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Post by Brandwyn on Jul 24, 2016 20:48:39 GMT -5
Tory watched Mouse examine the broken arrow carefully for several minutes as if she were looking for something specific. 'She knows something she isn't saying, or at least suspects something,' Tory thought. She glanced at Ben and her anger towards his senseless shooting boiled up within her again. As Tory studied Mouse, trying to figure out her story, she realized the girl was a bit older than she initially looked, probably in her early twenties. Tory had thought she was about her own age, but Mouse was a few years her senior. This altered Tory's view of her somewhat.
"Yes I recognize them, recognize them all to well in fact. The feathers are different but the mark is the same as always. The man who made these is named Avery, he marks all of his arrows with an A," Mouse showed Tory the very faint mark. At first glance it looked like a natural mark in the wood of the shaft.
"He puts it in hard to see places. He marks his arrows in case another gang of bandits wants to encroach in his territory or kill someone he wants to. Or some stupid thing like that. I wouldn't put it past him at all for taking on new people in gang or accepting money to do mercenary work. With the right price he would do most anything. Hes a greedy basta--," she cut herself off,"--Man. In any case if he's doing mercenary work may God save us all."
Tory barely noticed the near profanity. She'd heard plenty when she and Patrick were riding with The Banished Brethren during her first year as an apprentice. For that matter, her former Mistress used some choice language that could have made a few sailors blush.
"Avery?" Tory asked. She hadn't heard of him. "It seems like you've run into him before. Are we in his territory now?" Tory had seen the look of loathing on Mouse's face when she identified the gang leader. "Is he notorious? I've never heard of him."
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Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
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Post by Kallie on Jul 25, 2016 14:21:04 GMT -5
"Avery?" Tory asked. She hadn't heard of him. "It seems like you've run into him before. Are we in his territory now?" Tory had seen the look of loathing on Mouse's face when she identified the gang leader. "Is he notorious? I've never heard of him."
She sighed heavily and sifted through her background as to what she would say and what she wouldn't. She didn't want to tell the ranger anything but knew that she had to in order to explain.
"Hes notorious all right a notorious jerk if you ask me. He's wanted for quite a lot of things. He's mostly famous in Meric feif thats where he formed his gang and lived for a number of years. Now hes moved and goodness knows where he moved to. The corps might have given him up I guess i dunno. Been inactive for awhile I suspect.." she sighed again hesitated then explained. "I was part of his gang awhile back. He took me in when I was wandering around. At least thats what I thought. Now i know better but then I was young and naive. Like i said he's greedy, and ruthless. No we are not in his territory if we were we would either be dead or captured by now." then she shut her mouth because there was nothing more she needed to say. Then she added because she knew what the girl was going to want to do next. "Avery is not someone you tangle with easily. He will try to ensnare you if he can, like he did me. You can't go after him on your own, you'd need a small army to capture him and when you do good luck getting him to talk. You mine as well just give that idea up. And don't deny that is what planned next to go after the man who shot your friend. It isn't possible."
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Post by Brandwyn on Nov 24, 2016 13:34:43 GMT -5
"Avery is not someone you tangle with easily. He will try to ensnare you if he can, like he did me. You can't go after him on your own, you'd need a small army to capture him and when you do good luck getting him to talk. You mine as well just give that idea up. And don't deny that is what planned next to go after the man who shot your friend. It isn't possible."
Tory had been kicking around the idea of tracking Ben's attacker. She knew it wouldn't be easy to capture him, but she had some doubts that it would be as impossible as Mouse was making out. She looked down at Ben. He was her first responsibility. She had to get him back to someplace with a doctor or at least a midwife or someone that had more experience than her with healing serious wounds.
Ben stirred and opened his eyes. Tory knelt beside him and took his hand in her own. He squeezed her fingers, although his grip was very weak. She was relieved he could move his fingers. "Ben?" Tory asked, "It's Tory. How do you feel?"
Ben tried to move and then winced. "Been better," he whispered. "Girl's right. Avery is ... bad ... news." Ben sounded very weak and Tory had to lean in close to understand his words.
She patted him on his chest, "shhh, it's okay. I am going to get you someplace safe." Then she would see about finding this Avery fellow, she added silently. "Can you wiggle your toes?" She still didn't know if the surgery to remove the arrow point had damaged his back and paralyzed him.
Ben gave her a strange look and then glanced at his feet. Tory's eyes followed his gaze and she watched intently as he moved his right foot slightly. Then he moaned and passed out again. "Ben! Ben?" he didn't answer. She leaned forward and felt his breath on her cheek. She sat back with a sigh. "I have got to get him to a town, but I don't think I can move him by myself." She said to Mouse.
"Perhaps we could make a deal?" she asked tentatively. "Help me get him to safety and then we'll see if we can track these bandits that attacked him. I will put in a word with Crowley on your behalf and try to get your crimes absolved." Tory proposed. "I can't promise anything, other than if Crowley doesn't go for it, I will owe you a favor that you can claim whenever you need it."
