Exactly!! think about it Marcus. If someone is planning something what is the last thing they want to happen? They wouldn't want ANY word of it to get anywhere. Now I can see why they would eliminate Rangers Like you have said, you tend to disappear and you see a lot more than the average person. Plus you have expertise in weapons. If anyone is a threat its you. I just don't understand why they are going after Couriers as well. To a certain level I can understand since like you said we travel around a lot as well. But we are less of a threat or at least I thought we were. Then again, someone is going through a lot of trouble to upset the balance of things. But to what purpose?" She sighed this wasn't making much sense, the sun shone down still that was good it wasn't to late in the day to try to return to the castle. She had a feeling that she should turn in her Courier uniform and try to blend in a little with the general population. It seemed to her that if someone was going after Couriers the first thing they were going to look for is a person in a white dress with a blue cape and a Laurel branch pin. But that didn't really matter much she was sure she could get a change of clothes when she delivered her mothers letter. Of course it might be a bit big cause she was rather small but she could manage, she needed to be less of a target and this was the only way she could think of.
"Hey Marcus? Are you staying at the village? Or are you just seeing me to it and then being on your way?"
She wasn't quite sure why she had asked the question, but she realized that she didn't quite want to part ways with him just yet. She told herself that she just felt protected being in the company of a ranger. Truth was, he was cute, friendly, talkative and she hoped single. Course she had just met him but you never know. Maybe when this was all over and solved and everything was as it should be she could get to know him better. That would be nice, she told her feminine side to get a grip and shut up.
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Post by Brandwyn on Aug 11, 2012 23:47:43 GMT -5
Olivia nodded a slight smile coming to her lips. "Very true you do tend to disappear."
Marcus shot her a rueful smile but didn’t rise to the bait.
Olivia pointed a finger at him. "Exactly!! think about it Marcus. If someone is planning something what is the last thing they want to happen? They wouldn't want ANY word of it to get anywhere. Now I can see why they would eliminate Rangers Like you have said, you tend to disappear and you see a lot more than the average person. Plus you have expertise in weapons. If anyone is a threat it’s you. I just don't understand why they are going after Couriers as well. To a certain level I can understand since like you said we travel around a lot as well. But we are less of a threat or at least I thought we were. Then again, someone is going through a lot of trouble to upset the balance of things. But to what purpose?"
“Well, I wouldn’t say you are exactly helpless,” Marc tried unsuccessfully to suppress a smirk as he recalled a frying pan wielding Olivia thwacking an outlaw over his head. Then he grew serious, “To what purpose indeed? Whatever it is, I don’t see that it can be a good one.” Marcus sighed. “I think I am going to have to stick around Araluen Castle for sure until Crowley gets back from the Gathering. I suppose I better come up with a good reason why I didn’t attend.” He said miserably like a little boy who was going to have to confess to his mother he ate the last cookies from the cookie jar.
They walked along in silence for a bit, each lost in their own thoughts and Marcus found himself sneaking looks at Olivia out of the corner of his eye. He was reluctant to leave her and trying to come up with an excuse to keep in touch with her, knowing his duties would eventually cause them to have to part ways in the very near future. He wondered again if there was already a man in her life. ‘Has to be,’ he thought, ‘she’s probably married and has three kids. She’s too pretty to be single.’ Of course, if she had been concentrating on her career, then maybe she hadn’t had time for a relationship. He could hope, but how to find out without coming right out and asking?
"Hey Marcus? Are you staying at the village? Or are you just seeing me to it and then being on your way?"
Marcus looked into her beautiful eyes, wondering why she had asked and hoping to see…something…a reason more than just that she wanted a safe escort…had he detected something in her eyes? Could she possibly be interested in a vagabond like him? No, it had to be his imagination and wishful thinking.
“I thought I might stay until you finish your business and see you and Tessa back to the Castle,” Marcus said slowly almost as a question, “unless you don’t want… well I don’t want to seem overbearing or anything, but I really don’t think its too safe for any of us to be running around out here on our own.” He was fairly certain he could manage the outlaws on his own, but he included himself because he didn’t want to be chauvinistic by suggesting Olivia couldn’t handle herself. The fact was there could be a great many outlaws still out there looking for her and there were strength in numbers, even if that number was only the three of them.
“Besides, I am not on any specific schedule now since I need to talk to Rick and Crowley and it will be a couple days before they get back here.” It would be nice if he had some information for Crowley rather than a lot of questions and speculations.