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Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 422
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Post by Kallie on Dec 24, 2016 18:51:18 GMT -5
"I have got to get him to a town, but I don't think I can move him by myself." She said to Mouse.
"Perhaps we could make a deal?" she asked tentatively. "Help me get him to safety and then we'll see if we can track these bandits that attacked him. I will put in a word with Crowley on your behalf and try to get your crimes absolved." Tory proposed. "I can't promise anything, other than if Crowley doesn't go for it, I will owe you a favor that you can claim whenever you need it." \
Mouse had watched the little scene between the two rangers thinking of slipping out of the cam while the girl was distracted. She threw that thought out when just as she was about to leave the girl turned to her once more. Mouse thought about the girls deal. It didn't seem very fair to her.
"You want me to help you bring him to town. Then go trapesing around the forest looking for the very people I want to avoid at all costs. You will then supposedly put in a word with the man who wants to hang me as soon as possible?" she shook her head. "I don't think its very worth it for me. I will be risking my life after all and all you can say is you will try? Look I don't like rangers. I don't trust them for a moment. In my eyes I think that you are lieing and that you wont actually talk to Crowly. Besides what makes you think he would agree to let me walk around scott free to do what I've been doing for the last 8 years? For all I know after all is said and done you'll hang me yourself. The whole ranger corps has a wanted picture of me. Avery wants me for reasons I will not discuss with the likes of you. That said every bounty hunter wanting to score some coin and perhaps a favour form a notorious bandit gang leader is also on the look out for me. Do you honestly want to travel with me? Aren't afraid I'm gunna slit your throat in your sleep?"
As a matter of principal Mouse didn't kill people. When she shot she shot to injure not kill. If she had killed someone it hadn't been an innocent traveler larking about the woods on their way somewhere. But she very much doubt crowly would believe her. Besides she had stolen plenty of things and hurt plenty of people for no one to care much either way. She wondered if she could convince this girl to let her go. That for her would be ideal. She didn't want to go looking for Avery. In her mind this was not her problem.
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Post by Brandwyn on Jan 1, 2017 0:22:13 GMT -5
"I don't think its very worth it for me. I will be risking my life after all and all you can say is you will try? Look I don't like rangers. I don't trust them for a moment. In my eyes I think that you are lieing and that you wont actually talk to Crowly. Besides what makes you think he would agree to let me walk around scott free to do what I've been doing for the last 8 years? For all I know after all is said and done you'll hang me yourself. The whole ranger corps has a wanted picture of me. Avery wants me for reasons I will not discuss with the likes of you. That said every bounty hunter wanting to score some coin and perhaps a favour form a notorious bandit gang leader is also on the look out for me. Do you honestly want to travel with me? Aren't afraid I'm gunna slit your throat in your sleep?"
Tory looked at her thoughtfully for a moment and then shook her head, "I see your point, but I think if you were going to kill me, you would have attempted it already. You've had plenty of opportunity. I just don't think you are an evil-hearted person." She replied. "I can't do anything about bounty hunters wanting a piece of you, but it seems that if you were pardoned for your crimes there wouldn't be a reward for you and that would take care of your bounty hunter problem," she reasoned.
"Now I can't promise Crowley will pardon you, but didn't you say you were from Meric fief and that's where most of your criminal activity took place?" Tory asked Mouse, but didn't wait for her answer."See, that's the same fief I am from. My father happens to be a Sergeant-at-Arms in the Baron's personal guard. I am also friends with the Lady Brandwyn, a Royal Scout from Meric and her mentor." All three of them are friends of the Baron of Meric, the one person, besides the King of Araluen, who could absolve you of your crimes. Lady Brandwyn is also friends of Ben here." Tory hoped Mouse would reconsider her offer.
"It seems like what you desire most is your freedom, and I suspect some extra coin wouldn't hurt either, right?" She asked Mouse. "So I am fairly certain I could get all three of them to speak to the Baron on your behalf. If he absolves you in Meric, you would at least have one fief you are safe in. I promise you I will talk to them and to Crowley, if you help me." Tory said sincerely. "As to coin, I know a ranger who would give you a reward if you help Ben get to a populated area where he can be properly cared for. Her name is Heather, and she and Ben recently got engaged." Tory pulled her small belt pouch out from the inside of her waistband. "I don't have much, but you are welcome to what I do have." She held the pouch up, "On your word that you will help me."
Tory had one final argument that she hoped would persuade Mouse that she was sincere, "If you don't want to help, then you are free to go. Don't forget to pick up your bow over there on your way out." She dangled the pouch next to her ear. It didn't contain much, but it was all the coins Tory had. Everything she'd saved from her wages as an apprentice, which were meager, and from some odd jobs here and there as a servant while undercover ferriting out information for Patrick. She figured there was probably about 5 gold pieces in there, but it was all in small coins.