“Hey!” he exclaimed suddenly as a thought occurred to him that might allow him to spend more time with her. “Speaking of that, perhaps the three of us should turn the tables on these bandits and go on the hunt for them and find out what’s behind their attack on you.” Marcus suggested. “That is if you don’t have any other assignments for a couple of days, and if we can get Tessa permission to come with us.” For the sake of her reputation, Marcus didn’t want to run around the countryside alone with Olivia for it wouldn’t be appropriate and could seriously damage her credibility. Even though he would love to spend a couple of days alone with her, he thought it best if they had a ‘chaperone’ even if it was a teenage girl.
He leaned over closer to Olivia and asked softly in her ear, “You don’t really mind having an escort do you?” He looked at her with puppy dog eyes, hoping she would say she didn’t mind at all. He accidentally brushed the back of his hand against the back of hers and nearly stumbled as a thrill of excitement went through him. Her touch was electrifying. He was definitely loosing it here. “After all I’m sure your…husband… wouldn’t want you out here alone under the circumstances.”
‘There, that was a clever way to find out if she was single, wasn’t it?’ he asked himself but fearing he’d just made a big fool of himself.
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Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 422
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Post by Kallie on Aug 12, 2012 19:14:07 GMT -5
Well, I wouldn’t say you are exactly helpless,” Marc tried unsuccessfully to suppress a smirk as he recalled a frying pan wielding Olivia thwacking an outlaw over his head.
Olivia noticed the smirk and guessed what he was thinking, she smiled slightly and rolled her eyes at him.
Then he grew serious, “To what purpose indeed? Whatever it is, I don’t see that it can be a good one.” Marcus sighed. “I think I am going to have to stick around Araluen Castle for sure until Crowley gets back from the Gathering. I suppose I better come up with a good reason why I didn’t attend.” He said miserably like a little boy who was going to have to confess to his mother he ate the last cookies from the cookie jar.
"You could always just say your last mission took up way more time than you expected and that you lost track of the time." She offered successfully hiding an smile on her face and tone.
I thought I might stay until you finish your business and see you and Tessa back to the Castle,” Marcus said slowly almost as a question, “unless you don’t want… well I don’t want to seem overbearing or anything, but I really don’t think its too safe for any of us to be running around out here on our own.”
Olivia nodded pleased with the answer. "No no., you aren't over bearing at all. It is very understandable." Olivia noticed that he included himself and understood the reason behind it. She smiled to herself he was so sweet.
“Hey!” he exclaimed suddenly as a thought occurred to him that might allow him to spend more time with her. “Speaking of that, perhaps the three of us should turn the tables on these bandits and go on the hunt for them and find out what’s behind their attack on you.” Marcus suggested. “That is if you don’t have any other assignments for a couple of days, and if we can get Tessa permission to come with us.” .
Olivia looked at him and thought about it for a minute or two. She never played hooky when on a mission. But then again this was a great opportunity to figure out why they had attacked her. And technically it wasn't playing hooky because she was on her own time at the moment. Besides she didn't plan on going to he castle as Lady Olivia but as simply Olivia, she would very much like to find out why they had attacked her and other couriers. Besides she would get to spend more time with Marcus.
"You know Marucs? That isn't such a bad idea. In fact it's a good one. Might even give you more to report back to Crowly and Rick. I don't have anything going on for at least a week. I would love to join you in finding these scoundrels and spoiling their plans."
He leaned over closer to Olivia and asked softly in her ear, “You don’t really mind having an escort do you?” He looked at her with puppy dog eyes, hoping she would say she didn’t mind at all.
Olivias heart beat a little faster as she felt his breath on her ear. She looked into his eyes, she blinked a couple of times. "No, I don't mind an escort if you don't mind escorting me." after it was said it was really stupid to say that last bit it was obvious that he did.
“After all I’m sure your…husband… wouldn’t want you out here alone under the circumstances.”
Olivia burst out laughing she couldn't help it. "Me?" she gasped in between giggles. "Married??" She dissolved into uncontrollable giggles again. He couldn't be series? Could he? She really shouldn't be laughing, but it was so absurd she had to. When she finally got her giggles under control she said. "No Marcus I am not married. No guy other than a select few have ever given me so much as a second glance. I am single if that is what you were trying to figure out." Her lips still curled up around the edges and her eyes still shone with her amusement.
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a1ko4
Apprentice Cook
Posts: 77
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Post by a1ko4 on Aug 17, 2012 11:14:29 GMT -5
“Terrific!” he exclaimed and then grew serious again, “of course it’s not a done deal yet. We have to check with your Ward Mistress and the Baron since his is your guardian and of course Rick is going to have to approve since he is the local ranger and after all of that we have to go to Crowley and get his approval.” He ticked off the steps on his fingers and then looked at Tessa.
She figured the Mistress and the Baron would be find with her leaving, they didn't exactly enjoy her presence. She didn't know about the Rangers, but she suspected they'd say yes.
“You have to be presented with whatever other options they may have been considering for you too When the time comes, consider each of them carefully because this decision is going to affect the whole rest of your life.” Then he patted her on the back gently, “no pressure or anything,” he chuckled trying to lighten it up a little.
Tessa shrugged. She didn't really care about the other options, none of them could be as exciting as being a ranger could be, besides she wasn't a diplomat or a cook.
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Post by Brandwyn on Aug 17, 2012 22:30:32 GMT -5
Then he grew serious, “To what purpose indeed? Whatever it is, I don’t see that it can be a good one.” Marcus sighed. “I think I am going to have to stick around Araluen Castle for sure until Crowley gets back from the Gathering. I suppose I better come up with a good reason why I didn’t attend.” He said miserably like a little boy who was going to have to confess to his mother he ate the last cookies from the cookie jar.
"You could always just say your last mission took up way more time than you expected and that you lost track of the time." She offered successfully hiding a smile on her face and tone.
Marcus looked at her sharply and then shook his head, “oh no, nope, definitely not that excuse,” He held up his hands in a stopping motion and shook his head. The last time he’d used that line…well he really didn’t care to remember it much less let Olivia know what had happened. “Uhhh…well…ummm…I tried that excuse on Rick and Crowley once…ummm,” he ran his hand through his hair again and rubbed the back of his neck while he looked everywhere – or anywhere- but at Olivia. “Let’s just say I’d rather not remind them of that…incident…uhhh…besides, Crowley is omnipotent…seriously, he is! I swear he knows everything before anyone opens their mouth.” Marcus’s face was pretty red as he realized he’d probably just piqued Olivia’s interest in what had happened a few years back. Hopefully she wouldn’t press the issue. ‘Best to change the subject again,’ he thought furiously for an avenue to steer the conversation.
“I suppose the truth is the better option, not like Crowley won’t know anyway,” he said gloomily. “I wonder what they do to truant rangers. I don’t think I have ever heard of one skipping out on a Gathering before except in the case of doing their duty. I mean they are a lot of fun normally. I am kind of sad I missed it, but I really needed to check on my family here what with the plague and all” He trailed off again, realizing he’d brought up a very emotional subject for Olivia. ‘You Dolt,’ he chastised himself mentally, ‘are you trying to make her cry so she’ll throw herself into your arms?...say, that’s not such a bad idea really…’ he couldn’t believe he was even entertaining the idea. What kind of person was he anyway?
He shrugged the thoughts aside and concentrated on the problem with the bandits. He wasn’t sure how Olivia would react when he suggested they spend a couple of days hunting the bandits.
"You know Marcus? That isn't such a bad idea. In fact it's a good one. Might even give you more to report back to Crowley and Rick. I don't have anything going on for at least a week. I would love to join you in finding these scoundrels and spoiling their plans."
“My thinking exactly as long as you are sure you won’t get into trouble. No sense in both of us being in the dog house,” he grinned at her. Inside he was doing cartwheels for joy that she had agreed to spend more time with him.
He leaned over closer to Olivia and asked softly in her ear, “You don’t really mind having an escort do you?” He looked at her with puppy dog eyes, hoping she would say she didn’t mind at all.
Olivia’s heart beat a little faster as she felt his breath on her ear. She looked into his eyes, she blinked a couple of times. "No, I don't mind an escort if you don't mind escorting me." after it was said it was really stupid to say that last bit it was obvious that he did.
“I certainly don’t mind, in fact I would consider it an honor,” he said solemnly, intently staring into her eyes. He looked at her lips, so close to his own and imagined what it would be like to lightly kiss them. Realizing he was about to find out, Marc pulled back away from her and tried to compose himself. It wasn’t easy as he was longing to take her in his arms and kiss her passionately. But he could never do that to her, not like this on the open road in front of what was likely to be his first apprentice and when they were in danger of being attacked again at any moment. With his luck, the same thing would happen to him as happened the last time when he’d used that excuse of loosing track of the time.
“After all I’m sure your…husband… wouldn’t want you out here alone under the circumstances.”