She didn't know how Mouse was going to react. The bandit could try to jump her and take the coins, so Tory was prepared to fight if she had to. She suspected Mouse would just walk away, but she looked at her, pleading with her round blue eyes to stay and help her get Ben to safety. "I would be... honored... if you would agree to help me, and very grateful," she said softly and earnestly.
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Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
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Post by Kallie on Jan 21, 2017 22:03:07 GMT -5
I see your point, but I think if you were going to kill me, you would have attempted it already. You've had plenty of opportunity. I just don't think you are an evil-hearted person." She replied. "I can't do anything about bounty hunters wanting a piece of you, but it seems that if you were pardoned for your crimes there wouldn't be a reward for you and that would take care of your bounty hunter problem," she reasoned.
She had to admit the girl did make good sense there. "Now I can't promise Crowley will pardon you, but didn't you say you were from Meric fief and that's where most of your criminal activity took place?" "It seems like what you desire most is your freedom, and I suspect some extra coin wouldn't hurt either, right?" Tory had one final argument that she hoped would persuade Mouse that she was sincere, "If you don't want to help, then you are free to go. Don't forget to pick up your bow over there on your way out." She didn't know how Mouse was going to react. The bandit could try to jump her and take the coins, so Tory was prepared to fight if she had to. She suspected Mouse would just walk away, but she looked at her, pleading with her round blue eyes to stay and help her get Ben to safety. "I would be... honored... if you would agree to help me, and very grateful," she said softly and earnestly.
Mouse listened to Tory speak. At the very least the girl sounded sincere. She frowned and sighed heavily. She drummed her fingers on her knees thinking. On the one hand her soft side went out to the girl, she was young and on her own. Way out of her depth and needed a little help. She didn't seem so bad, compared to other rangers she had met. On the other hand her instincts told her to just take her freedom and go, never looking back. She had to admit she was even tempted to rob the girl of her coins, but she resisted seeing that the girl was prepared for her to do something just like that. She was smart Nissa had to give her that, she used her brain well. If things had gone differently in this situation Nissa would not be contemplating what to do. This girl, this Tory had shown her kindness. Even though she was a thief, possibly a murderer she had given her something to eat. She hadn't shot her hadn't cursed at her. She had shown her kindness something Nissa hadn't been shown very often in her life, it gave her pause made her think. It made her wonder if certain things in her life had gone differently where she would be now. Would she be a ranger? Or married? She frowned at herself why was she thinking about that? She couldn't change the past nor could she change her circumstances. It was what it was, she just needed to move on. Although a thought had been growing in her mind ever since she had examined the arrows and Tory had wanted her to come with her to find Avery. She wasn't quick to see him in any hurry whatsoever. He was cruel, pushy, and powerful. He had been hunting her down for the past three years, no one just walked away, fortunately he wanted her back in the gang thats why she was still breathing. She rubbed her face, studied Tory for a minute or so then finally came to a decision.
"I will help you, with your promise that you will talk to your people about getting me a pardon. At least in Merric feif. And if they refuse then I will hold you to your word that you will owe me a favor one day. I will not take your money, I am only agreeing to this because I have spent the last three years looking over my shoulder. I have spent to many sleepless nights wondering if I would wake up with a knife pointed at my throat or not. This does not mean that I like you, nor does this mean I actually like helping you. I'm helping you because it would benefit myself." she paused. "Now I understand that this is only going to work if we have a basic trust in each other. Because I am a bandit I'm sure my word means very little to you, therefore I give you my word as a fellow human being that i wont kill you in your sleep." she paused and shrugged. "Besides murder isn't really my style, now robing you in your sleep is more my style but I give you my word that your coins are safe."
She wondered if the ranger would actually take her word, if she did that would be a first and Nissa was a bandit of honor even if she didn't like rangers, once given she was not going to break her word. She just hoped she got pardoned in Merric so she had like tory had said at least a safe refuge somewhere where she could sleep without worry. That would be nice. She doubted the authorities would go for it but it was worth a shot. She was wanted already honestly what did she have to lose?
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Post by Brandwyn on May 28, 2017 21:40:31 GMT -5
"I will help you, with your promise that you will talk to your people about getting me a pardon. At least in Merric feif. And if they refuse then I will hold you to your word that you will owe me a favor one day. I will not take your money, I am only agreeing to this because I have spent the last three years looking over my shoulder. I have spent to many sleepless nights wondering if I would wake up with a knife pointed at my throat or not. This does not mean that I like you, nor does this mean I actually like helping you. I'm helping you because it would benefit myself." she paused. "Now I understand that this is only going to work if we have a basic trust in each other. Because I am a bandit I'm sure my word means very little to you, therefore I give you my word as a fellow human being that i wont kill you in your sleep." she paused and shrugged. "Besides murder isn't really my style, now robing you in your sleep is more my style but I give you my word that your coins are safe."
The corners of Tory's mouth twitched as she suppressed the urge to grin. "Fair enough," she said seriously and held out her right hand to Nissa. "It's a deal."
"Go get your bow and I will get another blanket out of my pack. I don't think we should move him until morning." Tory went to her pack she was using for a pillow and untied her extra blanket. She also pulled out her map case and writing satchel. She tossed the blanket to Mouse and then sat back down near the fire and pulled out some extra parchment, ink and quill. "Since we can't leave until morning, I will go ahead and write those letters to my Father and Lady Brandwyn. Soon as we get to where they have courier service I will send them off."
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Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 422
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Post by Kallie on Jun 4, 2017 18:06:51 GMT -5
Fair enough," she said seriously and held out her right hand to Nissa. "It's a deal."
Nissa looked at the hand hesitantly she had done this before and very much regretted it. Slowly she reached out and shook the rangers offered hand. "Its a deal." she repeated. Man it felt weird making deals with rangers. she was in no hurry to make another one either. Once this was done and over with she was very much happy with the thought of staying away from rangers for a little while. At least as she had thought in the past conversation this one seemed a little more reasonable than most. At the very least she was tolerable.
"Go get your bow and I will get another blanket out of my pack. I don't think we should move him until morning." Tory went to her pack she was using for a pillow and untied her extra blanket. She also pulled out her map case and writing satchel. She tossed the blanket to Mouse and then sat back down near the fire and pulled out some extra parchment, ink and quill. "Since we can't leave until morning, I will go ahead and write those letters to my Father and Lady Brandwyn. Soon as we get to where they have courier service I will send them off."
Mouse went over to the tree and picked up her bow senses alert for any double crossing on the rangers part. She looked her weapon over to make sure it was still in good condition then put it on her back and went back to the fire. She caught the blanket with ease and was surprised at the offer. She hadn't expected to be given a blanket it was something she appreciated the ranger doing but made sure it didn't let it show. She spread out her blanket close to the fire as the girl talked. She was definitely surprised by this girl so much so she spoke.
"You know Tori you are different from any ranger I have ever met before. I dont know what to think about you."
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Post by Brandwyn on Jun 10, 2017 17:15:26 GMT -5
"You know Tori you are different from any ranger I have ever met before. I don't know what to think about you."
Tory stiffened at Mouse's words. She was still a bit self-conscience about her unusual ranger training and her current situation in Meric Fief. She was worried that Crowley would not only throw her out of the Ranger Corps, but that if she returned to Meric, she would be thrown in the dungeon. She glanced at Mouse and shrugged, not sure what to say.
"I guess I'm not like most rangers." She paused her letter writing and pondered what Mouse had said. "I suppose I am more likely to find out why a person does something rather than judging them purely on their actions, because of what my mentor has gone through," she paused a moment, " and maybe because of what I have been through too."
She had to admit that she was beginning to like Mouse, or at least she could see a possibility that, maybe if things were different and they had met under different circumstances, they may have actually become friends. But a ranger and a thief friends? It was highly unlikely and at the very least would make their lives rather complicated, assuming she ever really did become a full ranger.
"Let's just say I know what it feels like to live your life on the run." Tory said as she scribbled another sentence on her letter. She scratched out a few more sentences in silence. Then hesitantly said, "just because my father is a member of the Baron's Guard, doesn't mean my childhood was easy. A lot of people think that, but ... well, my parents weren't married and my mother is a servant. That made me a servant too." She glanced at Mouse. "I am sure it was not as bad as yours in some ways, but when someone owns you... well, they feel they can do anything they want to you." She shrugged again. Maybe she'd said too much.
"Anyway, we probably aren't as different as you might think," she looked at Mouse, challenging her to prove her wrong.
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Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 422
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Post by Kallie on Jun 10, 2017 20:35:09 GMT -5
"I guess I'm not like most rangers."yeah you got that right for sure
"I suppose I am more likely to find out why a person does something rather than judging them purely on their actions, because of what my mentor has gone through," she paused a moment, " and maybe because of what I have been through too."
Nissa's eyes widened slightly at that, so she had been right. This girl was way smarter than she had originally gave her credit for. There was something familier in the way she said it, obviously the girl had had a traumatic event in her past. Nissa could understand that all to well.
"Let's just say I know what it feels like to live your life on the run." Tory said as she scribbled another sentence on her letter. She scratched out a few more sentences in silence. Then hesitantly said, "just because my father is a member of the Baron's Guard, doesn't mean my childhood was easy. A lot of people think that, but ... well, my parents weren't married and my mother is a servant. That made me a servant too." She glanced at Mouse. "I am sure it was not as bad as yours in some ways, but when someone owns you... well, they feel they can do anything they want to you." She shrugged again. Maybe she'd said too much.