Olivia burst out laughing she couldn't help it. "Me?" she gasped in between giggles. "Married??" She dissolved into uncontrollable giggles again. He couldn't be series? Could he? She really shouldn't be laughing, but it was so absurd she had to. When she finally got her giggles under control she said. "No Marcus I am not married. No guys other than a select few have ever given me so much as a second glance. I am single if that is what you were trying to figure out." Her lips still curled up around the edges and her eyes still shone with her amusement.
Marcus flushed bright red again as she burst into giggles and he couldn’t understand what was so funny. Then she explained and he felt relieved and even more foolish. At least she wasn’t laughing at him so much as at what she perceived to be an absurdity. Marcus disagreed with her assessment, however. “Hey, that makes two of us!” he said in reference to her being single. “But I find that hard to believe,” he countered as his eyes roved over her lithe form. “I would bet many a lad has given you a second, third and even fourth glance and the only explanation that one of them hasn’t scooped you up is because we all think you are way out of our league.” Terrific, there he went again making a fool of himself in front of her and spilling his apprehensions to her. Ah but at least he’d found out what he was dying to know: she was single! Single! Meaning no other man was going to come trying to knock his brains out if he … what? Now that he had her attention and knew where she stood, what was he going to do? The answer was obvious; he was going to ask if he could court her. He stopped suddenly dead in his tracks and Spirit did run into him that time accidentally. The collision helped him to recover as he sorted out his feelings. He was making a fool of himself in front of Tessa and that bothered him almost as much as looking foolish in front of Olivia – almost, but not quite.
He disentangled himself from his horse and patted Spirit on the neck, “Sorry about that ole boy!” he said as Spirit gave him a knowing look and nudged him toward Olivia again but he was thinking about the pro’s and con’s of getting involved with Olivia. They’d only just met so there was no way he should even be thinking about going so far as to ask permission to see her formally. She was a Lady, noble born and he wasn’t. He was fairly well-off financially, being the son of a master carpenter, but the nobles generally looked down upon the merchants and lower classes and the merchants often scoffed at the nobles claiming they earned their wealth while the nobles were handed it to them and didn’t deserve it. Most likely both of their families would not approve of a match between them.
Then there was the logistics of him being a ranger and she a courier. Where would they live and how could they manage to keep a relationship going when both of their occupations depended on so much travel? It would be exceedingly difficult.
Why was he even agonizing over any of this? He’d only just met the woman! One thing was certain, he’d better not say anything at this point about dating her. He should get to know her better. He didn’t want to scare her off and he needed some time to sort out his feelings. Was he really falling for her like he suspected or was this just a passing fancy?
He flashed her a smile and looked around again as they started moving once more, not offering up any reason as to why he’d just suddenly stopped walking. He saw some thatch roofs peeking up over the trees in front of them. “I believe we are coming up on a village now. Is this the one you were looking for?”
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Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 422
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Post by Kallie on Aug 19, 2012 21:35:02 GMT -5
“But I find that hard to believe,” he countered as his eyes roved over her lithe form. “I would bet many a lad has given you a second, third and even fourth glance and the only explanation that one of them hasn’t scooped you up is because we all think you are way out of our league.”
Olivia smiled and shook her head. "You certainly seem surprised to say the least. If it had come from anyone else i would have thought it an insult. But since it came form you i will take it as a compliment." She said with a flutter of her eyelashes. Wow if that was not flirting she didn't know what was. She needed to stop that. As much as she wanted to get in a relationship with a man she needed to take it slow. She had only just met him for goodness sake! True he was handsome smart and charming. Thoughtful to, and caring. She needed to wait so she could be sure that his charterer was honest and all that. That was something she needed she couldn't be sure why, but ever since she was little she had always waited to become best friends with someone until they had proved themselves worthy. She still didn't understand to this day why it is so but it was and it was a standard she felt was necessary and it was a part of her so she didn't really feel like changing. She was surprised when he stopped abruptly and his horse ran into him, she raised one delicate eyebrow but decided not to ask. Instead she tensed wondering if he had seen an enemy in the trees, she looked around herself. Olivia relaxed when she realized that she was being overly paranoid. If there had been an enemy the horse and the ranger would have done something a little less dramatic.
He flashed her a smile and looked around again as they started moving once more, not offering up any reason as to why he’d just suddenly stopped walking. He saw some thatch roofs peeking up over the trees in front of them. “I believe we are coming up on a village now. Is this the one you were looking for?”
She nodded. "Yes it is, I should not be long, should only take a second to hand her the letter and only a minute or so to change."
She turned away from him and brought out her letter which she had hidden in her front. She made sure that the letter was intact then turned back to Marcus.
"Are you coming all the way in? Or are you going to stay here and I will meet you back here when I am done?"
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