There was no denying it there was more to this girl than met the eye. Nissa felt an odd emotion start to well up inside her. She swallowed a little and looked away from the girl. She soon realized it was pity, no not pity it was sympathy. A shared Sympathy, Nissa understood what this girl may have gone through more than she probably would ever in her life care to admit. She wondered why the girl had told her that, didn't she want to keep such things to herself? For protection? There were some who found such things a weakness and would expound on such weakness's like a cat on a mouse.
"Anyway, we probably aren't as different as you might think," she looked at Mouse, challenging her to prove her wrong.
Nissa raised an eyebrow and the corner of her mouth twitched a little in a smile. "I could deny that statement, perhaps our situations are similar but our personalities differ." she hesitated a moment then decided to admit something of her own. It was only fair she reasoned. Besides the girl really needed to know what she was up against. "I know what its like to be owned by someone. You said it when you said that they feel like they can do anything they want to you. I was 10 years old when Avery found me. I was hungry, cold, dirty and completely alone in the world. He popped up out of no where and grabbed me, I kicked and screamed but there wasn't much I could do him being 16 years old and twice my size and weight. He kept telling me to calm down that everything was going to be all right that he was my friend. I didn't believe him. He brought me to his camp at the time he had about 6 followers all young males. He set me down and I tried to run off and nearly got away to but I was out numbered 7 to one and I was barely alive as it was. Two of the others pinned me to the ground Avery was still trying to calm me down but by this time I was to terrified out of my mind to listen I kept screaming and crying and squirming. Finally Avery had them tie me up and sit me in front of the fire, he draped a warm blanket around my shoulders and offered me an apple. I was so hungry I snatched it and devoured it. I remember how his smile calmed me down made me feel safe. Well long story short I began to trust them I didn't talk much and I was so small they nicknamed me Mouse. As I got older Avery started calling me 'his little Mouse' I thought it was endearing.When I was 14 years old I asked him if I could officially be part of the gang up until then I was just kind of there part of the crowd but not really. He smiled that smile and said if I was sure then he agreed, I said of course I was sure. I had come to see these 7 men as my family my protectors, my home." she paused and lifted the sleeve of her shirt to reveal a scar in the shape of an A. I was branded and bound to the gang that night. I went everywhere with them as I always did this time as their equal and not the little kid Avery picked up to help them steal stuff in tight squeezes or to be the dramatic distraction." she stopped and stared into the fire as she remembered her past then she looked up and looked into Tori's eyes. "But of course I'm sure you know as well as I that men are not to be trusted. I was 17 when the harsh realities of life slammed its ugly fist in my face. One of the men Adam I think his name was had always had an odd look when he looked at me. He would stare at me and grin this sly grin, as a child I had never noticed how he had always found an excuse to touch me, my leg, my arm, my head but as I grew up these touches became more....intrusive. It was his birthday and we were celebrating, he over drank as he always did I went to bed early to let the boys have their idiotic fun, I'm not a big drinker. He came into my tent and for lack of a better phrase had his way with me against my will. And when Avery finally came into the tent hearing my screams he didn't stop him he stood there and laughed and when Adam was done Avery decided he'd had enough watching." she stopped her face had gone pale. Then a cold hatred started to burn in her eyes. "I ran away from the camp bleeding terrified and tried to find a ranger. I found one and he asked me what had happened I told him and you know what he did? He laughed and closed the door in my face leaving me on his cabin porch a miserable wreck of a teenage girl. I didn't know what to do I ran away put it didn't do any good. The next day Avery and the gang found me and took me back to the camp kicking and screaming just like I was 10 years old again. Avery yelled and scolded and told me I was his I wore his brand and that I could not leave and that he owned me and he could do whatever he liked with me because I was his. Then he laughed in my face and told me that no matter where I went no man would ever want me because of what had happened. It wasn't until three years ago I was able to to escape them. So believe me when I tell you that I know Avery and his most loyal men more than anyone and if you ever want to find them you will have to trust me. Now knowing all that do you still wanna find him?" she was kind of hoping that the girl would say now and she was a tad nervous that the girl would laugh and think she had made it all up. Every word she had said was true. As she thought the more she realized that she was scared of Avery, terrified of what he might do to her and here she was about to go to him.
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Post by Brandwyn on Aug 5, 2017 21:08:11 GMT -5
Nissa raised an eyebrow and the corner of her mouth twitched a little in a smile. "I could deny that statement, perhaps our situations are similar but our personalities differ." she hesitated a moment then decided to admit something of her own. It was only fair she reasoned. Besides the girl really needed to know what she was up against.
Tory looked down and shrugged, wondering what had come over her. Usually she wasn’t so chatty, but for some odd reason, she found herself liking Mouse.
"I know what its like to be owned by someone. You said it when you said that they feel like they can do anything they want to you.”
Tory looked up at her at that statement and her eyes widened in surprise that she quickly tried to hide. Perhaps they shared a similar background?
“I was 10 years old when Avery found me. I was hungry, cold, dirty and completely alone in the world. He popped up out of no where and grabbed me, I kicked and screamed but there wasn't much I could do him being 16 years old and twice my size and weight. He kept telling me to calm down that everything was going to be all right that he was my friend. I didn't believe him. “
‘No kidding,’ thought Tory, ‘I wouldn’t have either.’ She nodded in understanding, but said nothing, entranced that Mouse was sharing some of her past. Maybe she was just telling her to try to scare her from going after this Avery guy.
“He brought me to his camp at the time he had about 6 followers all young males. He set me down and I tried to run off and nearly got away to but I was out numbered 7 to one and I was barely alive as it was. Two of the others pinned me to the ground Avery was still trying to calm me down but by this time I was to terrified out of my mind to listen I kept screaming and crying and squirming. Finally Avery had them tie me up and sit me in front of the fire, he draped a warm blanket around my shoulders and offered me an apple. I was so hungry I snatched it and devoured it. I remember how his smile calmed me down made me feel safe. Well long story short I began to trust them I didn't talk much and I was so small they nicknamed me Mouse. As I got older Avery started calling me 'his little Mouse' I thought it was endearing. When I was 14 years old I asked him if I could officially be part of the gang up until then I was just kind of there part of the crowd but not really. He smiled that smile and said if I was sure then he agreed, I said of course I was sure. I had come to see these 7 men as my family my protectors, my home." she paused and lifted the sleeve of her shirt to reveal a scar in the shape of an A.
Tory leaned forward to quickly study the brand and file it away for future reference. She realized she had seen it before, but couldn’t quite place when or where.
“I was branded and bound to the gang that night. I went everywhere with them as I always did this time as their equal and not the little kid Avery picked up to help them steal stuff in tight squeezes or to be the dramatic distraction." she stopped and stared into the fire as she remembered her past then she looked up and looked into Tori's eyes. "But of course I'm sure you know as well as I that men are not to be trusted. I was 17 when the harsh realities of life slammed its ugly fist in my face. One of the men Adam I think his name was had always had an odd look when he looked at me. He would stare at me and grin this sly grin, as a child I had never noticed how he had always found an excuse to touch me, my leg, my arm, my head but as I grew up these touches became more....intrusive. It was his birthday and we were celebrating.”
Tory thought she knew where this was headed and she felt a knot growing in the pit of her stomach as she listened with rapt attention. She suppressed her own horrid memories.
“He over drank as he always did I went to bed early to let the boys have their idiotic fun, I'm not a big drinker. He came into my tent and for lack of a better phrase had his way with me against my will. And when Avery finally came into the tent hearing my screams he didn't stop him he stood there and laughed and when Adam was done Avery decided he'd had enough watching." she stopped her face had gone pale.”
Tory’s face paled too. Mouse had endured far worse than Tory.
Then a cold hatred started to burn in her eyes. "I ran away from the camp bleeding terrified and tried to find a ranger. I found one and he asked me what had happened I told him and you know what he did? He laughed and closed the door in my face leaving me on his cabin porch a miserable wreck of a teenage girl.”
“Really?” Tory couldn’t believe that, but she believed Mouse was telling the truth. “I’d sure like to know who that Ranger was,” she muttered, and motioned Mouse to go on with her story.
“I didn't know what to do I ran away put it didn't do any good. The next day Avery and the gang found me and took me back to the camp kicking and screaming just like I was 10 years old again. Avery yelled and scolded and told me I was his I wore his brand and that I could not leave and that he owned me and he could do whatever he liked with me because I was his. Then he laughed in my face and told me that no matter where I went no man would ever want me because of what had happened.”
“Yeah, I heard the same thing, but I don’t care, even like I didn’t care then.” Tory thought about her little romance with one of the other apprentices at the Gathering and remembered her surprise at realizing it wasn’t true that no man would want her. “Don’t believe it though,” she interjected.
“It wasn't until three years ago I was able to to escape them. So believe me when I tell you that I know Avery and his most loyal men more than anyone and if you ever want to find them you will have to trust me. Now knowing all that do you still wanna find him?" she was kind of hoping that the girl would say no and she was a tad nervous that the girl would laugh and think she had made it all up. Every word she had said was true. As she thought the more she realized that she was scared of Avery, terrified of what he might do to her and here she was about to go to him.
Tory didn’t answer immediately. Her mind was whirling with images from her memory and imagining what Mouse had just described. No doubt Avery was dangerous.
“The smart thing would be to just send a report to Crowley on what I found out, leaving your name out of it, of course,” Tory mused out loud. “But we don’t have a lot of information here really. We don’t know for sure it was Avery that shot Ben. We don’t know where he is holed up now, or if he has more men or not. We don’t know if there is some bigger picture as to why he is out shooting Rangers.” Tory glanced back up the trail where they had come from. “Was it just a chance encounter or had he been hired by someone to target Rangers?” She fell silent again, seriously debating whether she should follow Mouse’s advice and just give it up, or if it was worth the risk to try and find out more about Avery.
“Do you think we have a chance at all of spying on him and getting away without him any the wiser?” Tory asked, thinking maybe just a recon-mission might be better than trying to actually try to apprehend the bandit. She had no illusions on what the gang would do to her, a young apprentice ranger – female ranger.
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Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
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Post by Kallie on Aug 12, 2017 8:17:14 GMT -5
“The smart thing would be to just send a report to Crowley on what I found out, leaving your name out of it, of course,” Tory mused out loud. “But we don’t have a lot of information here really. We don’t know for sure it was Avery that shot Ben. We don’t know where he is holed up now, or if he has more men or not. We don’t know if there is some bigger picture as to why he is out shooting Rangers.” Tory glanced back up the trail where they had come from. “Was it just a chance encounter or had he been hired by someone to target Rangers?”
Nissa only half heard her. She was trying to drive out her memory of most of the nights in that stupid camp. She stared into the flames of the fire and thought for a minute or two.
“Do you think we have a chance at all of spying on him and getting away without him any the wiser?”
The ranger did have a point. She thought about what she knew about Avery and what she knew about this whole situation. When she had carefully thought through it she spoke her mind.
"Well as I said earlier Avery is very greedy I would not put it past him to take on this job of shooting Rangers if the price was right. However he isn't stupid. He would definitely not shoot a ranger just for fun, especially since the people who shot him ran away and didn't loot his pockets. If it was just a mere coincidence they would have taken the time to rob what was his name? Ben? Anyway they didn't. So if I had to guess I would say a safe bet would be that someone did indeed hire Avery to target Ben thing is he is only one. No offence. We don't have much to go on here, could be someone has it out for rangers or maybe someone had it just out for Ben. We don't know. I have a pretty good idea where Avery is or I know of his multiple hideouts. You could send a report to your chief that actually might be a really good idea even if you don't have a lot of information. Seems like this is something he might want to know about." she paused and rubbed her temples an idea had been forming in her mind but she was unsure if she wanted to voice it or to even do it. She didn't want to stop being a thief she was quite happy with this life but if she voiced her idea it would seem like she wanted to turn her life around. Truth was she only wanted revenge.
"It seems to me that you need someone on the inside. Avery is to careful for you to simply just you know spy on the camp it will be well hidden and well guarded and he is smart, the sentrys change unexpectedly and a lot of them hide while on duty. There is always the age old ruse. I could go to the camp spy on him for you and give you inside information." she looked up at Tory and wondered what she would say. Mouse had to admit she was both scared of the idea and intrigued by it. Her life had been so boring these last few years all by herself. This could be fun and if she died well then she died it wasn't like anyone would miss her really. And if she was caught the king would hang her so either way she kind of had a target on her back already.
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Post by Brandwyn on Aug 14, 2017 20:16:21 GMT -5
"It seems to me that you need someone on the inside. Avery is to careful for you to simply just you know spy on the camp it will be well hidden and well guarded and he is smart, the sentrys change unexpectedly and a lot of them hide while on duty. There is always the age old ruse. I could go to the camp spy on him for you and give you inside information."
Tory looked startled, “No way! That’s way too dangerous!” she exclaimed. “He might just kill you out of spite ‘cuz you left him.” Then the sick feeling in the pit of her stomach got worse, “If you did,” she stopped and suppressed a shudder, “They will – um, won’t they do, uh, what they did to you before?” She stammered out. “One fat slob was horrible, I can’t even imagine … no, you can’t!” Tory shook her head.
Tory shuddered then, wondering how Mouse had the courage even to suggest going back to Avery and his hounds. Now her idea of sending a message off to Crowley with the information they did have before they found Avery was probably a good on; that way at least Crowley would know to send in more rangers if he didn’t hear from her again. The only problem with that is Crowley would then know where Tory and possibly Patrick were and neither of them could afford to be captured right now.
“Maybe we can come up with something else. Perhaps lure him into a trap somehow,” Tory suggested, not having any idea how they might accomplish that. “We have to get Ben to safety first, so we can think about alternatives until then.”
She went back to writing her letter and quickly scratched out her request to her father, who was a good friend of the Baron of Meric. When she finished she read it aloud. “How does this sound?”... she asked Mouse, and began reading.
“Dear Father,
I hope you and Mother are well. I am doing fine. Still out on the trail and nearing the end of my apprenticeship. I am sorry I left without notice, but I couldn’t bear the thought of being locked up. It is better this way. Someday I will come back and clear my name, but right now I have to help Patrick clear his.” “Father, I have met someone who is helping me rescue a ranger that was attacked and left for dead on the trail. Without her help, I don’t think I can save Ben. I had to remove an arrow tip that was very close to his spine and heart and he is unable to ride. They killed his horse, Father, for no reason other than they enjoyed it. This person I am talking about has had some brushes with the law in the past, but I believe she has a decent heart and only stole to survive. She may know who shot Ben. At great risk to herself, she has agreed to help me find those responsible for shooting Ben after we get him to a village and proper medical care. She says she is known in the fief by the name of The Mouse. She told me her story and I believe she was telling me the truth and if you knew the whole story, you would understand why I am vouching for her.”
“I believe that if she is given a chance, and the opportunity to make the right choices, she could turn her whole life around if she wants to. You have told me before that everyone deserves a second chance if their heart is in the right place. I would like to help her get that chance, but I need your help, yours and Lady Brandwyn’s help.”
“What I am asking is if you can plead her case to the Baron and ask for her to be pardoned for her crimes in Meric and that she can enter and live in Meric Fief with no fear of capture or reprisal, so long as she does not commit any other crimes.”
“I promised her I would speak on her behalf if we get out of this predicament alive, but I know my word is probably not good with the Baron, considering my past. But he trusts and admires you and looks to you for advice. I know you could persuade him to pardon The Mouse if you set your mind to it.”
“I am writing the Lady Brandwyn also so that you might both speak to His Excellency on Mouse’s behalf. If you need to correspond with me, you can leave a message for me with the ranger of Marshwood, Ringulf. It could be some time before I am able to pick it up, however.”
“Thank you, Father, for your help. Please give Mother my love and know that I miss you both, but you don’t have to worry for me. I love being out of the castle and away from most people. Hopefully I can come home to visit sometime soon. Tory”
Tory looked up at Mouse and asked, “Do you think that sounds okay?” she chewed her lower lip while she waited for Mouse to answer.
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Kallie
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 422
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Post by Kallie on Aug 30, 2017 20:52:41 GMT -5
Tory looked startled, “No way! That’s way too dangerous!” she exclaimed. “He might just kill you out of spite ‘cuz you left him.” Then the sick feeling in the pit of her stomach got worse, “If you did,” she stopped and suppressed a shudder, “They will – um, won’t they do, uh, what they did to you before?” She stammered out. “One fat slob was horrible, I can’t even imagine … no, you can’t!” Tory shook her head.
She shrugged. "I highly doubt he would kill me. It seems like a very logical thing its not that big of a deal." She didnt know why she was making such a fuss. She had lived through years of abuse what was some more? Besides she could deal with it if she knew she would be getting revenge in the end.
“Maybe we can come up with something else. Perhaps lure him into a trap somehow,” Tory suggested, not having any idea how they might accomplish that. “We have to get Ben to safety first, so we can think about alternatives until then.”
She sighed heavily not understanding why the girl was opoising the idea so much. She said nothing however.
“Dear Father,...........
“Do you think that sounds okay?”
"Uh, sure. I am not really an expert on letters or anything like that. Seems like it was a bit long winded but that could just be me. Perhaps a bit mushy but then again you seem to genuinely care for your father so maybe it was just right. You did explain the situation very well though I am impressed though I think you painted me in to good of a light I'm not a very good person. I'm a thief I mean honestly how reliable can I really be?"
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Post by Brandwyn on Sept 24, 2017 15:41:05 GMT -5
"You did explain the situation very well though I am impressed though I think you painted me in to good of a light I'm not a very good person. I'm a thief I mean honestly how reliable can I really be?"
Tory grinned at her, "What about all that 'Honor among Thieves' thing?" Tory's grin faded, "Besides, I am a murderer and father accepts me, so I doubt he is going to be all that fired up over a thief." She said matter-of-factly.
She walked over to her ranger horse, Chocolate Chip, and talked softly to the pony for several minutes while Chip ate the grain she gave him. She only had enough for one more day in the saddle bags. He had spent the day foraging around the woods for grass, but the pickings in this area were getting pretty slim.
Then she banked the fire for the night. She hated to leave it going, knowing it could attract attention, but she couldn't put it out for Ben's sake.
"Get some sleep, I will take first watch." Tory ordered Mouse, not really giving her a chance to argue. If she chose not to sleep for four hours, that would be on her, but Tory was going to keep watch regardless. She piled up her saddle and packs and threw a blanket over them, making it look like a person was sleeping next to the fire. Then she strode off towards the stream until she found a good tree she could climb that had a good view of that camp, Ben and Mouse. She settled on the branch, pulled her ranger cloak about her and knocked an arrow on her bow. She could stay that way for hours, blending into the tree trunk, and no one would know she was there until she moved. Three years on the run and training as a ranger assured that she would not fall asleep,no matter how long it had been since she'd had a good night's sleep.
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